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  1. #21
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    The plane ride from DC to Dakar was rather smooth after the first hour or so we ate dinner. It was pretty tasty







    There was a duty free catolog of items that you could purchase on the plane and the attendents went thru offering items, perfume, watches, alcohol etc.
    I prayed mightily while going thru customs and getting my visa as I had heard sometimes americans are haggled. But it was smooth sailing. After getting my luggage. The brother was there waiting with a ride.
    I went back to his house and met his wife and the three of us spent some time getting to know each other. They then went in the ministry and I stayed home to unpack, get settled in a bit as well as to take a much needed nap. I had been waaaaay to excited to sleep on the plane.
    Here is a pic of the beautiful room they had arranged for me.









    This is a special week of activity as we have the visit of the traveling overseer. And last night he gave a talk. Here are pictures of the Kingdom Hall I took the first one from my bedroom window. It is the yellow building catty corner from the apartment
































    Here is inside.









    I met many of the friends. And all were so welcoming. When the meeting started the Kingdom Hall was full.

    7/2/14
    Today was the first day in the ministry. It was amazing! Though it is a muslim country is it easy to talk about having a happy family or how to have a better life and living forever and many people are willing to listen. Of course my french is a challenge. The other big challenge is that we meet people that speak and read various languages. This morning we met people who speak french, wolof, arabic, english, and serra. So I think I'm going to need an extra bag for all the different languages of literature haha but it is a good problem.

    I came back home for lunch and a nap and then we went on a community tour it was quite the adventure.
    Here is the road we were on.







    We went to a "Boutique" this is where you can go to buy dry goods like canned meat, sac of flour, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, potatoes, onions and garlic. All the items are stacked floor to ceiling.
    We saw a "Cosmetique" shop, where you can buy hair and body supplies.
    A "Home Goods" store with dishes and all the supplies to set up house keeping.
    A "A-1" alcohol and cigarettes store
    A "Boulangerie" a bakery
    Cyber Cafe- my guess is if you are reading this email, I've figured out how to get internet. Lol
    City Dia which would be a store where you can buy items that would be common in the US. And there I saw these beauties







    So when the occasional need for chocolate strikes, it is all good!
    On the way back we visited with some brothers and sisters. Then we went to go meet at the Kingdom Hall to go in evening witnessing. And I had the joy of working with the Traveling Overseers wife. She gave me several useful tips-
    1. Until your french gets better you may ask the person at the door to read the scripture.
    2. Until you become familiar with the area you may want to map out or write down the directions for where you met the person so that you can return and continue the Bible discussion.
    Both were sound pieces of advice.

    Later on we had our pioneer meeting with the Traveling Overseer. Combined there were over 20 pioneers in the meeting. We were encouraged to take good notes when preaching so that we can return. Share our videos with others, and continue to set a good example in the congregation.
    There is another sister from the US in the congregation and she joined us for dinner after the meeting. We had a great time.

    How are things with you? Any interesting news from the US? I look forward to hearing back.
    Love,

    Tonya
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

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  3. #22
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    Hmmmm for some reason it is not letting me upload pics
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

  4. #23
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    Happy Friday!!!!
    Hopefully things are going well for you.

    Since I have moved here to Dakar I have been working on a new exercise routine. And I must tell you, Zumba and the biggest loser videos have nothing on THIS! Lol
    Let me tell you a little about it-
    In french it is called "marche dans le sable" which means "walking in the sand".... I'm sure your thinking Tonya what's the big deal about walking in the sand????
    Well, first of all most the the places we are walking in are covered with beach sand, yes BEACH SAND. And there are different varieties of beach sand some more orange to red others more beige. Then, each variety of sand has a different level of permeability- meaning how much does my foot sink down into the sand and therefore how much effort it takes to remove my foot, and take the next step, also how much sand will my sandal carry in the step . I'm sure someplace there is a complex mathematical equation to calculate this haha. In addition, there are few side walks, and definately non existant are cross walks or signs that say when pedestrians can cross. Pedistriatians do not have the right of way. So with walking in the street you must dodge lots of these (taxi photo)


    Toes and feet that get in the way are your own fault.
    In the US, the pedestrian may raise a hand signaling that they would like a taxi. It is opposite in Senegal. One after the other taxis honk, pull over and offer you their services often as one is pulling off, another is honking. Perhaps you didn't like that drivers honk and you will pick this drivers honk. You wave him off so that he can harass, I mean offer his services to someone else.lol
    You are also sharing the road with these (bus photo)


    There are several different bus systems some are white buses and then there are blue busses. Inside there is a toll collector booth. Where a person will give you the correct change and ticket based on the location in which you would like to go. Average price is 20¢
    And also these colorful fellows


    It is called "Car Rapide" but it is neither a car nor goes very fast. It is the cheapest of transport methods and therefore is often very packed. It cost as cheap as 10¢ to certain locations. Comfortably it probably holds 15 people but frequently is full with 30. Including the fare collector who holds on to a pole on the outside attached to the swinging door. In the pic here you see the back door open. You tell him when you need to get off and he will make taping sounds on the metal to communicate to the driver in the front when your stop approaches so that the driver will pull over to let you out. Then he will tap on the metal again to let the driver know they have exited and you can start driving again.
    Then as I try to walk I must also dodge these and these (horse drawn carriage and goats photo)





    Many many horse drawn carriages. Frequently used to transport large items like cement to build an apartment. In addition, both of these animals leave "gifts" in the street so you have to be very careful where you step in the sand. Also there are rocks and pebbles mixed in with the sand which love to jump inside my sandals.
    We average about 5 hours a day of walking in the ministry and often look forward to some food, a shower and a nap afterwards.
    John 13:5 where Jesus washed the feet or his disciples has a whole new meaning for me. I'm getting first hand experience in it. Touching dusty, crusty feet could not have been a pleasant thing to do. It truly showed his humility.
    Otherwise things are going well and I'm slowly learning how to travel on these various forms of transport and a map to know which ones go where. Because learning to communicate in such a way that you actually arrive where you were intending well...... Thats a whole different email topics

    Feel free to share.
    Hopefully all is well and I look forward to hearing back!
    Tonya
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

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  6. #24
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    A sister in our congregation was sick and hospitalized. So we went to visit her.
    Now the nurse in me wanted to ask a million questions. But given the situation that just would've been unkind.
    But I will share some things that I observed.


    Here was the sign as we entered.
    This would he considered a middle priced health care center. There are other places that are more expensive and other cheaper.
    She was in a private room. It had air conditioning, her own refrigerator, and bathroom and was very very clean. Her hospital bed was basic and she had an IV of NS that was not on an IV Pump. When her family explained the reason for her hospitalization. Her medication plan as well as her discharge instructions were similar to the US.
    Photo of sign
    Cardiac specialist 3000 f
    Gyno 5000 f
    Dermatology 2000 f
    EKG 15000

    Here was the sign of some of the other services offered at the health center.
    As well as a pharmacie where you can purchase medication.
    In order to better explain the cost- 500 f=$1




    Pharmacie


    I was very surprised at the prices. What did you think?
    Feel free to share
    Look forward to hearing back.
    Tonya
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

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  8. #25
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    At Genesis 2:9 Jehovah identified that - Thus Jehovah God made to grow out of the ground every tree desirable to one’s sight and good for food.

    Since I have been here 3 weeks I thought it would be nice to share with you what I have learned about "the good food" here so far.

    There is an area about the size of a zip code called "Le Jardin" "The Garden" it is where the majority of the food is grown for the Dakar area. The area is divided up into plots of land each cultivated by different families of farmers. We were preaching in the area. We saw lettace, mint for tea, bell peppers and papaya. Here are a few pics. Everything is still done by hand as you can see here.
    (Photo of men watering the garden by hand hold 2-2gallon watering cans....they run back and forth to the well to get more water) there is not an irrigation system.





    After the food is picked it is taken to market that day. What I love about this is you are actually eatting foods that are more nutritious. They actually stayed on the vine until the completion of their growth period. When was the last time you saw a tomato that looked like this.
    (Tomato red to the center)

    Mostly, in the US, food spends quite a bit of time in transport and is picked off the vine early.

    I must tell you about my new food love Mangoes!!!!!! Back in the US I never bought a mango. But here it is peak Mango season and they are everywhere for super cheap 4 for $1. Look at this beauty when I eat it the juice will run down my arm. Who needs ice cream, eat a mango lol. If you know a good mango receipe please send it to me.
    (Read mango)



    Here is a pic of a major market. We are here very early in the morning about 6:15 when you can find very good deals. There are also smaller venders here purchasing to sell at their vegetable stands. Later thru the day the traffic here will be super busy and almost difficult to walk thru. As there will be people selling that are both sitting as well as people walking around selling items.




    Here is a vender selling eggs. When I first saw this my mouth dropped. I'm stuggling to walk in the sand and here this man is walking in the sand and balancing eggs on his head! He will walk thru the streets yellings eggs for sale in Wolof. Since the eggs are fresh they are best left unwashed and sitting out on a table top. They can remain fresh that way for up to a week. When it is time to use, then you wash. (Man walking with 10 crates of eggs stacked on top of each other walking in the sand selling eggs)




    Because we are so close to the ocean, fresh fish and shrimp are caught daily. And this guy will walk thru the streets selling fish and shrimp.
    (Man walking in the sand with a cooler on top of his head fish and shrimp inside)



    Local boutiques have dry goods on most corners, but if you are wanting a larger selection and perhaps some thing similar to an american label that your familiar with then a Supermarche may be more suitable. They have fruits and vegetable that are not grown in Dakar. But for a more expensive price. For example Kiwi was in the Supermarche for almost $4/lbs.... I will stick with my super cheap and tasty mango, thank you very much lol. Here are pics of the isles.







    A Togolese family invited us over for dinner. They made something called "Pat" as I started to eat it, all of a sudden I began to slide into my own world. I could hear voices but could not interpret what the people around me were saying. You ever eat something that taste so good you want to yell out loud to everybody else "SHUT UP!" so you can enjoy the moment? Well, I must confess this is what happened to me lol. Growing up Momma used to make hot tamales. They were a mix of corn meal, garlic, onions, meat, tomatoes and some other secret spices that she took with her to the grave. Lol. Believe it or not nobody knows the receipe. She would wrap the ingredients in aluminum foil and they would simmer and fill the whole house with the delicious smell. They were so good that after you finished eatting it, you would be licking the juice off the aluminum foil (laughing out loud for real!) Well, my friend the "Pat" was the exact same food item without the aluminum foil. I was in heaven and time stood still. You can believe me that when Momma is resurrected it is definitely on the list of questions to ask. "Momma, can you show me how to make hot tomales?" :-)

    I was also given some Togolese candy, I'm not quite sure the name but it taste like peanut brittle without the chunks of peanuts. Here is a pic



    Don't forget if you have a good mango receipe please send it this way. You remember the movie Forest Gump when Forest 's friend is talking about all the different ways you can cook shrimp..... Yeah THATS what I'm hoping go do with mangos ..... Baked mangoes, mango Kabob, fried mangos..... Mmmmmmmm
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

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  10. #26
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    I can't believe it's another Friday already. The weeks are flying by. Since I arrived I initially lived with a missionary couple. That was an absolutely wonderful experience. What I particularly appreciated was their loving attention to explaining details. Because I asked so many questions but thru it all they were patient with me. I didn't want to do something that was a cultural faux pas that could put me in danger. For example, how and where to shop, how to clean food appropriately, and how to use the various forms of transport. Secondly living with them helped me to see a lifestyle focused on spiritual activities. Daily we read the text together, prepared for the parts of the meeting and preached together. Truly a blessing from Jehovah. And they showed a living example of 1 Tim 6:8 "So having food, clothing and shelter we will be content with these things"

    All of that was excellent preparation for what just happened a few days ago. I moved into my own apartment. Yeahhhhhhhh so thankful to Jehovah. It is not a mansion but its fulfills my needs. Here are some pics.
    -Livingroom/dining room combo
    -Hallway bathroom and my shower/utility closet behind the curtain
    -Kitchen
    -"Master suite bedroom and bathroom" lol
    -2nd bedroom when you come to visit (hint hint) even with your own mosquito net
    Each bedroom has a built in closet/dresser
    -Patio
    -my new Kenmore dryer lol
    (Not really- I dry my clothes outside on the roof patio lol there are clothes lines there)
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

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  12. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by tlwnurse View Post
    I have been chronicling a bit in email with friends. So I will see if i can cut and paste the emails here.
    If you can, yes please.
    "The backlash against bone-straight hair can't come quickly enough: I like my hair with its Afro personality intact." --Hannah Pool, journalist

  13. #28
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    Yes VOD they are added already here. Can you see them?
    Last re.laxer Dec 2006
    BC'd Jan 25, 2008
    2nd BC June 2012

  14. #29
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    Just finished reading them.
    "The backlash against bone-straight hair can't come quickly enough: I like my hair with its Afro personality intact." --Hannah Pool, journalist

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