THANKS!!!

THANK YOU!! Wow, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of Grace and so encouraged by the love and support. Thanks Yan for organizing everything and coming! It was great hanging out last night and fun unpacking all my goodies! See you this weekend!

TIA

TIA, this is africa. This week I've had to remind myself that just because I've been here before and things don't "shock" me like they did the first time I was here, I am in a foreign country. It's okay to feel exhausted and frustrated, hot and sweaty, and to struggle communicating with others. It's okay that it's not normal to me to see a sheep standing on the sidewalk in the middle of downtown, be woken up before sunrise to the chanting of Muslim prayers, or have little boys dressed in tattered clothes roam the streets begging for my money.

The Psalms have been refreshing to me this week in hearing the cries of men who sought the face of God. In their troubles and joys they held onto the promises of God and were strengthened through it. Here are some specific ways to pray...


- RAIN for the countryside; most of the churches our team supports are located in the countryside and desperately depend on a good harvest for their livelihood. If they don't have a rain soon, they will be in a crisis situation.
- Relationships; Ask that God would bring me close African friends to help me adjust to life here and that I would be a light for Christ. Pray that God would open the heart of the national family I will be living above to the Gospel. Pray that they will experience God's grace through my life.
-Language Learning; Pray that I would be able to communicate with others efficiently and effectively. Pray for discipline and diligence in my studies, and that I would put into practice what I learn in the classroom.

An answer to prayer

Today, I settled on an apartment that is exactly what I was looking for in a place. The owner and his family (four kids) live on the first level, and he wants to make sure I will be a good role model for his kids. He has a few rules, but I don't think they will be a problem. The street seems pleasant, quiet but with plenty of neighbors around and nearby amenities. I have access to places to run and am close to a public swimming pool. I am also walking distance from language classes. Thanks for your prayers!

Starbucks Sighting...

Yes. I was walking to school yesterday and passed by a street stand selling a set of procelain starbucks cups. I couldn't believe it was true, so l asked to take a picture. I imagine the black market is the only place starbucks is going to show its face in West Africa for now. I don't think it could compete with the street side cafe touba carts and nescafe.

Looking for an Appartment

Yesterday, I think, I found my apartment; who knows I may not have understood everything. On the sidewalks around the city "real estate agents" post advertisements of houses and appartments for rent or for sale on wooden boards. Usually, when you look at the sign, someone down the street or close by will come and help you. Saturday, I had a rendez-vous with an agent and saw an apartment that met all my qualifications --- safe, good location, roof access, friendly environment, a place nearby to run, and etc. I didn't take pictures, but if I get it I'll post some. The place is very basic. It has running water and electricity, but no stove or refrigerator, cabinets or drawers, nor, closets or bathroom mirrors. The front of the apartment has an open atrium that gives you an outside patio feel for your entry. All that to say, it will need some small additions to make it work long term, but it is typical for here.

Today, I was reminded that it was a step of faith for me to come here and that it will continue to be a journey of faith. I worshipped at an evangelical church nearby where I am staying, and was reminded of the many ways that God has already been at work in Africa through the centuries. Most of the people at the church were from other parts of Africa, but there were at least a few nationals. Why God has brought me here? And, how will I be used? I'll just have to wait and see. For now it is to learn from my African brothers and sisters. One of the verses read today was Matthew 9:37-38, "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." In this season of my life it means being in West Africa.

French Course at the University

Roof Top Gardener

A few days after I arrived in the city, my friend's neighbor showed me her garden located on top of her unfinished house.

Village Wedding

This past weekend I travelled out to the villages to witness the wedding of one of the pastors in our mission. It was one dusty, long trip into the middle of no where, but a beautiful testimony of God's picture of marriage and the Gospel. I think I sat for twelve hours straight, including driving time. When we arrived at the wedding we were given a room to sit in because we had travelled a long distance. After waiting a couple of hours, a lady brought us fermented milk with millet and then eventually our breakfast of noodles and potatoes, around 1:15. You know it will be a long day when you are served breakfast in the afternoon. Another hour passed just sitting on a bed, waiting, and looking through the door to others waiting outside under the tent. Finally, we went and sat under the tent to continue waiting. The service started around 3:30, lasted two to three hours, and was performed in Seer and Wolof. As you notice in the picture, the bride and groom are very serious. They were like this during the whole ceremony and is a sign of setting apart your wedding day. Despite all the waiting, I felt priviledged to attend.

June Update

A Long Road Ahead

Words alone do not capture the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings I have experienced since arriving in West Africa. It has been a full five days of entering into my new life here and the beginning of learning what it means to be involved in church planting in a Muslim, African context. How is the Gospel lived out in this city, country and region of the world? More than anything I realize that I have a long road ahead of me of living by faith and depending upon God’s wisdom to guide me. Thank you for wanting to partner with me through prayer and various ways of support. I am tremendously blessed by you. THANK YOU!

Hospitality
Yvette, who works with campus ministry, has graciously let me stay at her apartment since my arrival and has been an excellent tour guide, making me feel at home in the city. Today, I moved into a mission guesthouse where I will live for the next week. It is within walking distance of the university and will be great for French class.

Pleasant Surprise
When I left to come here, I thought I would be giving up going to cafes and Western comforts, but upon arrival I realize that this is not completely true. In the city you can find many Western amenities, sometimes expensive, but, not necessarily. I realized I had little exposure to this last time I was here, because of where I lived. It has also reminded me that the average national does not live this way.

Cultural Learning
It has been great to be here and learn from the team what they would like me to be involved in with my time here. The first six months will be spent learning French and Wolof, so that I will be able to function in both by the end of the year. It will also involve cultural learning, both in the city and in the villages. Before you can effectively minister to others, it is necessary to learn their language and the culture they come from. As much as I would like to dive into “doing something” that helps, these next months will give me an opportunity to put my ideas on hold and learn how to function effectively in the context.

Need for the Gospel
In coming back, I realize how very few national evangelical believers exist in this country. It is less than a percentage of the whole population. Interestingly, most of the Christians I have met in the city are not from this country but other African countries. Yesterday, I attended a Bible study of around twenty people, all of whom were from other parts of the continent. In the city there are hardly, if any, national evangelical believers; the national churches my mission works with are located outside of the city. Despite the presence of missionaries, the main Muslim ethnic group has been resistant to the Gospel. The need for the Gospel in this city and nation is evident, so please pray for the Holy Spirit to work in mighty ways,PRAYER
Praises:
Safety in Travel
A Warm Welcome
Good Health
Temporary Lodgment
Sense of confirmation and vision

Requests:
Personally
Good Rest (sleep, time in God’s Word, and prayer)
Daily trust in God’s plan for my life
Wisdom and direction in where I should live (I would like to settle down sooner, rather than later, and desire a peace of mind about this. Ask that God would make it clear to me where He would have me live and that He would provide a place I can afford. Most of the places I have heard about I would need a roommate which is hard to find.)
Discipline and fun in learning French and Wolof
Relationships to be plentiful and Christ-centered

Mission Team
A healthy relationship between the mission and the national church partnership
Wisdom in direction in church planting
Good relationships within the mission

I love DC

This afternoon on the way back from the market, two guys were walking down the street wearing American t-shirts. One was an Old Navy 4th of July shirt and the other one said I love DC. They did not want to be in the picture, but said I could take one of their shirt.

Glimpses

Little children chatter outside my window as I hear the nearby sound of men chanting prayers to Allah. The fan clicks back and forth as I try to take in my new surroundings and process my first day. I know God brought me hear, I am reminded as I read the many replys from my e-mail, but why? Unanswered questions fill my head in knowing what my life should look like here and how to navigate the information, sights, and sounds that I've experienced so far. Unknowns are good, because they force me to depend upon God for His daily faithfulness. His grace is sufficient and I desire nothing but His direction.

Last night I took a sleeping pill at 2:30am and didn't arrouse from my slumber until 11:30am. I feel rested but still exhausted. I'm staying with a teammate until Wednesday and then am going to move into a guesthouse for a week and after become a vagabond. No, well maybe. The guesthouse has availibility for a few weeks, but there is a week in between that they don't have room. It will work for now and is best since I am not sure where the most convient place will be for me to live long term.

Purchased Ticket and Packing

It's been a while since I've given an update on my journey to West Africa, and I'm sure it has something to do with not publizing my blog for you to read. My ticket is purchased and I'm waiting in anticipation for June 20th to roll around. Actually, I'm a little nervous that I won't be ready upon its arrival. I want to leave well, so I am trying to soak up all the little things I enjoy in the States before I leave, while processing all the changes that are about to take place in my life. Mostly I'm thankful that I am finished the support rasing and am preparing for the next stage. I'm trying to figure out all of the important things to take with me to Africa for two years. What do I really need? It's hard to decide...
I'm still working at the cafe, and should get some sleep before I become incoherent. a bientot

Seeds of Exchange

On Saturday I drove up to Denver to visit a college friend and ended up spending six hours at a Seeds of Exchange party. It was a wonderful, refreshing day. Sarah (a friend of a friend) started Seeds of Exchange a year ago and hosts a fair trade market every two months. Each time different women from around the world share their story; this time we heard stories from Uganda, Afghanistan, and Denver. After the market and stories, Rebecca and I made flatbread for the rice and lentil soup dinner.




http://www.seedsofexchange.spaces.live.com/

Blessings

Blessings come in many forms: newborn babies, spring time blossoms, best friends, bargin buys, the bonds of the body of God, surprise books, birthday celebrations, the breath of life, and bunches more.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

ECHO PICTURES

The Heavens declare the Glory of God
My attempt to capture the beauty of the stars through my webcam failed, but the ski tonight is clear with twinkles up above. Over and over at ECHO I am being inadated with ideas and resources, my favorite being through conversations with people here. I am going to make this a passing comment, because I was told that there is a little bit of duck left for me to try. Yes, yesterday Derek, one of the interns, killed a duck. ciao

Pictures to come, but first the recap.

Amaranth, Moringa, Canistel, Neem, Black sapote, Pigeon Peas, Cassava,...

These are a few of the tropical plants, I knew nothing about before I stepped foot onto ECHO. A week ago I arrived in South Florida to spend two and a half weeks learning about agricultural development in preparation for my time in West Africa. Little did I know that it would be cold and I would feel overwhelmed by the amount of ag. knowledge I do not possess. Before coming I did not understand what I did not know, but now I am beginning to...

The staff and interns live and work on the farm and have been a wonderful group of people to get to know. Although I have only been here a week, I am starting to settle in and understand farm life. I don't think I realized how much of a city girl I am, until now, spending a solid week on a farm will clue you in. Before I went to church this morning, I had only left the farm to go for a run.

Work/Study Schedule

I am here under their independent study program where you work in the morning around the farm and in the afternoon you study in their library. Last week each morning was a little different, but I mostly helped the interns out in their various tasks. There are six interns who spend a year on the farm to gain practical experience in working in a tropical climate in one of the six demo areas (semi-arid, monsoon, low-lands tropics, rain forest, high altitude, and urban roof-top). They also are responsible for helping out in the nursery and seed bank, cooking occassionally, giving tours, working the bookstore, and taking care of farm animals (rabbits, chickens, goats, ducks, and geese). I have a high respect for each of them. I have helped harvest, forage for goat food, prune grapes vines, dig a small trench for irrigation, weed, feed squawking geese, etc.
In the afternoon I research on different topics I think will be relevant for me in my time in West Africa. I am learning about all sorts of interesting plants and gardening techniques. I'll post some pictures this week to give you a better idea.

Support Raising

Sometimes God strips us of everything we hold dear and have placed our hope in, so that all we can do is weep and be broken before Him. He does not leave us there, but then clothes us graciously with His grace, His righteousness, His love, His wisdom and it is rich.

If you would have told me in June I would still be support raising in February, I would not have believed you. These months have not been what I have desired, but they have been good. It has taken me this time to begin to learn what it means for me to trust in God daily and depend upon His grace.


"I have community with others and I shall continue to have it only through Jesus Christ. The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us." -Dietrich Bonhoeffe