Afternoon Visit

     One afternoon, Jourdan and I decided to visit our friends' house.  She was going to get her hair braided and I was going along to visit and practice my Wolof.  After getting comfortable under the shade of a tree, Martine began the long process of braiding Jourdan's hair.  Martine's mother was sitting on a mat and sorting peanuts.  After a few minutes, she put the pan in my lap so I could help.  It wasn't long before I was sitting on the mat beside her and sorting the pan of peanuts by myself while she sorted her own little pile.  I felt right at home sorting peanuts since I live on a farm back in the US where we grow peanuts.  

Braiding Hair

Sorted Peanuts

     As we left the Cisse house to go back home, God gave us a beautiful sunset to enjoy.  Experiencing the beauty of our dear friends and God's creation, I love my life in Senegal!

   

Christmas Vacation 2012

     Christmas Day was spent in Fatick.  Jourdan and I started the morning off late with a big breakfast of grits, eggs, and biscuits.  Then we went to our little Christmas tree and opened our gifts to each other as well as one from two of our dear friends, Marie Noel and Martine.  Jourdan gave me a jewelry holder and I gave her an IOU for coffee from the USA.  We both got a Senegalese outfit from our friends.

We spent the rest of the morning cooking our food for the Christmas dinner at the Forsythes' house.  It was quite a feast and we all ate way too much.

Following the delicious meal we opened our presents from the Forsythes and Colemans and they opened the gifts we gave to them.  We also made some Christmas pictures to help us to remember the occasion.

Forsythes

Colemans and Forsythe Kids

Jourdan & Me with Forsythe Kids

      The day after Christmas I headed to Dakar to catch my flight back home.  The flight left at 2:00 am of the 27th and I arrived in Atlanta at 10:45 am.  Andrea and Steven picked me up at the airport.  We made a quick stop in Auburn and had a wonderful barbecue lunch.  Thursday night was our family Christmas after enjoying a big bowl of taco soup.

Skeet shooter and clay pigeons

     Even Molly and Scooter got in on the fun!

Molly

Scooter

     One of the highlights of my trip was getting to meet my precious grandson who was five months old.  Harrison and his mother, Amber, spent that first weekend with us.  We also had a big family gathering on Saturday which included all my family, my Mom, Amber and Harrison, both of my brothers and their wives plus some of their kids, and my cousins who live at Lake Martin.  The house was full of laughter, conversations, and good food.

Harrison and Me

Charles & Linda

Phil & Betsy

Tommy & Harrison

Andrea & Brian

 
    I enjoyed my days at home relaxing, watching football, eating at my favorite restaurants, visiting with friends, and going to the movies.  It was really hard to leave when Jan. 12 came around.  I loved being back home with my family but I know my last five months in Senegal will pass quickly.  I must return and finish the task I have been called to do.