I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.Psalm 63:4-5
To sing…
If there's one thing my mother has drilled into my life, it's the importance of singing. Thinking back, during happy times and sad times, goofy times and really serious times, we would sing. Sometimes the songs led to dancing, and other times the songs have led to tears, but one thing is for sure, each time I sing out to the Lord, His presence is so very clear. It's as if He's wired my crazy brain to not only enjoy music but to see it in order that I might better understand Him…
In the next few paragraphs, I pray that you get caught up, not in my words, but in the song the Lord has been writing on my heart.
Tonight, I put on my crazy African britches and headed for the roof. I love the top of this building. There's so much to see and hear. Honestly, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Tonight was one of those nights. I headed up the stairs with the ol' ipod, and as soon as I hit the top, the open, African sky was right there to greet me. I looked around and honestly, got really overwhelmed with the question "why"? I hear the horns blowing, I see the woman next door saying prayers to a lie, I'm watching men and women walk around greeting one another, all the while being reminded that 95% of these beautiful people are Muslim, 3% Catholic, and 2% animist.
Then the doubt begins to sneak in.
"Who am I? I'm not fit for this job. There are so many, and I am so weak. I don't even speak their language. How can you use this life of mine? Lord, I am so sinful…"
The music begins…
"What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Come to [me], Lord. You reward those who earnestly, diligently seek you.I wanna see your face.I wanna know Your ways.Come to [me], Lord.[I] want you more than this world, more than [my] way.Your way is higher.Your thoughts are higher.[I] surrender here, tonight…What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh, precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow.No other fount I know.Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
Okay, so the Lord was pretty clear. His way is higher. He is the only reason, the only motivation, the only basis for my being here. He makes me whole. Hosanna!
At this point, my heart is smiling. With each beat, a different face comes to mind…
Hosanna! The Talibe boys…
Hosanna! The women in our ESL class…
Hosanna in the highest!
The beautiful family that we story with…
Hosanna! The precious children at kids camp in Sacre Coeur III…
Hosanna! The Diarra family that lives below us…
Hosanna in the highest! The basketball players at the community center in Derkle…
I wish I could go through and explain each and every person that the Lord has allowed me to meet. I wish that you could have been up on that roof with me as the music played and I looked around no longer seeing a defeated people, but a victorious Savior. I also wish that you could have seen the way the guys on the roof next to me were staring as I danced around and sang like a crazy person.
Heal my heart and make it clean.Open up my eyes to the things unseen.Show me how to love like You have loved me.Break my heart for what breaks yours!Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause,As I walk from earth into eternity.
I pray that the song never grows quiet in my heart or yours. I pray that with each step your feet take, it is to the rhythm of the Mighty, Beloved Conqueror. I pray that during happy times and sad times, goofy times and really serious times, you would sing. May the songs lead to dancing, rejoicing and tears, but one thing for certain, each time you sing out, I pray His presence is so very clear.
Dakar is a beautiful place, full of hospitality and smiling faces. But my heart does break for the deception that continues to control the people. I ask that you please continue to pray for the Wolof team here in the city. They are awesome, and I couldn't be more blessed to be under their leadership. Mere and I love them as if they were family!! Please pray for us as we begin new ministries and continue to work in some previously started.
Monday & Thursdays: We are working on some basketball skills with some awesome teenagers. It's a great opportunity to get some exercise, laugh a little, and most importantly, build relationships in order that the truth might be shared in their lives and in their homes.
Tuesdays: We story with an AMAZING family! Well, there are about eight related families living in this one compound. Each Tuesday, we go and teach some English, followed by a story of truth about our God and Savior. Their smiles and the sound of their laughter is priceless, but please pray that they would experience true joy and freedom in Christ.
Wednesdays: We just began working with the Talibe Boys on Wednesday. Please, please pray for these boys (I encourage you to google 'talibe boys in Dakar/Senegal). Basically, we are working with about 30 young, orphan boys (ages 2 and up) that live in a small home, with walls of straw and a roof made out of cardboard. Each day they travel around the city and beg for money so that they can give it to their "keeper." The parents of these children have given them over to a Maribu, who then becomes their guardian, and in most cases the boys are beaten and abused as an incentive to bring home the money. They are malnourished and often very sick. We have been blessed with the opportunity to get to play with them for an hour each Wednesday and then story! Also, Please continue to pray for our ESL class! It's so much fun, and awesome to watch Jami and Helen read the story to their Muslim peers each week.
Fridays: We get to do another kids camp!! These kids are great, and so much fun! There are several girls that show up, which is wonderful!! (Yes, we did nails the other day. The Lord is stretching me.) Please pray for David. He is a believer from Senegal who is helping us and reading the story to the children (and starting next week, he will also help us w/ the Talibe boys).
Even as I type, the Lord is reminding me of what a blessing and privilege it is to be here, in spite of myself and my failures. All things are made perfect in Him, and I am so grateful to have two more months in this city. There is truly no other place that I would rather be right now than on my face in this city, before the Victorious Father and Healer.
The Stand
What could I say, What could I do,But offer this heart, O God, completely to You.So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, In awe of the One who gave it all.I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You surrender.All I am is yours.
Grace and Peace,
Tiff
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