A TESTIMONY FROM SENEGAL by Sarah RacineÂ
It was the first day we visited the village. Dust, trees, bushes- there wasn't much to help guide one to where we were going and I was impressed by our bus driver's navigation. I sat on the bus looking outside at the landscape, but all I could think about at the time was that I was hot and sweaty and wondering what the next few days would be like trying to photograph and film in the blazing sun. I was a bit discouraged as we got off a two-hour bus ride to what seemed like the middle of nowhere. This day is what marked this trip for me.
I stepped through the church doors and it was as if the Lord completely lifted every negative thought and showed me that He was very present in this remote village of Ngonine. I just needed to open my eyes. Church began and worship filled the building and then something happened that I will never forget. Three Muslim elders of the village walked into the church and sat down. Where I have been serving in the Middle East, this sight would have caused grave concern. I looked to Mike, he smiled and said they were the elders and I kept my eyes on them wondering what was going to happen. Then they smiled, waved and began to enter into worship with us. I was both in awe and in complete shock at the sight of this. After the service we interviewed each of these elders about how God has been moving in the village. They first started to thank us for coming, but then my jaw dropped when I heard the next few words. "This is only possible through Jesus Christ." I couldn't believe my ears and tears began to fill my eyes. These Muslim elders are claiming Jesus is their Lord! Not only that but during the other interviews they kept point their fingers up saying it was all because of Jesus Christ. This is exactly what I yearn to see in the 10/40 window. We have stayed faithful to the vision and to this village. We came alongside and saw God's vision for His people here. We have been faithful in holding up Pastor Timothy's hands in support as He is pastoring in a majority Muslim village. It's been twelve years sowing into this specific village and we are seeing fruit, but the key thing here is this fruit was made possible only because of faithful ones remaining in that place of prayer. This is what my highlight was in Senegal- to see God moving in a Muslim nation. To see Him captivating hearts, growing His church and revealing himself in the beautiful ways He always does. I'm so grateful to have been able to see with my own eyes what God is doing in Ngonine. I'm honored to have seen the fruit of prayer in Senegal.
