After the Rain............

What we call l'Hivernage (lee ver nawge), is one of the most interesting seasons in West Africa.  It is a time of Extreme Power Cuts, often no or little water pressure.  And most recently we survived a strike by the local internet company that put us out of commission for several days. 

But, what l'hivernage is really know for is the Rainy Season.  It is a time of heavy humidity and rains.  I know, most people think of Africa as being dry and dusty, and most of the it is in the subsaharan part of Africa, as where we live, but there is a rainy season.

In the Casamance, the region in the south of Senegal bordering Guinea Bissau, the rainy season is really the rainy season.  It rains most days of the week, and a lot, but since it happens often and the Casamance is a region of mostly villages it is refreshing and not usually a huge problem.

In Dakar, it is true, it does not rain as often, but when it rains it rains.  Today, as one day last week, we had a HEAVY RAIN.  It did not rain long, but it was like someone pouring a bucket the size of Charlotte, North Carolina over all of Dakar.  Within 30 minutes our laundry room was filled with water above my ankles, the back courtyard was like a baby wading pool and the front was encroaching on the front entry. 

The pictures in the slide show above are after having done most of the cleanup.  I have to admit, it was not as bad as I expected, I just reminded myself of when I was a kid and how I often played in the rain.  My husband tells me that he still likes to play in the rain, so I reminded him of that as we were bucketing out our backyard and digging trenches in front of the house.

Our neighborhood is not bad, some roads are only large puddles, and some are half way up the tires, but in other neighborhoods of Dakar, especially in the Banlieue where we are doing ministry thousands of homes are filled with water, and people are living in homes filled half way to their knees.

These homes will be flooded for weeks to come, so please pray for those families living in flooded situations or in tents provided by the government.

Blessings to you all for reading this, and praying for our neighbors in Senegal.

Opération Enfant de Noël - Suburban Ministry

Christmas in March and April, who would have thunk!?!

It is amazing when you think of how many families and children in the United States and Canada who are praying for children around the world.  I remember when Natalya was little and at Christmas time we would find a shoebox or two, if we had enough money to fill two, and buy some little things like note pads, pencils, erasors, small balls, hats, shorts, soap and toothbrushes to them up.  Then in the beginning of November, we would go to church and put our box with the required shipping fee up on the stage along with the hundreds of others that other children and families had put together. 

It was neat to be a small part of it.  We usually sent a little note, and sometimes a picture to go along with the package in hopes that the child who received our box would know that it was because of Christ Love for him/her and the love we had through Him that they were receiving that gift.

Well, now that we live in Africa, we have been able to be a part of Franklin Graham's program here on the other end.  This year alone, Amet and I have been involved personally in distributing 2,000 boxes to children in the poor areas of the suburbs of our capital Dakar.

We were involved in 6 different distributions in 4 different neighborhoods of Dakar: Guinaw Rails, Djeddah Thiaroye Kao, Pikine and Guediawaye.  This has been a blessing to more than the children.  It has been a blessing to the parents and to the neighborhoods.  Most of these children have never received a present before, and were so excited to find the beautiful little gifts in their bright red and green boxes.  One of the communities that we are working in is very engaged. and took special interest in seeking out the handicapped children in their community.  We were so blessed to be a part of this program.  Thank you Franklin Graham and all those working with him, and thank you to all of you who have given boxes to Samaratin's Purse for Operation Christmas Child.  You have touched many hearts.

"The Largest of All the Gifts"

Each gift comes with a childrens book explaining the The Gift that Jesus gave to each one of us. And that each one of us are invited to accept this gift.

This is quite an event for the children, sharing a bit of hope and love that they never felt before.

"He took a little child and had him stand among them.  Taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me." Mark 9:36-37 NIV

Getting started

You know, I always thought that starting a blog would be easy.  But, now that I have started it, it has taken me a long time to know what to say.

Today I am sitting in my newly prepared "Devotion Nook".  It was created by accident, and I don't know why I never created it before.  A couple of weeks ago I began learning a new language officially with a tutor coming to our house.  We began in the "Salon" (Dining/Living Area) the first week.  Then the second week we had 9 football players in our house so we setup the plastic table in the back courtyard of our house (it was cold and windy).  The next class, because the football players were still here, I put the table in the screened in area behind the Salon which allows me to look out into the courtyard, but is more protected from the wind.

I don't know why I never did it before, I always wanted to do something with that area besides lock the dogs in it when people come over.  But now that I have the table up, it makes for a great place to have coffee and do my devotions.  I will add a picture so you can see.

The last several days, maybe for almost a week.  Although it is March still, we have had Hazy Dayz.  Some people call it Harmattan, but since there really isn't any wind, I call it Hazy.  It is like looking through a dirty glass, everything is gray and sand/dust/sand accumulates in the house immediately after dusting.  Almost not worth it, but to save the furniture you dust anyway to see the dust coating the furniture seconds afterwards.  It is cool in the mornings with a bit of moisture in the air, and warm almost hot in the afternoons.  You feel like you are not really sure if you are sweating or have a fever.

But, as I look out in the morning I see the sun trying to break through the haze.  It looks more like an eclipse than the sun, but it is really the sun (if you look close you might see it in the picture).  Our dogs are happy because they can sit next to me inside while still feeling like they are outside.  We don't like to let them lay down outside in the courtyard because the "African Ticks" live in the dust and sand, and they are so difficult to keep off of our dogs.  They drive them crazy.  But, in my nook they can enjoy the fresh air and still be protected from most of the blood sucking pests.  Sometimes I turn on worship music, and we enjoy it together before I get started working on reports on the computer or meetings with colleagues.

Now that I am hooked on my nook, I don't know what I am going to do during l'hivernage (the rainy season).  My nook is always flooded at that time, but until then I will enjoy my quiet little nook (If you consider Dakar quiet).

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." Psalm 62:1

Salutations from the Newlyweds!!!

Just to let you all know that married life is GREAT!!!