Stepping out...

This summer Christian Volunteer Movement embarks on a 6 week development project in the Gambia. As you explore this site, we hope you will share in our vision to see restoration and positive change for the people of this nation.

Home to 1.5 million people and 5 major cultural groups, the Gambia's diverse and friendly culture has long been plagued by many social and economical challenges. From the scars of slave trading during the imperial era to modern day issues of land erosion, disease and severe poverty, this West African nation presents a call, through the love of Christ, for us to bring justice, peace and righteous to the suffering.

Sweet Soma

 Posted on 2007 - 06 - 04

Soma rocked… the team stayed healthy, working along aside Toni, John Jatta (our translator) and Pastor Kofi was a blast (and honour) and the football camps were a huge success.

We have two days rest before half the team returns to Sittanunku for another round of football camps. (to be joined by the group for the weekend)

Daily highlights included sweet compound dance parties, awesome food from the hospitality team, bucket showers, squat toilets and Toni’s endless list of survival rules.

It was immediately evident that God was preparing for our work in Soma. The church and community had never seen such positive responsiveness to the Gospel as we also challenge many of the kids who had dropped out of public school to resume their education. We will continue to pray that the good choices the kids make will help shape the future generations of Soma.

Post #1015

Just what are we upto?

 Posted on 2007 - 05 - 25

I first I'd like to apologize for such space between updates but there is so many cool things going on that it is hard to book time to sit in front of a computer. (It is really nice to be free)

As the first module comes to close at the end of this week, we continue to enjoy God’s blessings of health and safety and have seen all team members actively involved in one or more of the following ministries, working with musicians, teaching in schools, helping at sisters of charity and running football clinics.

On Monday we will be setting our sights 200km inland to the town of Soma. Here we will be running a 4 day football (soccer) camp for the kids of the area. We are looking forward to working alongside Toni Olivera (a brazilian missionary working for Youth With a Mission), but a little less excited about the hot inland climate that is bound to greet us.

Post #1014

Week One... What a start!

 Posted on 2007 - 05 - 16

What a blessing to see the whole team arrive on Tuesday with smiles and all baggage accounted for. Stories of travel quirks and airport adventures echoed through the van and between the gaps of enchantment from the new surroundings.

Developing familiarity with the new African environment is a lifelong processes, orientation tries to fit this into a half week. Thru sessions, special guests and cultural experiences the team has demonstrated a maturity through a desire to be stretched and a spirit of unity.

Gambia is known as the “smiling coast” of Africa and as shown it with good reason. On a simple exercise to engage a Gambian in 5mins of conversation, some team members returned 45mins later having been invited to homes and met families enjoying heartfelt conversations.

As we begin to kick off ministries at sisters of Charity, with musicians and at schools, we are looking to God for strength and wisdom in how best to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

Highlights of the week no doubt include the Amazing race Gambia (the final test of navigation and cultural savyness for the team), a full on village celebration for the completion of the Sittanunku water-pump project and seeing God’s love and grace already working in our own lives to bring restoration to the broken.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

On behalf of the team,

Mike

Post #1013

Landed

 Posted on 2007 - 05 - 02

Forty odd hours of airports and airplanes I (Mike) have arrived in the Gambia. Many things have changed (there is now more than one traffic light) but the majority has stayed the same.

It is great to see old friends, although not so great to discover there is a rooster and a pig that live next door, I won't ever have the problem of sleeping in!

Some goals of the week are to aclimatise, setup ministries and eat mangos. There is a cool opporitunity to do work at a government school just up the street I am praying these things work out.

Peace and blessings.

Mike

PS. Personal blog sutff coming soon I forgot the file at home.

Post #1012

Gambia Goat Post (revival)

 Posted on 2007 - 04 - 23

The count down has begun and with it the revival of the Gambian Goat Post. Stay tuned as we will begin to post thoughts and updates in the coming week.

Peace and Blessings,

Mike

Post #1011

Event Announcement

 Posted on March 15th, 2007

CVM Canada presented...

The Gambian Experience

Thanks for all those who made it out to support the team and learn about the needs in the Gambia.

We'd like to encourage you to sign up on the web site in commiting to support the team in prayer. There are also so outstanding fiancial needs so some team memebers. If you would like to make a financial contribution, please contact Michael Friesen or Jon Decker at 604-454-0556 or email Mike@Gambia2007.com

Post #1001