Just Hanging Out

Pop has grown so much since I first came in August. It's been fun to watch him grow and change. He'll be walking in no time.

The past couple of weeks I've gotten to visit my Senegalese family with friends. It's been great to introduce some of my friends from school to my family and to Senegalese culture. I love watching people enjoy being here. Even with the language barrier, we can all laugh and have a good time.

Sharing a bowl of rice and fish, my favorite Senegalese meal. It is so good even though it looks really messy. Just looking at the picture I can almost taste those spices. I was so happy I got to share this with my friends.

Khadi, this is for you. Papa is so much bigger but not too big for "sac of ceeb." Wish you could see them.

Last week, one of my teammates from two summers ago was in Dakar. She and her husband were flying through on their way to their mission field in another part of West Africa. It was great to catch up with her and hear about what God has done in her life since that summer.

She was also a huge encouragement to me while she was here. It was good to reminisce about things that happened during the summer. Sometimes being here is hard, and I forget that there are other people praying for me and my Senegalese family. The going is slow in sharing with them, but she reminded me that we have hope in Someone greater and that the story I have to share is worth the time and effort. She got me excited again. It was great to have her here even though it was only for a few days.

Spring Break Surprises

In many ways I still feel like a college student. And, I really didn't know what to do with myself over Spring Break. I felt like I should be going to visit my parents, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. What do you do with two weeks? Fortunately, I did find a few things to do, and I got a few surprises along the way.

I got my biggest surprise my first weekend of Spring Break. When I showed up at my Senegalese family's house on Saturday, there were tons of ladies sitting around and cooking. I knew I had walked into some type of celebration or mourning. Everyone looked happy, so I assumed the first. When I finally asked, I found out that one of my friends was getting married that day. Surprise!

They just kept saying, "No one called you?" After I knew what was going on, I left. I was not dressed for a wedding and felt very out of place. Before you think me rude and culturally insensitive, let me say that I did return. I told them I was going to change into my Senegalese clothes and that I would be back in time for lunch.

When I got back, I sat around with a group of women and listened to them talk and make comments about the "toubab" (that would be me) who had just shown up. I stayed until early evening but left before the bride returned from the salon. They know how to do some serious celebrating here.

The first part of my Spring Break I spent a lot of time with a family here in Dakar who have kind of taken me in, which I am very thankful for. They were getting ready to move across town, and I wanted to help in some way, though I didn't really do very much. I enjoyed having a place to go. It made it a little bit easier when I really just wanted a quick visit with my mom and dad.

During the middle of the two weeks, I got to go to a teaching conference in Germany. I enjoyed the conference and really appreciated the scenery. Senegal this time of year (and most other times of the year) is not very green. There is just not a lot growing here. Anyway, Germany was very green and rainy, two things that I haven't seen in awhile.

Look at that green grass, that beautiful yellow flower, and that heavy coat. Oh the differences between Europe and Africa!

On the way back to Senegal, we had a layover in Portugal. We went out exploring for a few hours and found a castle. The only problem was that it was on the top of a really tall hill. We had to climb up these stairs and then some.

I made it to the top (barely). Must have air. Are there really more stairs up ahead? Oh well, I didn't have to exercise later. This was definitely a good workout for the day. And thankfully, going down was easier than going up.

I just wanted to show what a good friend I was. While in the airport, my friend ordered some hot chocolate from Starbucks. It came with lots of whipped cream on top, which she doesn't like. I decided to make the sacrifice for her and eat the whipped cream. Life can really be a challenge at times.

All in all, it was a good break from school, and I enjoyed my time. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had some place to go. I am also very thankful for friends who made the time go more quickly. Maybe someday I'll feel like a "grown-up." Then again, I enjoy being a "kid." Feeling like a kid keeps me dependent on God. I know I can't handle things on my own. May I never forget that I am His child in this journey into adulthood.