Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Back In Sierra Leone
Charcoal SalesBack in Sierra Leone after 2 months in America. The first thing we realized as we arrived at our house in Bo is that it gets HOT here; we thought the thermometer was broken because it was pegged against 120, the highest reading, but as it cooled down at sunset we could see that it was just doing it's job. Since then we have had 3 days of 115, I hope the 120+ is a once a season thing. We got a very heavy rain last night that has cooled things down for now and the rainy season is just around the corner.
Cindy is enjoying the yard and especially her banana tree or banana stick as they call it here, it has already over 100 bananas and there are still more emerging from the flower every day. We also went out and purchased a refrigerator yesterday, it was so nice to have cold water, life's simple pleasures are truly the best. I also splurged and bought a blender so we can make fresh fruit smoothies, I can see my weight possibly becoming a problem with a device like that.
I am learning every day and today I think I found a quicker way to add photos to this blog so I'll be experimenting with that, so watch for more pics if it works for me.
God is so good we had our first bible study here after being gone and we met new people who had joined wile we were away. I didn't get a chance to talk to all of them to know there background but most of the members we have were former Muslims and have now converted to Christianity. Please pray that others are touched with the gospel of Jesus Christ and are brought into a relationship with the one true God through his son Jesus Christ. Blessings, Danny & Cindy
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
New Life Lutheran, Oak Grove May 3, 2009
Had a wonderful time at New Life Lutheran in Oak Grove, Minnesota last Sunday. Thank you Pastor Jeff, thanks to all for the warm welcome, and prayer support. What a beautiful worship experience, God bless you all.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Help Us Reach Sierra Leone for Jesus Christ
Hi Everyone!Cindy and I will be in Minnesota April 3, through mid May.
We are looking for places to share what God is doing in Sierra Leone, Churches bible studies any person or group interested in African Missions.
Prayer Partners Wanted!
Call: 1-763-213-2463 Email: sistercindy@live.com
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Leaving for the Good Old U. S. A.
Leaving for the Good Old USA Today!
Well we survived our 10 week emersion into Africa, sometimes referred to as the baptism in sweat. I think it’s the only place you can sit and just drip sweat. In Sierra Leone just like the rest of the world there are 7 days in a week, the difference is here there all HOT! I’ve also learned there are several different kinds of hot, there is the previously mentioned dripping wet sweating hot, the stand up too fast and you’ll just fall down hot, the Latin American siesta sleep all afternoon hot and of course the I think I can tolerate this heat hot. Temperatures here were usually 100-110 daily high, but sometimes hotter than that. Actually today is unseasonably cool, I think God might be trying to trick us into thinking it was not so bad, or maybe he is just having mercy on our pour seared souls.
I don’t want to complain but I would like to just take inventory of our adventure leaving our own comfort zone of the good old USA. WE have spent 10 weeks in country, that’s 4 weeks without our vehicle, 4 weeks without a shower, 6 weeks without refrigeration, and most of 6 weeks without electricity. We did have a generator though but it’s so big that it wasn’t pleasant to run, not to mention expensive. It did have 120 volt or 240 which allowed us a wonderful choice, would we like lights or would we like to cook. Did I mention the drunken electrician experience with the guy who was going to help us hook it up? I really don’t want to get started on him, let’s just say if I never see him again it will be far too soon…..Do you really have to disassemble everything and every circuit in the house to hook this thing up? I don’t think so!
Once again I have traveled into the depths of Africa hoping to see some great exotic creatures and been toughly disappointed; let me take inventory, several hundred lizards of different kinds, 1 squirrel, a few birds mostly pigeons and crows, large insects, spiders, and quite a few rodents. We had in our bags some rodent glue papers that we strategically placed around the house, we woke up one night to hear something moving through the house, something large had found the glue paper and left most of its hair but managed to escape with its life. Now I just know there is a huge baled rat waiting for me to return so he can get his revenge. What I hoped to see but unfortunately didn’t was of course the normal African stuff you see on TV like lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, large killer snakes, crocodiles, etc. No not even 1 of those cool African critters. Well maybe next time……
Did I mention to you that Sierra Leone in one of the world’s biggest diamond producers? I have sifted through every bit of gravel in the back yard to no avail, I still just as broke as when I came here. I figured if I just look I would surly find a big, clear, EXPENCIVE, diamond, well I guess everyone who ever looked expected at some time, the same thing, I thought I was special.
I really suppose I shouldn’t complain though because we came here for a totally different cause and even though nothing seemed to work exactly as planned we have a great report. You see we are here as missionaries with No Greater Love International and the Assemblies of God church. We have plans for an orphanage near the city of Bo, Sierra Leone, and plans for youth centers in the larger cities throughout the country. Although not much has been done this trip to reach those ends God has been working in the lives of those around us. When we arrived many young men in the neighborhood were interested in Christianity so we invited them to the house to watch the Jesus Film. This opened up discussion about Christ and what it meant to be a Christian, I could see they were serious so we started a bible study, at the bible study about 30 people received Christ and many started attending church. It is important to note that attending church is not an easy thing for most because they are mostly from Muslim families, also 8 from our bible study were baptized. I can’t begin to tell you how happy Cindy and I were for the response to the gospel. This is really why we came, these people are the true gems of Sierra Leone and I am so glad we were able to be a part of Gods work here, reconciling people to himself through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, may his name be praised forever….So you see it really was a great trip after all.
Rev. D
Well we survived our 10 week emersion into Africa, sometimes referred to as the baptism in sweat. I think it’s the only place you can sit and just drip sweat. In Sierra Leone just like the rest of the world there are 7 days in a week, the difference is here there all HOT! I’ve also learned there are several different kinds of hot, there is the previously mentioned dripping wet sweating hot, the stand up too fast and you’ll just fall down hot, the Latin American siesta sleep all afternoon hot and of course the I think I can tolerate this heat hot. Temperatures here were usually 100-110 daily high, but sometimes hotter than that. Actually today is unseasonably cool, I think God might be trying to trick us into thinking it was not so bad, or maybe he is just having mercy on our pour seared souls.
I don’t want to complain but I would like to just take inventory of our adventure leaving our own comfort zone of the good old USA. WE have spent 10 weeks in country, that’s 4 weeks without our vehicle, 4 weeks without a shower, 6 weeks without refrigeration, and most of 6 weeks without electricity. We did have a generator though but it’s so big that it wasn’t pleasant to run, not to mention expensive. It did have 120 volt or 240 which allowed us a wonderful choice, would we like lights or would we like to cook. Did I mention the drunken electrician experience with the guy who was going to help us hook it up? I really don’t want to get started on him, let’s just say if I never see him again it will be far too soon…..Do you really have to disassemble everything and every circuit in the house to hook this thing up? I don’t think so!
Once again I have traveled into the depths of Africa hoping to see some great exotic creatures and been toughly disappointed; let me take inventory, several hundred lizards of different kinds, 1 squirrel, a few birds mostly pigeons and crows, large insects, spiders, and quite a few rodents. We had in our bags some rodent glue papers that we strategically placed around the house, we woke up one night to hear something moving through the house, something large had found the glue paper and left most of its hair but managed to escape with its life. Now I just know there is a huge baled rat waiting for me to return so he can get his revenge. What I hoped to see but unfortunately didn’t was of course the normal African stuff you see on TV like lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, large killer snakes, crocodiles, etc. No not even 1 of those cool African critters. Well maybe next time……
Did I mention to you that Sierra Leone in one of the world’s biggest diamond producers? I have sifted through every bit of gravel in the back yard to no avail, I still just as broke as when I came here. I figured if I just look I would surly find a big, clear, EXPENCIVE, diamond, well I guess everyone who ever looked expected at some time, the same thing, I thought I was special.
I really suppose I shouldn’t complain though because we came here for a totally different cause and even though nothing seemed to work exactly as planned we have a great report. You see we are here as missionaries with No Greater Love International and the Assemblies of God church. We have plans for an orphanage near the city of Bo, Sierra Leone, and plans for youth centers in the larger cities throughout the country. Although not much has been done this trip to reach those ends God has been working in the lives of those around us. When we arrived many young men in the neighborhood were interested in Christianity so we invited them to the house to watch the Jesus Film. This opened up discussion about Christ and what it meant to be a Christian, I could see they were serious so we started a bible study, at the bible study about 30 people received Christ and many started attending church. It is important to note that attending church is not an easy thing for most because they are mostly from Muslim families, also 8 from our bible study were baptized. I can’t begin to tell you how happy Cindy and I were for the response to the gospel. This is really why we came, these people are the true gems of Sierra Leone and I am so glad we were able to be a part of Gods work here, reconciling people to himself through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, may his name be praised forever….So you see it really was a great trip after all.
Rev. D
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Good Morning from Sierra Leone
Good Morning Friends,
And it is a good morning too! Everyone here in BO, Sierra Leone seems to be in an extra good mood. I decided to write and just let you all know a little bit about our everyday life. Last night I was able to witness one of our AG pastors here (Pastor Fino) showing The Jesus Film in Gondoma, a nearby village, he showed the Krio version and will show the Mende tonight. Many people were touched by the Word of God as the film showed many events in the life of Christ, and many responded to the alter call at the end. It was a great evening with also about 5 of my neighbors from Bo#2 attending, most of them have decided to convert from Muslim to Christianity, Praise the Lord!
I really want to write to give you a small look at everyday life, as I said it’s a good day here. One of the reasons it’s a good day here is the fact that we have electrical power, this may seem like a small thing to our friends in the U.S. but in almost a month this is only the 2nd day-time I’ve seen with electrical power, it just kind of makes me wonder though if it has something to do with the fact that the man is coming to collect for the electric bill today? It does make me feel better about paying the bill. I guess the physiology is working, oh well. TIA (this is Africa).
Well we have a lot of other good things going for us here and many modern conveniences to help us in our everyday life. As you can see we are making good use of out computer, there is a small problem though it has to do with pictures and attachments, it takes about 20 minutes to upload or download a picture and it seldom works at all. So if you have been sending emails with pictures we probably weren’t able to open them, thanks for the thought though. TIA
We have been blessed by some very good friends with some wonderful appliances too, like Kim who sent a microwave, thank you Kim! The microwave is wonderful as I said it’s just the using it that is a problem with the electric I mean. Generally when we do get power it’s between midnight and 6am and when you change the 220-240 European to 110-120 US it takes at least twice as long to heat something up, like 25 minutes for a bowl of soup. We do have a generator though but it is huge, so when we start it, it shakes the whole neighborhood. It is a blessing when we have to charge something like the computer. I just feel bad for the people who live nearby. We have a refrigerator too thanks to our good friend Tom who decided to let his workplace suffer so Danny & Cindy could have food that wasn’t spoiled in Africa, we just haven’t had the chance to try it yet. It was in the container and ended up at the house in Freetown in the storage. It wouldn’t fit in the truck when we came to Bo and we haven’t been able to get back to Freetown to get it (about 8 -12 hours round trip on questionable roads). We do hope to get there soon, Tom we’ll let you know how it handled the trip, and how it works. In the mean time we have a small 12 volt electric cooler but with the power on only about every 4 days it never seems to get cold, I like to tell myself that the water in the cooler is at least 1 degree colder than the water in the room and I’m usually able to convince myself…… well, sometimes. TIA
I really broke down the other day and purchased a 3000 liter water tank primarily so we could have showers, a tank full I think should last weeks. I just happened into one in the back room of a shop in town that was used but like new, only half the price of a new one, praise the Lord! The tank is on a pedestal we had constructed earlier this year in the back yard, it looks great and it’s only about $25 to have it filled, I paid to have it filled but haven’t seen any water though, oh well TIA (this is Africa). More good news, even as I write the truck has come with the water, now if we can find the plumber to finish the work we will have our first showers in 4 weeks today. They tell me this water is treated and ok for drinking, I think I’ll still boil it but it must be better than the water we have been boiling for coffee and tea, that water looked like the tea was half way done before you start and a slight flavor that could not be identified. TIA
It can be very warm at night here, I often ask Cindy if she’ll turn on the fan but of course we don’t have a fan, and if we did, we don’t have electricity; we could start the generator, but the noise would keep us and our neighbors awake so what’s the point. TIA
On a more serious side I am truly thankful for the wonderful things God is doing here, we have seen a great change is our friend BK, the chief of BO#2. He is telling everyone about Jesus and excited for church and any other kind of meeting where he can learn more about Jesus Christ. We are also making many friends and have a vibrant Christian woman to help in the house, what a blessing. So it’s true even in Africa, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
Blessings, Danny & Cindy
Prayer Requests:
That God will touch many more lives with 3 more days of outreach with the Jesus Film.
That BK, CD, Sela, Musa, Eric, Karta, & Bean tu, our neighbors will grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
That God will give us wisdom to relate to the people here so the gospel will change lives for eternity and Jesus Christ will be glorified. Amen!
And it is a good morning too! Everyone here in BO, Sierra Leone seems to be in an extra good mood. I decided to write and just let you all know a little bit about our everyday life. Last night I was able to witness one of our AG pastors here (Pastor Fino) showing The Jesus Film in Gondoma, a nearby village, he showed the Krio version and will show the Mende tonight. Many people were touched by the Word of God as the film showed many events in the life of Christ, and many responded to the alter call at the end. It was a great evening with also about 5 of my neighbors from Bo#2 attending, most of them have decided to convert from Muslim to Christianity, Praise the Lord!
I really want to write to give you a small look at everyday life, as I said it’s a good day here. One of the reasons it’s a good day here is the fact that we have electrical power, this may seem like a small thing to our friends in the U.S. but in almost a month this is only the 2nd day-time I’ve seen with electrical power, it just kind of makes me wonder though if it has something to do with the fact that the man is coming to collect for the electric bill today? It does make me feel better about paying the bill. I guess the physiology is working, oh well. TIA (this is Africa).
Well we have a lot of other good things going for us here and many modern conveniences to help us in our everyday life. As you can see we are making good use of out computer, there is a small problem though it has to do with pictures and attachments, it takes about 20 minutes to upload or download a picture and it seldom works at all. So if you have been sending emails with pictures we probably weren’t able to open them, thanks for the thought though. TIA
We have been blessed by some very good friends with some wonderful appliances too, like Kim who sent a microwave, thank you Kim! The microwave is wonderful as I said it’s just the using it that is a problem with the electric I mean. Generally when we do get power it’s between midnight and 6am and when you change the 220-240 European to 110-120 US it takes at least twice as long to heat something up, like 25 minutes for a bowl of soup. We do have a generator though but it is huge, so when we start it, it shakes the whole neighborhood. It is a blessing when we have to charge something like the computer. I just feel bad for the people who live nearby. We have a refrigerator too thanks to our good friend Tom who decided to let his workplace suffer so Danny & Cindy could have food that wasn’t spoiled in Africa, we just haven’t had the chance to try it yet. It was in the container and ended up at the house in Freetown in the storage. It wouldn’t fit in the truck when we came to Bo and we haven’t been able to get back to Freetown to get it (about 8 -12 hours round trip on questionable roads). We do hope to get there soon, Tom we’ll let you know how it handled the trip, and how it works. In the mean time we have a small 12 volt electric cooler but with the power on only about every 4 days it never seems to get cold, I like to tell myself that the water in the cooler is at least 1 degree colder than the water in the room and I’m usually able to convince myself…… well, sometimes. TIA
I really broke down the other day and purchased a 3000 liter water tank primarily so we could have showers, a tank full I think should last weeks. I just happened into one in the back room of a shop in town that was used but like new, only half the price of a new one, praise the Lord! The tank is on a pedestal we had constructed earlier this year in the back yard, it looks great and it’s only about $25 to have it filled, I paid to have it filled but haven’t seen any water though, oh well TIA (this is Africa). More good news, even as I write the truck has come with the water, now if we can find the plumber to finish the work we will have our first showers in 4 weeks today. They tell me this water is treated and ok for drinking, I think I’ll still boil it but it must be better than the water we have been boiling for coffee and tea, that water looked like the tea was half way done before you start and a slight flavor that could not be identified. TIA
It can be very warm at night here, I often ask Cindy if she’ll turn on the fan but of course we don’t have a fan, and if we did, we don’t have electricity; we could start the generator, but the noise would keep us and our neighbors awake so what’s the point. TIA
On a more serious side I am truly thankful for the wonderful things God is doing here, we have seen a great change is our friend BK, the chief of BO#2. He is telling everyone about Jesus and excited for church and any other kind of meeting where he can learn more about Jesus Christ. We are also making many friends and have a vibrant Christian woman to help in the house, what a blessing. So it’s true even in Africa, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
Blessings, Danny & Cindy
Prayer Requests:
That God will touch many more lives with 3 more days of outreach with the Jesus Film.
That BK, CD, Sela, Musa, Eric, Karta, & Bean tu, our neighbors will grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
That God will give us wisdom to relate to the people here so the gospel will change lives for eternity and Jesus Christ will be glorified. Amen!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hi all,
I just wanted to let you know how we're doing here in BO.
Cindy and I are getting along just fine and starting to adapt very well, we are still not venturing out too far though. I will be preaching at Galehun tomorrow and presenting the key board that was donated by a family at Living Water Assembly in Onamia, Mn.
I decided to go ahead with the razor wire for the house in Bo because of security and safety issues, all the neighbors are happy to see the development. Also Cindy and I painted the interior of the house with the help of BK and Sela, now expert painters. I might add We had a showing of the Jesus Film in Krio in the house a few days ago with BK and a few of the guys, they were quite interested with eyes glued to the screen. We all prayed together afterward and I believe they all were touched. They still say they are with me an want to attend church. Cindy and I had 5 in the pickup with us last Sunday. I want to challenge them to fully commit their lives to serve Christ but I'm not sure they understand yet. Please pray for the Holy Spirits enlightenment and conviction in their lives.
Things just go so slow here I don't feel like I'm getting anything done, we haven't even touched the used clothing we sent from Minnesota. Cindy is working on a scripture memory program for the kids, she found come colored construction paper and is manufacturing cards and large signs. We haven't even been over to the ministry center. We did make contact with all the pastors in our group though and have met with some of them. Pastor Alex from down the street stops buy almost every day and seems compelled to immerse us in the Mende talkin', he is also joined in his efforts to instruct me by all the ladies on the block who also treat me like the local 2 year old who needs to learn the whole language today. It's good to know people love me though.
Bunmi is in need of funds to continue fixing computers and Peter Kiow is asking for money to pay security and the electric bill at the center here in Bo. I guess that's normal for Sierra Leone, everybody wants something. Well I'll close for now, I hope you all have a blessed day.
Please pray for our household helper Judith, she has been very sick for a few days. Pray that God will heal and strenghten her, she is such a blessing and joy to us.
Your servants in Christ, Danny & Cindy
I just wanted to let you know how we're doing here in BO.
Cindy and I are getting along just fine and starting to adapt very well, we are still not venturing out too far though. I will be preaching at Galehun tomorrow and presenting the key board that was donated by a family at Living Water Assembly in Onamia, Mn.
I decided to go ahead with the razor wire for the house in Bo because of security and safety issues, all the neighbors are happy to see the development. Also Cindy and I painted the interior of the house with the help of BK and Sela, now expert painters. I might add We had a showing of the Jesus Film in Krio in the house a few days ago with BK and a few of the guys, they were quite interested with eyes glued to the screen. We all prayed together afterward and I believe they all were touched. They still say they are with me an want to attend church. Cindy and I had 5 in the pickup with us last Sunday. I want to challenge them to fully commit their lives to serve Christ but I'm not sure they understand yet. Please pray for the Holy Spirits enlightenment and conviction in their lives.
Things just go so slow here I don't feel like I'm getting anything done, we haven't even touched the used clothing we sent from Minnesota. Cindy is working on a scripture memory program for the kids, she found come colored construction paper and is manufacturing cards and large signs. We haven't even been over to the ministry center. We did make contact with all the pastors in our group though and have met with some of them. Pastor Alex from down the street stops buy almost every day and seems compelled to immerse us in the Mende talkin', he is also joined in his efforts to instruct me by all the ladies on the block who also treat me like the local 2 year old who needs to learn the whole language today. It's good to know people love me though.
Bunmi is in need of funds to continue fixing computers and Peter Kiow is asking for money to pay security and the electric bill at the center here in Bo. I guess that's normal for Sierra Leone, everybody wants something. Well I'll close for now, I hope you all have a blessed day.
Please pray for our household helper Judith, she has been very sick for a few days. Pray that God will heal and strenghten her, she is such a blessing and joy to us.
Your servants in Christ, Danny & Cindy
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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