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!