Journeys and Journals

Greetings from N’Djamena, Chad! It’s been a blistering 110 degrees today, but if heat impeded work in Chad, nothing would ever get done. It’s hot or hotter in these parts! The city is peaceful, the Lord’s Church is growing, and things are good!

I’ve attempted to vigorously document my experiences in Chad. It’s been a discipline to stop 3-4 times daily to record what has happened in that span. Sensory overload is always a constant here with the language barriers, name pronunciations, and the overall unfamiliarity of the surroundings. It’s helpful to have these journals as a resource to go back and observe themes. I include fun things as well. Cultural faux pas, like misusing a masculine or feminine ending or wearing a cap in an inappropriate place. The correct way to do things doesn’t always correspond to what is correct in Western culture. This reality makes me stand in awe of God’s word and its ability to transform vastly different cultures.

I thought for this week’s post, I would give you an idea of a day in N’Djamena:

Sunday, 6th of April

I woke up to my alarm and a missed call from Pierre! He said 8:00 A.M., but he arrived at 7:00 A.M. If God gave an additional fruit of the Spirit to Chadians, He would have likely included the gift of flexibility. Jarrod (Mission’s Pastor from Virginia Beach Community Chapel) and I quickly dressed for church, and we headed outside to meet Pierre. Our other partner was waiting outside, and it was great to see him! We went for breakfast in La Amandine. The one closer to Pierre’s home. I ordered my favorite: an omelet with ham and coffee.

It was a good conversation to start the week. We articulated the big picture goal of establishing a disciple-making movement through the local churches that isn’t dependent on Western funding.

After breakfast, we headed to John’s church. That is Pierre’s oldest son, and the church meets in the school at Pierre’s home. We enjoyed a wonderful time of worship. The kids sang a special song for us. I preached the same message about collaboration that was going out to Tab. I’m thankful it will be shared on both sides of the equation. It’s going to take local churches like Tab working alongside local churches in Chad to complete this work. Romans 15:6-9 gives a Scriptural foundation for what we’re trying to do.

After the message, a few things happened that impacted me. One, a baby dedication of one of the families in the church. Jarrod did the dedication, and it was so amazing to watch! Two, a woman who was in N’Djamena visiting her brother was saved from a demon possession. She gave testimony to the freedom God had granted her. She is going back to the tribe as a Christian. Three, a man in the church is losing his left foot due to diabetes. Diabetes is a devastating disease in Chad. He wanted us to lay hands on him and pray. We prayed that God would bring healing to his foot.

After church, we had another lengthy conversation about the strategy in Chad. Pierre took us to see an old printing press that he had purchased. He needs about $1,000.00 to get it running. I’ll try to get him the money with God’s help. We also saw all the rice!! God has blessed his family. Pierre is demonstrating how effective it is to have income-generating opportunities to resource the mission. That’s what we want to do!! Help to create a sustainable infrastructure not dependent on the flow of Western funds. Pierre’s wife made a big lunch. They killed one of the goats in honor of the baby's dedication. I ate the intestines. It wasn’t good, but it wasn’t bad.

After lunch, we went and visited another pastor at his church. He is a young, bi-vocational pastor. His ministry is primarily focused on discipling the street children whose parents are dead or too poor to sustain them. He brings them in and teaches them a trade to give them a better life.

We returned to the hostel briefly to grab the A/C remote. It seems like batteries are the issue. We met two ladies in the hostel lobby. They are missionaries out to the east and north but are having issues returning. They are remarkable, and so are their children. Great attitudes in a challenging situation.

Pierre, Jarrod, and I went out into town to find a small bag and batteries. We found them at the same shop! After we passed a parade of youth singing and playing drums.

The batteries did it! A/C!!

Currently, I’m writing in the kitchen of the hostel. I’ve had 2 cups of instant coffee! Such a treat. I haven’t had the drive to write as much, but I’m pushing through. Trying to capture all the encounters with people like the Egyptian woman staying at the hostel. She is heading back to Egypt on Tuesday. Lovely lady with a warm personality! She was cooking in the kitchen, and she fixed me a plate of food. She did not ask. It’s hospitality that is so beautiful to experience around the world. She reminds me of a dear lady I’ve known from childhood.

We had a lengthy conversation with our full team this evening (U.S and Chadians). We’re doing better at listening and clarifying expectations at the beginning of training. I’ve seen early on why Jarrod is here. He is great at asking clarifying questions and better at details than me.

We went to dinner across the street. I had fish. It was tasty! Better than the intestine. I needed the protein, so I ate the eyes. Jarrod didn’t think I would, but I did. I saw Felix, who I’d met on a previous trip. Working on my French.

I came back and talked with BK and the kids. Everett won his first soccer match! I’m thankful for Bethany and the load she carries while I’m gone.

There you go! A day in the life of N’Djamena, Chad! I can’t wait to share more!