Update September 25

Greetings from Senegal (and Liberia!)

We feel blessed and privileged that our ministry in West Africa involves providing quality leadership and administrative support to missionaries working in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Liberia.

This week, we'd like to ask you to pray for Dave as he spends time in Liberia. He is working with the SIM Liberia team to consider their leadership needs, as Matt and Brenda Carr (working in leadership and personnel roles) will be leaving much sooner than expected, in December. We had planned that Dave and I would travel to Liberia together, but the available flights changed, requiring too many days for both of us to be gone with Jacob still at home. I'm disappointed because I would have LOVED to travel to Liberia again, and would love to be working together with Dave, but trusting that God's plan is for me to be here at the moment. Please pray for great times of listening and encouraging with the team, and for wisdom and flexibility as the team strategizes. He is scheduled to return on October 2, but the flights have been pretty unpredictable so he's prepared to be flexible!

Please continue to pray for our financial needs. Our support account is precariously low, as is our ministry account. As we mentioned in another update, we currently need at least $1000 for medical deductible expenses. Because of the way SIM's financial support system has changed, and due to skyrocketing medical costs, we find ourselves in a new situation for us-- ON the field yet needing additional financial support. In the past, when this has happened, we've benefited from SIM's pooling system-- however, that no longer exists. Please pray with us, and if you sense God's prompting to be part of meeting these financial needs, click here to learn about online giving, or email us.

... [We] have need of endurance, so that when [we] have done the will of God [we] may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36

The difficult month of Ramadan has ended, and we're thankful for that. The last several week we've enjoyed more consistent electricity, and are very thankful for that as well. The next six weeks are traditionally extremely hot and humid, before the cool, dry breeze from the desert arrives in November, so you could pray for stamina, energy and endurance for us!

Jacob is working very hard in school, with three Advanced Placement classes. He really enjoys the classes, and is working diligently at the many hours of homework each day from each class. We ask prayers for his good health, energy and endurance as well. Pray for God's leading as he pursues applications to colleges.

We are thankful for your partnership, in prayer, encouragement and financial giving. Our endurance is only possible with God's help, and we are very aware that YOU are one of the means through which He helps us, so we pray for your endurance as well!

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your [and our] hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 16-17.

With HOPE in HIM,

Mary
for the Dakar Deckers (in Dakar and Liberia!)