Balance

I think things are finally coming to.

I say that in light of knowing that I won't be spending more than 1 consecutive week (or two) in the villages for the next month or so.

You could say I'm wimping out a bit, perhaps, but frankly, I'm glad for the mix of ideas swirling around. As the title suggests, it creates a slightly better balance.

It has quite a bit to do with space to think more intentionally about what I'm doing in the villages now though. With going into the villages the second time, and with having a better sense of where all of this is going for the next little while, I'm trying to make sure that the time I spend there is more focused, more directed towards something specific.

In hindsight, I would have loved to have this perspective earlier, but part of me also believes that that really wouldn't have been possible. In fact, even with the 'focused' discussions I'm having, I feel like sometimes they're a little fabricated. As though I'm touching on a subject that interests me without knowing whether or not or to what extent it even interests the people I'm talking to. I guess perhaps that's part of it. But, in terms of 'development', it seems to be a bit forced. A bit fabricated.

Still, I'm glad for the focus. I'm glad for the interesting points and reasons people have made and given.
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This coming week, I'm in Dakar. I need to figure out how to direct conversations in these cases as well. To take advantage of the scarce time I have with people. But again, at least there seems to be a focus I'm starting to take.
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After that, I'll be in another village for another week. Then vacation for 1 week. Then the last village. Then a workshop, again in Dakar. (I love Dakar, and I'm glad to be able to go there).
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There is great wisdom expressed to me by my supervisor when explaining to me that it is more helpful for development money to be spent on training people to train others than it is to simply give people something. It's all about empowerment, and that, truly, is what development should be all about. Still, I think there's room for improvement when it comes to efficiency to get to that point where people are being empowered . . .
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This week had a number of challenges. People were working in their fields. There was the weekly market Thursday, and a Thursday afternoon football match (that took away my translator for that block of time). Monday's conversation was a flop. Tuesday morning I arranged Wednesday's meetings. Tuesday night, no one showed up. Wednesday morning, I had a good conversation with some women. Wednesday night, none of the young men I had wanted to talk to were around because they had all gone to the August 15, Assumption (Ascension) celebrations in Fatick. Thursday morning was a good conversation with the men. Thursday afternoon, a weaker one because the translation wasn't as helpful as it usually is. Certainly, I need to be helped along in my work at times by the translator, and since they were all at football, the young boy that helped me did an excellent job all things considered. Certainly, it shows that I have much to learn about asking good questions. Friday morning was a decent conversation with a group of women. And that's it.

In between those conversations, I did a bunch of weed-picking in the fields, walking around, hanging out, talking with people, eating rice, eating couscous, eating couscous. But, there was a bit of variation in evening meals, so I survived a week. That was nice. But, I'll tell you, I get tired of the food, mostly, even after only 1 week. I wonder what that means.
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But ya, I'll have to say that despite the challenges, it was a really good week, if only because I was asking a set group of questions, and simply probing. I was also on some level, calling people's bluffs (at least, as I see them). This might not be correct, but frankly, it's useful sometimes if you want to get at heart of the mater of something.
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At any rate, I'm going to go swimming in Dakar tomorrow, hopefully play some tennis, and work on a summary document of les Conventions Locales so that that is ready for a meeting I have in Dakar some time this week with IED. While the date is not determined, I'm sure it'll happen. I've learned the value of using my cell phone to bug people. Otherwise, nothing ever happens.
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And oh how I'm so glad that my cell phone works in the villages.
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NEWho, it's 8 pm. I have to leave the office now. I just finished my 8 page report on the week. Now off to dinner.
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God has been gracious.
But keep on praying!
Especially for the villagers. And that the conversations I have with them will be insightful.