Teaching the students at the school for the deaf a craft (with the help of an interpreter!)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
At the school for the deaf
Teaching the students at the school for the deaf a craft (with the help of an interpreter!)
Some pictures of our adventures!
Hi parents & friends! We know the updates are great but we know from experience how wonderful it is to see pictures of your children when they are so far away! So, here are a few pictures from the last couple of days.
Learning about and tasting Senegalese tea, made by our translator and friend Pastor Ngor Ngom.
Below are some pictures of yesterday afternoon's rest and preparation time at our house. Several team members slept through a lot of commotion in our living room!
SOME students played some games instead of sleeping, and some preferred to destroy Jesse Radford's basketball hoop! Just joking Samuel! It isn't broken, it comes apart all the time! :-)
Some team members climbed the "big gun" on Goree Island today.
And here is a picture of the whole team, with our family and Pastor Ngor today at Goree Island. Keep praying for us and thank you for praying! Will & Sharon Radford
Learning about and tasting Senegalese tea, made by our translator and friend Pastor Ngor Ngom.
Below are some pictures of yesterday afternoon's rest and preparation time at our house. Several team members slept through a lot of commotion in our living room!
SOME students played some games instead of sleeping, and some preferred to destroy Jesse Radford's basketball hoop! Just joking Samuel! It isn't broken, it comes apart all the time! :-)
Some team members climbed the "big gun" on Goree Island today.
And here is a picture of the whole team, with our family and Pastor Ngor today at Goree Island. Keep praying for us and thank you for praying! Will & Sharon Radford
Goree Island
This morning, the team is heading out to Goree Island. Goree Island was one of the locations in Senegal where African slaves were shipped off to Europe and North America. It will be an opportuniy for students to learn about a darker period in Senegal and Africa's history.
In the afternoon, we will be leading activities at a local community center.
All the students are feeling well and are in good spirits. The four students who stayed behind yesterday are back to normal. They were either tired or had minor upset stomachs, which is normal. They had joined us for the evangelism yesterday afternoon. The students had a good night of rest and are being encouraged to drink plenty of liquids.
In the afternoon, we will be leading activities at a local community center.
All the students are feeling well and are in good spirits. The four students who stayed behind yesterday are back to normal. They were either tired or had minor upset stomachs, which is normal. They had joined us for the evangelism yesterday afternoon. The students had a good night of rest and are being encouraged to drink plenty of liquids.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Dalifort Part Two
Our day began, as is now customary, with devotions and breakfast. For devotions students are study John 10 in depth. They are studying the chapter verse by verse, identifying its meaning, significance and application. We move out devotions and into breakfast which consists of fruit and cereal.
This morning was a little more low-key. We went to the office of the deaf school and finished some projects there. Because it was low-key, four students who were tired or sick stayed behind with Mrs. Paas to rest up.
The rest went to the office and put in a good effort. For lunch, we had Senegalese burgers. A Senegalese burger is similar to burgers at home except for the fact that they tear out the inside of the bun and stuff it with french fries!
In the afternoon, we returned to Dalifort, the community we visited yesterday. We had two evangelistic campaigns organized for today. One was for children at 3:30, the other was for adults at 6:00.
We arrived at 3:45 to find that the field where the campaign was to be held was already full of children eagerly waiting for our arrival. We began the campaign and were deeply moved by the response of the children. They were attentive to the gospel and responded with great earnest. The children's campaing was followed by a campaign for the adults. Again, there was a real hunger to hear the gospel and an earnest response to the invitation. Well over one hundred young children gave their lives to Jesus Christ today. We praise God for this and celebrate the work He is doing in this community.
The campaign highlighted the need for missionaries in this community. Just beyond the field where our students were preaching the gospel, the mosque was blaring the call to prayer. The Islamic religion is very strong in Senegal but Islam provides no hope for these people. It demands submission and offers no redemption. The gospel of Jesus Christ - his death for our sins, in our place and his resurrection from the grave is the only means by which these people can know peace with God.
Would you pray for the Senegalese people that the gospel would bear much fruit in their lives and in their nation?
This morning was a little more low-key. We went to the office of the deaf school and finished some projects there. Because it was low-key, four students who were tired or sick stayed behind with Mrs. Paas to rest up.
The rest went to the office and put in a good effort. For lunch, we had Senegalese burgers. A Senegalese burger is similar to burgers at home except for the fact that they tear out the inside of the bun and stuff it with french fries!
In the afternoon, we returned to Dalifort, the community we visited yesterday. We had two evangelistic campaigns organized for today. One was for children at 3:30, the other was for adults at 6:00.
We arrived at 3:45 to find that the field where the campaign was to be held was already full of children eagerly waiting for our arrival. We began the campaign and were deeply moved by the response of the children. They were attentive to the gospel and responded with great earnest. The children's campaing was followed by a campaign for the adults. Again, there was a real hunger to hear the gospel and an earnest response to the invitation. Well over one hundred young children gave their lives to Jesus Christ today. We praise God for this and celebrate the work He is doing in this community.
The campaign highlighted the need for missionaries in this community. Just beyond the field where our students were preaching the gospel, the mosque was blaring the call to prayer. The Islamic religion is very strong in Senegal but Islam provides no hope for these people. It demands submission and offers no redemption. The gospel of Jesus Christ - his death for our sins, in our place and his resurrection from the grave is the only means by which these people can know peace with God.
Would you pray for the Senegalese people that the gospel would bear much fruit in their lives and in their nation?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Deaf School and Dalifort
Wow! What a day the team had. We were working in two places today. In the morning, we went to a deaf school run by Mrs. Radford's sister. The students were split into two groups. Half of them worked on crafts, led by James Tam, Katie Shau and the PCA team. The other half went to an adjacent field and played sports with the children. Trying to communicate with the deaf students certainly posed interesting challenges. Thankfully, the teachers at the deaf school were extremely gracious and patient with us. The entire experience was a rich blessing for all of us. We were moved by the genuine happiness expressed on the faces of these deaf students.
After spending the morning at the deaf school, we headed to Mr. and Mrs. Radford's house where Mrs. Radford had prepared a delicious and filling meal for the entire team. We spent the afternoon resting, playing games and preparing ourselves for the evening activities.
In the evening, we went to a neighbouring village called Dalifort. We split up into two groups and went through the village sharing the gospel with individuals and families. Josh Lau had a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel to an entire family and had the privilege of seeing the whole family respond to the message by trusting Christ for salvation. Truly, the gospel is the power for salvation for all who believe!
Students continue to enjoy health and strength. We are encouraging them to get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of liquids. Other than some minor upset stomachs, all are well.
After spending the morning at the deaf school, we headed to Mr. and Mrs. Radford's house where Mrs. Radford had prepared a delicious and filling meal for the entire team. We spent the afternoon resting, playing games and preparing ourselves for the evening activities.
In the evening, we went to a neighbouring village called Dalifort. We split up into two groups and went through the village sharing the gospel with individuals and families. Josh Lau had a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel to an entire family and had the privilege of seeing the whole family respond to the message by trusting Christ for salvation. Truly, the gospel is the power for salvation for all who believe!
Students continue to enjoy health and strength. We are encouraging them to get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of liquids. Other than some minor upset stomachs, all are well.
Tuesday, the 2nd
Just a quick note to ask you to pray for the team as they are involved in evangelism this evening in a neighbourhood near where we live. They are partnering with a local pastor and his congregation to do some door-to-door evangelism and a short "open-air" type meeting. Pray for receptive hearts and a clear presence of the Holy Spirit in this neighbourhood! Thanks for praying. Mrs. Radford
Monday, March 1, 2010
A hot day in the village
The day began with devotions. We gathered at 7:15am. Everyone was on time, with Bibles and pens. We meet in a common area where we also share meals. No one was late or sleeping in. This is a good sign.
After devotions, we at breakfast and then boarded a bus which took us out to a village. The bus drive was over two hours long and most of the students used the chance to take a nap.
We had a tour of the local school where we sang songs for each class. They, in turn sang songs for us. After the tour of the school, we returned to the home of a local pastor where his wife was preparing a very delicious meal for the team.
Senegalese meals are eaten communally. So, four or five students gathered around one very large dish and ate rice, beef and vegetables.
After eating our fill, we waited for the heat to pass. We made our way to the school and played a number of games with the children (probably in the area of 200 children were present).
Some played soccer, some played frisbee, some played with a parachute we had brought. After a while, all the games stopped and students had the opportunity, with the help of a translator to share the gospel with the children. Many children responded positively to the gospel message. We trust that the Lord will use the message of the gospel to transform their lives.
After this, students lined up and received a treat of candy before we boarded the bus to return home. Because of traffic, the trip home was almost twice as long as the trip to the village.
Students are healthy and well. We have been monitoring their water consumptions - especially today with the heat. By God's grace none of the students had any issues to deal with.
Please continue to pray for their health and pray that the preaching of the gospel would be powerful and effective in changing lives.
After devotions, we at breakfast and then boarded a bus which took us out to a village. The bus drive was over two hours long and most of the students used the chance to take a nap.
We had a tour of the local school where we sang songs for each class. They, in turn sang songs for us. After the tour of the school, we returned to the home of a local pastor where his wife was preparing a very delicious meal for the team.
Senegalese meals are eaten communally. So, four or five students gathered around one very large dish and ate rice, beef and vegetables.
After eating our fill, we waited for the heat to pass. We made our way to the school and played a number of games with the children (probably in the area of 200 children were present).
Some played soccer, some played frisbee, some played with a parachute we had brought. After a while, all the games stopped and students had the opportunity, with the help of a translator to share the gospel with the children. Many children responded positively to the gospel message. We trust that the Lord will use the message of the gospel to transform their lives.
After this, students lined up and received a treat of candy before we boarded the bus to return home. Because of traffic, the trip home was almost twice as long as the trip to the village.
Students are healthy and well. We have been monitoring their water consumptions - especially today with the heat. By God's grace none of the students had any issues to deal with.
Please continue to pray for their health and pray that the preaching of the gospel would be powerful and effective in changing lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)