That's right, we made it.
I was the last passenger on the standby list to make it onto our flight! All four of us, 7 checked suitcases, 2 djembes and various carry on bags made it to sunny, frigid Seattle. My blessed mother picked us up in the minivan and off we went up I-5 towards home.
I am vaguely aware there was a football game on yesterday but after an early dinner and a shower that only ended because I couldn't stand any longer, I was in bed before it ended. Which of course meant that I was wide awake by 4am. I have been an excellent Hobbit this morning, having breakfasts at 4am, 8am and again at noon if I feel so inclined. I have caught myself up on 2 episodes of Downton Abbey, washed some fantastically foul clothing and eyeing a large stack of mail I'm not sure I want to tackle yet.
Just because the trip is over, doesn't mean the experience is, as we all digest and look on our experiences with hindsight and a good night's sleep, feel free to ask questions. Once I get pictures collected from Lynn, Todd and Jeff, I'm going to start compiling them into a couple of presentations/slide shows, so look for them. Come to Mt. View this Sunday to get a brief trip update from Jeff and see all of our newly tailored Senegalese clothing. We want all of you to be in on the experience, because Diagle is in all of our hearts, we were just the ambassadors this time around. You are just as invested in this mission with your money, your prayers and your participation in reading our updates.
I am honored to have been the mouthpiece for the trip, but you've only seen my perspective. I hope that I've done my teammates justice, but they had even less opportunities to read my blog than I had to write it! I hope they find what I have written as fair and complete as possible. I feel honored to have been among them. It is so easy in this kind of mission to wonder what you are bringing to the table, especially when you are not feeling well, and it seems all we've done is sit and talk all day, but I can say it was a blessing to me to travel with Lynn, Todd and Jeff.
Ok, I'm getting sentimental, so I'll sign off for now.
-Amanda
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Sunday February 5
Sunday
February 5
Well we are back on US soil but in the wrong Washington. Our flight from Dakar to Dulles was pretty smooth, despite delays on both ends. I watched/slept through 5 episodes of Doenton Abbey, the most sleep I think I've ever gotten on a plane, then watched Water for Elephants AND THEN watched all but the last 15 minutes of Harry Potter 7 part 2. Yeah, we had a long flight.
We are currently waiting on standby for a flight we already thought we had tickets for, so that's slightly frustrating. Pray that we all get on the first flight so my mom can pick us and all of our luggage up in one go.
February 5
Well we are back on US soil but in the wrong Washington. Our flight from Dakar to Dulles was pretty smooth, despite delays on both ends. I watched/slept through 5 episodes of Doenton Abbey, the most sleep I think I've ever gotten on a plane, then watched Water for Elephants AND THEN watched all but the last 15 minutes of Harry Potter 7 part 2. Yeah, we had a long flight.
We are currently waiting on standby for a flight we already thought we had tickets for, so that's slightly frustrating. Pray that we all get on the first flight so my mom can pick us and all of our luggage up in one go.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Saturday February 4
Saturday
February 4
This is our last day in Senegal. We are taking it easy in Thies, sleeping in, enjoying a breakfast of scrambled eggs. The team dressed up in our new outfits so we could take a picture in front of the school. Charles, Charlotte's brother, stopped by to say hello and then we hopped in the van to do some shopping. I bought a painting, my tradition which Sidi helped me haggle for. Then we went to Massa Massa for lunch, a fine dining experience for Senegal!
Lynn, Jael and I have been enjoying a nap and showers. There was talk of trying to go see the agriculture project the EEBT has been running, but since it is Saturday they have had trouble reaching the guy with the keys. Oh well, next time. This evening we are having dinner at David and Christine's then heading for Dakar where we are dropping off Jael and Christine's mother. We are happy to play taxi, especially since we have lots of time to kill.
This has been an amazing trip, despite the various illnesses. Physically this has been a great trip, the weather hasn't been too hot or humid, the electricity has been on everyday, and every night so we could run the fans! The AC has worked in our van and there's hardly been any Mosquitos. I feel very blessed to have been on this trip with Jeff, Todd and Lynn, not to say my experience with my other travelers hasn't been great, but I feel like we had a good mix of personalities. There's something to be said for a group of people who still like each other at the end of 2 weeks of constant togetherness, no matter the circumstances!
I think this trip has been a success. I can't wait to share my pictures and stories with you. Although I've given you a good blow by blow of what we've been doing, there's so much more, conversations and impressions thats just too difficult to t toe out, or was just too exhausted to at the time. But I am so glad I have a week before having to share!
Thank you for all of your prayers, please don't give up on us now, we've still got about 30 hours until we are home and a lot of travel between now and then!
February 4
This is our last day in Senegal. We are taking it easy in Thies, sleeping in, enjoying a breakfast of scrambled eggs. The team dressed up in our new outfits so we could take a picture in front of the school. Charles, Charlotte's brother, stopped by to say hello and then we hopped in the van to do some shopping. I bought a painting, my tradition which Sidi helped me haggle for. Then we went to Massa Massa for lunch, a fine dining experience for Senegal!
Lynn, Jael and I have been enjoying a nap and showers. There was talk of trying to go see the agriculture project the EEBT has been running, but since it is Saturday they have had trouble reaching the guy with the keys. Oh well, next time. This evening we are having dinner at David and Christine's then heading for Dakar where we are dropping off Jael and Christine's mother. We are happy to play taxi, especially since we have lots of time to kill.
This has been an amazing trip, despite the various illnesses. Physically this has been a great trip, the weather hasn't been too hot or humid, the electricity has been on everyday, and every night so we could run the fans! The AC has worked in our van and there's hardly been any Mosquitos. I feel very blessed to have been on this trip with Jeff, Todd and Lynn, not to say my experience with my other travelers hasn't been great, but I feel like we had a good mix of personalities. There's something to be said for a group of people who still like each other at the end of 2 weeks of constant togetherness, no matter the circumstances!
I think this trip has been a success. I can't wait to share my pictures and stories with you. Although I've given you a good blow by blow of what we've been doing, there's so much more, conversations and impressions thats just too difficult to t toe out, or was just too exhausted to at the time. But I am so glad I have a week before having to share!
Thank you for all of your prayers, please don't give up on us now, we've still got about 30 hours until we are home and a lot of travel between now and then!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday February 3
Friday
February 3
Last night was our last visit to Diagle for this trip. We had a long talk with the headmaster of the school, the president of the parent association and the Chief of the village, Salu, about the latrine project. Sidi and Charlotte translated, David sat in as did Modou. There will be more specific details when we get home, but it seems that the village as a whole is invested in working with us to get what they want. Pray that our relationship will continue to grow so we are all happy with the outcome and ongoing maintenance the project will require. David has agreed to help facilitate the communication with the clear understanding that he works for Fides, not us.
Dinner was more palatable,ma mixture of rice and beans with sauce. Charlotte and Fatu had a good long conversation about God. Charlotte encouraged Fatu to trust in God, it was great to watch them interact, even if I couldn't understand what they are saying!
Babacar told a couple of little stories, and Todd followed up with a couple of his own. Including a story about a cunning rabbit named Babacar. It was after 10 when we left. I remember crying when I left the village on my first trip, but I was so tired I was looking forward to falling asleep!
This morning we packed up, which is always a slower process than you think it should be. Corey met us at the mission with instruments to be taken to Fiona, and their intern, Jael, who is returning to Switzerland.
We are finally out of the car! I was trying to type this, but it was just too uncomfortable. We made a stop at the George Flattery school in Kaolak for Mark Snelling. Hopefully Go On the Mission will be sponsoring children there soon.
After 5 hours in the car we are all enjoying a cold Coke! It's much warmer in Thies this afternoon than when we were here last week, so the AC is a Grodsend.
Thanks to a wifi connection, we learned that our flights have changed. We are now leaving at 3:05am here, so we are going to miss the connection to our original flight. We are booked on another, but that means we won't be landing until 3:13pm. Pray that we don't experience more delays or hiccups.
I think we are all dreaming longingly of our beds at home. Although I am going to miss it here, I am looking forward to my familiar shower and pillow. Can you tell I want a nap? We don't have any specific plans for this afternoon, so I think I will!
February 3
Last night was our last visit to Diagle for this trip. We had a long talk with the headmaster of the school, the president of the parent association and the Chief of the village, Salu, about the latrine project. Sidi and Charlotte translated, David sat in as did Modou. There will be more specific details when we get home, but it seems that the village as a whole is invested in working with us to get what they want. Pray that our relationship will continue to grow so we are all happy with the outcome and ongoing maintenance the project will require. David has agreed to help facilitate the communication with the clear understanding that he works for Fides, not us.
Dinner was more palatable,ma mixture of rice and beans with sauce. Charlotte and Fatu had a good long conversation about God. Charlotte encouraged Fatu to trust in God, it was great to watch them interact, even if I couldn't understand what they are saying!
Babacar told a couple of little stories, and Todd followed up with a couple of his own. Including a story about a cunning rabbit named Babacar. It was after 10 when we left. I remember crying when I left the village on my first trip, but I was so tired I was looking forward to falling asleep!
This morning we packed up, which is always a slower process than you think it should be. Corey met us at the mission with instruments to be taken to Fiona, and their intern, Jael, who is returning to Switzerland.
We are finally out of the car! I was trying to type this, but it was just too uncomfortable. We made a stop at the George Flattery school in Kaolak for Mark Snelling. Hopefully Go On the Mission will be sponsoring children there soon.
After 5 hours in the car we are all enjoying a cold Coke! It's much warmer in Thies this afternoon than when we were here last week, so the AC is a Grodsend.
Thanks to a wifi connection, we learned that our flights have changed. We are now leaving at 3:05am here, so we are going to miss the connection to our original flight. We are booked on another, but that means we won't be landing until 3:13pm. Pray that we don't experience more delays or hiccups.
I think we are all dreaming longingly of our beds at home. Although I am going to miss it here, I am looking forward to my familiar shower and pillow. Can you tell I want a nap? We don't have any specific plans for this afternoon, so I think I will!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday evening
11:00pm
I did it! I peed in Diagle! I've always managed to avoid "bathroom" breaks while in the village, really because I usually sweat so much there isn't anything left. But Lynn and I just braved the little fenced off area because we are sleeping in the village tonight! The first Mt View women to do so! Now that I've conquered that fear, I'm really excited about this.
Unfortunately, someone not far away has a generator (this person charges people to watch tv) and between the loud volume and the droning of the engine, it's not as peaceful out here as I would have expected.
Jeff and I are both doing much better, after a nap at the Garret's house and some juice I perked right back up. Jeff and Todd are sharing a tent not far from Lynn and I. But I think we both took it easy on the fish and peanut flavored dinner... Not my favorite combination.
Adji's grandmother passed away, so of course she is sad, and asking for help to pay for a trip to Dakar to visit her brother, still not sure how the two are related, but that's Adji. I very kindly told her that we didn't have enough money for the school and to send her to Dakar, but that we would pray that an opportunity for her to raise some money would come up. I think that helped. But with Adji's help Lynn and I were able to have a nice conversation with Fatu, she was very worried that Jeff and I were sick because of Diagle, we assured her we weren't!
That's it for tonight
I did it! I peed in Diagle! I've always managed to avoid "bathroom" breaks while in the village, really because I usually sweat so much there isn't anything left. But Lynn and I just braved the little fenced off area because we are sleeping in the village tonight! The first Mt View women to do so! Now that I've conquered that fear, I'm really excited about this.
Unfortunately, someone not far away has a generator (this person charges people to watch tv) and between the loud volume and the droning of the engine, it's not as peaceful out here as I would have expected.
Jeff and I are both doing much better, after a nap at the Garret's house and some juice I perked right back up. Jeff and Todd are sharing a tent not far from Lynn and I. But I think we both took it easy on the fish and peanut flavored dinner... Not my favorite combination.
Adji's grandmother passed away, so of course she is sad, and asking for help to pay for a trip to Dakar to visit her brother, still not sure how the two are related, but that's Adji. I very kindly told her that we didn't have enough money for the school and to send her to Dakar, but that we would pray that an opportunity for her to raise some money would come up. I think that helped. But with Adji's help Lynn and I were able to have a nice conversation with Fatu, she was very worried that Jeff and I were sick because of Diagle, we assured her we weren't!
That's it for tonight
Thursday January 2
Thursday
February 2
I awoke to the sounds of roosters and donkeys this morning. Soon after the Masque started the first call to worship, that also seemed to be the cue to start work for the day. Women started pounding millet and others started running the peanut sorter, a large barrel like machine that you spin by a crank to separate the cracked peanuts from their shells.
I was quite glad I brought the little fleece sleeping bag liner, it wasn't very cold but just cool enough to want a blanket. I slept surprisingly well, despite waking up to find that one or the other of my arms was still asleep several times, the joys of sleeping on the ground. I think Lynn had a harder night.
Once we were all up, we packed the men's tents into ours and went on a tour/prayer walk around Diagle. We got a chance to pray for a few families and shake lots of hands. Doug, your namesake asked after you! After our walk, we were served coffee and round two of the peanut and fish dish, Todd and I took one for the team here because Lynn was not feeling great and Jeff didn't want to test his stomach. Once Babacar arrived with the van with David and Charlotte, we packed up the rest of our stuff to head back to Kaffrine.
Please continue to pray for all of us and our health, Lynn is not feeling well today and I know Todd's allergies were bothering him earlier. It's important to remember that we are subject to more spiritual warfare here. After I got a chance to tell a Bible story, I felt poorly and had the bad night of sleep, Lynn has been doing a lot of translating, even trying to connect with the children who speak some French and now she isn't feeling great. Jeff I think is going to be our Wolof speaker, he has been really picking up on the greetings and other words, and Todd has been an amazing leader. It's important to remember that we are more susceptible to attack when we are doing great things for the Lord.
February 2
I awoke to the sounds of roosters and donkeys this morning. Soon after the Masque started the first call to worship, that also seemed to be the cue to start work for the day. Women started pounding millet and others started running the peanut sorter, a large barrel like machine that you spin by a crank to separate the cracked peanuts from their shells.
I was quite glad I brought the little fleece sleeping bag liner, it wasn't very cold but just cool enough to want a blanket. I slept surprisingly well, despite waking up to find that one or the other of my arms was still asleep several times, the joys of sleeping on the ground. I think Lynn had a harder night.
Once we were all up, we packed the men's tents into ours and went on a tour/prayer walk around Diagle. We got a chance to pray for a few families and shake lots of hands. Doug, your namesake asked after you! After our walk, we were served coffee and round two of the peanut and fish dish, Todd and I took one for the team here because Lynn was not feeling great and Jeff didn't want to test his stomach. Once Babacar arrived with the van with David and Charlotte, we packed up the rest of our stuff to head back to Kaffrine.
Please continue to pray for all of us and our health, Lynn is not feeling well today and I know Todd's allergies were bothering him earlier. It's important to remember that we are subject to more spiritual warfare here. After I got a chance to tell a Bible story, I felt poorly and had the bad night of sleep, Lynn has been doing a lot of translating, even trying to connect with the children who speak some French and now she isn't feeling great. Jeff I think is going to be our Wolof speaker, he has been really picking up on the greetings and other words, and Todd has been an amazing leader. It's important to remember that we are more susceptible to attack when we are doing great things for the Lord.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday February 1
Wednesday
February 1
I would say I woke up feeling funky this morning, but that would imply I slept. Last night was definitely my worst, the room was hot and humid and despite the blessing of electricity so the fan ran all night I was sweaty and uncomfortable. Out of the 10 hours I could have slept, I only utilized about 2 or 3 of them. My stomach isn't feeling great, but not upset either. Hopefully nothing some Pepto Bismol and lots of water can't fix. Jeff is feeling better but still on the mend, so we are at the Garret's place taking full advantage of comfy couches and wifi.
Todd, Lynn, Sidi, David, Charlotte, and Babacar are on their way to Diagle to meet with the headmaster about the latrines. They will be back for us around 12:30ish to have lunch with the Bonthuy's and hear the testimony of their friend Malle. We are playing this afternoon/evening by ear. Generally the plan is to have dinner with Modou, at his invitation, and possibly spend the night in the village. Pray for our health and the conversations that could open up with this kind of time.
February 1
I would say I woke up feeling funky this morning, but that would imply I slept. Last night was definitely my worst, the room was hot and humid and despite the blessing of electricity so the fan ran all night I was sweaty and uncomfortable. Out of the 10 hours I could have slept, I only utilized about 2 or 3 of them. My stomach isn't feeling great, but not upset either. Hopefully nothing some Pepto Bismol and lots of water can't fix. Jeff is feeling better but still on the mend, so we are at the Garret's place taking full advantage of comfy couches and wifi.
Todd, Lynn, Sidi, David, Charlotte, and Babacar are on their way to Diagle to meet with the headmaster about the latrines. They will be back for us around 12:30ish to have lunch with the Bonthuy's and hear the testimony of their friend Malle. We are playing this afternoon/evening by ear. Generally the plan is to have dinner with Modou, at his invitation, and possibly spend the night in the village. Pray for our health and the conversations that could open up with this kind of time.
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