“I Will Go to Spain or I Will Die…”

These were the words of a man Crystal met while we were out with the Arkansas volunteers. His name is Pape (Pop) Konate (Koh-NAH-teh), and he was planning to leave soon in a pirogue (a small canoe-like boat) to go from Dakar all the way up to Spain to try to find a better life. Crystal knew that many people do not survive that trip, so she began to share in her limited Wolof how she is sure that she would go to live with God in Paradise when she dies. He said he was not sure what would happen if he were to die, but he was interested in knowing more about God. We were able to get some materials to him in Wolof and French the next day. Please pray that Pape will seek and find a true relationship with God. Pray that there will be people in his path who can help him understand what he reads and hears.

Pape was only one of the many people with whom we shared the Good News while our volunteers were here. They were a great group of university students. During the first week they went out to schools here in Dakar and passed out a book that explains who Jesus is and how He is the only one who fulfills all of the prophecies. We only gave books to people we spent some time with in conversation. Astou was a lady with whom Crystal visited and who was very interested in reading the book. Pray for Crystal to make time to go back and visit with her again before school is out.

That same week we also went out to a smaller town named Kaolak (Cow-lack) and handed out books at a school with 4000 students! This area has been very closed to the Gospel, but they were excited about the books. In fact, the director of the school wanted to have 60 copies for the teachers to read and discuss in their weekly meetings! Please pray for their eyes and hearts to be open to the Truth. Also, pray for our team members, David and Linda Jackson, who are living in Kaolak.

The second week, the group ministered in a small village where they held a medical clinic, played and did activities with the children, and washed the women’s feet and gave them pedicures. Talk about having servant hearts!! Chad translated for the volunteers and worked with the children. Please pray for this village to be open to hearing the stories from the Bible. Pray for Elliott and Pat Nichols who are our team members living near this village.

The third week, the volunteers prayer-walked in the area around one of the Baptist churches close to Dakar. It was a great encouragement to the church members who had just lost their pastor’s wife and another church member in a car accident in April. Please pray for our local churches to reach the people around them. Evangelical churches are few here and their members face persecution and many trials.

The group also worked with a Baptist church which ministers to talibe (TAL-ee-bay) boys. These are boys who have been given to a religious leader to learn the Koran, but usually are just sent out to beg in the streets. They are often dirty, malnourished, and looking for someone to love them. The team did a great job as they fed, cleaned, gave out clothes to, and played with these boys. It is amazing to think that God knows about each one of these boys and that He loves them and has a plan for them. Please pray that they can learn the truth about God.

Needless to say, we have had a very full three weeks. We are tired, but, oh, so blessed. Please pray for our strength to be renewed before the next volunteer team comes at the end of June. They will be doing 2 basketball camps for a week. We will have one more team that will come in August. These teams keep us busy, but we love seeing God at work! And don’t worry, there is still plenty of room and a great need for any of you who would like to come and help with the work here!

We love you and thank you for praying for us!!