The Copeland Ramblings/

Out With a Bang

Our time in Senegal is drawing to a close! Tomorrow we will be traveling back to Canada via Lisbon, Madrid and Brussels. Our preparations though have been anything but smooth as Senegal experiences unprecedented turmoil in the face of the upcoming elections. We moved out of our apartment and into the guesthouse early because of planned protests around the city contesting President Wade’s bid for a third term. I’m very thankful that we moved when we did. During the last week and a half we have had heavy demonstrations nearly every day, particularly at the nearby university.

In between the demonstrations we have been able to spend time with friends this past week. At church I had a chance to share our testimony and be encouraged by the elders as they shared how we have in turn encouraged them. Church started as a farewell service, but it turned into sending service. Nearly three years ago we were sent by our North American churches to West Africa and now we are being sent by our Senegalese church to be missionaries in Canada. They encouraged us to use what we have learned to help other missionaries serving all over the world. It was an important and fitting end to our time with that Church.

We also couldn’t leave with getting together with our NTM colleagues. On Tuesday we had a short get together, we ate lunch together then we were presented with a beautiful wall hanging that will forever remind us our friends in Senegal.

Thankfully we don’t need to get up at an obscene hour tomorrow, in fact, the boys will be going to school for the morning while we take care of a few things. I still don’t feel like we will be leaving, I know that I won’t realize how much I will miss it until we are on the plane. One thing we will not miss is the dust, which has contributed to Debs health problems. Supposedly the last few days have been the dustiest that people have seen in years. Flights have been grounded and the city is sitting in a dense brown cloud. Two days ago you could feel the dirt coating your throat if you were unfortunate enough to have to be outside.

It’s definitely bitter sweet. I will miss this country in which we invested our hearts and lives. I look forward though to seeing my wife’s health restored, something I have prayed for every day for the last three years. West Africa will forever be in our hearts and I know that God has used it to shape and mold us for the tasks that He has prepared for us. We thank God for the time we had here, hardships and all. Nothing is wasted with God!

Thank you all for your continued support as we relocate to Canada where we look forward to using what God has taught us to support, aid and encourage our fellow missionaries around the world.

On this day..

• Grammar stressing you out? - 2007
• Tooth # 2 is official! - 2007
• Dobu'n It - 2006
• Snowman Make-over - 2006