Poetry :
October 27th to November 9th, 2002
It is so amazing how God works and orchestrates everything according to His plan!
After I became a Christian, the first time that I read Mark 16:15, I felt that God was saying "GO YE" directly to me. That scripture was always on my mind and the continent of Africa was constantly on my heart. I was very anxious for God to let me know when to go. Until that time, my new Christian life was spent getting to really know Him and what He expects of me, as well as taking care of other needs that He had given me. After I had finished taking care of those needs, God provided the means for me to go to Africa. He opened up the perfect part-time job for me, so that I could start saving toward that commission.
On July 18, 2002, after training for 4 days, I began an early-morning country motor route to deliver the Houston Chronicle.
In September, while I was visiting my mother-in-law, she began telling me about her new pastor. She said "My pastor's wife, Cindy, goes on mission trips to Africa." I replied, "That has been my heartbeat ever since I became a Christian!" She said, "maybe you can go with her sometime."
Later, I called the church and was told that Cindy's next trip to Africa was planned for October 27th. I was also told that they needed someone to teach the Bible to children.
I emailed Cindy the following:
"If you still have an opening for a children's Bible teacher in Senegal, please email me. If it is possible for me to go with you and your group on October 27th, I will also need to know what the total cost will be and anything else that you feel that I should know before I go. The Lord called me to serve as a volunteer in the mission field of Africa. It is my heartbeat to keep that appointment with Him."
Right away, on September 23, Cindy answered my email: "I would love to have you join us as the children's Bible teacher in Senegal!" Then, she informed me of the needed information. Later, Cindy phoned and as we chatted, she told me that she and the group thought that they were going to have to call off the trip until I emailed her regarding my desire to fill the need. - There were only 32 days left and I didn't even have a passport!
As always, God was in control. Even though it seemed like forty-eleven things needed to be done, everything happened quickly and smoothly.
When I called the travel agency, they informed me that the cost had been lowered by $49. dollars which meant that I had already saved within $16. dollars of the amount that I needed for the trip! The agent also told me that a seat on the plane with one of the other team members was still available!
I called my Doctor and amazingly, as busy as he is and as much as he travels, he was able to see me the day after I called for an appointment. He told me that he also specializes in foreign diseases and inoculations, so he was able to give me all the injections that were needed. He also informed me that he regularly goes to Africa so he was able to share a lot of information with me.
God also provided a substitute for my job during the time that I was gone.
He is so awesome!!
Sunday, October 27th, I joined 2 team members in Dallas and left for Senegal, West Africa.
We changed planes in Atlanta, GA. and again in Paris, France where we spent 10 hours between flights.
Monday, 28th, we arrived in DaKar and were taken to the Grand Yoff guesthouse where we roomed.
Tues., 29th and Wed. 30th were spent in the office preparing for the forum. We made cards, etc., ran off copies and put folders together for the missionaries.
Thursday, 31st until Sunday, the forum hours were 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. then, after lunch, 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. During that time 7 to 10 children of the missionaries were in my care. We had Bible stories, children's videos and activities.
On Sunday, Nov. 3rd, we spent 1-1/2 hours in worship and singing praises with the missionaries. They all stood and encircled our team as we prayed together. The forum was over at noon. My most enjoyed mealtime was when we shared a communal plate. During meals and after work, I was able to visit one-on-one with several of the missionaries and learn about what they are doing in their work for the Lord. It was a blessing to see their awesome faith and dedication.
Monday, Nov. 4th, we were driven 282 miles, a 7-hour trip, to Podor. We stopped for a break in Saint Louis, Africa. As soon as we got out of the two vehicles, a man with matted hair and ragged clothes walked directly up to Chad, a member of our team who had never been to Africa before. Speaking in English, the man said, "YOUR NAME IS CHAD AND YOU ARE A BELIEVER!" Chad replied "what do I believe?" Then, the man started cursing. Chad said, "What is your name?" The African man replied "Bin Laden." (I doubt that was his name, but if it was, he wasn't the Bin Laden that we all know about).
We drove on to Podor where we spent 3 nights with a missionary family, Ben and Cindy and their two small daughters. This family has experienced some frightening happenings. The following is all-the-more frightening because Cindy always locks her doors.
On one occasion, when she unlocked her front door, she saw a man sitting just inside her house. Cindy said "I KNEW THAT HE WAS A DEMON." Later on, her little daughter was screaming that a man was sitting on her bed. Her mother said that it was the same man as before. Cindy asked that prayers be lifted in every room of her house, so I prayed in each room that God would remove the EVIL SPIRITS and keep them away from their house and that He would give them peace.
The DEMONIC ACTIVITY in Africa is frightening. The Islamic population has great power over the people and a lot of politics are involved. The yearly RAMADAN began Nov. 6th. We could hear the Muslims on and off all night long as they prayed to their god.
Tuesday, Nov. 6th, we walked around a field that a man of the Tukelor Tribe had planted. We prayed for rain and an abundant harvest. We prayed that the people would see that God provides and answers prayer.
We went into a village and visited with one of the three wives of one man. Together, they shared 27 children. The missionary translated the conversations. When we first arrived there, one of the wives said that she had a headache but that it went away when she saw us. She told us that she would like to share her garden with us when it is ready. She said that she didn't have anything else to give us except honor and she truly honored us. She invited us to sit on her straw mat and visit outside. We removed our sandals and joined her. One by one, she told us the names of the children and wanted us to repeat each name. We laughed together as we tried to pronounce their names and each one extended their little hands to us. The lady took us inside her "home" which was walls, a dirt floor and a roof with holes...no furniture...just a thin straw mat to sleep on. As we were starting to leave, she took hold of my hand and held it as we walked to the car.
Many of the African people speak 2 languages - some can speak as many as 5 languages. They are so pleased when we try to learn words in their language. One of the young native men wanted me to have an African name and I was happy to choose one from the three that he suggested. My African name is "Jaineba Jah." Not only were we welcome, we were truly included.
Four young men from our team traveled up the river in a motor-boat with a translator and two other men who were missionaries. Before they left, one of the men, Chad, had a feeling that he should take a Soccer Ball with them. During the 3 days that they were gone, the men stopped along the way to visit different villages. One of the village people tried to get them to leave so that they would not bother the Chief, but the Chief said, "Let them visit." Chad asked the Chief if there was anything that they would like to have. The Chief said, "We'd like to have a Soccer Ball."
Thursday, 7th, we drove back to DaKar.
Friday, 8th: It was nearly midnight when we left DaKar.
Saturday, 9th: I returned home with a joyful heart that I was able to help. To have seen the needs there, in person, will continue to be a part of me but in a much more profound way now - as though a part of me is still there.
The African people need our fervent prayers everyday. They don't have the many ways of hearing about Jesus Christ like we do and the Muslims are a constant threat. Here are just a few of the other problems that they have to endure:
(1) The people get parasites as a result of bathing in the river. There is no known cure for that type
of parasite.
(2) The flies lay eggs in the damp clothes that are hung outside. When the people put on their clothes,
the eggs get on their skin and result in lumps. Inside the lumps are worms which can sometimes
be popped out. Otherwise, they have to be cut out.
(3) There is little or no help for the many people with Aids, Hepatitis, Malaria, Yellow Fever,
Cancer or other serious problems.
(4) Some of the people are able to eat from the crops for only 9 months of the year, but the other 3
months, they have to live mostly on milk. Sometimes, they are able to put a little millet grain
in their milk.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cows are very important to the Africans. Big celebrations take place when they name a cow. I was told of an incidence about a man who had a picture of several little boys playing together. The man asked a little boy that was nearby, to tell him the names of the boys in the picture. The boy said, "I don't know their names but I know the name of that cow in the picture."