Our first views of the city! Plus other fun tidbits.

This is about at 7 am in the morning after one of the craziest custom experiences ever.  The good thing is that the government official guy didn't even say a word to me - just made me look into a camera and give my fingerprints.  No questions.  No words.  The worst part was the baggage claim and "x-ray-ing" it as people were pretty pushy.  

We have started language lessons.  Our tutor is really great.  Although spending multiple hours on an alphabet is not my cup of tea.  I like to make up my own conjuations to things and write them down on our dry erase board for our tutor to see.  She just looks at them in disqust and it's kinda funny.  Today, she asked a question and I recognized one word in it:  name.  So naturally, I respond in Wolof - My name is Lindy.  She about died laughing though because she was asking the name of my teacher (referring to herself).  I don't know.  I am going to say "Peace only" to every question from now on because that is a safe answer :)

Yesterday, we went to this mall.  Becky informs us that the mall was "trashy."  This sounds completely normal within our context so Amanda and I do not think anything of her wording.  Then we walk into this super nice mall.  And voila!  I've been transported out of Africa.  Literally.  Becky busts out laughing because she was trying to make our expectations as low as possible so we would be pleasantly surprised.. which worked really well!!! :)

We now sucessfully have internet in our apartment.  It took us (and by us, I mean Becky) 9 phone calls and 1 trip to the store to make it work. 

We decided today upon returning to the United States of America, we are going to burn every skirt that we see.  Skirts are really annoying because 1) they are long 2) they trap heat 3) that heat becomes sweat 4) that sweat sticks between legs 5) you then must wear leggings 6) that is ridiculous and is another hot layer of clothing. 

It was also quite humorous today riding in the truck listening to Shania Twain's, "Man, I feel like a woman."  A woman is the last thing I feel like :)  But it was fun to jam out to it. 

Nungi Fi

Well, we are here!  It has been a really interesting six days thus far.  Starting in TLH on Tuesday morning and ending here Wednesday morning.  I didn't sleep except for 45 minutes the night before we left and then I only slept for about 1-2 hours on the plane ride over.  Not because of anything but excitement and nerves.. my body literally would just not go to sleep. 

We were really excited to be here.  But then exhaustion kicked in.  We had to stay up the whole day to start trying to get on a normal schedule.  It was probably one of the toughest days ever.  We met a lot of people and went to a lot of places that I really do not remember.  I wish I could say that I was immediately enthralled with being here and loving the culture (seeing as I've heard SO many good things... cough, Mel & Min) but that would be an outright lie.  In fact, I couldn't believe this is where I would be for the next two years.  Everything is soo different.  Just the idea of learning to drive here alone would make someone want to pack their bags and leave.  From day one, I keep having to remind myself over and over that He is sovereign and knows what He's doing.  It's been difficult I think mostly because there isn't a lot of English here and we really feel like helpless babies - not able to talk, eat correctly (yes, we tried but were given bibs and spoons.. haha!), drive, turn on the stove, etc.  Mostly the language, though.  I think once that comes it will get better.  I can't wait to actually start learning and practicing.  We start with our tutor tomorrow. 

The welcome and the team here has been great.  Although, I think that Becky thinks that I'm completely incompetent sometimes :)  We had our first worship experience today and that was really great.  It was in English which was surprising but it was a blessing to understand.  And the message was on the GC!  No joke!  It was directed at the nationals but I was so encouraged as well as the pastor reminded us that the enemy gets in our mind to tell us we can't do anything! 

They do have the best ice cream on the planet though! 

Here's some pictures to catch y'all up!!  Tried to do a video but it took too long.  Will try again later :)

Last American meal:  Pizza and coke!

About to board!!!

Our room and the welcome sign behind it :)  We look a HAWT mess after traveling.

First dinner that Becky cooked.  Notice the coke AND fanta in the background!

View from the roof of our apartment!

It is official:  I can survive here.  First $5 frozen pizza consumed. Although, Becky has to light to stove for me until I feel comfortable sticking a match down in the oven! :)

Here's some fun random facts from the first few days here:

1)  We have our new names.  Mine is Mariama and Amanda's is Amina.

2) The most heinous smell ever was all over our room in the apartment (because windows stay open and neighbors are REAL close) - Becky's response: "I can see how that would be offensive to the senses.

3)  The first night we lay down- within five minutes - no power = no fans.  Didn't matter though.  I had been up for about 60 hours with little sleep so I could have slept through anything.

4) Driving here = insane.  Whoever is occupying space at that moment in time has the right of way.  The most humorous thing is the fact that there are road signs that might as well not exist.

5)  It's pretty humorous when people say a long sentence to you in another language and all you can do is look at them.  I have no idea how to say anything other than I'm here.  That will change tomorrow :)





I'm posting this from a restaurant with Wifi until we can get our internet up and running in our apartment.  At that point, I would like to be more faithful updating. 











I'm stuck so I'll blog!

I once asked a dear friend of mine if he ever was sad about leaving America and subsequently if he thought he would be sad to leave the place he called home for two years and he said something that has stuck with me.  It's not profound by any means but it's just something I'm contemplating more and more during this super-weird transition time.  He said that he just tries to "be where [he is]."  I just started thinking about this because as I've mentioned before, it's difficult for me to live in the present.  I've gotten a lot better I think.  As I'm sitting in my room, for all intensive purposes the place I call home, I realize how life goes on.  I know this but it just feels strange to look forward so much to coming "home" and then feel so out of place.  I have a couple of really good friends here that have been super helpful, as well as my sister, but for the most part, it feels strange.  It makes me sad to think that the friendships that I developed these past two months will end up in the same nature as the ones that I have here.  That is where my friends words keep echoing in my mind - Be where you are!  I was there for two months.  I am here now.  I will be somewhere else in six days.  I wouldn't change the tough parts of moving on.  I get to meet the most awesome people at each step of the way and am blessed by their presence in my life for a time.  And though you can't keep up with everyone, I am able to keep up with a handful from each phase. 

His advice reminds of me of some that I recently received:  Be with Him! 

Be with Him.  Be where you are!

On a more lighthearted note, I'm enjoying eating all the American food that I can stuff in my mouth :)  I think I've eaten pizza and beef for almost every meal.

Did two months really just pass?

For all the MBTI lovers out there, I'm really trying to reign in my "F." I did a really good job for the most part :) I think I may have only have shed 10 tears total. But that was only by my extreme stubbornness not to. Saying goodbye is always so hard for me but it is such a blessing to know that it is so painful because the relationships built truly mean something. 

The last two weeks have been a complete whirlwind.  Literally.  I don’t understand how time can move so fast.  Especially these last three days.  Monday was just like any other day on the farm.  Tuesday started to get a little strange because after breakfast we didn’t have to rush to get to small groups.  And the emotions started.  One of our leaders was making me laugh because as she got up to say her goodbyes to the group as a collective, the first word out of her mouth was cracking.  I’m right there with her so instead of lose it, I laugh.  We had rehearsal for our ceremony and it felt kind of like a cross between a graduation ceremony and a marriage (due to a reception afterwards). 

The ceremony itself was absolutely beautiful.  The songs chosen are forever branded in my head and heart.  The welcome by the president was nice surprise!  And the charge by leadership was inspiring.  As we stood up to walk out of the place, I look over and Sue is crying her eyes out, so proud of us as we leave.  The emotions are so raw!  We are so ready but it is really bittersweet to leave behind those that have poured into us for 8 weeks. 

The reception had some wonderful food and S&A made the trip, along with the baby to come see me! Was soo good to see them again! 

The party had only begun at that point!  A lot of us went out on the town for our last night.  We played a red-team dominating game of lazer tag, ate at B-dubs, purchased some energy drinks, had to wait for security to let us in so naturally we started dancing on cars, played murder in the dark (this was TOTALLY safe & secure J) until 12:30 in the morning when the sweet guard said we had to move the party elsewhere.  So.. right outside the building?  Sounded good to us.  We finally said our goodbyes at about 1:30 am.  I then decided that would be a great time to start cleaning and packing.  So I stayed up all night to get it done.  And then slept the entire next day.  And now you are caught up on life.

Right now, more transition time.  Spending a few days in Alabama to speak here.  Then back to my home state for a week of sure to be chaos with some people that I cherish deeply. 

October 4^th is the big day. 

Things that are applicable culturally and things that are not.

Applicable culturally:
MAIL DAY!  This was probably one of the most fun things I have been a part of while here.  The mail team (we distribute the mail!) got to help people understand how mail may work overseas.  The door was locked and there was a sign in a foreign language that we had no idea what it said hanging on the door.  People would come to the window for help.  We would instruct them that it was very simple - to get mail they needed a form.  So then they would go find a form, have their ID checked, pay a "mail tax" to L. Moon, get it stamped with the official elephant stamp, and get a final signature from our mail team boss.  Then they could get their mail.  We had people trading us lanyards, bringing us fruit from the cafeteria, taking bribes from our stationed guard (if they paid him, he would give them a fully filled our form).  It was absolutely hysterical!  So much fun!

Not applicable culturally (that I know of!):
A friend had a birthday so naturally, we have a dance party in the gym with glowsticks to Lecrae. I think that about sums it up.

Tea Time!

We've had some special time to be in smaller groups and focus on the areas that we will be heading to!  It's been a good time of reviewing material that is applicable to us and our leaders have made it fun!  We've done skits, had people come in to ask questions, and then to break up the time of listening, they've given us two different tea times!  South African and West African style.. 

Tea and scones :)

DC, Chicken Killings and Inbetween

Well.  Just some updates.  We went to our nations capital for the second time as a leisure trip.  Got to go into the Holocaust Museum and see the permanent exhibition.  Everytime I revisit that museum, I'm just appalled that humans are capable of such evil and that genocides still happen today.  We saw the obligatory things - White House and good ole Honest Abe.  Ate at the Lebanese Tavern and brightened up the waitor's night.  I got to speak with some Indonesians which made me really happy and sad all at the same time.  And finally, it is official:  there is not a such thing as using your debit card in a taxi in DC even though the "nice guy in a uniform" may have told our friend Hannah so.

Onto some more practical things.  This week has been a long but good week.  We've put some tools in our toolboxes as far as security goes for most of the week.  Had some personal time which was nice.  In exactly a month from today we fly out!  Can't believe how fast the time is going!

Finally, chicken killing.  I don't really know what in the world I was thinking when I signed up to do this.  Nothing in me likes to kill anything.  And I didn't exactly make it through.  I held down a chicken while a friend took care of it but as soon as it started squirming underneath me, I had to back away and the chief stepped in.  I'm not opposed to meat. I like meat a lot.  I just don't want to see it live or take part in the killing process.  Luckily for me, I don't think I will have to.  Part of me felt like a wimp because no one else was seeming to have a problem but then I just shrugged it off, knowing I'm just made differently.  I'm sure my experiences over the next two years might desensitize me to this somewhat.  Just one of the many ways I'm sure to be stretched.   One thing I know for sure: this gave a whole new pespective on the phrase - Running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.