By CBF Volunteers on 6/17/2010 10:05 AM

FBC Shelby goes on mission to Ottawa, Canada to work with Marc and Kim Wyatt and local churches in their ministry to internationals.

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/12/2009 8:29 PM

Margaret reflects on the experience in Los Angeles.

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/12/2009 8:24 PM

Cara Lynn reflects on the experience in Los Angeles.

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/11/2009 11:17 PM

Melissa reflects on the experience in Los Angeles.

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/11/2009 11:00 PM

Cindy Dawson reflects on the experience in Los Angeles

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/1/2009 11:06 PM

Like a cork exploding from a well-shaken champagne bottle, my six foot five inch body finally popped from my seat and I emerged from the airplane at the airport in Dakar, Senegal. I had prepared for weeks in advance of the trip by studying about the people of Dakar and the local languages, but nothing could prepare me for the swarm of overly helpful taxi drivers and baggage handlers who were waiting as we stepped outside the airport. Fortunately, I was traveling with a friend who spoke Wolof, the local language, fluently. Once we agreed on a price for the cab ride, we sped away through the cool air and darkness in the wee hours of the morning to our accomodations for the week, The Pharedel'Espérance, or “Lighthouse of Hope.” 

We slept a few hours that first morning so that we could adjust to the time change and then headed out to explore one of the many markets in Dakar. Being six and a half feet tall and white did not help me blend in well, so I attracted a lot of attention. Everywhere we walked, we were surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa. Anything and everything could be purchased in the market… live chickens, fresh fish, spices, fabric, clothing, cooking items, etc… The market was my first experience interacting with the people of Dakar, so I thought I should try out some of the Wolof language that I had been practicing. I did fairly well with simple phrases such as “Thank you,” “Yes,” and, “No.” Well, I say fairly well. Judging from the belly laugh reactions from the Senegalese people I tried to talk with, maybe I did not do as well as I thought! One phrase in particular that I really messed up was “Maybe later,” a phrase I used often in the market. Each time I used the phrase, I would receive a puzzled look from the person standing in front of me as I turned to walk away. I found out later that what I was actually saying to the person trying to sell me something was “Peanut butter!” Truly, a smile transcends all cultures and languages!        

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/1/2009 11:01 PM

On April 1, Nell Green and I headed to North Africa to lead a conference for migrant pastors of various churches.  This trip was my second trip to the area.  I traveled with a team from our church, Oakland Baptist in January of 2008 to study the refugee highway.  While there, we worshipped with one of the churches.  What we discovered in our first trip was that there are many Christians living in the midst of a Muslim country.  The pastors of these churches rarely have the opportunity for continuing education or seminary classes.  Nell taught the Bible portion of our conference and I taught leadership skills.  These pastors lead churches of 50-75 people in one or two room apartments.  The pastors, along with the people who attend their churches, are from Sub-Saharan Africa.  They have left their homelands because of famine, war, and extreme poverty.  They have left in search of a better life and if possible make it across...

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By CBF Volunteers on 6/1/2009 10:47 PM

For several years now Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC has had a ongoing relationship with CBF field personnel, Butch and Nell Green. The blessings of the relationship have been on both sides as Oakland not only ministers and supports the works of the Greens, but has journeyed in developing ministries to Internationals in their area. Rock Hill, SC has internationals? You bet! 



 

The journey began as they developed an ESL program. That program has now ministered to over 20 different ethno-linguistic peoples. They have explored ways to dialogue with a community of Muslims in their area. They began reaching out to the International students at nearby Winthrop University. Now they have taken a new step. After receiving training from the Greens on an understanding of Islam, the church is now sponsoring a refugee family from Iraq. Funding for the family came in part from a grant. A year ago...

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By CBF Volunteers on 1/6/2009 12:32 PM

We met H. almost a year ago while speaking in North Carolina. H. came to Christ about 4 years earlier through an International student ministry of a local church. Yet loneliness plagued H. as she attempted to integrate in the American church. As Christmas approached this was exacerbated. Her husband had left her around Christmas time some years earlier and this was the first time her son would be spending the holidays with his father away from her. Christmas (and other holidays for that matter) has always been a time that our family takes pleasure in opening our home to others. So H. joined us this year. Following is her note written our Christmas memories book.

 

“It was wonderful!” A the 7th Christmas I had at the United States, this foreign holiday finally became a “real” holiday to me, though it could have been the worst one amounted to the previous much- dread- for six winter breaks and for my dear...

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By CBF Volunteers on 12/16/2008 7:55 PM

Casey shares a story with children who participated in English conversation.



Today we attended Sunday morning Bible study and worship gathering with Church of the Nations. Sitting in Sunday morning Bible study was amazing. I have never seen anyone with such an exciting passion for learning about the Bible and God. The room was packed. There were people sitting on the floor and on top of each other. It was easy to see how interested they were by their body language and how they were engaged in discussion.

After Bible study, we went to the worship gathering. The name of the church really describes the nature of the worship. We sang songs in all different languages, heard soloists sing in different languages, and celebrated the diversity that was represented in that room. That Sunday was also a special Sunday. One of the...

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