Thies life.

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So much has happened since we last updated! We finished the second phase of our French study, attended a language learning workshop, moved out of Dakar to a town called Thies, started phase 3 with a new language helper, and the kids started going to summer school! Here’s a few pictures to recap all that’s happened.

On our last day of class in Dakar, we celebrated with a delicious Senegalese meal!
On our last day of class in Dakar, we celebrated with a delicious Senegalese meal!
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We are so grateful for all the people who helped us so much in our first few months in Senegal!
Me and Janel at a workshop about learning language. Janel was with us at the missionary training center, and now we're together again here in Senegal!
Me and Janel at a workshop about learning language. Janel was with us at the missionary training center, and now we’re together again here in Senegal!
Moving day!
Moving day!
Our new neighborhood in Thies. We are really enjoying being out of the big city.
Our new neighborhood in Thies. We are really enjoying being out of the big city.
The kids playing with our Nigerian neighbors, who are also missionaries.
The kids playing with our Nigerian neighbors, who are also missionaries.
More new friends.
More new friends.
Hanging out in our new apartment.
Hanging out in our new apartment.
Our kids have started attending this Private school, which our host church meets in, and many people from our church work at. It is very close and convenient, we can see it from our house.
Our kids have started attending this Private school, which our host church meets in, and many people from our church work at. It is very close and convenient, we can see it from our house.
Right now summer school is in session, so Gracia and Calvin are attending the summer school, for us to try it out. This is a big change for them going to school in all French. While the first week of summer school has had it's challenges, it's encouraging to see our kids getting more comfortable with kids of another language and culture.
Right now summer school is in session, so Gracia and Calvin are attending the summer school, for us to try it out. This is a big change for them going to school in all French.
While the first week of summer school has had it’s challenges, it’s encouraging to see our kids getting more comfortable with kids of another language and culture.
We had a teenage girl stay with us for 5 days, while her family was out of town. Here she is teaching me to make benets.
We had a teenage girl stay with us for 5 days, while her family was out of town. Here she is teaching me to make benets.
I still can't make fish and rice exactly like the Senegalese...but with practice maybe I'll get the hang of it one day.
I still can’t make fish and rice exactly like the Senegalese…but with practice maybe I’ll get the hang of it one day.
We're now in phase 3 of our French study. Four hours each morning are spent with our language helper, listening and speaking.
We’re now in phase 3 of our French study. Four hours each morning are spent with our language helper, listening and speaking.
In this phase of the program we now do our own lesson planning.
In this phase of the program we now do our own lesson planning.
Calvin filling up water from the filter.
Calvin filling up water from the filter.
Every morning the kids go to the corner boutique to buy baguettes for breakfast.
Every morning the kids go to the corner boutique to buy baguettes for breakfast.
Here is the train we took this morning to come into Dakar for meetings.
Here is the train we took this morning to come into Dakar for meetings.

There’s so much more I want to write about…what the kids’ school’s like, about our wonderful host family, about church here….but it’ll have to wait until next time….when I have more pictures!

We really appreciate each and every prayer! If you want to pray more specifically, here’s some current things on our hearts:

The kids to continue to adjust to a new way of doing school, and to pick up more French.

Cameron and I to work hard on our French and continue to make progress.

No matter what, for us to stay connected to the Vine! It’s easy to get distracted, but we have to remember to cling to our heavenly Father!

Praise:

Our wonderful host family! They’ve gone out of their way to help us.

Our host church, just last week they officially welcomed us.

That the school is close, we are getting to know many people there, that the kids can be in the same class, and for the opportunity for them to attend summer school before beginning regular school.