Local Dancing

Local Dancing

Local Dancing

Local Dancing

While we were praying in Okoute this evening, a man asked us if we wanted to go to the dance. I said we'd follow him to the neighborhood and check it out. His name was Boris and he's a student at the high school in Oussouye and he wants to learn English. Nice start. We arrived at the dancing grounds and the ladies were already set up under a tent for a good view. They beckoned me over to them, I made a new friend Bintu and Lorrie "Ahuloka" joined us after a few minutes. Tom stayed with Boris for the evening and we all had a grand time.

Prayer Walk in Okoute

New friends from the road

The rizeer between Oussouye and Okoute

Jerome's New House

Okoute is Jerome's home town. We went there for prayer today. On the way we stopped by to see Jerome's water project on the outskirts of town. Met some of the villagers, got stuck in the rain and found ourselves at a local evening of dancing. A prayer walk in the rain turned into a fantastic event.

Rainstorms on the horizon

During the rainy season we watch storms roll in. On one side of the house we see blue skies and on the other side of the house nothing but rain clouds.

Walking in Harlem

Harriete's children guarding the rice seedlings against the birds.

Where ever I go in Harlem there are kids who shout my name. We pass by Natalie, Roney and Surge's house everyday. They come running out saying hello and looking for hugs.

Tom and Lorrie following our path through the neighborhood.

Cultivating at the training center

Daniel our gardener wanted to plant beans and peanuts. Alioune from the church came and planted his own peanuts. Another man who is a friend of Jerome's also planted his rice seedlings on the property. It's been great fun to watch the clearing, digging and planting but it's also been great fun to participate. We pray each day for the crops on the land and that God would multiply. And already the rice and peanuts are sprouting out of the ground.

Cultivating at the training center

Adjou my pup

Obama Shop

Yup the American flags are upside down. Is it ironic? You decide.

Yes in Oussouye we have our very own B.Obama shop.

Mailing a letter

Each week for the Missionary Training Program Tom and Lorrie have practical assignments. Last week Lorrie paid the water and electric bills with my help and Tom bought some things at a hardware store in Ziguinchor. This week the task was to mail a postcard. You'd think it'd be super easy but there are all kinds of cultural things to figure out and observe during each of these tasks. Tom's stamps were almost stuck upside down and Lorrie licked her stamps. Ahhhhh don't lick anything in Africa EVER!!

The Parlatos in the mix of the darkness

Things I love

Things I love

This morning I asked God for a house full of kids. We had waves of kids all through the day.

I totally love my cranky dog

I love it when clothes actually dry on the line and don't get rained on

I love dry clothes. During the rainy season sometimes it takes days for clothes to dry. My towel still feels just as wet as it was after washing it.

Playing in the Rain

Rainy Days