Weekend Getaway...

Two weeks ago I was excited to head out of town for a weekend away with the Dakar Academy staff. This was a treat for two reasons. First, the Saly resort area is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours outside Dakar so we got to see a little more of the country. I am still fascinated by the things I see every time I get outside my little neighborhood, but it was the first time since arriving in August that we left Dakar. We drove through some smaller villages and admired the lush greenery that will disappear in the not-too-distant future when dry season is upon us. Second, I was anticipating a weekend of doing nothing but lying in the sun, swimming, and reading. And that's exactly what I did. Darl and Jill Powell our facilities gurus organized everything and went above and beyond to make sure we were all enjoying ourselves. They are truly amazing! The kind of people I wish you could all know.

It was fun to see the staff more at ease, or at least not rushing around between classes, coordinating students, or the millions of other things that we are all normally so busy doing.

I spent so long in the pool that I was afraid my face would start to look as pruny as my hands and feet. For those of you who are concerned (*ahem* Nichole) I took every precaution in applying sunscreen and did not experience any burn whatsoever. I was just disappointed that I hadn't remembered to take my wide-rimmed sun hat. When I wasn't in the pool I was reading by the pool or eating delicious food from the buffet. In the evenings we played games and painted our toenails (not the ENTIRE staff ;) and continued to get to know people we hadn't connected with before then.

Saturday evening and Sunday morning we had worship services. Saturday we were each asked to share what we were thankful for. I shared that I am thankful that God is sovereign and that He has my best interests at heart. Sunday we were asked to share our 'life' verse or a verse that is meaningful to us. The passage I chose, a promise I hold onto, is Philippians 4:6-7

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

It was a fabulous weekend, but like most vacations, it was over too soon. That's not to say the ride how was without some excitement.

About ten minutes away from the resort our bus (a charter bus) was sideswiped by another large bus and the window where Kari and I were sitting was smashed. Kari was at the window seat and had a few minor scratches. Our colleague behind us was not seriously injured, but she did have hundreds of microscopic slivers of glass that we spent an hour removing from her skin with tweezers and tape. Just to add to the excitement we were simultaneously experiencing a torrential downpour. If I have learned one thing since arriving in Senegal, life is never boring.


The villas.


Our villa.


The fancy handle in the middle of the door. I felt like I was staying in Whoville. The stripes (not photographed) and colour palette, but especially the big gold doorknobs created a fun ambiance for my imagination.


The luxurious pool. How I miss it.


Poolside bar and outdoor lounge area.