Wow! Swearing was a month ago today! That means I’ve been here almost a month. It doesn’t really seem possible. I’ve made it a month! I really am doing very well. The calls from you and Molly make a huge difference. Hanging out with Margarhita (spelling?), the Swedish woman from church who works with Bonduma, has been hugely helpful, but of course I don’t want to rely on her too much. I’m here to serve the community, not nice old Swedish women who give me gingerbread. Still, it’s wonderful to have her here. I think she has been lonely because the missionaries and the other linguist have been gone the last few months, so I think I help her too.
Anyway, I’m proud of me. I really only get anxious when I start thinking about how long 2 years is, but if I keep my mind on day-to-day, I do alright. I’m so lucky to have this family and the French skills I need to communicate. I can’t imagine making it with no support system and no language skills. And all in all, Bol is an incredible place and I’m very happy to be here.
That isn’t to say that I don’t suffer intense bouts of loneliness and homesickness. They’re terrible while they last, but I’m able to deal with the grief and not let it overwhelm me. I just have to keep chugging along. Maybe it won’t ever get easier, I don’t know, but I’m handling it now so I’m sure I can keep handling it.
Church has been very helpful too. It reminds me to be joyful and gets my head out of my struggles. The pastor was delighted to find out that I’m a preacher’s kid and he had me over for tea. He said I’m always welcome at his house. His name is Pastor Boussa, an amusingly Africanized version of Bruce to me.
Africa is hard but I’m dealing. Eventually, I hope to move beyond “dealing” to “thriving’ but that, I suppose, is going to take time and patience.
I love you all and don’t think I can articulate how much I miss you. Keep those letters and phone calls coming, they make such a difference.
