Home sweet home

Now that I'm settled in and finally have some down time, I'm able to write and catch you up on everything! Liz and I arrived in our village Thursday. It really is such a nice little village; we even have paved roads! Actually, the road all the way from Dakar to here was paved! The big difference is the amount and type of traffic on the roads. When I cross the street, I don't look both ways to dodge a bus or car, but a horse-cart or donkey-cart. And if I decide that it is too hot for me to walk to the market, I can just hop on one of these carts and pay next to nothing for the ride!

It is very dry and dusty here. When I got into my house, a layer of dust about 1/2 inch thick was on everything! We finally got it all lifted, only, to my dismay, to find another layer on everything this morning. Housecleaning is a full-time job here! Here is a picture of the outside of my house:

And no, there really is no grass. If you find grass, you have found a treasure! The sand is everywhere, and of course, walking without getting sand all over you is impossible. I don't have a dryer, so I let the hot, African sun do it's job. It is really dry, so everything dries really quickly.

Life here can be tough, but the people are so friendly. They love to greet you and have you greet them. I have learned how to say "I'm learning Wolof" in Wolof, so now, when I go to buy my bread and the sweet young lady who barely speaks any French tries to speak Wolof, I can tell her that! She can get quite a laugh out of me butchering her language!

I've learned to be happy with what I have. Yes, my washing machine is a bigger spaz than I am (and a better dancer, I might add), but at least I have a washing machine that works. No, I don't have a shower curtain or the capabilities to put one up, but at least I have running water and a shower that works. Yes, dust gets EVERYWHERE, but that is easily cleaned up. I have enjoyed getting to know people so far and I am really enjoying the hospitality of the village. The Sereer are very loving and welcoming people. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me here!

Hello from Dakar!

After a long, but smooth flight from New Orleans - Atlanta - then on to Dakar, I am sitting in the living room of the guest house here. I honestly did not sleep from the 5 am monday morning Louisiana time until 9 pm Tuesday evening Dakar time (Senegal is five hours ahead of central standard time). I slept the whole night through last night, until about 6 am. I feel pretty rested, but the jet-lag is catching up with me. I'll be good as new after a few days. Liz made it here safely too. Oh, and I almost forgot, we all arrived with every piece of our luggage! I do believe that is quite an accomplishment!

We did some shopping at a really nice grocery store named "Casino." They have a few American products (or at least the French version of them) and lots of French products. I can pretty much get everything that I need there. So when I say I'm going to the "Casino," I'm not going to play poker ...

Now that Liz is here, we're going to do quite a bit of shopping today. We are stocking up on the things we can't find in our village. We'll be leaving Dakar on Thursday, possibly Friday, to head to our home! The city is so different from the village, and to be honest, I think I might prefer the slow-paced village life ... Dakar is a busy place!

I'll post pictures soon! Also, please be praying about our language learning situations. We have lots of possibilities, it's just deciding which one would be best that's tough. Pray for God's guidance and discernment.

Airports ...

As I sit here, my last day in the US for at least two years, I look out the window at a foggy New Orleans. I got up early this morning, made sure that I had everything packed (and of course, I still forgot somethings!), kissed my kitty babies goodbye (and my mom of course!), and loaded up my car with my three suitcases. My dad and I, after some re-shuffling of items, managed to get both my suitcases right at 50 lbs! I just saved myself $150!!!! Yay for my awesome packing skills! I even still managed to fit all six of my Bath and Body Works hand soaps!

Pray that all my flights go smoothly and that all my stuff makes it safely to Dakar. Also, Liz and the girlies I'll be working with are flying today as well, so please pray for them also. And, in the wise words of Forrest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." So, we'll see what Delta airlines and Dakar has in it's box of chocolates for me when I arrive!

Getting ready to head home!

As my time here

in Virginia draws to a close, I really cannot believe I have been here for almost eight weeks! I am pretty ready to head back to Louisiana for some good southern cooking before I head to Senegal. Mainly, I'm ready for some of my Mom's chicken and dumplins, my Dad's jambalaya, my grandfather's turkey and ham, and my grandmother's dressin'! I really missed spending Thanksgiving with them, but I am very excited about Christmas.

We had a good Thanksgiving here. The cafeteria fixed us a really good meal (with stuffing instead of the southern style cornbread dressing I'm used to) and then that evening some of us West Africa people went to Cracker Barrel. I got breakfast food instead of their special Thanksgiving stuff, though. It was a special day of games and fun.

Then, that Friday, all 250+ of us piled into charter buses and went to Washington D.C. for an evangelization trip. It was a fun time of sightseeing and telling others the Good News. I had a really exciting moment. We were taking the subway to the National Mall area, when we met up with another group (we all split up into groups of about 5). One of the guys began talking with a woman and I heard him say, rather loudly, "She speaks French." I made my way over there, introduced myself in French, and began talking with this lady from Cameroon. She has been in DC for about 8 years and was so excited to get to speak French with someone. I asked her if I could pray for her and her face just lit up! She told me that she was also a believer and was so excited that someone was not ashamed to be a bold witness. She told me her testimony and I shared a little of mine with her. She told me that I was a great encouragement to her and I told her that I would pray for her. So please pray for Alice* (name changed). Pray that she would live out her faith boldly and that she would find encouraging, believing friends.

In all, I am excited to get to spend three weeks at home. I am going to stuff myself with red velvet cake, fudge, Martha Washington balls, and home-cooked southern dressin'. I cannot wait! Enjoy my DC pictures!

Piercings and needles

Living with no TV on a campus with about 300 other people can be interesting at times. My life is filled with classes (sessions as we actually call them), eating (the cafeteria food is pretty good - most of the time!), reading, studying, quilting (there are ladies here who teach you how to do it - I just finished my second one!), and finding things to do when you are not consumed with the previously mentioned activities. Well, this weekend, a couple of us girls were out shopping for clothing on sale to take to West Africa with us. While we were in Wal-Mart, I thought to myself, "I have been wanting to pierce my ears again for quite some time." So I did. (At least I didn't get my nose pierced like many of the other girls! It looks cute on them, but I don't think I could pull it off!) I walked up to the jewelry counter and got a second hole in each ear. The earrings are actually quite cute too - little crystal flowers.

I also survived my first round of shots - hep. A and polio. The hep A. booster was the only one that hurt - but I am having an allergic reaction of sorts to the polio. I get a second round of shots Friday, so pray for me!

I also got my airplane tickets (or at least the official reservation) this past week. I fly out Jan. 5 and arrive in Senegal Jan. 6 at about 5:00 am Senegal time! At least my body will be telling me it is 11:00 pm America time!

Every Sunday night we have worship from a different part of the world. The first Sunday night was East Asia. I was sick, so I missed that one. The next Sunday night was Africa. We danced, sang, and had a blast! Everyone loved it! Tonight is South American worship and we have to wear our Sunday best. I have a dress all picked out and ready to go. It should be interesting because they conduct the worship in whatever languages are spoken in that region. Considering that I don't know a lick of Spanish . . .

Depending on the Lord

This weekend, as a regional assignment, we used no electricity (except for the stove) and cooked West African food from scratch. I was fun, but quite eye opening as well. For one thing, I had forgotten how long it truly takes to cook from scratch. There are no Lean Cuisines in Senegal! Also, I couldn't go to the movies with my friends, couldn't eat with them, and couldn't even work on my quilt! I realized that I am preparing to go to Senegal without my friends and family. It upset me at first. Being single and moving that far away is somewhat terrifying. But then I remember who I get my strength from. With God, I have no reason to be lonely. He is always with me. He is my Father and my best friend. Besides, I'm going to have some great new friends in Senegal!

On another note, I am feeling 100% better after my sinus and ear infection. Thanks to many prayers and great antibiotics. It is still somewhat hard for me to hear out of my right ear, but it is improving. I feel like an old lady having to tell everyone to speak up because I can't hear them!

Begin praying for everyone this week - shots and immunizations begin next week! Aaaggghhh! I am preparing myself for sore arms and temperatures (shots always make me run a fever).

Sinus Infections - Yuck!

Today here in Virginia the weather was beautiful and sunny with a high of about 72. It doesn't get more perfect than that! There is only one problem - I'm sick. Quite sick. I'm not really running a fever, but I absolutely cannot breathe through my nose. I am so congested my ears hurt. I have to blow my nose every three minutes, so I look like Rudolph. (At least Christmas is coming soon!) I'm taking Day-quil, but I think I might need a more powerful decongestant. Please pray for me because Monday is going to be another long day here at training and orientation.

Things have been really good so far. They sure are keeping us busy though! I had my prayer card pictures taken today, so I will have those ready for when I come back south Dec. 18. If you want one, but you won't be seeing me in person, I will gladly mail you one. I'll send out an email to everyone on my list reminding you if you want one to send me your address.

Last night was Halloween and the day before that was my 26th birthday. I remember for my birthday as little kid having costume parties and dressing up like a ballerina. It's hard to believe I'm already in my late 20s. Time moves a little too fast sometimes. That's why it is so important that if God is calling us to do something, we not wait. I waited three years before I answered my call, and God has truly blessed me since I have obeyed Him. Is there something He is calling you to do? Do not wait to do it! He is calling you to serve Him! What a blessing it is to serve such a mighty God!