Starting again .. from Senegal

It has been a long time since I have made a blog post. It is fun to look back on my 2013 Senegal post, and read my heart in those moments. I wrote back in 2013 that I started this blog to document my journey, and that is something I did not do (I am not someone who journals; I always wished I was).  This blog (if I keep it up this time) won't be fancy, it won't have a great layout or look like the professionals, it will just be my raw words and thoughts. I am not starting this for others to read it, but for me to be able to look back and see all God has done. However, if you happen to read it, welcome along on this journey!

Senegal is beautiful

I am on day 6 of my 2 months in Senegal. I have been to Senegal 10 times, before this, and I did not anticipate how I would be feeling these past 6 days. There has been a lot more anxiety than I expected, more feelings of being overwhelmed, and definitely more exhaustion than I expected (I am chalking this one up to jet lag). When we come on our short term trips, we have a buffer. All of our meals, transportation, and schedule is planned for us. We have people with us all of the time, and translators that accompany us around Senegal. That is always such a blessing and a privilege. Not having all of those things is a much more humbling experience and has caused me to go WAY out of my comfort zone. It feels like going back to being a dependent child, where you need help with most things, including the first time you go to the grocery store. I am generally a very independent person, and don't like to rely on others for things, so this has been tough. I have had wonderful people helping me, and making sure I am taken care of, so it is mostly personal struggles as I adapt, show myself grace, and learn. One piece of advice I have for anyone going on the field, or moving somewhere new for any period of time is ... Have a baseline in the language! I know a little french and even less Wolof, but I have realized while being here that it is so much harder when people are speaking to you, or there are conversations happening around you. 

This trip, so far, has been a lesson in humility and grace. I am learning to show myself grace. I am learning to allow myself to be "needy". I am learning to do whatever I can to listen and to learn. If you are reading this, would you be praying for me? Pray that my mind and my heart are at ease. Pray that I am able to get rest and start sleeping well (this has been hard to come by). Pray that I will continue to learn and navigate life in Senegal for the next 7 1/2 weeks. Pray for the ministry here and the people here, for God to bless them and provide for them; they are faithful in their ministry and work.

Thank you for following along! Thank you for supporting me and loving me. This is an experience that I know I will look back on and see all that God did in and through me, and I will be better because of it.

Yalla Baax Na

Emily

View on my walk to church