THE DECKER DISPATCH
November 2007
Good News
“I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) As Christian missionaries serving in West Africa, delivering this good news is, above all else, our desire and our purpose. Yes, there are the poor and the hungry and the sick, and addressing physical needs is imperative as we follow Jesus’ example. But as one of our surgeon co-workers once said, “I have no interest in populating Hell with well-repaired hernias.” Christians have the very best of all possible news to share, and millions across West Africa have yet to hear it.
We want to GO and do our part in delivering this good news. This is God’s work, and we feel privileged to be a part of it. We would like to invite you to share in this privilege with us. Lord willing, we will return to Senegal on January 7th. Our tickets are purchased. But we need more than just tickets, and we’ll outline those needs for you on the reverse side of this letter. A visitor to a church in West Africa described the worship service like this. “The offering could go on for a long time because they are dancing all the way down the aisle. It's the only time in the service when they smile. I thought, How interesting. The only time in the service when they smile is when they're giving their money.”
Giving ought to have that effect. (And many other aspects of worship, too!) We’ve often been impressed with the apostle Paul’s account of the Macedonian church. “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Cor. 8:2)
For twenty years we have enjoyed partnering with many joyful partners in ministry in West Africa. Would you consider joining with us?
Your friends and partners,
Dave and Mary
November 2007
Good News
“I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10) As Christian missionaries serving in West Africa, delivering this good news is, above all else, our desire and our purpose. Yes, there are the poor and the hungry and the sick, and addressing physical needs is imperative as we follow Jesus’ example. But as one of our surgeon co-workers once said, “I have no interest in populating Hell with well-repaired hernias.” Christians have the very best of all possible news to share, and millions across West Africa have yet to hear it.
We want to GO and do our part in delivering this good news. This is God’s work, and we feel privileged to be a part of it. We would like to invite you to share in this privilege with us. Lord willing, we will return to Senegal on January 7th. Our tickets are purchased. But we need more than just tickets, and we’ll outline those needs for you on the reverse side of this letter. A visitor to a church in West Africa described the worship service like this. “The offering could go on for a long time because they are dancing all the way down the aisle. It's the only time in the service when they smile. I thought, How interesting. The only time in the service when they smile is when they're giving their money.”
Giving ought to have that effect. (And many other aspects of worship, too!) We’ve often been impressed with the apostle Paul’s account of the Macedonian church. “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” (2 Cor. 8:2)
For twenty years we have enjoyed partnering with many joyful partners in ministry in West Africa. Would you consider joining with us?
Your friends and partners,
Dave and Mary
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