Month One: Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire.
After 27 hours on three planes and with two layovers and then a 10 hour bus ride, we have finally arrived to Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire! I thought that the reality of it all, of this trip, would sink in as our plane took off from the States but, it wasn’t until our plane took off from our last layover in Ethiopia to land in Cote d’Ivoire.
The plane that took us from the states to our layover in Ethiopia. We felt pretty amazing getting off the plane down these stairs. You know, like you see in movies of all those presidents and famous people gracefully coming down lol except for we weren’t so graceful and elegant with our packs. We could barely see the stairs.
The many weeks and months left me almost numbed a bit during my all the goodbyes, the last minute preps, driving here and there and all over the place. But as we took off from Ethiopia, all the feelings and thoughts finally got a chance to be.
At sunrise, we were flying over Africa, I looked out the window and guys, Africa is beautiful!! I have been taking in every moment, every second, every face, every interaction. We landed in Abidjan, the biggest city in Cote d’Ivoire. We spent the rest of the day and night in Abidjan. There we enjoyed a delicious Ivorian dinner, visited a local market and finally got to sleep! In the morning, my team traveled north on a bus for about 10 hours. Let me tell you, with all that travel, we were happy to finally reach our destination! Our feet were so swollen by this time!
We have been in Korhogo now for almost 3 days. Korhogo is on the north side of the country, close to the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso. With Islam coming into Korhogo area from the North, it is a city that is predominately muslim with many mosques in the area. Most of the time has been spent in cultural and language training and getting to know some of the community/building connections. We have even won favor with the local police! They are wanting to ensure we are safe here for our stay and that we feel welcomed.
As part of our cultural training, we went to the local street markets and bought pagne (fabric) to use for skirts. Some of us girls got extra to have a dress sewn for us! The girl I’m holding is our hosts granddaughter Joy**. She loves to sing and will burst into song at random times at the top of her lungs.
Here, we were looking for pagnes and she just bust out into praise!
All this training was provided to us so that we can better connect with the community when we go out to begin ministry and guess what… ministry begins tomorrow!!! We are so excited and ready to get submerged! I will admit, it has been a bit of a tough transition. I have to keep reminding myself to not have any expectations. That not every country is the same and just because something is one way in the States, doesn’t mean it will be so in another country. It’s only been 3 days and I’ve already learned so much about this country and I can’t wait to learn more. I am going to soak in everything I can while I’m here, including the sun!! Those of you back home in Minnesota… I’m sorry, not sorry. The warmth is just wonderful!
Our ministry here will vary. It will consist of prayer walks for the area and for/with the locals. Will encourage, help and pray with students at a local pastoral school and will also work with kids and teens in the area.
I am also yet in the fundraising process. If it is on your heart to join my support team, support donations can be made via my blog through the main page by clicking the “Donate!” button. If you’d like to make a check donation instead, please email me at [email protected] for further details.
Hope everyone has a great start to the week! Many blessings!!
Much Love,
Viktoriya
**names have been changed
