Volunteers

FBC Shelby, NC Mission Trip to Canada

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:05:00 GMT

FBC Shelby goes on mission to Ottawa, Canada to work with Marc and Kim Wyatt and local churches in their ministry to internationals.

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Prayer and Visioning Encounter on Human Trafficking

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:29:00 GMT

Margaret reflects on the experience in Los Angeles.More...

Prayer and Visioning Encounter on Human Trafficking

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:24:00 GMT

Cara Lynn reflects on the experience in Los Angeles. More...

Prayer and Visioning Encounter on Human Trafficking

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:17:00 GMT

Melissa reflects on the experience in Los Angeles. More...

Prayer and Visioning Encouter on Human Trafficking

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Cindy Dawson reflects on the experience in Los AngelesMore...

Shane and friends

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:06:00 GMT

Like a cork exploding from a well-shaken champagne bottle, my six foot five inch body finally popped from my seat and I emerged from the airplane at the airport in Dakar, Senegal. I had prepared for weeks in advance of the trip by studying about the people of Dakar and the local languages, but nothing could prepare me for the swarm of overly helpful taxi drivers and baggage handlers who were waiting as we stepped outside the airport. Fortunately, I was traveling with a friend who spoke Wolof, the local language, fluently. Once we agreed on a price for the cab ride, we sped away through the cool air and darkness in the wee hours of the morning to our accomodations for the week, The Pharedel'Espérance, or “Lighthouse of Hope.”

We slept a few hours that first morning so that we could adjust to the time change and then headed out to explore one of the many markets in Dakar. Being six and a half feet tall and white did not help me blend in well, so I attracted a lot of attention. Everywhere we walked, we were surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of Africa. Anything and everything could be purchased in the market… live chickens, fresh fish, spices, fabric, clothing, cooking items, etc… The market was my first experience interacting with the people of Dakar, so I thought I should try out some of the Wolof language that I had been practicing. I did fairly well with simple phrases such as “Thank you,” “Yes,” and, “No.” Well, I say fairly well. Judging from the belly laugh reactions from the Senegalese people I tried to talk with, maybe I did not do as well as I thought! One phrase in particular that I really messed up was “Maybe later,” a phrase I used often in the market. Each time I used the phrase, I would receive a puzzled look from the person standing in front of me as I turned to walk away. I found out later that what I was actually saying to the person trying to sell me something was “Peanut butter!” Truly, a smile transcends all cultures and languages!

Some of my favorite experiences in Dakar included being in the midst of thousands of people, knowing that everyone who sees you knows you are a stranger, and yet you are treated as a friend, riding on the car rapide, eating in local restaurants, and spending time enjoying ataya, the Wolof name for a traditional tea ceremony. I discovered the definition of hospitality while eating in the homes of Senegalese families. When you were invited to eat, you are with your hand from a common bowl, and you left with a gift! People are more important than time in Senegal.

My favorite place in Dakar was an area named Grand-Yoff. According to the local people, Grand-Yoff has been, and continues to be, one of the poorest areas of Dakar. A center built by Baptists exists in Grand-Yoff that used to house bible studies, work training, language classes, athletic camps, and a medical clinic for local people. As I stood outside the gate of the center, a small group of children gathered to shake the hand of the “white man” as they called me. Using the little bit of French I knew, and the little Wolof I had learned while in Dakar, we sang a few songs together and taught each other a few games. I asked them about school and about life. We ate some chewing gum together. They offered hugs and high fives as I left.

As my travel companions and I pulled away from the Center in Grand-Yoff that last day, in Dakar, inside our taxi with a cracked windshield, no muffler, and doors that would not open from the inside, I wept quietly. I am not really sure if I wept for the children I had just met or for myself. For them, I hoped for a better life with more opportunities and possibilities. For myself, I hoped that one day I could return and make a difference. At the end of that taxi ride, we pulled up one last time to the gates of The Pharedel'Espérance, or “Lighthouse of Hope.” I can remember thinking about how appropriate the name of our hotel was…not just for the place and what it offered to guests, but for the place where I was in my heart… Hopeful.

Pastor Christy

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:01:00 GMT

On April 1, Nell Green and I headed to North Africa to lead a conference for migrant pastors of various churches. This trip was my second trip to the area. I traveled with a team from our church, Oakland Baptist in January of 2008 to study the refugee highway. While there, we worshipped with one of the churches. What we discovered in our first trip was that there are many Christians living in the midst of a Muslim country. The pastors of these churches rarely have the opportunity for continuing education or seminary classes. Nell taught the Bible portion of our conference and I taught leadership skills. These pastors lead churches of 50-75 people in one or two room apartments. The pastors, along with the people who attend their churches, are from Sub-Saharan Africa. They have left their homelands because of famine, war, and extreme poverty. They have left in search of a better life and if possible make it across the sea to Europe. Not only were we able to teach the pastors, we were also able to encourage them as they minister in a very difficult situation. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and look forward to my next adventure with Nell!

Oakland Baptist prepares for refugee family

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:47:00 GMT

For several years now Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC has had a ongoing relationship with CBF field personnel, Butch and Nell Green. The blessings of the relationship have been on both sides as Oakland not only ministers and supports the works of the Greens, but has journeyed in developing ministries to Internationals in their area. Rock Hill, SC has internationals? You bet!

The journey began as they developed an ESL program. That program has now ministered to over 20 different ethno-linguistic peoples. They have explored ways to dialogue with a community of Muslims in their area. They began reaching out to the International students at nearby Winthrop University. Now they have taken a new step. After receiving training from the Greens on an understanding of Islam, the church is now sponsoring a refugee family from Iraq. Funding for the family came in part from a grant. A year ago the church went through the curriculum “It’s Time” by Daniel Vestal. The 6 week study course led the church through some basic principles in discovering the missional journey God was calling them to. Sponsoring refugees was one of the calls. Applying for a grant available to churches completing the study, made it possible for them to engage with Lutheran Refugee Services and minister to this family’s need for shelter, food, cultural adaptation, schooling, and job hunting.

Arriving a couple of weeks ago, this family of five was thrilled with their lovely well-equipped apartment, a stocked pantry, casseroles in the refrigerator, and a team of folks waiting to help in whatever way they can.

It was wonderful!

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:32:54 GMT

We met H. almost a year ago while speaking in North Carolina. H. came to Christ about 4 years earlier through an International student ministry of a local church. Yet loneliness plagued H. as she attempted to integrate in the American church. As Christmas approached this was exacerbated. Her husband had left her around Christmas time some years earlier and this was the first time her son would be spending the holidays with his father away from her. Christmas (and other holidays for that matter) has always been a time that our family takes pleasure in opening our home to others. So H. joined us this year. Following is her note written our Christmas memories book.

“It was wonderful!” A the 7^th Christmas I had at the United States, this foreign holiday finally became a “real” holiday to me, though it could have been the worst one amounted to the previous much- dread- for six winter breaks and for my dear boy’s absent the first time. All, so many other “first times” turned my life around: the 1^st time driving to somewhere for the holiday, the first time watching a Christmas classic on Christmas Eve, the first time having over sugared traditional cinnamon rolls Christmas breakfast, the first time Christmas dinner with turkey, ham, cranberry, mash potato and Americans passing the plate dining, the first time enjoying Christmas carols in a beautiful living room with friends offered by son’s piano and mom’s voice. All that and I could not forget the first dancing fire and crackling sound from the firewood, the first would- be- my- Christmas- tradition: the book, Best Loved Christmas Carols, and the first gifts opening on Christmas morning, one, two, three, four, your turn, my turn, his turn, her turn, and laughter and joy, my first Christmas stocking couldn’t hold all.

Sunday Morning at Church of the Nations by Casey Gainey

bgreen@thefellowship.info — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:55:27 GMT

Casey shares a story with children who participated in English conversation.

Today we attended Sunday morning Bible study and worship gathering with Church of the Nations. Sitting in Sunday morning Bible study was amazing. I have never seen anyone with such an exciting passion for learning about the Bible and God. The room was packed. There were people sitting on the floor and on top of each other. It was easy to see how interested they were by their body language and how they were engaged in discussion.

After Bible study, we went to the worship gathering. The name of the church really describes the nature of the worship. We sang songs in all different languages, heard soloists sing in different languages, and celebrated the diversity that was represented in that room. That Sunday was also a special Sunday. One of the students was returning to her home in China that week, and so there was a sending off section of worship. Another student dressed in traditional clothing and sang a song for her. Then at the end of the worship gathering, we all stood in a big circle for a prayer. It was really great.