Our trip to Dakar turned out to be much longer – and more productive than we had originally thought.  We planned to be in Dakar for 4 or 5 days and ended up being there for two weeks!  But what a lot we accomplished while we were there!

The SIM Team Council meetings went well and lots was accomplished.  The girls and I also were able to get a lot of school done, even thought we brought school for 4 days and ended up doing two weeks of school.

Wheaton’s passport needed to be renewed and that was accomplished smoothly.  A trip that usually takes all morning was completed in two hours.

Corey and Katie and the girls went to the Wolof Youth Camp held for believing and seeking youth in the Kaffrine area and had 65 youth attend.  Visit http://garrett.with.sim.org/prayer for more about the camp.

I was able to order a new pair of glasses.  They had to be sent to France to be made, so we left Dakar without them, but I have received them now.  Thankfully, just at the right time since the super glue holding the others gave way and I ended up with the old ones taped together till the new ones arrived.

Two of the girls were able to get the 1^st and 2^nd in a series of rabies prevention shots.  Katie, Emma and I visited the dentist and got our teeth cleaned – and NO cavities for anyone!  I was also able to get some of the medicines I take on a regular basis.  We had been told they were not available in Senegal, so finding this pharmacy in Dakar that carries them was a real blessing.

My car was worked on by the mechanic and all the check engine lights go off and it starts up with ease AND I got new shock absorbers installed.  It rides like a new car now!

My shipment from Abu Dhabi was reported in the dock, but wasn’t delivered to the guest house until 3 days before we actually returned to Kaffrine!  Corey hired a truck that brought all my boxes to Kaffrine.  I have unpacked most of them and discovered some things I wanted discarded were included, and some things I needed were not.  So I am figuring out how to manage with the parts I do have!  Overall, I have most of what I wanted and needed and need to find a place for everything.

My leg is well on the way to recovery, and I can tell it is improving in strength every day.

I have been in Senegal for three whole months!  It has gone so fast, but now we need to have the paperwork in place for my residence permit, and we are missing some documentation that is required.  Oct. 21st: I have a one month extension so I can get the police report from Abu Dhabi.

We have a few weeks ahead of us that should follow a regular schedule until mid November.  Katie and I will go to the English-Speaking Missionary Women’s Retreat in Dakar, November 12-14.  We are looking forward to seeing friends from other missions who live and minister in different places around Senegal and having a spiritually refreshing experience together.

Check out new photos on the Pictures tab!

Praises:

• Thanks for all the things accomplished in Dakar: SIM Council; Wolof Camp; Wheaton’s passport; car repaired; dentist visit; glasses ordered; and my boxes delivered.
• Safe travel to and from Dakar, and safe navigation for me driving in Dakar.

Prayer Requests:

• Timely completion of unpacking – that it won’t drag on and I will quickly be able to discern what to keep and what to discard.
• Acquiring the paperwork needed for my resident’s permit and getting everything processed in a timely fashion.
• Protection for my health.  Rainy season is over so dust is increasing.
• School schedule will settle down and I will be able to get a whole day of school done with all three girls on a regular basis.