Teammates (by Thom)

We joined the Africa Regional Office this past summer, serving the region through our gifts with accounting (Thom) and hospitality (Amanda). Moving from Mali to Senegal has been quite different. There are differences in pace of life, modernization and climate (here in Dakar life is faster, more modern and cooler but more humid). We've also gone from being a part of a team that had about 40 missionaries to a team where we are one of 4 families. Joining us are Allan and Robbin Ballard, Stan and Jaynee Walker, and Chris and Marcia Braun. Chris Braun is the C&MA's regional director for the African continent. Stan serves as the regional business agent and Jaynee is the Regional Financial Coordinator (my boss). You can see Stan & Jaynee's prayer letter/updates here. While I handle the finances for the missions in Mali, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Allan does the bookkeeping for Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Congo-Brazzaville. His wife, Robbin, handles the finances for the C&MA dorm parents at Dakar Academy (a local boarding school). While the Brauns are on furlough this year, the rest of us are all here in Dakar and, in fact, all live in the same apartment building!
We've enjoyed being a part of this small field. It's fun to be around other people's whose ministry is to serve the other missionaries. We enjoy bouncing ideas off each other and in our short time here together we've already had the pleasure of showing off the little tricks and tips we've learned over time to make our jobs work more smoothly.