My saving grace

Since coming to Guinea about a year and a half ago I have been adopted by 3 families. My host family in training, my host family in the village, and the Nortons. All 3 families have done more than their share to make this low maintenance American happy, but only the Nortons can provide for me what I need most. An escape.
Well, they are really an answer to my prayers. The Norton family consists of Tim, Heidi, and their two kids Philip and Leslie. As Lutheran missionaries with ties to the Northwest it has been a blessing to share the commonalities of home as well as for our love for Christ. I kept trying to convince myself that my spiritual needs would be met from going to Friday prayer at my village's largest mosque, hoping the holy spirit would translate the Malinke and Arabic, but the Norton's services in English, French, and Malinke are much more inviting.
One of the biggest obstacles of my service has been language. In fact, the first 3 times I cried were due to my lack of understanding of local language. And even now with how far I've progressed, nothing can compare to letting out your frustrations in your mother tongue. The Nortons have become a sort of sounding board. And with their 10+ years of living and working in West Africa, their support through prayers, their advice from experience, and their comfort through cold water and food have been so helpful with my life au village.
I don't think I could ever muster up the energy to explain to a Guinean how homesick I feel sometimes, especially on American holidays and birthdays. But the Nortons understand; and more than the moist chocolate birthday cake with sprinkles, more than the three-legged races and bobbing for oranges, more than the guest room with a fan and water bed, it's this understanding that makes me remember that home is never far.

Live in the Present

Life au village is something very hard to describe to someone. But whether you live in a mud hut in an African village or in a studio apartment in Brooklyn, there will always be things that you find simply irresistible or downright sad. As I get closer to the end of my contract of being a Peace Corps volunteer, I find myself anxious to go home, especially since the mango season is ending and the mosquitoes and humidity are becoming more of a force to reckon with. But at the same time, I know that I must not forget the home I have established here, a home that I love and will always hold close deep in my heart. Because I know that when a rude driver, a forgotten smile, or another month’s rent triggers my memory, I will find myself wanting to go back home to Guinea. The following list is something I wrote to help me live in the present and to cherish the time I have left.

I know I complain about it now----------but I will miss…

a high carbohdrate diet that consists of mostly rice----------eating the most natural, non-hormone induced foods that are ridiculously inexpensive...

my neck and back aching, raw knuckles over using a washboard----------laundry day aka swimming with the kiddies in the Niger river...

not being able to eat a sweet and tart, crunchy apple----------mango season...

losing sleep and hair from taking malaria prophylaxis---------the most vivid dreams I've ever had. What? I don't have television or any means of watching the latest Harry Potter movie!

walking through my muddy village during the rainy season----------having the bullfrogs sing me lullabies until I fall asleep...

taking bush taxis anytime in fear of losing my life----------interacting with Guineans in the closest quarters. I've met some of my best friends from traveling.

Burning my hands as I eat rice and sauce with my family---------Eating communally, 10 to a big bowl and not caring about germs. This was a big step for me since I was obsessive compulsive and a microbiology major before coming to Guinea...

Being told in Malinke "May God make you big and fat" and "May God give you lots of breast milk" while being grabbed accordingly in either the gut or the breast ----------Having people wish that God grant me anything. Benedictions are a daily part of life here...

Staying out until 11 pm every night watching the news, drinking tea, and having my ears blown off by loud Guinean music or Akon----------Hanging out with my boys, N fa Mou and Monsieur Diallo...

Hearing "Hee-how" whenever I walk in a big city because everyone thinks I am Chinese---------Having so much attention. I'm like a celebrity...well more like a Disney Character...

Fearing that a donkey stampede might catch me off guard as I go around a hut----------my watch donkey. When I return home I always get a "hee-haw" greeting without fail. It always cracks me up, making me think of Donkey from Shrek. Wait does the donkey think I'm Chinese too?