Thank you…You’re Welcome

Greetings to you all!

Those of you who have been to S!kass0 and
K@r…the people greet you and they asked about you! Thank you for
f0ll0wing our G0d to share your lives and especially the life of Jesus
among them!

As L0ri and I drove from the good road (black top) along the bush
road, we stopped to greet some Dutch friends who are working in the
neighboring v!llage to K@r. The wind began to blow and it was evident
that the rain was on its way. We decided it best to get in the truck and
try to beat the rain to K@r. Well…we did not beat the rain…but we
did arrive without any problems on the way. The rain was so hard that we
sat for about 20 minutes in the truck waiting for a break big enough
that we would not get drenched. Our arrival was a greater adventure than
we planned…smile. The rain lasted most of the day…with a few small
breaks for greeting those closest to us. The rain brought a coldness to
the air that was unexpected but oh so nice!!

On Tuesday, we spent the day greeting and sitting with people. It
was soooo good to see their faces, to talk with them, and to laugh with
them! We had the chance to cook with K0r0…which made my heart smile.
W@ came over to sit with us as well and I shared a B@mb@ra song with her
that I have been learing and singing with O. It is called Ala ka Lahidu
and it simply says “All of G0d’s promises are fulfilled in J.s.s. All
of G0d’s promises for ______(fill in the name) are fulfilled in J.s.s.”
After I sang it to her the first time, her response, “Amiiina!” Later in
the day, L0ri P opened up the car doors and we plugged in the music to
the radio and G0d’s pr@ises were listened to by those who had gathered
for talking and hanging out under the mango tree. My heart smiled as I
watched the responses …the children all began dancing…not for show
but out of genuine, natural response to music. W@ got up and moved her
chair closer to the truck door where the speakers were, others came
closer to where we were. There is just something about music…we all
long for a song in our hearts…a song that touches us, speaks to us,
empowers us, encourages us!!

Other favorite moments of my time in the v!llage were:

• sitting
  under the mango tree beside W@, the group was talking and I looked at
  W@ and said, “Thank you!” and in mid sentence she responded in her usual
  way, “You’re welcome!” and went on to finish her sentence. As L0ri P
  said, there is at least one English phrase that W@ hears, knows,
  understands, and uses correctly…”Thank you…You’re Welcome!” As I
  thought about that …I thought how powerful…if we all could recognize
  and give thanks to G0d…to know and understand and correctly express
  our gratitude to Him as we should. I will never forget the sound and
  voice of W@ expressing those words…
• sitting under the mango tree…W@ getting up from her chair and L0ri
  P sitting in it while she was away. Without warning and very
  unexpectantly upon W@ return…W@ sits down on top of LP…surprise and
  laughter burst from everyone and I watch my friends laughing and
  enjoying their friendship
• sitting under the stars Tuesday night…hearing K0r0 singing along
  to songs on the radio that spoke of J.s.s. Then as a man was speaking on
  the radio, K0r0 said, “Nanto, he is speaking in Duun.” Right then I
  gave thanks to our Father for radio in M@li. I gave thanks to Him that
  right there in that compound J.s.s was being exalted, talked about, and
  listened to by our friends. I don’t know how much each person was
  hearing…some maybe nothing at all…but some were listening…Oh
  Father….may your words ring in their minds in days to come…may your
  Sp!r!t bring understanding and salvation!
• laughing with my friend Hawa while taking a picture together
• listening to Shaka…hum songs while standing close to me
• to be in K@r with my friend LP again…its been way too long!

As I prepared my heart to leave the v!llage, I simply said two words to G0d, “Thank you!” And His reply, “You’re welcome!”

His promise to me in S3neg@l as I waited to return to M@li f0ll0wing the c0up d’etat…