May 30th Posting for Brooke

This is Brooke's mom posting.

We spoke with Brooke on Wednesday. She is doing well and seems to be really enjoying her time in Senegal.

She is living in a village with her African family. She says that it is very hot and she is sweating alot! She has learned to really appreciate her bucket showers!

She has started teaching English, mostly so far in the home that she is living in. There are quite a few people living in the home, she said that it changes daily, but usually 6-8 women and 2 men. They have TV and the family likes to watch it. The funny thing is it is dubbed in French. So they watched Extreme Makeover in Africa dubbed in French!

Brooke says that she is picking up the Wolof language. She said that she communicates well with the preschoolers since they are on the same language level! She is also doing some work in the medical clinic too.

She has gone to the market and is learning to barter for goods. She is very excited - she bought fabric and a tailor is going to make her an African outfit. She has been on a taxi ride and a horse and carriage ride to get to different places.

A very cool thing - the family that she and her roommate live with are Muslim, but they know that the girls pray for before meals. Brooke said the family pauses and waits for them to pray before they begin eating. She is planning to translate a prayer into Wolof so she can offer her grace in their language.

She is healthy so far and says the food is fine. But, of course, Brooke is one of the most unpicky people ever! There are right on the coast but she says the beach there is not very clean. Too bad since Brooke loves the beach so much.

Please continue to lift Brooke up in prayer. It is still a long time until she comes home! (At least it is to her mom!)