SDA Church in Dakar

So I’ve been a bit MIA this weekend. But don’t fear. I’m alright.

Yesterday, Saturday, I went to church – I’ve been going to an Adventist church here in Senegal which is not too far from my house. My Muslim host mother was so nice and she was the one who found the church for me!

Well, yesterday was 13^th Sabbath so the 3 churches in Dakar all had service in one at the Conference Office (or something like that).

The children always do something special for 13th Sabbath - and they didn't disappoint. Here they are singing.

In a true Jamaican style (you’d think by now, I’d be used to this) the sermon did not start until after 12. And the sermon was in English! I was so excited – altho it took twice as long because it was being translated into French. But, the preacher was quite a joker.

The preacher (right) from Liberia and the translator (left)

After church, we always do this greeting thing. Back home, the people on the pulpit greet people at the door – but here, everybody greets everybody which I think is really sweet.

I made sure to tell my host mom that I wasn’t coming home for lunch because I ended up having lunch at church – cheb u yassa (literally chicken with rice and don’t forget the sauce!).

Also, we had Bisap (I think that’s how you spell it) which is a drink made from sorrel – of course, Jamaican sorrel is better but Bisap deserves a nice second place.

After lunch it was time for the second part of church – what is usually Adventist Youth (AY) back home. They were playing games and Bible trivia (all being translated in both English and French muhaha).

You’d think that by 6 or so I’d be on my way home – I thought so too and was all mentally prepared to take a taxi. Instead, I ended up walking to a church friend’s house where there were having a Farewell Party for persons that were leaving Senegal (Actually most of the people in my church are actually immigrants, from Africa, Europe and USA, but there are some local Senegalese). I was there until after 10 and stuffed my face there – only to call my host mom to say I wouldn’t be home for dinner either lol.

Me leaving after the service with Niassa, an American now living in Senegal

And after a long day, with company (3 guys from my church) I walked home from God knows where (I really had no clue where the journey started but as I neared home the road finally looked familiar altho it was hella dark). I reached home minutes to midnight, still in my church clothes only to get raised eyebrows from my sisters who didn’t believe that “church” activities could go on for so long – haha, oh well. I was terribly exhausted and only managed to shower before promptly going to bed. All in all, it was a good day at church (reminded me of church in JA, because in Iowa there really is nothing to do after lunch is done at 2 pm).

So yes, there is Adventism in Senegal - altho 95% of Senegalese are Muslim