After three train rides and two flights, we arrived late
Monday night (or actually very early Tuesday morning, July 29th) into Abidjan,
Côte d’Ivoire. Missionary Larry
(Sellers) met us at the airport and we spent the first day and a half in
Abidjan resting and getting oriented to the city. In our first hours in our soon-to-be
new home country, we were struck by several observations: the diversity in
dress (from long-sleeved, angle-length traditional African dresses to
mini-skirts and stilettos), the pleasant weather (as this is the cool season in
Côte d’Ivoire) and the
friendly nature of all the people, even in this large city.
On Wednesday, Larry drove us to Yamoussoukro (the capital
city where we will live when we move here in January) on the new toll road, which
made the trip only two hours as opposed to the two-and-a-half to four-hour trip
it previously took travelers to make the journey on the old roads. We were greeted in Yamoussoukro by
LeAnn (Sellers) and Tyler Martin (an intern with Spread the Word) who were
unable to make the trip to pick us up from Abidjan because they were in the
middle of VBS at the Yamoussoukro Church of God. On Thursday morning, we
visited the VBS and were warmly welcomed by many people who said “Bon Arrivée” (meaning “welcome”) to us and
took turns holding Moore, waving to him and even some children who enjoyed
touching his light, fine hair.
On Friday, I was asked to help with one of the activities at
VBS – the limbo! I enjoyed being able to play with the children a bit and I
found that there were some very tall yet flexible kids in the group! It was fascinating to see the various
facets of leadership development taking place within this one event. This VBS
served as a training for teachers/VBS leaders from other CHOG congregations in
the country. Several churches sent those who would be trained throughout the
week as they watched and participated in carrying out the daily VBS activities
in Yamoussoukro and then they returned to their churches at the end of the week
and will hold VBS programs at their own churches throughout summer. These
trainees taught the children, but the trainees themselves were then guided by
experienced VBS leaders who gave them suggestions and encouragement during a
daily meeting after the kids left each day. Tyler and I were both learning and
contrasting our experiences with VBS in the U.S. while LeAnn, a veteran at VBS,
offered words of advice and encouragement to all. (The photo here is of students at VBS coloring their color sheet after hearing the story of David and Goliath.)
Sunday brought our first experience in an African worship
service. There was joyous singing, many more greetings of “Bon Arrivée” and an opportunity for us to
greet the congregation in French and share the song “Blessed Be Your Name” –
both the English and French versions – with Tyler on the keyboard, Bobby on
guitar and me singing and trying to balance a squirmy one-year-old in one arm
while holding up the sheet music in the other! Thankfully, Uncle Larry and Aunt
LeAnn were there to help out. Larry brought the message and we also had a
chance to hear the church chorale sing. Beginning their song outside the church
doors and singing all the way in, they brought a dynamic element to the
service. Bobby found their entrance particularly interesting as he first
thought that the signing outside was coming from the Mormon church next door.
Then it grew louder and louder and the chorale entered the sanctuary to lead
the congregation!
We all took some time to rest on Sunday afternoon, which
turned out to be very important because the “soirée” with the singles group on Sunday
evening went into the wee hours of Monday morning! But it was so worth it! This
event was the highlight of our first week here. After a traditional Ivoirian
meal of rice and peanut sauce with beef (delicious!) and fried bananas (yum!), Tyler
shared an encouraging testimony with the group and Bobby and I shared the
testimony of how the Lord brought us together. This led to a rousing discussion
about dating and marriage. This group is SO much fun! Just being a part of the
evening gave us a new boost of motivation to continue learning French so we can
fully understand everything that they say!
We’re looking forward to this second week here and are so
thankful for all that the Sellers are teaching us!
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