Greetings to you all!!
Thank you so much for your pr@yers for us! R!ta, T0m, and I saw the hand of G0d orchestrating and leading us every step of the way. Our purposes in C@pe V3rde had many facets and we experienced G0d clearing the surface of each facet so that we could see Him and the purposes for which He sent us to C@bo V3rde.
T0m is an ethnomusicologist. Some of you may not even know what that means or what they do for the K!ngdom of G0d. Truly it was a blessing for me to watch and to learn myself how they go about their work. In the development of G0d’s work among different ethnic groups, a key element is music. Think about it…where would your f@ith be if you did not have songs and music that allow you to express your love, your beliefs, your need, your surrender to G0d? Where would you be in those dark hours of life or those moments of jubilation if you could not express your heart to G0d in song? How would your w0rship be impacted if the only songs you had to sing were in a language that you do not truly understand in the depths of your soul?
Part of the work we were doing was researching the existence and the need for the development of songs in the heart language of the C@bo V3rdeans–Kriol. In the ch.rches throughout the islands, the songs they sing to w0rship are primarily sung in Portuguese, the messages are given in Portuguese, yet the majority of C@bo V3rdeans speak Kriol as their heart language. We spent time learning about the C@bo V3rdean music, art, dance, and theater and how those avenues could be used to present the G00d News to those who have never heard of Jss. T0m was able to talk with many different people–f0ll0wers and non-f0ll0wers–about how using C@bo V3rdean music, art, dance, and theater could influence their desire to know and understand G0d. We had many opportunities to experience the different arts C@bo V3rdean style since each year during this time they have a Jazz Music Festival with all kinds of art displayed throughout the city. One huge moment during our time there was when we experienced a complete change in w0rship during the first Sunday. The w0rship had been powerful and the most of the people were engaged from the beginning. Yet when one man came to lead 2 songs in Kriol, the whole body of Chr!st began to move. In an instant, their hearts came alive as they w0rshiped in heart, mind, soul, and body! Truly we were watching people “Love the L0rd their G0d with all their heart, with all their mind, with all their soul, and with all their body.”
Please pr@y for the development of Kriol songs, art, drama, and dance that will tell the story of G0d’s unfailing love and f@ithfulness in ways that will engage all C@bo V3rdean people with the opportunity to know and w0rship G0d in heart, mind, body, and soul.
Pray for direction, leadership, and clear vision to engage the Kriol f0ll0wers of Jss and the church of C@bo V3rde in the development of the arts for the glory, pr@ise, and w0rship of G0d.
Another purpose for which we were visiting C@bo V3rde was to pr@yer walk and seek G0d direction for reaching the many West African who have moved to C@bo V3rde to work. Many of them go there thinking they will find their fortunes but they find themselves living very difficult lives and longing for home. G0d orchestrated every detail for R!ta and I to travel to the island B0aVista where the largest pocket of West Africans live. We were able to pr@yer walk through the streets of the shanty village where they live and to greet some along the way. It was a taste of home to be able to speak Bambara to some. I had experienced the struggle of not being able to speak to people since I do not speak Portuguese or Kriol. My heart became full as we were “home” among the West Africans. Many of the sellers in the tourist market are from S3negal, M@li, Gu!nea Bissau, and other countries in WA.
The greatest moment was when we were able to connect with M0di. Two years ago R!ta met him in the capital after overhearing him speak Bambara. R!ta greeted him, they talked, and he was so helpful to her in doing the research she was there to do. He was moved by her work and told her that the work she was doing was good. They talked about G0d’s Word and R!ta bluetoothed some stories from G0d’s Word in his language to his telephone. She tried to find him on her last visit but they missed each other. When R!ta called him this time, he was so excited to see her. He approached from behind R!ta and I could see his face. He was radiant with joy and continued throughout our visit to say, “I’m so happy! I’m so happy today!” He took us to his home, gave us a cold soda, and invited 2 of his best friends to come. One is from L!beria where R!ta lives now. We talked a lot with them and they were amazed we could speak some in their language. After his friends left, M0di told us he had listened to all the stories R!ta had given him and how much he loved them. We called D@n in M@li and the two of them talked. M0di told D@n how he wanted to f0ll0w Jss but there were no Chr!stians here who speak his language or who speak French that can help him understand and learn about f0ll0wing Jss. At that point, my heart became heavy. He told us that he had lost phone and lost all the stories. I felt this desperation come over me to figure out how we could get G0d’s Word to him as soon as possible. This desperation just in my heart throughout the afternoon. Then M0di told us of his work and took us to see his work place. He drives the big Catapillar machines and is helping to build the port for B0aVista. He walked us home, then left to shower and eat. He came back later and we sat together and talked. He told us again how he had listened to all the stories, but one day he was working and his phone fell out of his pocket and into the ocean. UUUGH….was all I could think! There is no finding that phone…smile. I shared a verse of scripture I had recorded on my phone in B@mbara…verses I share with my friends on the street. He listened and smiled. Then he began to talk into my phone thinking he was recording a message. When I realized what he was doing I asked him to do it again and I did record it. It was a message to the church asking them to pr@y for him to have G0d’s Word, to learn, and to know how to f0ll0w Jss. That he could share Jss with his friends and share G0d’s Word with them too. Again, my heart was overcome with desperation…how could we get G0d’s Word to him SOON!! Then R!ta opened her phone and took out her own microSD card with stories from G0d’s Word in several languages. She handed it to him and his face lit up…while tears filled my eyes. My heart was at peace and I felt a huge sense of rest come over it. This man was thirsting and longing…and he was satisfied. He immediately began listening to the stories going from language to language…he didn’t seem to care that he didn’t understand them all. He told us he would be listening and that he would invite his friends to listen with him. The great thing is there are many languages on the card…so of which other W African on the island speak.
Pr@y for M0di as he listens to the stories, as he seeks to know and understand what it means to f0ll0w Jss. Pr@y for him as he shares these stories with his friends. Ask G0d to send His H0ly Sp!r!t to teach them, to give them understanding, and to reveal deep truths to them.
Pr@y for G0d to show us how He wants us to join Him among the W Africans in C@bo V3rde. From the first time R!ta told me of them, my heart was quicken and my mind wondered if G0d might mobilize some M@lians to go and tell His G00d News among them. Please pr@y for G0d’s direction, timing, and leadership in this work.
Tomorrow, I head back to M@li! I am super excited to be going HOME to be with my people there. I cannot wait to celebrate EASTER together with them. Please be in pr@yer for us as we celebrate both Friday and Monday–as we remember on Friday the suffering of our Savior and as we celebrate on Monday the victory we have because HE IS RISEN–HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!