Small Steps

A “tent-maker” medical missionary sacrifices to advance God’s work in Senegal.

Greetings from Senegal, where the rainy season has come with a vengeance, bringing leaks to our roofs and floods to our streets. God has been working in this little Muslim nation, and we are thankful for every small step that has been made in advancing the gospel.

In August 2018, the first International Women’s Ministry Congress of the newly formed West Sahel Union Mission was held in Dakar, Senegal. The theme was “Woman, Come to the Source of Living Water.” Over 100 women came from Cape Verde, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, the Gambia, and Senegal, and presenters from the United States, Nigeria, Guadeloupe, and Brazil shared inspirational messages on Bible study and personal ministry. I gave a presentation on health, and a local female gynecologist also spoke. The experience was profitable for all.

Our center of influence is almost finished. Through the challenges, God has been good. One of the schools where I taught a few classes took almost three months to pay me—not uncommon here. Without that money, I was unable to buy materials, and the construction team took other jobs. But after some serious prayer sessions along with several phone calls and visits, I finally received my pay, and work resumed. God gives us our daily bread! As money becomes available, we build—and recently, God has been providing earning opportunities. A former student called for more tutoring, and one massage client recommended me to another client. Each opportunity allows me to pay the workers or buy materials like electrical wires, a door, or the stair railing. The church here is not wealthy, but God has moved some of the members to give what they can to help finish the work. The plumbing pipes have been laid and the electrical wiring completed, and we are now installing the windows and doors and preparing the floor to be tiled.

The center of influence holds a large meeting room and two dormitory rooms, one for men and one for women. There are two bathrooms and a storage room, and upstairs will be a kitchen and eventually another sleeping room. The building will be used for camp meetings, church retreats, and community activities, and it will also host a church plant for the handful of church members living close by. Already a small group has been meeting here to pray for the work in this village.

I have been visiting regularly with one of my Muslim neighbors, Ndeye, and we have been having spiritual conversations. She has read Steps to Christ and The Great Controversy, and we have started to discuss Jesus and His mission. It is not yet a Bible study, but I am praying that it will soon be.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to help Ndeye to know Him better.

A few weeks ago, our little dog ate something and got very sick. She refused to eat and became skinny and weak. My grandson and I prayed for her, and then I gave her some charcoal water to drink. The next day, she was a little better. We continued putting the charcoal water out for her, and in a few days she started eating and within two weeks made a full recovery. One of the construction workers saw the effectiveness of the charcoal and was very impressed. I had given him some charcoal awhile back, and the dog helped him to see its benefits!

Please continue to pray for the work here. We must be wise as serpents but harmless as doves, taking small steps to share the gospel. God is in control, and we need His continued blessings as we work for Him!  

Location
Senegal

Author
Deborah Ndione
Sister Deborah and her family are missionaries working near Dakar, Senegal. Deborah uses medical ministry, English tutoring, women’s ministry, children’s ministry and other simple methods to make friends to invite to Christ’s Kingdom.

How You Can Help

Pray that Deborah and her team of Bible workers can reach the hearts of many in her village and surrounding areas.

Pray for Ndeye, Deborah’s Muslim neighbor who speaks with her about Jesus.

Donate. Funds are needed to complete the center of influence and to dig a well to provide fresh, clean drinking water for the village of Mbirdiam. Mark your donations “Senegal” and send to:

Mission Projects International
PO Box 151
Inchelium, WA 99138

To donate online, visit www.missionspro.org/donate.