The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, commonly known as Gambia, is a country in Western Africa. It is the smallest country on the African continental mainland and is bordered to the north, east, and south by Senegal, and has a small coast on the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Flowing through the center of the country and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean is the Gambia River. On February 18, 1965, The Gambia became independent from the former British Empire and joined The Commonwealth. Banjul is its capital but the largest concentration of population is Serekunda.

Source:  Wikipedia

Franklin Conference Mission Board Involvement

The Williamsons

In 2005 Cedar Street Mennonite Church rallied around Gary and Denise Williamson to help them answer their call to serve in The Gambia. Eastern Mennonite Missions had recently entered the country at the invitation of  Beryl Forester and his supporters who were already working there. Gary and Denise were soon very busy helping to direct various programs in development as well as caring for a fledgling church. Beryl left soon after their arrival to nurture a work in the neighboring country of Guinea Bassau. Gary and Denise became directors of  the work in The Gambia.

Gary and Denise focused on raising up leadership. They sensed the need to have help with their responsibilities and they wanted to develop leadership to carry on the work when they were no longer present. With God's help they identified three young men to work along side them to direct of the development work and to lead the church work.