Goree Island

     I have visited many places through the years that have been memorable.  My recent visit to Goree Island will rank as one of the most memorable.  This island, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, was the last stop for slaves before leaving for other lands.  The inhumanity of slavery became very real as our guide described what life was like for the slaves before they boarded a ship for unknown lands and I couldn't stop the tears from falling.  The rooms were small with little slits for windows.  Families were torn apart.  There were sections for the men, women, children, and young girls.  Babies were taken away from their mothers at nine to ten months of age.  There was a door that led from the building to a ledge at the water's edge.  It was called "the door of no return."  Once the slave passed through that door, they would walk a plank to a ship that would carry them to another world.  Some of the slaves would jump into the shark infested waters to die rather than board the ship.  Many of them would die on the ship before reaching their new lands.

Men's Quarters

"Door of No Return"

     Such cruelty to humans has existed throughout history.  I know that it will continue to be this way as long as we live in a fallen world.  This place will help me to remember that everyone has value in God's sight and I must treat them with respect.

                                                                   
                                                               

Ladies' Retreat

It felt like I left Africa on Friday.  We drove to the Savana Hotel in Saly on Friday for our Senegal Missionary Women's Retreat.  The grounds were beautiful with palm trees and beautiful plants.  Our rooms were air conditioned!  We were on the beach so the temperature was not as hot as in Fatick.  There was a huge swimming pool which was better than the beach (too much seaweed).  I felt like I was in another world for those 2 1/2 days.  We had four worship sessions during the retreat.  The singing was so uplifting and worshipful.  Our speaker talked about God's promises:  they are personal, pertinent, powerful, and permanent.  I really needed to hear that and be reminded to claim God's promises daily.  We also had the choice of two workshops to attend.  My first had to do with exercising at home without any special equipement.  It was led by a former personal trainer.  She taught us how to do exercises to work all the major areas and muscles in our bodies.  (I could tell the next day that I hadn't been using some of those muscles in a while!)  My other workshop had to do with contentment.  Life in Fatick is quite different than my life back home.  There are some things that I don't have as well as I miss my family.  This was a good reminder to me to be content with what I have and where God has placed me.  I came away from the retreat recharged and refreshed, ready to tackle all that God has in store for me this week.

Tabaski

Yesterday was Tabaski, a M*sl*m holiday.  This is the day that they kill a sheep in memory of God providing the ram for Abraham when he went to sacrifice his son (only they think it was Ishmael instead of Isaac).  After killing the sheep, they then cook it.  They keep a third for themselves to eat, share a third with friends, and then share a third with the poor.  During this day they dress up and visit.  I was included in visiting a family that lives down the street from me.  Not long after we arrived the food was set out for eating.  They made a special platter for us to sit around.  We were given a piece of bread and proceded to pull off some of the meat, pick up some of the vegetables and sauce with the bread, and eat.  You do all this using just your right hand (no utensils).  This was my first time to eat sheep meat and I actually liked it.  After eating we sat around in chairs and visited with the family.  I could understand a few things that were said even with my limited language.  The university student that invited us could speak English so I was able to talk to her some.  They served us soh, a sweet milk drink, while we relaxed.  After a while Momy prepared ataya (very strong tea with lots of sugar).  
Another aspect of Tabaski is that the children dress up in their finest and go around asking for candy or small coins (similar to our Halloween without the costumes).  I purchased a bag of candy going back to my house so I would be ready for visitors.  I left my outside gate open so the children would come in.  Once they discovered I had candy, then more children came.  One boy kept coming asking for more candy indicating that he was giving them to children across the street.  After he made several visits, I became a little suspicious.  One of the boys indicated "no" with his hands so I sent him on his way.  He came back with one of his arms tucked inside of his shirt as a disguise (but it didn't work).  Then he came back without his top shirt just wearing a white t-shirt.  That didn't work either.  You have to give him credit for persistence, though!  Since it was getting dark I decided to just turn off the light and close the door.  Maybe next year I'll have a better understanding of the language and can communicate with the children as they come to my door.

Cooking

Not only is M a good language teacher, she is also a good cook.  I decided that it would be good to put the two together.  Last week during language time, we went to the market to purchase the items I needed to make yassa (an onion sauce that you eat over rice) with chicken.  Since I was having visitors that Thursday evening, we made a lot.  There was so much left that we had it for lunch on Friday, I ate it for my Sunday dinner and my Monday lunch.  This week I decided that we would make mafeh (a beef/peanut sauce eaten over rice).  So, back to the market we go.  I love going to market and have made friends with a few of the ladies.  They help me practice my language and let me even help them sell some of their items.  I purchased my items, including going to the butcher for the beef, and we hopped on a horse cart to return home.  M came back late yesterday afternoon and showed me how to make mafeh.  This time we didn't cook as much so I won't have to eat it for 4 days.  It was really good and not as time-consuming to make as the yassa was.  This morning I turned the tables and showed M how to make a meatloaf.  (I was going to do it Wednesday night but couldn't figure out how to light the gas oven!)  I had canned English peas and a cheesey pasta dish to go along with my meatloaf.   We enjoyed our lunch together and now she has gone home for an afternoon nap.  I might take a nap myself except for all the pounding on my roof where men are building an apartment.  At least I can sit and rest my brain from language study.

Houdini

Do you remember the two kittens that were found and brought to me?  Well, one of them died within a few days.  The other one seemed to be doing pretty good so I moved him from the small (concrete) courtyard to the backyard where he would have plenty of space to explore.  One slight problem with that was a hole in the wall between my yard and my neighbor's yard.  The kids and I did our best to stack rocks in the hole so he couldn't escape.  It seems we weren't very successful.  I went out in the afternoon to feed him and he was missing.  After looking around the yard, I climbed up so I could see over the wall.  There he was, walking around the ladies who were doing their washing.  They were kind enough to give him to me (even though they really don't like kittens).  I stacked more rocks in the hole and then fed the little guy.  The next day, however, he escaped again to my neighbor's yard and had to be returned.  Thus, I decided to name the kitten "Houdini" after the great escape artist.  It seems that I chose a perfect name for him.  Monday evening I went out to feed him and he wasn't there.  I couldn't see him over the fence either.  I guess Houdini has made his final escape, never to return.  The kids searched around for him yesterday but he was never found.  I still have plenty of cat food just in case Houdini decides to return.