Daily Adventures

Life has been everything but boring here in The Gambia. Everything from American visitors & chasing mice to braiding hair & cutting rice.

We have been blessed to have Clair Good from EMM and David Shunkur from Kenya visiting with us and different leaders from the church and community to give direction and encouragement. They also traveled to Guinea Bissau to speak with leaders there as well. Gary & Denise had a visit from their niece and her cousin for a few days. So we have been busy providing hospitality.

Lori and I had a bit of excitement a few nights ago. We walked home to Jargu compound after a long day. All of our neighbors were inside and well on their way to sleep. We were surprised that might be able to slip inside without being asked to sit and chat for a while since that happens on most evenings. But as we walked to our door Lori saw some movement and the light of the flashlight revealed a small pack-rat. Our landlord’s wife heard our concerns and quickly stuck her head out the window and said she would be right out. As she is walking out her door she wraps her sheet around her and grabs a large brick. She then proceeds to chuck the brick at the mouse a bout a dozen times with no success. Meanwhile the rest of the compound is up and wondering what all the commotion is about. When we tell them it was a mouse Mariama Sadie said that they like to eat them because they have good meat. Lori was not impressed. The mouse eventually ran off and we were able to sleep in peace. Although we have run into small large spiders around our house.

Just yesterday as we were sitting around at the local shop with some women from our compound we were invited to go to the rice fields with some women we had not yet met. We decided that it would be a good opportunity to experience life of a true African woman. We walked out to The Bush and through muddy fields until we reached their field. They showed us how to cut the rice and let us try. It was actually quite easy and I had a lot of fun listening to the women chat about life. When we finally returned home we were covered in mud and I don’t think my feet will ever be the same. It was truly a memory I won’t forget.

I also sat for 3 hours and got my hair braided. It was very painful and my Caucasian hair doesn’t want to stay in braids. Maybe next time I’ll try something different.