Lackadaisical

I wanted to spend one blog recapping my past 2 months here, not so much in what I have done or experienced but rather in the sense of my likes and dislikes. I have been so humbled in my time here realizing this fantasy of what life 'must be like' on the mission field is in comparison nothing what I dreamed. Short term trips are merely a tease of what reality truly is for those who live here and I have had the privilege of discovering what that is really like. Though life here is not a fairy tale does not mean I don't adore everyday I spend here. I came over with preconceived notions of living this unheard of adventure and have realized that life is not quite the same, but everyday I discover something else I love about this country, or these people and I feel that if I don't somehow document those things by the end of my time here they won't quite the same significance to me anymore. So I thought what better way to do so than to share them here on my blog.

Dislikes: There have not been quite the number of things that bother me but there sure are a few, as is expected in any foreign culture.

-I hate the fact that we don't have a dryer. Every time we wash our clothes and hang them to dry they feel like a stiff sheet of paper that itche as you put them on.

-The B.O. (for those of you not quite up on the lingo, Body Odor) is quite the smell here, and it's everywhere, all the time. It's especially lovely when crammed in a small space with no flowing air or escape.

-The Mosquitoes. I literally cannot step a foot outside without getting eaten alive, and when they bite me they turn to welts on my body, never in my life have I ever been bitten to the amount I have been here. (since the beginning of this post I have gotten bit 5 times)

-Power cuts. They always seem to happen at the worst times and are completely unplanned, lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to 6 hours. Oh and for the most part only happen on hot days, making it obviously much better.

-The guy I pass on my way to french class everyday who calls me 'baby' (yes in english, not so much a dislike as a humorous annoyance)

-Melting ice. The fact that you can put ice in your cup and within 5 minutes it is turned to complete liquid is quite defeating.

-Condisation on cups. I literally have a lake of water when I set my cup down on a table, the coasters (which are wood) get stuck to the cup that's how much water they sit in.

-The lack of carpet. It is actually a better thing that carpet is not excessive here but I have never really enjoyed being barefoot especially on floor where you walk in constant dirt.

-Being taken advantage of. As a white person here no matter where you go to buy something the price is ALWAYS marked up and only because you are white. A white person will rarely ever pay the price of the item that a Burkinabe would pay and it's really frustrating sometimes to be taken advantage of so easily.

-Nonchalante staring. People here have no problem staring at you for however long they desire. It's a tad uncomforting but cultural.

-Nothing starts on time. The fact is that coming late is being on time here. When you make a rendez -vous with someone it rarely happens on time and people tend not to call if they are not going to show up (our tailor for example).

-The absence of Chocolate. It is very rare to find any form of chocolate here and when you do it is usually out of date imported from another country. (i.e. Sarah bought Reese's from a boutique here and they literally tasted like cardboard, I will never again take for granted the isles of candy or bon-bons in America again.)

-The 'higher-ups' power. For example, I went to the post office to pick up a package, inside the package was a used camera. The post office chef (which means boss) has the power to charge me money for the camera and if I don't pay to keep it for himself.

-The 'Compliments.' Here fat is beautiful (don't we wish it was the same in the states) but having an American mentality and hearing "Oh, Jessica you have been eating well" doesn't go over so smoothly.

-The planes. The airplanes that land here in Ouaga fly directly over our house, and every time one comes in, it mutes life because it is so close, and on multiple occasions things begin to shake and you wonder if you should duck and cover.

-Internet Connection. Boy oh boy has this been a testing of patience I must say. Not a day goes by where things work perfectly, whether it be email, or skype something is alway going wrong, and in this house it is impossible for 2 people to use skype at the same time.

-How quickly food stales. Because of the humidity a bag of cereal, or cookies, etc. must be double or triple zip locked, otherwise it will stale within a week.

-Babies don't wear diapers. Since diapers are not a necessity of life here babies have freedom to pee or poop anywhere. For instance, in Chruch babies are passed around for people to hold and it is either hit or miss if a baby pees on you, and trust me it is not a little squirt here and there is is a gushing waterfall of pee that seeps into the clothes and trickles onto the floor, and the funny thing is no one cares or even notices....

-Corruption. Bribery is the primary way to get out of situations, whether it be border crossing, picking up a package containing a electronic. In Education if one cannot afford schooling they will bribe the professors or Headmasters with sex. Humanitarian aid is used to make profit for government here.

-Tomato can boys. They stand on every corner, tomato cans strapped around their shoulder with the universal sign language for food constantly being their action. These boys are sent from villages to the Capital for Muslim schooling and the Imans force these boys to stand on the street corners begging for money, if they don't produce a certain amount they are beaten and left without food.

-Disobedience to traffic laws. Traffic lights are merely a decoration on the side of the road that are not to be obeyed causing countless numbers of accidents and chaos.

-Marriage proposals for the sake of a visa. Anyone and everywhere can abuse friendship with an American for purposes of a visa for the U.S.



Likes: there are so many things that I have fallen in love with while living here although I can't quite say that Burkina itself was love at first sight, in regards to surroundings, it has been a fast growing, heart wrenching love I now feel for this place.

-Repos. Literally translates 'meal' it is a time from 12-3 everyday where life basically stops and everyone rests. It is so refreshing to have this time to relax and revive.

-French. If I had made a category saying, things I think are lackadaisical (or feel nonchalant about, which lackadaisical translate nonchalant-who knew right?) it would be french. It has been my biggest challenge, greatest defeat, constant failure and yet something God continuously nurtures a desire for in my life. I have enjoyed every stressful moment of trying to conquer something completely foreign to me. And every attempt at conversation has brought me more humility and more joy.

-Cardboard on the windows. Every time you park at a large(er) boutique or store here the parking guy puts cardboard boxes on your front windshield to keep out the sun and every time I see it I find myself humored.

-The fabric. I love love love the fabric and the outfits here. Everything is so bold, beautiful and extravagant, and expressive of personality. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to dress like Burkinabe and be complimented on the fabrics.

-African Rain Storms. Nothing quite compares to an african rain storm, they are completely unexpected and bring with them an unexplainable breath of cool (almost cold) air. I love when I am woken up in the middle of the night due to rain splashing off of my A.C. (that doesn't work) right into my bed through the window, it is so calming.

-Nasara. Nasara is More' for white person and it makes me giggle everytime I walk down the street and hear little children yelling, or almost singing Nasara, nasara.

-Talking yourself in and out of situations. If you are a 'sweet talker' or atleast know how to make friends quickly (oh and know french) you can talk your way out of almost anything, this is a very relational culture and people will repay your with that respect if you first show that you respect and cherish them.

-Certain Criticisms. Due to the American mentality a commento of concern or criticism can be taken as a compliment (in my case atleast). For example a guy wrote me an email saying; "Oh jessica I saw you were looking rather thin, you must be diseased." and I thought , 'wow that is so sweet of him.' I would prefer to hear something like that anyday in contrast to 'you have been eating well', let's just say I cling to those moments haha.

-Uninvited Visitors. This is a very African way of life, the doorbell can ring at any moment (and if your gate is not locked, they will welcome themselves in without rining it). In the states this kind of unexpected visitor (who can stay at your house anywher from 5 minutes to an hour or more) can seem quite the burden, but I love the fact that being such a relational culture it is completely ordinary to sit and talk with someone for any amount of time at any point in your day.

-The lack of Distractions. Although we do have internet and a few movies, for the most part there is so much time to spend doing other things here. I love that for the most part I rarely know where my cell phone is here and that the TV is not constantly on.

-Riding a Moto. There is nothing quite like the breeze from riding a moto (which is truly something I have learned to treasure in this heat) when the sun is blazing. And the thrill of being a part of the chaos which I call traffic here is an adventure every time you head out. (ps. Update-I am getting my very own moto this week, and am beyond thankful to not have to depend on susan and sarah as much).

-The Lemonade. The lemonade here is to die for, it is so fresh and sweet and my mouth literally waters at the thought of drinking some.

-The breeze. Since it is so hot here I have learned to savor the breeze for everything it has to offer, when it blows through you just have to stop and bask in it while it lasts.

-The children who play outside my gate. Even as I write this I am watching them through the openings, today they are doing Karate moves. More than anything I enjoy watching them be kids, here that is not a reality for the children they begin to work at the ages of 4 or 5.

-The little naked babies. It brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face everyday that I walk past the small babies completely unclothed and playing in the sewer covered dirt, they seem to find joy playing in the wet dirt (which is most of the time sewer washed into the street). They are precious to watch and I pass with this huge desire to sweep them up in my arms and love on them.

-The little children who walk the streets alone. Everyday I see children who walk alone, babies really. Today I passed a boy who couldn't have been more than 3 walking the road alone singing to himself as if he had no care in the world.

-The icecream man. Indeed there is an icecream man I pass occasionally, who pushes a little cart and honks a bicycle bell.

-Geickos. There are Geickos literally everywhere, in the sink, shower, bedroom. It's almost rare to go into a room and not see one.

-The Market. I love going to the market, it smells of rotting food, swarming with flies and women selling produce, bombarding you and begging you to buy their stuff but what an experience! There is nothing quite like paying less than a dollar for most anything (food wise) you might buy there.

-The tall guy with no front teeth who calls me 'baby'. Although it is rather annoying to be called that he has become some what of a friend on my walk to class and I enjoy gretting him, always knowing that I will see him.

-The handmade toys and other items. I love watching the children run down the street pushing an old tire (or any round object) with a stick, chasing it without a care in the world. I also love seeing them make trucks and trians out of sardine cans, dresses out of trash, and brooms made of branches.

-Roadside food. This is kind of a love-hate relationship, some of the things you can buy anywhere on the side of the road are; sugar covered and regular peanuts, charcoled corn, bread, brochettes, smoked fish (more like minos). At the same time when you eat at roadside restaurants they are not quite restraunts but rather a big pot of sauce (all parts of the animal inside included, neck, feet, intestines) and rice (your only option.)

-Fresh fruit everywhere. Right now it is watermelon and apple season, you can buy fresh fruit anywhere for realatively cheap.

-Watching the woman carry things on their head. I have seen some talented women here, carrying almost anything on their head, even including tables.

-Chicken moto. Almost everyday you can see a chicken moto, a man who rides around with chickens tied by their feet and piled on ( there are literally so many that you can rarely see the man driving) and he sells them just like that, fresh and alive off the moto.

-Donkey Carts. I thorougly enjoy walking down the street everyday and seeing donkey carts everywhere, it is a constant reminder of where I am at. I also find it histaracle that on our new bypass thing (like a spaghetti junction of sorts) there is a sign that has a picture of a donkey cart with an X through it indicating they are not allowed and must go around.

-Animals wandering. I find it quite amusing to see the magnitude at which animals roam here, it is not one bit unordinary to see a random donkey, goat, chicken, dog, etc. that has left it's home and is wandering the streets.

-Praise and Worship/Singing and dancing. No matter where you go you hear music, whether from phones, radios, or voices them self music and dance are a huge part of this culture.

-Bartering. Though we are easily taken advantage of it's a nice accomplishing thought to be able to talk someone down in price, even if the price you end with is more than a Burkinabe might pay.



Just for fun I thought I would add a list of the American things that I have learned great appreiation for while being here.
American Things I Cherish here:
-Deodrant
-Bug spray
-Crisco
-A washing machine
-Peanut Butter
-Dark Chocolate MnM's and Mint 3 Muskateers (compliments of Ben Savaiko) :)
-Elastic (which wears out rather quickly here)
-Ken's Honey Mustard and Ranch (shout out to Kurt from Gazebo, you are a life saver, those who know him pass this on)
-Parmasean Cheese (yet another shout out to Ben)
-Decaffinated tea bags (encore)
-My french book from the states!
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I am sure there are a number of likes and dislikes that I have failed to mention but I am assuming this blog post is already long enough and intend to post more of the things I find myself liking and disliking as they come about.

Cote D'Ivoire

I want to start out telling the a brief glimpse of my dinner with a 'legend'. On our drive down to Bobo we passed village after village after village and my heart broke over the people, people who might never hear. How can the Good News be good news unless it's told? My heart longed to share with these people. We got to a certain point where I started to see churches emerge from the bush, church after church, all looking the same. And apon arriving in Bobo we were invited to dinner at Madame Kim's house. Madam Kim, a little korean lady who has commited her and her family's life to serving in Burkina has spent the last 5-10 years planting churches, building schools, encouraging, discipling, and training the next generation of Christian leaders. I quickly found out that these chruches I had seen over and over were all built by her, financed by her church in Korea and were reaching the unreached. In less than 10 years she has planted, built, encouraged, and discipled over 200 churches in the unreached areas of Bobo, along with 2 schools and countless other things. How could one woman have such great impact? I was baffled and amazed at the things she had done, and then I realized in listening to her speak a language completely unfamiliar to what she had ever known before, she had counted the cost and considered all else loss when it came to Jesus Christ and her surrender has given Him the means of changing a nation. I left inspired, sweetly broken, and praying my life would be such sweet surrender as hers.

This beautiful waterfall is found among many in the Burkina region called Banfora. Banfora is one of the regions on the list of unreached areas to reach through the new STMO program. (Let's just say I would not mind one bit serving in this area).

Banfora gets a great multitutde more of rain each year and is lush with sugar cane fields, corn, and rice. "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are very few. " Matthew 9:37

This picture pretty much explains the entire trip to Cote D'Ivoire, car sickness is an understatement, especially when riding with Pete. Reading, sleeping, and sitting were nearly impossible on this trip, but what an adventure. At one point when we were actually in the city of Yamoussoukro we got lost trying to find a 'short cut' and ended up on roads full of holes, and piles of dirt placed right in the center (very common in africa), with bushes growing up in the center of all driving areas, and I couldn't help to contain myself, laughter was all you heard for nearly an hour trying to find our way back to 'civilization.'

This is a very common road side food in Africa, corn cooked over an open fire. It's delcious and makes the perfect road trip snack, especially when restaurants, stores, and fastfood are non-existant.

The drive to Bobo was 4 hours and then from Bobo to Yamoussoukro was nearly 12 hours, once over the border of Burkina and Cote D'Ivoire we encountered 26 police stops. Police stops are not quite the same in Africa. Usually people are stuck at these stops for an hour or so due to the fact that the police who work there have no pay so they only way to pass through is to bribe them or wait it out, and waiting can take a good deal to time. Thankfully Pete, with his connections, got us a lassier passe, basically a permission slip (meaning literally to let pass) from the which said that no one had a right to stop us. When we arrived in Bobo the first night we immediately pulled up to a Marina market and out of no where this man comes over to the van and starts talking in hushed tones with pete and hands him a piece of paper, it was almost like a drug deal in our eyes.

The Ivorian Civil War was a civil war in Côte d'Ivoire that began on September 19, 2002. Although most of the fighting ended by late 2004, the country remains split in two, with a rebel-held north and a government-held south. French troops were brought into Côte d'Ivoire to help resolve the situation. Hostility increased and raids on foreign troops and civilians rose. As of 2006^[update], the region was tense, and many said that the United Nations and the French military had failed to calm the civil war.

Driving down the road in Cote D'Ivoire, we had to be super careful about taking pictures because every city, or village was swarming with soldiers.

We finally made it to UJAC the conference for all west African CMA youth, it is held every 2 years. Youth in Africa is considered to be between the ages of 15 and 35. There were students from Burkina, Mali, Mali, Cote D'Ivoire, Liberia, Gabon, Guinea and even Senegal.

There were over 1,000 youth at this conference, and what an Incredible sight it was. Words do not come close to explaining what it is like to Worship with brothers and sister unknown until this moment as you stand in awe of the Lord together.

This is the complex that held all 1,000 students. The conference was held at a very nice University in Cote D'Ivoire.

A group from each country had a play, song, or dance to perform This was a group who did a really funny and powerful skit that related to the theme, "What will you as a Christian do for an African in crisis."

I think the most powerful and indescribable part of this entire time was the worship, and the freedom I saw in the eyes of these people as they danced their hearts out to the Lord. Everytime the songs began people jumped out of their seats and without shame, no matter where they were, in the stands, in the chairs, in the center of the floor, in the hallways, they began to dance. Alone or surrounded by a group of people all you saw when you looked around was pure and honest worship to our Great and majestic God. My heart envied the joy and freedom they felt as I felt parts of my heart held captive to the 'cultural norm' of the American church which says clapping is the extent of what is acceptable, anything beyond is ludicrous.

One afternoon was planned as sight seeing, we were supposed to go to the Basilica, which is a Roman Catholic church constructed between 1985 and 1989 costing over $300 million, making it the largest Basilica in the world to this day. We headed out to the buses at 2:30, but due to the African way of life we were standing outside waiting until nearly 4 until anyone got on a bus. It was complete chaos getting on, there is absolutely no organization here and people were pushing and shoving and waiting for their name to be called. Finally our bus was full and ready to leave, then out of no where the engine turns off and people start to unload. Apparently the bus drivers were upset with the conduct of the students so they wanted everyone off, this happened 2 times and by 5:00 we left and gave up on the idea of getting there, only to see a bus pull out at 5:30. The cultural way in Africa is very different and sometimes stressful.

After our failed attempt at the sightseeing of the city we settled for sightseeing of the campus. This was a grand idea minus the fact that everywhere we went, every person at the conference wanted their picture with us and our contact info (Because we were the only white people). I am not over exaggerating when I say that we took nearly 800 + pictures with people. After 2 days my face literally hurt, something I never thought possible in my life. I have determined to never be famous after those 2 days and now have a great compassion for all who are.

The school had this incredible wall mural covered in tiles that was a hot spot for pictures, amidst the chaos of pictures with everyone else we were able to sneak a few of our own, as proof on our own cameras that we were there.

Jumping pictures were a hit, we even managed to get one guy to jump too, they loved watching us try to get the perfect picture.

Every night's worship formed into a 'congo' line for our King. Somehow no matter the song, regardless of the country every person was out of their seat, step in step with each other, united by the bonds of love and the desire to give praise to our King. This was one of my favorite dances, in which I participated (none of those pictures turned out at all). Letting those walls drop in my heart that said 'you're an american you can't go out there, you dont' know the steps, you will look like a fool,' was like throwing a 10 ton rock off my shoulders. I am free in Christ, because of what He has already done for me, who am I not to give Him the praise due to His name. This was a night of liberation, a night of Praise, in a language I didn't understand I found such unity and joy amongst my brothers and sisters who's hearts were focused solely on the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, God eternal.


Through this entire week I learned multitudes about who I am in a culture unknown, I have thanked God for the ability to adapt and the patience needed to do so. I have been given a longing to learn the language so much more, something I have been praying about for quite some time. I have learned what it means to stand out and to be observed at every second, what a witness truly is and what it means to break down the walls of cultural traps to let freedom reign in my life wheter in the familiar or the absurd. I am beyond thankful for this experience and know that this is a time that has left an impact on my life.

In all Honesty

Today has been one of those days, one of the ones you plan for and yet at the end somehow find yourself blown away. One of those days you are amazed, humbled, challenged, and drained. Today I found myself doing what I love, teaching children how to brush their teeth and enjoying every sweaty second of games. After french we went out to Sector 30 once again, but this time to distribute toothbrushes to the Compassion International children, my goal for today was that I would be able to do a presentation in french for these children on how to brush their teeth and I succeeded. I feel like all the language study I have been doing is paying off. Tonight was also bible study for the 'interns' and it never fails that every week I am blown away once again by the power of prayer. We are studying a book titled "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets and every night I leave with a heavier burden to be on my knees. I have learned so much in these past two weeks about releasing the power of God through our prayers. I have also been asking God to make me a woman of prayer and to continuously lay people on my heart and in my path to pray for. There are a few that I want to share here and ask you to join me in praying for them, praying specifically that Satan would be bound in their lives and that God would give them dreams and visions of who he is.
-Virginie's Husband:
Virginie is our wonderful house girl who came to know and love Christ at some point in her recent past and is married (by culture) to a man who is a very obedient Muslim. In October they are getting legally married and it has been really difficult for her to live with someone who is not a believer. His family also despises Virginie and she desperately wants for them to come to know Christ.

-My Parents

-Momani
He is my french professor, an incredibly delightful and enthusiastic man to be around. He is a devoted Muslim as well but I desperately think that the Lord is working on his heart and trying to capture his devotion. Almost every student Momani has had has been an American Christian Missionary and I would just ask that you pray the same for him. I am hoping to have him help me with my testimony and the Gospel in french, pray for those things to speak loudly to his heart.

Also be in prayer as this next week is the Field Forum and I am leading the Children's program. The end of field forum means that I need to have made alot of decisions based on ministry and where I want my time to be spent serving. I have alot of options right now and I really need guidance in where to serve. (I will keep you updated on that as soon as things get set in place)

There's no place I would rather be....

Have you ever had those moments, the ones where life stands still and you can't help but wonder how you got where you are? I live life in those moments. Everyday I am mesmerized by how I got to where I am, captivated by moments that take my breath away. Moments where there is no room for words, these are the times that leave me changed....

When a baby falls asleep in your arms as life speeds on around you...

When your arrival at church brings countless arms clinging to yours in hopes of one hug...

Or when so many hands are cupped in yours that there is no room to move...

when the face of a child brings tears to your eyes because you can finally see past your own little world and into theirs...

When laughter rings throughout the entire group because of one little boys 'trash'

When giving out toothbrushes causes children to bow in unspeakable gratefulness of a gift...

When you stand in the middle of a group of children and realize that you are surrounded by great darkness and you might just be the only light....

When you realize the little things you take for granted are treasured moments remembered these children...

When you look into a little boys eyes, and see past the mouth that brings him utter shame and feel the pain of overwhelming worthlessness he feels....

And when you look into the eyes of the baby that won't let you go and know that this beautiful child may not make it past the age of 5 you are changed.....