Imagine living in a third-world country in West Africa that’s only 1/3 the size of Texas, with less than half the people. Now, imagine moving to Texas after living there your whole life. You speak two languages fluently, but think in certain ones depending on the subject. This is the reality of Jennifer and Jessica Temminck.

 

Jen and Jess are new to UME this year. They started a month in, with a week’s notice. They’ve been to the US before, but not for any longer than two months. Mr. and Mrs. Temminck have been missionaries in West Africa for many years, since before the girls were born. Because of this, they have connections to Dallas which, they say, made the move easier.

 

On the other hand, many things also made the move difficult. For Jess, “I’ve never lived here before. Everything I’ve known, everything I’ve loved, my whole life is on another continent.” Jen, nodding in agreement, says “and my dog is back home too”. It’s clear there is much sentiment between the girls and their home in West Africa.

 

Wait, West Africa? The birthplace of the Ebola virus? The Ebola virus which killed 11,000 people in under two years? Yes, that West Africa. “The truth is Ebola is hard to catch. Someone in our neighborhood died from it, but we still stayed. The reason so many people got sick was because of the contact people had with those who had passed away from it,” Jess says.

 

They were sure to mention the safety differences. “Back in West Africa, safety’s minimal. Anytime I went outside my house we went in groups. It’s awesome that my friends can drive me places.” Jennifer says. Jess gave an idea of the necessary precautions back home. “We had a cement wall with a metal bulletproof door around our house.”

 

Jen reminisces with fondness of going out with her friends the night before: “Yesterday we went out to eat and prayed before we ate. Back in my French school, I’d be shamed if I prayed before I ate. Here, people have the same morals as me. It’s very refreshing. Even the teachers have good morals!”

 

 Both girls are very thankful for the love they were surrounded with upon their arrival and look forward to building their future and their friendships in the States.