Sue in Africa

“You are right where you want to be… doing what your heart dreams of so much!”

Sue — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:24:58 +0000

A final word of thanks to all who have joined me in this journey! You have kept me in your hearts and prayers. You have sent me, counseled me, and encouraged me. You are the team that made this journey possible!
GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY, my friends.

Take care and let you hearts dream big!
Sue

Reflecting on Botswana

Sue — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:10:22 +0000

OHMYGOODNESS!! I love Heather and Michael Walker. I totally respect their work and that of Love Botswana. I’m amazed at all the ministries, NGO’s and government projects working together in the region of Maun - where close to 40% of the population has AIDS. It was a delight to celebrate worship for 4-5 hours on Easter Sunday in the country of Namibia; it was stretching to watch Michael baptize new believers in a river that is home to crocodiles! Our God is BIG!!!

Reflecting on South Africa

Sue — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:01:21 +0000

So much occurred here in South Africa--just like each place before. And again, I was profoundly affected. Janice introduced me to orphanages, feeding stations, individuals infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We went to trainings together. And later, I stepped into another challenge - a zip line tour over canyons and trees! Somehow, I find parallels between the experience of the zip lines and the rest of my journey in Africa. It often felt like stepping off into thin air.

Leaving Uganda

Sue — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:05:13 +0000

Recalling the end of my time in Uganda, I know that my feelings were in a jumble. Before even going north, I had visited with Chris and Jane Palacas, veterans with CHE ministries who gave me lots of advice. I spent a day at Mildmay AIDS clinic, and a day visiting Appointed Harvester Ministries orphanage and primary school for children affected by HIV/AIDS. Then four days in the north… always with difficult driving conditions, a car accident, safari tour, Gulu IDP camps, COTN orphanage start-up, and Mission:Moving Mountains. Before and after, I spoke in church twice (saying, “I don’t preach!”). No wonder I was emotionally exhausted and had a hard time controlling the tears. Even with all this, my heart remains there and I hope to return.

Uganda Revisited

Sue — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:40:07 +0000

Reflecting on my time in Uganda, there are a multitude of impacting experiences. I'm adding some photos to tell the story further. In Gulu, we visited refugee camps where internally displaced people have settled for safety after years of war and truma. You may want to look online at information about Invisible Children and the LRA. Gulu is where this occurred in the last 20 years. The IDP camps are packed tight and go on for miles. One sees mostly international aid vehicles here, representing the groups that are helping. Of the few work projects that exist, it's the women working in the fields that are most successful. Folks with MAP international took us on a tour and explained the painful circumstances that led to the present situations. They have been establishing clinics in newly settled regions. I've pondered whether I might be able to volunteer with MAP sometime, even for a little while. The needs in this region are huge!

Senegal revisted - a special young woman

Sue — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:21:48 +0000

Here I am with Awa and Rama. When I arrived, I became aware of Rama who is a special friend to Saidou. I have learned that they are getting married soon. Rama is in white… a beautiful young woman inside and out. She speaks French well and a little English, so we could communicate easily. I had a chance to visit her home where I met her brothers who are responsible for running the household. When I met her mom, a widow, she was amazed to meet another widow who could travel so far as I have to come meet her. Our lives are profoundly different, but we enjoyed a connection.

Revisiting Senegal - family members

Sue — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:06:38 +0000

Staying with Saidou’s family in K.M., Jan and I began to find what it meant to became part of the family. Greeting the head of household, Abduhl, was primary, and at specific times each day I learned. Everyone has a special place in my heart now, especially after they struggled with me as I began to learn the Wolof language. I appreciate their graciousness and patience as I learned some of their greetings in Wolof and everyday customs. Awa was pregnant with this little guy the last time I was here. Of course, custom is that you don’t acknowledge the pregnancy or due date openly in case your conversation might cast a shadow on the baby. Supersition from our perspective, traditional culture from their’s. I’m coming to respect these things in their lives. I had more conversations with Awa than ayone else - she spoke some French where few others of the women did. We made lots of mistakes with each other, learning language and culture. She holds her Muslim beliefs strongly, but honored and cared for me. And… I have her personal cell number, an honor.
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Saidou’s older sister is elegant. This is Fatu with her daughter. I was named after her and kept my new name the entire time I was in Senegal - Fatu. Fatu speaks Puhlar, her mother’s tongue. We simply spoke to each other in different languages and laughed at the results! While French is the official language of her country, as a woman she never had the opportunity to learn French in her limited schooling. But she is a respected business woman in the village, selling kola nuts. The nuts contain caffeine and keep people’s energy up. I tried one - very bitter, yuk.

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Ibrihim is one of Saidou’s younger brothers (there are 9 children). He has a small shop in the village where he sells a few household goods and food items. It’s a place where young men hang out in between jobs. A lot of the local gossip passes through those thin walls I think. I offered to train Ibrihim in HIV/AIDS issues in a French curriculum that I know. He was an enthusiastic student, coming often during the hot mid-day break. He finished just before I left and could recite nearly all of it from memory. As a small reward, I gave him a comic version booklet that discussed HIV/AIDS issues and offered hope in Jesus at the end. That very day, he came home late saying his friends delayed him, asking about the booklet at the shop and began a conversation about the topic. Ibrima was pleased to have information and answers. Among his peers, he had become more expert and now understood the physical, social and moral aspects well. I was pleased for him to have new the status and pass on the HIV/AIDS information.
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As I look at this picture again, I think of Saidou’s older brother and his wife who are really hard workers. They also have lots of kids! I never knew exact which children were theirs, but I think this picture is close. They live in the compound with the extended family and she does most of the shopping and cooking for the entire clan daily. It’s a huge job!

Senegal revisted - Madeline’s warm hospitality

Sue — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:27:01 +0000

Madeline’s family incorporated us warmly into their daily lives. Her teens were lively and well trained in hospitality as one would expect of the Senegalese. We were never lonely! I have no pics to show, but my first challenge was to negotiate a hole-in-the-floor tiled toilet. Eventually I got used to it and this knowledge would serve me many places in Africa. Also, we were not allowed to do our own laundry here. But exploring, we found the secret laundry room. Our meals were excellent, Madeline has culinary skills in her background! This was a great entry point for Jan and I in Senegal, Madeline’s patient explanations about culture were much appreciated!

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School children wear uniforms nearly everywhere in Africa. I liked Senegal’s options: a smock/ apron over a dress for the girls. Simple, inexpensive, easy to identify, and cool. Madline’s daughters pose here with friends.

Senegal revisted - Dakar inner city

Sue — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 23:16:49 +0000

Below: A mix of old an new in downtown Dakar (capitol city). From the freeway, it appeared that there was a lot of new building, but it was only localized. My judgement is that the remainder of the country is suffering.

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Need wood poles for fences?

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Dakar inner city fruit stand.

Revisiting Togo - A second village

Sue — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:48:24 +0000

The second village targeted for assistance by CHE volunteers has enjoyed agricultural improvements, but the spiritual climate is cooler to Christian influence. However, good relations continue, including village children and their parents.