Our Life at a Glance: Community and Church

CHURCH

With all the other aspects of our ministry and travels we have limited time here in our own community and church, but the moments we have we consider precious.  Our church here has become part of our home and our family.  We love the opportunity to be involved in body life here and the ministries they have going on.   Here are a few glimpses into that life…

• Women’s group – I can’t begin to tell you what this groups of ladies means to me.  They have accepted me as one of their own.  Every moment we get to spend together is such a blessing whether we are studying God’s word or laughing over a game or dancing as we reveal our secret sisters.
• Sunday School – Our kids really enjoy Sunday School and participating in the community of church.  I took on the job as Sunday School teacher because it seemed like the best way to give back, but now I have grown to love being involved in these young lives.  It is amazing how much they want to grow and are hungry to learn more about God’s Word.

  

  

• Preaching and Teaching – Joel has gotten a few opportunities to preach and teach.  He really loves teaching from God’s word and is blessed whenever he gets an opportunity to do that.
• Big Events – An important part of life here is participation in big events: weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies and the likes.  They are always full day events with a lot of work involved, but also a lot of great fun!

  

  

  

• Fellowship Activities – The real fun part of life together!

FAMILY

Our host family, who took on the responsibility of helping us enter into life here, has become our real family.  They have accepted us into their life and now into their community.  This past year they moved back to their village which is about 15 minutes away from where we live.  We are part of life there whenever we can because that is what being part of a family here is all about.  We spend all holidays there and participate in other big events when we are around.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Neighborhood life in Senegal involves a lot of greetings, exchanges of meals on holidays and visits from time to time.  We have basic relationships with most in our neighborhood, but would like to work on intentionally deepening some of those upon our return.  A big piece of this is our fluency in Wolof which is slowly but surely progressing!  So hopefully this will be an area where we continue to grow during our next term.