"It doesn't get any better than this" was a phrase à propros for Mar Lodj. After two days of grueling bus rides through the desert heat everyone was rewarded with a surprising retreat. We boarded the long senegalese style boats, made from kapok, to an area abundant with small islands and completely surrounded by oyster filled mangroves and clear water. The sandy beach at Le Bazouk du Saloum was a welcome site and the quiet removed island was a great place to let sleeping dogs lie, literally. Not everyone rested. Eventually the temptation to "jump in" was just too great. Frisbee, badminton among the mangoes, and the French inspired game of petanque kept everyone busy. For those with a more quiet idea of relaxation there were plenty of hammocks to spare. Not long after dark, our hosts served us a lovely meal of meat and rice by the light of the lanterns right out on the beach.

Into a Night of Mourning

In the dark quiet night, under the stars, we received the tragic news about a fellow Goshen College student, Deanne Binde, who was just killed in an automobile accident in Minnesota. As students rallied together in search of comfort, the beautiful healing of music was released into the air. The immense sky, overflowing with stars, seemed to join us together in mourning with our communities at home and in other SST locations around the world. Students lingered on into the difficult night ahead displaying courage and great comfort toward each other.