Five weeks ago we moved from the Casamance (southern region) to Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

We moved from Cap Skirring to Dakar 5 weeks ago, and we’ve pretty much been moving non-stop as we take over this new responsibility of managing our mission guesthouse. It’s exciting and it’s overwhelming…all at the same time!

- There are things that need to be fixed and/or changed {asap}.

- There are maids and guards that need to be overseen.

- Reservations need to be done. {Oh no! We don’t have a crib for room #4!}

- There are people coming and going, checking-in and checking-out.

- There are unexpected water leaks and power issues. 

- Supplies need to be stocked.

- Scheduling of the workers needs to be done.

- Someone’s fridge stopped working.

- Beggars stop by the gate asking for money.

- There are airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

- Workers need to be paid.

- Guests need to be welcomed and shown to their rooms.

[Don't forget to leave room for life in general, language mistakes, and cross-cultural miscommunications, haha!]

Hopefully that gives you an idea of what our new job / ministry looks like! We are SO happy to be here, in a role that we really feel fits who we are, and we’re thankful for God’s grace as we {try} to take it one day at a time!

A few RANDOM facts about the guesthouse:
+ There are 10 rooms available here.
+ This place can sleep up to 30 guests {hello, bunk beds}.
+ We’ve already met a family from Switzerland, a guy from Madagascar, and a girl from Jenn’s hometown: Greeley, Colorado!
+ Roxy is often a celebrity when kids come to stay or visit.
+ New Tribes Missionaries are given the cheapest rate {about $7 per night, per adult}.
+ We have co-workers spread out all over Senegal and in other West African countries, and if an emergency arose, we would do everything possible to make arrangements for them to stay here. Snake bite? Eye injury? Hope not! But we will try to have a place ready!
+ The current house workers have been here for 20+ years!

One of the rooms.

Shawn talking with the day and night guards.

Two former guesthouse hostesses with some of the African workers.

Thankful to be figuring it out, one day at a time, and adapting well to a new routine,
s&j