Dear friends and family,

After a very challenging year came to an end, we look forward to this year with anticipation, expecting something better. In spite of the past challenges, we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all the ways you have blessed the people of Gambia through your support of Shared Blessings ministry and to remind you of all the things you have been a part of.

Feeding the Hungry

Last year had barely begun when the coronavirus shutdown began. Tourism, the only somewhat reliable economy in Gambia, came to a halt. Many hotels and restaurants closed down and hundreds of people lost their jobs. Shared Blessings was able to provide rice to many families including school staff and families of students who lived in poor conditions already. With the food distribution came the opportunity to share the Gospel message and pray for people’s needs and many seeds of the Gospel were planted.

Emmanuel Mission Center

While EMC School was shut down from March to the end of October for in-class learning, the staff continued to teach through the WhatsApp recordings sent to the students. It was difficult, but they kept the students engaged and accountable to each other. All our 9th Grade students were able to take and pass the high school entrance exam. That is a huge accomplishment and we are so proud of our children.

Christmas Outreach Opportunities

During the Christmas season we were able to bless 20 ministers and their families with a gift of $50 that represents about half their monthly income. We were also able to support an evangelism outreach in Senegal where Pastor John and Pastor Francis led a team from the Gambia church to go preach the gospel to the lost. In the first part of January, Pastor Francis held a two-day revival meeting where many heard the word of God and received prayer.

Ministry Outreach Growth

Even though all the churches and places of worship closed for a while, the body of Christ grew in numbers, depth, and influence. The pastors organized their congregations in small groups and assigned leaders to teach the Word of God, and each group has seen their numbers increase. Because of the growth in Yuna, Pastor Robert is building a new church building to accommodate the numbers. His ministry has also grown in the Faalah Village where we have the outreach center. Faalah is a dark spiritual place that needs God’s power to break through; the village openly talks about how it is controlled by witchcraft and demonic powers. Our God is able and more powerful and they are seeing the results of their fervent prayers!

Pastor Seiko continues to preach on the radio every Sunday evening. Because we were able to provide a motorcycle for him, his ministry has expanded in a few other villages. Pastor Francis continues his discipleship and prayer ministry. On Monday evenings, he leads a women’s prayer group and they are excited to see God answering their prayers in miraculous ways! We are supporting another minister, Pastor Paul K. Mendy, and his wife who take care of 15 children and orphans in their home.

Increased Prayer and Ministry Opportunities

The global pandemic has brought about a new level of prayer within the Gambian people. Pastor Robert has started a monthly deliverance prayer meeting for spiritual breakthrough in the nation and villages he ministers to. Pastor Francis holds weekly prayer services seeking the Lord and revival in the nation. In January, we resumed the bi-weekly leadership meetings and are excited to see the turnout and interest among the people. We started with a handful of leaders and it keeps growing. The more leaders we train and send out, the more seeds are being planted for the Kingdom of God!

During this ongoing and increased time of needs in the country, God put on our hearts to send food and other supplies to Gambia. We are in the process of filling up a 40-foot container of food, clothing, shoes and school supplies for the school and ministry outreach. We purchased 7500 lbs. of edible beans to give to the needy and received a donation of over 3,000 pounds of seeding beans to give to farmers and our partners. We are praying this will encourage the farmers to plant beans (normally very expensive in Gambia). The beans and goods will provide for people’s needs and open doors for the ministries we support to share the love of Jesus in action and in person. Thank you to everyone who is been giving financially and donated items, time, space, effort, and so much more. Feel free to contact us if you would like to be a part of this project.

Thank you so much for your commitment to pray, give, and support the work God is doing in Gambia. We know that each one of you is continuing to give and support this work sacrificially and we cannot thank you enough! We cannot do what we do without you! We declare the protection of the blood of Jesus over you, your jobs, and your children.

Blessings and much love,

Sol and Manuela Bah