Christmas 2009

As we approach our third Christmas of this term, we are looking back at all that God has done in the past 3 years. It's exciting to see how He has worked in getting the Christian school open and prospering. We've seen the church grow and a new believer baptised. The radio ministry has become well know around town as a broadcast that discusses religious issues. Even outreach events at the Christian school have been very well attended. We thank the Lord for His many blessings and pray that He continues to work here in Senegal.

They'll See Me Coming!

Everyday I go to the school, which is at the other side of town, and run lots of errands on crowded market roads.  Because gasoline is about $10 a gallon we have invested in a scooter.  It was brought in used, on a ship from Europe.  I searched to find one that had never been driven (or reparied) in Senegal.  It has a 50cc motor that could beat most highschoolers in the 100 yard dash, and with a paint job like this they will always see you coming!  Everywhere I go people ask if I will remember to sell it to them when the day comes that I get rid of it.  This scooter belongs to us personally and is not the motorcycle that STL is purchasing for the school, which will be brand new.

The End of Ramadan

The day of Korité is an important holiday because it marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims. During this time everyone gets up early for a big breakfast, then does not eat or drink until after the sun goes down. Here in Saint-Louis there is a siren that sounds when it is time to break fast at the end of the day.

The purpose of fasting is to observe the traditions instituted by Mohamad and to become more pious through self-discipline. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to focus more on "Allah" and give to the poor, in order to become better people. All Muslims are encouraged to observe the fast; however children, nursing or pregnant mothers and travelers are not required to fast. Now that Ramadan has finished for another year, our Muslim neighbors are looking forward to Tabaski. This feast is the most important Islamic holiday in which each house hold sacrifices a ram. Ramadan, Korité and Tabaski fall at different times each year because they follow the lunar calendar.

Every year the 5th of September is an important day here in Saint-Louis.  Members of Senegal's largest brotherhood come from all over Senegal for a pilgrimage, commemorating a Muslim holy man who lived almost 100 years ago.  The high point of the pilgrimage is the afternoon prayer on the 5th, when everyone bows their head to the ground twice. However, people begin showing up a few days early and stay a few days late.  The streets are crowded with dancers, singers, and salesmen of every kind, to the point that driving the car in town is almost impossible for a few days (and forbidden the afternoon of the 5th!). This year the president sent the special forces, the "red berets", to maintain law and order.  Everyone has begun returning home now, and Saint-Louis is returning to the quiet town it usually is. Pictured to the right is a wall drawing of Touba.

September 4, 2009

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

Our prayer for the children of Senegal is that they would know Christ.
Blessings!

September 3, 2009

We've just returned from a month visiting family in the States. Now we are getting the grade school ready for the next schoolyear. Enrollment is already higher than expected and we have just hired another teacher. I just took desks for twenty kids from the welder, who made the metal frames, to the charpenter, who is putting on the wood seats and desktops. We are excited that the class will be full of new students in just a few weeks.