Back to Abnormal

I’ve never before experienced such an unmistakable connection between the weather and my energy levels.

I’ve returned to the Gambia (West Africa), after 2 lovely months back in the UK, and I’ve arrived at the harshest time of year, in terms of weather. We’re in the thirties every day (unless a thunderstorm has just occurred, when it becomes a bit cooler for a few hours), with humidity rarely below 70%. It’s just incredibly sapping. The rain seems to come every couple of days or so, in extraordinarily heavy and dramatic fashion. The thunderstorms are truly astonishing - never witnessed anything like them! (Last year, when I arrived, it was in mid-October, so most of the rains had been and gone.)

The contrast is phenomenal between the pressing, draining heat, when I just feel like I can do precious more than sit and sweat, and when the temperature momentarily drops for a bit - all of a sudden, I can actually think and speak and do!

I trust that I’ll adjust and get going again gradually. The first couple of days were bound to be a particular shock, after the cool of the North European British Isles, combined with the physical and emotional tire of leaving and travelling. And everyone here accepts that September-October is the hardest. Expectations are lower. Lots of Gambians apparently just stay in their houses when the heat is at its worst - like reverse hibernating!

Many people back home were asking about a certain friend, and keen to hear how he’s been getting on…

Canine reunion

I’ve got a four-legged companion who understands the heat struggle, and sympathises very much. It’s even harder for him - he’s got a fur coat on the whole time! Rufus, my now 8-month old German Shepherd, growing at a rate that alarms every visitor!

It was sad leaving him (in good hands) 2 months ago. I’d seen how sorrowful he was when the Gap Team who stayed with us for 4 months left. There was that poignant and strange morning when those 4 fun people who’d played with him, walked him and grown to love him, packed up their big bags and piled them up in the living room. Rufus - normally a bundle of puppyish energy - just quietly snuck in and sat amongst the bags, trying to figure out what was going on. Once they’d gone, he clearly really missed their fun, love and company.

So it was gutting to walk away from him, not able to explain that I’d miss him and that I’d be coming back! People assured me that a dog would never forget his owner. But, as much as I couldn’t wait to see him, I couldn’t help but be a bit anxious about our reunion - would he really remember me? Would he like me?? How would his 2 months of purely African input have changed him? (We treat animals rather differently!)

He was overjoyed! I got to the house from the airport at about 5am, and wondered if he’d bark as he always did when he heard the gate… No barking. Just one extremely excited dog on the either side, and much bigger than when I’d last seen him! He ran round and round me, tail wagging frantically, jumping up, deliriously licking and panting and sniffing and snuffling. As I tried to move in towards the house he wouldn’t cease - forcing me either to constantly trip over him or just stop and enjoy it!

I was shattered. It was very hot and sticky, and it had been a fairly sleepless overnight journey (with a 5-hour layover at Casablanca). So I went straight to bed. And Ruf loyally came and lay on the floor next to the bed.

Most of that day I stayed asleep in bed. And Mama reports that Ruf stayed next to me the whole time! She quietly encouraged him to leave me so that he could eat his meals, but he wouldn’t. Apparently he licked my toes to see if I’d come with him; I wouldn’t (fast asleep); so he faithfully stayed. Very sweet.

—

So I’m back. When I’ve found a morsel of energy, I’ve run some errands, even got away with a bit of basic DIY to fix up a couple of small things in the house, and I’ve seen a few key people. Lots more reconnecting to do, before getting down to the business of planning, preparing and teaching God’s word, which is what I’m here to do.

The place looks very different - after a month or so of very heavy rain, greenery has sprung up everywhere! The season brings some different birds singing different songs. And all the brown/orange dusty and sandy roads are now muddy red instead, with huge puddles to navigate. Green beans in the garden have suddenly shot up, the sugar cane plant has exploded into what looks like it could supply a whole city, and the passion fruit vine has burst into delicious fruitful life!

I can’t help but think of God’s beautiful words through the prophet Isaiah, which are a hugely encouraging reminder as I get going again here with the ministry of God’s word:

“As the rain and snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I send it.

You will got out in joy and be led forth in peace,

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,

and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the Lord’s renown,

for an everlasting sign, which will never be destroyed.”

(Isaiah 55:10-13)