On any given day, there are usually two or three different men sitting outside of the school campus, with their little carts full of assortments of fruits and vegetables. They're always polite. Each one will greet you, compliment you, and ask if you want to buy fruit from him.
Today I went to the school to check out a big multi-family yard sale going on. I chatted with some friends and some of my students, bought some books, got a few papers that needed to be graded from my classroom, and left.
When I walked out the gate, I smiled at and greeted the one fruit guy sitting outside and turned to walk home. He had asked me if I wanted anything today and I apologized and said that I didn't want any today. I got a few steps away and felt this really strong urge to go back. And it was almost as if I was arguing with myself (and no, I'm not crazy...). I didn't really need fruit. I had some at home. But I couldn't shake the feeling that I just had to go back. So I did.
When I got to him he showed me all the fruits he had today and I asked for 1 kilo of apples and 1 canteloupe. We talked for a few minutes about all the different fruits he had in his cart and about how I don't like bananas or mangos. I paid for my fruit and before he handed me my bag, we had the following conversation...
Him: Do you work at the school?
Me: Yes. I am a teacher.
Him: Why do you teach in Dakar and not in the United States?
Me: God said for me to teach in Dakar.
Him: You are a Christian, yes?
Me: Yes, I am a Christian.
Him: Why are you a Christian?
Me: I love God and He loves me. He gave me and everyone the gift of his son. I asked his son into my heart.
Him: I think your God was kind to give people a gift that kind.
Me: Yes, he is very kind.
Then he thanks me, hands me my bag of fruit, and walks off to catch another customer. I walked off feeling so many emotions. I was sad. I wish I could've said more, but I could only handle the most basic of French words. I was happy. What if this guy ends up getting saved? How awesome would that be?! And I must admit, I was a little happy for myself too...I had a conversation with someone totally in French. And I actually understood everything he said! But more than those two feelings, I was feeling worried. How many opportunities has God given me like this one that I have passed up? How many times has God put someone in my path that I could've witnessed to, but chose not to because I was afraid of using my severely limited French?
My Prayer for today...As the song says, God give me your eyes. Let me see the people as you see them. Help me to leave myself behind and focus on you and the job you've called me to do. Help me to lose the shyness and to be bolder in my faith at all times. Help me to say what you want me to say, go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
April 2010
Welcome to the April 2010 Installment of the Elisabeth Chronicles. I have been in Dakar 9 months already. Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday that I arrived. As the school year ends, I thought I’d do quick recap of my time here so far.
July 2009 I arrived in Dakar very early in the morning of July 30. It was dark and dusty and all new to me. But at the same time, it was home.
August 2009 I started teaching 3rd grade at Dakar Academy and met the most amazing group of kids ever!
September 2009 I went on the DA Staff Retreat to the nearby town of Saly. I got to spend the weekend relaxing in the sun and getting to know my fellow teachers.
October 2009 I had the privilege of working one day a week at Teen Bi, a community center in the area. I got to help teach English, crafts, and games to the local village children. Language was an issue, but as I quickly learned…love is the universal communicator.
November 2009 I experienced my first American holiday in Senegal. I had the pleasure of staying with A/G missionaries in Saint Louis, a beautiful city south of Dakar. I missed being with my family, and having our usual Thanksgiving meal, but I enjoyed spending the time with different missionaries, enjoying good food, fun, and fellowship.
December 2009 “I’m dreaming of tan Christmas...just like the ones in Africa. Where the sand is so deep and the mosquitos seem to not sleep, but the love…it stretches so wide. Oh, I’m dreaming of a tan Christmas…” I started my December support letter with this song. I was blessed to be able to fly back to Alabama and spend Christmas with my family.
January 2010 I began taking online classes with the University of South Alabama, working towards my Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. I also started taking classes through Berean School of the Bible/Global University towards getting my credentials with the Assemblies of God.
February 2010 I got to travel with 3 other missionary ladies to the town of Tambacounda, where we led a Children’s and Women’s Service at the oldest A/G church in Senegal.
March 2010 I was blessed to be able to go with a group of my fellow teachers to the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference in Kandern, Germany. It was so great to meet and get to know teachers from all over Europe, Africa, and Asia and see how God’s working in education around the world.
April 2010 I finished one of my grad school classes last week, with a 12 page paper and a 3 1/2 hour long final exam. Next week, I’ll do the same for another class. Then the week after that, I’ll start back “hot and heavy” studying for my Global University/Berean classes. It’s been hard work and a bit stressful at times taking all these classes, but God has definitely helped me through it. I feel so blessed to have been able to do these classes, while teaching and ministering here.
I will be in the States this summer, visiting family and friends, attending the A/G’s Pre-Field Orientation, speaking at churches, raising the rest of my budget, and of course, enjoying American food again. If I’m in your area and you’d like to get together for lunch, dinner, or just a chat, please email or call and let me know.
I still need to raise the rest of my AGWM budget. As of today, April 30th, I need to raise $282 more in monthly pledges and approximately $5800 in cash donations to meet my budget requirements. I am not allowed to come back on the field as a Missionary Associate (MA) until my budget is completely raised, so please pray that this happens soon.
For those of you that already support me each month financially, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you received a pledge form in last month’s letter from me, please fill that out and send it in to the Assemblies of God World Missions Office as soon as possible. Also, you may start sending in your monthly support to them as well, as they will apply that money to my AGWM account.
If you do not support me financially, and would like to do so, please contact me at enichols85@gmail.com or call my parents at 620-886-3586 and we can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.
Have a blessed week,
Elisabeth Nichols
enichols85@gmail.com
July 2009 I arrived in Dakar very early in the morning of July 30. It was dark and dusty and all new to me. But at the same time, it was home.
August 2009 I started teaching 3rd grade at Dakar Academy and met the most amazing group of kids ever!
September 2009 I went on the DA Staff Retreat to the nearby town of Saly. I got to spend the weekend relaxing in the sun and getting to know my fellow teachers.
October 2009 I had the privilege of working one day a week at Teen Bi, a community center in the area. I got to help teach English, crafts, and games to the local village children. Language was an issue, but as I quickly learned…love is the universal communicator.
November 2009 I experienced my first American holiday in Senegal. I had the pleasure of staying with A/G missionaries in Saint Louis, a beautiful city south of Dakar. I missed being with my family, and having our usual Thanksgiving meal, but I enjoyed spending the time with different missionaries, enjoying good food, fun, and fellowship.
December 2009 “I’m dreaming of tan Christmas...just like the ones in Africa. Where the sand is so deep and the mosquitos seem to not sleep, but the love…it stretches so wide. Oh, I’m dreaming of a tan Christmas…” I started my December support letter with this song. I was blessed to be able to fly back to Alabama and spend Christmas with my family.
January 2010 I began taking online classes with the University of South Alabama, working towards my Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. I also started taking classes through Berean School of the Bible/Global University towards getting my credentials with the Assemblies of God.
February 2010 I got to travel with 3 other missionary ladies to the town of Tambacounda, where we led a Children’s and Women’s Service at the oldest A/G church in Senegal.
March 2010 I was blessed to be able to go with a group of my fellow teachers to the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Conference in Kandern, Germany. It was so great to meet and get to know teachers from all over Europe, Africa, and Asia and see how God’s working in education around the world.
April 2010 I finished one of my grad school classes last week, with a 12 page paper and a 3 1/2 hour long final exam. Next week, I’ll do the same for another class. Then the week after that, I’ll start back “hot and heavy” studying for my Global University/Berean classes. It’s been hard work and a bit stressful at times taking all these classes, but God has definitely helped me through it. I feel so blessed to have been able to do these classes, while teaching and ministering here.
I will be in the States this summer, visiting family and friends, attending the A/G’s Pre-Field Orientation, speaking at churches, raising the rest of my budget, and of course, enjoying American food again. If I’m in your area and you’d like to get together for lunch, dinner, or just a chat, please email or call and let me know.
I still need to raise the rest of my AGWM budget. As of today, April 30th, I need to raise $282 more in monthly pledges and approximately $5800 in cash donations to meet my budget requirements. I am not allowed to come back on the field as a Missionary Associate (MA) until my budget is completely raised, so please pray that this happens soon.
For those of you that already support me each month financially, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you received a pledge form in last month’s letter from me, please fill that out and send it in to the Assemblies of God World Missions Office as soon as possible. Also, you may start sending in your monthly support to them as well, as they will apply that money to my AGWM account.
If you do not support me financially, and would like to do so, please contact me at enichols85@gmail.com or call my parents at 620-886-3586 and we can tell you how to do so. Any donations you make would be tax-deductible.
Have a blessed week,
Elisabeth Nichols
enichols85@gmail.com
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