The Best Birthday Ever

       Our first day in Ouagadougou was quite the adventure! After waking up at 6:30 and grabbing breakfast we all headed to the country's largest grocery store which was about the size of a CVS. It was fun to be immersed in the local culture and see all the brands we have grown to love in French. After our shopping trip we came back to SIM and prepared for the "lunch challenge." Matt gave each team of three a grocery list and some money and told us to head out into the streets to use our french skills to find the items. We were also challenged to sit down in a local restaurant and share a meal with our team. Sarah, Andrew, and I ate a delicious meal at "The Restaurant." The Burkinabe people easily pegged us as American tourists but were so open to conversation.
    
     That night we all went out to eat at Paradisio. It was great to spend time with Matt Walsh and hear about his experiences in Burkina Faso. The night was topped off with a birthday cake and singing. I could not have imagined spending my 20th birthday in any other place with any other people. God has blessed us with this experience. We are ready to head to Yako to start our work in the schools and pray that God gives us wisdom and opens our eyes and hearts as we work with the Burkinabe people.

Bekah