Monday, November 17, 2008
burnt out
A hard blog to write because of my independent nature. But I have been quite burnt out and apathetic lately. I am thinking it's a bit of many things. I have heard various news at home that has been discouraging and makes me want to be home. I many times wish that I had a hobby to do here and not happy with the lack of things to do here. And I miss friends and miss working with my hands. Those things I've struggled with since I have been here, and they simply aren't going away. For that reason I am still having my reservations about my calling to be a missionary. I think today wasn't necessarily a 'ticket' day (a day that I wish I could go home), but it was a day that I would choose to be a 2 year missionary than a 3 year missionary. Days like this I need to hold tighter to what God is doing here than the things that have me unhappy. But just a word of my struggles.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
definitely a God-thing
Since my language class completed, I have been anxious to get into the sharing process of my ministry. For awhile I have been sharing with neighbors and friends in town, but I am mostly looking forward to riding the street a bit and visiting neighboring villages. Now I am beginning to do that on my own.
Today I chose a town on the road just north of here that I would go and visit. I planned to walk around and visit some sellers and introduce myself to the people in town. I was also going to see where the conversations led and just talk briefly about myself, my family, and Jesus.
Well, along the drive, I saw a person asking for a ride. So i stopped and told him to get in. When he did, I told him that I was only going to Kelle, and he said that was where he lived. I was like, wow! And then told him what I wanted to do there, where i lived, and what I did for my work. He then said that I could visit at his house and see his friends. So I was blown away. I had a way into the village! This was certainly a God-thing!
And we had a good chat for an hour or so with his friends. His family was out in the fields farming, but he invited me back to talk more on Sunday. So I will go again to meet with him, and prepare to share a story with him as well as questions to ask. Please be in prayer for this new contact. I am truly blown away at the chance of this happening, and look forward to where it may go. This person actually knew that Jesus is God's Son. Noone states that when I ask if they know of Jesus.
Today I chose a town on the road just north of here that I would go and visit. I planned to walk around and visit some sellers and introduce myself to the people in town. I was also going to see where the conversations led and just talk briefly about myself, my family, and Jesus.
Well, along the drive, I saw a person asking for a ride. So i stopped and told him to get in. When he did, I told him that I was only going to Kelle, and he said that was where he lived. I was like, wow! And then told him what I wanted to do there, where i lived, and what I did for my work. He then said that I could visit at his house and see his friends. So I was blown away. I had a way into the village! This was certainly a God-thing!
And we had a good chat for an hour or so with his friends. His family was out in the fields farming, but he invited me back to talk more on Sunday. So I will go again to meet with him, and prepare to share a story with him as well as questions to ask. Please be in prayer for this new contact. I am truly blown away at the chance of this happening, and look forward to where it may go. This person actually knew that Jesus is God's Son. Noone states that when I ask if they know of Jesus.
late language update
I failed to write much in my blog before my trip to Dakar. So you're getting lots of updates this week!
I wanted to write and tell you how my language evaluation went. It went ok, as ok can be expected. I was up the entire night before following the election, and that may have had a bit to do with my speech. I talked fine and used words well. But one thing I have been trying to practice is slowing my speech down, which I can do when I am fully alert. However, for just talkng in general, I talk fast and I don't concentrate on slowing my tongue down.
I received the same evaluation that I received in June, a level 2. A level 2 is what i am required to get. Yea, I, too, wonder why I kept going. Now I have evidence that this last 3 months was not effective, and I was pleading that for awhile. In ways it was hurtful, and in ways it was helpful for me in my language growth. I was able to review and use my language with an instructor. I do wish that he had told me when I was making mistakes.
My teacher critiqued me on the evaluation about some mistakes in pronoun usage that I had no idea I was making. And he told me that I was talking too fast-first time he has said that, but I have heard it from others. He talks fast too, so I was surprised he wrote that. The evaluation did show some good things. Teacher was impressed with my vocab, that was something I was most concerned about. The evaluation also showed me some things about my personality that I can still change and work toward improving. And I'm always up to being critiqued so that I can become a better person for everyone. Yes, I felt that the evaluation was low and a bit unfair. But I'm no longer thinking about that. It is what it is.
So that's the update. Language class is over! I have been asked to continue reviewing my notes as well as a learners book I have. So I will continue doing that. But thanks so much for the prayers that you have offered for my language.
I wanted to write and tell you how my language evaluation went. It went ok, as ok can be expected. I was up the entire night before following the election, and that may have had a bit to do with my speech. I talked fine and used words well. But one thing I have been trying to practice is slowing my speech down, which I can do when I am fully alert. However, for just talkng in general, I talk fast and I don't concentrate on slowing my tongue down.
I received the same evaluation that I received in June, a level 2. A level 2 is what i am required to get. Yea, I, too, wonder why I kept going. Now I have evidence that this last 3 months was not effective, and I was pleading that for awhile. In ways it was hurtful, and in ways it was helpful for me in my language growth. I was able to review and use my language with an instructor. I do wish that he had told me when I was making mistakes.
My teacher critiqued me on the evaluation about some mistakes in pronoun usage that I had no idea I was making. And he told me that I was talking too fast-first time he has said that, but I have heard it from others. He talks fast too, so I was surprised he wrote that. The evaluation did show some good things. Teacher was impressed with my vocab, that was something I was most concerned about. The evaluation also showed me some things about my personality that I can still change and work toward improving. And I'm always up to being critiqued so that I can become a better person for everyone. Yes, I felt that the evaluation was low and a bit unfair. But I'm no longer thinking about that. It is what it is.
So that's the update. Language class is over! I have been asked to continue reviewing my notes as well as a learners book I have. So I will continue doing that. But thanks so much for the prayers that you have offered for my language.
Why is a fire truck red?
A fire truck has 4 wheels and 8 people riding.
four plus 8 equals 12
a ruler has 12 inches
queen elizabeth is a ruler
queen elizabeth sailed the 7 seas
the 7 seas have fish
fish have fins
the finnish hate russians
Russians are red
a fire engine is always rushin
therefore, a fire engine is RED.
Glad I could clear that up :)
four plus 8 equals 12
a ruler has 12 inches
queen elizabeth is a ruler
queen elizabeth sailed the 7 seas
the 7 seas have fish
fish have fins
the finnish hate russians
Russians are red
a fire engine is always rushin
therefore, a fire engine is RED.
Glad I could clear that up :)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
stepping into America
One thing that I haven't been able to express well enough is the changes one can see when they come to Africa. Close your eyes (ok, hard to do that AND read-so close one eye!) and imagine a world without Walmart. Then imagine a world with no major grocery stores or department stores. Take away multiple roads leading to the same place, and you have an idea of what it's like here to drive and shop.
We do have stores, but they are much smaller than you would imagine. In Mekhe I have tons of boutiques. However, a boutique has in stock about what your own pantry would contain. Anything frozen, you can't find it in Mekhe. Cheese, milk, you can't find. So I go to supermarkets 2x a month to do most of my major grocery shopping. There's a good supermarket in Theis that has cereal, snack items such as cookies, chips, crackers, and candy bars. It has frozen foods, canned foods, sliced bread (I can get french bread in Mekhe), milk and cheese. So I have found a way to get the things I want, I just have to drive 30 miles to do so.
Well, in Dakar they have some stores that are a little nicer. The supermarket in Theis is maybe half of Carrols IGA in Stedman for those of you familiar with that store. Stores in Dakar that I shop at would be compariable to Carrols. Keep that in your mind as you read what I found...
When I was in Dakar earlier this week, my business facilitator told me there was a new grocery store that opened up. Knowing the direction he was saying, I took 2 others with me who needed to do some shopping. When I walked into the store, I felt like I was walking in America! The store is huge! It would be a superwalmart, I'm not kidding! Maybe half the size of superwalmart, but all the same items. A toy aisle! A candy isle! An isle devoted completely to baby needs, toiletries and such. An entire butcher section that really would be similar to any major grocery store. Many, many choices of the same item. And it seemed like they were still stocking things. I was utterly shocked! I'd be ok seeing that in the states, I think. But seeing that here really amazed me. It was a very nice place. And the prices weren't bad, which was surprising.
So I wanted to share my American experience. Senegal is really developing before my eyes. I can't imagine what the next 5 years will entail.
We do have stores, but they are much smaller than you would imagine. In Mekhe I have tons of boutiques. However, a boutique has in stock about what your own pantry would contain. Anything frozen, you can't find it in Mekhe. Cheese, milk, you can't find. So I go to supermarkets 2x a month to do most of my major grocery shopping. There's a good supermarket in Theis that has cereal, snack items such as cookies, chips, crackers, and candy bars. It has frozen foods, canned foods, sliced bread (I can get french bread in Mekhe), milk and cheese. So I have found a way to get the things I want, I just have to drive 30 miles to do so.
Well, in Dakar they have some stores that are a little nicer. The supermarket in Theis is maybe half of Carrols IGA in Stedman for those of you familiar with that store. Stores in Dakar that I shop at would be compariable to Carrols. Keep that in your mind as you read what I found...
When I was in Dakar earlier this week, my business facilitator told me there was a new grocery store that opened up. Knowing the direction he was saying, I took 2 others with me who needed to do some shopping. When I walked into the store, I felt like I was walking in America! The store is huge! It would be a superwalmart, I'm not kidding! Maybe half the size of superwalmart, but all the same items. A toy aisle! A candy isle! An isle devoted completely to baby needs, toiletries and such. An entire butcher section that really would be similar to any major grocery store. Many, many choices of the same item. And it seemed like they were still stocking things. I was utterly shocked! I'd be ok seeing that in the states, I think. But seeing that here really amazed me. It was a very nice place. And the prices weren't bad, which was surprising.
So I wanted to share my American experience. Senegal is really developing before my eyes. I can't imagine what the next 5 years will entail.
International Baptist Church of Dakar
The IBC church of Dakar, an English-speaking congregation, celebrated its 25 year anniversary service this weekend. I was happy to be able to go and participate in the service, and wanted to write briefly what it was like.
First, know that there are not many churches in Senegal. There are several catholic churches, but very few protestant churches. I think they mentioned 6-7 other church bodies which were invited to attend the celebration. These other churches, I believe, speak French.
So we had the service. It began at 4pm and lasted awhile. I think we left shortly after 8. They had a typical service, but with alloted time to celebrate and read the history of the church, letters from people congratulating them on the occasion, and several people who spoke about their testimony from being members of the church. The pastor recognized many of the staff, workers, former pastor, guest pastors, missionaries, and other lay people who have helped shape the church to be what it is today.
We had a guest speaker come and lead in worship as he spoke on Ps 23 and God being our Shepherd. And we had some time for special music and praise and worship as well. Then toward the end of the service there was a collection offering for the building fund. They have outgrown their facilities and are planning to purchase and build a new sanctuary.
One specific thing that I remember now was that at the end of the message, the pastor prophecized that the church would grow two-fold by the time he is able to come again. That hit me rather strangely, but then I felt myself praying with him that his prophecy would come about. I see the potential for the church to reach out to the community in many ways. There are people in the congregation who do not speak local languages and could use assistance in getting work, education, and resources to live and grow in Dakar. I can see the church beginning to reach into the community with evangelism and teaching workshops, music, food, games, etc. I continue to pray that the church and its members will be a light for Jesus to the community.
First, know that there are not many churches in Senegal. There are several catholic churches, but very few protestant churches. I think they mentioned 6-7 other church bodies which were invited to attend the celebration. These other churches, I believe, speak French.
So we had the service. It began at 4pm and lasted awhile. I think we left shortly after 8. They had a typical service, but with alloted time to celebrate and read the history of the church, letters from people congratulating them on the occasion, and several people who spoke about their testimony from being members of the church. The pastor recognized many of the staff, workers, former pastor, guest pastors, missionaries, and other lay people who have helped shape the church to be what it is today.
We had a guest speaker come and lead in worship as he spoke on Ps 23 and God being our Shepherd. And we had some time for special music and praise and worship as well. Then toward the end of the service there was a collection offering for the building fund. They have outgrown their facilities and are planning to purchase and build a new sanctuary.
One specific thing that I remember now was that at the end of the message, the pastor prophecized that the church would grow two-fold by the time he is able to come again. That hit me rather strangely, but then I felt myself praying with him that his prophecy would come about. I see the potential for the church to reach out to the community in many ways. There are people in the congregation who do not speak local languages and could use assistance in getting work, education, and resources to live and grow in Dakar. I can see the church beginning to reach into the community with evangelism and teaching workshops, music, food, games, etc. I continue to pray that the church and its members will be a light for Jesus to the community.
more sharing news
I had one of those WOW moments last week when I was sharing. I have gotten to know my home owner and his family quite well, and go over to their house 2x a week to talk. Well, last week I was just beginning to learn creation to cross in Wolof, and we were talking about my language class being completed, my stories I am learning, and about Jesus. So as we were eating, one of the guys asked me point blank, "so how do you become a Christian?"
I'll let that sink in for a bit. It took me 2 days for that to really sink in. When he first said it, I honestly had that numb reaction, like, oh, this is just another question for him to understand me and understand the Christian religion. Also know that I ask them questions like this all the time, such as "what do you pray, why do you pray 5 times a day, when you die, do you know that you will go to heaven?" I want to understand Islam through their eyes. And I was guessing at first that this was where he was headed.
But to be honest, I have thought for awhile that this man may be a seeker. We usually have good conversations and if I stumble on words, he will say my sentence more clearly for me. So this family and this particular person certainly has potential! Please please pray with me as I continue to share with him. After we ate, I shared with him the creation story and the fall of Adam and Eve. Then I used that to introduce Jesus as the perfect sacrifice of all our sins. Then we talked briefly about that. It will take more time and more sharing, and I am going to take this slow. However, this was a great victory for Jesus, and I give him the praise for this story!
I'll let that sink in for a bit. It took me 2 days for that to really sink in. When he first said it, I honestly had that numb reaction, like, oh, this is just another question for him to understand me and understand the Christian religion. Also know that I ask them questions like this all the time, such as "what do you pray, why do you pray 5 times a day, when you die, do you know that you will go to heaven?" I want to understand Islam through their eyes. And I was guessing at first that this was where he was headed.
But to be honest, I have thought for awhile that this man may be a seeker. We usually have good conversations and if I stumble on words, he will say my sentence more clearly for me. So this family and this particular person certainly has potential! Please please pray with me as I continue to share with him. After we ate, I shared with him the creation story and the fall of Adam and Eve. Then I used that to introduce Jesus as the perfect sacrifice of all our sins. Then we talked briefly about that. It will take more time and more sharing, and I am going to take this slow. However, this was a great victory for Jesus, and I give him the praise for this story!
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