As some of you may know, there is a bit of a situation in Senegal regarding the February presidential elections. It makes the GOP primary look smooth. If you want to read more, I suggest going here. That link will tell you what's happening today/tomorrow. President Wade wants to run again (he already has a system plotted to rig the elections in a way and ensure victory), but most people agree that it's unconstitutional. He wants to put his son into power. My sister told me his son is a drug dealer and if the president loses, he'd go to jail for a very long time.
During our Wolof class today, one of the directors of the Baobab Center came in and told us what was going on. The two groups - the opposition, and the President Wade's party - are both organizing demonstrations surrounding the expected decision. If he says he's running, the opposition will erupt and be very angry, as most people do not want him to run again. If he says he's not, his party will be upset because he has offered them protection from criminal activities. So people are being very careful. We've been told to stay home and pay attention to the news.
The US Department of State has issued some warnings; the Baobab center is really on top of things and we are all safe. I won't call this fun, but it is quite the experience! I've enjoyed learning more about the events in recent history from my family - it seems I can't stop talking politics no matter where I go! My sister was surprised to hear that the US is also in our election process and was very curious to know more. That French assignment I had in high school to explain the US political system to a foreigner was practical after all!
Mostly I wanted to tell you that if you do happen to hear things in the news, don't worry. I am fine, and we are all keeping a close watch on the situation.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
C'est Quoi, le Bonheur? (What's happiness?)
Today was our second Dakar in Transition class, with the beloved Ibou Diallo. The topic for the day was globalization, which is a pretty big thing to be discussing. At some point during the class, it turned philosophical; he asked what man's goal in life was to which he answered happiness. But what is happiness? We said it was defined individually. The way he defined it, sharing a story about the contrast between wealthy tourists and a rather poor woman enjoying a piece of fruit, it was more like contentment.
I was having a whole inner dialogue with myself. I had just listened to Eric Ludy's sermon, "Incorrigible Cheerfulness" (highly recommend it!) and had been thinking about how joy is not circumstantial or material. We have reason to leap for joy constantly. For followers of Christ, I don't think contentment is enough. I think contentment is important, to be satisfied with where God has you at the current moment, but to be in content in our salvation? I have to believe that's too small.
I was thinking about this walking down the street the other day. I imagined myself trying to walk to school wrapped in chains and how hard that would be (especially crossing that six lane highway!). That's what it's like when sin is still lord of your life. But when Jesus takes over, He frees you. I imagined if I had lived my whole life weighed down by tens of pounds of weight, how light I would feel having them removed - I'd be jumping for joy! How easy it would be to leap, to dance, to skip. I probably wouldn't be able to contain myself! And that, my friends, is the joy that we should have 24/7.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11
I was having a whole inner dialogue with myself. I had just listened to Eric Ludy's sermon, "Incorrigible Cheerfulness" (highly recommend it!) and had been thinking about how joy is not circumstantial or material. We have reason to leap for joy constantly. For followers of Christ, I don't think contentment is enough. I think contentment is important, to be satisfied with where God has you at the current moment, but to be in content in our salvation? I have to believe that's too small.
I was thinking about this walking down the street the other day. I imagined myself trying to walk to school wrapped in chains and how hard that would be (especially crossing that six lane highway!). That's what it's like when sin is still lord of your life. But when Jesus takes over, He frees you. I imagined if I had lived my whole life weighed down by tens of pounds of weight, how light I would feel having them removed - I'd be jumping for joy! How easy it would be to leap, to dance, to skip. I probably wouldn't be able to contain myself! And that, my friends, is the joy that we should have 24/7.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11
10 Bottles of Vodka
Lucky you, you get two fun posts in a row.
Our Wolof teacher, though he is Muslim and does not drink, likes to use bottles of vodka for everything. If you ask a question, he'll say you owe him 2 bottles of vodka. More often, he goes straight to 10. If he asks what someone in a picture drank for breakfast, it was 10 bottles of vodka. Today, we were on the ball, and he guessed it was because we had 10 bottles of vodka this morning. He said he'd have to try that tomorrow. This is highly entertaining because of who he is, and also because of who we are. The five girls from Beloit probably wouldn't even know what to do with 10 bottles of vodka.
We've decided that on our last day, we're going to get an empty bottle, fill it with water, and label it "vodka" just for him.
Our Wolof teacher, though he is Muslim and does not drink, likes to use bottles of vodka for everything. If you ask a question, he'll say you owe him 2 bottles of vodka. More often, he goes straight to 10. If he asks what someone in a picture drank for breakfast, it was 10 bottles of vodka. Today, we were on the ball, and he guessed it was because we had 10 bottles of vodka this morning. He said he'd have to try that tomorrow. This is highly entertaining because of who he is, and also because of who we are. The five girls from Beloit probably wouldn't even know what to do with 10 bottles of vodka.
We've decided that on our last day, we're going to get an empty bottle, fill it with water, and label it "vodka" just for him.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
There's a Bug in the Shower...
and other random things you may or may not actually want to know.
1) There was a millipede or something else equally yucky in the shower area. My sister warned me about it, though, and told me she had killed it. Oh well good.
2) If, I mean when, a Senegalese man asks if I'm married, I say yes. They often ask when it was. For some reason, I always say August. I like the way an August wedding sounds. Plus August is my birthday month and a wedding would be a nice birthday gift, right? Man am jekkar means I have a husband in Wolof. Pretty useful phrase.
3) I was asked for the first time a slightly different version of that question, if I was "fiancee" (if you guessed that means "engaged", you're getting the hang of things). I said yes, to which my pseudo suitor asked if it was final. Again, I said we were getting married in August. Maybe in the future I'll get married in August for real. Who knows?
4) I've started using the "rest time" after lunch as quiet time round 2 and it has energized me for the rest of my day. Kari Jobe's new album came out yesterday, so that's been a lovely addition.
5) My current favorite French worship song is Toi Seule es Digne (You Alone are Worthy). This might have something to do with my long-lasting and passionate love for the book of Revelation. I think it's the first book I studied really deeply, when I was 10 or so.
6) I only pretend to study Wolof but am learning it thanks to my family who is dedicated to my language learning, as well as the woman with the vegetable stand next door.
7) Our Wolof teacher says "By jove" and sings "I'm a barbie boy in a barbie world" (because barbie girl would just be ridiculous)
8) Last night my sister asked in Wolof where the bread was. I responded that it was on top of the table. Then in Wolof class today I managed to ask my teacher, entirely in Wolof, if what I said was grammatically correct.
9) Our literature teacher likes to talk. But she's fascinating so it's fine.
10) I accidentally bought health cookies when I went to the store. Didn't realize it til I got home and actually read the package and it said there was a lot of fiber and calcium in them. Junk food fail.
11) The power went out this morning but was back on by the time I came home from lunch.
12) There is also a 3 day traffic strike currently happening.
13) So my younger sister doesn't have school.
14) One of my older sisters doesn't have school because of a strike at University Cheikh Ante Diop
15) I have no idea what everyone does all day, including my parents as they are both retired. My one older sister works. See point 17.
16) Here, beach = gym
17) My other older sister works for Coke. I quit drinking soda 10 years ago.
18) Senegal Kate is basically the same as US Kate except I talk to more people and occasionally join in on activities with people I don't spend all day every day with. But I'd still rather do something calm like help my sister with English than go out to a club or whatever.
19)Addresses are practically useless. I had one and a map and still ended up walking around and stumbling upon the building by accident.
20) If you mail/email/facebook/leave a comment don't ask how Senegal is or anything else equally way too open ended. Ask me what you want to know because I'm really settled in and it just feels like this is how life is. But I do want you to do those things.
21) Why did I number this list? It could have just been bullet points.
22) Maybe it looks like there's more of a point. There's not.
1) There was a millipede or something else equally yucky in the shower area. My sister warned me about it, though, and told me she had killed it. Oh well good.
2) If, I mean when, a Senegalese man asks if I'm married, I say yes. They often ask when it was. For some reason, I always say August. I like the way an August wedding sounds. Plus August is my birthday month and a wedding would be a nice birthday gift, right? Man am jekkar means I have a husband in Wolof. Pretty useful phrase.
3) I was asked for the first time a slightly different version of that question, if I was "fiancee" (if you guessed that means "engaged", you're getting the hang of things). I said yes, to which my pseudo suitor asked if it was final. Again, I said we were getting married in August. Maybe in the future I'll get married in August for real. Who knows?
4) I've started using the "rest time" after lunch as quiet time round 2 and it has energized me for the rest of my day. Kari Jobe's new album came out yesterday, so that's been a lovely addition.
5) My current favorite French worship song is Toi Seule es Digne (You Alone are Worthy). This might have something to do with my long-lasting and passionate love for the book of Revelation. I think it's the first book I studied really deeply, when I was 10 or so.
6) I only pretend to study Wolof but am learning it thanks to my family who is dedicated to my language learning, as well as the woman with the vegetable stand next door.
7) Our Wolof teacher says "By jove" and sings "I'm a barbie boy in a barbie world" (because barbie girl would just be ridiculous)
8) Last night my sister asked in Wolof where the bread was. I responded that it was on top of the table. Then in Wolof class today I managed to ask my teacher, entirely in Wolof, if what I said was grammatically correct.
9) Our literature teacher likes to talk. But she's fascinating so it's fine.
10) I accidentally bought health cookies when I went to the store. Didn't realize it til I got home and actually read the package and it said there was a lot of fiber and calcium in them. Junk food fail.
11) The power went out this morning but was back on by the time I came home from lunch.
12) There is also a 3 day traffic strike currently happening.
13) So my younger sister doesn't have school.
14) One of my older sisters doesn't have school because of a strike at University Cheikh Ante Diop
15) I have no idea what everyone does all day, including my parents as they are both retired. My one older sister works. See point 17.
16) Here, beach = gym
17) My other older sister works for Coke. I quit drinking soda 10 years ago.
18) Senegal Kate is basically the same as US Kate except I talk to more people and occasionally join in on activities with people I don't spend all day every day with. But I'd still rather do something calm like help my sister with English than go out to a club or whatever.
19)Addresses are practically useless. I had one and a map and still ended up walking around and stumbling upon the building by accident.
20) If you mail/email/facebook/leave a comment don't ask how Senegal is or anything else equally way too open ended. Ask me what you want to know because I'm really settled in and it just feels like this is how life is. But I do want you to do those things.
21) Why did I number this list? It could have just been bullet points.
22) Maybe it looks like there's more of a point. There's not.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Jamm Rekk (Peace Only)
Reading this blog is like getting a Wolof lesson little by little. Loyal readers will at least be able to survive in Dakar.
Jamm rekk is the response to a number of questions, and is something i say often. Knowing the word jamm is also essential in pretending you speak Wolof. Listen for it, and the response is almost always jamm rekk (Exception ba suba ag jamm...until tomorrow with peace....jamm ag jamm...peace to me and peace to you)
Jamm nga am? (Do you have peace?)
Jamm rekk
Sa yaram jam? (Does your body have peace; are you healthy?)
Jamm rekk
In asking if you slept well, someone might ask you if you spent the night in peace - peace only.
Someone asked, well what if you have malaria or insomnia, in which case you would not have only peace. He was told the appropriate answer is still jamm rekk.
I can't help but think of the old hymn, It Is Well, "But whatever my lot/Thou hast taught me to say/It is well, it is well with my soul"
Because Christ is our joy, our hope, our peace - the anchor of our souls - we have the ability to say it is well, that we have peace only. This is not circumstantial; "it is well" with our souls no matter what happens to our outer bodies.
Today, I read Ephesians 2:14, which explicitly says that Jesus is our peace. With the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, at all times and in all circumstances we have our peace living inside of us.
So even if I didn't sleep well or I'm sore from a workout on the beach, I can confidently respond jamm rekk
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil
Hebrews 6:19
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation Ephesians 2:14
Jamm rekk is the response to a number of questions, and is something i say often. Knowing the word jamm is also essential in pretending you speak Wolof. Listen for it, and the response is almost always jamm rekk (Exception ba suba ag jamm...until tomorrow with peace....jamm ag jamm...peace to me and peace to you)
Jamm nga am? (Do you have peace?)
Jamm rekk
Sa yaram jam? (Does your body have peace; are you healthy?)
Jamm rekk
In asking if you slept well, someone might ask you if you spent the night in peace - peace only.
Someone asked, well what if you have malaria or insomnia, in which case you would not have only peace. He was told the appropriate answer is still jamm rekk.
I can't help but think of the old hymn, It Is Well, "But whatever my lot/Thou hast taught me to say/It is well, it is well with my soul"
Because Christ is our joy, our hope, our peace - the anchor of our souls - we have the ability to say it is well, that we have peace only. This is not circumstantial; "it is well" with our souls no matter what happens to our outer bodies.
Today, I read Ephesians 2:14, which explicitly says that Jesus is our peace. With the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, at all times and in all circumstances we have our peace living inside of us.
So even if I didn't sleep well or I'm sore from a workout on the beach, I can confidently respond jamm rekk
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil
Hebrews 6:19
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation Ephesians 2:14
Monday, January 23, 2012
Tu Es Saint (You are holy)
An acquaintance recently blogged about a song by Nichole Nordeman, with a lyric that says: "What can I bring? What can these poor hands Lay at the feet of the King?"
This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I submitted a request to work with Partners International here in Senegal, and as I did so I was wondering what I could even do. Sure I speak French, but that's not anything extra; it's an essential. In the end, I decided to write honestly that I didn't know what I had to offer, except that I was totally open to whatever the Holy Spirit is doing/is going to do here.
I've been walking down the street singing French worship music to myself, and one of the first ones I'd found was Ouvre les Yeux de mon Coeur (Open the Eyes of my Heart). To make the syllables work out, in the French translation the last bridge says "You are holy, You are holy; You are holy, You are holy; You are holy, You are holy; I want to see You" I've been thinking about how God isn't any less big or less holy even though I'm in a place where most people don't recognize it. Jesus is still Lord and He is at work here.
All I can do is be ready to go where and when He calls.
This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I submitted a request to work with Partners International here in Senegal, and as I did so I was wondering what I could even do. Sure I speak French, but that's not anything extra; it's an essential. In the end, I decided to write honestly that I didn't know what I had to offer, except that I was totally open to whatever the Holy Spirit is doing/is going to do here.
I've been walking down the street singing French worship music to myself, and one of the first ones I'd found was Ouvre les Yeux de mon Coeur (Open the Eyes of my Heart). To make the syllables work out, in the French translation the last bridge says "You are holy, You are holy; You are holy, You are holy; You are holy, You are holy; I want to see You" I've been thinking about how God isn't any less big or less holy even though I'm in a place where most people don't recognize it. Jesus is still Lord and He is at work here.
All I can do is be ready to go where and when He calls.
Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur (Lord I Lift Your Name on High)
Today I went to the church of a friend of a friend, L'Eglise Evangelique. If I had to guess, I'd put it at around 200 people; there were maybe 10-15 "toubabs". The entire service was in French, except one song that we sang in French and Wolof. Singing that very familiar song in an unfamiliar language was so wonderful. Being in Dakar, singing praise in the regional language!!! There was a praise and worship team, essential to the emphasis on joyful celebration. I'm not sure I've ever been at a church service where we sang so much :) There were prayers mixed in, of course. Then there was a testimony about the power of the Holy Spirit, which was naturally exciting to hear. Several people talked about how they had one been slaves to their amulets but had found freedom in Christ. We sang some more, and then read from the Bible about communion. They definitely took its significance seriously, though anyone who didn't want to take it (wasn't ready) was ore than welcome to abstain. As the elements were distributed people would start singing a capella. We took each element as a body. The message for the day was about the sacrifice of the body; how we are completely for the Lord and not for sin. I noticed the guy next to me was taking careful next to me was taking careful notes, as was the girl next to him.
I liked two seemingly contradictory things about this congregation:
1) The joy
2) The seriousness
The cross is a very serious thing, and our sin is a very real problem. But because of Jesus' sacrifice, we have reason to celebrate with the fullness of joy. In addition, I believe people gave the air of taking their faith seriously, because here, you have to. If you're going to follow Jesus when everyone around you is Muslim, it's not going to be half hearted or on a whim. You really have to believe in Him and the life the He's called you to.
I passed two mosques on the way to church this morning. When I came home, my mom and sister were veiled, on their faces praising Allah. So when we sang Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur as a body, I was overwhelmed by the strength of the Spirit of the Lord that filled the room. Oh how great a love!
We sang one song that, translated, went something like this:
I will praise You with my voice.
If I lose my voice, I'll praise You with my mouth
If I lose my mouth, I'll praise You with my hands
If I lose my hands, I'll praise You with my feet
If I lose my feet, I'll praise You with my soul
And if I lose my soul, it's because I'm in heaven with You.
I really liked this one! A lot of people were doing motions with it, which was very fun.
Here's a picture of the church...hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of worship while I'm here.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
And I looked, and behold,in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Worthy Is the Lamb. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “ You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us[b] kings[c] and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:6-10
Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur!
I liked two seemingly contradictory things about this congregation:
1) The joy
2) The seriousness
The cross is a very serious thing, and our sin is a very real problem. But because of Jesus' sacrifice, we have reason to celebrate with the fullness of joy. In addition, I believe people gave the air of taking their faith seriously, because here, you have to. If you're going to follow Jesus when everyone around you is Muslim, it's not going to be half hearted or on a whim. You really have to believe in Him and the life the He's called you to.
I passed two mosques on the way to church this morning. When I came home, my mom and sister were veiled, on their faces praising Allah. So when we sang Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur as a body, I was overwhelmed by the strength of the Spirit of the Lord that filled the room. Oh how great a love!
We sang one song that, translated, went something like this:
I will praise You with my voice.
If I lose my voice, I'll praise You with my mouth
If I lose my mouth, I'll praise You with my hands
If I lose my hands, I'll praise You with my feet
If I lose my feet, I'll praise You with my soul
And if I lose my soul, it's because I'm in heaven with You.
I really liked this one! A lot of people were doing motions with it, which was very fun.
Here's a picture of the church...hopefully I'll be able to get some pictures of worship while I'm here.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
And I looked, and behold,in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Worthy Is the Lamb. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “ You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us[b] kings[c] and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:6-10
Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur!
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