Missions Q & A - Round 2

When do you leave and much more support do you need?

I leave in just 3 days, heading back to Dakar, Senegal. I am so close to having my full budget raised. Once all promised pledge forms and donations hit my missions account in Springfield, I'll only need to raise $421 in monthly commitments and $3263 in cash (one-time) donations. I can't get paid by AGWM until this money is raised. Will you prayerfully consider partnering with me and financially supporting my ministry in Senegal? No amount is too small!

The quickest and easiest way to donate is by going online at the link below and following the prompts to do so.

https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/aec97232-a98e-467c-a25b-5a48f73940f3

What is Senegalese food like?

Most Senegalese dishes consist of either rice or couscous topped with veggies and sauce and either fish or beef. Chicken is typically more expensive, so not as common.

Aren't you worried about Ebola?

There were less cases of Ebola in Senegal than there were in the United States. Just sayin'...

What about war?

While there is always the chance for that, at the moment Senegal is safe.

Can you buy school supplies there?

You can buy some. However, the selection isn't that big and the quality is often lacking. That's why I usually take a bit with me.

Will you have access to the internet?

Yep :)

Where will you go to church?

I will alternate between the English speaking church held at Dakar Academy and the Senegalese churches in the area.

When will you be back in the States? 

I have to be in Missouri for a training in June, so I'll come back for that and stay a little after (in Alabama) to spend time with family. Then after that I'll come home probably once a year, in the summer, if I can afford it.

Do you have access to good medical care?

Yes, for most things. And here's hoping that nothing major ever happens :)

Can you get mail?

I can! Want to send me some? Shoot me an email at enichols85@gmail.com and I'll give you my address.

Oh Selma - I'll miss you.

When I first came back to the States, I prayed for the perfect teaching job to open up. 

I prayed for a school with good admin, good co-workers, and good kids.

And y'all...

God came through!

I have been so blessed by my time in Selma. I am so eternally grateful for this past year and a half. I will cherish the memories made while working here.

I'm going to miss this place. I'm going to miss...

...the loud "Hey Miss Nichols" from clear across Walmart.

...the sweet hugs and "Good Morning Miss Nichols" every morning.

...early morning meet-ups at Sonic.

...chatting with kids during breakfast duty.

...hearing "That white lady? Oh that's Ms. Nichols. She's my teacher. She's nice." **Seriously, this one never gets old :)

...celebrating on the little things, like a 5th grader making his first ever A on a reading test, a 3rd grader finally learning how to write her name, or a nonverbal child saying her first word.

...the laughter and joy during the staff Christmas party.

...meeting with supportive parents and fellow staff, all working together for the good of the child.

And I think what I'll miss the most are the chats with the 3 ladies on my team at work. I'll miss eating breakfast and lunch with them. I'll miss putting our heads together, working to find just the right assignment, commiserating on the annoying-ness of SPED paperwork, Sonic slushie runs before work, ridiculously long meetings made better by having a partner in crime there with me, field trips, laughing until we're crying, and most of all - the encouragement and support.

What's up January

I'm linking up with Mel, Sheaffer & Shay  for this month's What's Up Wednesday post.

Every month, we answer the same questions...

What am I eating this week?

I've been savoring all my favorite home cooked meals (and salad I didn't have to bleach) that I won't be able to get starting next week...

What am I reminiscing about?

...time with my dad. As I was writing out my notes for this past Sunday's service, I saw this picture, which I'd printed and stuck in my Bible and it really made me miss him :(

What am I loving?

I am loving having people coming up to me and telling me they are praying for me and for my ministry in Senegal. 

What have I been up to?

Packing! Oh and FYI... I so despise packing. Unpacking? I'm fine with that. I'd even say I love it. But packing? Ugh!

What am I dreading?

...saying goodbye to these faces this weekend :(

What am I working on?

I've been tackling my ridiculously long To Do List of things at work I must get done before my last day (Friday). Eek! 

What am I excited about? 

Where do I begin? Instead of making a really long list, I'll just say one word...

Senegal :)

What am I watching?

Has anyone else watched the new show, Superstore? It is hilarious!

What am I reading?

I have a stack of books to read in the airport and on the plane(s) on Monday and Tuesday. There's no better time to read than then :)

What am I listening to?

In preparation for leaving to go overseas, I've put all the CDs I've bought, since being back in the States, on my computer. And now, more than ever, I realize what a truly eclectic taste in music I have.

What am I wearing?

Right now I'm wearing all sorts of cold weather clothes and scarves and gloves in the mornings because it's been FREEZING here. I know I'll be missing these temps once I get to Dakar next week. But for now... Brr!!!

What am I doing this weekend?

On Saturday, I'm taking my nieces to Build a Bear for a "Zizzie loves you and is going to miss you so very much" present. Then my mom, brother and sis-in-law, and nieces are going on one last big family dinner. 

Then on Sunday, there's church, lunch with friends, visiting my aunt, a trip to the cemetary, and then savoring those last few hours with my Mama before leaving for Senegal the next day.

What am I looking forward to next month?

Oh my... I'm looking forward to teaching at DA again, meeting (or reuniting with) my students, helping out with Kids Club again, seeing co-workers and friends in Dakar, eating Senegalese food again, visiting Senegalese churches, and so much more.

And the special question for this month is...

I love me some Conversation Hearts. And yes, I did buy a big bag to take back to Dakar with me :)

Friday Favorites - Missions Edition

For this week's Friday Favorites post, I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika & Narci and talking about one of my favorite topics...  

MISSIONS

In prepping for my return to Senegal, I have received a lot of questions. I've tried to think of the most common ones and have included them in this post. 

And here we go...

When are you leaving? Are you ready?

I fly out on February 1st...exactly 9 days away :)

Am I ready? Yes and no. I'm ready in the sense that I'm so incredibly excited to be heading back, and even more than that, that I'm doing what God has called me to do. But I'm not ready in the sense that my To Do List at work and home is still a mile long. But I know it'll get done. :)

What will your home be like?

I will live in a little studio-style apartment. I often blow people's minds (most recently, one of my 5th graders) when I say this because I think some have the idea that missionaries in Africa only live in huts :)

Is there McDonald's and Walmart and places like that?

Nope. 

What foods do you miss the most while in Senegal?

Honestly, I miss the convenience of foods we have here in America. I miss drive-thrus for a quick dinner on the way home from work. I miss buying food and bringing home and eating it and not having to worry about bleaching my vegetables. Oh and being able to get drinks full of ice from restaurants and not wondering if the ice was made from filtered water... I miss things like that. 

Wait. Back up... Bleach your vegetables?! Why do you do that?!

I soak all (almost all) fruits and vegetables in bleach water to remove any little critters that might be on them. And yes I do rinse the bleach off so you don't taste it. But soaking them and cleaning them far beats the alternative of getting sick by not doing that. 

Can you drink the water?

...not straight out of the faucet. You have to feel turn your water for the same reasons you bleach the veggies. The water is so dirty that filtering it beats the alternative of getting sick by not filtering. And yes you can buy bottle of water but if you do that a lot, it can get quite pricey.

So can you bring food with you from America?

Yes. I do have a list of seasonings and spices and comfort foods that I'll be purchasing before heading back. 

What's on your food wish list?

A lot of spices/seasonings I like, Peanut butter, pepperoni, bacon... All sorts of goodness. Want to help me out with my wish list? Let me know and I'll send it to you :)

Do you see wild animals?

...in the zoo or on a safari drive :)

What language do the people speak? 

French is the national language, but there are many different tribal languages spoken throughout the country. Wolof is the most common.

Do you speak the language?

I know you know French to get by in the markets/shops and in basic conversations with people. Wolof? ...not so much. As of now, I know the basic greetings, but that's about it.

So what language do you teach in?

English

Dakar Academy, where you'll be teaching has students from where?

There are students from all over the world. At one point there were students from over 30 different countries. That's one of the things I love most about the school. ...the diversity.

What will you be teaching?

4th grade (General Ed.) 

How do you get paid?

DA pays a small stipend ($500) each month and for the time being, I'll be living off that and my own personals savings, along with a little bit some friends and family has blessed me with. It's doable, but will be quite challenging.

Wait... I thought you were getting paid by AGWM (the Assemblies of God)? 

I will be eventually. But I can't get paid by AGWM until all of my support has come in. People have promised support, which I thoroughly appreciate. But until all of my budget is raised - until all the promised donations and pledge forms actually get to the AGWM office and into my account, I cannot receive a salary from them.

Why do you need support from individuals/families if our church already supports you?

Believe it or not, I get this question often. People are not being rude by asking. They just don't know. 

Yes, churches support me. And yes, that is an incredibly HUGE BLESSING. But, I have a budget to raise and unless I raise the full amount, I don't get paid. So I am honestly, just humbly asking anyone who will to seriously, prayerfully consider supporting my ministry (and me). Missions is a partnership. Yes, I'm the one called to go to Africa. But I need those called to give to help me.

How can we financially support you?

You can go online at https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/aec97232-a98e-467c-a25b-5a48f73940f3 and follow the prompts to give online. It's quick and easy for you and hits my AGWM account in just a few days.

Or if you'd prefer to not give online, I understand. Just send me an email at enichols85@gmail.com with your mailing address and I'll send you a support form.

Have anymore questions? Comment at the end of this post or shoot me an email at enichols85@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer them.

It's Story Time

Let me tell you a story...

Once upon a time there was a teacher going about her Saturday morning, totally unaware of the surprise waiting in her email's inbox. She went about her morning as usual and scrolled through said inbox on her phone while eating breakfast. One email caused her to pause...

It was an email from the elementary principal at the school where she'd worked before. Since she was planning to start back there in August, she naturally assumed that's what the email was about, but no...

We have an open position at DA this semester and are exploring all options. Is this something you would possibly consider?

The teacher was surprised.

...only not completely. Lately the teacher had been getting all sorts of "signs," pointing towards a sooner return to that West African home she loved so much, which didn't really make sense at the time.

The teacher said she'd pray, but she knew in her heart... She just knew.

Back and forth she went with emails to the elementary principal, the school director, her missions supervisor, etc. and all the while, she prayed...

God, if it is your will, let them offer me the job. But God, if it is not your will, don't let them offer me the job.

Then the confirmation email came...

Hi Elisabeth. We'd like to officially offer you the 4th grade position at DA.

Eek! The teacher was so excited! She could scarcely contain herself. She told her mom and her pastor and family and  filled them in. 

Then came the hard part. She had to write a resignation letter and discuss it with the principal. It went well. 

Then came the tough one. ...her co-Special Ed. Teacher. Her stomach was tied in knots. She knew what it'd mean. It'd mean letting her down. It'd mean adding more to her load. So she prayed.

God, I know it's your will. But I don't want to overload her. It's not fair to her. Lord please work everything out.

Then she took a deep breath and walked in her classroom and told her. And you know what... It all worked out well.

And now you know the story behind why I am leaving February 1st and flying back to Senegal. 

And yes you did read that correctly...

I will be flying out in a little less than 4 weeks :)

Questions...

How can you leave in the middle of a school year? 

We didn't sign contracts in my school system. So I didn't have to worry about that.

Why not finish out the school year in Alabama and then go to Africa?

Trust me. I have asked myself that. But you know - When God called me to the mission field, I said yes. I said I'll go when/where You want me to go, God.

What will you be teaching?

4th grade - Oh and a fun side note... I taught this class as first graders. So it'll be neat to see how they've grown :)

How will you be paid?

DA provides housing, utilities, insurance, and a small ($500) monthly stipend. On top of that, I have had some family and friends say they'll send support directly to me (via my mom depositing it in my checking account). Honestly, things will be tight, but if I watch what I spend, it will work. And y'all... I fully believe that God knows what we need. So I know He'll provide.

How can we get you money to use while you're there?

I won't be leaving AL until February 1st, so if you can get it to me before then, that'd be the easiest. If it's after February 1st, you can send it to my mom with a note explaining what it's for and she'll notify me and deposit it into my account. Let me know if you don't have our address and I'll give it to you.

*Just an FYI though... Anything given this way will not be tax deductible.

Wait. I'm confused. I thought you were going as an AG missionary. Why won't you get paid through them?

Because my full AGWM budget isn't raised, I cannot go as a Missionary Associate with them just yet. Therefore I cannot access that missions budget and be paid through them. 

So how are you going to raise that budget since you're leaving the country? 

I actually did that my first year Dakar, back in '09. I will do a lot of email and skype and telephone work, versus face-to-face meetings, to raise my budget. Will it be easy? No, probably not. But is it impossible? Definitely not. I remember clearly my first year there, wondering how it would get done. But you know what, it only took a few months, and God totally and awesomely worked it out! 

So just as I have been now, I will continue to be raising cash donations and monthly support commitments, in order to reach my budget of approximately $10,000 in cash and $1000 in monthly commitment. 

And hey, I have already raised 20% of the cash and 10% of the monthly commitments. So I am definitely on my way.

If we would rather support you in this way, what should we do?

If you would like to do it online, that is the easiest way. Just copy/paste the URL below and follow the prompts...

https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/aec97232-a98e-467c-a25b-5a48f73940f3?

Or if you would rather do it via paper and snail mail, it is super easy as well. 

Just send me an email at enichols85@gmail.com 

and give me your address and I will send you a form to fill out and mail in.

How will you ship your things to Dakar?

I will be allowed to bring two free suitcases with my flight. I could pay for more suitcases, but that can get very pricey. So I doubt I will be bringing any more than that.

Do you need any supplies to take with you? Can we get you some of that?

That would be awesome! I do have a wish list started. If you'd like to help out with that, send me an email and I can get that to you. 

How can we pray?

Pray for God to continue working out all the little details. 

Pray for finances. I can't get paid by the AG until my full budget is raised. So prayed that either my budget gets raised before I go or my savings multiply :)

Pray for strength and perseverance to tackle my massive to do list. My last day here in Selma will be January 29. So obviously, I will still be teaching, leading meetings, and doing lots of paperwork before I go. ...not to mention, packing :)