March 2015 Update

Although the need is always far greater than our capacity to meet it, 2015 sees the endeavors of SSMN’s partners in St. Louis, Senegal thriving and growing.

 

There are 55 students in the girls’ school; and the Vo-Tech school for boys is running strong…..although we need more teachers and a Director. The teaching job includes giving these boys care they do not find elsewhere, and several workers  have put together $3,000.00 for one of their students to get a needed hip replacement.

Each Saturday, the Vo-Tech Center bustles as boys pour in from surrounding neighborhoods for Kid’s Club, where they enjoy activities such as storytelling and soccer on the roof; and also receive love and nurturing. It may not have felt like love at the time, when recently some of the local street boys were given basic vaccinations – since their living conditions place them at greatest risk for preventable illnesses.

 

The medical programs continue to expand. The EBOLA prevention kits have been completed. Between 15-30 diabetics are seen a week and glucometers have been distributed to those in need; and a cooking class provided to teach healthy food choices for diabetics.

The pregnancy clinic is also progressing, and more babies are being saved as doors are opened to more families in crisis.

 

3,000 miles from home, and struggling against recent Hammatan dust storms that have left workers sneezing, coughing, and mopping the floors several times a day – efforts are paying off and we are helping to make a difference in the lives of these precious people.

February 2015 Update

Greetings! Our team in Senegal has been spending a lot of time planning and strategizing for 2015, and seeking wisdom to know how to navigate the many gaps in areas such as personnel, cultural differences, and available resources.

Each day presents its unique challenges –   …..one of our mechanics students is in need of medical help for his hip and may need a hip replacement…..

As well as its hope and solutions –  ……. the large supply of welding equipment we received in the fall and hope to use for welding classes eventually, for now is being put to use to weld up engine stands for mechanics classes!!!

Your ongoing support, encouragement, time and ideas are a vital part of SSMN; as we strive together to connect resources in our own community with the needs of those who are trapped in the cycle of hopeless despair and poverty. We look forward to our ongoing partnership in 2015, and Thank You!!!

Virtual Mission Trip to Senegal

As many of you know, we will be unable to send a team to Senegal this year.  However, we don’t want to miss the opportunity to bless and maintain the relationships that we have established in Saint Louis, Senegal.

So we are putting together a “Virtual team”.  This team will be producing video and other media that will convey our commitment and love for our partners abroad. The team will brainstorm ways that we can effectively encourage and help this mission field.  Our first meeting is THIS SUNDAY, Feb 1 from 12:30-2 at SSCC in the main meeting room downstairs.  If you want to be involved, please attend this orientation meeting.

December 2014 Update

December is here in Senegal!!! Temperatures have dropped to a brisk 63 (at least in the mornings). For the first time in months – socks, sweatpants and scarves are essential wardrobe items!

We are so blessed as 2014 draws to a close. Your interest and support has enabled us to continue the important work we are doing here in Senegal: the boys’ vocational school, the girls’ school, diabetes clinic, prenatal clinic, and language learning to build relationships.

Thank you very much!! We look forward to communicating more about our progress in the bright new year ahead of us!

You may give a year end donation here:

http://www.razoo.com/story/Shore-To-Shore-Mission-Network?referral_code=share

November 2014 Update

School has started!!!!!!!

A task that seemed overwhelming is finally taking shape. Just a year ago, we had an unfinished building – and a big, unfulfilled dream to begin a school for boys.

On Monday, October 20, 2014, six students arrived at our boys’ vocational center in Northwest Senegal to begin an automechanics course.

We are starting small, since we have no director and just one vocational instructor, but in the future we would like to add instructors and offer courses in welding and carpentry.

Already, in the evenings the center has also become a multi-purpose venue where local children come to play, hear stories, display crafts, perform ceremonies and receive wound care.

Part of our desire has been to equip local street boys in our city with a trade which will enable them to support themselves and their families. Our dream is larger than our abilities and resources, but to come as far as we have already is a miracle!

Some of our current needs are: at least one car engine and a vehicle for various labs and practical application, and more instructors to teach language, literacy and vocational courses.

We will keep you posted as our dream continues to blossom into reality!

June Update

Hello Shore to Shore Community,

Here is another update from Saint-Louis, Senegal:

We are excited to announce that there will be an “English conversation class at the vocational training center in the next few weeks for junior high and high school students. We are hoping to highlight the new center, serve the community, and make new contacts in the neighborhood. There may also be computer classes weekly offered as well.”

As well, we are “working hard on curriculum and planning for the opening of the vocational training center this coming October.”

We are still waiting on a director for the Vocational School, which the opening of the school is quickly approaching.
We are excited as well to have more team members join our team here in Saint-Louis to continue serving this community!

Thank you for supporting this team as they work towards helping this city!

April Update

During SSMN’s most recent trip to Senegal, our team was amazed by how many outreach and community building opportunities that were happening in Senegal. One of the team members, Ed Ivaldi, was especially touched by the ministry that Dan, one of the missionaries we sponsor, has started in Senegal.  We wanted to share just a small story about what Ed and Bruce Pelletier are trying to do in our community to build up the community in Saint-Louis, Senegal.

 

“Before leaving Senegal in January, I had talked with Dan about how he was going to setup the Welding Shop in the new boys school, and what his greatest needs were.  Based on those discussions, God put it on my heart when I got back home,  to reach out to a member of our church (who is a welder) to team with him to see what we could do to seek out donors of welding equipment / supplies.  At this point, we have about 1/2 dozen major companies that are willing to donate supplies and/ or money.  Our hope is that by the end of this month, we will have acquired most of the welding equipment/supplies that Dan needs to support the opening of the Boys School in the fall.  Logistically, we have to get all the equipment to a warehouse in North Carolina by June 1, where it will then be shipped to Senegal.  It been so cool and a blessing to see how these companies have jumped right in, to support something they haven’t even seen.  Still lots of details to cover in the next month or so, but we are well on our way to making the Boys School dream a reality.”

 

It is truly amazing to hear that our community here in America is coming together to help another community over 3,000 miles away! Thank you everyone for all your support!

Attached is the most recent photo of the completed Boy’s School!

Update: March 2014

Another update from Saint-Louis, Senegal:
It was a little more than 1 month ago that we sent a team to Senegal to help serve the community of Saint-Louis. While we were there, we had the opportunity to share our lives with the community. One of our missionary couples said:
“It was super-encouraging having the short-term team here. …, they helped us… beyond anything that we could do ourselves … Before we even moved into our neighborhood, one neighbor lady came up to us, telling us about how her body hurts. We told her that we were sorry, but had nothing physical to offer her to help her out. … she continued to remind us about her little aches and pains. As we were in charge of signing people up for the free medical clinics the week before the short term team came, we were thrilled to offer her a ticket…. our neighbor was among those blessed by the free care. (V.B). got to greet her when she came in and screen her blood pressure and glucose, and after her consultation with the doctor, (E.B) was able to pray for her in the optional prayer room we offered to the patients. Not only was she able to find help for her physical needs, she was able to see that we are there for her spiritual needs as well.”

-For the protection of those who live in Senegal, names have been omitted.

“Mission Possible” THIS Saturday

Here’s a taste of what is in store for you at our “Mission Possible” night this Saturday, 2/22, from 6-8p at SSCC, 192 Torrey St., Brockton, MA.

Join us to hear about the progress we have made over the 5 years that we have been involved in Senegal.  Hear about the experiences of our most recent team.  I hope to see you there!  –John

Senegal Mission Team Returns!

Come to “MISSION POSSIBLE” on Saturday 2/22, 6-8p , at SSCC, 191 Torrey St, Brockton, MA.  Our January mission team will present their impressions of the trip.

Here’s a snapshot:  We:

• Took a 12 person team to Saint Louis, Senegal
• Delivered medicines / supplies / eyeglasses and treated over 150 adults and another 200 poor street boys.
• Supplied laptops and set up a computer lab in the new vocational school.
• Taught English conversation in the local Islamic public middle school.
• Ran a clinic and care day for street boys.
• Lectured and delivered medical equipment to the local hospital.
• Observed obvious emotional, spiritual, and physical growth in this community since our last trip.

Come and hear more at “Mission Possible” on Sat, 2/22, 6-8p at South Shore Community Church, 191 Torrey St, Brockton, MA.  Brian Davis, our Senegal missionary will also be here to speak as well.