“We started dating and spent each weekend together with friends. We were nearing the end of the school year and approaching an eventful summer. I went to Tokyo and he drove through West Africa. We talked to keep in touch but the time zones were crazy. I was praying through “loving” him and what being a “girlfriend” would look like. From the beginning we were always very intentional with each other and our time.
We came back together at the start of what would be our last school year with Dakar Academy in the fall of 2021. We moved forward with intention… mixing cultures, communication and expectations of a life together. By Christmas we went to our respected home countries to prepare for a summer wedding.
[Hurdles and hoops were definitely present in each of our journeys up until this point. During our last semester together working at the school a few obstacles came at us – faith, friends and laughter got us through. But in this update I don’t want to focus on what we fought. I want to share with you some victories and the road ahead.]
July 7 we celebrated our new life together as husband and wife with many of our closest friends and family. Nearly half of our beloved guests had known us during our time in West Africa. It meant the world to have the strong legacy of God’s Kingdom-builders with us. It was a humbling time and place to be surrounded by positive support, love and motivating faith. We had the Body of Christ launching us and blessing us into our new journey as one.
Today we are back in Dakar. Why – we wanted to spend our new marriage in an environment familiar to both of us. Plus, we weren’t finished with some of the friendships here yet. Being that Africans are so relational, we wanted to honor the relationships we’ve built over the years here. In the meantime, Enza and I will sign a contract for an apartment in Dakar this afternoon. I’ll begin teaching remotely as soon as paperwork goes through. Enza will finalize his connections for some new work as well. We plan to be in Dakar for a season as “tent-makers” in order to be within the community as a light and for me to continue to learn the language and culture of West Africa. Friends and guests are welcome any time!
*Long term plans*
This is where WE STILL WANT YOU! Enza has had a dream to start a school in his home country of Cote d’Ivoire for many years. In his heart a desire for Christian education mixed with an American curriculum has been gently marinating. He’s been patiently and humbly gathering experience these last few years in Dakar to grow a vision for this some-day school. With Enza’s education and background filled with compassion for younger kids, along with my continued hope for youth, we are dreaming of a flexible and available education for kids through this school. We want to see a teaching that allows growth as individuals and quality learning to be enjoyed in harmony. We want to break the norm by allowing all students to experience love in education.
We understand this will be a long term plan. We wait and hold these dreams before the Lord. We are patient in the journey yet can’t do this alone. While we wait we are seeking to build our community and network of supporters and teammates. At this moment it means continued prayers, conversations and support. You are still welcome to support us financially through Grace Klein Community. They will be holding an account for us as we move forward.
We can’t thank you enough for reading these updates, praying for us and loving us in this journey.”
– Enza & Caitlin Kone