Godaguéne Well

Godaguéne is a little village (2,000+ pop. in 2003) located three hours from the city in a predominately Muslim community with little access to roads or electricity.  In 2005 a church was started yet has remained small despite the initial draw of curiosity. On my first visit to the village to discuss 'economic development' they shared with me their desire to have a closer well in their village. The well is 1 km away and the women spend 4 to 6 hours a day just walking back and forth from the well.  In the past they thought an outside organization would help them but nothing has ever happened.  

I agreed to try and help them have a closer well put in if they would find the land, hire an experienced work crew and take care of them for the duration of the well construction.  They agreed to this and obtained permission from the village chief and found an experienced crew to  dig the well.  Now they need outside partners to invest in the cost of the well construction ($3, 150) If you would like to donate to the Godaguéne well, please send donations to MTW P.O. Box 116284 Atlanta GA 30368.  Account #95959 

Thank You!

September Prayer Update

“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.”

Isaiah 45:5-6

It is the season of Ramadan.The beaches are desolate; the public pool is empty; and, hours of offices are shortened. From sunrise to sunset the majority of the population in the city abstain from food and drink. At dusk the bakery lines extend out the door as people buy bread to break their fast. 

I’ve been in West Africa for almost 15 months, and while I feel at home here, I have many areas I need to continue to grow in - language acquisition, culture sensitivity, ministry responsibilities, limits in generosity, etc.

I thought I would be spending a couple of months in a town closer to the villages, but Ndeye who I was going to stay with has been sick for the last month. She continues to struggle with her health.  Please lift her up in your prayers.  

In the month of August two training events occurred related to economic development. The first was a  roof top garden training for twenty-one women in the local community of one of the Presbyterian churches. So far it has been a success! The women trained have done a wonderful job taking care of their garden and have already started to sell their produce. The desire for the project is to provide an on-going opportunity for the church to engage in their community. Please pray for the Gospel to go forth through this project.

The second event, towards the end of August, was a training of 16 church leaders in project management. Daniel who attended the Chalmers Institute in Ghana and works with World Vision graciously offered to teach this seminar.  Management is an important aspect of the practicality of the church that is not always addressed - especially in this culture.  Pray for the development and fruitfulness of the church leader's management skills and their project ideas. In the coming months I will be following up on the participants to help them carry out some of their projects.  

Thank you for your prayers and partnership with me in West Africa.

Photo taken by Sarah E. at Virage Beach 

First Harvest

This week the Bon Samaritain women's group harvested their first batch of lettuce and mint -only a month after they set up their gardens.  They sold 4,550 F (10.70$ +/-) of produce on their first day of sales.  A bundle of mint and a head of lettuce sell for 100 F each (0.25$). The word is out in the neighborhood and now kids are sent to the center to buy fresh mint and lettuce! The micro-jardin project is a great example of how the local church can connect with their community in a tangible way that demonstrates the Gospel in all of life.  Pray for this women's group to experience the transformation of God's grace in their lives.

Risks

Last week I sat around a bowl eating with my hands as the little girl next to me coughed on the food.  The next day I sat around another bowl with another little girl sitting next to me coughing on the food.  Many times I have to live by others values and even when I know the consequences such as coughing spreads germs! Now I have the flu and have been in bed recovering.