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2026 CHURCH SPOTLIGHT:
Pastor Samuel & Claris
in Memmeh, The Gambia
Pastor Samuel Mendy is a dedicated and faithful Christian pastor. He lives with his wife Claris and their children in the village of Memmeh, which is in The Gambia, West Africa.
Samuel is a trusted friend and partner of our ABWE TEAM in The Gambia. This summer, we are raising support for Samuel's church and farm. Two projects are described below.
Pastor Samuel and Claris are good stewards of all that God has provided
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Samuel and Claris are both very talented and have sacrificed much to live in Memmeh and minister to the people there. They are faithful to the truth and authority of God's Word. They serve their family, their church, and their community selflessly and in some important ways:
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Living like Jesus and teaching sound biblical truths
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Providing food and clean drinking water from their farm
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Providing services to the community like child supervision and internet access
Project 1 - $1,290
New Church Chairs, Fresh Paint and Solar Batteries
This is Emmanuel Sanctuary Church in the village of Memmeh. There is a heavy personal cost for giving your life to Christ and coming to worship and study God's word with Pastor Samuel. New Christians may be removed from their family and lose their jobs.
Pastor Samuel and Claris comfort and guide many people who are seeking the peace and joy that only Jesus can provide. The church interior and exterior are in need of a few things to make it comfortable for those coming for instruction and community, like fresh paint and new chairs.
The exterior concrete walls of the church have not been painted in many years and are degrading in the hot African sun.
The plastic lawn chairs in the church are drying and cracking, and nearing the end of their usefulness. The church needs long-lasting, durable chairs.
The church needs two new solar batteries for use on the property, including in the church and with the pump at the water well.
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24 church chairs for D1900 each ($650 total);
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four gallons of paint for the church at D6000 each ($340 total);
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two 100 amp solar batteries at D10500 each ($300 total)
Project 2 - $2,500
A Second Water Well On the Property to Meet Community Needs
Pastor Samuel's first water well (pictured) was installed in 2024, and the capacity was increased in 2025 to supply more water to the farm and garden on the property. The water is used by Samuel's family for drinking and cleaning and some is provided to members of the church. However, this well cannot produce enough water for all the people in the community who need fresh water. Water-borne illnesses are a constant problem in The Gambia. This second well is also needed to allow Samuel to expand his farm to more of his property (see labeled property photo above).
The well will be 16-20 meters deep. The funds raised for this project will include a water pump and solar panel, the platform and holding tank, and filtration. The cost of the project is D175,000 ($2,500 total).