Andy's trip to senegal

At the end of January 2006, in association with WEC International, a football team made up of Christians from all over Northern Ireland travelled to Senegal, West Africa. Their purpose was to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Ziguinchor in the southern Casamance region. Included in this team of “footballing stars” was a member of Clogher Valley Youth Fellowship, Andrew Robinson.

Upon returning home, Andrew took time to share some of his highlights with the fellowship. Speaking of his renewed vision, deepened desire for God’s work and absolute hatred for mosquitoes Andrew made the following comments.

“In the late summer of 2005 I, along with a few friends, made a commitment to join forces with Ambassadors in Sport and go to Senegal in West Africa for almost three weeks. Our group bore the name of “Ambassadors in Sport” based upon that verse in II Corinthians 5 v 20 - “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” We used our football talents, limited as they were, to reach thousands with God’s word. We endeavoured to be Ambassadors for God through our football. This shows us that sometimes we have to adapt our message for the circumstances which greet us. But most of all we should be reminded that regardless of where we are in life we are still Ambassadors for Christ.

However, from making this initial decision until actually leaving Northern Ireland there was much preparation. Football kits, footballs, tracts and other Christian literature all had to be gathered together and compressed into bags ready for the ten hour trip to Senegal. However, preparation not only included these practical measures but also involved many Sunday afternoon prayer meetings where the team bonded together in their desire to see a spiritual work accomplished on the tour. It was at these prayer meetings where we sought God for safety in travel and also a greater burden for the souls of those we would come in contact with.”

Speaking of their time in Senegal Andrew continued, “Throughout our three weeks we endeavoured to help the already established works by reaching out to the community though football training sessions, which were always well attended. The football games and clinics were a tremendous means of reaching people who had never gone to church and the majority of whom had never heard the message of hope through Jesus Christ. We estimate that a total of 8,000 people attended the games, heard the local pastors speak and listened to the testimonies of the players at half-time. In addition, local radio, with a potential audience of 250,000 in Guinea-Bissau alone, allowed us valuable airtime.

When we look back at the opportunities we had to spread the Gospel we can see God’s hand. He protected us, opened doors for us and enriched us in the faith through the fellowship of His children. Each of the group proved that verse in Isaiah where we are promised that God will “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Undoubtedly the tour helped me grow as a Christian. It opened my eyes to see that there is a nation without knowledge of God’s saving grace, a nation blinded by Islam but there is a nation ready and waiting to receive God’s word. How fortunate we are in Northern Ireland! We are steeped in the Gospel yet so many continue in sin, on a road to a lost eternity.

If you’re a Christian I would urge you to pray for the work in Senegal. It’s a lonely and difficult work but there are still faithful men and women standing in the gap and spreading the word.”

Concluding on a lighter note Andrew said, “With a group which included two doctors, a nurse and a sharp eyed photographer we thought we were equipped for every eventuality but sadly we failed to bring a loving mechanic to take care of our sometimes temperamental “luxury” coach. But with God’s help, and mostly behind schedule, we always reached our destination.”

Article reported by John Robinson