Only one more day in Fatick. Then we go to Saly for the weekend retreat, and then the trip is over. While I could definitely stay here another 200 days, I also feel very peaceful about my life. I'm going back to Peoria. Someday I will live overseas again, but where is anyone's guess. The future is wide open, and I'm okay with that.
It's nice to hang out with single young women who are smiling at the future (that's a Bible reference I learned from Wendy). I miss hanging out with single girls. It's so fun to crush on actors/real people (which is confusingly melded in the person(s) of Jesse Eisenberg/Mark Zuckerberg) while also discussing how annoying it is to be told that marriage and childbirth are beautiful things when it is also beautiful to devote your life to God for a season or forever. It's nice to be with people who are in my boat.
We worked at the hospital again today. We're clearing out an area to be used for cooking, which involves shoveling and raking the sand to get out any rocks, then wheelbarrowing clean sand to pour over. It's ridiculous work that should have been finished quickly, but we kept getting worn out every five seconds. Still, it looks a lot better.
Nate and I had a lovely afternoon arguing, although Sally and Cheryl told us to stop several times. And I got to have some quality time with a lot of the Woodland ladies, and also I feel like I've rebonded with Travis. Cheryl and he and I were the only ones working at the hospital this afternoon (and mostly we just passed tools to Travis as he climbed ladders and did electrical work). Kim had dropped me off, so we were a bit at an impasse when quitting time came.
Turns out the three of us rode on a moto. Yeah, that's right! Three grown adults crammed onto a moto, putting down the Fatick streets. Every once in a while people on the sidewalks would die laughing at the crazy toubabs acting all Senegalese, and it was wonderful! Cheryl is ballin'. First time on a moto, and she did it big. I'm so proud of her.
Also, I love Liz. I wish she would move to Peoria. I wish she would read my blog and feel guilty and move to Peoria. Hey, Liz. Are you reading this? Move to Peoria!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Social Networking
I feel like I'm more a part of the Fatick team than the Woodland team. Merely because I act like a Fatickian. After lunch, I sat around and ate brownies and drank coffee with Kim and the girls. Then I napped on the couch with Jessie. Only when I woke up with twenty minutes until our next job did I think to help Sally and Cheryl with the hospital curtains. Oops.
But I really like fitting in with them! Last night, Jessie burst in on Liz and me in bed. Melanie appeared in the doorway, and Jessie threw herself onto us in terror as Liz cried, "What if she'd been a real robber? You just incapacitated me!" Then later I remembered the incident and giggled myself into a laughing fit, at which point Liz pointed her iPod at my face to see my laughter, which only made me laugh more.
And today, Liz brought me home from the Forsythe's early in the evening so I could watch The Social Network with her roommates and Mallory. I have been desperately wanting to see this movie, but no one in Peoria wanted to (and I don't watch movies by myself because I like the talking about it almost as much as the watching it). I love having friends who share my brainwaves!
And let me tell you, the movie was awesome. "I'm 6'5", 220 pounds, and there are two of me!" "Wait, let me do the math....yeah, I got that too." So good. The dialogue was Gilmore Girls for geniuses. Mark Zuckerberg is fascinating. He understands people so well. Facebook is a truly fascinating phenomenon, and oh my gosh, how incredibly insane that there is a movie about a 26-year-old? Who became famous only years before? The digital age is intoxicating and frightening.
Also, we worked at the hospital in the morning and afternoon. Good work. Hard work. It's hot in Africa.
But I really like fitting in with them! Last night, Jessie burst in on Liz and me in bed. Melanie appeared in the doorway, and Jessie threw herself onto us in terror as Liz cried, "What if she'd been a real robber? You just incapacitated me!" Then later I remembered the incident and giggled myself into a laughing fit, at which point Liz pointed her iPod at my face to see my laughter, which only made me laugh more.
And today, Liz brought me home from the Forsythe's early in the evening so I could watch The Social Network with her roommates and Mallory. I have been desperately wanting to see this movie, but no one in Peoria wanted to (and I don't watch movies by myself because I like the talking about it almost as much as the watching it). I love having friends who share my brainwaves!
And let me tell you, the movie was awesome. "I'm 6'5", 220 pounds, and there are two of me!" "Wait, let me do the math....yeah, I got that too." So good. The dialogue was Gilmore Girls for geniuses. Mark Zuckerberg is fascinating. He understands people so well. Facebook is a truly fascinating phenomenon, and oh my gosh, how incredibly insane that there is a movie about a 26-year-old? Who became famous only years before? The digital age is intoxicating and frightening.
Also, we worked at the hospital in the morning and afternoon. Good work. Hard work. It's hot in Africa.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Not Much to Report
I had chicken yassa today. It was as good as I remembered, and I was nervous it wouldn't be.
I fell over on the Forsythe's couch and cuddled against a pillow. When I looked up, both Kim and Travis were smiling down at me like indulgent parents.
We did jewelry at Bigue's house, and Christina gave her testimony. Rocci really took a shine to Wendy, who is also Rocci, and who has a daughter her age.
Lamba learned to say, "This is an AB conversation, so C your way out."
Riding in transport with Travis is always fun, whether it's bouncing in the truck's backseat or stalling on a moto.
I very much enjoy dinner at the Forsythe's, but none of the Journeymen or Hands On girls are allowed, so I miss them. Around 9:00 I wandered to Kim and said nonchalantly, "Sooo...is Liz going to pick me up, or are you going to take me home?"
She answered, "Oh, Travis or I will take you home." And went back to talking.
"Oh. Oookay."
Then two minutes later Liz called Kim and told her to bring me home. Hahaha. We really are kindred spirits. As soon as I walked in the door, Liz said, "Jessie made ice cream! And we have to watch an episode of House! And I have two songs that you have to listen to, really loud on the TV!"
I love my housemate. It is unfortunate that she wants to live somewhere more awesome than Peoria.
I fell over on the Forsythe's couch and cuddled against a pillow. When I looked up, both Kim and Travis were smiling down at me like indulgent parents.
We did jewelry at Bigue's house, and Christina gave her testimony. Rocci really took a shine to Wendy, who is also Rocci, and who has a daughter her age.
Lamba learned to say, "This is an AB conversation, so C your way out."
Riding in transport with Travis is always fun, whether it's bouncing in the truck's backseat or stalling on a moto.
I very much enjoy dinner at the Forsythe's, but none of the Journeymen or Hands On girls are allowed, so I miss them. Around 9:00 I wandered to Kim and said nonchalantly, "Sooo...is Liz going to pick me up, or are you going to take me home?"
She answered, "Oh, Travis or I will take you home." And went back to talking.
"Oh. Oookay."
Then two minutes later Liz called Kim and told her to bring me home. Hahaha. We really are kindred spirits. As soon as I walked in the door, Liz said, "Jessie made ice cream! And we have to watch an episode of House! And I have two songs that you have to listen to, really loud on the TV!"
I love my housemate. It is unfortunate that she wants to live somewhere more awesome than Peoria.
Spiritual Stuff
I feel very much like the useless member of our team, because everyone else has skills and an interesting story of how God told them to come on this trip. In my case, it was Liz who told me to come on this trip.
But Liz and I talked about it, and I realized that I have a wannabe martyr's complex. I believe that all good things must somehow...feel bad. I have to cry and moan and complain before something awesome happens (like my first experience in Senegal). But you know what? That's stupid. I do very much believe, and now claim for myself, that God wants me to live a meaningful and adventurous life. He wants me to be happy, to live within His rules and to pursue holiness, but that the process is supposed to be a joyful one.
So being back in Senegal? It's awesome. It has been so rewarding for me already. I love talking to the new Hands On girls. Melanie encouraged me greatly, telling me that if it weren't for me starting the relationships with Bigue, Lamba, and Mame Codou, the new Hands On girls couldn't be doing such awesome work with them in the first place.
It's given me perspective, I guess. This is really helping me to see the whole "planting/watering/blossoming" process of evangelism. I started the process by beginning and developing relationships with those girls. I am not talented at sharing the gospel. I tried, but it was not a frequent thing. However, God is not hampered by my weakness--He brought other girls to Fatick who are passionate and eloquent and spiritually mature, and they are able to continue those relationships and water them with God's Word.
It's SO COOL.
And there's fruit beginning to show! So much is happening in Fatick. A young man accepted Jesus as his Lord at a Kid's Club. I'm pretty sure that's the first complete conversion that has taken place in Fatick the whole time the Forsythe's lived here. Lamba is having dreams of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Another girl that Melanie works with had a dream in which she came upon a dead man near a stick. She was told in the dream that if she came there alone, she would die, but if she brought someone with her, she would pass through safely. WHAT? How is so much awesomeness happening?
It's just so encouraging to see God Himself working in Fatick. He really is invested in this place, and it looks like the time is coming when big spiritual changes will occur. Not only are there positive things happening here, but there are a ton of horrible things happening as well. Lots of people are dying in Fatick. A lot of missionaries to Fatick are experiencing kidnappings and diseases and deaths. God is moving here, and therefore Satan is moving, too. That is awesome, because it means he is scared.
Anyway, it's awesome here in Fatick. Big things are happening, and I'm so greatful that God let me be a part of the ongoing process of bringing this tribe and nation and people to Him. I might not have had the flashy part of the process, but that's okay, because I'm not a flashy person. But He used my weaknesses, and He grew me, and He blessed me by allowing me to do what little I can for Him.
God is good. God is great. And I kind of love Him a lot.
But Liz and I talked about it, and I realized that I have a wannabe martyr's complex. I believe that all good things must somehow...feel bad. I have to cry and moan and complain before something awesome happens (like my first experience in Senegal). But you know what? That's stupid. I do very much believe, and now claim for myself, that God wants me to live a meaningful and adventurous life. He wants me to be happy, to live within His rules and to pursue holiness, but that the process is supposed to be a joyful one.
So being back in Senegal? It's awesome. It has been so rewarding for me already. I love talking to the new Hands On girls. Melanie encouraged me greatly, telling me that if it weren't for me starting the relationships with Bigue, Lamba, and Mame Codou, the new Hands On girls couldn't be doing such awesome work with them in the first place.
It's given me perspective, I guess. This is really helping me to see the whole "planting/watering/blossoming" process of evangelism. I started the process by beginning and developing relationships with those girls. I am not talented at sharing the gospel. I tried, but it was not a frequent thing. However, God is not hampered by my weakness--He brought other girls to Fatick who are passionate and eloquent and spiritually mature, and they are able to continue those relationships and water them with God's Word.
It's SO COOL.
And there's fruit beginning to show! So much is happening in Fatick. A young man accepted Jesus as his Lord at a Kid's Club. I'm pretty sure that's the first complete conversion that has taken place in Fatick the whole time the Forsythe's lived here. Lamba is having dreams of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Another girl that Melanie works with had a dream in which she came upon a dead man near a stick. She was told in the dream that if she came there alone, she would die, but if she brought someone with her, she would pass through safely. WHAT? How is so much awesomeness happening?
It's just so encouraging to see God Himself working in Fatick. He really is invested in this place, and it looks like the time is coming when big spiritual changes will occur. Not only are there positive things happening here, but there are a ton of horrible things happening as well. Lots of people are dying in Fatick. A lot of missionaries to Fatick are experiencing kidnappings and diseases and deaths. God is moving here, and therefore Satan is moving, too. That is awesome, because it means he is scared.
Anyway, it's awesome here in Fatick. Big things are happening, and I'm so greatful that God let me be a part of the ongoing process of bringing this tribe and nation and people to Him. I might not have had the flashy part of the process, but that's okay, because I'm not a flashy person. But He used my weaknesses, and He grew me, and He blessed me by allowing me to do what little I can for Him.
God is good. God is great. And I kind of love Him a lot.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Mighty to Save
1. It feels like nothing has changed. Although it is different to fight Liz for the sheet rather than have our own bedrooms, we immediately fell into a breakfast routine of coffee (with Sussli and Vitalait) and cappuccino muffins while reading our Bibles.
2. I got to ride the moto again. It took no time to feel comfortable rummaging around in my purse and taking pictures and not holding on. I love so much riding on the back of Liz's moto.
3. We had church at the Forsythe's. We read Scripture, sang a bunch of hymns, listened to Sally and Liz's testimonies, and took Communion. My favorite church services are the ones here. It's so intimate and personal and spontaneous. Like people gathering to worship the God they love, which is how it should be.
4. We skyped with Woodland. When Joel heard Cheryl's voice, he sounded so in love. Liz and I later confirmed that we both immediately thought of Slumdog Millionaire love, and we were jealous.
5. Jonathan, the 3-year-old boy who lost a finger to a motorcycle wheel, came over for Christina to change his bandages. His screams were heartbreaking, so I let Ethan take me to his room to play monopoly.
6. I fell asleep in the kid's room, and Travis woke me up to take me back to Liz's. (The Journeygirls and Hands On girls don't get to participate in our second meal.)
7. Liz and I walked to Bigue's house. Her sister just died, and I'm awful at dealing with death, but I think we distracted her a little and allowed her to have some fun.
8. Liz just acquired a cold, so she napped when we returned to our house, and Melanie and I had a nice talk. She is one of the new Hands On girls, and I really like her. Not even faking, or trying to like someone that I'm secretly jealous of....I genuinely like her.
9. Liz and I went to Mallory's house. She napped as I walked to the Forsythe's house to pick up the other Woodlanders. Mr. Lo arrived on a moto as I did on foot, so I got to say hi to him. Cheryl and I gave him the books that Bill sent us, and he was very grateful and slightly embarrassed at Bill's generosity.
10. Cheryl, Liz, and I walked to Mame Codou's house. It was so wonderful to talk to her and joke around. She and Lamba were probably my closest Senegalese friends. She's so sweet, and I so enjoyed getting to see Cheryl meet her. I like sharing my world with other people.
11. Wendy worked all day in the kitchen, and the payoff was fantastic. She made lasagna and Avantis bread for dinner with peach cobbler for dessert. So delicious. I might have had four pieces of bread.
12. Melanie and Breanna and Kim were into the idea of HOPE, so we taught them Mighty To Save. Man, those songs have so much more meaning in a city filled with people who need to be mightily saved. Cheryl gathered us all together to pray afterward, which made me so happy she is here. I am seriously the weak link in our group. Everyone else is so awesome, and I'm so glad I get to work with them and see their passion.
2. I got to ride the moto again. It took no time to feel comfortable rummaging around in my purse and taking pictures and not holding on. I love so much riding on the back of Liz's moto.
3. We had church at the Forsythe's. We read Scripture, sang a bunch of hymns, listened to Sally and Liz's testimonies, and took Communion. My favorite church services are the ones here. It's so intimate and personal and spontaneous. Like people gathering to worship the God they love, which is how it should be.
4. We skyped with Woodland. When Joel heard Cheryl's voice, he sounded so in love. Liz and I later confirmed that we both immediately thought of Slumdog Millionaire love, and we were jealous.
5. Jonathan, the 3-year-old boy who lost a finger to a motorcycle wheel, came over for Christina to change his bandages. His screams were heartbreaking, so I let Ethan take me to his room to play monopoly.
6. I fell asleep in the kid's room, and Travis woke me up to take me back to Liz's. (The Journeygirls and Hands On girls don't get to participate in our second meal.)
7. Liz and I walked to Bigue's house. Her sister just died, and I'm awful at dealing with death, but I think we distracted her a little and allowed her to have some fun.
8. Liz just acquired a cold, so she napped when we returned to our house, and Melanie and I had a nice talk. She is one of the new Hands On girls, and I really like her. Not even faking, or trying to like someone that I'm secretly jealous of....I genuinely like her.
9. Liz and I went to Mallory's house. She napped as I walked to the Forsythe's house to pick up the other Woodlanders. Mr. Lo arrived on a moto as I did on foot, so I got to say hi to him. Cheryl and I gave him the books that Bill sent us, and he was very grateful and slightly embarrassed at Bill's generosity.
10. Cheryl, Liz, and I walked to Mame Codou's house. It was so wonderful to talk to her and joke around. She and Lamba were probably my closest Senegalese friends. She's so sweet, and I so enjoyed getting to see Cheryl meet her. I like sharing my world with other people.
11. Wendy worked all day in the kitchen, and the payoff was fantastic. She made lasagna and Avantis bread for dinner with peach cobbler for dessert. So delicious. I might have had four pieces of bread.
12. Melanie and Breanna and Kim were into the idea of HOPE, so we taught them Mighty To Save. Man, those songs have so much more meaning in a city filled with people who need to be mightily saved. Cheryl gathered us all together to pray afterward, which made me so happy she is here. I am seriously the weak link in our group. Everyone else is so awesome, and I'm so glad I get to work with them and see their passion.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Awesomeness
I got to see Mbagnik today! I was hanging out with Mallory and the kids in an igloo (the sheet was clipped over a fan, and it was wonderful) when Ethan asked if I wanted to see him. I said yes, so he fetched him from the Cisse household. At first he was being all coy and wouldn't even come inside the gate, but I picked him up and carried him to the living room, where I threw him on the couch. After some abuse, he said something in French. Ethan translated that he said he didn't want me to leave again. AAAAGGGHHH. I love this kid.
Most of us Woodlanders went to Madame Ndours house for our first jewelry excursion. Liz and Lamba came along as translators. I love Lamba. I taught her to say "See you later, alligator--after while, crocodile!" The Ndours were chaotic and lovely. Ten women, along with twice as many children and grandchildren, gathered outside to learn to make earrings. Some of them did very well, and some pretty much wanted us to make the earrings for them.
Sally gave her testimony, and it was true and great, but because we planned for it in mid-jewlery making session, people were not paying close attention. We plan to fix that in upcoming sessions. However, a few women really listened, and asked questions, and said they would pray for her. My request is that all of you would pray for them--that the words of peace and assurance that she spoke to them would be another piece of kindling that God will one day set on fire.
Speaking of actual missionary things, I really want Lamba to be a Christian. It's going to happen, I am positive. She translates spiritual discussions for the Hands On girls regularly, as she did today. She hangs out with Christians often. And best of all, what shows me that God is working in her life is this: a few days ago she had a dream in which she was on top of a mountain with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
!!!
I thought those sorts of things only happened in books and stories of people I would never meet. But Lamba is dreaming about the true God, and I want so badly for her to realize Jesus' awesomeness, and soon! So please pray that God continues to work in her heart, that she would be open to His truth, and that I would lay more kindling on her heart.
This trip is awesome. I love the Forsythes. I love my housemate (we danced to the credits of Slumdog Millionaire twice). I love going to market. I love the Woodland team. I love the new Hands On girls. I love the new Journeygirl. I love my Senegalese friends. I love being back here.
Most of us Woodlanders went to Madame Ndours house for our first jewelry excursion. Liz and Lamba came along as translators. I love Lamba. I taught her to say "See you later, alligator--after while, crocodile!" The Ndours were chaotic and lovely. Ten women, along with twice as many children and grandchildren, gathered outside to learn to make earrings. Some of them did very well, and some pretty much wanted us to make the earrings for them.
Sally gave her testimony, and it was true and great, but because we planned for it in mid-jewlery making session, people were not paying close attention. We plan to fix that in upcoming sessions. However, a few women really listened, and asked questions, and said they would pray for her. My request is that all of you would pray for them--that the words of peace and assurance that she spoke to them would be another piece of kindling that God will one day set on fire.
Speaking of actual missionary things, I really want Lamba to be a Christian. It's going to happen, I am positive. She translates spiritual discussions for the Hands On girls regularly, as she did today. She hangs out with Christians often. And best of all, what shows me that God is working in her life is this: a few days ago she had a dream in which she was on top of a mountain with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
!!!
I thought those sorts of things only happened in books and stories of people I would never meet. But Lamba is dreaming about the true God, and I want so badly for her to realize Jesus' awesomeness, and soon! So please pray that God continues to work in her heart, that she would be open to His truth, and that I would lay more kindling on her heart.
This trip is awesome. I love the Forsythes. I love my housemate (we danced to the credits of Slumdog Millionaire twice). I love going to market. I love the Woodland team. I love the new Hands On girls. I love the new Journeygirl. I love my Senegalese friends. I love being back here.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Finding Focus in Senegal
I'm back! It has been a long couple days of traveling, but the time definitely goes faster with a team than alone. The flights were all fine, and although we had an almost-mistake with luggage, everything came through!
It has been so incredibly awesomely wonderful to get to see everyone again. Liz and Kim picked us up at the airport and took us to a hotel room to shower and doze. Except we didn't doze, because they were so hilarious and random, and I'm so glad they are exactly the way I remember them, even down to Kim's cheesy motherliness. (As she watched Liz and I exclaim over the awesomeness of Hunger Games, she cooed, "It's like seeing my children back together!")
Dakar is the same. Fatick is the same. I remember everything, and it feels like only weeks since I left. Even though there are five new girls running around, I still feel very much at home in Liz's house (although my room has been turned into Melanie's and Jessie's) and at the Forsythe's. Baby Ethan put on clean clothes and parted his hair to sit on the trampoline and wait for me. HOW CUTE. And Melody looked absolutely stunning in her short hair and an adorable little sundress. And Nate was snarky and sarcastic, but he asked for a second hug.
I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy here. I love the slow lifestyle--during one taxi through Dakar, Christina asked, "Why are they just sitting on the curb?" to which Liz and I had no answer. Later when the two of us were waiting for Ibrahima to pick us up in his set plass to take us to Fatick, I pointed out that we'd been sitting silently on the curb for an hour, simply enduring the heat.)
On the flight here, I was seated next to a missionary who lives near Fatick and who knows the Forsythes. It was so incredibly uplifting to talk to him about my family, my history with missions, and my thoughts of where God is leading me. He shared his story and encouraged me, and it was just such a clear, peaceful feeling of "yes, this is right." I don't know why everyone doesn't want to be missionaries. It's when we get out of our comfort zones and allow ourselves to need God that He comes through in awesome and meaningful ways.
I've only been here one day, and I don't want to leave. Melody and I wished on a star this evening while lying on the trampoline, and I wished that I could stay in Fatick. She said she had wished something about me, but wouldn't say what so that it would come true.
Everything feels better here. No worries about boys or romance. No false security in jobs or status or money. Life is harder here, and more real. The people here are larger than life, and passionate about God, and determined to see Him work in their lives.
It's awesome.
It has been so incredibly awesomely wonderful to get to see everyone again. Liz and Kim picked us up at the airport and took us to a hotel room to shower and doze. Except we didn't doze, because they were so hilarious and random, and I'm so glad they are exactly the way I remember them, even down to Kim's cheesy motherliness. (As she watched Liz and I exclaim over the awesomeness of Hunger Games, she cooed, "It's like seeing my children back together!")
Dakar is the same. Fatick is the same. I remember everything, and it feels like only weeks since I left. Even though there are five new girls running around, I still feel very much at home in Liz's house (although my room has been turned into Melanie's and Jessie's) and at the Forsythe's. Baby Ethan put on clean clothes and parted his hair to sit on the trampoline and wait for me. HOW CUTE. And Melody looked absolutely stunning in her short hair and an adorable little sundress. And Nate was snarky and sarcastic, but he asked for a second hug.
I'm so happy to be here. I'm so happy here. I love the slow lifestyle--during one taxi through Dakar, Christina asked, "Why are they just sitting on the curb?" to which Liz and I had no answer. Later when the two of us were waiting for Ibrahima to pick us up in his set plass to take us to Fatick, I pointed out that we'd been sitting silently on the curb for an hour, simply enduring the heat.)
On the flight here, I was seated next to a missionary who lives near Fatick and who knows the Forsythes. It was so incredibly uplifting to talk to him about my family, my history with missions, and my thoughts of where God is leading me. He shared his story and encouraged me, and it was just such a clear, peaceful feeling of "yes, this is right." I don't know why everyone doesn't want to be missionaries. It's when we get out of our comfort zones and allow ourselves to need God that He comes through in awesome and meaningful ways.
I've only been here one day, and I don't want to leave. Melody and I wished on a star this evening while lying on the trampoline, and I wished that I could stay in Fatick. She said she had wished something about me, but wouldn't say what so that it would come true.
Everything feels better here. No worries about boys or romance. No false security in jobs or status or money. Life is harder here, and more real. The people here are larger than life, and passionate about God, and determined to see Him work in their lives.
It's awesome.
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