It is hard to believe that we have been here for six months! We are excited about the year ahead of us and what God is going to do. We have a full schedule. Julie has begun a new semester with three of the other missionary’s children. Tristan is growing and getting into everything he can get his hands on. I continue to study Wolof at the French Cultural Center and practice each afternoon with a young man. We are making contacts each week. The other day I met a university student who wishes to practice his English. I will, of course, practice English by having him read the parables of Jesus. We are concentrating on learning the culture and building relationships with the people around us. We are learning that there are many layers that must be peeled back concerning how we as American/Canadian Christians are perceived.
World Evangelism
I was listening to a Pastor speaking the other day online on missions. He said that years ago he wrote down the words world evangelism, only he wrote them like this:
World Evangelism
As he looked at the words, he realized that the first two letters of each word put together spell WE. Missions is the churches main task. What a thought! Without the WE, missions will never be fulfilled. The WE represents every Christian. Julie and I are serving in Senegal, laboring to reach lost souls, but only together with churches and individuals can WE get the job done. The Bible says WE are laborers together with God. WE are to strive together for the furtherence of the Gospel. Charles Keen said that the church is the only organization that works toward the benefit of its enemies. WE desire to reach the world with the Gospel, to take the light to every corner of the earth, not just the easy parts. We are learning already that Senegal is not a receptive country to the message of Christ. But together with your prayers, WE can get the Word out and with God’s power, WE will see the task of World Evangelism accomplished.
Déwenati
Déwenati is what they say here during the Muslim New Year. Julie and I have been in Senegal for about four months and are learning to adapt to life here. We had a wonderful Christmas. We were able to spend time with family in the States and Canada via Skype and spent some time with fellow missionaries here. Tristan is now six months old and we enjoyed watching (and assisting him) as he opened his first Christmas gifts.
As we enter the New Year, we ask that you would pray for some of our goals. First, we ask that God would give us grace in learning the Wolof language. I have begun classes and will be focusing mainly on developing the language during 2010. Secondly, we would like to continue the work on the building that was purchased several years ago. We would like to finish the roof and rooms and put up a basketball court. Pray that the building would be used as a tool for reaching people. And thirdly, we are praying that God would provide a means of transportation, whether a vehicle, a moped, or simply a bicycle. Having some means of transportation will help make easier some of the day to day errands.
Thank you so much for your faithful prayer and financial support during 2009. We look forward to the New Year and seeing God’s continued blessing.
For His Cause,
Josh, Julie and Tristan
Thankful to God
Yesterday we received our paperwork which allows us to stay in the country. We praise the Lord that we did not run into any difficulties. God is good.
Reading in the book of John this morning, I read, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” The “other sheep” are the millions who have never heard the gospel around the world. Pray that the Senegalese will “hear his voice” as we lift up our voice and proclaim the gospel.
The Work Has Begun
We have now been in Senegal for a little over two months. Julie is quickly turning our house into a home and has been busy dusting about twice a day just to keep up with the layers of dust that settle on everything during this time of year. I have begun working in the Bible Center everyday where thirty to fifty students visit every week. I have also begun informally learning the language of Wolof. Julie and I plan to begin formal training soon.
Julie will begin this week teaching the children of the other missionary family that is here. Our desire is to alleviate some of the responsibilities for the Russell family so that they can better improve their Wolof. The Russell family will be leaving for furlough sometime next year and wish to be speaking Wolof fluently by then. We are learning more and more how necessary learning this language will be to minister here.
Tristan is doing very well. He will have the easiest adjustment to life here. He is healthy and growing fast. We appreciate your prayers for him.
Busy in the work
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please stay updated with our blog at www.westafricateam.com.
Also, please visit www.mymissionslink.com.
Josh and Julie