Dear Friends and Partners,

Thanks for joining me for Part 3 of my report on my recent 5 weeks of travel and ministry in Africa. I hope you have seen the earlier reports on Zimbabwe and Kenya. In this report we move from East Africa to West Africa -- to the remote and mystical City of Timbuktu, Mali!

Many people in both ancient times and modern times think that Timbuktu does not really exist. That's because in ancient times most of the people who set out by camel caravan to find this desert city in the Sahara never made it there alive. And of those who did make it, most never lived to tell about it. So Timbuktu became synonymous with remote...unreachable...nonexistent...mythological. And if there is an end of the earth -- Timbuktu is it! If not, it is in the same area code or zip code!

But Timbuktu does exist. I've been there a number of times and lived to return and tell about it! It is the 4th holiest city to islam with many ancient and newly built mosques. A decade ago there were only about 10 mosques in the city. Now there are over 40 -- most funded by other Arab countries. By contrast there are only 2 churches.

Today Arabs are moving into the city and building large homes and mosques -- mostly funded by drug money. Radical Islamists are also increasing their presence and influence in the City As a result, the Christians there are in the cross hairs of Islamist extremists.

So I am especially thankful for the unique opportunity the Lord gave me to once again return to this mystical Muslim City to preach, teach and encourage the believers -- but especially the pastors and leaders.

I think you will be blessed, encouraged and challenged by the following pictures. And some of them might make your stomach turn a bit! But most of all, I hope they will cause your heart to burn with love for our brothers and sisters there!

Now tighten the cinch on your camel saddle and let's tour Timbuktu...JL

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