Meet Cote d'Ivoire!

Just a note: I was going to post pictures with all of this, but the internet is too slow, so I have to wait for an internet cafe! So check back in a few days to SEE the campus!

Bonjour! Je suis a Cote d'Ivoire!
I'm living at the International Christian Academy outside of Bouake, the second largest city.

The Journey Corps crew is staying in a dorm called Beth Eden. There's a girls wing and a boys wing- and a common area and kitchen in between. We all eat here for dinner. I'll do a food post in a few days.

The campus is a gorgeous 36 acres! Since this place used to be a school for MKs (missionary kids) there are classrooms, a gym, a library, many dorms, houses and apartments, 2 fields (Upper and Lower), a Chapel, basketball court, and racket ball court. I would have loved to see this place in its prime! It would be quite a sight. 10 years ago, when it was evacuated because of the war, everything grew wild and the lizards and spiders took over. The place is huge and only has about 15 Ivorians who work on the upkeep alongside Rod and Angelika now. There is also a part of the campus gated off and used by the French military and holds about 25 French officers.

For the LOST fans: this place reminds me of the Dharma Innitiative! :)

My roommate is Steph. She just recently graduated from Acadia U. with an art degree. It's been fun trying to settle in and make our room feel like home. We put pictures on the walls- its pretty homey!

An average weekday looks like this:

6.00- up and at 'em! The sun is up and already warm!
Breakfast: usually oatmeal for me. Then devotions and my own worship session with God.
8.00- group bible study begins
9.00- Class on Ivorian culture or missionary living
10.00- tea break!
10.30- French class with Beckie
12.00- lunch! usually rice and meat with sauce. (I'll post more about this later!)
2.30- West Africa Basics with Rod/ Ivorian seminar
7.00- Dinner

Some nights we have a bilingual (French and English) worship service in the library. Other nights we have small group meetings, we worship together in the common room, or watch a movie at Rod and Angelika's. Saturdays are free. I'm just starting to get into the groove of life here. Definitely a different pace. For the next 2 months we'll all be on campus learning culture basics and language and we'll continue to venture into town to practice. I'm so excited for the seminars that are scheduled to be taught by the national Ivoirians!

Oh! and I got a hair cut! it's pretty hot here, so it was kind of necessary!

That's all for now! Au revoir!