MOMADOU

Inda am ko Momadou. (translation: My name is Momadou). That was the name given to me when I was visiting Erik. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is Erik’s father as a guest blogger. I had the privilege of spending fourteen days in Senegal with Erik. It was undoubtedly the most fascinating and rewarding fourteen days of my life. The people of Senegal are very generous, gracious, gregarious, and loving. I always felt very welcomed and honored to be there.
It was the first time in over a year that I got to hug Erik. For those of you who are wondering Erik is doing amazingly well. He is a little skinny but very happy and healthy. He has assimilated into the culture and is real close to passing his final language (Pulaar) test. Once he passes the test, he will be pretty much be on his own to do his work.
What is his work? Erik’s job consists of researching and journaling the different areas (five countries) where the people speak Pulaar. His research will include things like. Are there any believers in the area? Are the people receptive to hearing the good news? What types of accommodations (hotel, food, supplies, transportation, etc.) are there in the area for those who would like to come and help? I actually got to go on Erik’s first research trip. It was amazing to see how grown and mature he is in this environment. It made mi well tima (me very happy).
How can you help? Of course Erik would want your continued prayers. Once Erik completes a few more research trips, you may want to read his reports and, who knows, you may want to go to Senegal and help out. It would make you mi well tima and you may get a cool name like Momadou.

Do you know what Europeans do?

I’ve had some perty crazy days over the past 2 weeks but I have loved every minute of it. Over the past two weeks we have had a volunteer team of 4 people. And one of the four happened to be my father!!! It’s been a blast letting him see some of those many things that I have never been able to describe with words or even with help of pictures. He got to experience real African hospitality, and now he understands when I say that I have tons of free time but I’m always busy. Also this past week I was able to do one of the most exciting things that I’ve probably done since I’ve came here to Africa, I was able to go on a research trip with my father. We went to a town about 150 or some kilometers to the northeast to do some basic research so that we can share that information with people like you interested in coming over to help and work alongside the Fulakunda. I went in to one of the hotels in the area and I saw some Europeans sitting down doing what Europeans do and I realized something. There tons of people that pay good money to come over here just to see some of the sights of West Africa…and it’s my job!!!!

I’ve always been a little bit hesitant about my work coming up, because of the massive job that’s before me. By going on this first trip and also being able to see things through my fathers’ eyes. I realized that probably have one of the coolest jobs in the world. I still got tons of work, and I know it’s going to be tuff. But now I look at this “work” a little differently. It’s still going to be hard for me to not be overwhelmed by the gynormus area of land in which I will do my research. But now, I am excited to and able to think about not just the research that needs to be done but to be able to focus more on the “real work.” Please pray that I continue to remember these things. That when I’m on my research trips, that I keep in mind the job of the demographic and geography of the Fulakunda and the 5 countries in which they located in but that I’m focused more on the hearts of the Fulakunda and the “real job” getting the Gospel to them.

I will soon tell more about the adventures that I had with my father and many of the other exciting things that he got to see.

and a Happy New Year!!!!

2008 has come and gone. I remember it was this day last year that I got on the plane to go to Senegal. I remember switching planes in Chicago and totally getting lost in the airport and being amazed because there was so much snow outside (and the last time I want to see snow for a long while). I arrived in Senegal on the 2nd and I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. For this blog I just wanted to share some of major events or lessons that I have learned over the past year.

I can communicate in another language and also know how to communicate when there is no language in common.

I have learned how to play soccer in the sand.

I have spent time making something that I would like to have and found much joy in making it myself or with the help of my African friends.

I have 6 hours towards a Masters Degree.

I have seen the Lord open the heart and welcome new believers.

I have seen the Lord close the heart of an unbeliever and had to move on to share with someone else.

I have been encouraged by the many people who have come from America for a short time but yet have the same if not yet an even stronger passion to reach out to the lost people in the world.

I have made many new friends, some who were believers before I came, some who have become a believer in the time that I have been here, and some in which I am still praying that their hearts will open up to the truth.

2009 is here. It’s going to be a big change, and I’m ready. In a few days my father will come and I will spend about 2 weeks with him. After that I will take my test for Pulaar and in February I should be able to start my research, meaning I will be spending my nights away from Kolda and meeting many new people and hoping to plant many seeds.




Here’s the picture of that Santa I promised. It's in front of the Christmas tree at the Bradford’s home, where I celebrated Christmas and New Years.