West Africa Update, Wednesday

Wow, what a full day Wednesday has been. Today was our first of two days in the villages. We woke up early and had a few stops to make as we headed out of Kankan to the villages. One of the adventures for the morning was trying to make it across the bridge that goes over the river in Kankan. They have been working on the bridge this week, looks like they are resurfacing the bridge by pouring new concrete. Scott has gotten big kick of this since he is an engineer and bridge designer.

We were able to make it across the bridge in time but that was quite chaotic since only half of the bridge was passable. That half was left for all of the normal daily traffic including hundreds of people on foot, many on motos (mopeds) and bicycles, and then folks like us trying to weave through in vehicles.

The drive to the village took about an hour and half through the African countryside and African bush along dirt roads. The village we went to today was a larger village and its name is Gbanankuda. Our team who came to Kankan in June visited this village as well. It was cool to recognize the chief of the village from picture from the former trip.

When we first arrived, people quickly began to surround the two vehicles we were in. We greeted some of the men in the village there and talked for a few minutes. Then we walked through the village to the chiefs hut along with a lot of the village. There were people all around. We greeted the chief and the elders, they then shared a greeting with us, and invited us to visit and spend time in the village.

I went around the village with Matt and Rocky from our team and “MC” our translator. Initially, there was a ton of activity and interaction with people. We saw an older man’s hut. We toured the ceremonial area of the village that once had a huge tree standing but had been taken down because of hives. We then saw a the village well where women were drawing water and dozens of children around. There Matt shared his testimony. We were also asked to pray for a someone’s sick brother and for another person’s sick mother.

As we walked around the village we continued to pray with people and greet people. The energy and smiles from the Maninka people in the village was incredible. From, experiencing their culture at our time with the chief to interacting in the village was incredible.

Later in our walk around the village Matt, Rocky, MC, and I (along with our ‘tour guide’), we entered an older man’s hut, Lansine Dumbuya (la see na doom be a) who said he was triplet and fought in World War II. Several other younger men also were in the hut with us. We greeted him and learned a little bit about his life. Then, I was able to share our Creation to Christ story with him. I also shared my faith story and we were able to tell him and the men how they could receive Christ. Lansine is a Dozo (African for warrior) and a fettisher (practices Africa folk religion, believes objects have powers).

While in Lansine’s house/hut, I was given my Maninka name, “Moussa Dumbuya” (moose a). Dumbaya is a common surname in Maninka (Scott’s Maninka name is also Dumbaya). I am going to talk more with our translators tomorrow about what it exactly means, if there is a meaning. When we were doing this, we were also moving quickly to the music and dancing so there was a lot of chaos.

Next, the village drummers and dancers but on a show for us that is all you would expect for an African celebration. It was very entertaining and joyous, a lot of laughter from us and the Africans. The dancers were men dressed as women (very interesting), one had a mask on and they would dance to the music of the drummers and would pull up some of our team to dance with them, that was awesome. Somehow, I did not get pulled in. I guess it was because I was late to the party or I was holding the camera.

Ron, Rocky, and Matt then played a few worship songs for the crowd. It was especially incredible when the drummers from the village began to play the beat along with the songs our guys were playing. After a couple of the songs, Ron through our translators was able to share about Jesus as he explained the meaning of the songs.

At the end of the celebration/ceremony, we gave the elders some soccer balls and machetes. They received them with very kinds words and gave us a blessing. They invited us back. One thing that stood out as the talked to us was that they were very pleased that we had promised to come to the village in February and that we had done what we had said we would do. I was impressed that they remembered that our partners had made them that promise.

Well, we thought it was time to leave as we went back to the chief’s hut to say goodbye. After we waited for everyone else to gather again, we then learned we had to wait and not leave yet because they were preparing for us a meal. To honor their request and allow them to extend hospitality to us, we waited as the meal was ready. Once it was ready, we went to one of the elder’s homes to eat the meal. It was “village rice” with a peanut sause on top. It was cooked and smelled delicious. It was in a common bowl which was a new experience. Then our team circled around and we scooped a portion out with our hand and ate it. Yes, I did eat it and it was good!

I am still processing all that I saw today and all of the incredible things I got to experience including some conversation with our translator MC who we feel is seeking God. He was asking about popular Christian songs he has learned by being at our partners house, Daryl and Glenda Cox.

The needs and opportunities are so overwhelming but it has been a great day of excitement and peace for me as I sensed accomplishment of what God called us to do. Now, it is time to get ready to visit two villages tomorrow.