I've been home for almost two weeks and every time I think about sitting down to write my last blog about Senegal I haven't been able to. I think for me saying that I'm back in the states puts a bit of finality on everything. I can't believe this thing I've been praying and preparing for over a year and a half has already come and gone. It's an amazing feeling to see something so divinely appointed by God end. It's a very rewarding.
Being back in America has been a challenge. The first week, I hid out in my parents house just trying to catch my breath. The culture is something so completely different I was really struggling to get my barrings. I've heard my whole life that America is just as much a mission field as anywhere else but I never fully understood what that meant until now. I'm having the same sense of overwhelming emotions I had when I first arrived at Senegal. I just look around and once again I see so much need. The prayer is now that God would direct me to see where I fit in His plan to meet the need.
I've had lots of folks ask me if I'm planning on going back or if I want to continue with missions. I love missions. It really is a life changing experience and I wouldn't trade my summer (good and bad) for anything in the world. God spoke so much to me and I feel like I grew in ways I never expected. I feel like the Lord said something very clear to me as I was trying to figure out how I could finish school quickly, raise more money, and get back to Senegal before some of my friends I made go on furlough. I saw the picture when Jesus told the those criticizing the woman for breaking the bottle of perfume and washing His feet instead of selling it and giving the money to the poor. Just like the poor will always be there so will missions. I can always go back. The need will never go away but, there are somethings that are here that will not always be here and I want to glean from what I have and be filled with the gifts the Lord has laid before me now. Then. . . who knows? =)
I just want to thank you all so much for your prayers and support this summer. It made such a world of difference knowing I had so many behind me. Blessings to you all!
Au Revoir!
Jeanetta
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bourifaye
I just spent ten days at my new favorite place in Senegal, Bourifaye Christian School. I left on the 29th and was very anxious about going at all. It was definitely a place that I would either love or hate and I was stuck there for 10 days regardless. The Lord, like he always is, was faithful. You'd think I'd stop getting surprised at this point.
A bit of a background on BCS, they have been in the location they are now for about 6 years (which is about 1 hour north of Dakar depending on traffic). They used to be in Southern Senegal but, when there was problems with the rebels and such they had to move. The school is filled with kids and staff from all over the world it's incredible. The school itself sits out in the middle of . . . mango fields and nothing else. There are a few villages near by.
I was so "fortunate" enough to get to BCS the night of the World Cup, Germany verses Spain. There were several Germans that are on staff and go to school at BCS and it was quiet an experience to watch this game with them.... actually it was kind of scary. Later, I found out that the Germans are very nice, even the ones that were screaming behind me.
I'm so glad that I got to go to BCS right at the end of term instead of the middle of the year. This way I got to see and help with the end of term production, and there was PLENTY to be done. I did everything from babysitting, paint sets, sew costumes, cook lunch for 65, proof read, and even managed to get a village visit in. It was great to get to know the kids throughout the week and then see them on stage and know better about who they are. They performed "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." For being such a small school it was fantastic!
I did get picked on relentlessly for they way I said water and cafeteria. I had dinner of at a couple's house who the father is Scottish and the mother is German, their daughter just stared at me all dinner and I thought she was going to start laughing. I finally asked her what was wrong and she said "you just say words so funny." By the end of the week I managed to say trousers instead of pants and football pitch instead of soccer field, that one was the hardest.
One of my favorite things about BCS is how diverse it is. I was sitting in a group of 7 people and there were 5 different countries represented. It was great during prayer time to have everyone pray in their own language. There were Germans, Scots, Brits, Brazilians, Portuguese, Koreans, Dutch, and even a few Americans. We were by far out numbered and it was GREAT! It really gave me a wider few of the body. God is moving an HUGE ways in all over the world. I sometimes forget how big God is. There are starting to be more missionaries sent out from Asia and Europe then England and America now. It was such a blessing to hear others stories about what God is doing in Portugal!
Some of the fun things I did while at BCS:
I fortunately managed to get out of refereeing a "football" game. I told Hieko that maybe it's not such a good idea to have an American woman who's only played about 6 games of soccer in her life referee.
Shopping in the vegetable market in Thies after it had just rained and praying that you didn't put your foot in the wrong place and go down in the mudslide.
Trying to explain to anyone who's not American what a pound cake is and then proceeding to make it 4x the recipe.
Lot's of new card games.
Getting over feeling old when called Auntie Jeanetta or Auntie J and suddenly sitting at a table full of woman and when we heard Auntie we all turn.
End of term pool party!
Falling in love with MK ministry.
Playing backstage runner for the production and getting to tell kids a million and one time "shhhh, be still, don't go on stage yet."
Getting to be a part of the baptisms on the beach.
Even though I was only there 10 days, I really had a hard time saying goodbye. Someone said to me while I was there "It's like you weren't really a visitor but a really short, short-timer." I was great to know that you can fit in to some places so easily. My friend Tracy, every moment she got, snuck in "Ya you like it here, so I'll see you in September." I tried to convince everyone that I had to finish my last year of "university." (My whole vocabulary is getting turned upside down).
I can honestly say that BCS has been one of my most favorite things I've done. I meet so many people that I can call my friends now. One thing a friend said to me was that as a missionary you are constantly saying goodbye to people. You could eventually get hard to that and begin closing off, except you would miss the incredible moments the Lord gives you to share in someone else's life. If I never see them again I'll just look forward to having a party with them in Heaven and am grateful for what they spoke into my life for that short time.
I'm winding down over here and starting to have my first few rounds of goodbyes. It's all been worth it!
A bit of a background on BCS, they have been in the location they are now for about 6 years (which is about 1 hour north of Dakar depending on traffic). They used to be in Southern Senegal but, when there was problems with the rebels and such they had to move. The school is filled with kids and staff from all over the world it's incredible. The school itself sits out in the middle of . . . mango fields and nothing else. There are a few villages near by.
I was so "fortunate" enough to get to BCS the night of the World Cup, Germany verses Spain. There were several Germans that are on staff and go to school at BCS and it was quiet an experience to watch this game with them.... actually it was kind of scary. Later, I found out that the Germans are very nice, even the ones that were screaming behind me.
I'm so glad that I got to go to BCS right at the end of term instead of the middle of the year. This way I got to see and help with the end of term production, and there was PLENTY to be done. I did everything from babysitting, paint sets, sew costumes, cook lunch for 65, proof read, and even managed to get a village visit in. It was great to get to know the kids throughout the week and then see them on stage and know better about who they are. They performed "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." For being such a small school it was fantastic!
I did get picked on relentlessly for they way I said water and cafeteria. I had dinner of at a couple's house who the father is Scottish and the mother is German, their daughter just stared at me all dinner and I thought she was going to start laughing. I finally asked her what was wrong and she said "you just say words so funny." By the end of the week I managed to say trousers instead of pants and football pitch instead of soccer field, that one was the hardest.
One of my favorite things about BCS is how diverse it is. I was sitting in a group of 7 people and there were 5 different countries represented. It was great during prayer time to have everyone pray in their own language. There were Germans, Scots, Brits, Brazilians, Portuguese, Koreans, Dutch, and even a few Americans. We were by far out numbered and it was GREAT! It really gave me a wider few of the body. God is moving an HUGE ways in all over the world. I sometimes forget how big God is. There are starting to be more missionaries sent out from Asia and Europe then England and America now. It was such a blessing to hear others stories about what God is doing in Portugal!
Some of the fun things I did while at BCS:
I fortunately managed to get out of refereeing a "football" game. I told Hieko that maybe it's not such a good idea to have an American woman who's only played about 6 games of soccer in her life referee.
Shopping in the vegetable market in Thies after it had just rained and praying that you didn't put your foot in the wrong place and go down in the mudslide.
Trying to explain to anyone who's not American what a pound cake is and then proceeding to make it 4x the recipe.
Lot's of new card games.
Getting over feeling old when called Auntie Jeanetta or Auntie J and suddenly sitting at a table full of woman and when we heard Auntie we all turn.
End of term pool party!
Falling in love with MK ministry.
Playing backstage runner for the production and getting to tell kids a million and one time "shhhh, be still, don't go on stage yet."
Getting to be a part of the baptisms on the beach.
Even though I was only there 10 days, I really had a hard time saying goodbye. Someone said to me while I was there "It's like you weren't really a visitor but a really short, short-timer." I was great to know that you can fit in to some places so easily. My friend Tracy, every moment she got, snuck in "Ya you like it here, so I'll see you in September." I tried to convince everyone that I had to finish my last year of "university." (My whole vocabulary is getting turned upside down).
I can honestly say that BCS has been one of my most favorite things I've done. I meet so many people that I can call my friends now. One thing a friend said to me was that as a missionary you are constantly saying goodbye to people. You could eventually get hard to that and begin closing off, except you would miss the incredible moments the Lord gives you to share in someone else's life. If I never see them again I'll just look forward to having a party with them in Heaven and am grateful for what they spoke into my life for that short time.
I'm winding down over here and starting to have my first few rounds of goodbyes. It's all been worth it!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
jouer au football... HA!
I feel like I haven't stopped all week! I just finished VBS, which was a blast. I love playing with the kids. I now can't go to bed without having a VBS song playing through my head. "Jesus gives us the power to be brave... AHA!" Can you tell we did a power lab VBS.
We ended the week with Friday night youth group and ended up having Senegalese tea and watching a movie. We were all pretty zonked. I'm sure the kids parents loved us giving them "atire." Which has SO much sugar and caffeine in it. I'm thinking about taking some with me home for when I have finals.
Saturday morning the youth group and the VBS group all went to a orphanage near Dakar and shared the gospel by using the wordless book on a soccer ball (yellow stands for heaven, red stands for sin etc). Then we played soccer with the kids. These kids are incredible even the little toddlers play soccer. I how ever struggle as is to keep my feet coordinated, add the fact that the field is a giant desert and I'm done. I can't imagine seeing some of these kids on a grass soccer field, they'd be AMAZING!
I managed to find a friend and she was precious! She really just wanted to be held and I managed to get a few smiles out of her. After asking her name several times and only getting a nod, I contemplated naming her something myself. I mean they give me names, why not the other way around. . . Her name ended up being Prudence.
We planned on playing soccer, eating, and then being back by 4. Ya right! We were definitely on Senegalese time. We didn't even have lunch until 3:30 and it takes 2 hours to get home. It was fun eating lunch with them. All the sudden I looked around the room and there are lots of little circles of people, the food comes out on a big plate and your circle digs in. THANKFULLY, we they gave us "toubabs" spoons and we didn't have to use are hands.
Today, I'm heading off to Bourifaye, a British boarding school, where I'll be there until the 9th. I find it a little ironic that I'm spending the fourth of July with the people that we got our independence from. Funny how that works out.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Dusty books and wet children
Every year I do VBS I forget how worn out I get. It's always fun though, especially this year. I get to be in charge of games. I've managed not to get overheated or dehydrated so far. I just find myself saying everyday, "I'm so glad it only goes until noon."
Most of the kids that come to the vbs are missionary kids and a few are embassy kids. It's been fun getting to know them and talking to different parents. I also work with the youth group (since most of their parents "volunteered" them to help). Overall it's been a fun week. A lot of wet games. I almost felt like I was getting sick when I walked from being outside in the very hot sun to the super air-conditioned room. It's the first time I've had to work a jacket this whole trip!
Once VBS was finished yesterday, we ran over to the SIL center. The guys were going fishing and Annieo and her friend were getting their hair braided (which took a LONG time). I think they still have headaches. I FINALLY managed to get everything done in the Educational Resource Center. I'd started about 3 weeks ago adding more books and then trying to figure out where to put them in the library. It was a bigger job then I thought and I quickly figured out why no one really wanted to do it.
After shelving and reshelving and moving around books to multiple shelves I finally got it looking half way decent. I'll be happy if I never have to work with the dewy decimal system or see a dusty book again. At least I get to leave it looking nice and put together and don't have to be here and watch it get all unorganized again!
I ended up catching a taxi with my friend Marinna and finally made it home through the ridiculous traffic (once again I found myself wishing I had a moped). When I got home and took a shower it was only eight o'clock and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open and walking straight. I ended up skipping dinner and going to bed early. Didn't wake up this morning until 8 am. I feel great NOW!
Most of the kids that come to the vbs are missionary kids and a few are embassy kids. It's been fun getting to know them and talking to different parents. I also work with the youth group (since most of their parents "volunteered" them to help). Overall it's been a fun week. A lot of wet games. I almost felt like I was getting sick when I walked from being outside in the very hot sun to the super air-conditioned room. It's the first time I've had to work a jacket this whole trip!
Once VBS was finished yesterday, we ran over to the SIL center. The guys were going fishing and Annieo and her friend were getting their hair braided (which took a LONG time). I think they still have headaches. I FINALLY managed to get everything done in the Educational Resource Center. I'd started about 3 weeks ago adding more books and then trying to figure out where to put them in the library. It was a bigger job then I thought and I quickly figured out why no one really wanted to do it.
After shelving and reshelving and moving around books to multiple shelves I finally got it looking half way decent. I'll be happy if I never have to work with the dewy decimal system or see a dusty book again. At least I get to leave it looking nice and put together and don't have to be here and watch it get all unorganized again!
I ended up catching a taxi with my friend Marinna and finally made it home through the ridiculous traffic (once again I found myself wishing I had a moped). When I got home and took a shower it was only eight o'clock and I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open and walking straight. I ended up skipping dinner and going to bed early. Didn't wake up this morning until 8 am. I feel great NOW!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Time's a changing
I've been sitting with Laurie looking at the calender and realized that my days here are slowly drifting away. I'm praying that I'm not letting them slip away. This trip has been as much about me and my spiritual walk as it has been about serving.
I've hit the time in my trip where things are starting to look differently. I've been working with the same ministries and groups since I've been here. I've loved it but being a short timer there is only so much that you can do before you really need to commit to longer. It's hard to watch some of the ministries going on because, I want to jump in and be apart. I have to remind myself that I'm here to help and listen to the Lord.
Wednesday, I said good-bye to all of my friends at the deaf school. It was a sad but a sweet time. I got to know many of them really well. I wish I could see what God does and where he takes them.
Friday, was the first night of Remix. Remix is a time for the youth group kids of the missionaries around to get together and have some fun. There isn't much for kids to do here during the summer and it can get boring pretty quickly if none of your friends are here. There also aren't any backyards to go play in.
I volunteered myself to make desserts for the night. Cooking here isn't exactly the same as cooking at home. Maybe it is and I just don't know that much about cooking. . . baking really. I ended up making brownies and chocolate chip blondies. Which sounds great except doubling the recipe requires doubling the time as well. I had to stick them back in and wait and wait and wait. I was a little late. The kids liked them and ate most so I guess it was fine. I'm just working on fine-tuning my cooking skills. I'll get it don't you worry.
Next week VBS starts. It's held at DA and most the kids come from missionary families. It should be fun. I'm in charge of the games. I don't really have a clue of what exactly is going on. I'm just trying to go with the flow... They tell me to "be flexible." I laugh and say "God and I are working on that." The truth is God's working on that A LOT with me here. It's been... fun.. =)
Keep me in your prayers next week. I get to be outside all week running the games. I've got to remember lots of water and short sleeves, I don't really want a farmer's tan.
I've hit the time in my trip where things are starting to look differently. I've been working with the same ministries and groups since I've been here. I've loved it but being a short timer there is only so much that you can do before you really need to commit to longer. It's hard to watch some of the ministries going on because, I want to jump in and be apart. I have to remind myself that I'm here to help and listen to the Lord.
Wednesday, I said good-bye to all of my friends at the deaf school. It was a sad but a sweet time. I got to know many of them really well. I wish I could see what God does and where he takes them.
Friday, was the first night of Remix. Remix is a time for the youth group kids of the missionaries around to get together and have some fun. There isn't much for kids to do here during the summer and it can get boring pretty quickly if none of your friends are here. There also aren't any backyards to go play in.
I volunteered myself to make desserts for the night. Cooking here isn't exactly the same as cooking at home. Maybe it is and I just don't know that much about cooking. . . baking really. I ended up making brownies and chocolate chip blondies. Which sounds great except doubling the recipe requires doubling the time as well. I had to stick them back in and wait and wait and wait. I was a little late. The kids liked them and ate most so I guess it was fine. I'm just working on fine-tuning my cooking skills. I'll get it don't you worry.
Next week VBS starts. It's held at DA and most the kids come from missionary families. It should be fun. I'm in charge of the games. I don't really have a clue of what exactly is going on. I'm just trying to go with the flow... They tell me to "be flexible." I laugh and say "God and I are working on that." The truth is God's working on that A LOT with me here. It's been... fun.. =)
Keep me in your prayers next week. I get to be outside all week running the games. I've got to remember lots of water and short sleeves, I don't really want a farmer's tan.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A sweet moment
This Sunday was the first Sunday I've had the chance to go to a Senegalese church. We've been going to the church at the school but since there is no more school there is no more church there. The pastor who I work for with the Talibe invited me several times last week to come to his church especially on June 15th. I wanted to make sure I made it to his church and he was so delighted when we arrived. The church is nothing like I expected and even more than what I hoped for!
The church is about the size of a small bedroom or garage. When we got there the pastor came out and meet Laurie and I welcoming us in and seated us. We then jumped right into to their service. there were about 26 people there. He packed out the house =). We had a some worship lead by Diboku's son on the djembe, who is only 10 and did a FANTASTIC job. I even recognized a few songs even though the words were in French. After a while it really didn't matter.
Nothing could compare to the hearts of these people. You could see it on their faces that they were in love with the Lord. Forget church politics, forget numbers, forget pc, and shout out to the Lord! Religion here isn't a part of life it is life. If you're Muslim you live it out and you hold your faith in such high regard. These Christians are living their Christian faith out the only way they know how to live any faith out, with everything they have.
They had a time of prayer and it wasn't this deacon coming up to pray, it was simply these children (all of them) pouring out their hearts to their Abba. The noise was TREMENDOUS! I can't tell you how many languages there were and couldn't even tell you if they were praying in their language or praying in tongues. I don't know how these people live there daily lives, I know their culture still has great influence on their faith but, their celebration of it was so amazing to be a part of.
I know there is a time and place for everything. There are things in the states I love about church and miss dearly. There are things here that I see and know better because of my "education" that I probably wouldn't condone. The point is we're all going to make mistakes but are we walking to glorify God or ourselves? I only want to do things that are going to be fruitful in the kingdom of heaven.
To hear Pastor talk about how important suffering is in our daily walk and to realize that God is not taking delight in our suffering but sees it's importance. How suffering creates dependence on the Lord, permits us to remember him, and helps us to become more like Jesus, to hear all this and then look at these people's lives and realize the size of their faith verses their circumstance. . .
"God visits you every morning because you are precious and important to Him. He says 'Whatever the difficulty, my beloved, you must preserver."
-Pastor Diboku
I was also welcomed into the church as a sister and they very willingly prayed a blessing over me. They prayed for the sick and prayed for the needy. They enjoy community with each other. They had "church." My definition of church will never be the same. We ended by Diboku asking me to pray the final prayer and were sent out!
That was a sweet moment!
The church is about the size of a small bedroom or garage. When we got there the pastor came out and meet Laurie and I welcoming us in and seated us. We then jumped right into to their service. there were about 26 people there. He packed out the house =). We had a some worship lead by Diboku's son on the djembe, who is only 10 and did a FANTASTIC job. I even recognized a few songs even though the words were in French. After a while it really didn't matter.
Nothing could compare to the hearts of these people. You could see it on their faces that they were in love with the Lord. Forget church politics, forget numbers, forget pc, and shout out to the Lord! Religion here isn't a part of life it is life. If you're Muslim you live it out and you hold your faith in such high regard. These Christians are living their Christian faith out the only way they know how to live any faith out, with everything they have.
They had a time of prayer and it wasn't this deacon coming up to pray, it was simply these children (all of them) pouring out their hearts to their Abba. The noise was TREMENDOUS! I can't tell you how many languages there were and couldn't even tell you if they were praying in their language or praying in tongues. I don't know how these people live there daily lives, I know their culture still has great influence on their faith but, their celebration of it was so amazing to be a part of.
I know there is a time and place for everything. There are things in the states I love about church and miss dearly. There are things here that I see and know better because of my "education" that I probably wouldn't condone. The point is we're all going to make mistakes but are we walking to glorify God or ourselves? I only want to do things that are going to be fruitful in the kingdom of heaven.
To hear Pastor talk about how important suffering is in our daily walk and to realize that God is not taking delight in our suffering but sees it's importance. How suffering creates dependence on the Lord, permits us to remember him, and helps us to become more like Jesus, to hear all this and then look at these people's lives and realize the size of their faith verses their circumstance. . .
"God visits you every morning because you are precious and important to Him. He says 'Whatever the difficulty, my beloved, you must preserver."
-Pastor Diboku
I was also welcomed into the church as a sister and they very willingly prayed a blessing over me. They prayed for the sick and prayed for the needy. They enjoy community with each other. They had "church." My definition of church will never be the same. We ended by Diboku asking me to pray the final prayer and were sent out!
That was a sweet moment!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
An African Celebration
Monday, I got to celebrate my 21st birthday with the Klaas family. It was really a fun day. I woke up to balloons in my room and a great breakfast. Then we headed over to Terrou-bi which is actually a hotel/casino. We spent most of the day by the pool and had a great lunch. It was very relaxing and fun to be with the family. However, I did get a bit burned. We ended the day with a few birthday presents, one of which was sparkling red wine. Champagne is not the easiest to find here. I even managed to get a phone call in to some of the family. I'm not sure if it made it better or made me miss them more.
I've found more of a place at the deaf school. I was walking there later then normal and I past a food stand where some of the kids go to lunch and one girl stopped me and invited me to have lunch with them. One thing here that is impossible is to deny someone who is offering you food. No matter what, eat it! Wasn't bad I think it was some form of spaghetti on French bread.
My favorite time at the deaf school is break time, when I get to just enjoy the kids. Hopefully, I can catch on to most of their jokes. The kids are just precious. I do know that teaching school is not the most desirable thing for me, but through this I've been able to get to know them better and this has been worth it. It's so rewarding to see these kids actually understand what they are doing. You can see how proud of themselves they are. That I do appreciate.
Wednesday was an extra hot day here and one of my friends who works with the Talibe (The Talibe and the deaf school are in the same building) offered me a ride home. I was wearing a dress.... He was driving a motor bike. Somehow I managed, without loosing any dignity. I also politely asked Jean-Paul not to kill me, realizing this was a realistic possibility. He very sweetly laughed and said "I won't go fast" and I'm still alive. It was kind of fun actually. I think if I ever moved here I'd have to invest in one of those.
Another thing Laurie is helping with is the DA library for the summer. Since the librarian is out of the country for the summer we get to be the summer librarians for a couple hours once a week. I feel like I'm fulfilling a secret desire I had as a kid being a librarian. It's a great reminder of being a kid when I see all the kids come to the desk with huge stacks of books so excited about checking them out themselves.
Today, I started the girls Bible study. There are only 4 of us total. I think it's going to be great just us. We started in the ice cream shop and I'm hoping to get the key to the library where it will be quiet and they have a/c!
Please pray for the girls Bible study as it comes together. I'm really wanting to impart into them the foundational things every young lady should hear as she grows up.
I've stayed very healthy on this whole trip praise God, but I have noticed that I have been getting extremely tired especially on the days I have to walk to the deaf school which is about 2 miles in heat. I think I may be getting dehydrated and not realizing it.
I plan on going to sleep a happy woman. It's the first day since Monday I've taken a shower that wasn't from a bucket!
Birthday celebration!
These are my kids for the math class I've been teaching.
I've found more of a place at the deaf school. I was walking there later then normal and I past a food stand where some of the kids go to lunch and one girl stopped me and invited me to have lunch with them. One thing here that is impossible is to deny someone who is offering you food. No matter what, eat it! Wasn't bad I think it was some form of spaghetti on French bread.
My favorite time at the deaf school is break time, when I get to just enjoy the kids. Hopefully, I can catch on to most of their jokes. The kids are just precious. I do know that teaching school is not the most desirable thing for me, but through this I've been able to get to know them better and this has been worth it. It's so rewarding to see these kids actually understand what they are doing. You can see how proud of themselves they are. That I do appreciate.
Wednesday was an extra hot day here and one of my friends who works with the Talibe (The Talibe and the deaf school are in the same building) offered me a ride home. I was wearing a dress.... He was driving a motor bike. Somehow I managed, without loosing any dignity. I also politely asked Jean-Paul not to kill me, realizing this was a realistic possibility. He very sweetly laughed and said "I won't go fast" and I'm still alive. It was kind of fun actually. I think if I ever moved here I'd have to invest in one of those.
Another thing Laurie is helping with is the DA library for the summer. Since the librarian is out of the country for the summer we get to be the summer librarians for a couple hours once a week. I feel like I'm fulfilling a secret desire I had as a kid being a librarian. It's a great reminder of being a kid when I see all the kids come to the desk with huge stacks of books so excited about checking them out themselves.
Today, I started the girls Bible study. There are only 4 of us total. I think it's going to be great just us. We started in the ice cream shop and I'm hoping to get the key to the library where it will be quiet and they have a/c!
Please pray for the girls Bible study as it comes together. I'm really wanting to impart into them the foundational things every young lady should hear as she grows up.
I've stayed very healthy on this whole trip praise God, but I have noticed that I have been getting extremely tired especially on the days I have to walk to the deaf school which is about 2 miles in heat. I think I may be getting dehydrated and not realizing it.
I plan on going to sleep a happy woman. It's the first day since Monday I've taken a shower that wasn't from a bucket!
Birthday celebration!
These are my kids for the math class I've been teaching.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Me a teacher?
I have to say my definition of what a missionary does has been completely changed because of this trip. I have done things from catalog a library for homeschooling families, tutor ASL, set up art shows, teach math and try to figure out how the French divide, clean wounds, feed boys, and simply be present. Ministry here is so similar to ministry anywhere else. It is all about relationship. It takes time here just as much as it takes time back home.
Wednesday I started working with some of the older kids in math. Let me just paint this picture. I'm in a very small classroom with five wonderful kids who desperately need help in math. They would be considered high school age but work level I'd probably put them in 6th grade. I'm sent in to help them improve their skills to pass a "graduation" test. Problem number 1, they are all deaf. Problem number 2, they read in French. Problem number 3, I haven't done this math in a long time. Problem number 4, the French have come up with some whacked out way to do division.
The first day was quiet amusing. I do sign and most of the signs are the same except they have been altered to fit the French language. Also, there isn't much reading in French but I do have to brush up on my numbers. Trying to remember the French numbers as well as the sign for that number and making sure the number they are giving me is the correct number causes for a pretty exhausting day. We do somehow press through and I'm praying that they learn something and that God protects them if I mess up and they don't learn my mistakes as correct.
The second day teaching was much better. I made them all make a multiplication table and once the figured out what it was it went smoothly. Some of them really don't understand the concept of multiplication and you can't do division until you get multiplication. Education here is something very hard not to get frustrated with and so is language barriers.
Please keep these deaf children in your prayers. I'm not really sure what will happen to them after they finish school. One guy is 27 and still in school. They very much have their own community within the walls of the school but, outside of that I'm not really sure what happens.
Wednesday I started working with some of the older kids in math. Let me just paint this picture. I'm in a very small classroom with five wonderful kids who desperately need help in math. They would be considered high school age but work level I'd probably put them in 6th grade. I'm sent in to help them improve their skills to pass a "graduation" test. Problem number 1, they are all deaf. Problem number 2, they read in French. Problem number 3, I haven't done this math in a long time. Problem number 4, the French have come up with some whacked out way to do division.
The first day was quiet amusing. I do sign and most of the signs are the same except they have been altered to fit the French language. Also, there isn't much reading in French but I do have to brush up on my numbers. Trying to remember the French numbers as well as the sign for that number and making sure the number they are giving me is the correct number causes for a pretty exhausting day. We do somehow press through and I'm praying that they learn something and that God protects them if I mess up and they don't learn my mistakes as correct.
The second day teaching was much better. I made them all make a multiplication table and once the figured out what it was it went smoothly. Some of them really don't understand the concept of multiplication and you can't do division until you get multiplication. Education here is something very hard not to get frustrated with and so is language barriers.
Please keep these deaf children in your prayers. I'm not really sure what will happen to them after they finish school. One guy is 27 and still in school. They very much have their own community within the walls of the school but, outside of that I'm not really sure what happens.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Taxi
Here is my new friend Sarah who is learning how to create dictionaries and moving to Ziguinchor soon. We rode in a taxi across town to eat lunch. It was pretty sketch not going to lie. Especially when we got in and the first two things Sarah said to me were "Don't touch anything" and "zip up your purse by the window."
Only a WEEK!
I can't believe I've only been here a week. I feel like I've done enough to be here for about a month. At first I was getting a little bored and worried about not knowing what I was going to do. That didn't last long!
Wednesday was my first day at the deaf school and it's different to say the least. School here would make social workers have a heart attack. There is no problem smacking a child upside the head or hanking their arm. It takes everything in me not to jump at some of these people. You can't go in and tell them what to do, it's all about modeling and relationships. The thing I've been learning for the past 3 years. Funny how God works. The sign language that they use is American Sign Language, so I can understand them. The thing that messed me up to day was when I didn't recognize a sign and asked him to figure spell it and realized that he figure spelled in French. I had to laugh at myself for a bit.
Mostly what I will be doing is working with the younger kids. The 5 year olds through 2nd grade are the ones who don't know French, English, Wolif or Sign Langauge. So teaching them signs is like teaching them how to talk. Starting from the basics. They eat it up though, it's wonderful to watch. The director, Famara, speaks good English and has basically invited me to do whatever I want. I think he is ready to hand a class over to me.
The kids take a break at 10:30. There were some people worried that it would get a little crazy during this time. Since they are deaf, they can not hear themselves yell or how loud they get, and they all together tend to get really loud. I like to be there during break because that's when I can really get to know some of the kids. The high school age kids are very good at signing. One girl, Amy is wonderful. I'd say that she is even better than me. She is deaf and training to become a teacher in the school.
The deaf school and the Talibee center are in the same building, so today and went and worked with the Talibee. These boys would break your heart if you saw them. They are children under a Muslim leader who are sent out to beg on the streets. At the center they can come, bathe, brush their teeth, get food and milk, hear the gospel, and have a place of shelter. The man that runs it is so genuine about his faith. He gets it! He was telling me about the need in Africa is so HUGE but "our" faith is bigger.
Here I do whatever I can to help. I've learned it's just a presence that makes a difference sometimes. I'm no nurse that's for sure but the Pastor has recruited me in to help him with bandaging some of the kids wounds. These kids get hardly any attention, to look them in the eye and say "Dans le nom de Jesus, I did this in the name of Jesus." You can see something register on their face. It is the most humbling and honoring position to be in. Here are these boys who are practically slaves of great Muslim leaders and I have a chance to clean and bandage the wounds on their feet. I had to cough back tears at times. I don't know if they will ever become a Christian but, if I get the chance to bless and pray for them, then that is my job right now. The wounds that some of these kids have probably will never heal correctly but anything helps.
As I was walking back from the Talibee center I saw a Talibee in the corner of my eye. Normally they just come to you and ask for money. I saw him coming near me and something about his character wasn't typical. I looked over to him and he showed me his hand. He REMEMBERED me! He was one of the boys on Wednesday that had a bad cut on his hand. I didn't have anything with me to clean it up except for a water bottle. I cleaned it off with water and the bottom of my skirt. PRAY for these children!!
On a lighter note my trip to Thies went well. It's only about 45 miles in but depending on traffic and since the roads are so bad it takes anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. It's also much hotter there because it's so far away from the ocean. We went to a outside of the city to see a literacy class for women. It really neat to see and the people really want to learn. They were very interested in this "tau bab" (sounds like two bob which means foreigner or white person). I got the question are you married pointing to Rudy. HA, "umm.... non.... ah .... l'oncle." Which apparently now makes my "uncle" Rudy have more say so in my life than my dad. He'd be the one to arrange my marriage and to collect the dept my husband would have to pay... Hence the "ahhhs" after I said l'oncle."
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
SIL
Here in Dakar, Rudy and Laurie work for an organization called SIL. SIL, société internationale du linguistique, is a sister company to Wycliffe. Basically it's the group that works within country and with the government verses where Wycliffe works mainly with churches. Anyways now that you know what SIL is you can understand a little bit more when I tell you what exactly I have been doing for the past few days.
On Monday I joined Rudy and Laurie on a trek across town to the "center" for my first day. Started the day with a prayer meeting with the other SIL members who are from the states, England, Wales, Switzerland, and Senegal. A nice little mess of people. The first day I went around to all the different departments and learned what everyone else does. The working language is French but, I manage to work around that since my French skills are "une peu".
The people that work there are incredible gifted. There is the linguistics department who study the language, learn it, write it, and transcribe it. Sounds simple when you explain it like that but, you have to try to listen to a new language you've never heard before and figure out what the basic alphabet is and then figure when one word stops and another starts. AMAZING! Then there is the scripture use group that figures out the best way to present the scripture to different people and cultures. Then there is the vernacular media services (VMS). These guys are so funny, Lou and Darrell, they both record and put stuff on cassettes and anything used to help the people hear the word. It's an incredibly small room, that looks similar to what I imagine a recording studio looks like. Finally, there is the print shop. I liked it there, you get to see the finished product that everyone has been working so hard to finish. Guy runs this place. He is quiet a fun man who LOVES what he does.
At the center this week there is a workshop going on teaching some members how to create a dictionary and work with the software. One of the girls who is involved in it, I've managed to become quiet close with. She is British and has a fantastic accent. I have to keep myself from falling into speaking like her. She is only a couple years older than me and has been living with some families down in the Gambia for a while. I'm not looking forward to when she leaves on Sunday. Seems like when I just meet someone I felt I could really grow close to they leave. It's the life of a missionary, you can't often choose who your close friends will be. Please pray for Sarah, I know it is even harder for her because she is staying here. I'm seeing that being a young, single missionary is hard. You don't have the support group you would have if you were married and you really have to be careful with whom you interact with. I'm planning on going to lunch with her on Thursday and maybe getting a chance to pray with her. She is precious and definitely has the British humor going for her.
Please pray for me for tomorrow. It is the first day I have at the deaf school where I will be working with kids. To be honest, that's really where I feel like my heart is right now. Apparently break time for the kids can be really rowdy since they haven't been in school much nor are they taught that fighting is bad. Hence, pray for me. =)
Tomorrow I will also be traveling up to Thies (sounds like chess) with Rudy and staying with another SIL couple. Rudy needs to see how the literacy class is going and I wanted to see another place. It's less city like and much calmer, hopefully.
I also met with Dan Mullay today, the principal at DA who is in charge of the youth group for the summer and VBS. I'm in charge of games for the VBS so this should be interesting. Most of the kids are MKs (missionary kids) or children of embassy members. It's taught in English so that really takes out a lot of kids. The youth group is mission based and social for the summer. It's really to give the kids something to do and stay out of trouble. Not exactly what I was planning but, we'll see.
Everything is going well. Sorry It's so rushed but, I feel like I've barely had time to catch my own breathe. I love you all and am so glad for your prayers.
On Monday I joined Rudy and Laurie on a trek across town to the "center" for my first day. Started the day with a prayer meeting with the other SIL members who are from the states, England, Wales, Switzerland, and Senegal. A nice little mess of people. The first day I went around to all the different departments and learned what everyone else does. The working language is French but, I manage to work around that since my French skills are "une peu".
The people that work there are incredible gifted. There is the linguistics department who study the language, learn it, write it, and transcribe it. Sounds simple when you explain it like that but, you have to try to listen to a new language you've never heard before and figure out what the basic alphabet is and then figure when one word stops and another starts. AMAZING! Then there is the scripture use group that figures out the best way to present the scripture to different people and cultures. Then there is the vernacular media services (VMS). These guys are so funny, Lou and Darrell, they both record and put stuff on cassettes and anything used to help the people hear the word. It's an incredibly small room, that looks similar to what I imagine a recording studio looks like. Finally, there is the print shop. I liked it there, you get to see the finished product that everyone has been working so hard to finish. Guy runs this place. He is quiet a fun man who LOVES what he does.
At the center this week there is a workshop going on teaching some members how to create a dictionary and work with the software. One of the girls who is involved in it, I've managed to become quiet close with. She is British and has a fantastic accent. I have to keep myself from falling into speaking like her. She is only a couple years older than me and has been living with some families down in the Gambia for a while. I'm not looking forward to when she leaves on Sunday. Seems like when I just meet someone I felt I could really grow close to they leave. It's the life of a missionary, you can't often choose who your close friends will be. Please pray for Sarah, I know it is even harder for her because she is staying here. I'm seeing that being a young, single missionary is hard. You don't have the support group you would have if you were married and you really have to be careful with whom you interact with. I'm planning on going to lunch with her on Thursday and maybe getting a chance to pray with her. She is precious and definitely has the British humor going for her.
Please pray for me for tomorrow. It is the first day I have at the deaf school where I will be working with kids. To be honest, that's really where I feel like my heart is right now. Apparently break time for the kids can be really rowdy since they haven't been in school much nor are they taught that fighting is bad. Hence, pray for me. =)
Tomorrow I will also be traveling up to Thies (sounds like chess) with Rudy and staying with another SIL couple. Rudy needs to see how the literacy class is going and I wanted to see another place. It's less city like and much calmer, hopefully.
I also met with Dan Mullay today, the principal at DA who is in charge of the youth group for the summer and VBS. I'm in charge of games for the VBS so this should be interesting. Most of the kids are MKs (missionary kids) or children of embassy members. It's taught in English so that really takes out a lot of kids. The youth group is mission based and social for the summer. It's really to give the kids something to do and stay out of trouble. Not exactly what I was planning but, we'll see.
Everything is going well. Sorry It's so rushed but, I feel like I've barely had time to catch my own breathe. I love you all and am so glad for your prayers.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The past couple of days have been better than the first. I'm finally settling in and getting over jet lag. I thought I was ok but then it would just rush up on me how tired I was. Sleeping in a bit this morning really helped. When I sleep at night my bed is covered by a mosquito net. I was informed that the Malaria mosquitoes like to bite between 11 at night and 6 in the morning.
I find myself really enjoying the weather more. I come to appreciate the heat which is somewhat strange to me but that's how God works. I even went for a run in the park with Laurie, trying to dodge bikers, cars, other runners, and even horses. There are so many people here. Driving is INSANE! Most people drive on the right.... but really you just drive. There are cars that will try to pass you on the left as you're turning left. Cars don't really car about pedestrians and pedestrians don't really care about cars. Mom, you would probably have a heart attack =).
Earlier, Laurie and I went to the market. It's very similar to a flea market, except the market is on the median of a street and you better hold your bag and not be scared of people. Thankfully Laurie was able to help me bargain with a vendor and I was able to get two "ponyas" for 7000 cfs (about $6). Ponyas are basically skirt wraps. The girls that go to Dakar Academy have to wear them over their shorts from there house to the school. They make good work skirts too. The plan is to wear African clothes on the days that I have to work at the deaf school. It is across town and I need to try to fit in as much as possible.
In about an hour the family will head up to DA to go to the fine arts festival put on by the kids. Annieo has some pieces in there and most of the kids here are wonderful artists. It should be great to see what else is there and meet some more of the families.
Until next time!
I find myself really enjoying the weather more. I come to appreciate the heat which is somewhat strange to me but that's how God works. I even went for a run in the park with Laurie, trying to dodge bikers, cars, other runners, and even horses. There are so many people here. Driving is INSANE! Most people drive on the right.... but really you just drive. There are cars that will try to pass you on the left as you're turning left. Cars don't really car about pedestrians and pedestrians don't really care about cars. Mom, you would probably have a heart attack =).
Earlier, Laurie and I went to the market. It's very similar to a flea market, except the market is on the median of a street and you better hold your bag and not be scared of people. Thankfully Laurie was able to help me bargain with a vendor and I was able to get two "ponyas" for 7000 cfs (about $6). Ponyas are basically skirt wraps. The girls that go to Dakar Academy have to wear them over their shorts from there house to the school. They make good work skirts too. The plan is to wear African clothes on the days that I have to work at the deaf school. It is across town and I need to try to fit in as much as possible.
In about an hour the family will head up to DA to go to the fine arts festival put on by the kids. Annieo has some pieces in there and most of the kids here are wonderful artists. It should be great to see what else is there and meet some more of the families.
Until next time!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Arrival
I made it! My flight over was wonderful. The Lord has already placed people in my life. I ended up sitting next two precious women, one of them was a pastor in South Africa. The other kept holding my hand and praying for me after she found out I was a Christian.
I was politely greeted by several men when I got to the airport. A soldier took a particular liking to me and got me through customs and stayed with me until I got my bags. I am a single, young, white woman enough said.
It is taking me a while to adjust to all the changes. Mostly the heat and trying to figure out where my place is going to be. I thought Mobile was hot. I had no idea what hot was or how much I could actually sweat. You just learn the tricks, walking with umbrellas, changing clothes, etc. I find myself instead of hoping for hot water, hoping for water pressure and preferring to take cold showers. You just get used to the idea of being sticky a lot.
Today, I got my first experience in the deaf school. I visited with several of the classrooms. They have children from all ages and all skill levels. Some of these children have had no language communication with either French, English, or sign language. Some are 7 years old and just now getting a chance to learn how to communicate. I found it a relief to me that I could finally talk to some of the locals not through French but through my hands.
I was watching a teacher teach reading on the board. He would point to the word, which was in French and then the boy would sign it, then I would get to understand the French. I'm going to be learning so much of both languages. There is a possibility I may mentor a girl who wants to be a teacher at the deaf school. I hope to spend much more time there.
Besides getting over jet lag and the heat it has been a blessing to be here. Definitely not as easy as I had thought but, easy would create the dependence the Lord needs of me.
Please continue to pray for about my adjusting period. I have already had a few moments of "what am I doing here?" Also pray blessing on the Klaas family who have been wonderful in helping me.
Au Revoir mon ami!
I was politely greeted by several men when I got to the airport. A soldier took a particular liking to me and got me through customs and stayed with me until I got my bags. I am a single, young, white woman enough said.
It is taking me a while to adjust to all the changes. Mostly the heat and trying to figure out where my place is going to be. I thought Mobile was hot. I had no idea what hot was or how much I could actually sweat. You just learn the tricks, walking with umbrellas, changing clothes, etc. I find myself instead of hoping for hot water, hoping for water pressure and preferring to take cold showers. You just get used to the idea of being sticky a lot.
Today, I got my first experience in the deaf school. I visited with several of the classrooms. They have children from all ages and all skill levels. Some of these children have had no language communication with either French, English, or sign language. Some are 7 years old and just now getting a chance to learn how to communicate. I found it a relief to me that I could finally talk to some of the locals not through French but through my hands.
I was watching a teacher teach reading on the board. He would point to the word, which was in French and then the boy would sign it, then I would get to understand the French. I'm going to be learning so much of both languages. There is a possibility I may mentor a girl who wants to be a teacher at the deaf school. I hope to spend much more time there.
Besides getting over jet lag and the heat it has been a blessing to be here. Definitely not as easy as I had thought but, easy would create the dependence the Lord needs of me.
Please continue to pray for about my adjusting period. I have already had a few moments of "what am I doing here?" Also pray blessing on the Klaas family who have been wonderful in helping me.
Au Revoir mon ami!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Tomorrow!
I can't believe I actually get to do this! Mission work is something I've always talked about and dreamed about since I was a kid. It's finally here! God has been so faithful putting all of this together. I feel so blessed to be covered by such amazing people in the body of Christ.
I leave tomorrow at 3:45 flying out of Atlanta and into Dakar, Senegal. I should get there about 3 AM their time (Senegal is 5 hours ahead of EST). While I did my best to pack light, I'm still taking two full bags. Pray that I get them through customs. I feel a little like Santa Clause taking stuff in country to everyone.
I'm past the point of trying to figure out what's going to happen and now am just letting everything go and enjoying the ride. I can't wait to tell you all about it. I'm sure I won't be getting everything right and be making a few cultural errors.
Blessings!
I leave tomorrow at 3:45 flying out of Atlanta and into Dakar, Senegal. I should get there about 3 AM their time (Senegal is 5 hours ahead of EST). While I did my best to pack light, I'm still taking two full bags. Pray that I get them through customs. I feel a little like Santa Clause taking stuff in country to everyone.
I'm past the point of trying to figure out what's going to happen and now am just letting everything go and enjoying the ride. I can't wait to tell you all about it. I'm sure I won't be getting everything right and be making a few cultural errors.
Blessings!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thief!
The verse in John, saying Satan has only come to steal, kill, and destroy has made itself very clear to me today. On the day I set aside to get my vaccination shots I find out that I have strep throat. Please pray that my body heals quickly and that I will be able to start shots next weekend. My God is so much bigger than this.
New Beginnings
Hello Friends,
I'd like to take a minute and catch you up with what God has been doing in my life this year and the opportunities he has placed before me. I have been in
I've made my home in
I have always wanted to go on a foreign mission trip, but never had the opportunity. During the past year, I have prayed silently about a desire to go to
This semester our youth group hosted, Annieo and Rudyo Klaas, whose parents are missionaries in
I'm calling this trip my exploratory mission trip. While I am in
I plan to leave for
Please pray:
- That I would have safe travel both in and out of country.
- That doors would begin to open, as well as my eyes.
- That I would see what missions really is.
- That if I am called to further missions, God would give me a deeper desire.
- I also ask that you would pray blessing on the Klaas family for the gift of their time to me.
Thank you so very much,
Jeanetta Bennett
Isaiah 52:7
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)