WALKING, PRAYING AND RED LICORICE

Lynn Lockwood (l) and Kris Mason (r) take turns snuggling one of Diagle's younger residents.

As 2014 came to a close and the new year began, our Travel Team was busy. They walked from home to home in our sister village of Diagle (Jog-a-lay) to pray with each family. They showed an evangelistic film New Year's night to a crowd of more than 125. And they felt deep gratitude for the skill and insight of their interpreters.

Licorice: fun to say, even more fun to eat!

Fun and Bible stories for Wolof children were also part of the mix. "We spent the day teaching kids through fun and games about Adam and Eve," says Team Member Kristin Serniotti. "We handed out licorice, and I taught the kids how to say the word in English. They loved saying it and eating it!"





Here's how John describes the past couple of days:

 

 

 From John

John Mason, Pastor at Mountain View

Prayer Walk
Our Team began the day with prayer and a group devotional, as is our custom. Then we left for Diagle to begin a prayer walk/soap distribution project. This is something we've done on several past trips. It involves giving a gift of laundry detergent and bars of all-natural soap to each woman in the village. As we are handing the women this small gift, we ask if we may pray for them, and we ask for their specific prayer requests. Then one Team Member prays and one of our interpreters (Charles Ndiaye or Adama Sene) repeats the prayer in the Wolof language.

There are a few things I want to mention as I reflect on the prayer walks:

First, I want to emphasize how wonderful it is to have excellent interpreters as part of our Team. Both Charles and Adama are nothing short of amazing. They not only interpret for us but also help convey our mission, and they have a deep grasp of our vision for Diagle. I can't over emphasize how important this is. Of course, it would be much better if our Team could communicate directly in Wolof, but because this is not yet possible, we are continually grateful for our remarkable interpreters.

Second, even in the moderate temperatures of this season, I am aware that the prayer walk process is some of the most taxing work we do here. It's easy to get exhausted and dehydrated, even though we are merely walking through the village and praying.

After about an hour, I saw the weariness on the faces of our Team. And even though I was trying to drink enough water, I was beginning to get a little "fuzzy" in my thinking as well. As Todd (Leighton) and I were talking about this experience, I was thanking God for those of you who are constantly praying for us. I felt strengthened by this to keep going, in spite of the fuzziness!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we were hearing from some of the families in Diagle about how deeply they appreciate the relationship they have with us. One man said that he was aware that we bring a specific spiritual message that he hopes the children of Diagle grasp so that they can continue a relationship with us when they are adults.

This is an amazing openness to the Gospel. In addition, several of the women we prayed with wanted to pray for us as well--another instance of the mutuality of our relationship with the village. They're open to receiving what we have to give, and they want to give something in return.

Of course, it's likely we're still a distance from a spiritual breakthrough in Diagle. We continue to pray for the day when we see a church in the village. However, the presence of our Wolof missionary A.F. is hopefully bearing fruit as he continues to visit the village and sow seeds of the Gospel.

Outdoor Movie Night
Because of the generosity of SIM mission workers (and our friends), Corey and Katie Garrett, we were able to show an evangelistic film last night (New Year's) in Diagle. The Garrett's shared their time and equipment with us. We estimate more than 125 people saw the movie.

Before the movie began, Corey showed photos that he had taken earlier that day of Diagle folks. So, while quality Senegalese Christian music was playing in the background, those who gatherd for the movie got to see versions of themselves on the BIG SCREEN. You can imagine the delight and laughter of this remarkable, shared experience!

The main feature was "The Solution," and it is set in the country of Ivory Coast. The plot involves a family who bases their security, peace and happiness in giving sacrifices to Maribou (Islamic holy man/charlatan). When the family's life begins to fall apart, they need a new way to find what they seek. Through the testimony of some Christian friends, they find Christ and eventually lead their whole village to Christ.

While the film is set in a different African country than Senegal, the similarities to the Wolof culture are striking. And although the movie is in French, it was interpreted live by Awa N. (child evangelism worker for our ministry partner Evangelical Baptist Church of Thies), who is traveling with our Team. She was so good that we assumed her voice was part of the movie's soundtrack. She was amazing!

After the movie A.F. told everyone that we would be very happy to talk to anyone who had questions or comments. Several people were deeply affected by the story. One woman in the audience said, "I felt like I was watching my own life on the screen." 

Our Team felt that although there were not ample opportunities to talk more with everyone who saw the movie, the Gospel message was presented very clearly. We see each experience like this as another step toward the day when folks in Diagle will find it very natural and logical to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. May it be so!  Amen!

John

Schedule Change

The Travel Team has made the decision to change its itinerary a bit. They will stay one more day in Kaffrine and return to Thies (Chess) on Monday 01/05 rather than Sunday (click to see full itinerary). This gives them more time to complete their work in both Diagle and Sorokogne villages.