"Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles"

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-

God took up Daniel once again, 

Stood by his side - and miracle of miracles-

Walked him through the lions den!

Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles-

I was afraid that God would frown,

But like he did so long ago, at Jericho,

God just made a wall fall down!

When Moses softened Pharaoh's heart, that was a miracle.

When God made the waters of the red sea part, 
That was a miracle too!

But all of God's miracles large and small,

The most miraculous one of all

Is hat out of a worthless lump of clay,

God has made a man today

                                                                                 ~Fiddler on the Roof

Or in my case, a woman today. What am I referring to you might ask? My language exam! I achieved a level of "intermediate-mid" which means that I passed and do not have to stay for an extra week of language training! WOOHOO! On the one hand, this is great news. I have worked really hard over the last week or so to bump up my Pulaar abilities. On the other hand, I am terrified. But I don't think having an extra week here would have helped with it, if anything, I would just be terrified for longer. This way I'll have the week that I'm not at the center for extra language help, to be in my village, getting over my all-encompassing, paralyzing fear (It's possible that I'm being just a smidgen on the dramatic side right now...). 

Another triumph today, the fabric that I dropped off at the tailor's on Monday has been successfully turned into clothing! What an amazing feat! I'm so impressed with people that can literally make something out of nothing. To me, it's mind-baffling that a piece of fabric can be turned into an A-line wrap skirt that even has pockets. It is truly remarkable. I am a little concerned that now that I have learned that it is indeed true that you can design your own clothes and have them made for you at approximately $6 an item that I'm not going to be able to stop. Only time will tell. And here's some incentive for everyone. If you come to visit, I will take you to get some awesome African clothes of your own. Just something to think about. 

Tomorrow is our reception for our host families. They will all come to the Thies Training Center where we will dance, eat good food, drink delicious bissap juice and just generally have a good time. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to invite one person from our families. I believe that my Neene is coming which will be great. I just wish that she had also been allowed to bring my 11 year-old sister, Ami. As a show of thanks and appreciation, I will be wearing the outfit that my family had made for me. I will be covered from head to toe in bright orange fabric with birds all over. Please feel free to scroll back through my posts if you would like a visual. I will try to get more pictures tomorrow during the festivities. 

On a note unrelated to Africa, Senegal, the Peace Corps or Health in any way, I am currently in the middle of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five." Let me just say, Vonnegut was one strange dude. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not enjoying the book, it's just not really what I was expecting. The one downside to a kindle is that you can't read the blurb on the back cover before you start. I am quite enjoying exploring the concept of "free will." Now there's something for me to sit and ponder in my hut in the middle of the bush. I will stare up at my ceiling, commune with the Tralfamadorians and possibly, even become unstuck in time myself. "So it goes" (Vonnegut; Slaughterhouse Five). 

Asalaa maaleku,

Rachel