Hello from Africa!

Man, is it hot here... Who would've thought that a pale white boy
from Maine would be able to survive a day in the sweltering West
African heat? Well, I've survived three days, and I only have another
800 to go...

So far, I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Even though we
have only had the most basic introduction to this country and the
culture, I have already learned so much. My first priority is to
learn how not to offend the people of Burkina Faso, which at times can
be tricky. Don't wear shorts (even if it is 110 degrees out like it
was today), don't pass things with your left hand, and never refer to
the chief by his name. I think I may have already offended a priest I
met when I declined his offer to give me a sip of water when I entered
his house. Let's hope he doesn't hold a grudge. Much of our training
thus far has been medical-related; I've already told the nurse that I
fully intend to go the distance without ever getting sick. We'll see
how that goes... I've been going through so much water here.
Sometimes I feel as if the water I drink goes directly from my mouth
out through the sweat glands in my forehead.

There are 15 of us here all training to be math and science teachers;
most of us straight out of college. I'll be spending the next 11
weeks training with these guys, so I'm very fortunate that at this
point, they seem like a good group of kids. During these 11 weeks, I
will live with a host family in the town of Yako where I will attempt
to become somewhat competent speaking French. If I can't figure out
this crazy language by then, they'll kick me out of the Peace Corps,
so I expect all of you to be pulling for me! After training is up,
all 15 volunteers will split up and leave for our assigned villages
throughout the country. I will find out which village I am assigned
in about 5 weeks.


I can't tell you all how very excited I am to really start living this
adventure. The people of Burkina Faso seem like absolutely wonderful
people. There's no doubt that I miss my family and friends back home,
but with your prayers and God's help I feel I am truly ready to begin
my Peace Corps journey. Everyday, I grow more and more confident
that this is where God wants me right now.

I will try to send updates as often as I can- believe it or not, the
internet here isn't nearly as accessible as it was at MIT. If any of
you get a chance, I'd love to here from you. I'll check email every
now and again, but getting a letter from you would be awesome. My
address is:

Joshua Yardley, PCT
S/c Corps de la Paix
01 B.P. 6031
Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso

Even though things are going great over here, please continue to keep
me in your prayers. For my part, I thank God every night for family
and friends like all of you.

love,
josh

PS: If there are any typos in my letter (especially 'q's instead of
'a's or commas instead of 'm's) please blame this slightly different
and incredibly annoying keyboard I am using. The French not only
had to make their language difficult, they also decided to make their
keyboards difficult for us as well.