Friday, September 21, 2007
Last Night
Some moments in time take a life of their own and leave you in wonder of what is taking place. Last night was one of those nights with the cloudless sky scattered with faint stars and the heat of the day gone til the morning. On the path to meet a savings and loan group of street women I passed by walls protecting beautiful houses with elaborate doors and guards sitting outside keeping watch or snoozing. As I followed Dkior, one of the members, with her paint bucket full of clothes and treasures and cardboard mat in hand, I asked myself what I am I doing, not in the sense of doubt but in seeing God's hand directing me to places that aren't clear yet and encouraging me to continue to hang onto His promises. Little by little I learn the language of these women and little by little they save their money from their work. It's a process that I don't know where it will end up or where it will take us. Will they be able to understand the full picture of God's love for them in sending His Son to die for them? Or will they just know a girl who invested a little time and money into giving them hope for the now? Pray that I would be able to speak truth into their lives in a way that transforms their lives for the now and the not yet.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Two Amazing Stories
Today I heard two incredible testimonies of God's power at work in West Africa that are worth reading when you have the time. A baptism of twenty new believers will be held this Sunday. All is well for me expect a sheep ate my clothes today...
Marie's Story
Each spring the town seers (people who claim to see into the future and/or to have supernatural powers) have a special ceremony and describe what the upcoming rainy season will be like. This spring, one of their predictions was that a girl would be bitten by a poisonous snake. Unless the girl then came to see them with lots of money and gifts, she would surely die; however, even if she did come, there would be no guarantee that she would live. The seers also said that the girl would be of a lighter shade of skin color and would help with taking care of a church.
A few weeks later, Marie, who was recently converted through the ministry of church-planter Paul, went on an outreach activity with the church youth group. On the way back, she was bitten in the leg by a poisonous snake. As news spread that she had been bitten, everyone realized that she was the girl in the seers' prediction. Not only is Marie's skin shade lighter than average, she also regularly swept the room her church meets in.
Marie's family wanted to take her to the seers and also to a witch doctor, but she refused, saying that she trusted in God to heal her. Paul and the other Christians prayed fervently for her. Her leg began to swell until it was a few times its normal size.
The whole extended family put a lot of pressure on Marie and on her church family, saying that if they didn't take her to the seers and witch doctor and she died, they would hold the church accountable for her death.
Meanwhile, the health agent at a small local health center run by a Christian organization was trying to come up with the means to purchase an antidote to the poison. The one necessary injection costs more than $200, a huge sum for the local people, especially since they haven't yet brought in this year's harvest.
Humanly speaking, Marie should have been dead after two or three days. Five days after she was bitten, she was still alive. The health agent was able to purchase the antidote and gave it to her. She recovered quickly and completely and took her comprehensive high school final exams two weeks later. She passed the difficult exams, and her story has become well known all over the area.
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Adama's Story
Adama is a 17-year-old girl who gave her life to Christ a few months ago through the ministry of church-planter Paul. Her family was very upset and took her by force into the capital city to the home of a well-known marabout (Muslim religious leader), since the family follows that marabout.
At the home of the marabout, Adama accused him of hiding the truth from his disciples, since Jesus is the only way to salvation. The marabout gave a loud shriek and his disciples were so enraged that some began attacking her, with the intention of killing her. The marabout said not to do it there, but to take her to an isolated beach near the city.
Meanwhile, the driver of the taxi that the family had taken from their village to the capital had been waiting the whole time since he had been hired for the return trip. The driver saw how events were unfolding and had compassion on Adama. He managed somehow to talk to her privately and told her to sit in the middle of the back seat on the way to the beach. Her father would be in front, with two of the marabout's disciples in the back, one on each side of her. The driver told her to wait until her father and the other two men had gotten out, and then he would speed off with her. The plan worked perfectly, and Adama's life was spared.
The taxi driver took Adama back to the city and dropped her off. She had been to the city once before and found her way to the home of friends she had visited there. Then she called Paul, recounted the events and asked for help. Paul told her to leave and and come out to his house.
Paul and another church leader went with Adama to see the sous-prefect, the local government authority. They explained about the attempt on her life, and Adama said that she wanted to remain with the Christians and not go back to her family. The sous-prefect agreed to this. Adama was taken to stay with a pastor's family in a large city.
Adama's family tried to find out where she was. They contacted the local authorities and tried to accuse the church people of abducting her. However, because of the visit to the sous-prefect, those charges were not accepted. Church-planter Paul assured the family that she was safe and being well taken care of.
Adama's mother in particular was insistent on seeing her. After discussion between Paul, Adama and her host family, it was decided that Paul would take Adama's mother to visit her. Before coming, her mother went to a witch doctor and got a special poison in powder form that she intended to try to slip into Adama's food or drink. However, the mother forgot the powder on the horse cart she took on her way from her village to the main road.
Adama's mother found her daughter in very different circumstances than she had expected. Adama was obviously happy, living in a comfortable house with a kind family who was treating her well. The pastor's wife and Adama spent time talking with Adama's mother, and she ended up sobbing, regretting bitterly that she had tried to have spells put on Adama and wanted to see her dead, even to the point of planning to kill her herself. Adama's mother has now become a believer and has requested to be baptized this Sunday.
Marie's Story
Each spring the town seers (people who claim to see into the future and/or to have supernatural powers) have a special ceremony and describe what the upcoming rainy season will be like. This spring, one of their predictions was that a girl would be bitten by a poisonous snake. Unless the girl then came to see them with lots of money and gifts, she would surely die; however, even if she did come, there would be no guarantee that she would live. The seers also said that the girl would be of a lighter shade of skin color and would help with taking care of a church.
A few weeks later, Marie, who was recently converted through the ministry of church-planter Paul, went on an outreach activity with the church youth group. On the way back, she was bitten in the leg by a poisonous snake. As news spread that she had been bitten, everyone realized that she was the girl in the seers' prediction. Not only is Marie's skin shade lighter than average, she also regularly swept the room her church meets in.
Marie's family wanted to take her to the seers and also to a witch doctor, but she refused, saying that she trusted in God to heal her. Paul and the other Christians prayed fervently for her. Her leg began to swell until it was a few times its normal size.
The whole extended family put a lot of pressure on Marie and on her church family, saying that if they didn't take her to the seers and witch doctor and she died, they would hold the church accountable for her death.
Meanwhile, the health agent at a small local health center run by a Christian organization was trying to come up with the means to purchase an antidote to the poison. The one necessary injection costs more than $200, a huge sum for the local people, especially since they haven't yet brought in this year's harvest.
Humanly speaking, Marie should have been dead after two or three days. Five days after she was bitten, she was still alive. The health agent was able to purchase the antidote and gave it to her. She recovered quickly and completely and took her comprehensive high school final exams two weeks later. She passed the difficult exams, and her story has become well known all over the area.
-------------------------
Adama's Story
Adama is a 17-year-old girl who gave her life to Christ a few months ago through the ministry of church-planter Paul. Her family was very upset and took her by force into the capital city to the home of a well-known marabout (Muslim religious leader), since the family follows that marabout.
At the home of the marabout, Adama accused him of hiding the truth from his disciples, since Jesus is the only way to salvation. The marabout gave a loud shriek and his disciples were so enraged that some began attacking her, with the intention of killing her. The marabout said not to do it there, but to take her to an isolated beach near the city.
Meanwhile, the driver of the taxi that the family had taken from their village to the capital had been waiting the whole time since he had been hired for the return trip. The driver saw how events were unfolding and had compassion on Adama. He managed somehow to talk to her privately and told her to sit in the middle of the back seat on the way to the beach. Her father would be in front, with two of the marabout's disciples in the back, one on each side of her. The driver told her to wait until her father and the other two men had gotten out, and then he would speed off with her. The plan worked perfectly, and Adama's life was spared.
The taxi driver took Adama back to the city and dropped her off. She had been to the city once before and found her way to the home of friends she had visited there. Then she called Paul, recounted the events and asked for help. Paul told her to leave and and come out to his house.
Paul and another church leader went with Adama to see the sous-prefect, the local government authority. They explained about the attempt on her life, and Adama said that she wanted to remain with the Christians and not go back to her family. The sous-prefect agreed to this. Adama was taken to stay with a pastor's family in a large city.
Adama's family tried to find out where she was. They contacted the local authorities and tried to accuse the church people of abducting her. However, because of the visit to the sous-prefect, those charges were not accepted. Church-planter Paul assured the family that she was safe and being well taken care of.
Adama's mother in particular was insistent on seeing her. After discussion between Paul, Adama and her host family, it was decided that Paul would take Adama's mother to visit her. Before coming, her mother went to a witch doctor and got a special poison in powder form that she intended to try to slip into Adama's food or drink. However, the mother forgot the powder on the horse cart she took on her way from her village to the main road.
Adama's mother found her daughter in very different circumstances than she had expected. Adama was obviously happy, living in a comfortable house with a kind family who was treating her well. The pastor's wife and Adama spent time talking with Adama's mother, and she ended up sobbing, regretting bitterly that she had tried to have spells put on Adama and wanted to see her dead, even to the point of planning to kill her herself. Adama's mother has now become a believer and has requested to be baptized this Sunday.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Ramadan
I'm sitting listening to the chants of Muslim prayers on the first night of Ramadan but like everynight still hearing my neighbor across the street scraping the side of his pot of roasted peanuts. My previous unreflected expectations prompt me to pursue more knowledge of this new season I have awaken to today.
Expert from A Christian's Response to Islam by William M. Miller
"It is as though a person in the dim light of dawn should look at a distant building. He sees the building, he perceives there is only one building, but he is unable to tell whether it is a residence or a factory. He is sure it only has one story, and is built of brick. But when he comes nearer, and views the building in the clear light of day, he realises that it is built of stone, not of brick, and instead of having only one story it has three. He now knows the building as it really is. When a Muslim looks toward God in the imperfect light of Qur'anic revelation and his own reason, he sees God's power and will, but does not see God's love. He sees God's unity, but he does not see that he is Trinity in unity. Such true knowledge of God is possible only when one sees God in his Son Jesus Christ."
Expert from A Christian's Response to Islam by William M. Miller
"It is as though a person in the dim light of dawn should look at a distant building. He sees the building, he perceives there is only one building, but he is unable to tell whether it is a residence or a factory. He is sure it only has one story, and is built of brick. But when he comes nearer, and views the building in the clear light of day, he realises that it is built of stone, not of brick, and instead of having only one story it has three. He now knows the building as it really is. When a Muslim looks toward God in the imperfect light of Qur'anic revelation and his own reason, he sees God's power and will, but does not see God's love. He sees God's unity, but he does not see that he is Trinity in unity. Such true knowledge of God is possible only when one sees God in his Son Jesus Christ."
Monday, September 10, 2007
Small Things
Lately, I have seen God work in my life in small but beautiful ways which have graciously reminded me of how He loves and cares for me even when I am miles from home. This afternoon I was homesick and was pleasantly surprised by the kids who live below me who had decided to bring me dinner. I am still not sure if I missed something, but I'm taking it face value. They generously bought me a pizza, charwama, candy, apple, banana, water and soda. It was perfect timing in brightening up my day and giving me friends to enjoy some time together.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Football
Most every boy, here, plays football and every neighborhood has a team for each age category including adults. Last night I went with one of my landlord's sons to watch our neighborhood team (Zone B) play against the precinct next to us. It was a great game and fun to take part in a community event. We won 1-0. The little boy running in front of the team is another one of my landlord's sons. He is the team mascot.
Slightly Different St. Louis
This weekend I went with a friend up to St. Louis to get a change of scenery and breath of fresh air. St. Louis is the historical capital of Senegal from the French colonial days and now is a city run down with dilapitated buildings which tell the story of a different era.
Tresses
Two Sundays ago I decided to experience the African hair style of tresses (braids). My neighbor Satou had mentioned to me she did them often for girls in the neighborhood so I decided to try it out. It took a couple of hours and my head hurt by the end from all the pulling. My hair was so tightly braided I had trouble going to sleep the first night. It took me a few days to get use to them, but now I love the low maitenance of my hair. We'll see how long I keep them.
I told Rhadijah to take a few pictures of the process and from the pic you can see how much she enjoyed herself.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The World in My Room
After quite a few calls to the phone company and a couple of trips to the computer store, I have internet set up in my apartment. I haven't had consistent access to the web for close to a month, so you can imagine I am quite content. From now on if you want to shoot me an e-mail or skype me, I should be able to reply in a more timely manner.
Soo...what is going on in my life...
Today I finished my first section of beginner Wolof and will start my next 25 hours on Thursday. I've enjoyed learning the language so far and find it easier to practice and hear than French. Rhadijah, the little girl below me, comes by everyday to help me along with it.
Soo...what is going on in my life...
Today I finished my first section of beginner Wolof and will start my next 25 hours on Thursday. I've enjoyed learning the language so far and find it easier to practice and hear than French. Rhadijah, the little girl below me, comes by everyday to help me along with it.
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