Welcome to the August Installment of The Elisabeth Chronicles!
A lot has happened since the last installment. I arrived in Dakar, Senegal on Thursday, July 30th. As strange as it sounds, the minute I stepped off the airplane I felt as if I were home. To know that I am where God has called me to be is such an awesome feeling. I had one week to rest, relax, and get used to my surroundings before starting to work. During that week, I had many missionaries and fellow teachers invite me to dinner, which was nice because I was able to get to know so many people before school (work) started and things got busy. Also during that week I was able to spend a lot of quiet time with God…just praying and reading and studying his Word.
I started to work. I had 5 days of orientation (meetings) before school officially started on the 12th. I went on a tour of Dakar with my fellow new teachers which was nice. I found out where all the grocery stores, fruit/veggie stands (markets), and bakeries were. I found out where all the good restaurants and ice cream shops (yay!) were. I also found out where the pharmacies and doctors offices were (which came in handy not too long afterwards). And I found out where all the shopping places are and got my first taste of the Fuki (“fookee”). This is a 1 mile long outdoor market held on Saturdays. It’s similar to a really big yard sale, with lots of used clothing among other things. It’s VERY crowded, so you learn quickly to accept people in your personal space. J
I did have a couple (very minor) health issues. After I’d been here a week I got, what most here call the “Welcome to Africa stomach bug,” which lasted about 12 hours. And after being here about 3 weeks, I got a severe urinary tract infection, requiring me to make a visit to the doctor. I then developed an allergic reaction to the first antibiotic she prescribed so I had to call and get another antibiotic prescribed. And after taking that one and Benadryl for the allergic reaction, and lots of prayer, I finally got over the UTI. But as I’ve told some people already…I know God had a reason for me to go through that pain and sickness. I spent more time in prayer and reading scriptures during that time than I have in a long time and I really believe God had me go through something like that so I’d learn to rely on Him more. So I say Thank you God…lesson learned!
I have been practicing my French more and learning phrases in Wolof (another language spoken here). I love going to the grocery store and markets (fruit/veggie stands) and practicing. The owners/workers of these places are very nice and are always patient with my elementary speaking abilities and help me find the words to say. Plus, the night guard at the school teaches me new phrases almost every afternoon when I leave school. And on the 30th, I went to my first African service, which was almost entirely in French.
I walk just about everywhere I go, which is nice because I’ve been able to see all the little things showing God’s hands at work. I see such beautiful flowers blooming. I see all the little critters along the way like the brightly colored lizards and birds. I love these times, because I’m able to pray and just have some “God time.” I thank God for all of these beautiful things he’s created and for allowing me to be here to enjoy them. I also thank God for missionaries, Tom and Marla McLane. I’ve been able to hear Tom speak at the African service and I’ve been able to get to know them all a little. So I’m looking forward to getting to know them all a lot more in the coming time.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. This means so incredibly much to me. It is so wonderful to know I have so many people “back home” and abroad supporting me while I am fulfilling the call God has placed on my life. When you pray, I ask that you remember these things…1) Pray for Dakar Academy and its teachers and students. 2) Pray for all the lost people in Senegal. 3) Pray for the missionaries in Senegal, working to further the kingdom of God. 4) Pray for me. Pray that I do the things God wants me to do, say the things God wants me to say, and go to the places God wants me to go.
If you already support me each month financially, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you do not, and would like to, please contact me at enichols85@gmail.com and I can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.
Don’t forget to check out my blog at http://elisabethchronicles.blogspot.com.
May God Bless,
Elisabeth Nichols
enichols85@gmail.com
