The McClurkins  Update June 2012

Dear Faithful Partner,

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for your care, concern and generosity toward us and the people we serve here in Senegal.  We shared with you about the short-fall in our financial support and through your prayers and generous giving our budget has been restored and we are able to continue in the work.  We are able to share the word of God in word and deed.  Because of your partnership, we are at work in spreading the Gospel and encouragement to the members of the body of Christ throughout the Thies/Mbour region of Senegal. THANK YOU!

April, 2012 marked the 50^th anniversary of (MBS) Mission Baptiste du Senegal (WorldVenture in Senegal) and we were privileged to share in the celebration!  The president of WorldVenture, Hans Finzel, his wife Donna, some of the board members, former career missionaries and friends of MBS traveled from the United States to show their support and appreciation to the MBS Team. The members of the Senegalese church were eager to show their appreciation for the many years of service and sacrifice on the part of MBS. It was a “God Glorifying” experience!  The church members decided to secure a building and take on preparation of a meal for hundreds of guests. They also formed a celebration choir comprised of choir members of both Evangelical Baptist Churches of Thies, who served the community a “Grand Free Concert,” that Friday which kicked off this three day celebration in which Pete and I (Debra) participated. We sang and played Wolof and French praise/worship songs and we taught the choir an African American Gospel song, “Soon and Very Soon We are Going to See the King” by Andraé Crouch, in English!  This meant traveling to Thies once or twice a week for rehearsal.  But, the result was Bu Bax (Very Good, in the Wolof language)! The choir was GREAT!!  Several village choirs traveled to participate as well and they were wonderful; singing praises in their heart language Sérère and dancing to the Sérère music.

Members of our Senegal team designed special fabric for the church celebration (a tradition here for celebrations) from which we had clothing made. Follow this link to view pictures: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4081342320802.167449.1499894931&type=1&l=23659ddbdc

Saturday, we celebrated what God has done in the past by honoring those trail blazers and the first Senegalese disciples; what God is doing now by honoring present workers (Missionaries, national church leaders and members) and for what God has promised to do according to His Word! This event was well attended by locals, Christian and non-Christian; by villagers and missionaries from other organizations.  The locals said they had never seen such a celebration.  Sunday there were worship services at both Thies churches and a dinner for MBS workers and guests.  It was wonderful to be a part of it all! 
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Campsite Management, Relationship Building, Discipleship and Kidz Club …

…continues as we prepare to come home to the States.  Yes, in a few months it will be three years since the LORD called us to Mali/Senegal, West Africa.  We are taking the necessary steps to make sure the work that we have started in the village of Ngaparou continues in our absence. We are preparing our Senegalese friends for our departure.  Our colleagues are helping us also as we down size and plan for our Home Assignment.  Home Assignment is not a vacation, although, we will take some time for rest and renewal, catch up with our growing family and reconnect with friends. It is a time spent off of the mission field in order to visit our ministry partners and churches to whom we are responsible to report, take care of personal matters (healthcare, logistics, etc.), to debrief in preparation for reverse culture shock and to hear God’s direction for the future.  You, our partners and supporters are a vital part of this process. We will be in the States but we will continue in ministry informing and teaching churches the importance of foreign missions.  There is a wealth of information we can share!  We need your prayers as we make this transition.  Please pray for our spiritual, mental, physical and emotional health; pray that we will hear and follow God’s purpose, plan and will concerning our next phase in ministry.  Also pray for the hearts and minds of those who God is preparing as our prayer and financial support partners in the ministry.   

Home Assignment Calendar

We are also asking you to let us know when it would be a good time to come visit your church.  If you would plan to schedule a time for our visit we can create our Home Assignment Calendar.  This would be a great help to us in making travel plans and we could also send the calendar to you, our friends and partners who would like to know where we are and what we are doing.  We will be available for church visitations, mission conferences, seminars, information sharing and other engagements after September 30, 2012.  Please feel free to contact us: 

Pete and Debra McClurkin B.P. 1229 23022 Thies Senegal Email: petedebmcclurkin@gmail.com Phone: 215-559-5994 (Rings in Senegal w/ Our Magic Jack)

May, 2012- With Your Help we were able to: Bible distribution: 1000 bibles in the village of Nianing; 1300 bibles in the Sarindia area Community Assistance Outreach: Medical supplies to Bartamaè Hospital in Thies and Djirbel village; personal hygiene supplies, clothing and art supplies to talibè center in Thies; Kidz Club encouragements gifts to villages in Ngaparou, Thies and Djirbel; gifts to pastors in Djirbel area Campsite Ministry Served 7 missionary families; 3 national pastors/families; 15 Senegalese church leaders in their training session  Blessings, Pete and Debra-

Please send your donations to: WorldVenture,
       1501 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton, Colorado  80120-5612               
(for Pete and Debra McClurkin #970)