tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-371192612024-03-13T16:50:55.517+00:00DakarDeckerslife and ministry in SenegalMaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-42157177504073324902010-10-24T15:00:00.000+00:002010-10-24T15:00:03.303+00:00moving to a new blogDear Friends of Dakar Deckers,<br />
We are going to be doing our future Decker blogging <a href="http://daveandmarydecker.wordpress.com/">here</a>. Please join us! MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-85082727466261619562010-09-30T10:33:00.003+00:002010-10-23T16:01:11.760+00:00Decker Dispatch - September 2010<b>THE DECKER DISPATCH<br />
September 2010</b><br />
<br />
<b>Transitions</b><br />
Does it seem to you like the word “transition” shows up in our letters pretty frequently? A search of our prayer letters over the years would certainly bear that out, and this one is no exception. One transition is to an empty nest. Jacob, our youngest, has just gone off to college, and all three of our boys are in the U.S. You’ll see a quick update on each of them down below.<br />
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Beyond that, we have also accepted a new assignment with SIM. In January 2011 we will take up residence in Charlotte, NC, and we will also take up new positions at the SIM USA office. At this point we are committed to two years in Charlotte.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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This transition into a longer-term stay in the U.S. of course indicates a transition OUT of West Africa, which is no small thing after twenty-one years. We have sold our belongings and given up our rented house, along with all our responsibilities, and we’ve said goodbye to many cherished friends and colleagues. While our feelings about that are definitely mixed, we’ve seen the Lord’s hand in all of it, and we feel quite certain that this is the right move for us at this time.<br />
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<b>New Assignment: SIM USA in Charlotte, NC</b><br />
Dave will be the new Deputy Director of Finance at SIM USA, joining a Finance Department staff of about twenty. The total office staff numbers well over 100 people, all of them working together to build the church of Christ around the world by recruiting and training missionaries, networking and partnering with U.S. churches, and supporting and caring for over 700 American SIM missionaries serving around the world.<br />
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Deputy Director of Finance is a brand-new position at SIM USA. Dave will be challenged with a wide range of responsibilities, from day-to-day accounting to assisting missionaries with their finances to helping SIM USA address financial issues that we see arising in this rapidly changing world of missions.<br />
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<b>Closing Thoughts on West Africa</b><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxaylwJWYKOnOTYxMTU2YmMtMzczNC00MWI2LWE3NjctMTM3ODFjNGNhYTU1&hl=en&authkey=CKvbvKMI"><b> (photos from 21 years of West Africa life)</b></a><br />
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Although we are by no means finished with missions, and perhaps not even with overseas service, this new assignment is a transition worthy of marking with a few thoughts concerning God’s faithfulness during twenty-one years in West Africa.<br />
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We could not have imagined, back in 1989, what was in store for us as we said goodbye to loved ones here, and then landed in the very foreign country of Liberia. Now after seven years there, followed by seven more in Ivory Coast and finishing up with seven in Senegal, we again feel as if we’ve left home and arrived in this somewhat foreign place called Minnesota. We love it here, but the people of West Africa will always hold a very special place in our hearts.<br />
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How has the church grown over the last twenty-one years in West Africa? How has missions changed? A new era has dawned, and in fact we’re well into it. We see that illustrated in each of the first two countries in which we lived.<br />
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SIM’s media and medical ministries in Liberia (see www.elwamausa.org) are now under Liberian management, a very significant thing considering that well over 200 local employees are under their leadership and supervision. SIM partners with the ELWA Management Association and is still very involved, lending support in a variety of ways, but day-to-day management is entirely in the hands of local Christians.<br />
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Ivory Coast is now the site of an SIM sending office (www.simwestafrica.org), directed by a local African who is a full member of SIM, just as we are. This office exists to partner with the church in West Africa as they send their own into cross-cultural missions, also as full members of SIM. It’s a new era indeed, and this office illustrates the shift of the missions sending base from the West toward regions that only recently were strictly receiving missionaries.<br />
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In Guinea and Senegal we see the continuing strategic significance (and necessity) of foreign<br />
missionaries. The church is young and small, and missionaries still focus on evangelism and discipleship. We’re so thankful for missionaries who endure a rather harsh existence in order to live out the love of Christ before those who don’t yet know him, and we long for the day when SIM’s role will shift toward partnership with a thriving church in both of these countries.<br />
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<b>Support Situation</b><br />
Some good news regarding our new assignment in Charlotte is that our monthly financial support requirement will be reduced by roughly 20%. That’s due in part to no longer needing to pay school fees for our kids, but it’s also a reflection of the high cost of living in Dakar.<br />
These last two years have been difficult for our financial partners. Consequently our support account, which began our last term with a buffer of several thousand dollars, fell to zero by the end of last year, and is now almost three thousand dollars in deficit. We will need to make that up.<br />
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The good news is that current giving already nearly matches our new, lower support requirement. In the comings months we will gain a better grasp of our situation, but at the moment it appears we will need to add somewhere between about three hundred and seven hundred dollars per month in order to be fully supported.<br />
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There will also be some one-time needs in addition to monthly support: the move to Charlotte, setting up a household (hoping to become first-time home owners!), buying a second vehicle, helping with Jacob’s college tuition, and covering some medical costs, to name a few. SIM has recommended that we seek donations for each of these needs. Please pray for the Lord’s provision. Tax-deductible gifts to our Ministry Account may be used by us toward any of the above.<br />
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<b>Family Update</b><br />
All three boys are now off on their own unique adventures. Jacob just turned 19 and has begun his freshman year at Wheaton College, in the suburbs of Chicago. We can’t imagine a better fit for him.<br />
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Joey has just begun an altogether different adventure, going off to Newport, Rhode Island to begin twelve weeks of Naval Officer Candidate School. This begins the fulfillment of a long-standing dream, and he’s been accepted into their aviation program following the successful completion of OCS in November.<br />
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Danny and Leah have just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, and along with daughter Alexis are doing very well down in Miami.<br />
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Please pray for each of them during these exciting times.<br />
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Thanks so much for your love and concern for us. We value your friendship very much!<br />
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Yours in Christ,<br />
Dave for the DeckersMaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-81493937116528407712010-09-13T19:03:00.000+00:002010-10-23T19:03:34.573+00:00Joey at OCS<span>Dear family and friends,<br />
We'd love for you to join us in praying for Joey this week! He is in his fourth week of Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS), and this week Thursday will be a very intense inspection. Passing this will move them to the next phase, and failing will hold them back significantly. His classmates at OCS are working very hard preparing, and are feeling a lot of stress and pressure. We know that God is with Joey and will strengthen him and give him endurance day by day, and we ask you to join us in praying for him, and all of them. We feel privileged to support these young men and women who desire to serve God and their country by becoming Naval Officers. <br />
<br />
If you'd like more info about Joey's journey through OCS, and more updates with prayer requests, please join the "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/group.php?gid=147632861923626">praying for Joey at OCS</a>" group on facebook. <br />
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Thanks for your prayers for our family, and especially for Joey this week! </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><small>May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. </small><br />
<small>(Colossians 1:11-12 ESV)</small><br />
</blockquote><span><br />
Blessings,<br />
Mary <br />
for the Deckers </span>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-39070992559713416922010-08-22T14:24:00.001+00:002010-10-24T14:26:03.979+00:00August 22: Joey to OCS<a href="http://marydecker.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/30526_526396770902_141101989_31102406_3117306_n.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-300" height="280" src="http://marydecker.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/30526_526396770902_141101989_31102406_3117306_n.jpg?w=420&h=280" title="30526_526396770902_141101989_31102406_3117306_n" width="420" /></a> For many years, Joey has dreamed of serving God and his country as on officer in the U.S. Navy. Today he begins his 12 weeks of Officer Candidate School. It’s an intense time of physical, mental and emotional training for the Candidates.<br />
<a href="http://marydecker.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/30526_526396775892_141101989_31102407_3044452_n.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-301" height="289" src="http://marydecker.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/30526_526396775892_141101989_31102407_3044452_n.jpg?w=434&h=289" title="30526_526396775892_141101989_31102407_3044452_n" width="434" /></a><br />
Please <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147632861923626">join us</a> in praying for Joey’ s health, strength and endurance during these very challenging weeks!<br />
<br />
These pictures were taken earlier in the summer, by one of Joey’s friends (thanks Dan A.) when he was sworn in by his recruiter.<br />
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</a></span> </div>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-54492729700982557172010-06-04T11:33:00.000+00:002010-06-07T11:34:23.289+00:00June 3: graduation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvfyut83pkyS8sUMi_rdXfkpFGfL-k5GxKCv4HbPLDnw8r9Z1RHsd8HNx0bdCIkksQhAXLyVMsQzx8P6rE-OjgQCzimo7_J6APSK7L8iZEObXPRyzPH7SxrtjiptceQRyYlE3SA/s1600/Web+DSC00306cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvfyut83pkyS8sUMi_rdXfkpFGfL-k5GxKCv4HbPLDnw8r9Z1RHsd8HNx0bdCIkksQhAXLyVMsQzx8P6rE-OjgQCzimo7_J6APSK7L8iZEObXPRyzPH7SxrtjiptceQRyYlE3SA/s640/Web+DSC00306cc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-1584411710092999312010-06-01T18:45:00.003+00:002010-06-02T23:34:42.923+00:00May 30: graduation open house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i8Jff4mlCYKNwFO_SICoi0WddalmxocacqKezzNOXOZkKP4USCx_7EZlJEmEY9Eu5Ex9J3E3rc1xMH_89rN7EtZqw86Qw26GXwDBu75J8ctiKGmzyl3Uj3rVZv20HytmiwCPcg/s1600/DSC00288cc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i8Jff4mlCYKNwFO_SICoi0WddalmxocacqKezzNOXOZkKP4USCx_7EZlJEmEY9Eu5Ex9J3E3rc1xMH_89rN7EtZqw86Qw26GXwDBu75J8ctiKGmzyl3Uj3rVZv20HytmiwCPcg/s400/DSC00288cc.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRefo7EykjNRTLHcJOY174cGRD880u50RYhyphenhyphen0qG3rjO4alHjkqnI2ImitjAwA5-XYGniURrbMGQH8htC6EvYkcSuV7q-1YksetaQyiPpNYUKbv9X004Ta8q3zhDOwlXdAFkmYAA/s1600/Web+DSC00287cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRefo7EykjNRTLHcJOY174cGRD880u50RYhyphenhyphen0qG3rjO4alHjkqnI2ImitjAwA5-XYGniURrbMGQH8htC6EvYkcSuV7q-1YksetaQyiPpNYUKbv9X004Ta8q3zhDOwlXdAFkmYAA/s400/Web+DSC00287cc.jpg" width="400" /></a>We are thankful for the community of friends who helped us celebrate with our three graduating SIM kids! One family hosted the open house. Three families provided food. The punch bowl was loaned by another family. The crock-pot loaned by another. Siblings helped decorate while the graduating students visited other open houses that started earlier. Friends from around the country joined us... all ages hung out, munched, and enjoyed one another's company... it was a fun celebration!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2jrwe2yKk-lhf_5pzBl98be6t-GRAZtfndfogUUMAK9UedOucWxYfhcCTI25ryTmZsOFsxPm58B67uWPmwkt8vcYMYEJTOhsrSd4PCJazE0RuOvspMcAqR1eMEE5IOYh_4Bd7Q/s1600/Web+DSC00290cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2jrwe2yKk-lhf_5pzBl98be6t-GRAZtfndfogUUMAK9UedOucWxYfhcCTI25ryTmZsOFsxPm58B67uWPmwkt8vcYMYEJTOhsrSd4PCJazE0RuOvspMcAqR1eMEE5IOYh_4Bd7Q/s400/Web+DSC00290cc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtmU2LfbdK_7rTBIOK5tKtr2ExzlfdQ2zNnUjNp2DRmnr_3OLJYLei030BEqI9obhAXuO3p36RemDwod8OAdTSMeRv2x6KVfV56yz3e1PE5fjvzHll4xxzq9-Gw7BZKlKI7vepA/s1600/Web+DSC00289cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtmU2LfbdK_7rTBIOK5tKtr2ExzlfdQ2zNnUjNp2DRmnr_3OLJYLei030BEqI9obhAXuO3p36RemDwod8OAdTSMeRv2x6KVfV56yz3e1PE5fjvzHll4xxzq9-Gw7BZKlKI7vepA/s400/Web+DSC00289cc.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2jrwe2yKk-lhf_5pzBl98be6t-GRAZtfndfogUUMAK9UedOucWxYfhcCTI25ryTmZsOFsxPm58B67uWPmwkt8vcYMYEJTOhsrSd4PCJazE0RuOvspMcAqR1eMEE5IOYh_4Bd7Q/s1600/Web+DSC00290cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-71957228210608059952010-05-31T17:37:00.000+00:002010-06-02T17:37:58.789+00:00May 29:Junior-Senior Banquet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITr-D8hPRIwKgn6K_SQ5Os97z1tuDoc7rboRHEEKK1n7kB4VhyJxT9gVwAEpm0CSulwnWQHj05UMAa7M15JtOhUzPaCKUVKAi-RmAR1-t9OD5IyIA5RaF4t6f8DndlJG_LHzEdw/s1600/DSC00225cc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITr-D8hPRIwKgn6K_SQ5Os97z1tuDoc7rboRHEEKK1n7kB4VhyJxT9gVwAEpm0CSulwnWQHj05UMAa7M15JtOhUzPaCKUVKAi-RmAR1-t9OD5IyIA5RaF4t6f8DndlJG_LHzEdw/s400/DSC00225cc.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We are in the midst of the whirlwind end-of-year activities at Dakar Academy! Exciting times as Jacob graduates along with 27 classmates! This photo was taken at the Junior-Senior Banquet Saturday night... if you'd like to see more pictures of this event, click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=183713&id=681632591&l=70046d8670">here</a> for Mary's facebook album, or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=180632&id=616743428&l=90c52b61af">here</a> for Dave's!MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-3486833482836018262010-05-10T13:05:00.000+00:002010-05-10T13:05:15.860+00:00DeckerUpdate May 10<span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Dear family and friends,<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Greetings</span> once again from Senegal! <br />
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We are thankful for your prayers and your encouragement to us as we transition from field leadership in West Africa. We have loved living in Africa, and though we're looking forward to home assignment and time with family and friends, we will miss so much about life here! <span style="color: black;">Once in Minnesota, we will be living in the same Apple Valley house that has been home during each of our two previous home assignments.</span> Meanwhile, much needs to happen before we leave <span style="color: black;">Dakar</span> in one month, and we'd appreciate your prayers for us as we finish work-related projects, spend time with the people we've grown to love in this country, and sell/give away all our household things that won't fit in our airplane <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">baggage</span> </span>allowance! <a name='more'></a><br />
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On Saturday, Joey graduated from John Brown University, with a bachelor's degree in Intercultural Studies. We were so thankful for the live-stream that JBU provided, so that we could watch his graduation over the internet even though we couldn't be there! We are thankful for God's good work in Joey's life, and for Joey's accomplishments over these past four years. <b>Please pray for him as he spends some time visiting friends and family, and prepares to enter Naval Officer Candidate school in August. </b><br />
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Today, Jacob completes his third AP (Advanced Placement) exam. It's hard to believe he will graduate in less than a month! He has made the decision to attend Wheaton College, and is very excited about that. <b>Please pray for him to finish high school well, and say goodbye well to his friends and his life in Africa. Pray also that he will find additional scholarships and/or work-study that will help him finance his education at Wheaton.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>As you think of our family, please continue to pray with us as we look to God to provide all that is needed. He has always been faithful to provide, often through so many willing-hearted human partners who have cheerfully given to meet those needs. We have been so blessed, and we are thankful! <br />
</span></span> <br />
<ul><li><span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">We are looking for a <b>car</b> that we could use from June 14-mid July (or longer if available.) <br />
</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">If you know of anyone who has a <b>drum-set</b> that they are not using at the moment, Jacob would love to borrow one for the summer! <br />
</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><b>monthly financial support needs</b>: we continue <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">to be</span> </span>short about $800/month.</span></span></li>
<li><span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">$3000 for <b>medical co-payments</b>/deductible costs. <br />
</span></span></li>
</ul><span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Looking further ahead, we're grateful for the way the Lord is directing our next steps. Dave has been invited to work <span style="color: black;">alongside</span> SIM USA's Finance Manager in Charlotte, NC. The position is not yet fully defined, but it will give Dave an opportunity to serve the mission and its ministries around the world from our home base. We expect to take up residence in Charlotte in early 2011, following about seven months of home assignment.<br />
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Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf! We look forward with you to how God will lead us in the days ahead, trusting that He who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it! (Phil. 1:6.) <br />
<br />
With our hope in Him,<br />
Mary<br />
for the DakarDeckers</span></span>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-73829961243241125842010-04-12T10:12:00.001+00:002010-04-12T10:13:12.933+00:00April 9: pelicans in the park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR5cgepDiyhLBibcFvBm-hlXAHg32AyBHvh1FiVgF5c-UOmk_0Zz4RSccFyg7SDkxQenZwK2DvkUroFX1H-TcfHT2jrLllhIMXHpLOevX-DIeuFdymcwzwd0ZwAsz4k-ticBLgA/s1600/IMG_0429cc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR5cgepDiyhLBibcFvBm-hlXAHg32AyBHvh1FiVgF5c-UOmk_0Zz4RSccFyg7SDkxQenZwK2DvkUroFX1H-TcfHT2jrLllhIMXHpLOevX-DIeuFdymcwzwd0ZwAsz4k-ticBLgA/s640/IMG_0429cc.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>more pictures of the pelicans in Hann Park <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157623823560016/detail/">here</a>.MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-23048688915007427942010-04-05T13:18:00.001+00:002010-04-05T13:20:35.876+00:00Decker Update April 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZjJsXXIbGOsVITFzfq0XD6553keiPZZqdYixRpAoLyYaVQconKXiF9vg7UxWeNMIG6f1aARQrnHi68cc3tdgFSKfUt621PMgkFqOruEMT0mJmpLrW4_iNERLX2HuuCZzZnKYHw/s1600/Web+IMG_2988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZjJsXXIbGOsVITFzfq0XD6553keiPZZqdYixRpAoLyYaVQconKXiF9vg7UxWeNMIG6f1aARQrnHi68cc3tdgFSKfUt621PMgkFqOruEMT0mJmpLrW4_iNERLX2HuuCZzZnKYHw/s320/Web+IMG_2988.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhs2YzYeXv_S_yNLJBNO_DZK5ve7FIw5oVIb5xBUjcE_0IbNkLt57v5ymMTWJKadJ8TsUX7GLsAOKoArOhvR-PtXvizwVRnxwvQFfeGWPMKnl80xjmYICNjln0FVCYZh0M-O_gQ/s1600/Web+IMG_2909cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhs2YzYeXv_S_yNLJBNO_DZK5ve7FIw5oVIb5xBUjcE_0IbNkLt57v5ymMTWJKadJ8TsUX7GLsAOKoArOhvR-PtXvizwVRnxwvQFfeGWPMKnl80xjmYICNjln0FVCYZh0M-O_gQ/s320/Web+IMG_2909cc.jpg" /></a>Dear friends and family, <br />
Easter greetings to you: The LORD is risen! We are so thankful that we serve a Savior who is alive and active today! Serving Him (through serving missionaries by offering quality leadership and administrative support) with SIM in W.Africa has been our privilege since 1989, and we look forward to serving Him with SIM in other locations in the future. <br />
<br />
We have kept busy with ministry and family life. Last week we participated in the SIM-Senegal Spiritual Life Conference. Dave and I each facilitated a session, and I was involved with program planning and program evaluation as well. It was a great joy to gather with SIM'ers from several places in Senegal, and join them in worship, rest, fun and enjoying one another's company over meals and free time. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We enjoyed a visit from our friend Anika from our home church, who spent her vacation here and helped out with the children’s program at the SLC. We also managed to visit some interesting places in Dakar while she was here. <br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Family update<br />
We are thankful for so many answers to prayer. Danny has started a good job in Miami, and is learning a lot and enjoying the process. Please pray for him as he balances his time between work and his family. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Joey will graduate from John Brown University in May. His date to enter Naval Officer Candidate School has been pushed back to August, and he will spend some time in Minnesota with us this summer. Please pray for his patience as he waits to enter this program, and join us in thanking God for His work in Joey’s life through these four years of college. <br />
<br />
The two colleges he applied to have accepted Jacob, and we're awaiting the financial aid package from the second. Please pray for wisdom for him and for us as we seek God's best plan for his university education.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Future Update</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have tickets to leave Senegal on June 11. We’ll spend two days in Washington, DC, and then head up to Minnesota for our 6 month home assignment. As we mentioned in a past update, we are sensing a need to provide a home base for a few years for our sons, and we trust that God will continue to clarify the plans He has for us. <br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We anticipate moving to Charlotte, NC in early 2011, and staying there for two years minimum, possibly longer. SIM has both its U.S. sending office and its International office within a few miles of each other in Charlotte. Dave has been asked to consider two different positions, either of which would be strategic for the mission as well as challenging and fulfilling to him personally. He needs to decide which to pursue within the next week or so. We would appreciate your prayers for us as we make that decision.<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We would also appreciate your prayers for all the decisions we’ll have to make, and for practical needs and details as we approach this transition. One specific area is that we will need to buy a car when we get back to the U.S. We are wondering if anyone might have a vehicle they would be willing to loan our family for the first few weeks, so that we can make a careful decision about buying without feeling rushed. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
Financial Update<br />
Another item we mentioned in a past update was our support needs. Our supporters blessed us with gifts at the end of the year that kept our support account from falling below zero. Our monthly support is about $800/month short of what we actually need, and our support account is now well below zero. That will need to be replenished during our home assignment before we will be able to continue in service. We may also need as much as $3000 for medical insurance co-payments when we begin our home assignment, as we need exams and procedures to care for the medical concerns we may have as we return from the field. We know that God will supply all that we need, and we ask you to join us in praying for His provision. For those who'd like to be part of providing these needs, here's a <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-to-give-support-online.html">link to online giving</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers for our family! We are thankful for you, and look forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead!<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With joy in our Risen Savior,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mary for the Dakar Deckers</div>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-78001078894927632382010-02-25T10:28:00.000+00:002010-02-25T10:28:31.669+00:00February 25: sights and sounds of DakarA friend of ours found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgBfBj6lPQU&feature=related">this video</a> on YouTube and I thought you might enjoy seeing a few minutes of Dakar life.<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XgBfBj6lPQU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XgBfBj6lPQU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-85237083918989626232010-02-13T00:30:00.001+00:002010-02-13T00:30:00.240+00:00February 13: Happy Birthday to an amazing 22-year-old!We love you <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157594557490130/">Joey</a>! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/388822951/" title="4 by MaryD SN-MN, on Flickr"><img alt="4" height="516" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/388822951_55510bf882_o.jpg" width="732" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-30568549640756546252010-02-12T14:16:00.003+00:002010-02-12T14:24:33.385+00:00February 12: W.A.I.S.T. preview!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MEetOcYHSnbnlEBvhBHR-OnhahyKz5246apvB5x3QK_0Is_2hztBx3M7YeKcL__MAiNUA1ZpWjZs9AXZbNDRs5usCKrikQBFN-4GaPyezQnbMTNKPCvWyoDvNCfNQw-x0Ya27A/s1600-h/IMG_9613cc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MEetOcYHSnbnlEBvhBHR-OnhahyKz5246apvB5x3QK_0Is_2hztBx3M7YeKcL__MAiNUA1ZpWjZs9AXZbNDRs5usCKrikQBFN-4GaPyezQnbMTNKPCvWyoDvNCfNQw-x0Ya27A/s400/IMG_9613cc.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Tomorrow W.A.I.S.T. (the annual West Africa Invitational Softball Tournament) begins. Dave is playing on a team in the competetive league, and coaching DA's j.v team which will play in the "social" league. DA's varsity will contend in the competitive league, and there's another DA community team playing in the social league. Lots of games to watch, lots of friends and family cheering on their teams! (And passing out ice and ibuprofen!) </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If two of the DA-related teams make it to the finals which are played on Monday, DA will declare a school holiday to allow staff and students to play in the last game... and fans to cheer... fan tension is high on Saturday and Sunday hoping the teams will win them a free day on Monday! </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here's <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-14-waist-west-africa.html">one picture from last year</a>, and links to photo-sets from the two years before that if you'd like to get a sense of what the next few days might be like! </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157603951582714/">W.A.I.S.T. 2008</a></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157594550750464/">W.A.I.S.T. 2007</a></div>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-40054986982447470932010-01-27T11:09:00.001+00:002010-01-27T11:10:43.638+00:00January 26: DeckerUpdate - Liberia report<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Dear friends and family,<br />
We are so thankful for your prayers as we work with SIM's Western Africa Area, which includes the countries of Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivore and Liberia. Our purpose is to serve missionaries by offering quality leadership and administrative support. Many of you have been involved in our life and ministry since our very earliest days of living in Liberia, and you know how special that country is to us. Last week Dave returned from a trip to Liberia, and here is his report. God is clearly at work, and the need for prayer is very great. Please join us in praying, as this week and this season is very significant for the ministries there. <br />
<br />
With thankfulness for your partnership and your prayers, <br />
<br />
Mary for the DakarDeckers<br />
<br />
</span> <br />
<blockquote>Dave's Liberia Report<br />
Last week I returned from a visit to <a href="http://sim.org/index.php/country/LR" moz-do-not-send="true">Liberia</a>, where rebuilding following the devastation of an extended civil war continues. Signs of <a href="http://sim.org/index.php/category/stories/country/LR" moz-do-not-send="true">progress</a> are visible all over, as are obstacles to progress. This is true on the national level, and also in the church, and at ELWA, where SIM partners with Liberians ministering through radio, health care, and education.<br />
<a name='more'></a>SIM Liberia is primarily invested in two partnerships, with ECUL (the Evangelical Church Union of Liberia, consisting of over 100 churches) and with ELWA. <br />
<br />
Progress on the ELWA campus, where I spent the week, looks like this: The new <a href="http://www.trinitydental.org/Home.html" moz-do-not-send="true">dental clinic</a> has now been up and running for over a year, and is getting busier by the day as word of its ministry gets out. The clinic ministers to the immense dental and spiritual needs throughout Liberia, as patients sometimes travel great distances due to the lack of dental care close by. <a href="http://www.elwaministries.org/AreasofMinistry/Academy/tabid/58/Default.aspx" moz-do-not-send="true">ELWA Academy</a> has recently completed a new classroom building, which significantly increases their capacity for educating Liberian youth. The roads on campus are now paved (for the first time ever), and running water and electricity are much more reliable than in years past, and are for the most part available 24/7. Maintaining generators and the water distribution system is a continual challenge.<br />
<br />
There are also two very significant obstacles at ELWA these days. There has been a great deal of tension between staff and management, particularly among the ELWA Hospital staff, and this led to a "go slow" in December; not quite a strike, but a significant reduction in services. Issues are now being dealt with in a more productive fashion, but are by no means resolved. Pray for effective mediation, and for unity and sense of purpose among the staff.<br />
<br />
The second obstacle is their difficulty in managing finances. Much progress has been made in the last year, but now the loss of key personnel will make it difficult to bring systems all the way up to standard. Pray for management as they continue to address this need by implementing adequate financial controls. SIM would like to continue providing assistance, yet we are facing our own shortage of key administrative support staff.<br />
<br />
SIM believes that it's both healthy and helpful to periodically review its ministries on a country-by-country basis, and this week it's Liberia's turn. What is God's direction for SIM in Liberia, and are we functioning well? In order to help answer these important questions, a team of about seven reviewers is in place, most coming from other parts of the world. As a part of this very comprehensive process, they hope to interview the entire SIM Liberia missionary team, plus a number of others from ELWA and ECUL and the wider church and missions community.<br />
<br />
This country review will be completed by the weekend, and it holds much potential for good input into the life and work of our team. Alongside the review process stands SIM Liberia's need for long-term leadership, in addition to other sorts of administrative support. Please pray that this would be a very fruitful season in the life of SIM Liberia and its partners, ELWA and ECUL, and that God would provide personnel for these key positions in leadership and administrative support.<br />
</blockquote>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-42807607668808017132010-01-23T11:56:00.006+00:002010-01-24T12:14:30.262+00:00January 23: why missionaries need encouragements!This came from a letter written by Lisa Hicks, a good friend of mine: a career missionary woman, in a member care role...as she listened to some of the faith-stretchers experienced by a short-term team who was in West Africa for 10 days. <br />
<blockquote>"... They had just shared some of their faith stretching experiences on the trip and so I suggested that when praying for missionaries, they remember their experiences ... and then multiply them by years. Here are some examples.<br />
</blockquote><blockquote>Missionary Life in West Africa (and anywhere) . . .<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</blockquote><br />
<blockquote>1) The first thing you have to do when going on a ministry trip is raise money. You usually have to write a letter and maybe do some speaking. It usually feels awkward and the results are almost always strange. People who you thought would give ... don't. BUT others who you didn't think would give ... do.<br />
<br />
Missionaries need to raise monthly support (as well as one time gifts) for years and years and years.<br />
<br />
2) A lot of times, once you've made the commitment to go, you can start feeling attacked. You might have a conflict with a friend/spouse. Sins that used to plague you may start to tempt you again. Or, you're physically hurt. The main speaker for the retreat was in a fairly serious car accident right before the trip.<br />
<br />
Missionaries are under spiritual attack all the time! We know of several missionaries who've survived serious road accidents, robberies, health issues, etc. Also, often their children are pursued/attacked by the evil one for the express purpose of hurting the parents and their ministry.<br />
<br />
3) You might start to feel fear ... "Are my children, aging parents, spouse going to be alright while I'm away?" One of the ladies was afraid that one of her kids would get H1N1 while she was in West Africa. <br />
<br />
Every time a missionary returns to the field, as they kiss their aging parent/grandparent goodbye, they wonder if this is the last time they're going to see them. Often they're separated by 1,000's of miles from their grown children who do get ill, or hurt in an accident, or suffer from loneliness/depression. Some friends of ours, got that dreaded call that their daughter was in a serious accident while other friends had a son in the military who was shot (and had to have mulitple surgeries). It's really hard.<br />
<br />
4) You probably have meetings with your teammates before leaving. Inevitably there's someone who rubs you the wrong way and you're glad you're going to be together for just 10 days (or so).<br />
<br />
Most missionaries are on teams for years ... inevitably there are relational issues to deal with. AND you can't just leave and go to another team. It's tough.<br />
<br />
5) Right before take off ... the real panic can hit. "What have I gotten myself into???" And you pray like crazy for peace of mind. Or you have adequacy doubts, "I'm not sure I can do this!"<br />
<br />
Missionaries have the same feelings of panic and inadequacy that others have. Often, they're put into situations where they have no idea what to do ... lots of times out in the villages, they're the doctor (minus the training).<br />
<br />
6) Once in country, you might worry about health issues. You might get stomach cramps, or allergic reactions to bug bites (someone from the short-term team), or simply a cold because of all the energy you expended to come.<br />
<br />
Missionaries deal with health issues all the time (just read on facebook that a friend might have typhoid). It's usually one of their top five prayer requests ... it's a common problem that can discourage and slow a missionary down.<br />
<br />
7) You might start missing your spouse and kids and you can't wait to get home to them (by about the 7th day). One of the ladies was really missing her husband.<br />
<br />
In my weekly Bible study ... any given week someone can ask for a raise of hands from those whose husbands are away traveling and get 3 to 4 hands (out of 10) every time! Missionary women often have to face life in W. Africa without their husbands help due to travel (to villages, conferences, training, etc.) Also, missing grown children is continual ... birthdays, holidays, etc.<br />
<br />
8) At the end of the trip, you're absolutely exhausted and need some down time.<br />
<br />
Missionaries live with incredible stress ... my husband [a counselor] does a stress test with lots of missionaries and even tho' the normal score is 200 many, many of them live with an 800 or more. AND stress wears you out. Recently, a friend of mine suggested that it's like the missionary community is trying to work and function in molasses ... and that was a very good illustration because missionaries can feel like they're dragging through their week/month. It's tiring.<br />
<br />
9) When you get back home, even tho' you're wiped out ... you go back to a job, family, schedules, and usually don't get the needed "down time" to process what you're gone through and get some needed rest.<br />
<br />
Missionaries go home to dental appointments, shopping for something presentable to wear, multiple doctor visits, meetings of all kinds, support raising, return trip purchases, settling college age children into school (which often includes getting them a driver's license, a car, people to help them in emergency, instructions on job interviews, etc.), traveling across the country to visit friends/family/supporters, and the list goes on and on an on ...<br />
<br />
10) BUT you're so excited about what God did that you want to tell everyone everything that happened in those 10 days. Unfortunately, most of your friends, family, and sometimes your church want the 60 second version. They're happy you're back, want to hear, "It was great!", and then move on.<br />
<br />
In just a few years, missionaries have a couple of LIFETIMES worth of stories to tell ... there's just so much inside to be shared ... but even with people who want to hear it ... the shear volume of experience is staggering. AND it's hard to describe a world that is so fundamentally different from the world of your friends. "<br />
</blockquote>If you've read this far, I'm thankful for your perseverance! And blessings as you consider how you might encourage the missionaries in your life!MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-50560207039887440432010-01-22T09:12:00.005+00:002010-01-23T12:46:36.814+00:00January 22: encouragements<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9hWcnLFqXtFihLIk36oQI8aPRIw445gHVX9xxIteeNqI_b20EZ_rU01nIGoNM3x1OOWsmAabOa7rbEuWkPpfVEZyes9fVVUOL156j0silnJjpI2Ke66rap_uCztSuBre2z6ldA/s1600-h/DSC03309c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9hWcnLFqXtFihLIk36oQI8aPRIw445gHVX9xxIteeNqI_b20EZ_rU01nIGoNM3x1OOWsmAabOa7rbEuWkPpfVEZyes9fVVUOL156j0silnJjpI2Ke66rap_uCztSuBre2z6ldA/s400/DSC03309c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429493075949769474" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes we are surprised (though we shouldn't be!) by God's amazing timing. Yesterday was a day when the internet wasn't working... well it was working at .4 kb/second... and a few other frustrating things had happened. But then, in the late afternoon we received a fun Christmas package from our Barnabas support team from our home church. We had known the package had been sent and the team had hoped for it to get to us by Christmas, and we just hoped it would show up at all! To have it arrive yesterday was a sweet surprise and a lift to us after a challenging day!<br /><br /><a href="http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/missions/?p=319">Here's</a> an idea-filled article if you need some fresh ways to encourage YOUR missionaries! (They'll be blessed, I promise!)MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-50840509477131250662010-01-18T09:57:00.002+00:002010-01-23T12:46:06.742+00:00January 18: campement picturesThis year, on our three-days vacation (January 2-5) at the Campement Ocean et Savane, I took mostly nature pictures. If you'd like to see the ones I didn't post on the blog, they are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157623222176034/detail/">here</a>.MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-4087758321400206142010-01-17T16:56:00.003+00:002010-01-23T12:46:06.743+00:00January 17: campement sunrise #2 (jan. 5)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bueKsdHwV3XCDfvQ46jyBKlolIHzabO_4HhMW9Pf2fwSKNSR3MduQ5s93HIlg989uOnrciiBZiLe8iQJGgyf2pZWwxGz_uxpDo7toGOn0gQ7CXmMRdL6R4Zk9ePquOOw8fD3Bw/s1600-h/IMG_9243c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 581px; height: 429px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bueKsdHwV3XCDfvQ46jyBKlolIHzabO_4HhMW9Pf2fwSKNSR3MduQ5s93HIlg989uOnrciiBZiLe8iQJGgyf2pZWwxGz_uxpDo7toGOn0gQ7CXmMRdL6R4Zk9ePquOOw8fD3Bw/s400/IMG_9243c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427757170064955282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzigTbvex0CELWcb96rwNZMxWE9Fz2mdXnNoLdoko6CiARIUqIPB73aY0i8VyrPqJPJTdZH8OFKSBrG10EG5doRaL6GTCBkbLRqIkXmCR1w9RZFWEvn6sAVuCE9BjcFXj5biVtg/s1600-h/IMG_9251c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 580px; height: 450px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzigTbvex0CELWcb96rwNZMxWE9Fz2mdXnNoLdoko6CiARIUqIPB73aY0i8VyrPqJPJTdZH8OFKSBrG10EG5doRaL6GTCBkbLRqIkXmCR1w9RZFWEvn6sAVuCE9BjcFXj5biVtg/s400/IMG_9251c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427755371335091634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More pictures from our refreshing days at the campement are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/sets/72157623222176034/detail/">here</a>!MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-63974758455050919762010-01-16T19:52:00.001+00:002010-01-23T12:49:49.106+00:00January 16: invasionMy guard-dog informed me that we had intruders in our airspace... when I went to check it out, I found these characters glaring down on us!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/4279163768/" title="IMG_9317c by MaryD SN-MN, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4279163768_f849b64a41.jpg" alt="IMG_9317c" height="500" width="379" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryd_ci/4278425227/" title="IMG_9328c by MaryD SN-MN, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4278425227_9795d1530f.jpg" alt="IMG_9328c" height="424" width="500" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-27837124110737762152010-01-16T16:04:00.002+00:002010-01-23T12:46:06.744+00:00January 16: campement sunrise(january 4)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM4exbMQeBY9eTmAzAbz1eu2fbMGqTyq0u4EJU215IFTb8Bga8CbRcPsJySOe1VoIZkiVQhvyVvoEHp6W0z3ezk078mZ-JSK4d9m8E3HIx_jNtnrrKxqAzJAdfStIzKxQGlBzdQ/s1600-h/IMG_9208c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 577px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVM4exbMQeBY9eTmAzAbz1eu2fbMGqTyq0u4EJU215IFTb8Bga8CbRcPsJySOe1VoIZkiVQhvyVvoEHp6W0z3ezk078mZ-JSK4d9m8E3HIx_jNtnrrKxqAzJAdfStIzKxQGlBzdQ/s400/IMG_9208c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427377684028195090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kQxdN52ZjgsD9dUwLusCMqIxiu0GwpvPyvEJ0noF2maStdlFq5vPt6hUjFvcFFJqzI0tE8NzQpgdB8Wr1lBOoT5GoeqXQo9NKd0-iDwaRiqlrJl6snJlp2tMnyyHQScG-vRB2g/s1600-h/IMG_9199c.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 594px; height: 409px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kQxdN52ZjgsD9dUwLusCMqIxiu0GwpvPyvEJ0noF2maStdlFq5vPt6hUjFvcFFJqzI0tE8NzQpgdB8Wr1lBOoT5GoeqXQo9NKd0-iDwaRiqlrJl6snJlp2tMnyyHQScG-vRB2g/s400/IMG_9199c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427377676664722674" border="0" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-70812424337872508882010-01-07T22:09:00.004+00:002010-01-23T12:46:06.745+00:00January 7: crabby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtAQn2h_v1F-6QugVYzRQ4YMgT17LjVEwpeoSb6cPiOzhnNgOkz2UaF3GZAOxpBZQYqoFEeo60yxQS5lYIXgJxGE2dnf7WtKmieGouvd4OT3FbQydO3CtoWnUcMdxxajolLiwRg/s1600-h/IMG_9153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 573px; height: 429px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtAQn2h_v1F-6QugVYzRQ4YMgT17LjVEwpeoSb6cPiOzhnNgOkz2UaF3GZAOxpBZQYqoFEeo60yxQS5lYIXgJxGE2dnf7WtKmieGouvd4OT3FbQydO3CtoWnUcMdxxajolLiwRg/s400/IMG_9153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424126495499226914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4vHUuZ3zaL8syUOWXZeFcNwhA8w_nSq0stJW_nDlvKZbmKD6OnzyQWSs9rVcRvr4E4kXN8J1GJaCCFLa4wqqmrylSeOw3TcMs-JGvg7b2K-yGHa_ab2O_NPqLnJUR43cd0gG2w/s1600-h/IMG_9154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 674px; height: 505px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4vHUuZ3zaL8syUOWXZeFcNwhA8w_nSq0stJW_nDlvKZbmKD6OnzyQWSs9rVcRvr4E4kXN8J1GJaCCFLa4wqqmrylSeOw3TcMs-JGvg7b2K-yGHa_ab2O_NPqLnJUR43cd0gG2w/s400/IMG_9154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424125052452022466" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not quite ready to edit and post the rest of my pictures but these are such fun!MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-68130971629886489322010-01-01T08:48:00.004+00:002010-01-23T12:45:52.489+00:00Happy New Year from the Deckers in Dakar!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWwS3md6SzqupVXw-Yaqn_fICIS-YXZvPghZDvMDm1z-H3WJ1sA4nua4904WLW-jFee6liCaUywAESbyhPr5Q5ovGaL92ylaNVhuhobJkiNisU6DqyM2kkS48WyVwIL_zrd9xFQ/s1600-h/DSC03178.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 632px; height: 473px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWwS3md6SzqupVXw-Yaqn_fICIS-YXZvPghZDvMDm1z-H3WJ1sA4nua4904WLW-jFee6liCaUywAESbyhPr5Q5ovGaL92ylaNVhuhobJkiNisU6DqyM2kkS48WyVwIL_zrd9xFQ/s400/DSC03178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421694856004352642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f6KhQy2HLrzW8F_EYVJm0Xpde-Z9NNBD9BVTl0pvxGtF-GrdF7m7qcZsyNXDWkZCTXhDBKJnxI8bixN9veZL-xY9WR68mwBuwt79ne1Hy6gep10uGEobhPFsd3IbOEfI2Vgv_w/s1600-h/DSC03201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 602px; height: 451px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-f6KhQy2HLrzW8F_EYVJm0Xpde-Z9NNBD9BVTl0pvxGtF-GrdF7m7qcZsyNXDWkZCTXhDBKJnxI8bixN9veZL-xY9WR68mwBuwt79ne1Hy6gep10uGEobhPFsd3IbOEfI2Vgv_w/s400/DSC03201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421693546632643090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Pt7w63UVJD-0x2bdo1gAsr5I7t2PHaj30R6q03K5emfoQx3mBMcImMUzjpF9jyUxjBnbLz-woNhsGFjviy6JYN5XB9Uu5G1x4ev6TB15CePrUVyJIgKZxvUtWfinSfEh40znbw/s1600-h/DSC03218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 457px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Pt7w63UVJD-0x2bdo1gAsr5I7t2PHaj30R6q03K5emfoQx3mBMcImMUzjpF9jyUxjBnbLz-woNhsGFjviy6JYN5XB9Uu5G1x4ev6TB15CePrUVyJIgKZxvUtWfinSfEh40znbw/s400/DSC03218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421692284034719986" border="0" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-526084820493505332009-12-08T16:19:00.003+00:002010-01-24T13:30:11.889+00:00December 8: DeckerUpdate<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Dear friends and family,<br />
<br />
"What hope we hold this starlit night,<br />
a King is born in Bethlehem.<br />
Our journey long, we seek the light<br />
that leads to the hallowed manger ground<br />
<br />
Emmanuel, Emmanuel.<br />
God incarnate here to dwell.<br />
Emmanuel, Emmanuel.<br />
Praise His name Emmanuel!" (from Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship by Chris Tomlin.)<br />
<br />
This Advent season we are thankful to rejoice in the hallowed manger ground where Jesus came to dwell among men. Because of His life, and death on our behalf, we can appreciate the joy of Christmas now as well as the joy of eternal life with Him!</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><br />
<br />
The season has finally changed here in Dakar and we are enjoying cooler temps and less humidity. We are thankful for the opportunities we have to be part of SIM's Western Africa Area regional leadership team, as well as for day-to-day involvement in the lives of MK's and international students at Dakar Academy.<br />
<br />
These past weeks have included ministry and fun activities, such as Dave and Jacob's participation in an <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2009/11/october-30-november-1-senior-outreach.html">outreach with the senior class</a>, <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2009/11/holiday-traditions-in-dakar-turkey-bowl.html">Turkey Bowl</a> and <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2009/11/november-26-thanksgiving-in-dakar.html">Thanksgiving</a>. Our annual council meeting with leaders from Guinea, Senegal, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire was held in early November, with the many accompanying discussions and decisions.<br />
<br />
We are now enjoying the Advent season, anticipating Joey's visit in a few weeks, and the celebration of Christmas.<br />
<br />
Family update<br />
Danny will graduate from college (with a finance major) next week! We are so thankful for his hard work, and pray that he will be able to find a good job even in these difficult times.<br />
<br />
Joey will graduate in May. After his graduation, he will enter Naval Officer Candidate school before our return to the States. We are looking forward to spending time with him over the three weeks of his Christmas break, and then will see him again at his graduation from OCS. Please continue to pray for him as he moves forward in this direction that he believes is God's leading for him.<br />
<br />
Jacob has submitted two college applications, has been accepted by one and is waiting to hear from the second. Please pray for him as he waits on God's direction for his future. It's been a joy to us to watch him maturing in this his senior year of high school, as he continues his hard work in three AP classes, as well as drumming on worship teams and participating with his class as their treasurer.<br />
<br />
Financial Update<br />
Our support came in at about 92% for the fiscal year which ended September 30. SIM transferred money from some of our other accounts (ministry and housing) to cover it so we ended up ok for the year, though some have had to stop giving due to difficult financial circumstances. We have a need of new monthly partners and/or those who would be able to increase their monthly giving, as well as one-time gifts to our ministry account. <br />
<br />
This seems a bit daunting until we recognize once again that it is GOD who provides for all of our needs, and He will continue to do so. Please pray with us for His provision. For those who'd like to be part of providing these needs, here's a <a href="http://dakardeckers.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-to-give-support-online.html">link to online giving</a>.<br />
<br />
Future Update<br />
In January, Dave will travel again to spend time in Liberia, to help with a financial audit there. He continues to provide support and leadership to the team there, who are working through transitions in leadership. Please pray for SIM-Liberia in their partnership with ELWA ministries, and the church partnership with the Evangelical Churches Union of Liberia. We see God's hand at work as well as challenges and difficulties.<br />
<br />
We anticipate being here in Senegal until 11th of June. From that time, we'll spend a few days in Charlotte, NC at our mission home office, and then head up to MN for a six month home assignment. We are praying for God's direction as to what comes after that. We are sensing a need to provide a home base for a few years for our sons, and are trusting that God will continue to clarify the plans He has for us. One possibility is that we would re-locate in Charlotte in January 2011, to continue working with SIM in the U.S. office. We'll keep you posted as plans develop, and we'll appreciate your continued prayers for our future!<br />
<br />
We are thankful for your prayers for us, for your encouragement, for your financial partnership, and your presence in our lives.<br />
<br />
With Advent love to you all,<br />
Mary<br />
for the DakarDeckers</span>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-40995025535521367782009-12-03T10:50:00.002+00:002009-12-09T08:20:34.640+00:00December 3: Nativity set<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTUo88xlBssDFIiwNn4xcjAOqGAqvT7_eSSn0hyphenhyphenjUpYV_PS8U8Jy6_ItR9GcSlAEFNWy1vgGQgcrKy7jQxnbZQil78EMk5TjFedHHKYDzr0oiMMxuITbDiVxl2T0lnXo_N16T_Q/s1600-h/IMG_8918rc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 628px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTUo88xlBssDFIiwNn4xcjAOqGAqvT7_eSSn0hyphenhyphenjUpYV_PS8U8Jy6_ItR9GcSlAEFNWy1vgGQgcrKy7jQxnbZQil78EMk5TjFedHHKYDzr0oiMMxuITbDiVxl2T0lnXo_N16T_Q/s400/IMG_8918rc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410961328443653330" border="0" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37119261.post-79896583829323154452009-12-01T09:21:00.002+00:002009-12-09T08:20:34.641+00:00December 1: beginning to look like Christmas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUObxCAZjCT2FdMFZcvZzPQAUvIGGxyxg9JOSmTaz5sylIqC2nekZghd8xuabLCF4y2U8P8nqsCf-k5WOtg7bc3Xys7OoP3gTblDvOniCMM9nmE1vyoampIVTXrkiWP2SDkU7xOA/s1600/IMG_8889rc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 441px; height: 670px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUObxCAZjCT2FdMFZcvZzPQAUvIGGxyxg9JOSmTaz5sylIqC2nekZghd8xuabLCF4y2U8P8nqsCf-k5WOtg7bc3Xys7OoP3gTblDvOniCMM9nmE1vyoampIVTXrkiWP2SDkU7xOA/s400/IMG_8889rc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410196311553348482" border="0" /></a>MaryDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07851438830119511522noreply@blogger.com1