Explore Africa: Luke 10
Excitement filled the air as our leaders announced: " A Luke 10 journey from Dakar in Senegal to Bamako in Mali." Preparations began as we studied Luke 10 in the Bible. By the time we were ready to depart from our leaders and Dakar, we had the same mission imprinted on our hearts and minds as the disciples had in Luke 10: to heal the sick and spread the Word of God.
From our first bus ride to Tambacounda we experienced God working as He sent our woman of peace on the same bus. We experienced life in an African compound; the friendly faces, curious eyes, warm hospitality, hours of conversation in broken French over cups of traditional Senegalese tea, a whole family living in one home, sharing from one plate at mealtimes and numerous people sleeping in the courtyard where a sheep and some ducks roam the grounds. With the words of Jesus in Luke 10 fresh in our minds, we noticed a young boy that is unable to talk and walk. Having faith that the boy will one day run and play with the other kids, we prayed for his healing. A young man, who generously served us tea, kept a curious eye on us. With a team effort of translating between French and Afrikaans, leading the conversation, finding Scripture and praying, we shared the Gospel with this young man. God reached out to him and he surrendered his life to Christ. With a visit to the local orphanage we had the privilege of spending time with the kids and the workers.
Upon entering a village, called Dialakota, we were swamped by kids and after a few songs we could slip away and meet our man of peace. We were welcomed into a traditional Senegalese village and by following the villagers and their ways, we experienced village lifestyle to the full. From drawing murky water from the well, getting mangoes from the tree, bathing with a bucket of cold water underneath the bright stars in the night sky, to sleeping outside among the villagers and being awakened early in the morning by the sound of sheep and donkeys in search of food. The biggest part of our day was spent in interesting conversation with the locals in the shade of a big tree, as he temperature rises to 45 degrees. The women learnt how to cook the Senegalese way and mealtimes consisted of close fellowship as we shared from one plate.
The team's next role was to encourage the local church. Our man of peace led us on an exploration of the town and by visiting the hospital and schools we experienced the need and the lifestyle of the locals in contrast to the village.
With our final destination in sight we eagerly awaited the train that would take us from Goudiry in Senegal to Bamako in Mali. We were soon reminded that we are indeed in Africa, as we received the report that the train was six hours delayed. Accepting an invitation to wait at the bar, which is owned by our man of peace and his wife, we made ourselves at home among the locals. Through various attempts of conversation, reading and waiting, the six hours passed slowly. Yet again, the realization of African time sunk in as our waiting continued. After a twelve hour wait we finally boarded the train with the news that there are no seats available. The only space left (if I can call it space) was between all the luggage and merchandise of our fellow passengers. We made ourselves at home on our backpacks in the aisle between boxes of dried fish, or on a thin matress that covers boxes, bottles and lugagge. From among all the boxes, bottles and luggage, we could feel all eyes were on eyes.
We had a good time with our fellow passengers and this journey was definitely the most memorable of all our African transport experiences. Two nights and a day later, we finally reached our final destination, Bamako. Upon arrival in the early morning hours our hearts rejoiced, but we desperately longed for a bed and a shower.
The next day we were joyfully reunited with our two leaders. Memories and experiences were shared and they last until this day; from village lifestyle, singing songs with kids about Africa, eating mangoes, waiting for the train and of course, travelling on the train. The hearts of Africa filled our own with new passion and our beloved continent and its people will always be of our fondest memories.