Puppy Encore!!!!!!!!!

Do you know what time it is?

The BBQ

Saturday we hosted a BBQ for the first time at the house. It was so much fun! We invited Ramale, she is our cooking teacher. Ramale was interested in watching me cook and she helped with the preparations. Erin did all of the grilling of the hamburgers and the veges. The mean was perfect. We had a really great day watching oldies but goodies like Karate Kid. Ramale was spellbound by Narnia. What a fantastically fun day.

Birthday's

Matthew 22:8-10 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

Saturday night was Gnohi's birthday party. Every year I am amazed by this gathering. Astou welcomes the poor children of the neighborhood in for the feast. They gather around the table of goodies with eyes wide staring at the wondering delicacies assembled, in honor of Gnohi. They come half dressed and mostly in rags and rubbed with dirt.

As I watched Astou on Saturday night, with complete joy in her eyes at being able to host these children, I was challenged. Challenged to give all that I am to anyone that comes through my door. Challenged to be that kind of servant to the children of the Kingdom.

I can't stop drinking this Juice!!

Here's some more Ladies

Les Femme

Tuesdays are the women's meeting at the Jam House. Erin and I usually go a few hours before the prayer meeting and just hang out with the ladies. Erin is learning lot's of Jola during these times and we have a really great time listening to the women and watching them work. Last week they had us rolling telling us this story about some big lady who came to the jam house. The biggest lady they had ever seen. Harriett and Prudence took turns waddling around telling us about how big she was, "Not here but here." It was hysterical. We here all of our local news at the Jam House also. Who has died and in what villages, why the price of fish is up, why all the rice is gone from the shops in town. Really the Jam House is an important news source.

Baby Astou

It seems that in every Jola home there is a baby. Once one baby grows up someone else has another baby and well it's an endless cycle and there's always a baby. Everyone takes turns babying the baby and teaching the child all there is to know about life. Each time we are at Marcel and Astou's we seem to find time for "Baby Astou" She is fast becoming our close friend. I am Tante Tina, I think Tante Erin might be too much. (Considering Erin's name continues to evolve. She is now Helena after having been Mary Ellen, Mary Helena, Elana and many other variations.)

Everyone loves a baby

Cooking Lessons

Part of the Missionary Training Program is cooking lessons each week at Asou Diatta's home. We participate in preparing various Senegalese dishes in the traditional Senegalese fashion. This includes the challenges of cross cultural communication and building relationships. Ramale is our teacher. She works in Astou's house.

We begin each day with a trip to the market where Ramale searches through the vegetables for sale with a meticulous eye for the freshest vegetables for the best price. Fish has become very difficult to find in Oussouye. Currently only the YEAH BOY (that's really how it's pronounced) is available here in town. Marcel has been buying fantastic fish else where. Our market visits include only the purchase of vege's these days.

Today we prepared Yassa Poisson. The fish is marinated and grilled over the coals. White rice is made and then vegetables in a sauce. Sounds simple but our preparations take three hours.

Cooking Lessons

Peddlers

Back in the day there used to be peddlers who would hawk their goods in the streets, shouting from corner to corner, wares they have for sale. In Senegal the tradition continues with brightly colored peddlers moving about town or on the beach. Dressed in their wares. Unusual hats, high heals of every color, shape, size, bling or no bling. The peddlers have everything. They show up at the houses with lot's of girls and spread out their shiny things on a blanket and all the girls gather around to look. They sell perfumes and jewelry, tight tank tops, bras and underwear. The peddlers have everything a girl might need to look beautiful. The peddler at the beach rides a bike brimming with used bathing suits, towels and hats to escape the sun. His goods swing with the wind and the riding, waiting for the next customer.

Today a peddler showed up at the jam house. I am sure a tough place to stop for a peddler, with 15 women discussing whether this hat makes them look fat or this color goes with their skin. Imagine...............In the end our friends didn't buy a thing.

Light

Tea Time

Independence Day

Yesterday Erin and I marched in the Independence Day Parade with the women of the church. On Tuesday I had preached at the women's bible study about them being the light of the world and that when they walk they should walk with courage and stand tall because the blessing of God was on them and their work. So Erin and I had the dresses made and marched alongside our ladies having a great time. Then we went to round point after the parade for pictures and they announced our groups name over the loudspeaker. WE HAD WON FIRST PLACE IN THE PARADE! I didn't realize it was a contest. Everyone was is shouting at us.....Nous Gagne. I am like what the heck did we win? Were we competing for something? Finally after asking like three people I figured it out. Lucy is shouting at me "We are the light of the world, we are the light of the world." It was a very exciting moment for the ladies and a bit confusing for me. But now I get it.