September Edition
Hi,
how are you? I apologize for not writing before this - either to update you on my life, or to send this out earlier. I decided I would use this prayer letter as an opportunity to share with you what has been going on this past month, and some of the thoughts I have had.
Things have been really great since I arrived. The first few days of being back were days spent getting settled in and attending orientation meetings. I pretty much got settled in on my first day as I chose to unpack and put things away rather than take a nap after the long trip.
There were two sets of orientation - for new staff and then for all staff. The all staff orientation was a lot of the same - the purpose of which was to remind old-timers of things. In new staff orientation, I found that there was not much that I did not know (if the double negatives were as confusing to you as they were to me, in other words (to put it bluntly), I knew most of it) we had tours of the city and the neighborhood - I knew much of what they told us in this case as I have lived in Dakar off and on my entire life. We learned about the school - its history, who the owning missions are, school events that happen, and more. There were a few things that apply to staff only that I was not aware of - such as office procedures or financial stuff (ironic since that is where I am working), but I have a sister who is a staff member, a mom who was a board member, and (once again) have been around DA for years so I knew quite a bit. We also took a cultural seminar where we learned it is inappropriate for a woman to look a man in the eye or the woman will give the wrong signal - this is not something I ever learned as I was growing up (not to undermine my parents, maybe it is simply not like that in Kayes), but I thought it was interesting. We also learned about MKs and TCKs, this was like being back in high school again. In that in my junior and senior years I learned a lot about MKs and TCKs and their tendencies. Please pray that although I have grown up here and am an American-African, that this time in my life will be a time of learning; learning about life, cultures, people, accounting, and God.
We learned about staying healthy in Senegal where they said to drink lots of water (check!) and to take a malaria prophylactic (is that the right word?). There is now this really cool kit one can purchase from a pharmacy where you can test your blood to see if you are positive for malaria. We also learned that the mosquitoes that carry malaria are only out from dusk until dawn. So while you may get bit during the day and itch like crazy from it - don't worry, you will not get malaria. I thought that was interesting. Also, that the mosquitoes here carry the deadliest form of malaria.
The most common question that I have received while being here is: Is it weird for you to be at DA as a staff member? Or some variation thereof. I suppose many others may wonder the same so I will answer, no. It is not strange. It feels right. Four years ago I graduated from DA and was no longer a student and became an alumni. Being my graduation from DA and my return to DA as a staff member I came back three times as an alumni to visit family and friends. Those times when I visited were neither as staff nor as student so I became adjusted to not being a student. Now I am a staff member. I feel that because I have been to DA as a non-student that enabled me to quickly adjust to being a staff member. The only truly weird thing is having people who know me a bit call me "Miss Bowers". She may not appreciate this, but I feel that title belongs to my sister, not to me. As the years go by and the students become those with whom I was not a contemporary/peer/fellow student, it will be easier. Please pray that I will find my purpose here. I know without a doubt that God called me to be here this year, all the events that led up to this (really, my whole life if I think about it) shout this to me. But I want my time here to be more than a job, I want it to be a ministry. Although I have only been here a month, I already wonder whether I will stay beyond my two year commitment. I want to, but when that time comes, God may have another plan for me.
I think the thing that I will struggle with the most is food. In that I mean that vegetables are the cheapest option, but I don't like vegetables. So I will have to learn to make foods that have vegetables in them in such a way that I can't tell they are there. I have heard several people say since I have been here that one of the most difficult things for them in moving here was having to think of something to eat every night. No offense to those people, but I don't understand why this would be such a struggle. They, or I, would have to do the same if we were in the States. Especially me. By this I mean that people in the States use ready made foods and mixes A LOT. I did not know what it meant for something to be made from scratch until I was probably 14 or 15. What I mean is that I did not know there was any way of cooking other than from scratch until that point. I am blessed to have grown up in Africa in this way because it means I do not rely on mixes so much as others might. Pray that while I am here I will develop a love (nothing is impossible with God) or at least a tolerance for vegetables.
The first week or so that I was here my roommate, Lauren, and I were blessed to not have to make our own meals. That was great because it furthered enabled us to settle in and get in the routine of things. Another great thing is that before I arrived I had been told that housing would provide us with some food to get us started, but they were in fact so generous! We found a bounty of fruits, vegetables, staples (powdered milk, sugar, jelly, flour, mayonaise, cheese, and more), and cleaning supplies. We found our kitchen to have all the necessary pots and pans and tupperware for a well-stocked kitchen, as well as wash cloths, hand towels, and floor rags. Our bedrooms were also beautiful with large closets, desks, and beautiful decorations. All in all, I was so surprised at how wonderful the apartment has been. I should not have doubted that we would be provided for when they told us we would be, but this was above and beyond expectations. Praise God! My roommate is a really sweet woman and I am honored and blessed that I am the one to introduce her to Africa and help her adjust. Pray that we will get along and will be friends. Africa is not an easy place to live for those who did not grow up here - pray that she will enjoy here time here and will find peace in her life.
In regards to school I have been getting into the routine of things (an english teacher would mark this down for using that phrase so many times, but I can't think of a better one). One of my jobs is to be the recess monitor for the elementary. I am really enjoying this. I get to learn who they are and play with them. Slowly I have been learning their names and having a great time doing so. One challenge is that there are two sets of identical (at least to me) twins in elementary and I am bad at telling twins apart - but it has been fun and they laugh at me so I know they don't mind. Pray that I will be a positive part of these kids' lives, that I will be able to encourage them, and also discipline them. Pray that I will have patience with the kids who are more difficult. Pray for the kindergarteners that this first year of school will be a good one and will have a Christ-like impact on the rest of their lives.
One thing I have started to regret since being here is not knowing French and Bambara better. Not a lot of the staff speak fluently and my french has been "borrowed" several times even though I am not fluent by any means. Half the time I catch one word that someone is saying and from there figure out what the rest of what they said was. It is fun and nice to be able to practice my french and help people out. Two of the kids in elementary are from Mali and only speak Bambara and no french. I know even less bambara then I know french so this has been challenging. But their mother is American and they are taking ESL so I know they will progress in no time. In the mean time, some of the dorm parents here are being relief dorm parents before they go back to Mali. It is such a God thing that the dorm parents that they are subbing for are gone at this time because they have a bambara phrase book that they let the Malian kid's teacher borrow for a bit. The teacher then let me look at it and it was so helpful. I hope to learn more as the year goes on. Please pray that my french and bambara will improve so that I might serve the school, students, and parents better.
I volunteered to be a sponsor for high school youth group. This is challenging because I am not an outgoing person and in high school I sat on the dorm steps every week watching people rather than joining in the different groups. I don't regret this, people would stop by and talk to me (or ask if someone had passed by), and I got to know a lot of people that way. Please pray that I will not be myself, and that instead I will be outgoing, that I will be able to form relationships with the high schoolers in a way that I can lead them more toward Christ.
Being involved in the youth group and being the recess monitor enables me to interact with all of the students except for the middle schoolers. I am hoping that I can be a math tutor for someone and if this student is in middle school that would be great. If not, that is fine because I will see them in other situations. Such as the library where I am the librarian after school for a few hours. This is a great opportunity to see all kinds of people. Please pray that I will be able to have the chance to tutor someone, whether in middle school or not I don't care. I enjoy tutoring and it is a way that I can try to instill in others a small bit of my love for math. Pray also that I will be a good librarian, with kindness and a smile for everyone who comes my way.
Another part of what I am doing here is training for the cashier's position in the business office. During the first few days I learned much, out of necessity because the main cashier was not here. Since she returned I am learning different kinds of things. Such as how things are filed, how to bill people, and more. It has all been such a valuable experience and I am so grateful for it. I also get to have the chance to get to know the cashier better and she helps me out with life stuff such as how much things cost, what goes in particular recipes, and more. Please pray that I learn this position well in a way that is honoring to God.
The third part of my time here is involved in recruitment of new staff. I have not started this part yet as the director wanted me to get used to the business office first. This week we are going to start talking about what recruiting will involve. I am excited to be able to do this as I can give a unique perspective to what DA is like. I have a few ideas in my head of ways I can help with recruitment/transitions to moving here. Pray that God will use me to bring more Godly people here as he as done so in the past.
This week the chaplain has requested my roommate and I to speak in chapel. If you know anything about me, you know I am not good about being up in front of people. So much so that one time I was playing an old woman with Alzheimer's and sounded like one because my voice was wobbling so much, and I forgot part of my speech due to nervousness! The chaplain was gracious enough to come up with an alternative way of presenting - by doing an interview format. In this way I won't have to be the only one up there, I don't have to prepare quite as much, and I can be more ready. Please pray that God will give me peace during this situation and that the students will see Christ in me.
One of the sister schools to DA, Sahel Academy was recently severely flooded. To the extent that they do not think the flooding will go down until March or April. In the mean time they need to find facilities to hold classes and also to house dorm students. Please pray for the administration of Sahel, pray that they will have wisdom in knowing what to do in this situation. Pray that the members of the school will not be discouraged during this time. And pray that they will be able to find a place to use soon so they do not lose too much time from school.
I think that is all for now. I will be posting this to my blog later in the week (hopefully by Friday), with pictures as well - ruthannebowers.blogspot.com. I hope this finds you well. Have a great day. Ruthanne
James 1:22
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