God in everything, God in all. . .
We've been in Senegal for the last 2weeks and what a blessing and what a time of learning it has been!
Over-landing down through Western-Sahara and Mauritania we were expecting to have a hard time at the boarder getting out of Mauritania and into Senegal. We were warned to be careful of fraud, bribery and people stealing our passports and luggage, but God came through and really took care of and amazed us with His provision! At the hostel we stayed in on our last night in Mauritania we were blessed to have a very helpful host who organized for one of his friends to meet us in the next town and take us through and across the boarder!!! It went so much quicker than we expected and with much less hassle. Our friend took our passports, got them stamped, organized a boat to take us over the river, and got us stamped on the Senegalese side as well! When we had said goodbye and took a moment to gather ourselves we realized what had just happened, sure we were hot and tired, but God's hand in getting us through was just so evident! We stood there right next to the road thanking Him, and what was even more wonderful was that we were now able to mention His name and pray whenever and wherever without fear!!! It was such a liberating feeling and a moment of such appreciation for the privilege we have of freedom of religion!!
Crossing from one side to the other Senegalese style!
Here's the picture we took next to the road- notice the worried look in our eyes, it wasn't about the boarder but about the little boy standing close to the camera looking ready to grab it and run away any moment- well he didn't and so we got our luggage and started walking to the bus station. And lo and behold it looks like Africa here!!! Yes, we've been in Africa all this time but it felt more like Europe until we got to Senegal. And it was such a nice feeling!!! Seeing the true African markets, the over crowded “there's always space for more” buses. . .even the flies were welcoming!!! And we had the privilege to meet up with our friends from England whom we met along the way from Mauritania, they agreed to go with us to meet he Pastor who would be hosting us for our time in Senegal, and we spent the night together before they moved on to Dakar.
Our transport- goat on roof included!
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Arriving at Pastor Akim's house
Pastor Akim and pastor Matthew and their families were such a blessing to us! Pastor Akim has only been here for 3 months and is still in the process of setting things up. He introduced us to some of the local believers and we helped them prepare for the festival at church on Sunday, it was so much fun and we got to cook some traditional dishes!! We were even invited to sing for them in church the next day, which we did!
The EA choir & nbsp; Yes, that's a goat next to the pulpit
Here you either walk or ride on a horse-cart
He also introduced us to Pastor Jean who lives in the village of Rao just outside St.Louis and we were able to go there for a few days and do ministry in the community, it was so special and humbling!The founder, Pastor Ruben had just returned back from Brazil and received us with open arms. We were able to fall in with their ministry with the local children, playing games and singing songs with them, and spending time with the women they teach sowing and knitting to.
The ladies hard at work Some of the kids
The villages are still very conservative and sensitive in regards to religion and the work done by the pastors is absolutely phenomenal and only God can get the glory for it! It was such a precious and special few days where we learned so much from the Pastors and God really came and worked in each of us, our perspectives and perceptions of what it means to give our lives for Christ were really challenged and changed.
One day we even had the privilege of going to sing at a little rural village school!
& nbsp; The kids And their teacher
We were so blessed by Pastor Jean and his family, who took us in and fed us the most amazing and interesting meals!!!
All of us, Pastor Jean and his family, and Pastor Akim and his family
Watering onion fields Our water source Joy blowing bubbles
After our time in Rao we had a few days in St.Louis before moving on to Dakar so we went exploring a bit. . .
St.Louis from the bridge Us on the streets
The beach. . . . . African style
Abel and Stoffel praying for the street kids Our view from the hostel roof
And then it was time to move on to Dakar. . .a very interesting trip indeed
& nbsp; The big bus The quick-stop
We left the hostel early to catch the bus so we could be in Dakar by lunch. . .well, this is Africa. . .the bus only filled up by 12:30 and then proceded to stop every few km's to check the engine and then finally broke down about 100km's from Dakar so we climbed over into another and this one stopped at every 'quick-stop convenience store' next to the road so sellers could get on and sell their products until the next stop. We arrived in Dakar at 18:30, a bit exhausted and very hungry, but our day ended beautifully with us watching the sun set on the beach- a clean one.
And the beauty continued from there. We had 3days here in Dakar for debrief and it was such a blessing!
Walking to the top The most western point of Africa
We had the opportunity to see Dakar a bit: We walked the streets, climbed to the top of the statue, explored in the markets, and went looking for the most western point of Africa. . .and in all of our stay in Senegal we could see God's love for the people. It was displayed in every child''s face, in every prayer from our fellow believers here, and in the amazing creation all around us. There's no denying that God loves Africa and has a special place for it's people in His heart. We are so privileged as EA 2011 to be here and see this with our own eyes, thank you for the support that you give us and the prayers that carry us on and through! Our prayer for you is that right where you are, God will bless you and give you the same heart that we are receiving as you journey with us.
Special thanks to everyone who received and welcomed us in Senegal, and thank you for what you have imparted into our lives in this time. We pray that God will continue leading you and being your daily bread and bless you so much in doing His will.
& nbsp; The beautiful sunset
The women of Africa
The men of Africa
We're looking forward to see what God has for us in Niger. . . please journey with us. . .
Lots of love
EA