Week 2 thoughts...

Our team of seven—Jonathan, Sam, Erik, John, Bill, Kamila, and I (Anna)—spent the final two days of the first leg of the trip dedicating the brand-new conference center. Jonathan taught about prayer, Sam and Erik led worship, and Bill and John kept everything

running smoothly from behind the scenes. Kamila and I had arguably the best job: taking care of the workers’ kids. The days at the conference center were full of prayer and celebration!

Most importantly, we’ve maintained balanced diets—balancing a shank of lamb in one hand and a dozen dates in the other. Multiple families hosted us for out-of-this-world meals, which are an hours-long process of community and conversation. The level of hospitality here is unbelievable. Families have graciously welcomed us into their homes, fed us delicious homemade meals, and shared whole evenings talking with our group. We all have felt blessed by the warmth and kindness demonstrated to us (and are grateful for the tasty food that has admittedly made our clothes fit a little tighter).

Early Monday morning we departed for Senegal. An hour-long ride south to Saly took us past animal reserves, huge expanses of greenery, and a main road lined with markets, homes, and people going about their day. Workers, many of whom are dear friends, met us at the hotel for the Mali Field Forum. We’re here to serve these missionaries for a week of worship, teaching, and refreshment. And they are quite the group of vibrant personalities!

Our meal times are all together and lead to great fellowship. It’s been neat to intentionally sit by workers and listen to their backgrounds and prayer requests. One woman who has invested in me this week, Suja, took a whole afternoon to speak wisdom into my life and share from her heart. The past two days we’ve gone on a run together in the mornings, then jumped in the ocean! Praise the Lord for relationship-building and friendship even in short times together.

This group of missionaries have told us over and over how much this worship has meant to them. Erik and Sam have led the worship times so well, Jonathan’s teachings on Exodus are relevant and excellent, and Bill and John hold everything together from the tech side of things. Kamila and I spend the sessions with the missionaries’ children, who are hilarious, brilliant, vivacious, and eager for adventure!