Poverty Triumphant: Half Way Point

We've reached the half way point of our summer in Senegal. He has been faithful this week in giving us small encouragements and uplifting days amidst a semi-frustrating week. We have been without power or water (for most of the day) for a little over a week now. And, after days of sitting around, having slow days at the clinic, fighting off illnesses, making cultural mistakes with our family, and dealing with other unforseen issues, I had begun to grow weary. However, we were blessed to have a very uplifting conversation with our Imam friend about his dreams and visions, as well as accomplishing a few strides in friendships and trust with friends we had made.

And, though these things have been encouraging, I think that the most came from this past getaway weekend, from which I am just returning now. We had lots of fun, as always, hanging out at the pool, going to the beack, speaking english, going on safari, but there was so much more. We found ourselves encouraged to go on. I for one, heard a call to be so much more than I had thought I could ever be. And, I feel that all three of us will walk back into our house today with a renewed sense of meaning in the everyday things that we do. Meaning in every smile we share, in every hour we spend cooking with African Momma, in every blood pressure we take, every malaria test we run, every cut we bandage, and every child we hold, knowing that, though we love to use our words when we can, the realities of the world we're living in require the wordless testimony first and foremost, and that light shines through us that way.

And so, we may be half way done for this summer, but every minute we spend, may last a lifetime, even eternally, for those we spend it with. Please continue to speak with us:

For our spirits to remain uplifted, taking joy in our struggles and hardships, and rejoicing in the comfort we receive from them.
For our health, and our team's, as several of us have battled or are battling intestinal bugs.
For our family as we focus our time and love towards them.
For friends at the clinic; words to say when we have hours to sit and talk and patience when we must do things that go against our instincts.
"D", our Leader friend who is truely seeking.
For the F4Fers of my village's feelings of safety and security.
The talibe house we work with, that they would see His love though it is illegal for us to proclaim it with words.

The girls from my and nearby villages in our African outfits at meeting on sunday

(don't get too excited, it's an international meeting and there are no senegalese people there, mostly people from other parts of Africa.)

Me and Billie, one of the little boys in our house, who loves to spend time with us.

(and he talks about you too, momma!)

Me, African Momma, and little sister, the last to finish dinner... I think I'm confused as to why my roommate popped up out of nowhere with a camera...