Jonathan is sitting next to me on the couch, pencil in hand, drawing out plans for our next move after France. It’s exciting and scary at the same time. We haven’t gone blog-public yet because… well, there’s not a good reason. As silly as it sounds, I think part of me felt like it was a birthday wish – if we said it out loud, it wouldn’t come true.
But this dream we’ve shared is turning into a plan. It seems as if our every action, our every motivation, is driven by this dream. So we’ve decided it’s time to put it out there. Today we’re going blog-public.
Things we do know:
- Since leaving Senegal in 2004, we’ve wanted to go back.
- Jonathan is scheduled to finish his degree in 2010.
- Kari’s job is portable.
- We are planning to move to Senegal in 2011.
Typing that last one and seeing the words appear on the screen makes me feel absolutely crazy, yet sure.
Things we don’t know:
- Where Jonathan will work
- Where we will live
- How to apply for a visa and Senegalese residency
- What to pack and how to get it there
- How to rent a house in Senegal
- How to get internet/phone/water/electricity/mailing address set up
- What the start-up costs for moving and setting up will be
- How we will pay them
- How to start a clinic
- What country/-ies we'll pay taxes in
- How we will cope with moving even further from our families
As you can see, the list of ‘don’t knows’ is much longer than the ‘do knows’. But since day one of this dream we have been continually encouraged in its pursuit and have yet to come across any good reason not to move forward on it. So we are – trusting that God will show us one step at a time what we need to know and do.
What does Jonathan want to do?
- Start or partner with an existing clinic where he can practice osteopathy
- Work three to four days a week with the Dakarois and members of the expat community (NGO workers, missionaries, Embassy workers, Peace Corps volunteers…)
- Work one or to days a week with people who can’t afford healthcare, in both Dakar and nearby villages
- Improve his Wolof so that he can practice osteopathy competently in all three languages
- Get his scuba diving certification
As I said, right now he’s sitting next to me drawing out the design for his dream clinic. I love that I married a dreamer. Not in the sense that he’s unrealistic and has his head in the clouds (ha - that is sooo not Jonathan), but he’s a dreamer in that he doesn’t allow fears or others’ expectations to limit his passions. He is 100% open to whatever God has – even though it may sound crazy sometimes – and cannonballs in.
What does Kari want to do?
- Continue her current job as a media consultant à distance
- Start a non-profit organization to provide jobs for women who are either former sex workers, HIV widows and/or have HIV.
- Plant a big ol’ garden with lots of fruits and vegetables
- Recruit teams and individuals coming out to do work with us (this could include everything from doctors to small business consultants, art teachers to nutritionalists…)
- Provide hospitality for other Americans in Senegal who need a break or an escape so that they can continue their work refreshed
- Blog
What can you do?
- Keep us posted. My email address is linked to the right. We’d love to have your input, advice, recommendations, suggestions… For example, if you come across an article on starting a non-profit organization or learn of a company that ships luggage overseas inexpensively – let us know!
- Connect us. Do you know someone who is doing similar work? Do you know of an organization that provides health insurance for people living abroad? Get us connected with them, please.
- Join us. A big part of our dream is to bring in others to work with us. That could be spending 10 days teaching women a craft that they can sell to support their families, two weeks playing soccer with Talibes (child beggars) and treating their scabies infections, helping us find grants to fund community garden projects, or mailing a package of American foods for us to make ‘encouragement baskets’ for other Americans working in Senegal.
- Pray for us. We don’t know how to do any of this. We just know that right now, it’s all we want to do.
But this dream we’ve shared is turning into a plan. It seems as if our every action, our every motivation, is driven by this dream. So we’ve decided it’s time to put it out there. Today we’re going blog-public.
Things we do know:
- Since leaving Senegal in 2004, we’ve wanted to go back.
- Jonathan is scheduled to finish his degree in 2010.
- Kari’s job is portable.
- We are planning to move to Senegal in 2011.
Typing that last one and seeing the words appear on the screen makes me feel absolutely crazy, yet sure.
Things we don’t know:
- Where Jonathan will work
- Where we will live
- How to apply for a visa and Senegalese residency
- What to pack and how to get it there
- How to rent a house in Senegal
- How to get internet/phone/water/electricity/mailing address set up
- What the start-up costs for moving and setting up will be
- How we will pay them
- How to start a clinic
- What country/-ies we'll pay taxes in
- How we will cope with moving even further from our families
As you can see, the list of ‘don’t knows’ is much longer than the ‘do knows’. But since day one of this dream we have been continually encouraged in its pursuit and have yet to come across any good reason not to move forward on it. So we are – trusting that God will show us one step at a time what we need to know and do.
What does Jonathan want to do?
- Start or partner with an existing clinic where he can practice osteopathy
- Work three to four days a week with the Dakarois and members of the expat community (NGO workers, missionaries, Embassy workers, Peace Corps volunteers…)
- Work one or to days a week with people who can’t afford healthcare, in both Dakar and nearby villages
- Improve his Wolof so that he can practice osteopathy competently in all three languages
- Get his scuba diving certification
As I said, right now he’s sitting next to me drawing out the design for his dream clinic. I love that I married a dreamer. Not in the sense that he’s unrealistic and has his head in the clouds (ha - that is sooo not Jonathan), but he’s a dreamer in that he doesn’t allow fears or others’ expectations to limit his passions. He is 100% open to whatever God has – even though it may sound crazy sometimes – and cannonballs in.
What does Kari want to do?
- Continue her current job as a media consultant à distance
- Start a non-profit organization to provide jobs for women who are either former sex workers, HIV widows and/or have HIV.
- Plant a big ol’ garden with lots of fruits and vegetables
- Recruit teams and individuals coming out to do work with us (this could include everything from doctors to small business consultants, art teachers to nutritionalists…)
- Provide hospitality for other Americans in Senegal who need a break or an escape so that they can continue their work refreshed
- Blog
What can you do?
- Keep us posted. My email address is linked to the right. We’d love to have your input, advice, recommendations, suggestions… For example, if you come across an article on starting a non-profit organization or learn of a company that ships luggage overseas inexpensively – let us know!
- Connect us. Do you know someone who is doing similar work? Do you know of an organization that provides health insurance for people living abroad? Get us connected with them, please.
- Join us. A big part of our dream is to bring in others to work with us. That could be spending 10 days teaching women a craft that they can sell to support their families, two weeks playing soccer with Talibes (child beggars) and treating their scabies infections, helping us find grants to fund community garden projects, or mailing a package of American foods for us to make ‘encouragement baskets’ for other Americans working in Senegal.
- Pray for us. We don’t know how to do any of this. We just know that right now, it’s all we want to do.
40 comments:
Um, WOW. I knew some of this, but not all of this, and I really hope your dreams come true. If I can help in any way, you know I am there. Love you.
congrats on the decision. I work in travel (M travel, actually), so I will keep my ears to the ground for info about visas, resideny, etc.
And my job is to negotiate discount fares for people doing humanitarian or nonprofit work. so if you want/need my help in keeping your travel costs low, please let me know. :)
Wow. Hope all your dreams come true :) And we'll keep an eye and ear out for any way we can help.
Thanks for making your dreams public! You have always stood out in the crowd, Kari. I know God has such great things for you and Jonathan! He'll work it all out and reveal how it will all happen in His timing :) We'll be praying for you!
oh, khady, i'm so excited for you guys. it just made tears come to my eyes (i'm pregnant, i know) to hear this, though it wasn't really new. ok, i'm going to make a deal. it doesn' look like i'm going to get to france, what with babies and being broke. but i promise i'll come visit you in senegal! our prayers are with you
I am so excited for you two! I know 2011 seems far away, but it is also just around the corner because there is so much to do between now and then. Can't wait to see how God provides, guides and slides things into place. Please write all of this down in a journal with space to mark things off as God answers the needs!!!
I SO would come to Senegal!
CC
so...I happen to know that you can purchase insurance from BCBS these days for pretty reasonble. I don't know how that would work overseas, or if you'd need it while in Senegal, but its worth checking out?
I know 'wow' has been said a couple times now, but....WOW! What an amazing plan - I'm really looking forward to watching it all play out via your blog!
just got your email and replied. :)
Very exciting, and (as always) I am praying for the both of you.
And now for a selfish question:
Does this include a brief stay in the US? I'll bribe you with fish tacos if I have to.
:-*
I'm not one bit surprised. Very cool. And I would totally come see you :)
okay, first Jana's news...now THIS. I cannot handle this much excitement on a Monday afternoon! I am so, SO thrilled for you and III. And so full of hope at what God is going to do through you both. And envious. You, YOU will be going back home to Africa soon.
This is so exciting! I will definitely be praying for you both! Karen Kurinka
I would LOVE to go back to Senegal, and I would love to come help y'all out! Will you go to Yoff/Dakar area? I'm excited for you! What a wonderful place to live. And there's so much to be done. So exciting.
Blessings to you with this! And thank you for this! Joe (my husband) and I have been considering going overseas in the next few years and tonight just before I read your post we had talked about a more specific timeline and a more specific place. I was encouraged by your faithfulness to how God is leading you, because we are facing some of the same unknowns ourselves.
On another note, I still intend to go back to Senegal some day, even if it's only for a short time. Since I am a soon-to-be nurse, I'll have to catch up with you two and see if I can volunteer with you for a bit! :)
You're in our thoughts and prayers!
Hmmm. Need any psychotherapists? Looks like y'all will be under a lot of stress. Lord knows the people with whom you will be working will be. I've dabbled with the thought of doing therapy for missionaries and the people they serve once I graduate in August. Heck, by 2011, I'll even be getting close to licensure if not already there.
Very excited to hear of your plans at a time when we are doing similar stuff. It's funny, we have a lot of the same concerns about moving to Virginia, although I think our answers will be easier to come by:)
How exciting! You guys will definitely continue to be in my prayers. I can't wait to see how God's plan unfolds for your lives! (and to save money to come help!)
I have been a silent follower of your blog until now. I don't even remember how I found you guys but I have been so encouraged by your faithfulness and bravery. It seems that you have been consistently stepping into unknown waters following God every step of the way. May God bless you greatly and may you see your dreams come into reality in the coming years.
Gosh, i've been reading your blog for a while now and I never commented.
This is great, truly respect what you guys are doing :). You'll be in my prayers and I'd love to join you two sometime in the future. I'll contact you for further info or details. Dreams, aren't they just wonderful, especially when they are coming to life!
Lots of Luck and Love from my side.
Hooray!! Yippee!! Wow!! Wonderful!! Yes!! Yes!!
Congratulations for having the courage and conviction to take this first step and state your dreams. We are absolutely behind you and proud of you and this task you have chosen. And what a blessing to have your community rally behind you like this! We are jumping for joy for you and for the future!
Many blessings,
MK & lil' G
YAY!!! This is so cool! I have to admit that I've secretly hoped you too would go back to Senegal because its so obvious that your heart (both of you) is in Africa...
2011... hmmm, I have no idea what I'll be doing but I definitely do want to go back to Africa sometime and Senegal sounds as Africa, as Africa can be!
This is SO exciting! Eeps!!
- Tina
a quick search found this. The contact information for the senegalese embassy in DC. seems like a good contact point for US citizens wanting to emigrate to senegal.
AMBASSADE DU SENEGAL
2112 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: 202-234-0540/0541
Fax: 202-332-6315
Working Hours
September 1 thru June 10
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
July 1 thru August 31
8:30 Am - 4:30 PM
or your local one in lyon:
Senegal Consulate , France
64, rue Feuillat
69003
Lyon
France
Phone:
+33-4-78542302
Fax:
+33-4-72369700
Also the US State Department page on Sengal:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1013.html
Take solace that your questions (at least most of them) have been asked and answered many times. Your job is just finding the solutions to problems already solved. That's much easier than solving problems for the first time.
It is clear that any reasons I can come up with for you not to go would be repeats of thoughts you have already had and not deemed "good reasons" but let me say that I can think of a few reasons that I would deem "good reasons" not to go. I support your doing as you wish with your life. But, for the record, I don't think its a good idea.
Yay Jesus!!! What a beautiful vision He has given you for the nation of Senegal! I love that you guys are going to do missions and I can't wait to see how He opens the doors for you both! Blessings!!!!
I am so impressed with your complete trust in God. It's not easy to jump in and let God work out the details along the way. Your life is a light and a testimony! Thanks for sharing your plans. Maybe we'll come to Senegal and help out for our vacation... you never know!
Look into shipping your things via Air France cargo (or any other carrier). We just found out that a 30kg suitcase can be shipped for $250 from Mozambique to the US via South African Airways cargo, whereas the same suitcase would be $850 via FedEx. This seems to be the way to go when dealing with volumes that don't justify a shipping container.
I am envious of the clear visions you have of your future. I'm going to be turning 40 in April and still don't know what I want to do when I grow up! I will be praying for you both as you go forth in the venture!
Kristina
What is so wonderful is that God is in control! My husband and I have been looking for ways to serve and to think outside the box. I will be following your progress and hope to help in some way. We would love to help serve by bringing supplies, teaching locals, and praying with you! Yeah for you and Jonathan!
Lots of unknowns, but we serve an awesome God and He will provide. You might want to Google 'drip irrigation system' for you future gardening. One of our dear elderly brothers at church introduced this to us and it works well. It's used extensively in Israel.
I learned today a friend's son who is a student at SBTS in L'ville,Kentucky is spending Fall 09 semester doing research for the IMB to determine the need for IMB personnel around the Ivory Coast, French speaking. Very interesting, read your post today and got that news today...
Like others, I am coming out of lurkdom to congratulate you on your decision and let you know I'll be praying for you. And someday maybe I can help in bigger ways. You're living my dreams, girl.
AHH! YAY! I knew it had to be lurking in your minds somewhere. :) Fantastic dream. I will be praying for you both as you work on the hows and whens. Kyle and I are only a few years behind... and we already have a similar long list of questions. (Fantastic that you guys are blazing the trail first for us... :)) So, will Jonathan need a nurse in the clinic? ;)
Oh...we shall miss you so much, but we know you are united in heart and spirit and that you are being led of God, your faithful Father who has provided for you in every way, every step of the way. It would be so awesome if we could volunteer with you guys...and maybe some time with Glenn and Cile. What fun! Or with some of my other kids! Who knows what the future brings...but only Who holds it! We're very excited for you both!
We totally support you!
Love, Mom and Kevin
Since I was 13, I have daydreamed about writing a best selling adventure novel, and I swear you are my lead character. You have such an interesting bio, and your blogs are incredible.
Keep up the bloggin', and more importantly, the livin'.
Kari, I got your comment on my blog. I sent you an e-mail, but for some reason it was bounced back and I didn't have time to research your e-mail address. ;-)
Go back and look at our blog from May of last year. I posted several photos of our garden and the drip system. We used the black ground cover to keep the ground warm and it also helps keep the ground moist longer. The row on the far right is the drip tubing before being covered. We don't think we are going to use the black ground cover this year, it complicates the planting process, especially if you are planting seeds. It is very slow, because basically you are on your hands and knees punching holes in the black mesh to place the seeds in the ground. Also, at the end of the season it is hard to get the mesh up because it kind of just fell apart. However, it worked well to keep the weeds and grass down. We are definitely going to use the drip system again this year, but without the black mesh. It sure saved us a lot of water. We use county water and our water bill was not so much this past garden. The drip system does have a system where you can put five gallon buckets on posts with cross arms and they work on gravity. It's basically a single post in the ground, kind of like an old fashion clothesline support. I'm sure this system will work well for you in Africa.
Trey and Kari, inspiring to see in black and white you goals and dreams. May God give you the courage and wisdom to face the unknown and the desire to keeping putting one foot in front of the other.
sorry, "marann" is Mark and Jill Billington
Hmm. This is what I get for not reading blogs regularly anymore. I am the 38th comment on here.
This is not surprising, although I had no idea. I can see both of you doing all the things you listed that you want to do. And, I can see you doing it amazingly, leaving all kinds of blessings in your wake.
Your energy is such an inspiration for me!
I' ve read everything: your blog about the Senegal experience (amazing), your marriage (wonderful), an so on: you look like very rich and beautiful (inside and outside) people.
My husband is Senegalese, and, in the future, I would like to live and work in Senegal, too, at least for some months during the year...(our project is slowly progressing).
May God help you to realize all your dreams, and give you all the good thing you deserve.
Greetings from Italy!
CIAO!
Francesca
Well, here I am again! We got our "Garden Tools by Lee Valley" catalog in the mail today. They have a good supply of irrigation kits. Check out their website at
www.leevalley.com
I really enjoyed this catalog. Normally, my husband gets their tool catalog, but I've never seen the garden tool one and it's a great catalog!
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