January 22, 2012

The peace of  Christ be with you!  This is the last Blog from Kathy and Karen because Kathy leaves for home in about 10 hours.  Karen will be staying until February 23rd.  So you might want to check every now and then to see if we have any updates. 

Yesterday we visited the Bandia Game Reserve.   We got to see some animals native to Africa and Senegal.  We were extremly cautious when we would get out of the car.  Our Guide told us we were fine – then he would want to take our picture and send us closer to the animals!!!  I think  I liked the zebras the best.  Did you know that No 2 zebras have the same stripe  markings – guess that is like we don’t have the same fingerprint???

So unique!!

We ate lunch at the reserve restaurant after observing the animals for about an hour and a half.  Monkeys, rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, antelope, hyenas, birds (yeah) and even a few butterflies!!

Watching the giraffe's eat

We visited a friend of Karen’s during the evening.  A good visit – catching up on all the “news” of Senegal.

This  morning we went to church — it started at 10:00 and was over at 1:00.  With a dinner that followed  we left the church at 2:30.   The worship service (even though it was 3 hours) went by fast.  It was a special day and they had much to celebrate.  Dedication of a week old baby, blessing on 15/16 year old twin girls.

The twins sing every year on their birthday

 Introduction of anyone attending for the first time and then a blessing on us – asking God to bless us and thanks for coming.  The choir made up of many ages sang 3-4 songs, the children sang, 4 different scriptures were read (translated into English – so that would be 8 scriptures)  congregation songs, preaching, announcements, etc.   

Childrens choir

The church is very alive.  They talked/sang about the unity of the church, time is short – if God is telling you to do something Do It! 

Congregation singing

After the church service we had a luncheon for the people.  The ”kitchen” was up stairs so the young people would put plates on trays and serve the people outside in chairs they had set up.  Karen said they used to have a common bowl like the church last week – but they don’t anymore.

Lunch for everyone

As guest they had set a table for us upstairs.  The women work very hard getting this all prepared at home – carrying it to the church and then cleaning it all up taking the dirty dishes home to wash.

Kathy with new friends Pastor Joe and family

We had good conversation with the Pastor, DS, Lay pastors, and friends.  Pastor Joe told us that when they eat – they don’t talk.  Very different from the US.

So our VIM journey is coming to an end.  Now the real journey begins.  The people in Senegal will be in our hearts.  The needs are so great.  If any of us are able to help financially Karen and Kathy have Advance numbers for the many projects here.  Below are the windows to the sewing center – they have no glass in them – thus dirt, sand blow in and get into the sewing machines – and then they don’t work.

Help needed for sewing center windows

 Much prayer is also needed- the church is growing, lives are being changed.  Change is not easy.  

Kathy could not understand the words that were being sung – but could feel the sweet, sweet spirit at work.  Even though we were able to help just a few at the health clinics — much was accomplished.  The Dr. told us this morning he had heard from a few of the patients and the tylenol/ibuprofen had made their pain less.  A couple of the children were beginning to get their appetite back after taking the vitimans. 

Church leaders & us saying good bye for now

It is with a grateful heart and many thanks to all who gave so generously to make this mission happen  THANK YOU!!  Please continue to pray.  And we are available to come to your church or organization to tell you more about our experience and the  wonderful people and projects in Senegal.

January 20, 2012

Another inspiring day.  We were at the UMC in Nord Foire for our last health clinic.  We arrived around 9:30 and the “waiting room” was almost full.  Some had been there since 6:00 am.

No magazines in this waiting room

 

Each patient has t0 sign in and then receive a slip of paper with a number on it – this way they know who was here first.  Much like the license branch.  Then Pastor Mary Agnes greeted the patients and prayed with them before the clinic opened.  This was a good time to witness to them.  This clinic was for the entire community – not just United Methodist  or Protestants.  This is a real outreach program.  This is quite different from our pharmacies.

Senegal UMC pharmmacy

 

We were able to pass out the free meds again.  We didn’t have as many children today –  but had several young people (teen- early 20′s).  The sewing center at the church could not hold classes today because we were in their classroom.  But they did visit the Drs. as a wellness check – they were at the church when we arrived and they were some of the last ones t0 see the Dr. around 3:30-4:00.  The schools all have vest/smockes to designate where they go — The sewing center has one as well — Mama Kine makes them.

Front view of the smock

Want you to see the back as well — this is good PR for the school.

Back view

 

The nurse tended to a few patients in the same room that we were in.  I don’t think they have a privacy act here.

Taking care of this elderly woman's foot

 

The children have scraped knees in Senegal.

 

A brave little girl - Didn't cry

Have to share a couple of pictures of the kids that received  a shirt and dress

He has arms I just had him hold the shirt up

 

and now the little girl

 

How sweet!

 

At the close of another blessed day.  Thanks for all your prayers / please put these wonderful people of Senegal on your prayer list too.  Thanks to all who have sent us comments.  God Bless.

January 19, 2012

Naka nga def (Hello how are you?)  Just experienced a relaxing day.  Got to see some of the sights of Senegal.  The government had a huge statue built by the Chinese to the tune of 20 million dollars for a tourist attraction and we were pretty much the only ones there today and we didn’t climb up the hill to go in.  This was built in 2010??  Can you imagine what good that money could have done for the people here???

We told you that this blog is new to both of  us and if you wondered why the picture captions were a little strange it’s because we think we can’t put 2 pictures together.  So will put some that got cut yesterday on today. 

This is what we brought to Senegal

  Actually this is from the blog when we arrived.

This is how we package our "Free" meds

 

Here are the little girls with their new dresses

 

Friends forever. Thanks Indiana UMW

 

Back to today — we also got to do a little shopping.  The market place is something to behold.  

Anyone need a new pair of shoes?

We ate lunch at the church with the director of the church’s  prison ministry.  She gave us information on the programs they offer.  The president of Senegal is still planning to release all of the women prisioners tomorrow it’s not clear yet who will have to return.  Do you think you would come back??

 

Mama Kine sewing Kathy's dress

 

This is Mama Kine her job is to sew for the Senegal mission and the items  she makes are sold to anyone who wants to purchase them.  She makes clerical shirts for the pastors in other denominations.  A very talented woman.

 

Must get to bed — busy day tomorrow with another health clinic at the Nord Foire UMC  in Dakar.  Ba Beneen Yoon (See you later!)

January 18,2012

We’re back!!  These past 2 days have been wonderful and inspirational.  We visited two villages with the Health Team of the Senegal UMC Wellness program.  To see the dedication of these 2 Drs., nurses and trainees is worth the trip to Africa.  Yesterday there were 141 patients and today 159. 

Tying down the tables and loading the van

Starting off with a good breakfast and taking about 1 hour to pick everyone up , tieing down tables on top of the van and packing all the medicines in 3 totes and 3 suiteaces – a 2-3 hour trip to the village -set up and ready to go around 10:15 a.m.  A steady line of patients of all ages.  Every one begins by getting weighed, temp taken, blood pressure and if needed a blood sugar prick.  Then you wait and wait to see the Dr.  — he then writes out prescriptions and they stopped by our table for “free” meds.  Mostly calcium, vitamins, tylenol, etc.  that were given by many of you THANK YOU!!  from us and them.  Then what we didn’t have they could go to the next table and purchase the higher powered meds from the nurses.

Getting weighed'Free meds" Thank you!!

We were able to give the younger girls dresses and boys t-thirts.  What a fun time.  Here are just a couple of pictures (more when we get home).  The word spread thru the village that we were giving things away and the children came in groves.  Sad we didn’t have enough for all — but had to limit them to the ones seeing the Dr.   There was candy and “cough drops” for most of them.  You will have to ask Karen about the cough drops!!!

Happy little boy with sucker and shirtFriends showing off new dresses

Karen and Kathy took a short break and had a Senegal sub that was packed for us.  Bread, meat and yes french fries.  Not too bad!!  Newspapers make great paper towels and also baggies.

Senegal Sub

Both days we worked until around 5:00pm – then have to gather everything up and load up and try to make our way home.  Most of the medical team didn’t even take time to eat lunch so ate in the van on the way home.   The traffic is unreal.  I can’t believe there aren’t major wrecks or people hit along the roads.  We arrived home around 8:30 -9:30pm.

Tomorrow we were to go to the women’s prison — but the government didn’t clear us.  The person making the arrangements  for us said she thinks it  has something to do with the president letting all the women prisoners free for the week-end on Friday?????   So we will do some sight seeing instead.    Off to bed – it midnight here.  Sweet dreams!

January 16, 2012

We’re back!!  This is how we started out the day.

A typical Senegal breakfast

Actually that was after a cold shower and washing my hair.  The water isn’t freezing cold ..  but one does take a quick shower – thus saving water.  Made a visit to the supermarket where you can find just about any thing you would want and not want (like piegons with their heads still on, cow leg with hoof, and whole chickens with their head and feet still attached these were all found in the meat case)  we did not purchase any of those items.

Monday is wash day.  I certainly don’t want to hear anyone complaining about having to do laundry unless you have to do it this way.

Monday is wash day

Continued seperating the meds -  almost finished.  I can count to 20 very well now.  We ate lunch at the guest house and Kathy was measured for a skirt and top.  Can’t wait to see it — Mama Kine is making it.

No pattern just measurements

We then traveled to the village of Sebykotane where we met with 20 some women who are working with the anti-poverty initiative (API) a micro credit lending program.  This will help them improve their lives and the life of their community.  These women are working in the agricultural field.  Many of them work 10 hours a day and receive $2.40 for their work.  They are learning to save and make wise choices.  They were very vocal women and of course always asking for more credit.  But they have to prove themselves  as responsible workers and savers.  This is just one aspect of this program – they also loan to business women, some go to other countries to buy items and bringback to sell, some are seamstresses, some dye fabrics others transform food such as dried or smoked fish or maybe roast and package peanuts. 

Packaging peanut for sale

 The children we saw were happy to get their pictures taken  These little boys reminded Kathy of her 4 grandsons – always making silly faces.  It is good that they have a sense of humor.

Boys will be boys

We were at the village a little over an hour — then our journey home.  Oh my the things and people you see.  Kathy will never again complain about the traffic in Brazil when I 70 is closed.  These drivers here have to have high blood pressure. We went down roads I would call an alley,  we tried to avoid the backed up traffic by traveling down the beach (cough, cough) then trying to get back on the road we got into a real traffic jam  — a bus scraped the side of our van –scaredme!!  But we are fine.  Arrived home about 3 hours later the traffic over here is something else.  No stop signs or lights.  Just hope someone lets you in/over.  Continue to see all modes of travel.  Plenty of prayers for safety said.

Anyone want to jump on?

Tomorrow starts early at 7:00 –going to a village with the health team. Need to get to bed. Still nice and warm here and still have electricity every day and night.

 

 

January 15, 2012

Bonjour!!  Wow,what a busy 2 days.  On Saturday we started out by going down to the corner boutique (grocery) and buying some bread for breakfast.  It has no plastic wrap around it — so they just tore a piece off the daily newspaper for the wrap.  It is tatsy with lots of butter on it.. 

We headed out to Goree Island — a taxi ride to the ferry and then a 20 min. ride to the island. This is where the slaves were held awaiting there departure to another land.  Very sad how humanity treats one another.  The rooms they were held in were so small and conditions deplorable.  If you caused any trouble you were put in a room where one could not even stand up.

Kathy must have misbehaved

We toured a house that was a museum of  the women leaders in Senegal.  On the island are many “venders”.  Kathy let Karen do the barganing.  We did purchase a few items.  The pathway to the top of the fort are anything but safe. I would call them very rugged.  The ground in Senegal is mostly dirt and sand — glad it isn’t the rainy season. 

After returning to Dakar we ate a delightful lunch.  The food here is really good.  Even had some ice cream.  Then down the streets of downtown Dakar.  Oh my how different the shopping trip is here.  We were met by many persons wanting us to go to their store.  They follow you even if you don’t speak to them.  When you do go into a store — you can bargan with them.  And yes we bought a few more things.

Karen helping the ecomony

We then started home — but had to stop at another market.  There is so much to see – carvings are amazing.  How they make such beautiful items with the tools and space they have – I don’t know how they do it.

Saturday night we met a friend of Karen’s for dinner and attended a concert.  Late when we got home.  Had to sleep fast since we had to drive about 2 hours to attend church this morning.  We attended Eglise Methodiste Unie  MBOUR.  Oh my– the singing and worship service very inspiring.   The sermon was on the universal church — family — how important to be involved with one another,  everyone is needed.  We also had communion – how special.

After church we had a photo opt  then lunch.  Our team was served first and had our traditional table setting.  They also had their traditional table setting.  The men are together, the women are in another space and the children in yet another space. The children are fed last!!  We  had mutton –tasty!

Women eating around the bowl

We then traveled another hour to Egliei Methodiste Unie THIADIAYE .  This is the church building that is being built as the money is available.  The pastor is on a 5 village circuit.  He and his wife have 6 children and then they sponsor 5 from a village so they can go to school.  This means that the 5 live with them during the week.  Wonder how many of us would do the same.  This was a very inspiring visit with the pastor and his wife.  Then back in the van for the ride home.  Oh my the traffic.  I don’t  think there is a vehicle in Senegal that doesn’t have a dent or scratch!!! 

this is the new church

Back home!!!   We began packaging the meds we brought.  Wow  — thank you!!  We will be giving these out on Tues., Wed and Fri.   We also have the dresses and shirts divided.  They are all so nice.  Excited to see the expression on the childrens faces. 

Enough for tonight — thanks for your prayers — still needed  will be traveling alot this week.   Sweet dreams and goodnight!

 

January 13, 2012

Ready for our great adventureWe had a great first leg with just enough time to get to our South African Flt. We got to sit together and had great conversation. Not much time to sleep but the food was great and we got to watch two movies.4 bags/boxes arrived in one pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrived at 6am which was 1am Indy time.  Sebastine was there to greet us getting all of our bag/boxes in his car was a challenge but we did it.  

Beginning to unpack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had to stay up all day to shake the jet lag.  We went to the Church Center and met many of the workers rekindling friendships and making new ones.  We will visit many of the programs next week.  There are stairs at the apartment, at the church center and guest house.  Makes us feel like we are on the Biggest Loser.  Tara and Stacey see I am exercising!   HAAA!!!

Kathy with Ndeye Fatou Coordinator of the Prison Ministry

So many sights sounds and smells in Senegal a great beginning to our VIM trip.

Mom and baby relaxing in the shade of an unfinished building.

Thanks for checking in on us and please keep praying for us.  Enjoy the snow as we swelter in 80 degree temps.

January 6, 2012

Welcome to our first ever blog.  This is a new adventure for both Karen and I. It is a learning experience –  here we go!!  First of all we would ask that you pray for us daily.  We will try to make daily posts to keep you up to date on what we are doing.

Solar oven and meds for Senegal

We want to show you what we will be taking with us thanks to many of you.  The solar ovens will be a great asset for a couple of villages.  The clothing and meds will be appreciated as well.

    

Packing for solar oven

Gifts from friends to unknown friends.

We leave on Thursday January 12 arriving on the 13th in Senegal.  Be sure to check back often for updates.