Sheep Testicles Anyone?

Ishmael showed up at the house yesterday with a black sack of meat. I looked inside and groaned. We had just been discussing what kinds of things that are a bit unusual that the Senegalese might eat. Yes, some love the sheep testicles. So this week we are going to be preparing some Senegalese sheep testicles. Anyone want to come over and try them?

Ministry in Okoute

This week I wasn't sure where to go for our weekly prayer and evangelism. At dinner on Wednesday night we were talking about our friend Pierro in Okoute. I said, "hey we should go see him on Friday." and so it was. A great day. We started out at Boris's house for lunch and hanging out. Then went to Pierro's. He has severe diabetes and recently returned to his village. He was living at the assistant pastor's house for a few months and had come to know Jesus there. His return to Okoute left him feeling a bit distant from God. He shared with us that God had given him a dream this past week and we were able to encourage him and pray for him. During the prayer God told Lorrie that he had given Boris a vision for Pierro, she asked him and indeed he had a vision. We encouraged him to share it and he did. Afterwards, we invited Pierro's friends to come and hear about Jesus, then we all laid hands on the kids and prayed for them. It was a fantastic day of ministry and sharing life.

Tabaski

We were invited to celebrate the Muslim fete of Tabaski with several friends in the neighborhood. The celebration is for remembering how Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Each family kills a sheep and the food is shared between neighbors, friends and family. We had lunch at Marietou's, couscous and of course mutton. It was deliciously prepared and fell off the bone. Then we went to Tom and Lorrie's friend Muhammed's for some drinks and music. Afterwards on to the Manee's, our closest neighbors and good friends. More drinks, more snacks and then we rolled home fat and happy. The dog has barely moved since eating all day yesterday.

Game Day Movie

Game Days

This month I turned over the responsibility of coming up with games for Wednesdays to Tom and Lorrie. What an amazing job they've been doing. Last week Tom and the balloons. This week Lorrie created an elaborate obstacle course we had to run through without losing any of the clothespins attached to us. We start the games before the kids who aren't staying for Bible study leave. So they get to enjoy the fun!! And it was a blast.

Thanksgiving in Oussouye

This was my first Thanksgiving in Oussouye. We each took a part in preparing our dinner of thanks. Tom did the chicken and the gravy. Lorrie the stuffing and wonderful lemon meringue pie and cream puffs and I made the potatoes and squash. It all came together well and we invited some friends to join us for the party. Our friends discussed who would eat the head of the chicken and the different parts we didn't eat. We served the meal in traditional Senegalese style on one big platter. In the afternoon Lorrie had invited some of the older ladies in the neighborhood over to take dessert with us. They had a wonderful time watching Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Subsequently 15 kids came over since the movie was on and our friend day of Thanksgiving really drew a crowd and we were able to enjoy family and friends just as we would have if we were in America. To top it all off we were able to skype with several family members and friends from home and actually see their faces with the computer camera. Being away from home on the holidays is certainly not what it used to be. I'm thankful for my life here in Senegal and all the blessings he's brought me over the last year.

Thanksgiving in Oussouye

Games

Visitors and Wednesdays

Harvesting the Peanuts

It's great to see vision come into fulfillment. This year Aloune from Seghana filled the property with is crops. He planted peanuts and beans. November is the month for harvesting the peanuts. Each day they come to dig up the peanut plants and pull the nuts off the plants. They then put them on the roof to dry in the sun and afterwards into sacks for storage and of course to give away. We have been given so many peanuts we don't know what to do with them all.