“At Beer Sheba, we saw how faith turned a barren land into a thriving farm that helps nearby villages. The clinic’s stories of healing and the community’s hard work show God’s presence. As we prayed for those seeking faith, I hoped they would come to know Jesus and find His peace and joy.”
Today we visited Beer Sheba, a Christian agricultural and training center. They’ve transformed 247 acres of land which they found in 2000 with just one baobab tree into a thriving operation. By 2012 after planting many trees and with lots of prayer they began to see an abundance of growth and even water. Now the farm supplies water to five nearby villages.
The farm has a lot going on—an auto repair shop, a clinic, various crops like papaya, lettuce, onions, and basil, plus fertilizer production (with hopes the crops won’t be washed away during the rainy season). They also have farm animals and a butchery. A special area is dedicated to growing moringa, known as the “miracle tree” for its nutritious leaves, seeds, and pods, packed with vitamins and antioxidants that get made into pills, powder, and oil.
We spent time at the clinic on-site with International Worker M from CAMA and S.J, a medical missionary there. S.J shared stories about how God has been working in the clinic —which has been in operation for five years —and shared the challenges she faces in serving the surrounding villages both physically and spiritually. We even met a patient with a powerful testimony of being the first to get a hip replacement and is now walking and even dancing!
We enjoyed a communal lunch with a missionary—T, an international worker in Farming God’s Way Ministry. He reaches villages in the area with farming and crop production techniques. In Senegal farming is essential and using better techniques can make a big difference. Many communities struggle with farming challenges but by learning these new methods they can grow more food and improve their lives.
Later, we enjoyed a refreshing swim at international worker (M)’s pool and visited a Senegalese man (T)’s house. There we saw his handmade products and met his newborn baby. T and his wife, who had just welcomed their baby the day before extended warm Senegalese hospitality “Teranga.” They were thrilled to see us as they have recently experienced what they believe to be a divine response to our prayers. They had faced many challenges during the pregnancy and birth and after sharing their prayer requests with our team a few days prior, they felt a strong sense of God’s presence in their lives. Our missionary host mentioned that T and his family are seekers—they have not yet found faith in Christ—but this encounter seems to be a part of God’s plan for them. They expressed their gratitude for our prayers and were excited to share their joyful news and allow us to meet their one day old precious baby. I felt a deep hope that they might come to know Jesus more and more and experience the relationship with Him that brings true peace and fulfillment. Let’s pray that their hearts are opened to Christ and that they find the same grace and joy that we have experienced.
Finally, we had a steak dinner with Canadian missionaries M and N, who are dedicated to helping people in Senegal come closer to Jesus. Their commitment to their work is truly inspiring, N is also involved in soccer ministry which is huge in the area. They also have three children who are growing up immersed in this mission environment. Let’s pray for the missionary kids asking God to bless them with strength and joy as they navigate their unique experiences.
Verse of the Day: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16