Since arriving in Senegal one year and four months ago we have always said that we knew we would get the right car at the right time, that being in God’s time. With this mindset we’ve had a lot of peace in the waiting.
Initially we found that the funds we had raised for a car were not enough to cover the type of car we need here as used cars (and new) are very expensive here in Senegal. To illustrate this, in our adult lives Adam and I have purchased four cars before this one. We paid more for this car (a 7 year-old car) than those other four combined!
Through the gracious giving of many supporters we had reached an amount at the end of last year which allowed us to expand our search, encompassing cars that fit the criteria we had.
A couple of months ago we were pursuing a car that seemed promising. Adam was actually in final talks with the owner as far as negotiating price and other details, although for some reason we didn’t feel total peace about the situation. The week that we were set to move forward with paperwork on that car we bought a desk from another missionary family in our community.
They drove over to drop the desk off at our house and I stood outside talking with them for a bit. Adam was just arriving home from an errand and walked up to join the conversation. Off handedly the husband of this couple mentioned that they were thinking of getting a new car soon and would likely be selling their current one. Amazingly, their car was a very similar type to the one we were about to buy! We chatted for a bit about how serious they were on selling and expressed our deep desire to buy a car.
Adam immediately put things on hold with the first car and proceeded to go through the process of evaluating if this new car would be a good fit for us. Buying a car here is a much more complicated process than in the States but we are so thankful for this other family (the previous owners of the car) as well as other friends who are good with cars and were able to be a more informed pair of eyes in looking at it.
After several weeks we decided to move forward and this family felt good about selling. Adam and the husband reached a fair price and negotiated the details. We are immeasurably grateful for the smoothness of this process as both our families desired to protect our relationship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ above haggling to the lowest (or highest in their case) price.
About a week ago we officially bought the car and feel like we are in a renewed honeymoon phase! There are too many ways to list why this car is such a huge blessing to our family, but one of the biggest is making us feel so much more settled here in Dakar. We are so grateful.
If you are someone who has supported us on an ongoing basis, through one-time gifts, in response to our specific request for car funds last year or through prayer for a car…THANK YOU! We know it is God who provides, but we are so thankful for the many people He chooses to use in that provision.
Much love,
Selina