A new WEC church planter in The Gambia, Selina Purcell, is discovering the Jola language and worldview.
“I’m almost three months into my Jola language study now, and it’s coming along well,” Selina said.
“Every now and then, someone tells me “Nujanjam kujoolaay” (You hear Jola) - so that is encouraging!”
But it is not just the language Selina is beginning to ‘hear’.
“Last week I was not feeling 100 percent with a headache, a sore throat and a bit of a temperature.”
“Anyway, I mentioned to [a local friend] that I wanted to go to a youth program that would be happening in a nearby town in a couple of days time—if I was feeling better.”
“His immediate response was ‘Pray to God and he will heal you’.”
In another event the local soccer team was struggling.
“They had not done very well in previous matches, so they had to win this match or they were out of the competition.”
“The team and other young people from my village gathered out the front of my compound because my language teacher is the coach for the team.”
“Just before they left to walk to the village where the match would be held, everyone suddenly crouched down on the ground with their hands cupped, to pray for the game; I presume they were praying that they would win.”
Selina understands that these people have huge gaps in their understanding of who God is.
“But God is more central in their lives than in the lives of most Westerners.”
“We could learn much from them about giving God the priority he deserves.”
When Selina finishes language study she will get involved in a literacy program.
“I know some of the Jola people are expecting that I take over the whole literacy project, and it is probable that I’ll get involved in some way.”
“But I want to focus mainly on church planting but at the moment I don’t know what that will look like or what method we will use for abundant gospel sowing.”
“But there is time yet and God will show us what steps to take.”
The Mandinka tribe is the largest in The Gambia, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahule.
Readers can follow Selina’s progress on her blog site; http://selina.allianceblogs.com.au and email encouragement to her on selina.purcell@gmail.com
Selina is sent by the Alliance Church Calwell Campus, in Canberra.
Missions
New Church Planter 'Hears' Jola
A new WEC church planter in The Gambia, Selina Purcell, is discovering the Jola language and worldview.
Posted: Saturday, 10 November 2007, 9:25 (EST)
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This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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