Hawken March and April Update

ATM selfie! Hello from Hawk and Em

He is risen! 

Emily and I have been soaking in the resurrection of Jesus during this season. The resurrection of our Lord puts the skip in our step and spreads our smiles to our eyes. Despite the suffering all around us: the pain, isolation and rejection that we see etched on people's faces, the sadness Em and I have of soon saying goodbye to people here in Senegal, and despite our diseased and dying tomatoes, Jesus is alive. The pain that we see, while real and often times suffocating does not and will not have the final say. 

A few weeks ago, Em and I had the chance to go evangelizing at a village near BeerSheba. We spoke with two large households in the outdoor common yard. In the first compound lived the biggest and baddest witch doctor in the area. It was powerful to hear our pastor talk about the darkness and oppression that comes with fetishes and witchcraft. How it can never totally heal, but will only lead to further enslavement. With the old witch doctor within earshot, BeerSheba's pastor boldly spoke out about the light of Christ and the true freedom that he is bringing to those who trust in him. His courage and zeal for the gospel blessed me. The next house that we visited contained several muslim families. Shortly after the pastor began sharing the story of the gospel, his cousin (who lived in this compound) walked up (quite agitated) and asked him to stop speaking immediately. He said that the children were in danger of believing this dangerous message, that this talk was not scheduled, and that they didn't appreciate what we were doing. The pastor stopped sharing immediately, and made sure to greet everyone in the house before we left (in rather friendly terms). Two things stand out to me from this story: 

1. The pastor was quick to say that his cousin was being used by the enemy to stop the sharing of the gospel. His demeanor was completely different 5 minutes after the pastor stopped sharing, and he greeted us as friends. I was challenged as a westerner to look more intently for Satan's work and to be willing to call it out. Obviously not everything that doesn't go our way is due to demonic activity; but the Bible is very clear that Satan roams about the earth, and that our battle as Christians is against the dark spiritual forces at work in the world. To add to this, Em and I have seen multiple 'demonic manifestations' at BeerSheba church, which has further challenged me to look for and engage in the spiritual battles that are taking place. If you have questions about what on earth that looks like or means - reach out to me. I'd love to talk more about this with y'all - and learn from your experiences. Have you had any experience casting out demons or seen it happen? 

2. God is working in that compound! When we see such clear and strong opposition, this is often a hint that the Lord is about to do something really special. I know two people who live in this compound (they work at BeerSheba), and I have been praying for the chance to share the gospel 1 on 1 with them. I know the time is coming! It is not by chance that of all the villages and houses around BeerSheba, our group went to their house.

This evangelism outing was a bit of a wakeup call for Emily and me. BeerSheba can be such a bubble! It is a city on a hill - it brings light to the surrounding area. I know that Jesus intended for us to get off the hill and go to dark places with the gospel of truth and light. I'm reminded of Peter who wanted to make shelters when he saw Jesus transfigured in glory. I'd want to stay on that mountain too. But that was not why Jesus came, and it wasn't why he called the disciples! How can Em and I bring this urgency back with us to the States? I have spent the last 8 or so years in close Christian communities; and I thank God for those precious seasons. But I am eager to regularly get out of my Christian spaces, seek out people who are living without knowing Jesus, and sharing the gospel with them! God will do the rest. 

Now here comes a lot of pictures with some of the other things we've been up to for the last month and a half! 

Emily and I took a trip to the Casamance
(a cooler and greener region in coastal southern Senegal).
This was our favorite dinner: drinks, prawns and filet de Capitane on the beach! 
We ate so much delicious seafood during our time here. 

We stayed near the water! The beach was HUGE and very empty (mostly due to covid). 

 

Or rather not so empty...
I'm not sure these cows are practicing social distancing...

Some pretty flowers we found near our Airbnb

We ate some delicious and fresh oysters - naturally salted :) 

                                           

A biking trip through a forest in the Casamance. Our guide was suffering from some good ole diarrhea, and we had to pull off to the side frequently for him to relieve himself. Em and I had the chance to pray for him, and it stopped! Later in the day when he felt stomach pain after lunch, Em and I prayed again for him, and he said that the pain went away! To hear a Muslim guy say "Jesus is here" several times that day was such a blessing for us. We were able to share the gospel in saying 'God wants to heal more than just our bodies!' God is so good! 

Our garden is growing! Here is some of our first lettuce harvest! 
We have been so grateful to supplement our meals here with fresh greens.

Fresh beets and cilantro from our garden downstairs!

Em and I went to a Senegalese wedding. The event lasts for several days - including all-night dancing the night before the wedding. Emily and I brought our tent, and I think we were the first ones to try and get some sleep at 2am! They dance until the bride comes into the groom's family compound (where the ceremony was happening). Judging by the yells and beeping that woke us up at around 4am, we guessed she arrived around then.

A picture of Resurrection Sunday morning! Such a joyous day for us - especially after a season of praying and fasting during Lent. Some things I am reflecting on after the Lent season: 

1. What measure of God's Spirit do I want? Am I content with how I know God already? Or do I want to be revived and renewed?

2. What wounds or sins in me cause my heart to be hard, and block the Spirit's work?

3. Remember that God is near, bear witness to his activity! Testifying is so important. 

4. Our prayers to God are truly a pleasing aroma - like the smell of your favorite flower.

5. Our hearts all cry out for something and if we let him, the Spirit can answer that cry.

6. Be present to God's activity - like Ezekiel in the valley of bones, or Moses at the bush. Watch to see what he will do and be ready to participate. (like praying for a guy with diarrhea).

7. I can testify that each day Em and I were fasting - while we were praying - I was filled a supernatural strength. This often didn't last throughout the day, but it was cool to be met in this way by the Lord during our times of prayer.

8. Em and I have gained more of an urgency to participate in the harvest. How can we bring this back to the States?  

9. Lastly - how can we keep our work (no matter what it is) centered around seeking God's Kingdom first? How often do I get distracted by accomplishing tasks? As Em and I pursue agricultural training, we want to be purposeful in doing our work with a Kingdom mindset. 

What does this mean for the work that God has given you? Shoot me an email if you'd like to reflect on this!

We got to visit our friend Wally. He was at BeerSheba for 5 months, and in that time we became good friends with him. He left BeerSheba about 2 months ago, and is having a rough time transitioning back to life in Dakar. We got to visit his families land near the beach. That's where this picture was taken.

A video of the doves at Wally's  families land. Such a peaceful place! 

Me and Wally! 

Some work at the stables! Here is an ameliorated hay feeder. We are trying to reduce the amount of hay that daily falls on the ground. 

Feeding the cows moringa! Such an important plant for these nutrient-hungry animals.

The two Sombels: We got a new goat! A dairy breed male. He was named 'Sombel' (which is my Senegalese name). I know I've officially made it at BeerSheba when I get an animal named after me :)

The Casamance is known for its huge and ancient trees. A friend prayed/prophesied over Emily and I last month saying "God has prepared a place for you to root and bear fruit here on the earth. And you'll know when you get there." Those encouraging words make me think of this massive tree.

The goodbyes are beginning :( Emily and I leave Senegal in just 3 short weeks. 

Here are some prayer requests and praises:

Pray that we can remain present for our last weeks here, and that God's grace would abound as we leave.

Pray that the Lord would help us transition back to the States.

Pray that Resurrection truth and light would go forth in Senegal.

Praise that the staph that I was fighting for a month has not come back since I finished my last antibioic! 

Praise that the goat and sheep herd has been doing excellently well! There has been no sickness or death now for longer than I've yet experienced during my stay in Senegal. God hears! 

Praise that the Lord has led us to our next steps after leaving Senegal. 

Life update!! - and then I'm done I promise - Emily and I have accepted a position working at a farm around 15 minutes away from Echo. We will be there for a year, learning more about farming for-profit (like farmers all around the world do every day). We are excited to re-enter a community that is very dear to both of us. May God use this year for his glory! 

Love you guys so much. We rely on your prayers. 

Hawken