When I came to language study in France I didn’t expect to see Senegal until I moved there the beginning of 2009. What a gift from our Lord to be invited by leadership in West Africa to come for a two week visit! It came at a good time since I was already beginning to allow fears grow in my heart for the future work there. I thought, "What am I doing? Can I really be of help there? I am going alone and I am afraid! Can I really learn a tribal language too?" You can pray that I will not allow these sort of fears to imprison me but that I would trust our great God for life now and in the future. He so lovingly confirmed to me that I am walking in His will and that He is with me in this journey to serve Him in West Africa.
I was able to meet the Senegalese brothers and sisters that I will be worshiping and serving with during my first year in West Africa. One of these national families is generously opening their home for me. I will have much to learn from my host family and I am so thankful to be under their protection and leadership. It is truly exciting that we are beginning to partner with our Christian family in Senegal to take the gospel to the unreached people groups in the interior of the country.
I also found that French is absolutely necessary in West Africa. There are over 30 completely different tribal languages in Senegal and French is the only common language. I will be speaking French with my Senegalese family and with any national co-workers. It is also a blessing to be learning French in France since there are less cultural differences to adapt to and fewer languages to hear each day. In Dakar I heard French, Wolof (a major tribal language), Jola (the tribal language of my future host family) and others.
I can tell you that the people in Senegal are beautiful inside and out . I pray that together we can take the life-changing truth of God to some of these beautiful people that have no Scripture in their language and who do not know our great God.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership as I finish out my French studies in France through December 2008. I praise God for each of you!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.