Dear friends and family,

It’s been two years since we’ve been back in the US, away from our beloved Gambia. While it has been more difficult than we could ever put into words, being away has given us new perspectives on the ministry as a whole, our approach to sharing the love of Jesus, and looking differently at everything God is doing throughout Gambia. In the midst of the pain and frustration, we are recognizing God’s wisdom and direction every step of the way. Our love toward Him and the lost grows. We continue to place our trust in Him, and Him alone, no matter what comes our way.

We are seeing more clearly how every seed that has been planted counts for something in God’s hands. One child, one family, one village at the time, until the whole country knows there is a Savior that loves us all the same.

The Yuna Village Outreach

About six yours ago we met Pastor Robert and Anna Mendy. We fell in love with their hearts for God, their passion for the lost, and their desire to see His Kingdom in Gambia.

Pastor Robert was raised in a Catholic church, but the church was practicing animal sacrifices and ancestral worship mixed with Sunday mass. God took a hold of Robert’s heart. In his desire to see families and tribesmen delivered from idol worshiping and saved by the love of Christ, they started a church in their village with mainly children attending for a long time.

They persevered and continued planting the seeds, even as the number of kids were going down because parents were stopping their children from going to a born-again church! With just a few children in attendance, they worshiped the Lord and prayed their hearts out to the Mighty one. They trusted the Lord to do what only He can do—reveal Himself to people and change the heart of man.

God has blessed their faithfulness and has grown the church in numbers. Some of the parents are attending and new families are joining into the born-again experience as they see the power of God moving amongst the villagers.

In February, Pastor Robert held a 3-day evangelism program with more than 100 people attending. It was a powerful time of sharing the Gospel, praying for the sick, seeing miracles happen, worshiping the Lord, and expressing thanksgiving to God for all His blessings.

Not only are they growing in numbers, but they are also learning to care for each other’s needs. Sister Diminga, who was taking care of her son with a mental disability, had a stroke and is unable to care and provide for themselves. The body of Christ from Yuna Church Fellowship are visiting and helping them around the house. They are also taking a monthly offering to help financially and in all the ways God is providing. Because of your faithfulness, Shared Blessings is able to join them and provide monthly for their food. Diminga and her family have experienced so much love; she is proud to be part of this church of believers! The village community is also watching and seeing the love of Jesus in action. Praise God!

Reconnecting and Encouraging the Believers

Being away from the ministry in Gambia has created a gap with our partners on the ground. We are learning how to oversee from a distance in more tangible ways, to continue ministering to them, and encouraging them toward good works. Last month, we started having meetings with them over the phone—the Internet is too slow in Gambia to carry a full video conversation—it was so good to hear from each of them, to regroup. We will continue to hold these meetings every six weeks. We look to Jesus for strategy in how to approach the task at hand, how we can encourage them to communicate, collaborate, and raise up disciples that will do the work. If it worked for Jesus, it should work for us too.

Apart from our partners on the ground, we have also been having meetings every two weeks with our school administrators. We are pleased to see how God is empowering us to guide and direct them. However, the global pandemic has affected Gambia too. Schools, borders, airlines, and other institutions are closed for now. We are praying for God’s protection over the entire nation as the health care system is virtually non-existent. Please pray for the believers and leaders to take every opportunity share the hope of God’s love for us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring everyone to Jesus, our only savior.

This year, we have been fervently praying for God to give us a nation! God can use these circumstances to bring people to Himself and glorify His Name. Thank you so much for your commitment to pray, give, and support the work of God in Gambia. We cannot do what we do without you! We are praying for you and your families; we declare the protection of the Blood of Jesus over you!

Blessings and much love,

Sol and Manuela Bah