EDDIE DANIELS – This afternoon Lisa and I were in Hershey for the annual PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Awards. WJTL was up for (and received) two awards: Outstanding Website (and yes, this was before our big website overhaul!) and Outstanding Program Designed for Kids.

I was happy to accept the award for our website and Lisa accepted on behalf of the Kids Cookie Break! It was fun meeting other people from a variety of TV and radio stations from across the state! Here’s a quick video of Lisa and I accepting the awards for WJTL. Is it just me, or do I look scared to death? Just for the record, I wasn’t…I think I was more concerned about whether or not there would be coffee refills.

There was.

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Check out Highlights from my West Africa trip with EMM!

My West Africa Trip Highlights

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Check out the footage of the current Catel, Guinea Bissau School and then read how you can help the kids of Catel Village.

School building for a West African village

At least 300 children in the village of Catel, Guinea-Bissau, are elementary school age, but many of them do not attend school. Very few are literate. Currently the village has two school classrooms, but one is made of palm fronds and needs to be rebuilt each year after the rainy season, and the other building is incomplete. Providing a durable, permanent school building will be the first step in addressing the village’s educational needs, boosting children’s self-esteem, and combating poverty.

We plan to erect a four-classroom mud-brick structure with cement floors and a corrugate metal roof. The classrooms should then be furnished with student tables and benches.

The village will provide labor for the basic construction; the village will also be providing some funds through the sale of their cashews to the MEHDA cashew processing plant in Catel.

1210 Elementary school building (Catel, Guinea-Bissau)

A – $20 will provide one sack of cement for the floor.

B – $50 will help to provide windows and doors.

C – $100 will help to provide a corrugated metal roof (total cost $4,000).

Donate now and designate your funds for “West Africa project 1210.”

What an inspiring, rewarding, eye-opening experience spending time with EMM mission workers in Pirang Village, Gambia and Catel Village, Guinea Bissau.  And thanks to a volcano that most had never heard of- let alone are able to pronounce-my trip was extended 3 extra days. 

You are welcome to view my West Africa pictures here and check out some videos I shot here.  More coming soon!

I have a new respect for missionaries working in far off lands.  EMM mission worker Beryl Forrester reminded me that while there is a great need for expatriate missionaries like Beryl in West Africa, there is also a great need for people back home to support their mission work.  During my stay in West Africa I saw & experienced the many modern conveniences given up to live and work in a far off land-like electricity, or running water and it reminded me that there is much I can give up here in the states to support what people like Gary & Denise Williamson and Beryl Forrester, and the YES teams, mission interns, etc. are doing on location. 

I invite you to join me and the WJTL team & EMM is helping to build a school in Catel, Guinea Bissau and improve education there as well as in Pirang Village, Gambia.   At school the kids learn to read, have a meal, are given opportunities for advanced education that they might not otherwise have and are introduced to Christianity.   It’s through the holistic work of organizations like Eastern Mennonite Missions that communities like Pirang and Catel are given hope through followers of Jesus meeting both physical and spiritual needs.  Pleas join me in bringing hope to West Africa through EMM by clicking here.

And thanks for all of your prayers that I arrive home safely.  God is good!

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Arrived at the Brussels Airport 2am Lancaster County time, 8am Brussels time with Liz Hess’ pictures for Guinea-Bissau in hand! Thankfully, they let me carry  them on the plane.  They have some cozy seats in the airport so I’m parked outside of the ubiquitous Starbucks catching up on work.  This may be the last time I have strong wireless for sometime.  In a few hours I will board a flight to Bajul, Gambia with arrival time around 1pm your time, 6pm Gambian time.  I hope to catch up with Fred  on The Get Up and Go Show before my flight and then I’ll talk to you live from West Africa hopefully later today!  Now off to find something to eat.  I’ll think I’ll head back to the small food market near my gate for some cheese.  (Only in a European airport would you find a store that sells super strong sumptuous stinky cheese!  Just my speed 🙂