The guest house

School started up this last Monday for many of the mission community kids. Since a large percentage of the school consists of boarding students, this meant that a lot of parents were in town to drop off their kids before they headed back to their villages and towns.
We housed many parents this weekend at the Phare and it was interesting to observe them as they savored last Christmas vacation moments with their kids.
Just recently our basketball court was re-done. On average its used a lot, but this weekend it was hopping with all the kids, parents and even grandparents shooting some hoops.

I grew up in Kenya and went to a boarding school myself. Watching the families this weekend reminded me of my family and our last weekends together before my sister and I went back to school. I thought of the guest house we stayed in and wished that the families here would have the same feelings about the Phare that I had of the guest house in Kenya. It was a place of beauty and rest. A quiet oasis away from everyday 'ministry' where my parents could sit and relax and we could play in the expansive yard. My memories of being a 'mk' are sweetened by the experience of that guest house. It comforted us in the days leading up to our 'goodbyes' and welcomed us back with joyous 'hello's' when our parents picked us up for vacation or for the weekend.
As the Phare continues to grow and change it is pleasing to see how it might be a sweet memory for parents and kids of precious moments had in the midst of the sometimes difficulties of missionary life.

Randomosity

Today was a windy day! A COLD, windy day. It surprised us all. The clothes on the line were blowing everywhere (poor Rosette). The carefully swept up piles of leaves and dirt where scattering with each gust (poor Patrice and Ndaga). Yes, it was a windy day.
January in Dakar, a strange thing. Being my second January here, I would say that finally I'm convinced that it actually does get nippy. Everyone wears a jacket, some wear scarves. Rosette wears a sock hat:)
I've been ridiculously delinquent in my posting. Some communicator I turned out to be:(
Does that mean that things at the Phare have come to a halt? HA! That's a big laugh. We are actually welcoming a quiet week of no conferences and not a lot of people in the guest house. I think the most grateful is Herve. Man, does that man work his tail off. If you think of praying for anyone, think of him. He's got a big job.

Ok, so some of you don't want to hear me ramble, and are really interested in the projects. Well, let me tell you, there are projects.
For one, we are in week 4 of the new discipleship building!!! This is an answer to pray and a dream come true! Its amazing! Now, when the discipleship students come they will have their OWN space. They wont have to move from room to room whenever a conference comes. PLUS they have their own class room and living space in the same building. I would say that is the biggest and best project that's in place at the moment. Picture below is the space where the building is being built. More recent pictures to come.

I have to mention another fun one, since my husband is the mastermind behind this one, and that is the new "hut". This little place of refuge is located beside one of the apts. Here, people can come to relax, read a book, drink a cup of coffee, what have you. None of the guys working on it have ever done it before so its been a learning experience for all involved.

I was late in posting some of the conferences that took place this fall. We had two going on at the same time in November. One was held in the classroom upstairs and it was for higher theological education. At the same time, we had a group of 40+ people come from all over Africa. It was another training seminar, but was practical ways to share the gospel in difficult regions. You wouldn't believe some of these guys stories. Tale after tale of God showing up in their lives and revealing Himself to them in a way that they couldn't deny. Very Paul like. A happier group of people I'm not sure if I've ever met. Being that the dining hall area is right outside our bedroom window, I could here them laughing and telling jokes morning, noon and night. It was encouraging to see how men that had gone through extreme hardship because of the name of Jesus still had it in them to laugh and joke.

Lets see, what else...oh the AIDS conference. This year the AIDS conference was held in Dakar. We hosted a large group of people who attended the conference. They were with a mission organization, and after the conference they used our facilities to debrief and share ideas for further ministry.

I'm giving you a quick run down as they come to my head.
Soon we will be hosting a short term team from the States. And before we know it we'll be gearing up for a bunch of rowdy boys from Wheaton. That will be exciting.