Short and Sweet

This was our last day with the children and it is bittersweet. Just like our goodbyes, this post will be short and sweet as we have to get up at 5:00 am to start the journey back. God has shown Himself to be powerful and mighty in ways that we could have never imagined. Every step of the way He provided for us and I have no doubt that the rest of our trip He will continue to provide. Tonight was full of tears as we hugged our new friends and covered them in prayers. Its amazing how close you can get to someone after a little over a week with them. God brought many hearts together and we will all meet again, whether it is on this earth or with Him in heaven. My prayer is that I will get to return to Africa someday and get to fellowship with these incredible m's again. As soon as my feet hit the african ground I knew there was something special. It only took me being here a very short time to fall in love with the country, people and the presence of God that is so strong among His servants. I am not sure when, but I will return. God has began a good work here, there is no doubt about it. I am simply in awe that He would allow me to be a part of what He has been working on here in West Africa. Our God is personal and He loves to bless His people when we are obedient. It doesn't have to be going across the world to Africa, however the simple act of obedience to what He is calling you to do will reap blessing on you and others around you. I have been so incredibly blessed by this trip. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. God is so good.
Ok, so this wasn't exactly short and sweet...but am I ever? ;)

Dynamic Dinner

One of my favorite times is the dinner that we get to enoy with the m. families every night. We go to their houses and eat delicious Senegalese food while being surrounded with sweet fellowship. Stories are swapped, pictures are taken and lessons are learned from these great men and women. Oh, and the children are adorable as well. :) Tonight we ate Fatiya which is like a hot pocket but 5x larger and stuffed with an onion sauce which is out of this world. I have learned so much just by sitting under the roof of some of these ms and getting to learn about their passion for God and His people. We have one more day with these precious children and their dedicated parents. It will be a sad time when we have to leave them, I am sure. However, God has everything taken care of and we don't have to worry about any of it. What a comfort that is. We serve an incredible King who comforts and leads His people. What a friend we have in Jesus.

PRAISE!

Praise Report! All over heaven the angels are rejoicing as a new soul is added to the kingdom. After praying with a man last night and then meeting with him again today, he has come to accept Jesus Christ and is now our brother in Christ. What an experince to see the fruit of our labor here. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

How Great is our God!

All will see how great is our God! As we close out another crazy day here in Africa, we were reminded of exactly how majestic our Lord is. Whoa. How He could pain the sky with such vivid colors, arrange the clouds in their specific design and orchestrate the rate the sun would fall just blows my little mind. I am so glad to serve a God who is living and active and not a statue made of wood, stone or another temporal object. "Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God You are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, You cover Yourself with light as a garment and stretch out the heavens like a beautiful curtain." Psalm 104:1-2.

Morning crafts

Today we are teaching the children about loving and respecting their parents and people in authority over them. They are making heart cards thanking their parents for all that they do for them. One little boy remarked, "I want to thank my parents for loving Jesus so much. He is all that matters." Straight from the mouth of a child comes such thanksgiving and dedication.
 I would like to thank my parents for allowing me to travel halfway around the world to serve my King. Also to my awesome siblings for doing extra dishes and more laundry in order for me to be here. ;) Love you!
The day is just beginning here (its about 10:00 a.m here and 4:00 a.m back home) and we have got lots more planned for the children today. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Thank you for everyone who has prayed for our team and the people here. We appreciate it more than you could ever know! :)

Prayer is Powerful!

As we are nearing the middle of our trip, please pray that we will take every situation the Lord gives us and rely on His strength. Thankfully none of us have gotten sick so far, the Lord has blessed us with incredible energy and His unfailing strength. However we need to continue to rely completely on Him for all of our needs as the devil is throwing things at us left and right. Don't take lightly the spiritual warfare that goes on among men and women of God. It is real and it does happen. But our God is also real and will overcome Satan. Please pray for the m.s that we are working with. As they are learning more, the devil is attacking more. One family in particular is really struggling. As prayer warriors, please keep them in your prayers as the devil and all of his demons are trying to stop the spread of the gospel. The lesson that we taught the children today was about prayer. What an encouragement it was to be able to tell them that people in the states were praying for them. Please continue to join us in prayer for the rest of our adventure here.

Sunday Services. 9:15 there, 3:15 here. :P

"Don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve Him heart and soul! Don't chase after false gods. There's nothing to them. They can't help you. They're nothing but a lie! God, simply because of who He is, is not going to walk off and leave his people. God took delight in making you into his very own people." 1st Samuel 12:21. This picture is a symbol of what is happening here. Idols are being destroyed and strongholds knocked over. God is at work in a huge way. But with work comes warfare. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we are up against Satan and his army. However, our God is greater! We had the opportunity to worship with some of the most spirit filled people that I have ever been around. Every time that I took a breath - I felt the Holy Spirit. Every time I sang - it was purely for Him. Everytime I felt Him speak - my heart was lifted. There aren't even words to describe the power, purpose and passion that filled that simple room. No elaborate stage, flashing lights or top notch sound equipment. Just the sound of a group of believers worshipping the One true God. Men, women and children all together worshiping the God that was, is and is to come. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched little children dance for their King while singing "How great is our God." The Word was taught in a real and practical way. Prayer was lifted up to our Creator. He was praised and magnified through all that went on at that service. What a blessing that God has bestowed on me and the rest of the team to be around and learn from such awesome m's. We will not return the same, I can promise you that. "Greater things have yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city!"