There Goes the Neighborhood!!!!!

This is my place in Kolda. It kinda sticks out in my neighborhood. It’s one of the only places that’s painted and it’s got that fence that’s painted real perty. It fits me, cause when I walk around….I stick out!!!! My orientation here in Kolda is going great. I couldn’t have planed it better myself. The Fulakunda team…Awesome!!! The Fulakunda People…Awesome!!! The city of Kolda….Awesome!!!! I’m learning a lot, some things are for the first time and some things I have to relearn, African style. Next week I get see if I know how to drive in Africa! I’m actually surprising myself on how much I know about cooking. I’m not that bad, or I’m not that bad of a critic !
Things have been going very smoothly. The people here in Kolda are very hospitable, and most people want to help and are very nice to me. As of now, I know less than 50 words in Pulaar. The people seem very happy when I say, “mi faalaa junngede Pulaar” (“I want to learn Pulaar”). Next week will still be a week of orientation for me and I should be starting language classes later this week or early next week! Let me give y’all a little more info on my job: for the next 6 months or so my job is to learn Pulaar! My only job is to live, and right now since I have the vocabulary of a 1 year old, that’s a challenging job. But I love it! I met someone in the market on Thursday. I was trying out the three lines in Pulaar that I knew and just trying to meet people and he knew a little English. He offered his help so Friday I spent about an hour with him. I plan to go back on Monday and many more times. Please pray for this new relationship that I’m starting, lets call him … Patrick. Please pray that I will build a strong relationship with Patrick and that we can continue share and learn from each other.
As I look ahead, I sure do have a lot of work in front of me! After I learn Pulaar, I’ll need to learn French. Next I’ll be researching the whole region and trying to find out more about the Fulakunda and how they can find out about Jesus. I’ll be sure to give y’all more information on that but like I said right now all I’m doing is just trying to learn the language. Actually one of my first jobs will be to map out the city of Kolda; that will be fun!!! This language is really hard, but I’m not stressed out. The Lord has given me the peace that I need. I was reading Genesis and the story of Joseph really helped me! Remember how he was sold into slavery, but he was righteous and people saw that he got all those promotions. Things got better for him then it happened all over again when he was sent to prison!!! Well, I was reminded of that right now that I have to be like Joseph. I might not be in prison, but I’m in a whole new environment with a whole new start!!! All I have to do is be righteous. All I need to do is keep my eyes on the Lord and the Good Lord will fulfill his promises!!!!! I know that this new adventure is going to take time and a WHOLE lot of energy, but I’m ready. Pray that I can remember to take it one day at a time and that I can keep my eyes on the Lord!