Hi *{{First Name}}*,
At this time last year I was in Nigeria on what was one of my standard month-long trips. I had to return a week early from that trip due to the COVID pandemic. Thankfully, Kathy and Mollie got me on the last KLM flight out of Nigeria to the US for a long time! That's another story that you can read here. While we did not plan for me to be stateside for a year, that is how it turned out. Each time we planned a trip to Africa last year, the door closed...until now! One morning earlier this year, I had a desire to begin reading Joshua. When I got to the 2nd verse, certain phrases in it jumped out at me!
Joshua 1:2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
THE TIME HAS COME! FINALLY! HALLELUJAH! The time has come for me to lead (TO SERVE) these people (our family in Senegambia) INTO THE LAND I AM GIVING THEM.
We serve the church in West and Central Africa (WACA) to help them train some of their members to be effective indigenous missionaries. The next day I purchased my air ticket to Senegal, which has been heavy on my heart all year...along with Mali. Last year in the midst of the COVID lock-down, we trained a team of 5 from Senegal and another team of 5 from Mali, as well as others from 8 other countries in 2 Leadership Development Academies (LDA's): one LDA in Guinea, Conakry in the French language and the other LDA in Ibadan, Nigeria in English. We invested much to train these to help us add momentum to these countries, and all year long I've had angst to get back to these guys "on the ground" to continue team development and keep the vision before them...to capitalize on our investment in them for the expansion of the kingdom of God in their respective countries.
"THE TIME HAS COME!" The next week following me purchasing my ticket for the trip, Sanko a presidential competitor in Senegal, was arrested and charged with rape...and then released. The people rioted for 4 days. I began receiving calls and texts asking if I was sure I was going. I even had our pastor have a word about being cautious. But I was SURE. I had the "Word" from the Lord (Joshua 1:2).
Chip packing for his trip to Senegal
Heading to the airport
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Thank you for your continued support of Sonrise International. Your love and support are greatly appreciated!
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Chip on the flight from JFK-DSS. ALMOST THERE!
Enjoying dinner with some of the team!
Chip with one of the missionary's sons.
Jesus gave the disciples His Word, "Let us go to the other side." When a storm came, He was sleeping in the back of the boat, but the disciples were freaking out, afraid for their lives! They woke Jesus up. He rebuked the wind and sea and it became calm. He then asked, "Where is your faith?" (Mark 3:40) ...or "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" (Matthew 8:26) When in a trial, ask yourself, "What did the Lord say?" TRUST HIM!
We tried to send this newsletter before I left, but it is now, while I am here in Senegal, that we are sending it. Here, we have representatives that work with us from The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. What a great time we are having in the Lord!!|
Somehow, in the midst of all the chaos (COVID lock-down, military coups, unjust, etc., GOD'S KINGDOM IN WACA CONTINUES TO GAIN MOMENTUM! In May, we are planning to launch Live School in the Hausa language, finally!!! HALLELUJAH! Also in May, we plan to launch a new delivery method of Live School that promises to shift us into yet another gear!
Thank you for being a part of our team in giving and prayers!
EVERY PEOPLE!
Chip
Chip with the team at the ocean!
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HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
There are several ways that you can be involved! (Click on the links below for specific areas that you would like to get involved.)
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We are working on Chip's 2021 and 2022 stateside itinerary. If you would like Chip to come speak at your church or event, please click on the link below or email mollie@sonriseintl.com.
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