April 24: twitter updates UPDATE

So, I'm finding that I like doing updates on twitter. If you are following this blog in a feed-reader, you won't see the updates. But if you're interested, you could subscribe to the twitter updates on your feed-reader too! Here's the link to subscribe to my updates for this blog, DakarDeckers, and here's the link for twitter updates on my "lifesights(plus)" blog as well. (Note that there are different updates for each blog...)

April 23: last Saturday's outing!

Last Saturday, Dave, Jacob and I went with a friend to Cap Manuel, to explore, hike, and take pictures. Those outings get us out of the sandy, dusty concrete reality of everyday life! If you'd like to see more pictures of this fun place, here's the link to my photoset on flick'r!

April 20: Twitter Updates

So, less than a week after telling someone I didn't see the point of Twitter, I'm trying it out. I've set up a space in the sidebar of the blog for these micro-updates. That way, even if I can't take the time to edit and /or post photos, I can at least make notes about the reason why, and/or what else is going on! Twitter limits me to 140 characters. So I won't take a long time over these updates! Some how it feels less intimidating than that whole big empty space of a normal blog post... let us know what you think!

April 2-5 SLC

Four days and three nights, time away from the daily routine! We had our annual Spiritual Life Conference with our SIM-Senegal team, and it was a wonderful time of refreshing!

Worship, singing, sessions in God's Word, discussions of diversity and unity, considering team issues... as well as time in the swimming pool, playing and walking in the forest and on the beach, fellowship over meals... we were thankful and blessed by our time together!

We love being able to spend time with these families, especially the ones living out of Dakar that we don't get to see on a regular basis!

If you'd like to see more pictures, here are the links to my photos on flickr.

SLC (people, animals, pool, dinner....)

and SLC Wildlife-- (I had so much fun taking pictures of monkeys and other animals that I needed to make a separate set of them alone!)

March 26: in the desert

Our family had a very cool overnight in the desert with some friends... amazing sand dunes, camels, sunset views... it was a unique experience for all of us!

If you'd like to see more photos of this amazing adventure, here's the link! (to my photoset on flickr.)

And here are links to Dave's facebook albums.
Dave's desert camp album #1

Daves desert camp album #2

Enjoy!

DeckerUpdate March 25

Greetings from Senegal!

It's been a little over a month since our last update, and we have continued active and busy during that time. We are based in Senegal as part of SIM's Western Africa Area leadership team. Our vision is to see joyful missionaries effectively spreading a passion for God's glory in West Africa, and that we would serve them by providing quality leadership and administrative support. Dave's two-week trip to Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire last month gave him face-to-face time with our missionaries in those two countries, and has increasingly clarified his vision of their needs. Please pray for him as he continues to train and support the people in each of those countries.

Here are some of the photos from his trip:
Dave in Abidjan
Liberia: reunion with friends
ELWA Hospital
ELWA Academy
ELWA Radio

March 21: refreshing beach day

Dave and I spent a few hours relaxing at the beach today. (Jacob was off at another beach with his friends.) We relaxed and were refreshed by the beauty of the waves, rocks, sunshine and cool breeze!

March 13: Jr. Carnival!

One of DA's biggest traditional events is Jr. Carnival. Each year the juniors choose a theme, and work together with sponsors and staff to present a fun evening for the DA community.

This year's theme was"Lord of the Rings" -- and the carnival was complete with lots of booths for kids, an "amazing race" type event called "The Race to Mordor", good food, and the traditional "jail"-- pay a little money to have your friend or sibling arrested and locked up for awhile!

These events are fund-raisers for the class, as well just plain fun for the DA community.

The Deckers were EXHAUSTED at the end of the evening, but thankful to have been part of a great team working together for this event-- many parents, school staff, students, as well as a group of players from the Wheaton College football team on their spring break ministry trip. Fun!

March 8-12: getting ready for carnival

This week's photos were dedicated to preparations for the Junior Carnival.

Dave and I are junior class sponsors, and we enjoy spending time with the students, hanging out, helping out, and taking time to listen and encourage whenever we can.

Jacob is class treasurer, and as an officer, is very involved in the work of making events happen.

Their theme was Lord of the Rings, and most of these pictures are of the development of the volcano...Mount Doom!

March 7: Team Party

After all day of soccer and volleyball games at school, we gathered the softball players to celebrate our season. Coach Dave and Coach Bruce gave certificates to each player to commemorate a great season, and we enjoyed a slideshow of season highlights!

March 4: in the park

While watching 3K and 5K runs in Hann Park yesterday we were struck by the variety of scenes around us. Runners finishing their races with excellence, birds displaying their unique beauty, and women carrying firewood-- all part of God's wonderful creation. We thank HIM as we enjoy the blessings of these scenes!

March 4: update on Carol K.

Steve Kejr writes to thank people for praying. Overnite, they made all the
connections from Cote d'Ivoire, and went directly to the doctor in Charlotte
who says Carol has a partially detached retina that included the
macula, the part of the eye that gives the central focus.

The specialist has initiated a basic treatment and may do a more invasive
procedure in a couple days if this doesn't work. Continue to pray. Carol must
hold her head in a given position, even while sleeping. The Doc says
because the macula is involved we will not know for several months how her
vision will end up. May both Carol & Steve know God's peace.

Pray also for the team at ELWA in Liberia. This did not seem to be a good
time for Steve to leave many projects unfinished. 

March 3: Prayer Request

Please pray for these dear friends, Steve and Carol Kejr.

Received this morning from SIM:
Sunday morning Carol Kejr, then in Liberia, experienced symptoms of retinal detachment In her best, right eye. As there are no good eye doctors in Liberia they flew to the neighboring country of Cote d'Ivore to a better hospital in Abidjan and saw an eye doctor at 7:30 AM local time Monday, who confirmed the diagnosis and advised surgery ASAP. They barely missed one flight and are expected to arrive in Charlotte about 11:40am Tuesday. Pray they will be able to make all connections, that there will be an opening in the surgeon’s schedule for immediate surgery, that God will give real peace of heart to both Carol and Steve as they continue “trusting in His care”, and of course for God’s hand on the surgeon’s. Praise Him that our insurance was willing to pay for the airfare and cover the surgery!

February 28: Senior Cafe

One of DA's annual events is Senior Cafe-- a talent/variety show hosted by the senior class. This is the "senior act" at the end of the evening. We enjoyed the evening of raps, songs and skits... and the yummy desserts available for purchase as well!