Transitioning

I believe that July 16, 17 might have been a turning point: I'm actually more excited right now about my work than stressed by it.

It helps that I've had positive reinforcement from a number of people.
It helps that I'm being encouraged to re-evaluate how things have gone.
It helps that I've been shown that some of what I've talked about with people alludes to norms and attitudes I didn't so readily identify.

It helps that God called me to pray.

This past week in Thiouthioune was amazing. Not without its complications, setbacks, frustrations etc. Just, I spent more of my time in the village being with people. Living life with them. (I actually quite enjoy that. Except the couscous. But yes, I enjoy living life more than trying to jump into my work - it just seems like I'm using people when I'm requesting information before I've gotten to know them. Sort of like the "Bonjour, donne-moi l'argent" exchange that happens so often here in Fatick. You'd make me start to think my name was "Donnemoilargent". . .)

Monday night: hung out with people in the village. Didn't 'acccomplish' much in terms of work.
Tuesday: had two decent sessions with people. Head was full of ideas. They didn't transfer onto paper very well in the act of practicing 'facilitating', but overall, they were still very decent discussions.
Tuesday night: a short soirée dansante. Coffee touba, some gum. Some dancing. Gave some gifts. Chilled out. It was good.

Wednesday. Worked for 2 hours in the field. Picked weeds. If all else fails, and the only thing I do the entire time I'm in a few of these villages is pick weeds or work in the fields, I'll be the contentest person in the world. At least, I hope so. With the exception of having a very hungry body for lack of food and expended energy. But, how else do you relate?)

Wednesday Night: The storm.

And did it ever storm. Pathways between fields became rivers. Rivers with rapids, literally. 1 foot of water above the surface. Wind blowing, driving rain. Rivers gushing. Every depression became a lake. Every flat area was overrun by water. The sky was angry, and all that bottled up angst came out that night. It was terrific and terrible at the same time . . .
. . .
I could leave the next day; they live there.
. . .
How often does a crazy rain storm knock out the wall of your kitchen? Or perhaps collapse your entire house? Or maybe 'just' a quarter of your house. Sand melts when struck by driving water, and since that's what a lot of these homes are (homes), that's what they do.
. . .
I spent 2 or 3 hours bailing water. Behind the chief's bedroom, where I slept, the back space turned to a pond. I was merely trying to facilitate its departure.
. . .
There is red and white lighting in Senegal. That was neat to see.
. . .
So yes, part way through this storm, I stopped 'enjoying' myself with a naive attitude. I enjoyed the work because I felt like I was trying to help. But, my mind slowly turned to thinking about those living here. They live here. I don't. I leave. They don't.
. . .
You can start praying for them now. If you haven't already, start to now. I'm one small little speck in the field. They make up the majority of it, and their concerns and needs far outweigh my own at the moment. Pray for me, that my attitude might continue to let go and open up. That I might be able to focus, reflect, and facilitate well. That I might learn.

But start to pray for them not so much me.
. . .
At the entrance to the city of Diakhao, a household had lost 5 buildings. I'm sure in other areas, including the village of Thiouthioune and other villages, similar stories could be told.
. . .

Thursday morning:
An elder in a neighbouring village died. I didn't talk to too many people because combined with the weekly market in town and this death, there weren't too many people in the village . . .

Other thoughts:
1) I'm finally beginning to enjoy myself. Work is slowly starting to come around (or, probably more accurately, I'm beginning to come around and work is showing itself for simply being the process through which I've been unnecessarily been stressing.

2) It helps being connected to people in Fatick. I am only how I am now because of who I'm finally beginning to connect to in Fatick.

3) I hate village level couscous. Have I said that before? I think so! Ha ha ha. Causes the gag reflex a little more easily than most other things. Actually, it's the only thing at present I'm still having a hard time with in terms of food. (mind you, I still won't eat other seafood, but fish, well, djé bu gen is finally starting to take me. I really don't mind it . . . wow. There's a transition for you, if you know me at all!)

4) Serer exchange:

Na fyo? Ma ha men. Nambi nambi? Oh waw ma ga. Diem rek? Diem rek ki.
(How are you? I'm fine. How's the family? They're good. In peace? Yes, in peace. - essentially that's what's being said. Oh, and it's not spelt that way . . . whatever)
Ha-a : no. EeOh: yes.

5) Wolof exchange:

Nanga def? Mag ni fi. Ana wa kergi? Diem rek. A hem de li lie.
(how are you? I'm good. How's the family? They're in peace. . . uh, I don't know what the third phrase is, but I say it anyways!)
Ndedette: no / Waw (wow): yes

6) I tend to use 'waw' now instead of 'oui' when responding to people . . .

Other updates:

1) Tomorrow I leave for the Gambia. I'm really looking forward to it.
2) Tonight I'm going to watch "Heroes", a TV series I downloaded onto my computer from the Forsythes.
3) I might try to get my hair cut again too on my way home.
4) I'll be in Dakar all next week. I'll have to call home and some friends every now and again.

. . .

Well, I think that's all for now. I always have tonnes of ideas before I write and then they just seem to leave all the time . . .

Thanks to all who are praying and supporting.
Do the same thing for the people I'm working for. Just add them to the list!