Gifts

I have been back in The Gambia for about a month and am settling in well.  Since my return a lot of my time has been spent reconnecting with our employees, my Gambian friends and my Gambian family (I am named after a Gambian woman and therefore a part of her family). 

I have spent a lot of time sitting and chatting and an important question and expectation that most of my Gambian friends have is “where is my gift from America?”  It is expected when anyone goes on a journey that they bring back what in Wolof is called “yobaal”.  Now, small gifts are ok but of course larger ones are always better 😊.  In preparation for my return to The Gambia and thanks to many of you I was able to bring some earrings for the ladies, small bags for our female workers and sunglasses for the men.  The gifts have been greatly appreciated and I pray they will be used to strengthen relationships and allow for more gospel opportunities. 

I have also received some gifts since my return.  When there is a wedding celebration the gifts are not just for the bride and groom, but are divided up among special family members.  While I was gone, a young man whose mother is a close friend had the second part of his marriage ceremony and that involved lots of gifts.  Because of my help with the first part of his wedding ceremony and my relationship with his mother she set aside special gifts for me including this fun piece of fabric that I had made into the new outfit I am pictured in (yes, it has bicycles on it). 

As I write about gifts, I cannot help but stop and pray for those that do not have the greatest gift of all.  May all come to know Jesus as their savior.