OCTOBER, 2011 TRIP UPDATES

10/24 -- The team had the opportunity to ride with the missionary behind the bush taxi to return the participants. Our team would get out and send off each member. Our team members would meet any family members of the participant and would pray with them. Toward the end of the trip the bush taxi broke down, so our team put the last participant in the vehicle with them and finished the journey on the “M” road. Today, the team will get a chance to see giraffes and do a little shopping before they catch a flight tonight.

10/23 -- Today was the team's official last day. They will take the believers home tomorrow. Harold preached. At first he got up a little queezy; however, when he preached he felt fine. During the last session they had the believers share what they learned, and there was good participation for share time. They ALL finished praying. Our team was moved, because the believers collected their coins and had R.S. (one of our missionaries) buy salt for our three. Randy was wondering if it was R.S.'s idea, but he said the believers wanted to give our team members a gift. Our team was humbled and overwhelmed.

10/23 -- Sunday afternoon we will start our last session with the guys. We are going to have a celebration, serving sweet water and dates. We have been training them to develop their testimony. It was a step-by-step process which took quite a while since they didn't even know what a testimony is. After the training, we broke up in small groups and let each one practice giving their testimony. Today we will give all who want to a chance before the whole group. The ones in my group were amazing. I need to tell you that they read and write nothing. It is amazing to see how they are being used by God to spread The Good News. Thanks to all for your prayers, we can feel it here.

10/22 -- Our team just completed their last full day of conferences. They will have a share time and wrap-up on Sunday afternoon. Randy said that they finished up "Creation to Christ." Most of the believers were able to recite back the stories overall. The Africans are not chronological-order type learners. In the afternoon, they used a Proclaimer (solar wind-up gadget that plays the Bible) to "tie in the Old Testament with the New Testament." Our team took individual and group pictures and were able to give each participant a copy of both. Pray for Harold--he will be preaching in the morning! On Monday, they will start taking the participants back to their villages.

10/21 -- Today was a great day. The team worked with the participants on telling their personal testimony and then starting the chronological study of the Bible. Randy said the participants are doing well. During the share time, our team kept hearing about the persecution the African believers are going through. Some have been disowned by their families, kicked out of their towns, etc. Randy asked that we would pray for the participants' health, safety, and boldness. God is working!

10/20 -- Randy called to let us know that their first day of discipleship was awesome! They ended up with 23 participants, one of whom was a lady. Their "get acquainted" activity was well-received. They completed two lessons today, and the participants were very attentive, which impressed the team. Their knowledge and attention spans were beyond the team's expectations. Four of the participants have their own Bible and can read. Two of the men usually work the field and then go and preach the Gospel. Great things are happening! Keep our team in your prayers.

10/19 -- The team is on the ground and getting ready for the discipleship class tomorrow. They have completed orientation. Mary & Harold (who have never been to Africa) went with our missionary partner to pick up believers. They had a chance to see the countryside a little better. They are expected 17 Africans to attend the conference. This number is a little higher than they had though, which is awesome! The conference starts tomorrow. Keep the team in your prayers!

10/18 -- The team made it safely to Niger. All of their luggage made it, too. They will have dinner and then get some rest. Keep them in your prayers!

NEW PARTNERSHIP

We have entered into a new partnership in Niger, working with the Songhai team. Our next trip to Niger is in the fall. Please contact for more information.

PARTNERING CHURCH

First Hurst has taken on the pioneering role of Partnering Church with the Songhai people group team of the International Mission Board. We have adopted a 45-kilometer stretch of dusty road in Niger. This road has 48 unreached or unengaged villages and had no Christians when we started our mission in 2006. Our goal is to faithfully follow Christ's call to start churches in the five major market towns along this road.

As a partnering church, First Hurst wants this to be "more than just another mission trip." Our goal is to be intentional in making a long-term impact for the Kingdom.

ONLINE INFO

• Dusty Road Partnership Blog
• Our Partners' Blog
• Seeking the Songhai Blog

FUTURE WEST AFRICA MISSIONS

Pray about your participation in one of these adventurous and exciting mission opportunities. We will fill a team of 4-8 people for each of these trips. Typically, teams are set a minimum of 3 months before each trip, and a spot is held with a deposit of $200. Please email  if you are interested or have any questions.

MORE INFO:

• Read about the West Africa Emphasis

"Something Happens" slideshow - 7:33 (7-27-2008)

"Thirsty" slideshow - 4:33 (7-27-2008)