May 31: Decker Update (with note from Joey!)

Dear friends,
Greetings from Dakar! We are quickly approaching the end of this term
in Senegal! We will be leaving here in 12 days, and the time seems to
be flying! We are really looking forward to spending some time with
our family and many others in the States.

We are still hoping that someone will rent this house, but at this
point we don't have anyone. You could keep praying for that! Also we
would really appreciate prayers that we will get things here closed up
and well-organized. Seems like many decisions that have to be made!
Jacob is beginning finals tomorrow, and will finish Tuesday. He has
had a great year, and will be looking forward to returning for second
semester next year. We'll homeschool for the first semester, using the
same books that his classes here will be using, so that he can re-enter
and be caught up with his classmates.

Joey returned from Northern Ireland on Sunday night, and is now in
Minnesota staying with Dave's sister Tracy. He really loved being
there, and sent this note to thank all of you who prayed and supported
him.

Thank you all so much for supporting me on this trip to N. Ireland. The trip was a huge success, and we were all sad to have it end this past Sunday.


We were able to do more than we ever anticipated during our two short weeks over there. Among other things, we played a few rugby games, learned some gaelic sports, had tea with the mayor of Larne, rowed on the Irish sea, and spent countless hours talking to anyone we passed, learning about the culture, the regional ways of thinking, and so much more.


Our goal was to build relationships with as many people as possible so that future trips to this area would have a foundation of trust and friendship to build on. This goal was blessed by God more than we ever expected. I sincerely believe that any team returning to this area will be greeted warmly and welcomed into the community.


Right from the beginning, God was working among the team--showing us where to be, how to work together even more fully as a team, preparing the hearts of the people we talked to, and blessing all of our endeavors. Thank you all so much for giving me this opportunity. I appreciate it more than I can possibly express.


Joey Decker
photos
(click to look at some of Joey's photos)

Thanks so much to all of you who pray for us, and for the encouragement
you are in our lives! We look forward to being in contact from the
States in a short time!

Blessings,
Mary for the Deckers