Saturday, March 15, 2008

Your hands extended…

       From the beginning of this trip, it was my desire to tithe on the financial gifts that friends gave to help me travel in Africa. I asked God to show me where I might do that. It seemed that this time, deciding when and where was going to mainly be in response to my passion and where there seemed to be an opportunity or means to give. It was simple.

       Actually, the harder part was not giving it all away! I found places where my compassion rose, where I wanted to see something more happen, where the circumstances fit clearly into my mission philosophy… so that’s where I stepped into the pleasure of giving.

       So, my supportive friends, this is where some of your money went:

  • To support the work of Family Life Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ in Benin, West Africa, led by Edouard and Solange Ametou.
  • To support CHE (Community Health Evangelism) training led by Daniel Kpowbie in West Africa .
  • To buy vegetable seed for a famine-affected village near Kaffrine, Senegal.
  • To support ministry to a Muslim village near K., under the ministry of Jeff and Iris.
  • To assist with buying a generator to show the Jesus film in Senegal.
  • To support food and health care needs of Talibe street children in Dakar, Senegal.
  • To buy mosquito nets for an orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, under the leadership of Michael Lutalo with Appointed Harvesters Ministries.
  • To replace an accident-destroyed cell phone used for ministry by Phillip in Kampala, Uganda .
  • To buy lunch for the entire team of MAP International who took us to IDP camps near Gulu, Uganda .
  • To buy food for orphans and widows infected by AIDS in crisis circumstances led by Janice of Mercy Medicine, White River, South Africa .

I’m still looking and listening for more places…

Posted by Sue at 16:11:45 | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Profound!

Jan 5 - 12. Time is flying, I’ve experienced so very much and have fallen behind in my writing. The last two weeks in Senegal were profound in many ways. I began to visit missionaries with various projects in Kaolack, Kaffrine, Kebemer, Thies, and Dakar. Don’t know that I can summarize it effectively, but will attempt a few comments.

I met the J family from Kaolack, seasoned missionaries who have been in the region long. I found myself appreciating their willingness to go the long haul, seeking God for each new step - sometimes when the way isn’t clear. Dave has a gift for relationships and has been a great support to Saidou in K.M.

The V family in Kaffrine hosted me for a couple of short days and incorporated me into their village outreach. I am particularly thankful for their willingness to enter into intense conversations with me about storying, mistakes and successes, staying for the long haul, and creative ministry in a dry and harsh land. I found myself weeping as I understood more deeply what it means to put in long years with little evidence of fruit in the sense of converts. Is it possible, I questioned, that their lifetime may be spent in this way with the possibility that the harvest may come after they part? Yet they are willing to continue boldly and in much grace. At present, it’s my impression that they have plowed much ground and planted much seed in patience. Many know more that they let on in this Muslim land. I accompanied them in two sessions of Bible stories (spiritual lessons) and practical health lessons in a local village where it’s obvious that they are much loved. Local women listened closely and asked good questions. Leaving, I asked, “where are the men?” I was astonished to learn that nearly all men had left the village in recent times due to lost crops and potential of famine. They are looking for work in other places, and sometimes avoiding the outcome of their suffering families. Profoundly difficult to grasp.

Posted by Sue at 15:29:58 | Permalink | Comments (2)