Senegal (Part Un)

On Sunday I arrived with 26 other students and staff to Senegal for a summer project. If you're reading this, you might me a prayer partner, friend, stranger, creeper on facebook or something else. But I'm very happy to tell you about what I've learned thus far in Senegal.

!) Africa isn't just "the bush".
- When my Mom gave me a safari hat from REI, I don't think she realized that I was going to a university campus rather than a village. (sorry mom I don't wear it- yet). The campus our team goes to is much like an American university like UNC or NC State. There are over 60,000 students, all worried about classes, money, family and the future.

2) Senegalese students are very religious, but very open
- 95 percent of people in Senegal are Muslim, and 88 percent have never heard a clear gospel message. Yet, they are very open to listening to what we have to say. They are inviting to us, give us the best chair in their circle, just very hospitable and generous people. Though as a Christ follower, I have different beliefs than them in many ways, it does not keep us from friendship.

3) Conversations are spiritual and easy
- As Americans in a foreign country, we have an advantage that Christian Senegalese people don't have. Curiosity. The students want to know exactly why we are in Senegal. They are a very direct people. So we tell them, "We are here to talk to people about what the Bible says about Jesus." Bam. Conversation started. Pull up a chair, strap on your thinking cap and launch. In 3 days of ministry in Senegal, I've probably had more spiritual conversations than I have in my everyday life. The religious zeal of Islam provides an open door for us to open the door to what the Bible says about Jesus.

Right now I'm pretty wiped, and I will follow up with specific stories and pictures as they come in. Believe me, the stories are piling up. Please pray that I remember the names of people I meet, and that there would be more opportunities to make Jesus known here, and that he'd be more valuable and precious to me as I learn about him here!

Getting God v. Getting God's benefits

As I listened to a sermon recently, the pastor said something that made me think twice about it. He said, "My biggest fear is that I'm going to direct you to get swept up in something other than Jesus." He went on to talk about how as Christians, we love God for what he's done for us (certainly true), but sometimes we just love the benefits of God.

When I think about God, the times I can worship Him the best, is when I'm reflecting on what he's done for me (the finished work of the Cross, Eternal life, hope, love...)However, what if I didn't have Jesus but just his work?

This sounds confusing to me. However, I think this is what it means. Through the substitution of Christ's death in my place, and his righteousness (or his right standing for God), also in my place, I can have eternal life. Through deeper belief in this gospel, I can experience God in more full ways.

I guess the thought I have is, does my identity totally reflect this righteousness? What if everything was stripped away that I had, my job, money, friends, loving family, loving church, what if all I had was literally faith in Jesus (having Him)?

Typically, I enjoy God when I need Him, not because I want Him. When things are going well for me (when my personal ministry sees great results, or life is just flourishing in general), I'm not functionally trusting Christ as my righteousness (though it is still my profession).

The verse that's key is Philippians 3:10, where Paul shows that he wants Christ and nothing else. He considers the glory of earth as dung (v.8).

I want to get to this place, but I know it takes a continual dying to self, and believing the gospel deeper.