October 11: update

Dear praying friends and family,

Greetings from Dakar! We are blessed and thankful to be based in West Africa, working with SIM. We long to see joyful overseas workers effectively spreading a passion for God's glory in West Africa, and to serve them by offering quality leadership and administrative support. What has that looked like in our lives over the past weeks?

One way that Dave serves is as Western Africa Area Treasurer for SIM. Last month, he flew to Charlotte to spend two weeks in consultation with SIM treasurers from around the world. He says, "These meetings were an opportunity for us to address many of the bigger financial issues facing the mission, as well as to renew old friendships and make new friends with the people that we interact with by email continually. There was a great spirit of partnership and servanthood as we worked together to further the larger purposes of SIM."

Dave also serves the broader mission community in West Africa by being part of the governing board for the Mobile Member Care Team in West Africa. Last month he attended board meetings in Accra, Ghana, where they made some very significant decisions that will help to shape the future of the MMCT in West Africa, and also around the world as they expand into other regions.

My (Mary's) work in member care has been more focused on teenagers the past several months, as I've worked part-time at Dakar Academy in the role of counselor. I'm enjoying spending time with students of many nationalities, whose parents work in many different countries. It's a privilege to be able to encourage some of them when they are struggling, and to share their joy and fun as well. We are thankful for DA's role in the lives of our own children and for the children of our colleagues, and feel blessed to be a part of this community. "Dakar Academy exists to partner in the advancement of the Kingdom of God through serving missionary families by providing education services for their children."

For us, serving in West Africa includes LIVING in West Africa. In recent days, that has meant LOTS of cuts of electricity, as well as some cuts of water as well. This is also the hottest time of the year. It's been tough to sleep, tough for kids at school to get their work done, and generally tiring. Many Senegalese people are demonstrating their unhappiness with what's been going on as well.

Living in West Africa has also meant living AWAY from family, and though we always miss them, some times are more challenging. Recently, Joey broke his collar bone while playing rugby. After a couple of weeks, on the recommendation of an orthopedic surgeon, he had surgery to repair that bone. We feel sad to once again be far away while he has medical and surgical needs-- but once again God has shown us his amazing care and concern for Joey and for us. Joey was able to fly to Minnesota using frequent flyer miles, and have a surgeon from our home church do the work he needed. Dave's sister Tracy and her family took good care of Joey for those several days, and we are so grateful.

Next week I travel to Ghana to be part of the Mobile Member Care Team's "Member Care Providers Consultation/Retreat (MCPC)." This six day retreat and consultation for member care providers includes one-on-one consultations, interest groups, networking, and mini seminars. I'm looking forward to consulting the wisdom of many others, and learning to be more effective in providing care to overseas workers and their families. Pray for Dave and Jacob as they once again will be managing at home without me there to organize food and other important details!

Next month is our WAFA Council, the once-each-year time when leaders from each of our four WAFA countries (Senegal, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea) come together to make decisions regarding ministry strategy, as well as pray together and encourage one another-- with the goal of continually improving effectiveness in sharing the light of Christ in West Africa. Dennis and Meg Woodruff are coming from Massachusetts to facilitate training and leadership development with our council, and we are looking forward to that!

In these days of financial crisis and confusion worldwide, we continue to trust God's care for our family and our ministries We know that some of our supporters will be facing difficulties... we've already heard of some that will be unable to continue with their financial support of our work. We will continue to keep you updated as to our needs, and know that God's provision will be timely. We have some current needs in our ministry account: for medical expenses ($2,000) and for Mary's last two classes ($750.) We'd also love to be able to use ministry funds to bring Joey out here to visit us at Christmas. ($2000.)

I've been trying to post more often on our blog, and hope you will visit us there-- possibly even subscribe-- to keep up with happenings, thoughts, photos, and prayer requests between these email updates. We love comments too, so feel free to let us know your thoughts!

We're thankful for you, and for your many ways of encouraging us. May God continue to bless you, and strengthen you, as you wait on Him alone and encourage us to do the same!

With love,
Mary for the Dakar Deckers