Dear friends and partners in ministry,

It has been a good month and a good year so far! We feel very blessed and we sense God’s hand and His protection over us every day. We know it’s because of the prayers that are lifted up on our behalf. Thank you!

Ministry Outreach

God is continuing to use us in this land and to show us opportunities to minister the love of Jesus to people around us. Last month, Steve Zimmerman joined us for ten days and we are so grateful for his commitment and love for the people of Gambia. Together, we had the opportunity to minister to the different groups of people that have been a part of our lives here, and to bless them by teaching the word of God and with prayer. One thing we felt strong about was that we were to spend time with the ministry leaders and to take them out for dinner – something that most people cannot afford to do in this country. One evening, we spent time with Pastor Robert Mendy from the Yuna Church, along with Francis and Andrew, two other young pastors, who feel called to the villages of Dasalame and Faala. It was so good to hear their testimonies and to find out how they got saved from the traditional religion that is mixed with some Catholic doctrine. They told us that more than 20 years ago, some American and Canadian missionaries were here and planted the first seeds of the gospel in their lives by gathering the children together to play games, share Bible stories, and teach them the Gospel through videos and songs. They testified that there were some Muslim kids that came and got saved at that time, who are today ministering in different places. Because someone else planted the seeds and discipled them, we have the privilege of working with mature born again believers who are ready to go out and minister in the same way to others. Their hearts are on fire for the Lord and they feel so burdened to share the good news to the lost! Please pray for their families who still need to be saved and for God to give us wisdom and direction about how we are to be involved and to support their work.

After our monthly leadership meeting, we took everyone out for dinner and they had a great time, relaxing and talking. Because Steve has been a part of our meetings before and he has gotten to know some of the people, he was able to speak again into their lives and pray over them. He also encouraged them to be sensitive and to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Some in the group had a great experience hearing God and encouraging each other with a word of knowledge from the Lord. It was an amazing time!

School Ministry

Over the years we have been ministering to our staff through weekly Bible Studies and teaching from God’s word. Our intention is to encourage them by teaching them Godly principles that they will apply in their spiritual and personal lives, at home and at work. It has made a huge difference in the way they work together; how they treat each other and how they deal with the students. Even though most of our employees are believers, we do have others attending that are nominal or Muslim. It has been very encouraging to see the growth and the changes that the Word of God has brought to their lives.

The ministry at the school reaches beyond the children and teaching; we have also been helping our staff with home repairs, food and medical care for themselves and their families. This month, we helped one of our teachers take his wife to a private hospital where they were finally able to diagnose her condition. She needs to have a surgery that is too costly for the family. Because of your partnership and faithful giving, Shared Blessings is able to help pay for the surgery that will help her to be free of pain and discomfort. Her husband, Hassan, who is one of the teachers that gave his life to the Lord and attends the Bible Study regularly, has been ministering to his Muslim wife. From the few meetings we had with them both to talk about her condition, we found out that her father was a Christian and that she was open to us to lay hands on her to pray for her. Our love and care will only increase the testimony of Christ’s love in her life and we continue to pray for a breakthrough in their family. Her surgery is to take place on March 30th and we ask that you pray with us for God’s hand to be at work in the healing process.

Thank you for partnering with us in giving and in prayer to touch a nation and change their future because of the Love of Christ. We cannot do what we do without you!

May God continue to bless you for your faithfulness to fulfill His Great Commission.

In His love,

Sol and Manuela