Monday night, 8:30 pm and we just got back from walking to our boutique and buying mango juice to hand out to the street boys. While there, a man came up to me and really started a conversation about feet and hospitals and other stuff. We really didn't know where this was all leading to, and when he took our packages and offered to carry them home for us and continued to rattle on about the hospital and him wanting us to see it we really got antsy. So, we let him take our stuff home and then a man walked by with a cane and stopped. The man who brought our stuff home, then pointed at the other man's leg, and had him pull his pant leg up and he had an artificial leg. We then understood that the first man worked at the hospital, and we went with him to his shop where he makes braces and artificial legs and we found out he was a Catholic, he showed us his Bible and some mission CD's and took us on a tour of the hospital.

This morning was our first Wolof lesson and it was jam packed. The teacher lectured for 2 hours with us repeating phrases and words. This man is the one who wrote the books used for teaching Wolof and he was very patient with us. The funny thing, he tried to compare the Wolof alphabet with the French alphabet phonetically pronouncing the letters. Little does he know, our French is no better than our Wolof. He gave us some homework and I sure hope
he grades on a big curve because we are in big trouble if he thinks we can learn what he taught in one evening of self study.

Made a trip to the large market to buy new mats for the A/G school just because the ones they are using are beyond help. Peggy and I then went downtown grocery shopping and found some more sliced cheddar cheese,,,yahoo and even found some sliced bread at a bakery. Tomorrow night Pastor Omer and his family are coming over for supper and Amy is making spaghetti and I am going to make chicken gumbo.

Second Wolof lesson tomorrow and some work around the center before supper tomorrow night.

Oh yes, we had our first day with water and electricity outages. Electricity wasn't off too long, but water was off quite a while. Finally came on a while ago and quickly washed fruit and vegetables and took quick shower before it went off again.

Including some pictures of our Wolof teacher and a couple of the boys on our front door this morning.

Good night all,

God Bless

Ken and Peggy (Karim and Penda, our Wolof names)

This is Sunday night, 8:00pm after another work day after church service this morning.

Made an early morning run to my hardware guy, and I have included a picture of his shop. 

Had our multi lingual church service, and the missionary from Argentina, Nelson spoke and the school director translated into Wolof. By the way, we start our Wolof lessons tomorrow so pray we can pick up enough to at least communicate properly when we meet people.

There are plans for the upcoming months for us to go to a village in the bush for a few days to work with Nelson and Myte' with some missionary friends in the village. Have not decided if we will go, but will in all reality do it as they need some help there also. Then in June a trip to Dakar to remodel the missionary guest house where traveling missionaries stay as well as guests of the missionary area director. Should be fun, but Dakar is so big and busy, I really enjoy getting back to St. Louis and "our" little mission field. Then, Pentecost Sunday we will travel to another town and have services with several other churches and missionaries, I think. Busy summer coming up and may have to stay a lot longer than 3 months just to get things done.

Tomorrow, after Wolof lessons, Amy said we can have a day off after working so hard this weekend...and boy we need it. Need to buy groceries and fruit for the upcoming week.  We finally got a chance to taste the peanuts sold here since they are grown locally and they are good. They also have a sugar coated variety which are also good.

For lunch today, 2 ladies from the church made yassa poullet, "Rice and chicken" and I have included pictures of the preparation as well as the meal.. I've had it at a hotel here, but this home prepared version is a LOT better. In addition to the chicken, there were olives, green peppers, pickled pearl onions, tomatoes, boiled eggs and lots of rice. It is covered with an onion sauce that is spicy enough to be good, but not too spicy that you can't enjoy it. Most of the church men and ladies came out yesterday and today to help paint and finish the rooms so school can start tomorrow.  What a job, but we got through around 6:00pm I think.

When we got home, there were 12 street boys waiting for us but we didn't have anything to give them but a half loaf of bread. They were very happy for it and I heard one or two "thank you's" as well as a lot of "merci's".

Well, going to try to hit the hay early and get a good rest.  One thing I have noticed here is the noise level that I can hear from our apartment is either dead silence or extreme noise. No in between.

Pictures are of Amy and Peggy teaching Sunday School, our meal and some of our finished rooms at the school.

Good night,

Ken and Peggy

                                                        My personal hardware guy

                                             One of Paster Omer's son,

 Good Sunday morning to all, and a Happy Mother's day as well.

You have figured out by now, that there was no posting for yesterday and I have a very good reason...the Pharaoh (Amy) had the slaves (us) making bricks (painting) way into the evening...but PTL we got a LOT accomplished.

We got a late start because we had to make several stops to find rollers, paint and other needed stuff. While I am talking paint, here in St. Louis the only colors available or white, white, or white..we then buy tinting colors and make whatever colors you want and hopefully enough to finish your room and not too much so you end up with 4 rooms of camel dung brown. (that's a joke)! But you do have to have a good eye for paint quantity. In addition, we have to use oil base paints and the paint thinner we buy comes in wine bottles, with corks and all. Guess it comes from France.

Back to the painting, we were at the A/G school and what a difference a coat of paint makes in an old building.  I will post before pictures today, and later I will post after pictures. We are also repainting all the old desks that have years of crayon, chalk, and just plain use and we have to work when school is not in session. That is the reason we had such late hours last night. Also, Amy has a local young man that is a "painting machine" and we had him for the day. With tall ceilings and no ladder, I wondered how he would paint up high at the ceiling corner, but he had a long extension and put a paintbrush in the end and "Voila" a finished room...amazing. That guy is so fast, I swear I heard the sound of a paint machine going as he painted. He also sang while he worked, Christian choruses in French...I tried to sing along but it sounded like the 12 days of Christmas to me, so that is what I sang.

Made my daily trip to the hardware boutique called a "Quincairre'" and now I am on first name basis with the hardware guy,,even though I can't pronounce his name, a handshake and a smile go a long way.

Amy had a sudden inspiration this morning and let Peggy drive in town. I will post pictures. She did a good job considering she drives the same way here that she does in the states. Enough said !

Went to the center and had lots of kiddos, and was I shocked when little Iessa came in and ran up and threw her arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug, although I am huggable.

We have some more painting to do today so school can be ready tomorrow and I noticed lots of windows need screens and glass, so that will be on my agenda later.

 We are so happy to be here and hopefully what we are doing will impact someone's life, language barrier or not, that strangers will come and love on them and help them. This morning an older gentleman (Muslim) walked by as I was on the porch talking to Ndaiye', and he stopped to talk to me. He was a Senegalese English teacher and Amy said he never would have stopped to talk to her, being a woman, but since I was distinguished looking and a man, he would talk to me. Actually the word Amy used was old, not distinguished...but it means the same to me.

What a joy it is to be here with Amy and see her ministry here to the kids. Just talking to her and seeing her vision let's us know we need to hold her up in prayer and support. Lot's of obstacles here in a male dominated society for females but she holds her own, in a loving and kind way.

One tremendous prayer that needs to be answered is for a Senegalese Muslim to take up the cause for these street boys. It needs to be a local person, not a missionary or foreigner for several reasons.

Love you all and if God lays it on your heart to do a short term missions trip, Senegal could use you. It is not glamorous but it is unique. The people are loving and hospitable and thankful.

From Senegal,

Ken and Peggy

 

 

 

 

It's 10:20 pm, St. Louis time and I am one tired fellow, but since I have been told many people are reading about our adventures here I will go ahead and post today's events.

I guess I should go ahead and tell about the giant leaping spider that was in the center today. That sucker was FAST and he would run into every crack and hole he could find and he was BIG. For those faint of heart you can skip the following, but now I see why Amy won't kill them in her house. For such a small body (compared to the legs) that sucker has a lot of insides that come outside when you step on them. Enough said!

We took our first taxi ride today, even though we were not by ourselves, we did make it home and it was quite enjoyable. For all appearances on the outside, the inside was quite clean. Also, it is really easy to catch a taxi because they all charge the same amount, no hassle nor squabble.

I got up early and made a hardware run and it was pretty much point and grunt on my part

 

, but the man was most nice and helpful, but I was getting pretty nervous as he totaled up my bill because he sure had a lot of 0000's and I wasn't carrying much money but after he gave the total I had enough and then some. I should have kept on buying but I had to get home to go to the school and pass out vitamins to the kids.

The school is such a blessing to these kids as they get vitamins twice a week all because of the generosity of an American doctor who came over and saw the kids and he agreed to supply the vitamins for this year. We then visited with Pastor Omer and his wife at the school while waiting for the taxi and they really enjoy the company. He gets to practice his English and I get a joy in hearing him.

We then went home for a lunch with Nelson, Myte' and Amy and then back to the center to do a little work before tomorrow. We painted the dollhouse for the kids and repainted a wall..Doesn't seem like much, but it was tedious work on that dollhouse, but it turned out so nice for the kids. Made a run to the market and bought some soccer balls for the school and some more hardware stuff. Worked till around 7:00pm.

It was getting late, so we headed to a local hotel for supper with Laura, Ethan, and Amy. Not something we usually do, but being so late and being so tired I knew it would be relaxing just to sit and rest.

Do not have many pictures tonight but will post a couple of the dollhouse paint crew. We had our usual encounters with the street boys during the day and once again our hearts are touched. Even though there are a lot of people in St. Louis, it is amazing how these boys know Amy and her car as she goes through town but it never fails that we see waving hands everywhere we go.

Goodnight, we have a long weekend of work ahead of us...

Ken and Peggy

Beautiful night in St. Louis, a nice 77* F. with nice sea breezes.

This morning started out with me sitting on the porch, as usual, and a young man came up and we began to talk. His name is Babacar and was 20 years old. Spoke good enough English that we chatted for about an hour. He said he was born in Dakar, and had come to St. Louis to study the Koran but was also a student somewhere here in town. He asked me all about my work, and where we lived and how much he wanted to visit America. He gave me 2 cell phone numbers to call him when I get home but I explained to him it was very expensive to call here from America. He asked for my phone number here in St. Louis, but I told him I didn't have a phone and he was shocked. Almost like, "How can you live without a phone?" Then when he asked me if I worked, I told him no and he really freaked out. I know he wondered how I got here if I didn't work, and I tried to explain "retirement" but he didn't understand. I told him that I trusted God for our needs but he didn't understand. He saw that I had my Wolof book, and he began reading it to me and teaching me some phrases with not much success.  The whole time I sat there, looking at him, I got a sad feeling realizing he would never make it to America and he seemed so lonely just to talk, even if I didn't understand him. When I finally had to leave, he said he would come back tomorrow. I will see.

We then went to the A/G school to make a list of items that I may be able to do while here. It isn't a large list, but as always, funds are limited as well as my ability as one person to do what really needs to be done.  I will do what I can but they could really use a church team to come and swarm the place just painting and general repairs to all the desks and classrooms.

We then went to Bryan and Laura's house and had a wonderful meal of "ceeb u yap" or rice and meat. We ate Senegalese style, which is one large dish in the middle of the table and imagine a pizza divided into slices, and you eat out of your slice. We actually had two dishes, because there are a lot of vegetables in this dish and some of us didn't eat vegetables. We had another missionary couple with us who are from Argentina, Nelson and Myta'. One of the pictures below is with them and the Senegalese lady who did the cooking. Did I mention that the meal was delicious,,,a little spicy but just right. Bryan gave a devotion about how what we see may not be what we really see because God is always working in everything in our life. While we may think what is happening is all that is going on, God may be doing something entirely different in the situation.

We then headed to the Community Center do do a little prep work for class on Saturday. Nelson and I painted the doll house that Amy had built and we will go tomorrow to finish painting it. Also, since today was a holiday, we will go to the school tomorrow to help hand out the vitamins.

We came back home in time to check a few emails and load today's pictures before we headed to Amy's hair guy for me to get a much needed haircut. His name is Blaise, and he is really good and speaks good English.

Back home for a snack, then off to bed after watching a I Love Lucy dvd with Amy.

Good Night from Senegal

Ken and Peggy

Good evening from St. Louis and it is a good evening. Just got home from Wednesday bible study ate a snack and now checking up on the world events from the states. Isn't God and technology amazing, just think about the text in Revelation were the two witnesses will lay in the streets and the bible says the whole world will see them. Just a few years back, people did not understand how that would be possible, but with the electronic age and instant everything, prophecy (revelation) is being fulfilled.

I can sit in Amy's home in Senegal, and see and talk instantly to family back home. What a blessing especially for all the full time missionaries who are on the field.. Even the local Pastor Omer told us he hadn't heard his mother's voice in 5 years, but now he can Skype with her in the Ivory Coast.

Back to this evening, Pastor Bryan spoke in French, translated by a church member in Wolof, and listened by us in English. Talk about the tower of Babel going on in my head, but still it was uplifting. Pastor Omer told us he wanted to get us an interpreter next week, but we told him that wasn't necessary, but he insists because he said it will help him. Music was provided by Pastor Omer's young son on a drum, with lots of clapping by the church and singing. We asked about the translation into Wolof and found out some of the church members cannot speak French and besides they said it is a witness to their community since they can be heard through the open windows into the surrounding neighborhood. Who knows what the Holy Spirit will do because God's word is not chained and will not return void ?

Spent the morning mailing a few cards, went to town and found 2 hardware stores on the island. Now I do not have go onto the mainland and fight the Market crowds and besides, now I have someplace to go get my Lowe's fix. Now don't let your mind go crazy when I say hardware store, the first is really a small shack but he did have a lot of stuff I can use and besides, if he doesn't have it, he sends a guy off on a scooter to get it. The other was a lot larger, but still not a Lowes. Pastor Bryan has taken us to all the local shops we will use and introduced us to all the owners so they will know us, and perhaps not treat us as tourists. One difficult thing we are encountering here, is whenever you shop here, it is proper to visit for a long time and finding out how everyone and their family is before actually purchasing anything. We are so used to running in, finding what we need, speaking only if we have to, and leaving. Here, that is very rude. So you can imagine with our limited speaking ability, how long our conversations last. Usually it is something like this, "Bonjour, Ca Va. , with the response Ca Va, bien. this is usually repeated by us several times, because this is really all we know. But somehow they usually end up laughing with us and a good time is had by all.  Although, I have tried to "tutor" Peggy on her pronunciation of French, she assured me she is close enough. I told her, close enough, is not a good thing when speaking a foreign language because not knowing what she is saying we may end up in a fight or in jail.  

Next week we start mini-language classes for 2 hours each day with a gentleman who will teach us Wolof. Now won't that be a hoot,,us speaking Wolof, with a little French, with a little 8th grade Spanish thrown in for good measure along with our native tongue, "Texas drawl". If you don't hear from us in a few days, check the St. Louis jail, no telling what we said to get there!

Went to the community center and Peggy got to help with crafts and I did a few minor things. Will go back tomorrow and paint the dollhouse and then back home for a special Senegalese meal at Bryan and Laura's house prepared by a Senegalese lady. We actually saw the meats she will be serving, hanging in the market, or at least that is what Bryan told us...and who are we to question a Missionary?

Well that was our day, will try to post some pictures of Pastor Omer and his wife, and a few random shots of the day.

May God meet all your needs, according to His will and His riches that are heavenly..

Ken and Peggy

Day 7 and one week on the Island, and today we had a very informative day.

We met Bryan Davis, the other missionary in St. Louis and he took us to the A/G school and we got there in time to help pass out vitamins to the kids. They do this twice a week and it is a process. Trying to get 180 kids to swallow 2 pills, and to try to limit them from taking the vitamin C pill twice since it tastes like lemon candy..

Peggy was definitely in her element with this many kiddos ages 3 thru 6 I would guess. They are short staffed at this time and really have a crowding situation for classrooms. Presently they have I believe 4 usable rooms, but need at least 6. The third floor is in the process of being finished but only enough money to do 2 partially, and a third is on hold.
I was told the kids have to pay $10.00 a month to attend and this is a real hardship for most of the families because of the extreme lack in these families. This is the minimum the school can charge in order to hire good teachers.

While we were there, we noticed one little boy in time out and it would have broken your heart to see him..everyone was outside playing and having a good time, but he had run away 4 times, so he wasn't allowed outside.

Peggy and I  probably shook about 100 little hands, as in Senegal it is the custom to greet and leave people by shaking hands and it is so cute to see a 3 or 4 year old walk up and shake hands.

We got to meet Pastor Omer, the pastor of the church here that meets in the school and we were invited to his home. He is trying to learn English and he and I had a mini English lesson as we toured the school and his home.

As we toured his home, he was so proud that we were there, it is a "work in progress" and since money is limited he has no idea when he will be finished. No running water at this time so they have to walk to the school to get water, this is for a family of 6 plus a young man who is currently living with them, all living in basically 4 rooms.

About the young man, he is about 20 years old and around 2 years ago, the church presented the "Jesus" film and he attended and was saved. When his family found out, they burnt all his clothes, tore up his Bible, and kicked him out of the house. He went to live with his cousin,

 

 

and the family found him and again went in and burnt his clothes, tore up his Bible, and the cousin kicked him out. He had nowhere to go, so Pastor Omer opened his home to him. Pray for this young man as he is really fighting depression and you can only imagine everything else going on in his life. Pastor Bryan says he really thinks he will make it in his Christian walk, because he has come this far and has not given up.

I will include some pictures from the school and other random shots, and later I will post pictures of Pastor Omer and his family.

I don't want to write this blog with only negative and the poor side of the Senegalese people because what they lack in material things they more than make up in their smiles and happy faces. But I am not ignorant to the fact that poverty abounds and Jesus said we will always have the poor among us, but it is whatever we do to "the least of these" be it children, the poor, the persecuted, the imprisoned, it is as though we are doing it for Jesus, in person, in the flesh, standing before us.

Tomorrow is another day to love the babies at the Community Center, can't wait.

Love you all,
 Ken and Peggy

 

 

One of many notes found in our luggage.