Eggs without feathers
While on home assignment missionary Lois Clark is reminded of some of the differences between shopping for groceries in the USA and in Senegal.
"I went to the grocery store the other day," Lois wrote, "and was reminded that I can actually select the size egg I want to purchase and the eggs come without feathers and are free of all that other stuff that sometimes comes affixed to the shell." In Senegal often eggs are purchased one or two at a time from someone selling them door-to-door.
"I am enjoying boxed cereal for breakfast once again now that I am in a country where it doesn’t cost more than $7 a box," Lois continued. The myriad of choices is somewhat disconcerting since in Senegal there are far fewer choices.
In Senegal offices and stores close from 1 to 3 in the afternoon for a time of siesta. "What a treat to be able to shop any time of the day, even at 2 in the afternoon" Lois remarked.
Other cultural revelations that Lois noted are:
Pray for missionaries transitioning from the country where they minister back to their home country. Home assignment calls for many adjustments and changes. Pray also as they return to their host country and adjust to those cultural changes also.
"I went to the grocery store the other day," Lois wrote, "and was reminded that I can actually select the size egg I want to purchase and the eggs come without feathers and are free of all that other stuff that sometimes comes affixed to the shell." In Senegal often eggs are purchased one or two at a time from someone selling them door-to-door.
"I am enjoying boxed cereal for breakfast once again now that I am in a country where it doesn’t cost more than $7 a box," Lois continued. The myriad of choices is somewhat disconcerting since in Senegal there are far fewer choices.
In Senegal offices and stores close from 1 to 3 in the afternoon for a time of siesta. "What a treat to be able to shop any time of the day, even at 2 in the afternoon" Lois remarked.
Other cultural revelations that Lois noted are:
- "Driving in the states has been an adjustment, since the stop signs here really do mean "stop." And the traffic lights -- red, yellow, and green -- work almost all of the time."
- "What a treat it has been on those trips to the dentist, mechanic or hardware store, to not have to consult my French dictionary and plan out well in advance how to say what I need to say."
- "I treated myself to a batch of chocolate chip cookies the other day, adding the chips to the dough with almost unbounded liberality, thankful that I could go to the store when necessary to buy more."
Pray for missionaries transitioning from the country where they minister back to their home country. Home assignment calls for many adjustments and changes. Pray also as they return to their host country and adjust to those cultural changes also.