God in Senegal

I'm giving everyone the wrong impression. Soon these posts will be less frequent, likely only happening over the Friday - Sunday village breaks. Just so you're all fore-warned.

NEwho, today went well. Spent most of my day in the office doing some background reading/research. Went well. I feel like there's a lot more focus to what I'm at least trying to figure out while here. Funny though, is that there just seems to be a total absence of access to information outside of the internet and international organizations located in Dakar. Maybe I'm not asking clearly enough, but there seems to be little documentation on what WV has been up to in Senegal that I can find (there is some stuff, but it's not getting me too far!).

Still, that just makes me realize exactly what an opportunity I have going to the villages. I hope they get my energy, get my desire for them not to look at me and think 'how can we convince him to send money our way' but rather 'guys, I'm here to listen to you, learn from you, encourage and support you. That's it. I hope they catch on to my desire to learn from them, not the other way around. I hope that that's what happens.

I'm currently in Dakar. Arrived here after leaving Fatick around 1:30 pm. All stops and tangents included (including eating lunch around 3 pm (finally - I was starving to the point that I wasn't hungry anymore!), I arrived around 5:30. Takes a bit to get here.

Dropped some stuff off at the WV office, and then headed out into the city. Went to la marché Sandaga. Went hunting for some useful items for back in Fatick, and just looking to explore, to kill some time. Which is what I'm also currently doing right now. Writing a blog at 20 2 10 because my friend still hasn't arrived from Kaolack. But, I knew he was arriving late, and I quite enjoy being attached to email, being attached to the internet because I can do research, write you guys, read things, etc. En effet, il y a des choses que je peux faire, alors je suis heureux (Basically, there are things I can do, so I'm happy). Keeps me pre-occupied, and assuming Alex (my friend, not my second personality) doesn't arrive by the time I'm done here, I know where I'm going to go anyways. Kill more time writing in my journal.

I pondered a bit today about what I was doing here. The work itself seems okay. I'd like to find out where God is present in Senegal. A good friend of mine mentioned he would pray I be fearless to tackle things I come across. One of those things that I'd like to begin to tackle is engaging people with spiritual issues. Certainly, more than I think I've realized or been maybe willing to acknowledge, is that there is a definite spiritual opennes on one hand. There is, however, a solid closure to God beyond Islam. But, people, as much as I can tell for now, are not hostile to open dialogue on these issues. And since they excite me so much, I'm going to tread these waters bit by bit. Carefully. Doucement. Etc. But, it might provide some cool insights into my research, where appropriate.

I hung out à la Place d'Indépendance ce soir, and ended up talking with a guard(?) about life and the appropriate way to live life (he started it, I just added my opinion). It was funny though, because I had just prayed to God asking how he was present in Senegal. He showed up just then, perhaps in a quiet manner. I tried to share with him my understand of living life in reaction to what God has done through Jesus and not so much the act of living a good life just for the sake of it or because God's favour depends on it. Perhaps through a fog that was this guard, that the Lord presented himself. But something was being said then, I think. I hope to listen a little more as time goes on and figure where to go with this dimension of my time here. It certainly excites me a tonne.

I'm currently listening to Najoua Belyzel. French dance music. I like it. Just a touch too poppy, but she's got some good songs (good rhythm etc). I'll have to remember to bring my MP3 player to the villages maybe. Life without music might be deadly.

But ya, tomorrow promises to be a day of sunshine, good food, good friends, and some beach related activities (at least, I'll be pushing for that).

And, I already have plans for next Friday evening with the Finnish woman. She's currently in Mbour (1/2 hr outside of Fatick), but we'll be able to meet up that evening. Just, then she'll be gone until the 24th, back for a week, and then gone for all of July. Just another prayer request. July right now seems like it will be very dry socially. i.e. that will be bad. Pray that I make intentional plans with my co-workers during those weekends off. And/or that time in the villages turns into something beautiful. I want it to be that way.

NEwho, I'm gonna do some calling and some research followed by some walking and journal writing. Hope you're all well at home.

Thanks for the posts to those who are making them.

A Salam Aleykoum (peace be to you - muslim greetinng, said everywhere here)