Well, we're back up north for a few days. And, yes, that is the question that I'm sure will be going though my mind until we get back to the city. It's hot here and I have yet to see an ice cube. The tolerance that these people have for heat puts me to shame. It's not so bad though. I just appreciate ice cubes a lot more now.
We had a great week in Lome typing up notes and doing other very intern-like work. I LOVE having menial tasks to complete and there have been a few here and there that we've been able to do the help Chalmers staff get ready for the big training we are hosting here next week. They will be training trainers to train facilitators to train groups. Confusing I know. But so cool at the same time. Our task was to have 99 training manuals printed double sided and bound. Simple, right? I would have said so too (especially because I grew up doing that kind of stuff with my mom who happens to have everything we needed to accomplish the task in her office. Yeah, she's the bomb. And my school projects were always awesome.) But something that would have taken me an hour to do by myself at home took three days, lots of standing around, trying to communicate in French, double checking, and correcting mistakes. The American mindset in me is freaking out about how inefficient it all was, but at the same time, there's a little bit of African in me that loved the whole process. You see, for the people at the print shop, it wasn't about getting us our order as fast as they could, it was a chance to get to know us a bit. We were able to talk to the employees, whom I now consider friends. One woman even realized she is our neighbor and promised to come visit us sometime. It's all very different, but just as good. (Gotta love Kinko's though. Adding it to the list of things I'll never take for granted again.)
So after accomplishing little things like that, we headed back up north for round two of intense research. We are testing a survey that we hope to give to all (or more realistically, most at best) of the 150 savings group members here. Pray that we're asking the right questions, that we assess what we need to change quickly and that we finalize a good survey that will get us some helpful data. Also, I've really been aching to do some relational ministry. It's difficult with such an ambitious schedule and difficult language barrier, but I'm praying that these interviews and meetings will be a chance for God's children to be encouraged by one another. I don't have a lot to offer these people, but I can encourage them and pray for them and let them know that there is hope. Just as they can encourage me. Pray for relationships to be formed despite so many barriers. I just want to love people.
Quick list of things I'm thankful for: Pineapple (whatever we American's think we are eating in the states is NOT pineapple. There are no words to describe how amazing these pineapples are. They've ruined me for American pineapples forever I'm afraid.) My headlamp (it just makes me feel so prepared for life, especially when the power goes out, which it does often). For knowing how many people are praying for me. I am so encouraged by you all. Thank you.
Pray for:
~Safe travels. We take lots of motos and taxis around.
~Relationship building.
~Good research to be done. Especially concerning our survey.
~The Chalmers training next week. That God would use the trainers to do his work in Togo and other West African countries.
~Continued growth and a deeper understanding of grace. Always need that.
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