Vision Trip to Senegal – Part 1
The last several months have been a whirlwind of activity as we made it through the holidays, Asher’s birthday, our vision trip to Senegal, jet lag, Charlotte’s winter blast of 2014, and the stomach flu! Many of you have asked for details on our trip to Africa, which we gladly want to share! We don’t want to overwhelm or bore you with too many details, so we have broken down the trip into two blog posts that briefly outline our 12 day trip.
As Leo, Asher and I embarked on our vision trip to Senegal, God once again reminded us not to grasp too tightly to our own plans but to live with open hands and obedient hearts, trusting Him with the details.
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21
A few weeks before departure, we received our itinerary and realized we would be spending the majority of our time in Thies and staying with a UWM missionary family, the Paschall’s. Although this was a change from our original plans, we decided to trust that God was in control and the reason for the change would present itself during our stay.
View of neighborhood in Thies from Paschall’s roof. Building with blue dome is mosque.
View behind Paschall’s house in Thies, Senegal.
It took only five minutes in the Paschalls’ home to see God’s hand at work. One of Asher’s fears and source of great anxiety was, ‘Will I be able to make friends in Africa? Will they like me?” Within the first few hours of the first day, the Lord calmed those fears and presented Asher with a tangible expression of His love in the gift of two lifelong friends, Shane and Adelaide. The Paschalls have four children, ages 16, 14, 9 and 7. After brief introductions were made, the kids ran off to play, and we didn’t really see much of Asher again until we were boarding the plane to fly home!
Eating lunch with Paschall’s at Bandia Reserve
Asher and Shane posing in front of the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, Senegal
Shane, Ade and Asher viewing an ostrich egg up close at Bandia Reserve. Leo is on the lookout in case a quick getaway is needed upon momma ostrich’s return…and it was!
During the week while Leo, Robbi Fischer and Matt Paschall were in the village of Ndjemane for the ‘mission’ portion of the trip (read Leo’s blog post to find out more details), Asher and I stayed with Niki Paschall and their kids to experience ‘everyday life’ in Senegal. Niki had planned an outing every morning that, over the course of the week, showed us the basics of an expat’s life in Africa such as shopping, schools, cooking, entertainment, etc. When we returned to their home in the afternoons, the kids would play while Niki and I discussed what we had experienced that day. It was invaluable time to share our hearts with one another and to process what life would look like when we moved to Thies.
On Monday, we toured BCS (Bourofaye Christian School) where Asher and Bechan will attend school. Asher was ready to register as soon as he saw the kids using Legos as part of one of their lessons for the day and the giant trampoline in the courtyard!
Bourofaye Christian School (BCS)
Shane and Ade’s class at BCS using Legos during a lesson.
The campus at BCS is filled with beautiful trees and plants. The gazebo was built by a student as their senior project.
Asher is getting a full tour of BCS from the director, Jens Auer. I was impressed that he spoke directly to Asher during the tour.
BCS has a full-size gymnasium where they play all the same sports as in the U.S.
Throughout the week, I had the privilege of meeting with many of the UWM-Senegal missionaries to hear their stories of the journey God brought them through that led to life and ministry in Africa. I was encouraged and humbled by their strong faith, dependence on God and trust in His love, and purpose for their lives. My keywords for the week were ‘Trust,’ ‘Dependence,’ and ‘Obedience.’
(from left to right) Niki Paschall, me, Diane Ohlin standing in front of the English Center in Thies.
Enjoying coffee and a new friendship with Sara and Sofia Toombs in Saly.
Niki educated us on all the different ways of grocery shopping from the tiny neighborhood boutiques that sell such basics as eggs and juice to the larger, more ‘modern’ grocery stores that are similar to the ones at home (except that everything is labeled in French). Asher preferred the Casino Grocery Store in Saly over the smells and crowds of the open market in Thies. I think that had more to do with the ice cream selection available at Casino, though!
Looking for fresh vegetables and fabric in the open market in Thies.
Asher was not overly impressed with the fish smells, crowds and lack of toys in the open market in Thies.
The Casino Grocery Store in Saly was much closer to what we are used to in the States.
Casino had a wide selection of items found in the States such as Oreos, Pringles, and cereal. Where’s the Starbucks?!?!
to be continued…
View part 2 of our vision trip to Senegal recap.