Sharing in the Lord's work
When I started my internship with MIS, I told the director and his wife that I was grateful to work in the lab but was interested in seeing how the organization works as a whole. I've joined a mobile medical trip and helped with sponsored children in the village of Baback (see previous blogs). And to add to this, France-Lise invited me to join the Peekshill Baptist Church on their 2 week missionary trip to the Fatick region of Senegal.
The Fatick region is mostly Serer, which compared to the Wolof ethnic group is more open to the gospel. The Serer are about 70% Muslim and 30% Catholic so the name of Jesus is more familiar. However despite the label of Muslim or Catholic, most of the people in the villages also follow animist practices. For example, confronted with an injury the person may visit a witch doctor, or multiple witch doctors to seek treatment. There is a fear of spirits as well; it is considered unsafe to leave your compound at sunset which is when the spirits are most active. There are also amulets worn for protection.
The team from Peekshill numbered 13 with 7 first-timers to Senegal. We stayed in a "guest house" in Niakhar one of the larger villages for 3 days at a time and left from there to visit the other villages that had been chosen by MIS for us to minister to. The group split and 2 and visited 2 different villages for three days each. Each time we started by meeting the chief and introducing ourselves and were often welcomed since we were coming in peace. We also met the local pastors who are the main workers for church planting. Some villages have churches built already and a growing congregation while others have cell groups -- a small group of Christians that meet together but don't have a church yet to worship in.
We usually arrive around 4pm after the midday nap and visit compounds. Some are very welcoming and offer chairs to sit on while others just exchange greetings and don't encourage conversation. When possible we shared the gospel and every night we set up a projector and showed a movie. We watched "Yatin" at least 5 times -- a movie about a small town where spirits are breaking up the families and causing fear, Pastor Philip moves to this town from the city to cast out the evil spirits and proclaim Christ. The graphics weren't what we're used to in the states but the movie really touched on the same issues and fears that people deal with here.
A very important aspect were the translators. We had 6 translators with us and since we all stayed at the same guesthouse we had the opportunity to get to know them and ask lots of questions about the Serer culture. I learned a lot about the Serer culture and how Christianity is viewed.
It was really interesting to see God working through the Peekshill team just in the short time that they were there. It really made an impression for us to come to the people and visit them personally. One woman mentioned that she liked Christians because they came to her and didn't ask for any money but brought peace. Alternately, to receive help from a religious figure or witch doctor, there's often a fee to pay.
Reactions to the message were varied, some accepted Christ, others thanked us for coming and sharing peace. Some agreed with us that Jesus was God but they prefer to stay Muslim or said they were too old to change. Some women would like to accept Christ but are forbidden by their husbands while other heads of households allow freedom of religion in their family.
Another blessing for me was being able to spend time with some Americans. We had a guitar and some good worship music, Bible study, card games, bananagrams and good conversations in the morning before heading out to the villages.
You can find pictures online -- the link below comes from the Peekshill team.
http://senegal2011.org/
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