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.