update

Well, we are still not the new house. We are still waiting on the well but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. A dim light but it is a definite light. We have painted now and Tom has finished all of the plumbing and electrical and everything is all ready for us to move into. Currently we are in a period of rest. We have decided to take a few weeks off and really seek the Lord’s guidance for the rest of our time here in the Gambia. It has been quite a while since we have heard God’s voice directing us on the things we are to be doing. We feel it is a good time right now to take that time and really try and listen and rest and fellowship with other Christians that are here in the city area. That is one thing that is lacking in Bansang for sure, fellowship, but, God is so good and we continue to trust in Him.
Another wonderful thing that has happened recently is that our shipment has FINALLY arrived. AMEN!!!! We had a few problems along the way. Like Not being told that one particular form needed to be filled out before they could even send the shipment off and not realizing until mid July as we are waiting patiently for our shipment to come and wondering why it isn’t here yet. But it is here now, and hopefully we will get it soon.
Please be praying for God to really speak to our heart in this time of rest. Pray that He reveals His plan to us and that we actually recognize His voice. Also please pray for health for both of us as Africa takes its toll on both of our bodies. And once again please continue to pray that God would raise up an able Gambian to take over the work in Bansang. We do have a few in mind, we are looking for confirmation.
Thank you guys so much for all of your prayers and support. God Bless each and every one of you.
Love, Tom and Andrea Loeschner

update

Dear Friends and Family. Well we are now in the city area enjoying some much needed R&R. We have been working hard as the rains have finally met us in Bansang. We have planted a nice crop of rice which will be ready to harvest at the end of October beginning of November. We now have about 100 banana trees fruiting and are expecting to be fairly busy within the next month harvesting and selling. After having fired our workers it was up to Tom and I to take control of the garden ourselves so I (Andrea) was the one to go and water every day until finally the rains did their part. I have also been battling the Baboons on a daily basis until Tom came and scared them away with a shotgun. Now they don’t bother us or our bananas and will not for awhile. We are working hard and the house is still coming along. We are still just waiting on the well, but they have hit water. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!! As soon as the well is finished we will move in. As far as things go there is not much new here. We have added one more donkey and 4 goats to the family. Our farm is growing one again. We have been planting Papaya and Banana trees at our new house, and are really trying to get it ready to live in. It was painted inside this past week and soon we will have a ceiling. Things are happening, slowly but surely. I have a few prayer requests for you all. Tom and I have been praying for someone to come and take over the mission in Bansang. Please partner with us in praying for the right person to come and soon so they can be trained. Also please continue to pray that the well will be finished as soon as possible. The sooner it is ready the sooner we can move in, and the sooner we will be free to do what we want, as far as ministry goes. I guess that is about all I have to say. We really miss you all. Thank you so much for all of your prayer and support.
In Christ’s Service
Tom and Andrea Loeschner

update

Update 2 July 17th 2009
Hi everyone, Tom and I have been back to Bansang to see how everything went while we were gone. And to be completely honest things definitely weren’t as good as we had hoped. The Banana trees aren’t dead, at least not completely dead, but they were not doing as well as they should have been if they were watered properly. We went there thinking that maybe the pump had failed, because we had gotten word from someone that the bananas were not looking well. But, the pump is fine the panels are fine we just have a worker or two who really just don’t want to work for the money they are getting. We have now told the workers that they may finish out the month of July and then they are no longer “needed”. The rains will be in full force at that time and that will give Tom and I some time to pray, think and decide what to do next. On the bright side the Ministry center/house is coming along well and quickly. We are currently digging a well and doing some finishing touches here and there and are hoping to be in it by the end of August. We would like to have water before we go there. The donkeys are fine and we still even have two ducks. Tom and I have been busy and stressed trying to adjust back into Gambian life. We continue to learn new things as each day comes. Please pray that the workers at the house will be honest and not skimp on materials and that the well will be done properly. Thank you all so much for your prayer and support.
Tom and Andrea Loeschner

we are back in gambia

Hello everyone we have arrived safely in the Gambia. It was a long journey, drive from incline to San Francisco, flight to Washington, and then flight to Dakar Senegal our first plane was delayed so we almost missed our second flight, but they waited for us and we were the last passengers to board, after running through the entire airport of course. Once in Dakar we took an 8 hour taxi route to Banjul where we are right now. It was a difficult journey but we thank God that we made it. So far life in Gambia is as we left it, very hard. We are going to Bansang next week so please pray we will find the garden ok and that we will have good relationships with our host family. Also pray that we are able to finish the mission center and that God would provide a national missionary to come along side us and learn about the garden and be willing to join in the work that is going on in the Bansang area. We are now trying to readjust to Gambian life and are slowly adapting once again. It’s nice to have a couple days in the city to just get used to being back. Our friend Hayden Moore is here with us now, he will be staying in the city area but it is nice to know he is around. We have been able to meet up with friends and are feeling fairly welcome. Not too bad of a change. Anyway, of course we miss you all, and we thank you once again for all of your prayer and support.

we will really try to update this regularly

love tom and andrea

Back in America

Hey all, I know, I know I am terrible at updating, but I'm really going to try and be better at it. Tom and I are back in America, we are working on fund raising and are home to see our families and friends. This past year has been really rough for us. We have had many disappointments and alot of really tough times. But God is so good. We have come to a decision. The gospel is going to be spread through the nationals. Because of this realization, we have decided to change our focus to Natioal Empowerment. We really feel as though this is what God is calling us to, and we are really excited about it. We are still growing Bananas but now have decided that any money coming from them will be going towards sending national missionaries out to do ministry. Currently we have quite a number who are ready to do missions in their own country but are worried about funds and feeding their families. We are hoping this will be the answer to the problem. We really feel that God is leading us to do this. We believe that the nationals will be much more effective in sharing the Gospel with their fellow country men than some foreigner coming in. Please join with us in prayer, that God would over come the obstacles that may stand in our way. Also pray for the nationals and that they would continue to be ready and stoked to go out and share their new found faith.

Back in the city

We are currently back in the city. We have decided to come down for two conferences, a retreat with YFC and also a Muslim convert conference, where Christians from a Muslim background are invited to come and share their thoughts and be taught about Christian life. Here is our update on the Muslim Convert conference it was Awesome!!!!!!
The conference was a Huge success. Praise the Lord. Gambians, Guineans, Senegalese, Malians, and even one man from Guinea Bissau came together to share ideas and thoughts about their new found faith ( as well as old found faith) Each person that was in attendance was a Christian from a Muslim background. We had about 130 people in attendance and God really moved throughout that place. We were able to come together for 4 days and dig deep into God's word. Christian family and marriage was taught, and what it looks like to have a Christian family and what the Bible says about living in a Christian home, we also heard from one Missionary about the problems between Missionaries and the national Church, and we discussed possible solutions. This was also a time for people to voice their opinions and concerns. It is interesting to see how the past is still being dwelt on. Very sad, that people have so many misconceptions about each other. I feel that one of the main reason the conference was held was to bring unity back into the Missionary/Chruch relationship. We had one man come as a Seeker and decided to give his life to Christ. Tom and I were able to meet not only missionaries from Gambia but also missionaries from Guinea Conakry and Mali. We were able to hear about their experiences and share our own. We were greatly encouraged by these missionaries and hope to continue to build relationships with them. Tom and I were so greatful to hear both sides of the many problems between Missionaries and Nationals, with this new found information we hope to try and rebuild the missionary/National relationship. Many nationals are never happy about Missionaries we are hoping to show them that not all missionaries are the same by coming in with a new focus, a focus on working for the nationals instead of the nationals working for the missionary. As far as the Missionaries go we are trying to assist the Missionaries to understand the nationals and build trust between themselves and to take the step of faith to look past nationality and work together as one Body of Christ. All in all we really enjoyed this time together and learned so much. Please be praying that we are able to find our own piece of land to live on and use as a Mission base. We feel ready to leave the family compound that we are currently residing in. Also pray for the missionaries of this area as well as the nationals that they would put aside their differences and finally come together for the work of God's Kingdom. Amen
Thank you so much for all your prayers and love and support.
Tom and Andrea

Well guess what. The truck is still not ok. We had it in the workshop for 4 days they changed the disk, the mounts, the fuel pump and then they decided to get the carburetor serviced. we thought it was running better so we loaded our entire shipment into it and headed off, back home. We got two hours up the road and the truck was not doing well, it may even be said that it all got worse. So we turned around and came straight back to the Mechanic. We had to unload all of our stuff (we're talking alot of stuff) and left it with the mechanic. So who knows how much longer it will be. Anyway, with that said, one can guess how we are feeling right now, tired, depressed, discouraged, to name a few. Please pray that God would give us rest in His love and peace about everything. We are anxious to get back home, especially sine it hasn't rained much, we have to water the Bananas. Keep us in your prayers.
Andrea and Tom