Christmas 2009 Update

Hey everyone and a tardy Merry Christmas!

So much has been going on in the last month I'll start from last month and work up to speed.

We had 6 missionaries come to visit and help out for 3 weeks and I know they're reading so I'll say all nice things... [for the real story check out the other blog I started and didn't tell them about; just kidding I barely have enough time to upkeep this one]

Canadians invaded Kedougou, Etiolo, and Ekess and it was a fantastic affair. The team veterans were John and Jim Stanley Sr happy to be back in territory so familiar to them. John's legendary bartering skills were met head on with vendors' classic line "Sir, any lower and I'll have no food for my family."

Jim Sr brought with him a line we all borrowed throughout the trip: "I LIIIIIKE IT!" I was impressed when in his sermon, after explaining God's love expressed through the cross of Jesus;

from the bottom of Jim's heart came "I LIIIIKE IT!" haha

The father daughter team; Jim and Kylie's service didn't go unoticed with little kids proudly flashing their new bead bracelets (which has backfired since it's now obvious they're cooler than I am; the bracelets officialize previous speculation) to the elders at the christmas party finding shade under the new roof addition Jim helped build.

Amanda didn't miss a beat jumping in with her spiritual gift in leading a mosh pit/dance off with 150 school kids, part of our outreach at the local school.

'Momma T' Terry helped out at the local clinic and played a significant role in our kids days; steadying kids as they transitioned from dizzy double vision back to regular ol' single. Ok Ok I picked the game , BUT we needed a filler and I was thinking on my feet.... we'll chalk it up as a experience for next time.

Overall we had fun, ate good preservative filled Canadian food, and touched many lives. Also it gave us a surge in our ministry whose momentum we've been able to and will continue to build upon.

Personally it was an encouraging, and refreshing time being invested in and I thank you all for that. Jesse's life has been transformed by the little battery operated blender Jim left him; I have suspicions he's a vidabanane; vidacafe addict.

I had the waters of my heart stirred in receiving letters from home. Haha also the packaged meat was awesome too! Apparently Africans don't like beef jerky! Haha but it was hilarious watching them try to maintain their composure.

On the other hand the Bacon was a hit; here's the story. Eggs are pretty tough to come by here since the Bassari see a better stretegy in raising them to get more meat. So I hiked to neighbooring Salimata, about an hour and a half walk over 2 mountains, bought some eggs and made a nest for them in my bag so they wouldn't break (the locals liked that). So I plan my first bacon and egg'er in 3 months, but truly I thought in my head "back off Africa this is for me" haha but a young guy named Edouard came by who has a great personality (or ola likik) and it weighed on my heart to share it and let me tell you I have never seen taste buds be satisfied like I saw in Edouard's face that day! It was the good breakfast we needed that day cause he stuck around and helped me build a bed out of bamboo.

In running on a tangent here but the bed is my 3rd bamboo project joining my bookshelf and desk. The trick to working with bamboo is..... I don't know, there isn't one, patience I guess. Half the nails bend on you, half the bamboo splits on you but the labour wages are great cause I pay kids with candy and juice mix, and if they ever watched Seinfeld I'm sure they'd respond in broken english "Gold Jerry, Gold!"

Let's continue with another update. In the last month it's been great being more involved in the culture. I have carried millet in a basket on my head over ruged mountain territory.... in sandals, I have also joined 20 other guys surrounding a pile of rice and beat the rice off and out of it's stem... blistered hands? Believe it.

There are ongoing new experiences inwardly as well as outwardly.

I'm being challenged and encouraged in God's word. I read a great quote, "don't focus so much on what your going to say, but on how your going to serve." and that has been the theme of this last 2 months.

Also I came to a personal deliberation in how to respond when your angry, upset frustrated.

I was frustrated and was stuffing it down publicly but praying it out privately really wondering What do I do with this? And reading Jeremiah, I was encouraged having God's example in expressing His feelings. I don't believe in lashing out in malice for the bible says "be angry but do not sin."

But I believe feedback is neccesary, healthy and a blessing for the other person for "iron sharpens iron" Proverbs 27: 17 and proverbs also says "rebuke a wise man and he will be wiser still."

However we are required to forgive and keep our heart soft for Jesus died for them too for "hatred stirs up dissention but love covers all wrongs"- Proverbs 10:12

And also "it's no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me" so why am I frustrated cause it's not my life anymore. Also God's in control and He allows trials into our lives and reflecting back, I'm grateful for it because God used it to show me something cool.

So it was freeing to sort that out between God and I, perhaps you won't come to the same conclusions but I'd be interested in your opinions.

Now for Christmas!!

The church was excited to have a party so we invited the other churches and started to prepare and prepare; and then we got bored and prepared some more.

The youth we're amazing, I was so proud of them. They organized all the food and had worked throughout the year and saved money towards this party. It all came together in God's time. haha, There is a difference from a North American mentality to that of the average African. For example: we use watches, they use the sun. It's funny reflecting on their 'laissez-faire' indifference, but it all seems to come together on the daythey need it to... just not the right hour.

Most of the village came out over the 2 day Christmas party including the elders of the village and the chief. God's amzing love and grace slam dunked using our gospel delivery systems; our youth theatre portraying Jesus' life and the christmas messages.

But truly God's beaming affirmation glowed over us in the afternoon for our baptism along with the shining sun. There were 15 people baptised! We used in a rusty barrel which worked great! Though it was kinda tricky to manoever getting out in some cases. We had some laughs.

The hilight for me was baptising Mary-Theresa who is a widow who lives next door to us. She is quite a sassy character who keeps on proposing to Jesse and I to marry her daughter lol. But God specifically pointed her out to me to really served her; helping her out picking peanuts or whatever the need. It opended a door to show the love of God and the night before the baptism she came to mel solemn and quiet (not her normal disposition) and asked if she could be bapstised saying she had faith in Christ as her saviour! AMEN! it was really encouraging.

Funny Story: 2 weeks ago when as I was building my bamboo bed; Mary-Theresa came by asking what I was doing. I replied "Je construit une camion!" (I'm building a car); she laughed and I said "but it's one that you have to puch and I'll need you to push me around" (i used the Bassari word for push 'AFIM.'" So we're in a packed Saturday night service and we leave a pause for testimonies. Mary-Theresa stands up and says in Bassari "I'm happy Joseph is learning Bassari and how to build cars..... AFIM! AFIM!" haha it was a great moment that I won't forget.

So I'm in Kedoogoo for a few days checking email and eating 'white man food' as Jesse calls it; like process chicken luncheon meat.... oh yeah baby! Precious. It was a great Dec 29th yesterday in Senegal; the sun was shinning and so Jesse and I went swimming in the Gambia river.

It was good and bad news that we didn't see any Hippos I'd lmike to catch a glimpse before I leave... From a safe distance mom I swear, no Hippo-back rides.

TRIVIA: Is the plural of Hippopatamus; Hippopatami?

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to put up for this blog..... I'm sad about that too.

So Merry Chritmas and a happy new year to all!

Joseph

PS - please forgive any spelling mistakes I don't have time to proof read this one

New Life

Hey everyone,

My hilight of the week has been our youth night kick off which targets kids aged 5-13 years old. We had a blast colouring and drawing pictures.
Most of the kids drew pictures of the cross and church! It was cool to experience the progression of relationship with the kids from almost cold and distant melting into joy, fun and laughter.
All without speaking the same language in most cases. God is good.

Low of the week

Sad news this week hearing of the death of a local pastor named Immanuel. I didn't know him but it was said that “No one deserves to enter into heaven more than him.”
It got my wheels turning thinking of of this life in relation to eternity and it would seem that this life is only the womb from which we're delivered into the next......


Being held in His Love

Joseph

A Month Gone By/ Happy Thanksgiving!

Man, looking at an empty text document page is so bland, or maybe overwhelming is the right word: where to start. I may ask that question, but I am here on behalf of the One with the great master plan. It's a comfort to know that each day, hour and minute, each circumstance, conversation and adrenelaine rush has all been forseen by the Almighty and He is ever-present living out each moment with us.

To start off I want to say “Happy Thanksgiving” from Senegal, Africa!! Wish we could be there with you but we're also glad we're here instead.

Random Stuff
Haha, funny story- Last night in the middle of the night, my air matress deflated and I had to blow it up. Jesse thought I was hyper-ventalating..... Picture it............... and then laugh along.

These past two weeks have been a wonderful routine-like 2 weeks securing Etiolo as home. We have had some funny 'Only in Africa' situations this past week. The most impressive is when Jesse and Aliu went hunting and shot a 3 meter long snake! It was a “monkey swallower.” A reminder that when hiking through, it's important not only to watch the rugged path but also to keep your head up searching out trees trees for dangers..... or better yet, dinner.
These guys skinnned the snake which could end up being part of a cool souvenir but then we actually ate it! After 2 hours of cooking in a pressure cooker with some garlic.... Mmm Hmm it was fall off the ribs (and there were a lot of ribs) good. None of the locals took up our offer to try some.

I've had the chance to hike around the area where I've taken some great shots with my camera. It's fall here in Africa and in some of the pictures you'll notice the leaves are changing colours. Hiking in some parts reminds me of the Gatineau hills.
We built a tree fort in the pictures you'll notice too, for business of course. The pastor has a couple corn fields about 2 km away from the church. We've been recruited to stand (or sit, hence the fort) and guard for monkeys which have been eating the corn, ruining the crop. Like I said: strictly business..... Crazy awesome fort building business that is!

Church
The life of the church is just that: a verb not an adjective. With regular teachings on Sunday as we continue in Matthew chapter 3 this week and on Wednesday night we are continuing in the book of Acts chapter 2.
This past Wednesday night we had a packed church (see pics) mainly youth and I could feel a burning desire inside me to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ. I went with the Holy Spirit and not my notes, and just talked about how awesome He is. Very exciting stuff!

As we keep our eyes on Jesus we're just growing together as a body. It's so great to be part of the body of Christ. My favourite time in the service is the time of testimony and prayer as the whole congregation is sharing testimonies of how God's worked this week in their lives or bringing forth needs in faith that He'll meet them. THAT'S AWESOME , I LOVE THAT!

There's some young people around who are just excited about the Lord and about the Bible which is so great to be a part of. Interpreting on Sundays is getting smoother and smoother as poor Augiste gets used to my french which is obviously improving now that I use less english words with french accents and more real french words. Haha, ie: confidencé?

The harvest is slowing down and school should be starting up next week and we have the chance to help out with some books, bags and school fees and to show God's love by helping to meet a need.
But their reactions are quite funny. As a tribe, the Bassari make it a point to never show a lot of emotion. For instance: if you leave for a long time and when returning a Bassari would see you, they would avoid you untill the next day untill they can get their emotions under wraps.

Prayer Requests:
As a culture, tribe and village Etiolo prides itself on some customs that really don't glorify God. For the boys there's the initiation which involoves Idol worship and fighting with spirits. There are also a lot of other social events with drinking and dancing but with a spiritual element to it, It goes along with the buying or charms and just a lot of superstitions and sorcery. In regards to this I was reading in the book of Numbers and God enouraged me in chapter 23 vs 23-24. The scene is that Balak hires Balaam to curse the children of Israel for him because he's afraid of them since God's with them, but Balaam instead blesses Israel. He says “For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, “Oh, what god has done!” Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion; it (Israel) shall not lie down until it devours the prey; and drinks the blood of the slain.” No sorcery or Idols are going to prevail against God in power. But they still exist because the worshippers have hardened their hearts against the One LIVING and TRUE God. They worship created things instead of the creator.

-So let's pray that they would turn towards Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith.
-Also pray for the church body here that we'd be a light for the lost here, filled with the Holy Spirit.
-There are so many youth running around here let's pray that they get come into a relationship with Jesus, talking to Him, just being with Him, that's what it's all about.

Enjoying Eternal Life

Joe

First Contact

Return to Kedougou
Well it is certainly a breath of fresh ... goat fur to be back in Kedoogoo. Just coming back into town we had to dodge a herd of cattle, only in special nooks in the wrold such as this can such an event take place.

Dirt bike highs and lows
So we're back from our first journey into Etiolo and all is well. You'll notice in the sequence of pictures the one of me on the dirt bike so hopeful and excited and another of me stuck in the mud! Man was there mud on he road to Etiolo, and that one mud pit in the photo was the worst and the deepest, seriously I swear it was. There's nothing like landing in a pile of mud ealizing your stuck...... then the engine stalls then TSSSSsss; the cool water against the scolding hot engine after its been running for 3 hours. TSSSssss warm steam riding up your legs and I thought “uh-oh better get outta this pit before Jimmy comes”. Not happening, it was quite a sloggish escapade to get that bike out of that mud but, of course my pride had to get that thing outta there before anyone could help. Ladies, its a man thing.
What a thrill to be slolemning through the back roads of Africa on a dirt bike! One ridge I perched atop of I just stopped, looked around and started praising God for this experience- one word comes to mind ELATION.
Being so close to the Saharan desert, the rest of Senegal is desert and shrub-like vegatation. However, Etiolo and southwards towards Guinea has lush, rolling hills, a beautiful tapestry to back some amazing sunsets.

`First Contact`
We arrived in Etiolo friday night and had saturday as a day to settle in before church on sunday. Church started off with worship which involvded an orchastra of tum tums (drums) and tamborines. Africans have rythym and they left me in the dust. I was schooled; as some were clapping on the down beats, some both up and down beats and still others are a mystery to me. I kept it simple making an effort to stick to 4/4 time not wanting to throw the whole assembly off.
I really enjoyed the time of testimony and prayer requests after worship. So cool to hear how God's working among His people, we also got to glorify Him for His protecion over us as we travelled.

Jimmy interpretted the message for me which went really well, he's had a lot of practice.
The message was on God's grace in Peter's life. What a thrill to look into people's eyes and see their comprehension and deep satisfaction hearing about God's amazing grace and how we needn`t be afraid of God but we can run towards Him.

I'm pretty sure I was the first one to change out of my pants after church into shorts! It's hot here in heavy cotton pants. After church I treked with some of the guys to go get some mangoes. I thought we were merely going into the field across from the church yard. Nope, a 45 minute hike later, all uphill, we came to Phillipe's house where there were a few laying around. What a treat! There's nothing like a refreshing mango on a sunday afternoon after an unexpected climb. I learned that you never know what`s in store when you leave the property.

We had a great week getting to know the people of the village. Everyone has been so warm and have brought some welcome gifts such as corn and potatoes-like things. We went fishing, hunting for birds with slingshots and also had some time to get industrious. By this I'm referring to the shaded porch area Jesse and I made ouside of our hut which goes a long way in the afternoon. This along with the potatoe sac chair Jim made has rocketed us past the Bassari people as far as luxury is concerned. It amazes me how content people are to be just inches off the ground sitting on their makeshift stools. I laugh thinking of the ergonomic chairs and desks we have in Canada, I guess they didn't get that memo.

Man the kids here are so cute! Some had meandered up to our hut and offered us some sugar cane and Jesse in turn gave them some toy cars and balloons, they were stoked! And with the innocent entrepreneurship of kids, TWICE the kids came back 10 minutes later with several long canes! Haha I'd hate to think of who's field they were taking them out of.

Soccer!
This week we also had the chance to see some great soccer matches. This week was the tail end of their playoffs and I caught both semi-finals and the finals. The field your picturing isn't the same field they played on. Corner kicks were interesting with a ten foot termite hill hogging the same corner of the field. If your ever over here, out of bounds is the long grass and for the nets, the side posts are logs and a thinner longer log for the cross bar not strong enough for the distance across as evidenced in its warped dip in the middle. I think this even caused an argument at one point. Did I mention they play in sandals.......
Funny Story: I was offered to sit next to the chief of the village on a thin piece of lumber eventually leading to the loss of blood circualtion in my leg. Not knowing the customs I thought this was a huge honor and that it'd be rude to stand up and recirculate blood back to my leg. So a played off the pins and needles untill half time when I was pulled up by one of the local church boys to go say hi to the team and give encouragement. Well I stood up took a step and felt nothing, took another and still nothing even right down to my toes! So there I was limping/draging my foot along trying to play it cool. I couldn't play it off any longer, I just stood there in the middle of the field waiting to gain some feeling in my leg while the village oggled the new white guy. I just played it off “Hey how are yah? It's cool, just something my leg does sometimes. ........... No, no really I'm fine...............how are you?”
The next game I watched I stood the whole game, I learned my lesson.

Ongoing excitment
Throughout the week we jumped right into Chorale or “youth” nights here on wednesdays and saturdays. I started teaching through the book of acts and it also gave the opportunity to try out a local kid to interpret which went well but like anything it will take some getting used to. It is excitting that there are 3 young men who are hungry to be discipled.
These three are beacons for the youth to look up to as many of the others in the villages still look to buying charms off muslim priests for good fortune. Some nights you can hear their get togethers as they are yelling and shouting. These youth however aren't intimidated by such things for they know the truth of Jesus Christ.
In another instance one of these boys plays on the local soccer team and a team member tried to sell him some charms saying that players were buying them for goodluck for the championship game. Would you believe that that team actually didn't win the game!

A Thank You
I have to thank so many of you right now for the prayer support you've been providing, it's tangible. Personally my own devotion times have been precious being refilled again and again. Also every activity seems to have a flow to it, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts”. God's spoken peace to my heart on several things I've brought to Him in prayer confirming it's His work and it's His Spirit that's doing the work.

The Spiritual
I was reading KP Yohannan's book “Revolution in World Missions” and it really struck home to me that so often we think it's a food problem or a money problem but it isn't KP writes, it's a spiritual problem, we see that here in Senegal.
For instance, in Dakar, the capital, there are muslim priests selling charms or “gri gries” as cures of all varieties of sicknesses offering to buy God's favour.
Like God cares about money- “I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds on the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine”-Psalms 50:9-11.
Also, the muslim priests literally have slaves who go around a beg for them all day long giving them their daily earnings. These are usually kids aged 4-9 and it is their duty to their religion to leave home and go begging. These kids do not attend school, the only reading they do is a few memorization verses from the kuran. It's a shame when such practices are allowed culturally because the people are scared and unaware of the freedom available to them in Jesus Christ.
Let's pray for God's children over here and that God would set these captives free from such an oppresive spirit!

In Etiolo there are those who are muslim but as is the case in many Islam dominated countries, they don't really understand the kuran or know of the life Muhamed led. Instead it is more about the traditions which are deeply engrained from the time of youth, whereby such traditions they hope to earn God`s favour.
Interesting, I heard a speaker talk on how muslims will often say `God is merciful` but they won`t say that He is love. If God is love, He would be the opitimization of love; be the greatest lover. This would inevitably point to Jesus who taught `No greater love is there than for a man to lay down his life for another` and that`s exactly what Jesus did for us.
But they do have a strong belief in the spiritual which I think is a good start, and it'll be interesting how Jesus is going to reveal Himself to them. I'm sure it'll be slightly different than it is in North America but then again maybe not, salvation is simple and I selfishly would love to see adoring tears of bewilderment fill eyes as they see in their hearts that
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His only Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” -John 3:16-17

Highlights
I still find myself giggling to myself in appreciation anytime I survey this wonderland around me. We`ve had some funny observations, and to quote Jesse between bursts of laughter “where else would we have a conversation like this except in Africa!?”
A few memories come to mind like opening the bathroom door and seeing 3 or 4 lizards scurry away through holes in the tin roof.
Or just the fact that I'm becoming accostumed to the old fridge we use as our cupborad and that it is longer just a cruel taunt and reminder of the tresure chest it is in another part of the world.
Throughout the day, national geographic images shine into my retnas without warning as various birds of all colours scurry lazily overhead using short bursts of effort overhead maintaining flight. I`m looking forward to the next month or so when the chimpanzees migrate back to Etiolo. I hear Jane Goodall does some local work.

Coming Up
During the next leg we`ll be planning for the arrival of some missionaries in November, working on the Kedougou mission compound with a massonry project and setting up beds and other ammenities for incoming brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the missions for this group will be expanding the church and doing some much needed structural improvments in the nearby village Ekess.

As for me, my focus is continuing to grow closer to Him and to know His love more and more . I was encouraged by Pastor Brett Robinson's message reminding to expect God's love and to live in that assurance as the whole church body did in Acts.
Also I`m enjoying having my brain picked by these young guys in the church and teaching them. The village just decided on Sunday to let these guys have a diminished workload in the community so they can devote themselves to ministry training. Lets lift these guys up in our prayer closets, that they would grow in character and in His word.

We`re also beginning to miss certain aspects of Canadian culture too. The running joke is to have a daily craving for some Canadian food be that a big mac, or steak or even grapes. Enjoy them for me guys, I`ll certainly put a dent in the food budget when I get home.

Love and miss you guys,

Joseph

2 week trip

Hey everyone.
Tommorow we're heading into Etiolo; Salimata; and Edane for 2 weeks. So the next posting I will put up will be then.
Untill then have a great 2 weeks!

God's Blessing In Christ

Joseph

Check out our mud hut. Thats in the missionary compound in Kadougou.

A few days in and things are going very well so far. We took a day at the beach on Saturday to relax before the 13 hour cab ride from Dakar to Kadougou.

The beach is at a great location where there are a lot of big waves which we took advantage of going body boarding... Don't jump too early before the wave comes otherwise the wave will go right past you. I payed into this info over a 45 boring minute period wading in the water with lots of salt water in the eyes. I was pretty much a buoy not going anywhere. LOL

We got a great deal on a cab since it's Ramadan, which is the end of a fast, and business is slow. Jimmy's an experienced negotiator. We passed many muslim groupings along the side of the road who were surrounding a priest making goat sacrifices fro Ramadan.

I'm thankful that "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."-Hebrews 4:10

So we arrived In Kadougou 2 nights ago in darkness again and we set up for the night with a small dinky solar flashlight trying to find everything. Haha, yesterday we cleaned out the huts all day; sweeping, mopping, scaring off lizards.

Jesse has managed to put together that which we were both thinking... a blowdart tube and arrow. Last night going to bed he found a lizard in his sleeping bag.... after he got in! His first kill! haha

In the local store there's a lot of baguettes not too much meat. The protein staple is lookin' like sardines baby! Fanta is also very popular.

Yesterday at lunch with our neighbour they served a community dish of rice with a peanut sauce with chili peppers and then after as is customary, tea. This isn't any regular tea my friends. Take a tea cup fill it to the top with sugar cubes (reminds of my first few times trying coffee) and add water and some tea leaves... Wowy! they refill the tea pot 3 times and it gradually weakens but guests are always blessed with the first 2 servings.

Travel Day

Yesterday was a big day with no sleep. We had a long stopover in Paris and it gave us a chance to see the city's sights and sounds. I'll be adding pictures later on.

We were able to see (and climb al 1665 steps) the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (which surprisingly stretches about 12 city blocks) which had beautiful architecture, actually the whole city had amazing architecture! There is a canal that runs through the heart of the city that connects all the touristy spots where I got some beautiful shots.

Over all the flights were really good, no delays and all our luggage arrived! I also got to try lamb meatballs on the flight and yes, they did come back to haunt me somewhere over Morroco.

We arrived in Dakar, Senegal last night and already we've seen the effects of wet season. when we were dropped off, outside where we stayed last night we actually had to take off our shoes in the cab and walk through the flooded street, welcome to Africa.

Along the way here to the internet Cafe this morning anytiome I took out my camera someone's running up to me, trying to make friends and draw me to their shop, people really like me here!

Jimmy asked me this morning "how do you know which side of the tree is the front side?"
I said "whichever side your facing."
He replied "People go behind trees to do their business, that's how you'll know which side's the front."
"I'll watch my step."

Well that's the update for now, were going to tour the city today and get some supplies starting at the armoury.

God Bless

Pictures Fiinally!!

Here are some pics I grabbed from Jimmy of the Bassari people over the years

Trip Preparation part 1

Well dear fellows,

you will be happy to know that I am holding my blog creed in high regard.  In such high regard in fact that this blog haqs been postponed to only include the nectar of my past 2 weeks.... no pit.

This afternoon I'm overcoming an identity crises after feeling likie a pin cushion this morning.  That's right I got my shots today for Africa along with my good friend Dan Schilke.  Being competitive let me give you the score: Joe beat out Dan scoring 5 shots to his 3.  There's quite a few shots they recommend for you but I'm told from those who've been to Senegal you only need Yellow Fever, Tetanus and Meningitus, I was HIGHLY recommended to take the Hep A booster to prevent Hep A which hits your liver hard and can slow a travelling, ignorant 23 year old down quite a bit.  After the third time I asked the price for this injection I conceded.  The exchange went something like: "Well who is providing your finances for this trip?"  I replied  ".....umm... God."  (Quizzical look)  "Ok..... well you'll only be useful to God healthy so think about taking this".  I always laugh inside when experts hear someone's faith in God and they think it's silly, but the doctors logic seemed reasonable: 6-9 months in rural Africa drinking out of local wells and eating local food which is the medium for Hep A = Extreme flu-like symptoms, puking and Nausea and trying to find a doctor in the middle of nowhere.  Yeah you could have something there Doc.  It was my last injection and it was the most painful!  The nurse, AKA the sniper, hit a tendon in my shoulder and the muscle was quivering for the next 5 minutes.... Weird.

My favourite line from the nurse was after the first two needles (both bled) and she said in her thick Persian accent "Your quite the bleeder Mr. Becker."  I felt like I was in a James Bond movie with a torture specialist, "do you like tobleed Mr Bond?"  Scary, good thing Dan was there in case anything went down 'Persian Apple Tree Clinic Style'.

I just got back from the library and picked up some homework to do before entering into a french speaking coutry hanging with a french speaking people.  Learn to speak french level 2 or 'Niveau deux'.  It's a 8 cd set and a book which ensures maximum results with minimum effort.  C'est Bien!

Also in preparation for Africa, last friday a few of us went over to the Stanley's place.  There we learned to put a bicycle together from scatch (their main form of transportation), patch a tire and stop with no brakes.  Cleaning up for lunch with motor oil as cleaner (I don't get it either) we ate some really good "crispy" chicken.  Then we made some fishing poles out of fishing wire, a hook, a price of a sandal for a floater, and a custom knotched stick.  I didn't end up catching anyuthing later in the day so I jumped in the river with some snorkel gear and joined Willy spear fishing.  Standing there with my very long three pronged spear and chest stuck out, I allowed myself a victorious comparison to King Trident, the little mermaid's father.  Haha even though I didn't snag any fish I got to see a big snapping turtle and also swim away very courageously (one of King Trident's moves) as it swam in my direction.

Around the fire at dinner I discovered a great new way to cook corn, on the open flame fire baby!  As the flame eats at the husk it steams the corn inside I highly recommend you try it.

We also did some Mudding which is trying to make it from one end of a muddy track to the next dry spot.  Lots of fun, Lots of pushing.  We also climbed a bunch of steep hills, no no, rugged, menacing hillsides with the same 4X4 Jeeps scrathing the oil pans on rocks as we'd bottom out.  Things I learnt that I'll pass on the next person: 1) when the Jeep is a standard and in 4X4, it'll pul itself along at about the same pace regardless of how much you rev the engine.  2) When you start going downhill your frefelx will be to clutch in and brake.... don't.  The engine will only let the wheels go at a certain speed and when the tires are moving you'll still have traction whereas if you put on the brakes you'll slide for sure.  3)  bring me with you when you go cause it's a ton of fun!

So the moral of the blog is this:  When preparing and doing you homework for something, one can have a lot of fun and still learn a lot.

Spiritually this week God was speaking to me about righteousness.  Righteousness is awesome, unfortunately I don't have any on my own, only pride. 

Romans 10:3 says "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." 

The Holy Spirit dropped this into my heart on Sunday before church.  I would love to have my own righteousness, my flesh wants to have that on my own independant of any other reason than I'm great.  But seeing God for who He is in His unfathamoble majesty we realize there's no way, I mean seriusly there's just no way.  He's incredible, mighty and beautiful to reflect His glory in the stars, great mountains, waterfalls, oceans, and that fill them.  His character is perfect, He is the incarnate truth of His word and by the highest standard (which is His) Holy.  So we are to submit to His righteousness, Submit to His righteousness what does that mean?  does that mean just acknowledging that He's righteous and we're not?

Verse 4 says "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

Christ GIVES  us, you and me, His righteousness and His status with the Father so that for those who believe there's no more measuring stick we are all sons and daughters of God! 

Later in Chapter 10 Paul writes in verse 9-11 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with teh mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For teh scripture says "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

All expectations have been fufliied through God himself and He gives us the freedom to have relationship with God almighty right now.

First Blog! Details on Africa Trip

Hey Everyone! This is the first Blogging experience of my life!! It's exhilerating..... ok, the thrill's gone. As a new blogger I will lay down some guidelines which I'll abide by so that this won't be a boring experience for you:

1) Blogs will be informal, honest and daring but always tasteful.
2) This blog is too cool to be locked down by such rulez az GrahMar oR Spheling
3) I will only post interesting Intel, thoughts, updates, testimonies, prayer requests and always try to attach pictures and videos (starting with my next blog)

Enough of the legal jargon.... let's Blog!

So dear readers some of you may know and the other half this will be news of a tragic sort but I'm leaving for Africa! I feel the Lord has called me to Southern Senegal, Africa. I'll be in an agricultural zone (AKA "the Bush") with a tribe known as the 'Basari'. I'll have some more specific names of villages and towns soon enough but your first homework assignment will be to google map Kédougou, Kedougou, Senegal. This is a town three hours drive from the village I'll be staying in.
In Kédougou there are many more amenities such as a gas station, internet cafe and a food market which I'll have access to once every 2 weeks or so. This will be a haven I'm sure in comparison to the mud-hut village I'll be living in.

It's neat how God works because He's provided a missionary compound there where Jim and other Pastor teachers will come and record messages into the Basari language. I should mention Senegal is a french colony ans the majority of men speak it, not so much with the women. The device we'll be sending out the recordings on is called 'The Slayer' and has been called by Charles Stanley "The messenger" (You choose your preference or maybe even make up your own name for it, we have freedom in Christ like that)
Anyways there are still many masonry and carpentry projects to complete in the compound so I'll be spending time there helping out completing the work.

The Mission: To replace their current pastor Augustine while he goes to bible college for 7 months. Let's pray for him while he's there. I'll be teaching and serving people in their walk with the Lord.


I feel a deep peace about heading out on this sure-to-be adventure. I am definitely excited to see what God is going to do in the community as well as in my heart. The Lord gave me a scripture verse...

Psalm 37:3 "Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness"

This verse really jumped out at me as I was seeking final confirmation from the Lord. Such beautiful wording to "feed on His faithfulness".

Prayer requests: Let's just start crying out for God's people in this land, Augastine would have peace in his heart as he prepares to leave, pray for wisdom and strength for the shepherds of the Lord's sheep there in Senegal. Pray for all the resources needed for the ministry.

My TO DO LIST:
-I'm going to try and make a video about what God's doing there kinda like Acts 4:20 "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard".
-Also I will be getting some shots for yellow fever and tetanus.