Dear friends and partners in ministry,

This month, we had the joy and privilege of hosting a team of seven from Life Bridge Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We met Pastor Bill Campbell, the senior pastor at Life Bridge Church some three years ago in LA while we were doing a Missionary Intensive training. At that time, he shared with us how some 30 years ago he felt called to minister in Guinea Bissau but that was never fulfilled. Meeting us, and hearing about the ministry in Gambia which includes ministry to a large population of people from Guinea Bissau that live in Gambia, Pastor Bill felt God moving in his heart and he felt this was a second chance for him and his church to be involved in reaching out to the people he once felt called to. We had the privilege of being invited to Life Bridge Church (twice so far) and started making plans for a team to come visit us in Gambia in order to see the work and to pray for the future about how God would want them to continue to be a part of His work in West Africa.

Here is what Pastor Bill had to say:

“I cannot express enough how grateful we are for the time we spent with both of you and the Shared Blessings Gambia team. The ministry at Emmanuel Mission Center is so important for the future of Christian Faith in Gambia and to be able to see and participate first hand in the day to day experience of the school was such a blessing. We were so privileged to pray over the foundation being laid for the building at the site for the Outeach Ministry Center in Faala village. Truly, you are making a difference by bringing the message of hope and redemption, the opportunity provided by quality education, and the practical training of the leaders in Gambia.

It was so good to be with Pastor Robert in his Sunday service and to meet the other young pastors who are being discipled through your ministry. We are delighted about what God is doing in Fotoumata (Sol’s sister) and will continue to pray for her to receive all that God has for her in the days ahead. Thanks again for the privilege of our time of ministry in Gambia!”

The team had fun playing with the children, making “Salvation Bracelets” and teaching them the wordless book story. Pastor Bill taught them the song that goes with the wordless book that he still remembers from his time in Sunday School.

“My heart was black with sin, until the Savior came in; His precious blood, I know, has washed me white as snow; And in His Book we’re told, we’ll walk the streets of gold; oh, may we ever know, to do God’s will and grow.”

The song has a powerful message, and the kids love singing. One particular instance that the team was amazed about was how the nursery 2 teacher that is a wonderful Muslim lady, asked Grace to write down the words of the song for her so she can continue to teach the song to the kids. Please continue to pray for the Nursery 2 teacher “Mary” as she is teaching the children using books and DVD’s that share the Gospel message. Pray that God will not only touch the hearts of the children, but Mary’s heart also.

It was so wonderful to be encouraged, refreshed and reaffirmed in our calling and the work that God called us to do in Gambia. We got to experience Gambia and God’s work here through their eyes; to see what we can’t see any more because we live here. We laughed, we hugged, we shared our lives and we ate ice cream! They blessed us beyond words! Thank you, dear family, at Life Bridge Church!

God works in mysterious ways, His ways are above our ways and His thoughts are far above our thoughts! He is doing an amazing work in this nation and in the Islamic world as a whole!

Matthew 12:25 Jesus… said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Believe His words! God has a plan and He is at work, even when we don’t see or understand the whole picture. His ways are above our ways!

Thank you for your support and prayers, thank you for your faithfulness and love for us and for God’s children around the world. We cannot do what we do without you.

In His service,

Sol and Manuela Bah