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In the months of April and May Stones Hope sent out a team of 4 to the Gambia. The four of them Lilieth, Daniel, Heidi
and Yannis set out on mission to reach the Serahuli of West Africa. This outreach time was part of Daniel and Heidi's requirements
for completing the CDTS course. By plane, by boat, by car and by foot the four made their way to reach our Serahuli.
Many things can be said about this outreach. It was unique and had many aspects that aided in impacting a people for Christ.
Daniel, Heidi and Yannis are a German/Austrian family. This quality alone made many inroads for conversation and open homes.
Many people in the Gambia have never seen a white person let alone a white baby!
Daniel and Heidi are a young couple
who with their son Yannis came to Jamaica to do their CDTS. Yannis at the time was 9 months old, very fresh and vulnerable.
Some voiced concerns to his mother and father about the dangers of bringing a young child on such a trip. But, fear often
robs us of opportunity and simply living as God would direct our heart. So under God’s direction Daniel and Heidi moved
forward in trust and faith concerning the trip and their son.
“Many said it would be difficult taking such
a young baby on this trip. But as a mother I would say it was not difficult, just different.” - Heidi Benjamin.
The trip consisted of typical times of ministry and exposure for the short 3 week period. “Not such a long time to
really do much substantial things. A lot of the time is taken just to get there.” - Daniel Benjamin. Flights from Jamaica
through the U.S. to West Africa, a ferry across the Gambia River and road travel would take them approximately 3 days.
Being a family led by a Jamaican would offer many opportunities for contact. Most times just because they were white
people would want to get e-mail or some sort of contact information. It’s in the mindset of many that life is better
elsewhere. If they can gain contacts and reach other nations life would be much better. Wisdom guided Daniel to not feed into
that false mindset.
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Lilieth and the Benjamin family did a variety of things while in Gambia. With the time they had they spent meeting many
Gambians, specifically of the Serahuli tribe. When you hear the word tribe don’t think grass hut. “I found it
was a lot more developed than I imagined it would be.” - Heidi Benjamin. And, many of the leaders of this people group
numbering in the 200,000 are prince-like in dignity and respect.
Some of the ways they ministered among the people
were simply to talk to them. Baby Yannis offered so many opportunities as he was a magnet for the attention of strangers.
Family ministering to families, the vulnerability and openness of the Benjamins to come as a family allowed them to reach
young and old in a very natural way. Also there were times when through conversation the team would
be invited into homes. The Gambians are Muslim by faith but very open to listen because of hard economic times, in part. Also,
many of them feeling that Muslim traditions don’t satisfy they are open to try other things. Which can be a good thing
or a bad thing as some would just add some Christian and other aspects together.
There were some times in homes
where they held mini low key church services and shared a lot with the families. At other times there were skits that the
team had prepared with no words to bridge the language barrier. They performed these skits with a translator explaining what
was happening.
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The Serahuli are largely unreached, unengaged by Christian missionaries. Slowly YWAM
Stones Hope is changing that. First in simple ways and trips exposing Christ to those who listen. But as time goes on and
the work continues opportunities present themselves for an even greater work.
It is our hope and aim to see churches
planted and led by Serahuli. Serahuli reaching Serahuli with the Good News about Christ and on fire for the life changing
work of the Gospel in their own land, this is our joy. With God’s help, those willing to go and those willing to send
lives will be changed. Not just the Serahuli but also our lives and the lives of those connected to us will be touched.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew
6:33
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