Toto, We're Not in Kansas (Mali!) anymore

I'm speaking of the fact that I'm now in Dakar, Senegal (one country West of Mali) awaiting the much anticipated arrival of Pastor Bob and members of my church, First Baptist Church Arnold.  We will be driving about 10 hours east (almost back to Mali!) and a bit south of Tambacounda to spend a little over a week with our people the Konagi people.  This is the first 'official' regular mission team so we are very excited about the fact that "God is on a fast moving train and all we have to do is jump on" (that is how Bro Bob reported it last November after meeting our people for the first time).


I have to keep reminding myself I did not fly to Europe, or the islands somewhere, but that I am indeed still on the same continent.

Dakar is NOT AT ALL like Mali!   Dakar is the western most point on the continent about 2 million people live in the city.  It is on a pennisula, so the temperature is 65-85 degrees all the time, their is a cool, salt breeze and sunshine that is welcome!  There are beaches, many white people,  many tourists, a huge downtown with skyskrapers and real highways and overpassess.  I've enjoyed real homemade ice cream at N'ice Cream (they even have more than Baskin Robbins 21 flavors!).  I enjoyed dark chocolate AND (yes I did two scoops) cherry torte.   Even had fried chicken- just like KFC.    And crepes with real Emmenthal cheese Dad!

All those things said, there are still carts pulled by horses going alongside the 3 lane divided highway!  And cattle crossing the road and goats tied up next to high rise apartments :) 

Their boats are beautiful decorated in bright colors.   Most do have a small motor, however some were still with oars.



The waterfront is the location of a huge fish market every night at about 6pm as the fisherman begin coming in with their catches.   As many of you know, I don't really enjoy fish but there were quite a few interesting ones to look at.




This young boy, in gear too big for him, just surveying the scene, no doubt after a hard days work on the water. 

I spent a short bit of time on the beach, having quiet time and prayer with our Father while listening quietly to the waves crash along the shore.  I was an afternoon of spiritual refreshment, reflecting on the last 4 months here and praying towards His will for the future.   I am so grateful for this time.

There is a man just between those two closest rocks.  I visited with him for awhile and discussed faith in God...... his of course from a different perspective.  His English was very good because he was a 'seaman'.  Here is is getting oysters.  He says there used to be many here but now maybe only a years left.  He got about 2 kilos today.  He told me they will ship to France and get 10Euro per kilo.

Just had to include this..... some time of marine animal that washed up in the tide.  It was breathing and moving slowly. 




Please pray for my church team as they arrive tomorrow morning.  We will be making a 10+ hour trek across Senegal to the far eastern side.  Please pray for health, as temps are reaching toward 120 degrees in the heat of the day.  Please pray for the Word to flow freeing from us.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to move across new villages of people of the Konagi.  Please pray for our few believers to grow as strong disciples.