Monday, August 27, 2012

a tribe to pray for......

The other night we were all given a tribe of Guinea to pray for. There are many of them throughout this country. Here is a little information about my tribe that was recorded by the Joshua Project.


Tribe: Badyara, Badyaranke
Population: 9,400
Main Language: Badyara
Main Religion:  Islam
Bible: NONE
Christ-Followers: around 1%

“The Badyara people live in the Koundara Region. They also live in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. They earn extra money by extracting Honey from beehives and also by producing excellent cotton cloth. Most primarily earn their living as subsistence farmers. Most villages consist of only 100 to 500 people. They are very proud of their unique historical and cultural roots.

They people fled to Senegal from Guinea approximately 110 years ago due to war in their regions.

They still practice female circumcision. Boys are circumcised at 8 years old and are then taken away from the village for about one month, during which time they are taught the ways of the people. This event is followed by a public washing and a huge celebration involving the whole village. This is the only time that the men dance.

They speak a language called Badyara and are part of the Atlantic people cluster. The Biafada language is somewhat similar to their language.”



Approximately 1% of the population of the Badyara, Baryaranke of Guinea are Christians. That means, out of 9,400 people from this tribe only 94 are Christians.  Imagine the struggle of the 94. Can you hear their cries to God for help to come? Can you hear their plea for revival, to no longer live in persecution?  Maybe they feel alone and cut off but the reality is they are not alone. They are a part of this family – our family…your family.

Will you join with me to lift these 94 up to our Father in fervent prayer?

Will you join me in lifting up the 9,306 who do not know the saving grace of our Father?

We live in a land where our streets are filled with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ – imagine yourself being one of the 94.

Lord, today I lift up the 94 to you. Today I make a stand for them, a stand on my knees as I lift them to you in prayer. Wrap them in your peace and hope – let them know they are not alone – others know about them and others are praying for them.


Psalm 107
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 for they had rebelled against the words of God
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.

Friday, August 3, 2012

FINALLY: AN UPDATE!!

As we slowly descend from the sky the island starts to come into view with its bright lights carving their way through the coastline. The streets that wind their way up the mountain sides look like lava flowing from the volcanic center and I think to myself how crazy it is for me to be here. The small volcanic island with its dramatic coastline is where the ship is currently docked receiving maintenance (Tenerife, Canary Islands – Spain). The view outside my window is breathtaking and I praise God for giving me this last little reprieve before heading back to West Africa.

In less than 2 weeks we will be setting sail for the coast of West Africa – onwards to Conakry, Guinea! From the moment our lines secure us on the docks – we will all be running into action. In fact – we aren’t waiting for that point. Next week (after a mandatory day at the zoo due to a technical test on the ship) starts a string of meetings and planning sessions. Our screening day is not far away and the month of September is jam packed with patients arriving, events, and media team visits.

My time home was relaxing, healing, and busy all at the same time. I am so thankful I was able to come home and get my health back in order and start organizing the food shipping schedule for my parents. Talk about a blessing – my parents are gathering food for me and will have to ship it to me every month. Due to gluten allergy, I found it very difficult to stay healthy on the ship over the past 10 months. Now, I am blessed to have parents who are stepping in the gap to help me out. It’s a fine line between having enough food to last me a month and having space to store it (please pray I am allowed a 3-berth that has an amazing amount of storage). This is why my parents are dehydrating my meals. It is a tedious task that requires a lot of work on their part and in turn, it makes life a lot easier and healthier for me. The fact is, it is what keeps me here in West Africa serving our Lord and the people who desperately need our help.

If you would like to help my parents there are several ways you can do this.

1.      There is an amazon wish list that is filled with items they need on a regular basis to provide me with full meals. As things come available, you can purchase online and have it shipped to my parent’s house or you can purchase it in the store (especially if it is cheaper) and give it to my parents. (MORE INFORMATION CAN BE SENT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS)

2.      As things start to get organized a little better, my mom can set up “food assembly days” that could allow people to help her package 30 breakfasts, 30 lunches, 30 dinners, and 60 snacks.

3.      Support my Mom as she works tirelessly on trying to make yummy meals out of very little. She is a genius in the kitchen and I appreciate her. She can always use meal suggestion ideas for dehydrated meals! Feel free to contact her with ideas, praise, and encouragement in this regard!

I do apologize for not updating my blog in so long! Now that I am back in the field, I will get back on a regular schedule of stories from West Africa. I appreciate all of the encouraging words you have shared with me – it is so nice to hear that people are reading and enjoy this blog!!   

Do you have questions? Would you like me to write about specific things Mercy Ships is doing in West Africa? Do you want more pictures? Please feel free to contact me!! I am open to suggestions and really want this blog to be used as an informative tool connecting you with this mission in West Africa!