Senegal Part I: Graduation

Well, the week in Senegal is almost over. Time to start to shift to the next country, but before we do so here are some bits of Senegal...

We were warmly greeted by our Senegalese friends, the Bas, who gave us their bedroom. We tried to wash our own laundry, but they would hear nothing of it, and we have been treated as royalty.

Last Saturday was graduation. It was a wonderful time of joyful celebration. I have never been to a graduation ceremony with so much dancing, singing, clapping, hooping and hollaring, and scarf waving! They were so proud of their graduates and there was some friendly competition between the different countries that were represented.

Later in the week we saw some of the sadness come after the graduation. Students from all 'grade' levels were graduated this year, as the seminary is going to close by the end of June. All the students are to return to their home countries and if they want to continue their studies, they need to find another school to do so.

A recent graduate was given a trial position with the ministry. He has been hired with the expecations that he will plant SIX new churches before the year is out. This is in a country where becoming Christian often means being disowned by your family... 95% of the population is Muslim in Senegal. Sounds like a daunting task and so we pray and trust that God will make this possible.