Welcome to Oakbrook

For over a year our team planned to come to Niger to work among the Songhai. For many it was a return trip. For the second year in a row we planned to work in the village of Dargol.

Working alongside missionaries Brad and Sally Womble, this team took the gospel into the Muslim schools of Gotheye and Dargol.

Using the flip books our team had constructed, they taught the children about the love of Jesus each day. We did sports camp and Bible teaching each day for six days. The three churches represented by this team also supplied clothes, money, and a fun day for an orphanage that we support.

We found that when working in the bush there are many adversities at times. Adversities like: extreme heat, road construction, bush taxis, river ferries, sand storms, and language barriers, to name a few.

But ask any one member of our team and they would tell you they would do it again for six more days. They would ride with our friend, Oudou, in his bush taxi on the bumpy, dusty roads. Each teacher would gladly choke back coughs to speak during sand storms. We would gladly break the language barrier with our brothers Hama and Billo, our interpreters. All of us would gladly drink what seemed like gallons of water again to play kick ball and soccer with the children. All of us would gladly repeat each strenuous day for one purpose-- to share the love, grace and mercy of Christ, that He has blessed us with.

To see the smiles as the children recalled the stories of Jesus was worth every day of preparation, every bump in the road, all the dust we inhaled and all the water we drank. To think that one day we may be standing around God's throne, hand-in-hand with these children, worshipping Him, is worth it all!

Many friendships were formed with the children of the villages and the church planters and interpreters.

Today Oakbrook supports the work among the Songhai in the villages, as well as in the orphanage in Niamey and a team is now forming for the 2009 trip.

Please pray for Songhai children that God would call them out of darkness into His Light, His Kingdom!

Joel, Missions Pastor, Oakbrook Community Church joelcandler@bellsouth.net

When I was in Niamey, in the middle of confusion, garbage, darkness, I found peace in my heart. I felt joy. I was overwhelmed by the love God put into my heart for the Songhai, but it felt so right and He was able to guide me. These people are hungry, and I could see it in their eyes. When I look into there eyes I felt my heart tug towards them. And I know that was God revealing to me that these are my brothers and sisters and how His love and the love dwelling within me belong to them. I felt joy because I was able to share with them the food and water of eternity. I have never experienced such stillness in the middle of chaos. God revealed himself to me in ways in which are indescribable, and made it known to me visually and spiritually that our team was suppose to be there. From our bush taxi accident I felt and experienced God's power and how He is in ultimate control. When teaching the young children of Dargol about loyalty and strength, I felt at home. I felt harmony. God gave me guidance from teaching the children. He revealed to me my purpose in life and that is to serve the Songhai. God has taken this opportunity and turned it into a life-long journey for me. And I can't wait as the Lord prepares me this next year to become a life-long servant for the Songhai people.

Brianne






		www.seekingthesonghai.net
	*"Building Strength... Tearing down Strongholds"*
For over a year our team planned to come to Niger to work among the Songhai. For many it was a return trip. For the second year in a row we planned to work in the village of Dargol. Working alongside missionaries Brad and Sally Womble, this team took the gospel into the Muslim schools of Gotheye and Dargol. Using the flip books our team had constructed, they taught the children about the love of Jesus each day. We did sports camp and Bible teaching each day for six days. The three churches represented by this team also supplied clothes, money, and a fun day for an orphanage that we support. We found that when working in the bush there are many adversities at times. Adversities like: extreme heat, road construction, bush taxis, river ferries, sand storms, and language barriers, to name a few. But ask any one member of our team and they would tell you they would do it again for six more days. They would ride with our friend, Oudou, in his bush taxi on the bumpy, dusty roads. Each teacher would gladly choke back coughs to speak during sand storms. We would gladly break the language barrier with our brothers Hama and Billo, our interpreters. All of us would gladly drink what seemed like gallons of water again to play kick ball and soccer with the children. All of us would gladly repeat each strenuous day for one purpose-- to share the love, grace and mercy of Christ, that He has blessed us with. To see the smiles as the children recalled the stories of Jesus was worth every day of preparation, every bump in the road, all the dust we inhaled and all the water we drank. To think that one day we may be standing around God's throne, hand-in-hand with these children, worshipping Him, is worth it all! Many friendships were formed with the children of the villages and the church planters and interpreters. Today Oakbrook supports the work among the Songhai in the villages, as well as in the orphanage in Niamey and a team is now forming for the 2009 trip. Please pray for Songhai children that God would call them out of darkness into His Light, His Kingdom! Joel, Missions Pastor, Oakbrook Community Church joelcandler@bellsouth.net When I was in Niamey, in the middle of confusion, garbage, darkness, I found peace in my heart. I felt joy. I was overwhelmed by the love God put into my heart for the Songhai, but it felt so right and He was able to guide me. These people are hungry, and I could see it in their eyes. When I look into there eyes I felt my heart tug towards them. And I know that was God revealing to me that these are my brothers and sisters and how His love and the love dwelling within me belong to them. I felt joy because I was able to share with them the food and water of eternity. I have never experienced such stillness in the middle of chaos. God revealed himself to me in ways in which are indescribable, and made it known to me visually and spiritually that our team was suppose to be there. From our bush taxi accident I felt and experienced God's power and how He is in ultimate control. When teaching the young children of Dargol about loyalty and strength, I felt at home. I felt harmony. God gave me guidance from teaching the children. He revealed to me my purpose in life and that is to serve the Songhai. God has taken this opportunity and turned it into a life-long journey for me. And I can't wait as the Lord prepares me this next year to become a life-long servant for the Songhai people. Brianne