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Bennacin

Hmm, what does “bennacin” mean? This Wolof word translates to “one cooking pot” and it is the name for one of my favorite Gambian meals. So, why I am I writing about Gambian food while still sitting in America? Well, thanks to the encouragement of a local Pastor who wanted to experience Gambian food IContinue reading “Bennacin”

Seasons

As I sit here sneezing and looking at my pollen covered Christmas colored car (red car with lots of green pollen) I am reflecting on the seasons. I grew up in California where we have pretty much one season, sunny and mild. As much as I enjoy California weather it was not until I movedContinue reading “Seasons”

Pray Without Ceasing

As I sit here in the US I am thinking of and praying for my Gambian friends who will begin the Muslim month of fasting in the next few days (depends on the moon). This is a difficult time for Gambian believers, for our team and other Christian workers around the world in Muslim countriesContinue reading “Pray Without Ceasing”

Celebrate

Today has been a beautiful day of celebration on many levels and I am so grateful to be in the US celebrating with my amazing West Cabarrus Church family. A large part of my furlough ministry time is re-connecting with my sending church and God is really blessing me by providing many opportunities to doContinue reading “Celebrate”

Amazon

I think all of us in the USA can appreciate that Amazon certainly makes our lives easier. As I start to prepare for my return to The Gambia in August more and more Amazon packages will be arriving and I will be preparing myself to say goodbye to this wonderful service. Yep, there are noContinue reading “Amazon”

Furlough Ministry

I am still in the United States and praying I will be able to return to The Gambia in August, but there is still a lot to do. Many have asked how I am enjoying my “time off” in the United States and although yes I do have some more and different downtime this isContinue reading “Furlough Ministry”

Survival Phrases and Greetings

Language learning is moving full speed ahead. I spend two hours each morning with a Wolof language helper and then several hours each afternoon visiting very patient and understanding village women practicing what I am learning. I also provide much comic entertainment for them. Of course we started with greetings. The Wolof have a veryContinue reading “Survival Phrases and Greetings”

One Month

I have been in The Gambia officially for one month. In many ways it feels like I have been here forever and in many ways it feels like I just got on all those flights to get here. It felt like home when I came in 2014; I didn’t want to leave then and itContinue reading “One Month”

Pizza

I continue to work hard at learning the Wolof language. The village ladies are wonderful teachers and they definitely keep it fun and interesting. Friday, I was visiting with a group of women and told them I was going home. In America saying you were going home would be adequate, but not here. They responded,Continue reading “Pizza”

Language Learning

I really am enjoying language learning via the LAMP method (Language Acquisition Made Practical). I provide endless entertainment to the village women when I go to practice each afternoon and they have even asked me to “help” with some daily tasks. I think they like to laugh at the tubaab (white person) trying to shellContinue reading “Language Learning”