Don't you hate to be mis-quoted? This happens to me on occasion, and I sometimes wonder how things can be so distorted. Maybe I do have a tendancy to miss communicate what I want to say, but I can't imagine it's this bad.
One thing that happened this week was that my teacher spoke about our class sessions with my supervisor. He spoke that I don't accept criticism well to the point that I will make up my own rules in the language. This could not be further from the truth. He speaks quickly and will often correct my sentence structure or choice of words before I finish my sentence, which frustrates me to no end! So I had asked him not to correct me, that I want to be able to correct myself. He speaks very good English and I thought I had communicated that sufficiently to him in Wolof. Since we have spoken about it in English and he has a better understanding of where I stand.
Another thing that was mis-communicated was a conversation I had with a family I have befriended here. They are national missionaries and I'll go to visit them occasionally. One such occasion the husband wasn't there, but the daughter and child were, and we had a good discussion for maybe 2 hours over tea.
Later, Elliott dropped by himself, and heard from her that I had visited. Taking the time to ask about my progress in the language, he asked for her input. She reported that when we were talking about besap trees, she asked if there were fruit trees in America. She said I then started talking about McCain's children. Well this wasn't true. I didn't understand the question she posed to me, and maybe after a brief pause asked what she thought of McCain's running mate? Each time I've visited they bring up politics, and at the time I was interested in what she had to say.
So I've communicated that these are problems with Elliott. He thinks I need to slow down, take my time in speaking. I on the other hand think these are vocabulary issues, and would be normal in anyone's beginning of a foreign language study. Hopefully they are simply misunderstandings and do not happen much in the future. It did, however, make for a rough week. Thanks be to God that it has been resolved.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tisbaar Prayer
Today I took the chance to do some cultural learning. I wasn't sure how well I would be received, but I wanted to take the chance to observe the Friday afternoon (Tisbaar) prayer.
Each day, at precicely 2pm, a call to prayer is uttered and people will flock to the mosque to pray. Men line up side by side in rows within the mosque, women and children pray behind the men. All the people are facing east and will do a series of bows while they pray. There is a person who utters the "call to prayer" and then the Iman will lead the prayer time as each person mimics him. For awhile now I have wanted to observe this in action, and finally got up the nerve to try.
Here's the thing. I've been a part of this service before in America. There's a large mosque near NC State campus that I have visited at least 3 times. No, I'm not thinking of converting, I'm just curious, and 2 of those were for a class assignment. We had a lab class on the other side of the road from this mosque so I was there for several different classes. So I have seen this before, but in a different culture knowing that I was accepted as an outsider. Here in Mekhe, the culture is obviously different and I did want to be respectful of their worship time.
I went early so I would be able to observe beforehand. I saw a group of kids at the well selling water, and started a conversation with them. I figured they would be able to tell me if it would be ok to sit and observe, and they seemed to indicate it would be. So I stayed.
Here's the reason the Friday prayer is a little different from all the others. I'm not sure why Friday is their day, but they feel that if more people can come together and pray at the same time, God will hear one of those prayers uttered because that person has done enough good works to gain God's favor. How heart wretching! How hopeless! And like many small villages, all the small businesses shut down for the Friday afternoon prayer time. Everyone in the city goes to the larger mosques to pray as one.
So I did get to see this in practice. People came in flocks. Some early, some later than I thought they would. But as the 2pm call was uttered many people came at once. There were probably 150 people there at this mosque. I was expecting a thousand. I was actually surprised to see people taking naps when I walked home from the mosque, but I believed those people to be women and out of towners who were traveling and were away from their home.
I didn't have a problem sitting and staying near the mosque. The people seemed to accept that I want to understand the culture here, and no harsh eye glares or words were uttered. In fact I was greeted before and after the prayer time by men, so I do not think they thought negatively of this.
So this was my weekly cultural lesson. I enjoyed it, though it shows the vast lostness of the people here and the work we have to do.
Each day, at precicely 2pm, a call to prayer is uttered and people will flock to the mosque to pray. Men line up side by side in rows within the mosque, women and children pray behind the men. All the people are facing east and will do a series of bows while they pray. There is a person who utters the "call to prayer" and then the Iman will lead the prayer time as each person mimics him. For awhile now I have wanted to observe this in action, and finally got up the nerve to try.
Here's the thing. I've been a part of this service before in America. There's a large mosque near NC State campus that I have visited at least 3 times. No, I'm not thinking of converting, I'm just curious, and 2 of those were for a class assignment. We had a lab class on the other side of the road from this mosque so I was there for several different classes. So I have seen this before, but in a different culture knowing that I was accepted as an outsider. Here in Mekhe, the culture is obviously different and I did want to be respectful of their worship time.
I went early so I would be able to observe beforehand. I saw a group of kids at the well selling water, and started a conversation with them. I figured they would be able to tell me if it would be ok to sit and observe, and they seemed to indicate it would be. So I stayed.
Here's the reason the Friday prayer is a little different from all the others. I'm not sure why Friday is their day, but they feel that if more people can come together and pray at the same time, God will hear one of those prayers uttered because that person has done enough good works to gain God's favor. How heart wretching! How hopeless! And like many small villages, all the small businesses shut down for the Friday afternoon prayer time. Everyone in the city goes to the larger mosques to pray as one.
So I did get to see this in practice. People came in flocks. Some early, some later than I thought they would. But as the 2pm call was uttered many people came at once. There were probably 150 people there at this mosque. I was expecting a thousand. I was actually surprised to see people taking naps when I walked home from the mosque, but I believed those people to be women and out of towners who were traveling and were away from their home.
I didn't have a problem sitting and staying near the mosque. The people seemed to accept that I want to understand the culture here, and no harsh eye glares or words were uttered. In fact I was greeted before and after the prayer time by men, so I do not think they thought negatively of this.
So this was my weekly cultural lesson. I enjoyed it, though it shows the vast lostness of the people here and the work we have to do.
Friday, September 19, 2008
who are you named for?
In America we really don't think much about who we are named for. Most parents pick names from a book that sounds unique or has a particular meaning, or maybe they give a child the name of a close friend. Some parents do give the honor of the firstborn son the name of his father. I was named for my father, and while I like my name and the honor of the comparison to Dad, I never really cared for being called "little Roy" as a child! Try telling a 12 year old boy that he's 'little,' he doesn't want to hear it!
Well, here in Senegal, the person you are named for is very important. When a baby is born, there is a celebration on the 8th day of it's life to celebrate the child's birth. At this ceremony (ngente), gifts are brought for the family. Mothers give the mother clothes, cloth, food, milk or various other items she can use, while fathers and men give the father money. The family serves a big lunch for everyone that comes, and after lunch there is the ceremony. I want to go to one to see all that is involved. I hear it is at the ceremony that the person the child will be named for (turandoo) has the highest seat of honor. S/he will be served first, s/he will present the child to the family, and will become a person of great influence to the child, much like we would consider a G0d-parent to be, I think. During the life of the child, the turandoo and child will exchange gifts and mentor/be mentored. So the turandoo is an important person to the person.
Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet my turandoo. Some missionary friends introduced me to the owner of their house, who asked me for my Senegalese name. When I told him I didn't have one, he gave me the name of one of his friends. If I had met this person, I could have formed a close relationship with him.
So this is an example of culture here in Senegal that I wanted you to be aware of. Just a bit of random information. Hope you enjoyed!
Well, here in Senegal, the person you are named for is very important. When a baby is born, there is a celebration on the 8th day of it's life to celebrate the child's birth. At this ceremony (ngente), gifts are brought for the family. Mothers give the mother clothes, cloth, food, milk or various other items she can use, while fathers and men give the father money. The family serves a big lunch for everyone that comes, and after lunch there is the ceremony. I want to go to one to see all that is involved. I hear it is at the ceremony that the person the child will be named for (turandoo) has the highest seat of honor. S/he will be served first, s/he will present the child to the family, and will become a person of great influence to the child, much like we would consider a G0d-parent to be, I think. During the life of the child, the turandoo and child will exchange gifts and mentor/be mentored. So the turandoo is an important person to the person.
Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to meet my turandoo. Some missionary friends introduced me to the owner of their house, who asked me for my Senegalese name. When I told him I didn't have one, he gave me the name of one of his friends. If I had met this person, I could have formed a close relationship with him.
So this is an example of culture here in Senegal that I wanted you to be aware of. Just a bit of random information. Hope you enjoyed!
some struggles
I do enjoy the work that I do here in Senegal, and in Mekhe. Lately the weather has been nice. Some days it has been hot, other days fairly mild. It is like a summer in NC during August, and when I was coming I expected much hotter, more extreme conditions. So I really can't complain about the life here.
But what I have been struggling with lately is putting my passionate foot forward. It took so long for language classes to get started, so it seems like I have been learning Wolof for a year now since I have lived here nearly 10 months and worked as a missionary for a year. But I've only had 5 months of classes. They weren't kidding when they told me I would be a life learner as a missionary.
But I'm ready to share with people. Yet after Wolof class, I sometimes feel so tired that I just want to rest. So a struggle at times has been to even go and visit with my neighbors and friends. This is the season of Ramadan, and I'm always greeted with the question "how is the fasting?" When I answer that question, I tell them that I'm not a Muslim, that I am a follower of Christ, so I am not fasting during this season. Earlier this month I was struggling just to say this. But I have noticed the more I say it the easier it comes. I think that is true with most things that I have learned. I simply have to practice it repeatedly in order to learn it. This was a struggle, but now it's coming around.
But my struggle lately has been my passion. It's here, but it's tired! Lately I have been reading a lot about the politics that are going on in America. Deep down I have always wanted to work in conservation, and now that conservation seems to be the wave of the future in career choices, I'm itching to find a job that will pave the way for the future. It would be something I know I would enjoy. I don't get to work with my hands here, and since I see my hands as one of God's greatest gifts to me, often times I wonder how I can use them here. Maybe I am supposed to be doing something else? When I think this way, I realize that satan is reminding me of what I love, but I should be focusing more on who I love.
Another minor battle has been these blisters on my feet. They aren't healing because as I walk I keep breaking the scabs. This is keeping me from exercising like I wish I could, and I do miss the exercises that I grew into the habit of doing.
So I have been battling a little this month with my interests and things that I want to do. I still wish that I could find a balance between these. I enjoy the time I have to talk with friends and neighbors, but gee, if I could work in a lab developing methods of conservation as well, I'd be more satisfied with my work. Maybe this is where God is teaching me that it's not about me, and it's all about his will for my life. I still have a lot to learn. I know that I am stubborn at times. But I know that God is faithful and he will bring me through these struggles. I pray that my joy will remain complete despite them.
But what I have been struggling with lately is putting my passionate foot forward. It took so long for language classes to get started, so it seems like I have been learning Wolof for a year now since I have lived here nearly 10 months and worked as a missionary for a year. But I've only had 5 months of classes. They weren't kidding when they told me I would be a life learner as a missionary.
But I'm ready to share with people. Yet after Wolof class, I sometimes feel so tired that I just want to rest. So a struggle at times has been to even go and visit with my neighbors and friends. This is the season of Ramadan, and I'm always greeted with the question "how is the fasting?" When I answer that question, I tell them that I'm not a Muslim, that I am a follower of Christ, so I am not fasting during this season. Earlier this month I was struggling just to say this. But I have noticed the more I say it the easier it comes. I think that is true with most things that I have learned. I simply have to practice it repeatedly in order to learn it. This was a struggle, but now it's coming around.
But my struggle lately has been my passion. It's here, but it's tired! Lately I have been reading a lot about the politics that are going on in America. Deep down I have always wanted to work in conservation, and now that conservation seems to be the wave of the future in career choices, I'm itching to find a job that will pave the way for the future. It would be something I know I would enjoy. I don't get to work with my hands here, and since I see my hands as one of God's greatest gifts to me, often times I wonder how I can use them here. Maybe I am supposed to be doing something else? When I think this way, I realize that satan is reminding me of what I love, but I should be focusing more on who I love.
Another minor battle has been these blisters on my feet. They aren't healing because as I walk I keep breaking the scabs. This is keeping me from exercising like I wish I could, and I do miss the exercises that I grew into the habit of doing.
So I have been battling a little this month with my interests and things that I want to do. I still wish that I could find a balance between these. I enjoy the time I have to talk with friends and neighbors, but gee, if I could work in a lab developing methods of conservation as well, I'd be more satisfied with my work. Maybe this is where God is teaching me that it's not about me, and it's all about his will for my life. I still have a lot to learn. I know that I am stubborn at times. But I know that God is faithful and he will bring me through these struggles. I pray that my joy will remain complete despite them.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Team Meeting
This week was a slightly different week for me. Our Wolof team meets periodically to discuss events, keep our tasks up to date, and relate ministry items with each other. Usually we meet 4 times a year.
This meeting lasted 2 days and we mostly discussed strategies for reaching the Wolof people. We talked about volunteer groups, partnering churches, current things that we are all involved in, as well as other things less exciting. It was an effective 2 day meeting, though I think we were all exhausted at the end of it.
Whenever I am in Dakar, I try to see a few of my many friends. I was able to enjoy time with the Reynolds and the Foremans, and I got to spend time each night I was there with the 2 evening guards whom I made friends with while I was in language learning several months ago. I was hoping to go by and see my 'dad' PJ but after not sleeping well the night before, I missed that opportunity. I'll be in town for a day next week, and maybe I can get there early enough to catch him before he goes off to work. I'll try. I want to update him with things and hear how he is doing.
While writing this post, I'll ask for a prayer request. Please pray for my feet to begin to heal. Since June there has been blister after blister on them which limit my mobility. I've wanted to play soccer, walk the streets, and enjoy my neighborhood. But when I don't sleep well for my feet throbbing, when I'm getting ingrown toenails that I've never gotten before, or when I can barely walk around my house I am beginning to realize that this is probably spiritual warfare that I am dealing with. Please pray with me that this will go away quickly so I can feel more effective in my ministry.
Thanks so much for reading and for your prayers.
This meeting lasted 2 days and we mostly discussed strategies for reaching the Wolof people. We talked about volunteer groups, partnering churches, current things that we are all involved in, as well as other things less exciting. It was an effective 2 day meeting, though I think we were all exhausted at the end of it.
Whenever I am in Dakar, I try to see a few of my many friends. I was able to enjoy time with the Reynolds and the Foremans, and I got to spend time each night I was there with the 2 evening guards whom I made friends with while I was in language learning several months ago. I was hoping to go by and see my 'dad' PJ but after not sleeping well the night before, I missed that opportunity. I'll be in town for a day next week, and maybe I can get there early enough to catch him before he goes off to work. I'll try. I want to update him with things and hear how he is doing.
While writing this post, I'll ask for a prayer request. Please pray for my feet to begin to heal. Since June there has been blister after blister on them which limit my mobility. I've wanted to play soccer, walk the streets, and enjoy my neighborhood. But when I don't sleep well for my feet throbbing, when I'm getting ingrown toenails that I've never gotten before, or when I can barely walk around my house I am beginning to realize that this is probably spiritual warfare that I am dealing with. Please pray with me that this will go away quickly so I can feel more effective in my ministry.
Thanks so much for reading and for your prayers.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
the latest sharing news
These are my latest opportunities of sharing with my friends. These stories feature:
-me!
-my weekly guard
-Mr. T, my welding friend
-and the adult children of my home owner.
and ACTION:
I've had some good conversations with my guard, with the youth at the house of my homeowner, and with the metal worker and his helpers on their relationship with God. I'll start with my guard. He's seen a More than Dreams DVD testimony-a true story about a Muslim who converted to Christianity, and he was asking questions after the dvd. They put a lot of emphasis on dreams here, and if Jesus speaks to them in a dream, they do seek him from others. I've shared with him some. I have asked him about his prayer beeds. He says he has to pray 1947 times a day! And I asked him what he's praying that much. He's saying 'forgive me' that many times...that's his prayer. His pastor (sereen) told him to do that. I'm working with him, and we'll continue to talk.
The homeowner and his family I have had some success with them. A month or so ago I was eating lunch with them, and went with one of the boys to his bedroom to have tea. While he was making tea and waiting for the water to boil he said his afternoon prayers. He read them aloud, but I noticed how fast he was reading. And I asked him why he rushed through the prayers? Was he praying what was on his heart? I was honestly curious. And he showed me his prayer book and that he's to pray through it daily, reading in Arabic. I asked him what it read, and he said he didn't know, just that he was to pray through it. So I shared that when I pray to God I pray what is on my heart, and I pray from my heart. Written prayers are ok, but I know that God loves me enough to want to hear from my heart. And when I pray, I talk to God with importance.
He seemed to understand that. We've talked since, and he's been with me when I've talked with others in his family, and he seems to be echoing what I try to say to his brothers and sisters. When they were asking questions and I would try to explain my answers, he'd speak more eloquently than I was able to. I'm going to have to start telling them stories, and maybe I have found someone that can be a helper.
The welder and his helpers have been much the same as the homeowner's kids. The welder wants to hear stories, and I am trying to build my relationship with him as well as simply tell truth now when I get the chance. He's helped me by asking his helpers not to talk so firm when they talk with me. I don't mind the firmness as much as they speak so fast and are so close to me when they talk (6 inches from my nose) that he helps me to tell them that we can learn from each other, and to have a conversation about our faith in God.
So that's where I am with those relationships. Please keep us in your prayers. Some days I feel like I'm close in getting them to understand, and other days it's as if I have to start over. I do care a lot about these individuals, and would love to see their hearts change.
-me!
-my weekly guard
-Mr. T, my welding friend
-and the adult children of my home owner.
and ACTION:
I've had some good conversations with my guard, with the youth at the house of my homeowner, and with the metal worker and his helpers on their relationship with God. I'll start with my guard. He's seen a More than Dreams DVD testimony-a true story about a Muslim who converted to Christianity, and he was asking questions after the dvd. They put a lot of emphasis on dreams here, and if Jesus speaks to them in a dream, they do seek him from others. I've shared with him some. I have asked him about his prayer beeds. He says he has to pray 1947 times a day! And I asked him what he's praying that much. He's saying 'forgive me' that many times...that's his prayer. His pastor (sereen) told him to do that. I'm working with him, and we'll continue to talk.
The homeowner and his family I have had some success with them. A month or so ago I was eating lunch with them, and went with one of the boys to his bedroom to have tea. While he was making tea and waiting for the water to boil he said his afternoon prayers. He read them aloud, but I noticed how fast he was reading. And I asked him why he rushed through the prayers? Was he praying what was on his heart? I was honestly curious. And he showed me his prayer book and that he's to pray through it daily, reading in Arabic. I asked him what it read, and he said he didn't know, just that he was to pray through it. So I shared that when I pray to God I pray what is on my heart, and I pray from my heart. Written prayers are ok, but I know that God loves me enough to want to hear from my heart. And when I pray, I talk to God with importance.
He seemed to understand that. We've talked since, and he's been with me when I've talked with others in his family, and he seems to be echoing what I try to say to his brothers and sisters. When they were asking questions and I would try to explain my answers, he'd speak more eloquently than I was able to. I'm going to have to start telling them stories, and maybe I have found someone that can be a helper.
The welder and his helpers have been much the same as the homeowner's kids. The welder wants to hear stories, and I am trying to build my relationship with him as well as simply tell truth now when I get the chance. He's helped me by asking his helpers not to talk so firm when they talk with me. I don't mind the firmness as much as they speak so fast and are so close to me when they talk (6 inches from my nose) that he helps me to tell them that we can learn from each other, and to have a conversation about our faith in God.
So that's where I am with those relationships. Please keep us in your prayers. Some days I feel like I'm close in getting them to understand, and other days it's as if I have to start over. I do care a lot about these individuals, and would love to see their hearts change.
An adventurous day...sometimes a typical day.
I'll tell you about my adventerous day this week. It was a thursday, like any typical thursday (ok, I'll stop with the Dragnet cameo). After studying Wolof I went out to work in the yard. I have a lamp that I wanted to replace, and some weeds I was going to get up. So after pulling the weeds I worked on the lamp. The lamp was too high for me to reach standing on a chair, and since I don't have a ladder I decided it was best to stand on the tailgate of my truck to hang the light. But when I went to start my truck, it wouldn't start.
I noticed when I turned the key to warm the glow plug I notice the gas needle didn't move-it stayed on empty. It didn't even move up to empty. First time it has not registered, it registered 3/4 of a tank last time I drove it on Sunday. But I wasn't concerned, needles go bad all the time. The truck fired up when I first cranked it, then stalled out. Old truck, been sitting for a week, I wasn't concerned about the stall. And cranked it again. This time, it wouldn't turn over. So I'm thinking the battery, and call my supervisor over to jump me with his truck. Well he comes over and says "you're not getting any gas" and I tell him again about the gas needle. He says, wow, somebody got you. But you can't cyphen every drop of gas from a tank, surely it will register something. And it did turn over, I have to think it's something else. But he suggested we fill a gas tank and put some gas in. After doing that, and pumping the fuel pump, it cranked. So now I'm thinking, yes, somebody did steal my gas and I'll need to go and get some more. My tank holds 40 liters and I was going to buy 20. However (this is the weird part), the tank only held 10 liters, 1/4 of the tank. So there was gas in the truck the whole time. It's never gone bad like that before, never even had a problem cranking. Anyway, got it running again and drove for 30 minutes to warm up the engine. I haven't driven it out of Mekhe since my trip to go shopping 2 or 3 weeks ago. Anyway, now I'll have to keep a close eye on my trip odometer to fill up with gas regularly. And I'm guessing I'll be driving my truck a little more regularly so this doesn't happen again. Least I know how to fix it now.
After that, I did use the truck to fix the lamp. I'll tell you about houses here. Everything is cement-cement walls, cement foundation, cement roofs. Typically they'll put rebarb in the walls as they pour the concrete to make the walls firm. However, the cement on my house is very soft. The last light I hung was very easy to hang. This one, I found the concrete to be quite firm. I was hanging it outside my guard's room-he has a separate building from my house but in my yard. I had some of the neighborhood kids hanging around with me and we talked while I worked on my truck and while I fixed the lamp. 2 of them were saying that I needed to buy some nails to punch into the cement. So I went with them to a hardware store to buy some. And we came back and I was able to hang the lamp, no problems. That was fun working with the kids. I gave them candy for helping.
Then with the work around the house finished, I went for a walk in the market. I saw my welder friend, my shop keeper friend, picked up my shirt I had made, and got a haircut. I had never met the man who cut my hair before. He is Nigerian-didn't know we had any Nigerians in town-and wanted to speak English with me. So I was ok with that. The haircut is a little short-I'd been letting my hair grow out for the last 5 months. My hair grows really slow, and the top is thinner than the sides. I don't like long hair on the side of my head, but don't mind combing the top. I have a military haircut now :) And that's ok with me, this is the way I always cut my hair in college.
So after my adventurous day, I came home, talked with my guard-we also watched XMen. I ate supper, exercised, and went to bed. And that's been a typical day for me this week...I'll study in the mornings, go out after lunch time and visit. I am trying to be respectful of the people during their fast and not even buy food during the day here. Everyone is fasting, in fact it's the first thing they'll ask me when they greet me. I'm having to say that as my testimony quite a lot this week, and I'm grateful for the opportunities to share my faith in Jesus as the only way to gain salvation. Of course they put their faith in the works they do. It's sad how they are caught up in the religion.
I noticed when I turned the key to warm the glow plug I notice the gas needle didn't move-it stayed on empty. It didn't even move up to empty. First time it has not registered, it registered 3/4 of a tank last time I drove it on Sunday. But I wasn't concerned, needles go bad all the time. The truck fired up when I first cranked it, then stalled out. Old truck, been sitting for a week, I wasn't concerned about the stall. And cranked it again. This time, it wouldn't turn over. So I'm thinking the battery, and call my supervisor over to jump me with his truck. Well he comes over and says "you're not getting any gas" and I tell him again about the gas needle. He says, wow, somebody got you. But you can't cyphen every drop of gas from a tank, surely it will register something. And it did turn over, I have to think it's something else. But he suggested we fill a gas tank and put some gas in. After doing that, and pumping the fuel pump, it cranked. So now I'm thinking, yes, somebody did steal my gas and I'll need to go and get some more. My tank holds 40 liters and I was going to buy 20. However (this is the weird part), the tank only held 10 liters, 1/4 of the tank. So there was gas in the truck the whole time. It's never gone bad like that before, never even had a problem cranking. Anyway, got it running again and drove for 30 minutes to warm up the engine. I haven't driven it out of Mekhe since my trip to go shopping 2 or 3 weeks ago. Anyway, now I'll have to keep a close eye on my trip odometer to fill up with gas regularly. And I'm guessing I'll be driving my truck a little more regularly so this doesn't happen again. Least I know how to fix it now.
After that, I did use the truck to fix the lamp. I'll tell you about houses here. Everything is cement-cement walls, cement foundation, cement roofs. Typically they'll put rebarb in the walls as they pour the concrete to make the walls firm. However, the cement on my house is very soft. The last light I hung was very easy to hang. This one, I found the concrete to be quite firm. I was hanging it outside my guard's room-he has a separate building from my house but in my yard. I had some of the neighborhood kids hanging around with me and we talked while I worked on my truck and while I fixed the lamp. 2 of them were saying that I needed to buy some nails to punch into the cement. So I went with them to a hardware store to buy some. And we came back and I was able to hang the lamp, no problems. That was fun working with the kids. I gave them candy for helping.
Then with the work around the house finished, I went for a walk in the market. I saw my welder friend, my shop keeper friend, picked up my shirt I had made, and got a haircut. I had never met the man who cut my hair before. He is Nigerian-didn't know we had any Nigerians in town-and wanted to speak English with me. So I was ok with that. The haircut is a little short-I'd been letting my hair grow out for the last 5 months. My hair grows really slow, and the top is thinner than the sides. I don't like long hair on the side of my head, but don't mind combing the top. I have a military haircut now :) And that's ok with me, this is the way I always cut my hair in college.
So after my adventurous day, I came home, talked with my guard-we also watched XMen. I ate supper, exercised, and went to bed. And that's been a typical day for me this week...I'll study in the mornings, go out after lunch time and visit. I am trying to be respectful of the people during their fast and not even buy food during the day here. Everyone is fasting, in fact it's the first thing they'll ask me when they greet me. I'm having to say that as my testimony quite a lot this week, and I'm grateful for the opportunities to share my faith in Jesus as the only way to gain salvation. Of course they put their faith in the works they do. It's sad how they are caught up in the religion.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
West African Cardboard Testimonies
these are testimonies of fellow missionaries here in West Africa. The signs relate to the lives the missionaries left behind to serve in West Africa. Take a look, I hope they touch your heart.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The cat...didn't come back (warning, sad story)
I've told a few of you that I had a cat living in the yard lately. The mom cat had her litter in a brush pile I had in the side of the yard. Later in the month I noticed one kitten and the mom still hanging around the yard. They began to spend a lot of time here. I was ok with it, but told myself, "just don't feed the cat." The kitten began to grow. I enjoyed watching it play with crickets at night in the yard, and try to climb the tree. I'd shew it away when it tried climbing my front porch screen.
Well one day I was cleaning around the yard and walked up close to the cats. The mom hissed (wild cat, she always does that), and immediately started coughing. And I thought, oh no, she's sick while she's nursing. So my heavy heart decided to put some milk out for her. After an hour or so she was curious enough to try it, and drank probably 4 ounces-quite a bit. And as I put out the milk I was telling myself, 'now I'm attached.'
The next day, I'm driving my vehicle to Elliott's for church, and as I pack my things in the truck, the cats are on the truck. So I shooed them away. Then I start my vehicle and begin to back out of the garage. Keep in mind that this is a diesel truck with a loud engine. Well, the kitten came back, and yep, went right to the curious spot of the moving tire. Only the wrong side apparently. As I looked over the hood of my truck I could see it struggle for it's last breath-I'm not even sure what I ran over, maybe it's head. I wanted to cry, and I wanted to say some inappropriate words-I was mad and sad at the same time. So I buried the kitten. Mom cat saw the whole thing. After the burial she was looking all over for her kitten. Her kitten never came back. She was very sad for 3 days.
So that's the story of the cat. I'm not a cat fan, never have been. But I do have a soft spot for all animals (except snakes). I won't attach myself to cats because if I do I feed the neighborhood. It's the same reason I don't give money or loan money to anyone. I figured I would nurse the cat to health, and then no longer feed it, but I did get attached. I miss the kitten.
Well one day I was cleaning around the yard and walked up close to the cats. The mom hissed (wild cat, she always does that), and immediately started coughing. And I thought, oh no, she's sick while she's nursing. So my heavy heart decided to put some milk out for her. After an hour or so she was curious enough to try it, and drank probably 4 ounces-quite a bit. And as I put out the milk I was telling myself, 'now I'm attached.'
The next day, I'm driving my vehicle to Elliott's for church, and as I pack my things in the truck, the cats are on the truck. So I shooed them away. Then I start my vehicle and begin to back out of the garage. Keep in mind that this is a diesel truck with a loud engine. Well, the kitten came back, and yep, went right to the curious spot of the moving tire. Only the wrong side apparently. As I looked over the hood of my truck I could see it struggle for it's last breath-I'm not even sure what I ran over, maybe it's head. I wanted to cry, and I wanted to say some inappropriate words-I was mad and sad at the same time. So I buried the kitten. Mom cat saw the whole thing. After the burial she was looking all over for her kitten. Her kitten never came back. She was very sad for 3 days.
So that's the story of the cat. I'm not a cat fan, never have been. But I do have a soft spot for all animals (except snakes). I won't attach myself to cats because if I do I feed the neighborhood. It's the same reason I don't give money or loan money to anyone. I figured I would nurse the cat to health, and then no longer feed it, but I did get attached. I miss the kitten.
Ramadan
Starting September 2nd Muslims here and around the world begin Ramadan, a month long fast where each person will not eat or drink during daylight hours. This is a chance for them to try and please their God by giving up food and water. The people will go about their normal routine during the day, and then at the end of the day have a big meal with family. During the day they are typically somber and typically on edge in their conversations. By the end of the day many are complaining of being hungry and tired.
-please pray for times to share during this month. Each day as I venture out the first thing people will ask is, "are you fasting?" I am able to share that as a follower of Jesus I do fast, but I am not fasting for this month. Pray for me to be bold as I continue to find other words to say about my faith relating to fasting.
-pray for the hearts of the people. When they are asking each person daily "are you fasting" they are going against Jesus' teaching of fasting in secret and only letting God know. They are trying to do good works rather than serving God with their hearts.
-pray for the health of the people. It is hot this month, and it is still raining. Besides the germs that are predominant this time of year, also remember the people as they go without food and water during the day, yet still work in the fields and in their mechanic shops. Hard labor is especially tough when you are dehydrated. Pray that they will rest when they can, and they will be smart about taking their time as they work.
-please pray for times to share during this month. Each day as I venture out the first thing people will ask is, "are you fasting?" I am able to share that as a follower of Jesus I do fast, but I am not fasting for this month. Pray for me to be bold as I continue to find other words to say about my faith relating to fasting.
-pray for the hearts of the people. When they are asking each person daily "are you fasting" they are going against Jesus' teaching of fasting in secret and only letting God know. They are trying to do good works rather than serving God with their hearts.
-pray for the health of the people. It is hot this month, and it is still raining. Besides the germs that are predominant this time of year, also remember the people as they go without food and water during the day, yet still work in the fields and in their mechanic shops. Hard labor is especially tough when you are dehydrated. Pray that they will rest when they can, and they will be smart about taking their time as they work.
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