Campaigning Days

     This week has been the last week of campaigning before election day today.  The current president made a visit to our town on Tuesday.  He's not very popular with the people so it didn't create too big of a stir.  However, Wednesday was a different story altogether.  The wife of one candidate, who is from this town, came to visit and speak on Wednesday.  Tents were set up on the street outside my house with chairs and a sound system.  Ladies came dressed in their finest outfits to see and hear the wife.  I stayed inside my house but I would sneak peaks at the crowd off and on.  You could hear the chatter of women's conversations as they sat and visited waiting for the arrival of the candidate's wife.  Of course, there was some singing and drum playing off and on throughout the afternoon.
     The candidate himself came to visit on Thursday.  There was a parade and large gathering in the center of town to hear him speak.  This was the most excitement our town has had since I arrived in October.
     Today has been pretty quiet since it is election day.  It has almost seemed a little too quiet.  We are all anxiously waiting to see what the results of the election will be.  Senegal has been a peaceful, stable country throughout the years.  I'm praying that it will remain that way in the days ahead.

Valentine's Day

     Since June of 2006 when my husband was killed, Valentine's Day has not been a holiday that I have wanted to celebrate.  In the USA, the stores begin the Valentine displays right after Christmas.  Then about mid-January you start to see all the commercials on television.  All of that is a painful reminder that I no longer have my "Valentine" with me to celebrate the love that we shared for 27 years.  
     This year is different, though.  Living in Senegal with no television has made it much easier.  I decided to concentrate on sharing love with the family in Senegal with whom I serve.  I began plans for this day before Andrea came to visit.  She brought Valentine decorations, candy, and other special items so I could have a surprise Valentine's Day Party for this family who has shown me so much love since my arrival in October.
     Preparations began last night as I baked and decorated sugar cookies in the shape of hearts.  I had to hide them because N is noted for finding things that I thought were out of sight.  Once the kids left to go home for lunch, I started decorating.  There was a tablecloth for the table, a banner that I hung over the table, some shiny red tinsel that I hung over the window and laid around the bowls on the table, as well as crepe paper that I used to make some streamers to hang on the walls.  I made some red, punch-flavored Kool-Aid, put the Kisses in a red mug that had hearts on it, put the candy hearts in a bowl covered in heart tissue paper, and put all the chocolate candy in a big bowl lined with red tissue paper.  There were even three heart masks for the kids to wear.
     They arrived at my house around 2:30 and presented me with Valentine cards that they had made for me.  I then directed them to the dining room where they were able to see the surprise.  We all got a pretty good "sugar high" from eating all those cookies and candy.

   
     So, for the first time in five years I can say I actually enjoyed Valentine's Day.  I've been blessed with the love of three wonderful children and a special daughter-in-law, a mom, two brothers and their families, and several "adopted" daughters and their families.  Several friends have also sent me special Valentine's Day greetings.  And now I have the love of a wonderful family here in Senegal.  But most of all, I can celebrate because of the love of my Savior who loved me so much that He died for me.

Company!

     February 5 was my daughter's birthday.  It was also the day she and Amy arrived in Senegal to visit me for a few days.  We started the visit off with a visit to Goree Island where they were able learn all about the slaves last place in Africa before being shipped to other countries.  After a quick lunch our driver picked us up to take us to Fatick.  We made it in record time, 2 hours and 20 minutes!  Amy and Andrea slept the whole time since they had been up over 24 hours.
     I let the girls sleep late on Monday morning.  Around 10:00 we got on a horse cart and headed to the market.  I had fun introducing them to all my friends as I made a few purchases for our evening meal.  Monday night was the birthday dinner consisting of stew, green beans, cornbread muffins, and birthday cake.  The Forsythes joined us for the celebration.
     We took a trip out to a village on Tuesday.  They had brought a chain saw with them for T so he got the chance to demonstrate it by cutting up a dead tree.  Many people in the village had to come out and watch the tree being cut into smaller pieces.  We came back and sat around and visited with some of the villagers and Amy and Andrea got to hold two precious babies.  There were two schools in the village that we were able to visit and Andrea gave them each a stapler and staples that she had brought with her.
   

Andrea and Amy holding the babies

Village school

     On Wednesday I drove the three of us to Saly, my first excursion driving the car on a trip.  We were able to do a little shopping before meeting some friends for lunch.  Of course, we had to walk on the beach and let them get their feet wet before we headed back to Fatick.  It was too cold for swimming.
   

On the beach in Saly

The Atlantic Ocean   

     Thursday morning started off with a visit to the hospital in Fatick.  They got to see the labor and delivery room as well as see a newborn baby.  Afterward we drove out to another school where Andrea presented the headmaster with some staplers and staples.  As we visited two of the classrooms, we were amazed at how disciplined the children were.  Every time we entered a room, the children stood up and said, "Bonjour, Madam."  One class even sang us a song for entertainment.

Labor & Delivery, Fatick Hospital

Elementary class

      Unfortunately, Friday arrived.  After our lunch the driver picked us up to take us back to Dakar.  We went to my friends' apartment to leave the luggage before heading out to do a little shopping and then go eat supper at a restaurant by the ocean.  All too quickly it was 10:15 and time to drive them to the airport.  After a tearful good-bye, I went back to the apartment to spend the night.  My driver picked me up at 1:00 and drove me back to Fatick.  I wish Andrea and Amy could have stayed longer but I'm so thankful for the short time we had together.