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."

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.

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!

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!

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!