Senegal Update

Today is our third day in-country and I think we’re finally getting acclimated to the time change. Because I don’t want to change the time on my iPod (which I’m using as our alarm clock), I’m waking up at 1:00 in the morning to take my shower and get dressed. Of course, that’s 6:00 here..but my body’s been protesting since we’ve been in Senegal.

I know many of you have been praying for Becca based on my request yesterday, and I want to thank you. She was feeling better by supper time last night and woke up today as her normal self (which is debatable as to whether that’s a good thing or not…I’M JUST KIDDING!). I’m not sure what caused her to feel dizzy and sick yesterday, but I’m so glad she didn’t have some bug (and that could be literal here!) or something.

Today we spent the morning in the marketplace, which allowed us a double blessing. We were able to interact with the Senegalese and get a better feel for their culture. Plus we did a little shopping. Becca got some beautiful African dresses and a skirt, and I got an African shirt (with matching pants). Beth’s going to love me in that outfit; I can just feel it. :-)

We spent the first couple of hours this afternoon at a local restaurant. It was good…in fact, I think even Bro. Mike and Bro. Tony could have found something on the menu to eat (and to think my grandmother thought I was a picky eater). Ha!

We’re heading to a village in a few minutes where we’ll spend 3 or 4 hours this evening. There are actually a couple of believers in this village, so we’ll have the opportunity to worship with them in a distinctively indigenous manner. I’m looking forward to that. Bro. Tim Edwards (pastor of FBC, Highlands, TX) will speak briefly tonight on praying for their friends and family members, and I’m going to speak to these same folk next week about sharing their faith. Pray for me as I prepare. Obviously an American preaching format is out the window when you do something like this, so I need God to fill my heart and mouth with His Word.

We’re getting better with our Wolof (the language used most commonly here). We’ve learned to use basic greetings and questions…and it’s just so neat when the words work like they’re supposed to! Actually, most of the people are so impressed that you’re trying to speak their language that they are very gracious to help you know the right words.

Oh, by the way, God blessed us last night with a thunderstorm—rain, lightning, thunder, the works! Never mind that the power was knocked out 3 or 4 times in the night…the storm was wonderful. Actually we’re on the front end of the “rainy season,” which is a relative term here. Don’t get the idea that it rains a lot during the rainy season, only that this is the season of the year when it rains.

I want to thank you again for keeping up with us and praying. We are powerless here without God at work around us and through us, so your prayers are huge. You’re on mission with us as you pray! We love you and miss you!