On buying food

I've been cooking quite a lot recently, as Boaz and LaRae have left for their Christmas vacation, and the lady who usually helps LaRae to cook has also taken off for the month. I've kept careful track of what I buy at the market so that I can learn how to cook things economically here. I thought some of you would be interested to see the things I've gotten at the market the past three trips. 

November 10, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Salt	1 kilo	150 CFA (0.33)
Potatoes	2 kilos	1,300 CFA (2.88)
Banana	1 hand (8)	500 CFA (1.11)
Lentils	1 kilo	900 CFA (2.00)
Cornmeal	2 kilos	700 CFA (1.55)
Onions	2 kilos	600 CFA (1.33)
Baking Powder	250 grams	500 CFA (1.11)
Garlic	1/2 kilo	500 CFA (1.11)
Carrots	1 kilo	1,000 CFA (2.22)
Ginger	1/4 kilo	600 CFA (1.33)
Powdered milk	1 bag	1,500 CFA (3.33)
Green Olives	1 jar	750 CFA (1.67)

• Conversion based on the exchange rate of 450 CFA / $1.00 USD... this is usually variable between 450-500 CFA / $1.00 USD. 

November 13, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Sugar	2 kilos	1300 CFA (2.88)
Spaghetti	4 packages	1600 CFA (3.55)
Couscous	2 kilos	1600 CFA (3.55)
Potatoes	2 kilos	1200 CFA (2.66)
Tomatoes	1 kilo	1500 CFA (3.33)
Peanut Butter	2 kilos	2000 CFA (4.44)
Bananas	11 bananas	700 CFA (1.55)
Tomato Paste	2 large cans	2,100 CFA (4.66)
Cabbage	1 kilo (4 small heads)	1,000 CFA (2.22)
Chives	1 small bunch	100 CFA (0.22)
Parsley	1 small bunch	100 CFA (0.22)

November 17, 2011

Item	Quantity	Cost -- CFA / ($)*
Bananas	10	500 CFA (1.11)
White Flour	2 kilos	950 CFA (2.11)
Onions	2 kilos	600 CFA (1.33)
Chives	1 bunch	100 CFA (0.22)
Beans	1 kilo	700 CFA (1.55)
Couscous	2 kilos	1600 CFA (3.55)
Grapefruit	3	500 CFA (1.11)

This week

This week I've worked on:

1. Clearing under the Cashew and Mango trees with a machete on the west side of the Dispensaire. I'm slow with a machete, but God has been helping me, and with Boaz's help on Friday -- we've cleaned up a modestly encouraging amount of land. 

2. Taking care of the Baby that has come under Boaz and LaRae's care while LaRae was getting things in town. I don't have any experience in caring for infants (she's about 1 month old), but I've discovered some interesting things in the process of trying to accustom my clumsy hands to the care of such a fragile thing: 

A) Changing cloth diapers isn't too bad. 

B) Baby seemed to calm down and sleep better when I set her beside my computer which was softly playing Brandenburg #5! 

3. Studying french.

4. Cleaning up a 1969 vintage baby incubator. I prayed that God would help the machine to work after I plugged it in, and miraculously enough, the machine's glow-light shone reassuringly and heat began to slowly radiate from the element! With a little electrical tape to cover some exposed wires, we now have an operating incubator for the maternity ward. Praise God!

5. My current housemate (Kintino Biaye) contracted a bad case of Malaria during the week. I was up with him at 2:00 AM one morning to go to rout the nurse out of bed and to get some ampules of Quinine-Resorcine ("Paluject") out of the pharmacy. He spent the rest of the night and a day in the Dispensaire connected to an IV, and now is doing better. Keep him in your prayers! 

6. Working on weeding, trellising, and watering in the Garden. Continued experimentation with Neem tree pesticides. Garden time makes me happy!

Here are two lessons that I've thought of this week:

1. Boaz and LaRae have taught me a lot about thinking about the sustainability of the various plans you set in place in any project. As I worked in the fields this week, I realized that -- as much as I believe that I am making a contribution -- the grass and shrubs will inevitably grow back when I am gone. As I reflected on this, I thought of the only truly sustainable thing that we can do in life: make relationships that lead others to a transformative relationship with Christ. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1: 16-17 English Standard Version

2. It is a gift to give. This is a hard paradox to express, but here's a crack at it. 

When we give to receive, we will not receive enough to keep on giving. When we give without expecting to receive, Christ, the author of this otherwise impossible act, will fill us overwhelming satisfaction and joy. 

Some things I'm especially thankful for this week:

1. God's love and protection, his judgements and mercies. 

2. My wonderful, wonderful, fiancée Martina! 

3. The chance to work with my hands. 

Bird List

I've been trying to identify some birds while I'm here. To be honest, some of the birds on this list are as mundane as a Crow in America (see Pied Crow) ... but as a complete novice, I'm happy with what might be boring to a better birder.

That brings up an interesting point.

I've discovered the joy of observing birds only in the past two years. My newfound incompetence is matched only by my budding enthusiasm. My work in Senegal has brought me into contact with a rich variety of new birds, and each bird that I see is a peculiar blessing from God. Other things that I've had a liking for (I think of collecting stamps when I was little) have faded away into obscurity. I certainly hope that the familiarity and competence that I hope to someday gain as I watch birds will not make me lose the joy of simply watching them, and delighting in each one. This makes me think of my walk with Christ.

 ⁴Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 ⁵Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 2:4-5 KJV

Great White Pelican

Hamerkop

Yellow-billed Stork

Pied Crow

African Finfoot

Laughing Dove

Speckled Pigeon

Piapiac (aka African Magpie)

Blue-Breasted Kingfisher

African Pygmy Kingfisher

White-Crowned Robin-Chat

Northern Red Bishop

Lavender Waxbill

Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu

Red-Billed Firefinch

Pin-Tailed Whydah