We have returned from our glorious mission from Cote d' Ivoire over two weeks ago. We have since been able to have a "reunion" dinner last Thursday night at the lovely home of John and Maria Larson (Thank you again for your wonderful hospitality!!). We were able to share again the memories, feelings and PICTURES from our time in Africa and building relationships with the people of Dabou and Abijan. We invite you to share with us our time of service and fellowship by going to the website which has been developed - here you will find an article prepared by Renee Teel for the Texas Annual Conference website, videos and photo slideshows representing the people that we encountered, our times of fellowship, the sites of Cote d' Ivoire, the celebrations that we had the blessing of being a part of, the friendships that the team formed, and finally the work that we performed while at the Dabou Hospital.

Thank you for all of our loved ones that provided us the opportunity to answer the call, those family and friends who followed our blog, prayed for us, provided donations of money and gifts that so richly blessed the recipients, and for all of those that provided blessings in so many other ways! We felt your prayers and loving arms....even with the distance between us.

Please visit the website by clicking on the link "Mission Website" under Information Links.

Also....

Please join us to see a video presentation on Sunday, June 13th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and hear the stories of our Cote d’Ivoire Mission in Africa. Here’s a quote from one of the team members:

”We sang as we worked, smiled as we sweated and felt His Spirit lift us up with each new day. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and be near Him and are filled with memories of the people of Dabou…they will be in our hearts forever."

More information see June 13th under Information Links

Abijdan and Grand Bassam today

Note: The pictures at the beginning are from the previous post - rainy season, tool shed, and screens :)

Hello from Abijan!!! We have now left Dabou Hospital feeling very full of confidence in God's ability to perform miracles. From where we were on Monday - without a plan, supplies, and direction on what exactly priorities were - we have now ended the week with scrubbed rooms, painted walls, all new screens and mosquito netting, repaired roof, ceiling fans, and fabric for new curtains, among many other improvements. We were able to visit both the orphanage (although no tour) and the children that we were able to see, were given much love in the short time that we were there - we left at least seven bags of toys, coloring books, and other fun items for the kids. We visited the pediatric ward - and know that our work is very necessary for these young wards.....many of which have malaria, pneumonia, and other ailments...least of which is HIV. We had much fun with the children coming home from school....all gathering to sing "Jesus Loves Me" We ended Thursday with a wonderful dinner (albeit outdoors!) of more fish and chicken at "Cafe Havana" hosted by the director of the hospital. The next day the hospital personnel presented individually wrapped gifts, selected for each one of us - artifacts of Africa....we then exchanged gifts for them as well.

We are off today to Grand Bassam - a beautiful city by the beach - for relaxation and shopping in the market. We are all looking forward (well, except for maybe the guys....) to seeing how they do it in Cote d Ivoire.

From the entire team, we have felt very blessed to have been given this priviledge to serve God and his people even 8,000 miles away. We are very much looking forward to getting home and having some beef - ha ha.