It's been a long time...

It's been way too long since I last updated you on my life in West Africa, and I could tell you all of my excuses but I'll just leave it at this, moving into my apartment took far more work and time than I had imagined and still could use some touches to make it a little more like home. I've been in it for almost two weeks and have enjoyed getting to know all my neighbors. I try to write down all their names so I can remember them when I see them the next time, but still have a ways to go in calling them the right ones... I started my Wolof classes two days ago and enjoy trying out my new words with anyone I meet. It's a great time of year to learn the language because all the kids are out on vacation. Last Saturday, they invited me to go to the beach with them and I spent most of the time chasing after a frisbee. It was great, except later in the day I was stung by a sea urchin. I had no idea they are poisonous, but after having a swollen foot for a few days I would advise to stay away from black prickly objects in the sea.

I've been wrestling alot about what it means to live in a developing country and effectively serve the people. I haven't discovered any profound answers, but I am learning it is in loving your neighbor. Please continue to pray for wisdom and direction.

Yes, I do miss home. I miss blending in when I walk down the street, being near to friends and family, and breathing in clean air; at the same time, each day God's grace and love for me has been sufficient and His Word has been my resting place.

Another Week Flys By

I can't believe it's Friday again and another week has quickly passed. This week has been packed with visitors, walking through flooded streets, meetings, French classes, getting my apartment ready, and trying to get enough rest. I left the missionary guesthouse on Tuesday and was sad to say goodbye to what has been my home for the past month. It was such a gift for me to be there and meet many different missionaries from all over the world. I'm continuing to learn and be amazed in how God uses fallen people in bringing forth His kingdom. I'm staying at a teammates' house until I make my official move.

This week my landlord told me that I could move in on Wednesday because our contract started at midnight Tuesday. Due to a few minor details, like the kitchen still under construction, I've decided to wait a few more days. I going to start moving some things this weekend, but will settle in next week. I'm going out to the villages this weekend and don't mind waiting a little longer.

Last night I stopped by to talk to the group of ladies I met last week. A guy was walking by and stopped to help one of the ladies talk to me, since I do not speak Wolof. He was kind enough to talk with me and these ladies for a while, and interestingly enough he is studying microfinance at the university. He is willing to work with me some in helping these women. I'm encouraged to see the people God is bringing into my life. Please pray for wisdom as I continue to develop relationships with these women and learn how I can best serve them. Pray that they would see more than just aid, but that they would understand the Gospel and be transformed by it. Please pray for the guy who wants to help me out that God would work in his life and that I would have an opportunity to share my faith with him.

Other areas I would appreciate prayer...

My relationships with my landlord and my neighbors

Relationships with the churches I'll be working with, particularly for unity among the missionaries and church leaders

Focus and discipline in my language studies; ability to be able to communicate well with others

My relationship with God; for rest and refreshment in His Word,so that I will know Him more and be able to share His truth with others

Protection against Satan and his schemes

If you've read all of this, thanks. Your partnership in this work is immensely felt and appreciated.

Ciao

Hope and Inequality

Tonight, I went out to buy some vegetables but arrived too late. The women had already left their stands and the neighborhood grocery store was closed. I had my mind set on a salad, so I decided to buy a carry out salad from the restaurant across the street. The salad cost me the equivalent of 6 US dollars and could have bought me a weeks worth of vegetables for myself. I didn't feel like that was a good use of my money, but at the same time I wanted something healthy. Anyways, on my way back I met a group of women sitting on the sidewalk. A few of them had buckets with onions and other miscellaneous items, it was too dark for me to tell exactly what they had with them. One of them pointed at my salad and asked me for help. We started talking, in my broken French and few words of Wolof, and I began to learn their story. They come into the city, almost everyday, from the outskirts of Dakar to find help for their families. They go around asking for aid or trying to find work. Evidently, I do not fully understand their lives or specific situations, but it made me realize the difficulty people have here just to provide food for their family. I told them I wanted to help them and am going to meet them again next week. Lately, I've been thinking and praying that God would bring women into my life to serve. I don't know if I'll see these women again or how much I'll be able to encourage them. I feel inadequate in my knowledge of the system here and the potential resources available to them. Despite this, I believe God has placed them in my life and would ask for prayer and guidance as I think about how best to serve them. Yesterday, when I was overwhelmed with gifts from home, I was sweetly reminded of the many people who are partnering with me in this ministry. Thank you!

Apartment Update

Well...it looks like my apartment won't be ready for a while. I originally was optimistic about it taking only a week to finish, but now I don't know. Moving day TBA.

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