Going without TV

For the summer and now into the fall the family is going without cable. Has not been that difficult but tonight may prove different. I don't know if we will be able to handle going without...

ABC - Wife Swap
CBS - Greatest American Dog
NBC - America's Got Talent

Really?

First day of school

Today is the first day of school for everyone in my family. Elizabeth starts high school this year, Ethan is in all honors at BMS, and Melissa has a 3rd grade classroom with windows. So, I'm going to lunch at Piranha with R.Wood.
If you were going with us what would you order?

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

Home

I am home now after arriving back in Dakar airport at 11:00pm for my flight that left at 2:20 am then landing in New York at 8:30 am and connecting with my flight to DFW which landed at noon. Melissa and the kids loved it when I walked into baggage claim in full African dress. Ethan saw me, turned, and started walking the other way.

Continue to pray for the people of West Africa and the work that is being done there specifically:
Coming to "Discover" the Sereer-Sine

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’” (Romans 10:13-15, NAS). Currently there is one IMB couple serving among the Sereer-Sine people--a monumental task, considering that the people group numbers more than 1 million. During the month of August, two pastors will be coming on a discovery trip to Sereer-Sine country: one from a church in Illinois, and one from Texas. Please pray that the Lord will open the eyes of these pastors to the lostness of the people and will give them a vision for how they can partner with the couple serving among them. Pray also for their home churches after these pastors return, asking that they will “catch the vision” and love for the people and will join in bringing the Good News to the Sereer-Sine.

Sereer Sine of Senegal

Last post before heading home

This will be my last post until I arrive back in the states. Not sure how to write this but I think it needs to be posted. Ok, a small portion of the money I received in order to make the trip was budgeted for lodging. Upon my arrival Travis and Kim had arranged that I stay with them in their home. So with the money they went and purchased two foam mats that most Senegalise use for their beds. In order for me to sleep on and get the full African experience. This afternoon we took one of the mats back out to the village for Mari Jo and her family. The excitment of the kids can not be expressed through pictures or words, sorry you were not there but maybe next time.

My bed for the week


Their bed for the next few years


Everybody wants to see!!!



Remember the words of our Lord "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Book your flight now!

House hunting
The people here seem really excited about the prospect of someone from America living with them.

This is my new friend Mr. Lo, who is the English teacher at the high school in Fatick. He is a very intelligent man as are most of the folks around here. Most everyone can speak two or three different languages unlike most Americans. He is very well known and popular anywhere you travel in Fatick. Yesterday he helped us search for housing for a couple of new missionaries coming to Africa next year. He would communicate in Wolof and then translate in French for Travis and English for the dummy.

This morning

Waiting to see the white man


Seeing the white man


Lunch

Good Morning

Okay this is Marie Jo and we are inside her hut where she sleeps with her six kids. Also in the picture are Travis (who does not like to have his picture taken for fear that he may be in the spotlight), Kim, and their son Ethan.



This is pic of Kim (who is a language phenom) talking with Marie Jo. Notice in the background the beds the kids have been using to sleep on until becoming unusable. Her children now sleep on mats on the dirt floor.


This is her youngest being held by a relative. Notice the smile on Marie Jo's face.

In Nahar with friends

on the way to the village

Wait till you see our next post!

Having tea with friends

To Market

Kim at the butcher


Buying potatoes for dinner

my host home in Fatick

The home of Kim and Travis Forsythe and their beautiful kids Gloria,Nathanael, Melody, and Ethan. This is where i will be staying for the remainder of my time in Senegal.

My wonderful Host

This is Dave and Kathy Lanham my host in Dakar and basically the coolest people ever. Career missionaries with over twenty years on the field and most of that in the bush. These people are the real deal and knowing them is an honor. Maybe one day you will be able to meet these remarkable people.

Thanks Dave and Kathy for your hospitality and generosity.

Church on Sunday

on the beach in Dakar

Today in Fatick

Today I went to market on oxcart to buy vegtables and fish for today's lunch. Had authentic Senegaliles ceeb bu jen a rice and fish dish for lunch. Tea with friends, a high honor. And visited a remote farm village outside Fatick. Where there is no running water, no electricity, nothing but mud huts and a very warm reception from the families. And that's a Monday.

Dakar

Well, thanks to all the folks who generously gave I am in Africa!!! I am going on about two hours of sleep. Staying with Dave and Kathy Lanham who are with a ministry called New Tribes(look it up). Great story. Today was beach day with about 6 other missionary families who came to Senegal from all over the globe. All the guys from Intensity would have loved to see a beach crowded with hundreds of Senegalese and there in the middle was Randy Chunn. I'll post pics later.
Thanks again to Intensity 08 camp, Solid Rock, and lovely individuals who made this possible.