Amazing Grace

My encounters in Senegal never cease to amaze me. Yesterday when I was beginning to feel tired and hot, we sang Amazing Grace as we walked and I felt instantly uplifted. Chi kanum (later), we took about 50 kids to the beach, and had a blast. The little girls loved burying me in sand and putting my hair in lettes (braids). There are so many amazing details to write about, but French keyboards are confusing and Babakar is waiting to use it. Hopefully we will make more visits to the internet cafe in the next week.

Ba Chi Kanum.

Greetings from Guereo!

My heart is so full right now. I have been in the village for two days, and I am in love with this place. The night sky is gorgeous, not anything like the sky we see in Amerik (America). I love the people here so much, especially the entourage of children that follow us wherever we go, but it is so sad that they dont know Yessu (Jesus). Even so, seeing these kids light up when we smile at them and hold their hand is the most satisfying thing in the world. Baay, Yaay, Hadi, and the rest of the family has been so hospitable to us. They are constantly trying to serve us, even when we are content. I love the coffee, tea, and soda here and the food is pretty nexxna (good), too. I dont even have words to express how much I love this place. Hopefully I will have another day of computer access to update again.

Ba beneen yon.

Yacine

Assala Malekum from Africa!

I am safely in Senegal. We're staying at a missionary's house for a few hours to get some sleep before heading to the village. Their house is beautiful and I absolutely love it here thusfar. Unfortunately, people are waiting to use the computer, so hopefully a longer update will come later.

It's about that time.

May 10th has arrived. In twelve hours, I will be boarding a plane to Washington D.C. After changing flights in D.C., I will be arriving in Dakar, Senegal! My bags are packed, my iPod is synced, and the camera is charged.

I'm going to try to update as much as possible on here (we're supposed to have internet access). Please feel free to leave me comments. Or you can send me e-mails at jpsmit6@uky.edu. I would absolutely love to hear from friends and family while I am gone!

Be praying for our group, as well as the people of Senegal. Pray for their hearts to be open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ci turu Yeesu Kirist

"What are you doing this summer, Jazmin?"

"Well, I am going to Africa."

I've had this conversation probably over 50 times in recent months. At first, I announced my trip to Africa so casually. Now, when I tell people about this trip, it comes out in a panicky voice masked by an excited smile. It's real now. I'm leaving in less than three days. I'm absolutely filled with joy and excitement, but the panic and fear is still there.

But none of my fears and worries matter, because my God is so good. I have faith that He will provide. It's going to be frustrating at times, especially with the language barrier, but we've been called for a reason: to make His name known. We may not be able to flat-out tell them who Jesus is and hand them a Bible, but we CAN show them Christ. Respecting their faith and showing them Christ in us through our actions can make a larger impact than we sometimes realize.

So what am I up to this summer?

Well...

I am going to Africa in three days. Senegal, Africa, to be more specific. I am traveling with eight others and I can't wait to spend two weeks with them. I am living in the village for twelve days, learning the Senegalese way of life. I am going to speak very broken Wolof and probably do a lot of pantomiming to communicate with others. I am going to love on children and work in a medical clinic. I am going to build relationships and show people who Christ is.

Best Christmas Songs

I'm a huge fan of Christmas music.  I usually try to avoid Christmas anything before Thanksgiving, but I listened to my Christmas CD two days before Thanksgiving this year. So I'm ranking my ten favorite Christmas tunes, which is a lot cooler than ranking Christmas movies. 

10. Do You Hear What I Hear?

In third grade, I played the star in the Mt. Washington Elementary Christmas play.  By that, I mean that I wore a sweatsuit with stars on it and carried the Star of Bethlehem on a pole.  This was the song playing when I walked out, so it holds a dear place in my heart.

9. Mary, Did You Know?

If you have ever seen the Christmas play at First Baptist Church in Mt. Washington, then this may be one of your favorites, too.  Every year, I looked forward to Eric Rouse singing this song. They stopped doing the Christmas play last year, so I will probably never hear his wonderful rendition again. :(

8. Merry Christmas from the Family

I was listening to the Dixie Chicks version of this song before I was even old enough to be allowed to hear it.  It's hilarious and sort of reminds me of my extended family.

7. O Come All Ye Faithful

This is another song I learned from being in the elementary Christmas plays.  I also loved when Hanson sang it in a Christmas medley. Anything that Hanson sings is okay in my book.

6. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

This song says the word "peace" a lot. I like peace.  I also like Casting Crowns singing this song.  

 

5. New Again

I'm not really sure if it's a Christmas song, but it's on Sara Evans' Christmas CD and on the radio this time of year.  The message is amazing and it's a beautiful song.  Also, I sang it at Calvary's Christmas 10:55 with some incredibly talented musicians, so that was awesome.

4. Little Drummer Boy

This has been a favorite since I was super young.  I love when Josh Groban sings it.  It is also Angela's (The Office) all-time favorite song and my mom's favorite Christmas song.

3. Breath of Heaven

This song is just so pretty and another favorite from First Baptist's Christmas play.  The Jessica Simpson version is horrible, though.  Always go for Amy Grant.

2. O Holy Night

I almost always get chills from this song. The Barlow Girl version is amazing, but I like this song no matter who sings it.  

1.  Carol of the Bells

Nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit like Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells". When I hear this song, I know I'm ready for Christmas.  Nothing can beat this one.  Except maybe hearing it live.  Hopefully that will happen next year.

Trying to be a rational consumer

I'm contemplating an investment that I never thought would cross my mind.  I might buy a bicycle. But here's the deal...I didn't even like riding bikes as a child. Also, I don't even know if I could still ride one.  As of late, I've been thinking about this investment every time I see a bike (which is pretty often on a campus the size of UK's).  And since most aspects of my life involve some sort of list-making, of course I made a pro/con list. 

Pro

1. I HATE driving.

2. I could get to class much faster.

3. CO2 emission from cars is bad news.

4.  Bikes are 2/3 more efficient than cars (Yes, I looked that up).

5.  I can skip a lot of Lexington traffic by riding a bike.

6.  I would get more exercise.

7. I will save a ton of money on gas.

Con

1.  I don't know if I could still ride one.

2. I don't understand the bike laws.

3.  I don't think I could make it up the hill on Rose Street.  Seriously. 

4. Those tiny bike lanes sort of terrify me.  Streets without a bike lane would be even more terrifying.

5. It will mess my hair up.  

6.  I would have to spend a considerable amount of money to purchase a bike. 

I guess the pros outweigh the cons, just barely, but I'm still a little uneasy about it.  If anyone wants to give insight regarding my possible investment or wants to take me bike shopping, please feel free to do so.