https://www.heartsthatreason.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-02-11 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/blog/blog-post-title-three-y3peb-4lwnz-5pkhf-zr4m3 monthly 0.5 2026-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/d85b22da-331d-4e0b-816c-1e1abeaefe46/processed_1000050586.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Lima Mosque: Outside https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/cd8db6bf-611b-42f2-9525-97961810897f/processed_1000050578.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Lima Mosque: Inside https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/06004d04-d261-47b3-be0d-394136e35822/processed_1000050814.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan A Cloud Forest. The drive up to the start of the biking path was breathtaking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/4d804592-2ade-4339-bb44-d4d9054bc833/processed_1000050822.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Gearing Up to Bike: My roommate - who fortunately is a nurse - brought a whole pharmacy and made sure I had Tylenol for my early altitude sickness symptoms. She is one of many who helped me when I arrived with no suitcase. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/c782f75d-b2d0-4ebd-a57a-3a313d29ae82/processed_1000050823.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Gearing up for Biking: Shoutout to our guide Johan from Lorenzo Expeditions. He and his team take safety VERY seriously. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/f3f382f8-2214-4e87-853b-90caf4a4e299/processed_1000050886.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Prayer Time: After the 3 hour bike ride, we checked into our 1st lodge along the trek, ate, prayed, and headed out for rafting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/bd893d0a-d3f3-4a9c-b8ef-a81ac8098a25/1000055187.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Rafting: The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. SubhanAllah! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/1fed2a37-d09d-4b22-9dd8-6ee5a26bb0b4/1000055195.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Rafting: The water wasn’t too rapid. But there were some bumpy spots. We did have one person fall out the raft. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/d8fd688f-7512-4d10-bfaf-de72c49a2b7a/1000055162.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Rafting: I can still hear our instructor saying “Get Down!” just before the big splashes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/35a72f70-5b67-4dee-a2a4-af7ca4ad0727/1000066415.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan My Favorite Picture: I took many beautiful pictures, but this one is my favorite. I think I look ridiculous—but I love it because my outfit was assembled out of selfless love. My clothing and gear are from five different sisters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/0ff3c0b4-bef3-445b-9e73-a903b5405709/IMG-20251226-WA0012.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Hiking one of the steeper parts of the trek. The cliff was a little scary, but the path was plenty wide enough… I think. And yes, I tucked my pants in my socks. No insects crawling up my legs. No thank you! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/75f84ad6-4a5e-4226-b587-7efca6620a15/processed_1000051197.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Native Plants: Along the hike, our guides taught us about the native plants. This is the coca leaf plant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/1305f5fd-1f3a-456a-9dfe-c64b233baf78/processed_1000051223.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Kittens! There were a few cute kittens along the hike at our rest stops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/eef0c830-4a5e-467d-a723-84f6bec646ea/processed_1000051192.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Hike: The first hiking day was the hardest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/03790672-bba4-4585-b98a-13c17ef59473/processed_1000051767.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Generous Ones: By the end of this day, I was reunited (temporarily) with my suitcase and my clothes. Janette and Firdaws were the first to open up their bags and give me clothes. I call them Jannat-ul-Firdaus and pray they enter it. *I didn’t know it at the time, but I would wind up locking my purse in my suitcase and needing to borrow money from Maryam (sipping coffee behind us). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b0bc0ab5-2627-4245-9ed1-52eb330ac494/1000055891.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Ziplining: I was one of the last to go across. It took a while to build up the guts. But honestly it was fine. This was a first for most of us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/167c6314-a96e-43e5-ad57-01ce347425bc/processed_1000051805.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Questionable Bridge: Now this was a little scary. I’m not sure why they spaced the planks so far apart. The shorter participants really struggled. But it was safe. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b88d8514-622d-475a-88e4-2ca7ffde021b/processed_1000051830.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan More Bridges: This was a lot less questionable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/2fced55e-fabd-4de8-80eb-8e41f3696bbc/processed_1000051821.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Train: As we approached Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu), we hiked along some train tracks. I thought it was hilarious that everyone pulled out phones like we’d never seen a train before. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b5b2cce8-3006-4c91-9694-b455a9cee211/processed_1000051856.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Break Time: We took a brief rest near the train station. This dog wanted to take a picture. That’s Dr. Shiraz beside us. Again, little did I know I would need a doctor in 2 days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/d546634e-92f6-4640-b959-12a214f5acb4/processed_1000052397.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Entire Group: Representing Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, UK and USA! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/16052510-27a7-42e9-bfe6-a1565ab96f66/processed_1000052465.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Roommates: At this point, I knew my purse -with the key to my suitcase - was locked in my suitcase. But I did not know that she had an identical key. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/d4acad99-80e5-41ae-b34e-f9899941ace5/processed_1000066442.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Exploring the Deserted City https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/62f77e43-9208-44a8-bd7e-cf8364c36cc7/processed_1000052444.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Machu Picchu: It’s hard to believe this city is only about 600 hundred years old and yet there is so much we don’t know about it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/19d03c12-294b-44c1-b69e-609b6eb65653/processed_1000052407.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Machu Picchu: SubhanAllah! A mysterious city surrounded by cloud forest mountains. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/1081acf6-1860-4373-aa94-e1a7697fee6e/processed_1000053877.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Drive Up to Rainbow Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/218e33a5-f4b8-454f-aaa8-b31f3f4e10a7/processed_1000053898.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Motorcycle Ride Further Up the Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/fcc2075c-ed83-4b33-bb1e-e8550e22353f/processed_1000053911.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Hiking Up the Last 10% on Foot. At this point, you have to walk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/2afb879e-2817-4d0b-b505-383622ca3f91/processed_1000053936.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Selfies! A very patient (and adorable) llama. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/f691f7b4-a98f-48fb-8bb1-a77747fe1763/processed_1000053927.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Tourist Trap: This is certainly a tourist trap, but one I was happy to get tangled in. Johan, our guide, called them the coolest llamas we’d ever meet. I think he was right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/0f1734ce-fa5e-4e1f-8ef8-eb2ebbcbc085/processed_1000053946.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Rainbow Mountain: SubhanAllah. These mountains are among the many signs of Allah. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/3818c085-eafe-439f-869e-53446709837c/processed_1000053950.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Strong Ones: One the way down, I met some folks in our group who were just making it up to the top. These were the strong ones. Altitude Schmaltitude! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/ead25d52-816f-4703-b2ad-2cefa8a53733/processed_1000053984.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Very Strong Ones: I also ran into people who had not only walked up but were also passing me on the way down! Good God! How? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/00b8c2fa-5e45-4878-9437-cb9f683ba33b/1000055983.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan The Smart One: Even though I was going downhill, eventually, I had to get a ride on a horse. Ultimately, I beat the very strong ones to the end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/07f1500e-8a4c-41f6-8cb8-3c79c57430ff/processed_1000054808.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Cusco Masjid: Waiting for Salat-ul-Jumuah https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/617f4ce8-cdf0-45d9-ad6d-389185d643b4/processed_1000054815.jpg Hearts that Reason - Peru: Machu Picchu Trek for Sudan Cusco Masjid: Lunch generously provided by Br. Ismael https://www.heartsthatreason.com/blog/blog-post-title-two-t5my5-k4xmd-67jzh-bm9pa monthly 0.5 2026-01-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/d3d21372-24f9-46e9-aaf2-1fb55daf7c0f/processed_1000062695.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) The Three Joyful Men: They had just finished enjoying a deep belly laugh. I wish I had snapped this photo sooner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/c7068877-05de-4c51-8388-4f9ad8acf6e8/processed_1000060250.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Lamine and The Boys: This day brought back memories of my teaching days. ❤️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/32f3971b-1d8a-4e2c-9a30-c0a2a12cc907/processed_1000060222.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) The Classroom: Though children still go to school outside the orphanage, everyday, the neighborhood kids come and play with the children in the orphanage. They make sure the kids are not isolated from the broader community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/46ff1fd3-58de-45dc-a89c-ee291e05441d/processed_1000060226.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Sleeping Area: Although this place has at most 30 children at a time, when I asked what the capacity of the orphanage is, Lamine said that there is none. They will simply stack more beds or even sleep on the floor if need be. They won’t turn children away. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b48fb85a-d03f-4099-b4fc-091a6a5b5825/processed_1000060220.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Office Photos: Here, Lamine gives us a tour and shows us photos from events with various partners. I believe that large photo on the wall in the back is of the founder, Anta Mbow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/2fda594f-941e-4247-9ed2-adab03c980fc/processed_1000058649.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Mosque of the Divinity: The only mosque we visited twice! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/295c6efa-6b13-49a6-8c1a-0893f12c7a8f/20260101_153740.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Mosque of the Divinity: One of the two floors in the 3-story mosque for women to pray. Men get the ground floor and the courtyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/ef294dc6-74b2-489b-b9dd-bf4bec0f5fd6/20260102_143410.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Goree Mosque: Given the history of this island, Goree Mosque captured my heart in a way no other mosque did. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/aca0450c-fb2f-4232-9282-0399e9b89de8/20260102_143200.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Inside Goree Mosque: This was one of the places where I was offered a prayer rug. I was at the door asking to come in to take photos but they thought I was asking for a rug. But eventually they understood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/dc3cf1d8-92bf-4b43-bfb8-5eafffce597f/20260102_143237.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Goree Mosque: The view from just inside the mosque looking out at the water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/164d01d1-50de-4703-8406-6378b965c6bf/processed_1000062128.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Tivaouane Mosque: We drove an hour and a half to visit this mosque but unfortunately it was still under construction on the inside. So we had to tour the courtyard. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/08f2eedb-ac61-4fe3-85eb-7bbe338714a0/processed_1000062118.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Tivaouane Mosque: This mosque is huge! In fact, the grounds keeper told us that this mosque has its own grid. I was like, “you mean generator”. And he said, “No, grid”. MashaAllah! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/3b7d3421-8d95-4e72-8357-dbcdca04dde9/processed_1000062137.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) La Mosquee de Serigne Babacar SY: We stopped here to pray because the Tivaouane Mosque was closed. This was the only mosque that we didn’t actually tour. But we did have an interesting encounter with an elder who shared the oral history of Islam in this particular region. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/426b31c1-915d-4620-b7d3-72de55275c2e/processed_1000062711.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Zawiya de Dakar: This is one of the oldest mosques in Dakar. Alioune mentioned that this mosque is one of several that were built in defiance of French rule. While touring it, we learned that this mosque was set to be demolished (and rebuilt) in two days. We were blessed to be able to see this original mosque just in time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/74e39f96-00ac-49da-b847-94be906a0f86/processed_1000062111.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Unnamed Mosque: A large learning institute is under construction behind the mosque. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/c30329ef-4da8-40bd-9177-8b10323d57ab/processed_1000062098.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Unnamed Mosque: Located in Zac neighborhood of Thies region. Here, we were given a tour of the mosque and met some of the faculty and students who study here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/83d4a89e-baa1-41dc-9eca-ec5b0dee2ca1/processed_1000062104.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Unnamed Mosque: Still under construction. But the inside was visible from the window. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/ad2ac2d4-e1dd-4399-869b-7cddf1951f5f/processed_1000065665.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Massalikoul Djinane Mosque: The second largest mosque in West Africa. It can hold over 30k worshippers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/e232bc10-39cf-4366-b0c6-c4979a212a2f/processed_1000060259.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Massalikoul Djinane Mosque: A main entrance. This grand mosque has 5 minarets and domes! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/02c16d7b-2e36-43bf-bc6c-edda3b2ebd9e/processed_1000060623.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Massalikoul Djinane Mosque: The inside is beautiful. This is one of the halls outside the main prayer area. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/2351b400-9001-4744-ae95-ccefbed292a2/processed_1000060643.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Massalikoul Djinane Mosque: This is the main prayer area. Though there are separate areas for men and women, , women also have an area in the main space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/3350b1a1-2a67-4833-a1a3-48dd293c9596/processed_1000061613.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Bandia Wildlife Reserve: A couple of Giraffes ❤️ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/f3cc35d0-9d31-4545-9942-4a5d15e0a5d2/processed_1000061664.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Bandia Wildlife Reserve: Apparently zebras are wild and shouldn’t be approached. But we were lucky that they came super close to the safari truck. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/00f2ff35-f478-43f5-95ea-4582605fc0de/processed_1000061635.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) Bandia Wildlife Reserve: These two Rhinos are the only two in the reserve, but apparently hate each other and in 25 years have not had a baby rhino. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/21b0a00f-db89-4c68-8f6c-31997bf73159/processed_1000064840.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) A Popular Fallen Baobab Tree in Saly: The ATV ride to the beach included a pit stop at the tree. A beautiful thing happened here that I talk about in my Quran Reflection, “The Four Ladies under the Baobab Tree.” If you look closely, you can see the ladies behind us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/de4c8744-6712-46ac-b768-632034c5606d/20260101_144421.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Thieboudienne: That rice is the bees knees!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/ff20b87a-d084-400f-b01e-0a133aaca7f8/20260103_160643.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Thiébou Nar: This was legit yummy rice and meat - served family style on one plate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/4718467d-0396-4178-ac80-4b391550adea/20260104_140004.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Dibi: I don’t like lamb at all. But this was absolutely delicious! It’s prepared by barbequing in a huge oven that burns a special type of log. They don’t even cut up the log - just slowly push the log into the oven as it burns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/00ead0e9-2197-44a5-b4d5-75c64875729a/20260105_120331.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Baobab Fruit: We pulled the seeds out to suck the white outer later off. It was a bit like sucking a big pomegranate seed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/bdde9319-ce6b-4ecd-8ad9-43963be42731/20260106_153044.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) - Make it stand out Koni Fruit: It kind of looks like a face. You have to not think about it when you suck out the jelly. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/35b1ed91-7f3d-4a34-9bd1-5b4f3afb470f/processed_1000060344.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/06d9b220-9330-4731-98ed-79b9328daa37/processed_1000060343.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/bc3c6974-e034-47ee-b5fa-da208c6f1d38/processed_1000059738.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/c8ab7bcf-7c18-468b-a964-82a7a3baf30c/processed_1000062785.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 2) https://www.heartsthatreason.com/blog/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-67tfc-ayw4t monthly 0.5 2026-01-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/a53a380d-6f8c-459d-bd8e-b95011e3a0ac/1000063319.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Barefoot on a beach in Dakar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/8d073fbd-7f4c-4cb8-b8d2-f01af74f2462/IMG-20260119-WA0011.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Arrival in Dakar. Not seen in this picture is Alioune and another man trying to stuff 4 suitcases in the car. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/5f9dddfe-025b-4105-8642-3cf059da05a5/20260105_115630.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) The A-Team: Alioune and the Sisters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/982d3bed-8993-4f35-b9eb-e4b8348192a4/20260107_130922.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) The A-Team: Alioune and the Sisters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/f3760e86-b18c-48f8-a554-6944be0c9925/20251230_130610.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Terrou Bi Hotel: I loved this hotel. I used to get up every morning after Fajr and go sit on the beach and wait for Duha prayer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/33044dc9-b7ef-4606-b963-c75d5b127a4e/20251231_215613.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Terrou Bi Hotel: The hotel hosted a New Year’s Eve dinner. The food was amazing! (Even if I did only have burgers, fried chicken and dessert) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/f9ae660e-12a2-4d01-a0a4-23ffc6428980/IMG-20260119-WA0016.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Restaurant Le Lagon 1: This is apparently one of the fanciest restaurants in Dakar. While I would eventually try shellfish, on this day I was safe and ordered chicken! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/1e135e86-3ad4-4691-b37a-29ea447a0544/IMG-20260119-WA0023.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Local Restaurant: Fancy restaurants cater to foreigner taste buds. For authentic Thiéboudienne, we went where the locals go. This owner of this restaurant was the nicest Lebanese-Senegalese you ever met! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/bc8b013a-a487-4450-9543-6f5b0f4c927d/processed_1000059636.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) House of Slaves: Two sisters standing in the courtyard of the House of Slaves - one a descendent of those stolen and enslaved, the other a descendent of the African families whose relatives were stolen and taken to the Americas. Same family - different destinies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b00660ca-e2cc-4293-80c6-f0a2e14e2189/processed_1000059623.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Door of No Return: Standing in the “Door of No Return” facing the ocean. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/7c17c889-c7ce-4b30-9d84-f4b16d94471a/processed_1000059626.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Door of No Return: Standing in front of the “Door of No Return” facing the house courtyard (cells to my sides). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b341a6a7-9fd1-4ef2-8157-11da7458eb59/20260102_120355.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) - Make it stand out Holding Cell: Inside a holding cell with small slit for ventilation. I can’t imagine the suffering. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/ab99192c-c2de-4377-9860-f2d00e11a25b/20260102_120437.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) - Make it stand out Close-up View of the Ventilation Slit: This slit was in the room adjacent to the door of no return. So it faces the Atlantic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/7a2b1a35-d078-44c3-9f2f-158f36d56807/20260102_115301%285%29.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) - Make it stand out Holding Cell for Adult Males: This dungeon held 15-20 men nearly 24 hours a day. There were 9 of us in total in the room for this picture. I can’t even image double our number in that room with only that small slit on the wall for ventilation. The heat alone must have been unbearable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/42b4fc91-aea0-473d-a054-e703cec0b80b/processed_1000059674.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Scenes on the way to the Mosque https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/22325dc7-65ca-4756-bf39-e1c89dde347a/processed_1000059678.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Scenes on the way to the Mosque https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/b00690b8-64bf-423c-8b5f-ff68470cde71/processed_1000059680.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Scenes on the way to the Mosque https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/7cd02016-4da6-43df-b630-71788849a103/processed_1000059654.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Goree Mosque https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/7978d21c-52be-4787-b7b6-6f907ab747e7/processed_1000059652.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Goree Mosque: This humble mosque sits on the edge of the island. Its two small minarets stand in stark contrast to the tall and numerous minarets we would see on the many grand mosques in Dakar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/e063285a-90a3-491b-83e9-6cf3e3e7ef56/processed_1000059706.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Mosque of the Divinity: This mosque has an interesting history. Its founder saw this mosque descend into this place from the sky in a dream. It took him 19 years to get permission to build and the community built it themselves without heavy machinery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/60716d03-935c-4883-b0af-fb723b6f1301/processed_1000059705.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) Mosque of the Divinity: Bird’s-eye view of the mosque and surrounding city and coast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/bd21c8cf-1ed5-4761-9562-ed2f49bcf61f/Resized_20260102_180021+%281%29.jpg Hearts that Reason - Senegal: Pain and Purpose (Part 1) African Renaissance Monument: What a lovely bunch! This monument was meant to represent Africa’s emergence from the dark (mother’s hand pointing towards Goree Island) and a call to the diaspora (child’s hand pointing to the Atlantic Ocean/America). While the monument is open to all kinds of interpretation, it is actually quite controversial in Senegal not just for its design, but also for its extravagant price tag - especially as so many in Senegal live in poverty. https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections daily 0.75 2026-02-23 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/the-big-drumstick monthly 0.5 2026-02-23 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/a-sign-in-the-trees monthly 0.5 2026-02-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/99c094ed-d480-4f4f-be5e-62ba8c8b256b/processed_1000067740.jpg Quran Reflections - A Sign in the Trees A second nurse stump with multiple trees growing from it it. https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/the-suitcase monthly 0.5 2026-02-12 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/what-the-eyes-see monthly 0.5 2026-02-03 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/water-cashews-and-comfort monthly 0.5 2026-02-12 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/the-purpose-in-everything monthly 0.5 2026-01-20 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/quran-reflections/Blog Post Title One-3zaa9-zlxng-xbkmm-wfzgc monthly 0.5 2026-02-12 https://www.heartsthatreason.com/home daily 1.0 2026-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/9a0941d7-a97e-44f8-9206-f7299a1dd428/20260107_155154+%281%29.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/70f9fa1a-7e3b-473b-a0c9-12b75f292ced/great+wall+trip+067.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/845e50ac-00ff-41e4-adf8-48becc4011d9/IMG-20260116-WA0024.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/a9dccb82-83db-4186-bc5f-ab0d991a4242/20251126_062113-EDIT.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/7e1fbb49-b240-48f9-b852-bb60795cefea/20251127_103826.jpg https://www.heartsthatreason.com/about daily 0.75 2026-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6968aee15cfaa342dee57d94/474e3e3e-d5ae-46e0-9368-c19f9eff39ae/20260106_134314.jpg