This morning we broke into two teams - some went to Kamna again and the rest went to Peniel. At Kamna, Lisa worked with the ladies on sewing again, and started another jacket. Earlier in the week, Lisa taught sewing to the ladies at Kamna, and they had never seen patterns before. It was an interesting experience to see their reaction to using western patterns. In the preparation for a large lunch, all of the work tables were taken, so while waitng, Lisa was treated to a hair styling session and her hair looks really cool - wish I had a picture I could send you right now, but maybe later. The Computer team continued to work on the new cyber cafe and Brian Moe taught one last class to the pastors and missionaries.
At Peniel, we taught more sports and music. Today the music team taught the children the difference between melody and harmony - something that is really quite foreign to most of them. We sang "Praise the Name of Jesus" with hand actions, and it was a big hit. The older kids actually had some natural ability to harmonize with us. We had another wonderful feast for lunch, and so thoroughly enjoyed hugging and playing with the kids. Lot's of pix were taken today, but I do not have the tools to downsize them on this computer, so again, we will send pix as soon as possilble.
As I write this blog, the rest of the team is taking their luggage to the cars, as we will be heading out to the airport in just about an hour. We will be back home on Sunday evening. Most of us can not believe the whole week has already gone by, and we are already leaving these wonderful, full-hearted people. I will try to send one more blog tomorrow if possible.
We miss you all and will be home soon.
Blessings,
Teri
Friday, October 30, 2009
The REAL Day 7
Today began with a visit to the Jardin preschool, another school which Grace Chapel has helped support. The sports team taught some soccerball activities in the courtyard area, and the music team taught some voice lessons. We took the old children's song, "BINGO" and changed it to "JESUS". The holy Father had a Son and Jesus was His Name-o ... J - E - S - U - S, J - E - S - U - S, J - E - S - U - S, and Jesus was His name-o. It actually worked really well.
After the morning at Jardin, many of us went on a hunt for girraffs. We drove about an hour out of Niamey and into the giraffe preserve, and after driving all over the tundra - seemingly without any direction - our guide found a family of four giraffes. It's fun to see them in the wild - without fences. The giraffe are much lighter colored here than they are in the states. Interesting! We had a picnic under a tree, which provided much welcome coolness from the very, very hot dirt and air. I'd guess it was at least 100 today, but a cool 100 in the shade. Ahhhhh.
Then in the evening we headed back into town to do another mini-concert and sermon in the outdoors. This time, however, we were in a large parking lot near one of our pastor's churches, rather than in the middle of nowhere. It was a bit strange - cars driving by and people on bikes and motor bikes coming over to see what was going on. Yesterday, some of the other mission folks from Grace arrived, including Dave Bidwell, Kevin Tracy, Jay, Cal and Stephan. It was nice to see them and include them in our group.
It was a long day - another great day - but we were all tired and ready to hit the sack when we got back to the pastoral institute where we are staying.
More tomorrow ... if internet holds out!
Blessings,
Teri
After the morning at Jardin, many of us went on a hunt for girraffs. We drove about an hour out of Niamey and into the giraffe preserve, and after driving all over the tundra - seemingly without any direction - our guide found a family of four giraffes. It's fun to see them in the wild - without fences. The giraffe are much lighter colored here than they are in the states. Interesting! We had a picnic under a tree, which provided much welcome coolness from the very, very hot dirt and air. I'd guess it was at least 100 today, but a cool 100 in the shade. Ahhhhh.
Then in the evening we headed back into town to do another mini-concert and sermon in the outdoors. This time, however, we were in a large parking lot near one of our pastor's churches, rather than in the middle of nowhere. It was a bit strange - cars driving by and people on bikes and motor bikes coming over to see what was going on. Yesterday, some of the other mission folks from Grace arrived, including Dave Bidwell, Kevin Tracy, Jay, Cal and Stephan. It was nice to see them and include them in our group.
It was a long day - another great day - but we were all tired and ready to hit the sack when we got back to the pastoral institute where we are staying.
More tomorrow ... if internet holds out!
Blessings,
Teri
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Niger - Day 7
Niger – Day 7
Today we spent the entire day at the Village of Okoufounou for the dedication of the well. It is about two hours away from the school where we are staying, so we got to see a lot of the countryside today. Miles and miles of brush with people living in huts and shacks periodically along the way. We also passed through a few markets, which were very interesting. We had to cross the JFK Bridge (yes – THAT JFK) to get to the other side of the river. The United States gave Niger the money to build the bridge during the Kennedy administration, so in their minds, it was JFK who paid for the bridge.
There were many dignitaries there to speak at the dedication ceremony. It began with a choir singing and then our music team sang three songs. Then the dignitaries each gave a short speech. Depending upon who was speaking, each person had two interpreters so that there were four languages being spoken – French, English, Djarma, and another tribal language. Pastor Ali was also one of the dignitaries who spoke, including a man who is the governor of the area. Then there were dancers and another singing group. Several of the speakers thanked Grace Chapel, and particularly they were so grateful to Marcia for her grand love of these people.
After the ceremony, we walked to the well and they asked Marcia to be the first to catch the water from the holy spigot. The governor was next, and then they asked the music team to also catch the water from the spigot. It was pretty amazing to think that this well will now serve the people within a few yards from the well, as opposed to walking five miles for water, which is what they have been doing.
The medical clinic was set up once again, and Cindy, Carol and Ann saw about 40 people – children and adults. It was an incredible day. We interacted with these people with big smiles and speaking to one another not really knowing at all what the other was saying. But we got to hug them and hold the little ones. It was a great joy.
The highlight for these people is when you take their photograph. They love to look at the picture you took, and flock to the camera to see their image. They giggle and laugh, some are shy and surprised at looking at themselves. A personal experience for me was walking around with a water bottle that had a frozen chunk of water still floating in it. Some of the women I was standing with kept wondering what it was, so I handed the bottle to them. They jumped at the cold feeling of the bottle. Then I told them to take a sip of the water, and they were so amazed. I gave this one woman my bottle, and she started to poor a little water into the bottle cap and let each of her friends try it. They all laughed and thought the cold water was so amazing. I wondered if they will be sad when the ice melts!!
Blessings from Niger.
Teri
Today we spent the entire day at the Village of Okoufounou for the dedication of the well. It is about two hours away from the school where we are staying, so we got to see a lot of the countryside today. Miles and miles of brush with people living in huts and shacks periodically along the way. We also passed through a few markets, which were very interesting. We had to cross the JFK Bridge (yes – THAT JFK) to get to the other side of the river. The United States gave Niger the money to build the bridge during the Kennedy administration, so in their minds, it was JFK who paid for the bridge.
There were many dignitaries there to speak at the dedication ceremony. It began with a choir singing and then our music team sang three songs. Then the dignitaries each gave a short speech. Depending upon who was speaking, each person had two interpreters so that there were four languages being spoken – French, English, Djarma, and another tribal language. Pastor Ali was also one of the dignitaries who spoke, including a man who is the governor of the area. Then there were dancers and another singing group. Several of the speakers thanked Grace Chapel, and particularly they were so grateful to Marcia for her grand love of these people.
After the ceremony, we walked to the well and they asked Marcia to be the first to catch the water from the holy spigot. The governor was next, and then they asked the music team to also catch the water from the spigot. It was pretty amazing to think that this well will now serve the people within a few yards from the well, as opposed to walking five miles for water, which is what they have been doing.
The medical clinic was set up once again, and Cindy, Carol and Ann saw about 40 people – children and adults. It was an incredible day. We interacted with these people with big smiles and speaking to one another not really knowing at all what the other was saying. But we got to hug them and hold the little ones. It was a great joy.
The highlight for these people is when you take their photograph. They love to look at the picture you took, and flock to the camera to see their image. They giggle and laugh, some are shy and surprised at looking at themselves. A personal experience for me was walking around with a water bottle that had a frozen chunk of water still floating in it. Some of the women I was standing with kept wondering what it was, so I handed the bottle to them. They jumped at the cold feeling of the bottle. Then I told them to take a sip of the water, and they were so amazed. I gave this one woman my bottle, and she started to poor a little water into the bottle cap and let each of her friends try it. They all laughed and thought the cold water was so amazing. I wondered if they will be sad when the ice melts!!
Blessings from Niger.
Teri
Niger – Day 5
We spent the day at Peniel and KAMNA again, teaching music, sports, crafts, sewing and cooking, and the medical team continued to do physical examinations on all the children at Peniel. Still so many more children to see, but we will be back at Peniel on Friday and can finish the exams then.
Tonight we will be out in one of the local villages again, singing and preaching. We are all looking forward to what the Lord has in store again this evening.
I am writing this blog before we leave this evening, so that I can actually get to bed before midnight tonight. So – it is rather brief. However, I’ve made up for that by sharing a group of photos … Many more to come.
Blessings,
Teri
P.S. Day 5 was posted on Day 8 due to no internet service. So more will follow as soon as possible.
We spent the day at Peniel and KAMNA again, teaching music, sports, crafts, sewing and cooking, and the medical team continued to do physical examinations on all the children at Peniel. Still so many more children to see, but we will be back at Peniel on Friday and can finish the exams then.
Tonight we will be out in one of the local villages again, singing and preaching. We are all looking forward to what the Lord has in store again this evening.
I am writing this blog before we leave this evening, so that I can actually get to bed before midnight tonight. So – it is rather brief. However, I’ve made up for that by sharing a group of photos … Many more to come.
Blessings,
Teri
Monday, October 26, 2009
Niger - Day 4
My kingdom for a pair of shorts and a tank top! Phewh - probably the hottest day so far. What a great day though. Colette and Maureen went to the Kamna Vocational School in the morning to teach the women how to make macaroons. One of the women pastors even suggested that making the macaroons would be a great way to raise money for their ministry.
The rest of us went to the Peniel School. Wow - what a gift this school must surely be to the community. Driving through incredible poverty and then on the other side of the wall, the school has sturdy walls, with multiple classrooms, desks, chairs, chalk boards, large meeting room and a huge playground. The children are all dressed in burgundy and black uniforms, and any time you enter a room, the whole class, in unison, says "Hello Auntie" or "Hello Uncle". They are absolutely adorable children; well behaved and full of enthusiasm to learn.
Cindy, Ann, Carol, Jana and Kaitin set up the clinic and began doing physical exams on every student there. They saw about 56 children today, so still about 150+ to go!! At one point, a little boy came in with cracked feet with sores. They soaked his feet in a tub and cleaned the wounds. Kaitlin got down on her knees and wiped his feet - the mirror picture of Christ's love for us.
The computer team took pictures all morning of each student. Later in the afternoon, they installed 10 computers and put in a wireless network. They also taught a computer class that afternoon to some pastors and missionaries.
The sports team had the kids running after frisbies and playing games in the sun. The best game was "Catch the white boy" and Cade and Cole would run as fast as they could while all the students chased after them!!
The music team taught recorder to all the students today. Lisa did a fine job showing all these little ones how to play a flute of sorts. Teaching the "blow it softly" technique, she used soap bubbles, which were a huge hit.
The evening was completed by all of us going back to a village and along with some of our pastor friends, we sang some songs, and preached a message in the dark, about the love of Jesus. Some men came forward and asked for prayer for a woman in their village who has not walked in six years. The men went to her and prayed for her. The pastor then told her that they have prayed for the Lord to heal her, and if she has the faith to believe this, she will be healed. She stood up and walked slowly at first, but then was walking around the hut several times, rejoicing and singing at her healing. God is good. Miracles still happen.
Correction from yesterday - It was Brian Decker not Brian Moe who sang Amazing Grace with the team at one of the churches, and there were nearly 1,000 people in attendance at the big concert last night, rather than 500. (I like to write, but anyone who knows me, knows math is not my thing!!)
Blessings,
Teri
The rest of us went to the Peniel School. Wow - what a gift this school must surely be to the community. Driving through incredible poverty and then on the other side of the wall, the school has sturdy walls, with multiple classrooms, desks, chairs, chalk boards, large meeting room and a huge playground. The children are all dressed in burgundy and black uniforms, and any time you enter a room, the whole class, in unison, says "Hello Auntie" or "Hello Uncle". They are absolutely adorable children; well behaved and full of enthusiasm to learn.
Cindy, Ann, Carol, Jana and Kaitin set up the clinic and began doing physical exams on every student there. They saw about 56 children today, so still about 150+ to go!! At one point, a little boy came in with cracked feet with sores. They soaked his feet in a tub and cleaned the wounds. Kaitlin got down on her knees and wiped his feet - the mirror picture of Christ's love for us.
The computer team took pictures all morning of each student. Later in the afternoon, they installed 10 computers and put in a wireless network. They also taught a computer class that afternoon to some pastors and missionaries.
The sports team had the kids running after frisbies and playing games in the sun. The best game was "Catch the white boy" and Cade and Cole would run as fast as they could while all the students chased after them!!
The music team taught recorder to all the students today. Lisa did a fine job showing all these little ones how to play a flute of sorts. Teaching the "blow it softly" technique, she used soap bubbles, which were a huge hit.
The evening was completed by all of us going back to a village and along with some of our pastor friends, we sang some songs, and preached a message in the dark, about the love of Jesus. Some men came forward and asked for prayer for a woman in their village who has not walked in six years. The men went to her and prayed for her. The pastor then told her that they have prayed for the Lord to heal her, and if she has the faith to believe this, she will be healed. She stood up and walked slowly at first, but then was walking around the hut several times, rejoicing and singing at her healing. God is good. Miracles still happen.
Correction from yesterday - It was Brian Decker not Brian Moe who sang Amazing Grace with the team at one of the churches, and there were nearly 1,000 people in attendance at the big concert last night, rather than 500. (I like to write, but anyone who knows me, knows math is not my thing!!)
Blessings,
Teri
Day 3
OCTOBER 25, 2009 – Day 3
Sunday morning – off to church. We broke up into three separate groups and visited three different churches. The music team and Marcia went to Yantala, where we got to sing for the congregation. Cindy, Kyle, Brian Moe, Maureen and Kaitlin wanted me to be sure to let you know that they too were asked to sing when then visited the Nouveau Marche Church. They sang two verses of “Amazing Grace” and were given a hearty round applause afterwards.
Our service at Yantala was awesome. This is Pastor Ali’s church. You may remember his wife Hadiza who sang with us on the worship team for one Sunday while they were visiting Grace about a year ago. The choir at the Yantala church sang a special song just for us. The main lyrics were “ We’re so happy you are here – happy, happy, happy.” Of course there was dancing and clapping involved as well!! They also sang another song in English about Moses, but it wasn’t until nearly the end of the song that I realized they were singing in English. Colette leaned in to me and said, “That’s probably how well they understand our French, too!” Marcia was the guest speaker at the church this morning, and she did her entire message in French. It was impressive, and honestly, we even understood what she was saying much of the time even though she was speaking beautifully in French!
After church (2.5 hours) we had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Walking through the gate at the restaurant was a feat for the eyes; palm trees, green plants, flowers and water gardens. Whoa, where are we? Inside, the restaurant was air-conditioned. It felt glorious. As an appetizer, we were served deep-friend grasshoppers. No – seriously! Jana, the consummate food aficionado immediately volunteered to try one, and then had to try another because she forgot to add sauce. Brave grasshopper eaters included both Brians, Shaun, Kaitlin, Carol, Cindy, Kyle, Perry, Cole (who ate several), Daniel (our trusted driver and new friend), and Marcia. The rest of us passed on the … um, delicacy. Maureen ate Pepto Bismal instead (go figure!)
And finally, the evening ended with our big concert night. I’d say there were approximately 500 people present, which included a couple hundred people who were in the program (not kidding). It was sort of like Battle of the Bands! It started at 4:30 and the last thundering song rang out at 8:15! Speaking of thundering, I know volume has been an issue at Grace Chapel for many years. In fact, it seems to be a universal church issue – or at least in the US of A. But Africa – volume not a problem! It’s just “ON” all the time. We need to come up with a new word for “loud”. Still, the gospel message was spoken and sung loud and clear throughout the evening. There was quite a diverse crowd there. Christians, Muslims, and those in-between, but they listened. And they heard the message that Jesus Christ has set us free through his great love for us, and sacrifice on the cross. May His saving power touch the hearts of those who came to with ears to hear.
Blessings, Teri
Sunday morning – off to church. We broke up into three separate groups and visited three different churches. The music team and Marcia went to Yantala, where we got to sing for the congregation. Cindy, Kyle, Brian Moe, Maureen and Kaitlin wanted me to be sure to let you know that they too were asked to sing when then visited the Nouveau Marche Church. They sang two verses of “Amazing Grace” and were given a hearty round applause afterwards.
Our service at Yantala was awesome. This is Pastor Ali’s church. You may remember his wife Hadiza who sang with us on the worship team for one Sunday while they were visiting Grace about a year ago. The choir at the Yantala church sang a special song just for us. The main lyrics were “ We’re so happy you are here – happy, happy, happy.” Of course there was dancing and clapping involved as well!! They also sang another song in English about Moses, but it wasn’t until nearly the end of the song that I realized they were singing in English. Colette leaned in to me and said, “That’s probably how well they understand our French, too!” Marcia was the guest speaker at the church this morning, and she did her entire message in French. It was impressive, and honestly, we even understood what she was saying much of the time even though she was speaking beautifully in French!
After church (2.5 hours) we had lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. Walking through the gate at the restaurant was a feat for the eyes; palm trees, green plants, flowers and water gardens. Whoa, where are we? Inside, the restaurant was air-conditioned. It felt glorious. As an appetizer, we were served deep-friend grasshoppers. No – seriously! Jana, the consummate food aficionado immediately volunteered to try one, and then had to try another because she forgot to add sauce. Brave grasshopper eaters included both Brians, Shaun, Kaitlin, Carol, Cindy, Kyle, Perry, Cole (who ate several), Daniel (our trusted driver and new friend), and Marcia. The rest of us passed on the … um, delicacy. Maureen ate Pepto Bismal instead (go figure!)
And finally, the evening ended with our big concert night. I’d say there were approximately 500 people present, which included a couple hundred people who were in the program (not kidding). It was sort of like Battle of the Bands! It started at 4:30 and the last thundering song rang out at 8:15! Speaking of thundering, I know volume has been an issue at Grace Chapel for many years. In fact, it seems to be a universal church issue – or at least in the US of A. But Africa – volume not a problem! It’s just “ON” all the time. We need to come up with a new word for “loud”. Still, the gospel message was spoken and sung loud and clear throughout the evening. There was quite a diverse crowd there. Christians, Muslims, and those in-between, but they listened. And they heard the message that Jesus Christ has set us free through his great love for us, and sacrifice on the cross. May His saving power touch the hearts of those who came to with ears to hear.
Blessings, Teri
Day 2
OCTOBER 24, 2009 – Day 2
After a delicious breakfast this morning, we set off in vans and SUVs to go to the city and participate in the men’s and women’s seminar services at two different locations about 3-miles apart. The women’s meeting included guest speakers Dr. Cindy Martin and Maureen Yockey from our team. Through an interpreter, Cindy shared with the women about the importance of taking care of themselves nutritionally before getting pregnant and during pregnancy, as well as the types of foods that have the proper nutrients and can be found here in Niger. Maureen talked about nurturing your child after they are born, and building the bond of love and trust. The interpreter did a very good job keeping up with the ladies, though at one point, Cindy was talking about using a clean washcloth dipped in chamomile tea to aid in calming colicky babies. After seeing the puzzled looks on the faces of some of the women, we realized that the interpreter thought Cindy was telling the women to us camel milk! Yikes!!
This afternoon, we went to a football (soccer) game. The young men playing are part of a local athletic club of sorts. We drove about 15 minutes and then turned on a road that drove through make-shift homes, cattle and children, and trash everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. Then we parked. This is the soccer field? … Just dirt, unleveled ground, junk all around and cinderblocks serving as goals. Where’s the bleachers??? Apparently you stand to watch these games … okay.
Two men beating drums and two men blowing horns marched through the village to announce the beginning of the games. People came out of every corner – children and adults followed the pied-piper to the “soccer field”.
What struck all of us so deeply were the people. You know those pictures you see in National Geographic? … the ones with children’s faces and eyes that grip your soul? They live here. We could feel the love of the Christ calling each one of us to love on these dear little ones … so many people, with so little hope. I pray we can share true Hope with them.
There’s much more to tell you, but our internet access is slow right now, so I will write more later.
Blessings,
Teri
After a delicious breakfast this morning, we set off in vans and SUVs to go to the city and participate in the men’s and women’s seminar services at two different locations about 3-miles apart. The women’s meeting included guest speakers Dr. Cindy Martin and Maureen Yockey from our team. Through an interpreter, Cindy shared with the women about the importance of taking care of themselves nutritionally before getting pregnant and during pregnancy, as well as the types of foods that have the proper nutrients and can be found here in Niger. Maureen talked about nurturing your child after they are born, and building the bond of love and trust. The interpreter did a very good job keeping up with the ladies, though at one point, Cindy was talking about using a clean washcloth dipped in chamomile tea to aid in calming colicky babies. After seeing the puzzled looks on the faces of some of the women, we realized that the interpreter thought Cindy was telling the women to us camel milk! Yikes!!
This afternoon, we went to a football (soccer) game. The young men playing are part of a local athletic club of sorts. We drove about 15 minutes and then turned on a road that drove through make-shift homes, cattle and children, and trash everywhere, everywhere, everywhere. Then we parked. This is the soccer field? … Just dirt, unleveled ground, junk all around and cinderblocks serving as goals. Where’s the bleachers??? Apparently you stand to watch these games … okay.
Two men beating drums and two men blowing horns marched through the village to announce the beginning of the games. People came out of every corner – children and adults followed the pied-piper to the “soccer field”.
What struck all of us so deeply were the people. You know those pictures you see in National Geographic? … the ones with children’s faces and eyes that grip your soul? They live here. We could feel the love of the Christ calling each one of us to love on these dear little ones … so many people, with so little hope. I pray we can share true Hope with them.
There’s much more to tell you, but our internet access is slow right now, so I will write more later.
Blessings,
Teri
Friday, October 23, 2009
Niger - Day 1
OCTOBER 23, 2009 – Day 1
Looking out the window as our plane came in for a landing in Niamey at about 3:30 Friday afternoon, that’s when it really hit me. We are about to land in Africa. AFRICA! Holy cow – we just came 6,500 miles to a completely different culture and a world so very different from ours. A plume of heat wafted over us as we disembarked, and then got on to some vans to take us to the Niamey “International” Airport just a couple hundred yards away.
When we left Denver at DIA, we checked 32 bags. I know – that is tons, but we were bringing many teaching aids and gifts with us … and of course, clothing. The concern, of course, was that we would get to Niger but our bags would enjoy a vacation in the South of Mexico or something. Amazingly, ALL our bags arrived, with not one glitch through customs; truly a miracle.
We rolled out of the airport doors with a caravan of luggage and 18 people, and were joyfully greeted by a hundred or so Nigerians; children and adults from the Peniel School, pastors, missionaries, and ambassadors. Our little singing group decided this was the closest we were ever going to get to feeling like rock stars!! Ha!
Again, that overwhelming feeling hit me and I got a bit choked up looking out at those darling little cherub faces on the children, the colorfully dressed women and kind gentlemen who had been standing there for who knows how long in the heat, waiting to honor us with this tremendous welcome.
Driving to the pastor’s seminary where we are staying was a real eye-opener. People were walking all over the place (yes, in the street where people are driving too); goats and longhorn cows and some bulls – and yes, some donkeys pulling carts. People driving cars, many motorcycles, bicycles and just a general flurry of activity with nobody seemingly paying attention to the other. Makes C470 heading west at rush hour look like a cakewalk!
We were treated to a delicious meal of spaghetti, green beans, salad and bread for dinner. It really was wonderful. Tomorrow morning, we will be attending church for a men’s meeting and a women’s meeting. Our singing group will sing a couple songs at each of those meetings. Then, the rest of the day is pretty open for us to set up all the computers and the temporary clinic in preparation for next week’s activities.
I’ve posted a couple of pix, but they are pretty large, so the download time may be too much. Between now and tomorrow, we will try to figure out a way to downsize the photos so we can send lots more to the blog.
First day in Niger: God has made it very clear that He has gone before us and prepared the way. We are all safe, joyful and healthy (Colette and Shawn, who came down with strep a couple days ago are both feeling much better) and the rest of us are just looking forward to getting some sleep tonight.
God bless you. More wonders and news from Niger tomorrow.
Teri – Niger Team Blogstress
Looking out the window as our plane came in for a landing in Niamey at about 3:30 Friday afternoon, that’s when it really hit me. We are about to land in Africa. AFRICA! Holy cow – we just came 6,500 miles to a completely different culture and a world so very different from ours. A plume of heat wafted over us as we disembarked, and then got on to some vans to take us to the Niamey “International” Airport just a couple hundred yards away.
When we left Denver at DIA, we checked 32 bags. I know – that is tons, but we were bringing many teaching aids and gifts with us … and of course, clothing. The concern, of course, was that we would get to Niger but our bags would enjoy a vacation in the South of Mexico or something. Amazingly, ALL our bags arrived, with not one glitch through customs; truly a miracle.
We rolled out of the airport doors with a caravan of luggage and 18 people, and were joyfully greeted by a hundred or so Nigerians; children and adults from the Peniel School, pastors, missionaries, and ambassadors. Our little singing group decided this was the closest we were ever going to get to feeling like rock stars!! Ha!
Again, that overwhelming feeling hit me and I got a bit choked up looking out at those darling little cherub faces on the children, the colorfully dressed women and kind gentlemen who had been standing there for who knows how long in the heat, waiting to honor us with this tremendous welcome.
Driving to the pastor’s seminary where we are staying was a real eye-opener. People were walking all over the place (yes, in the street where people are driving too); goats and longhorn cows and some bulls – and yes, some donkeys pulling carts. People driving cars, many motorcycles, bicycles and just a general flurry of activity with nobody seemingly paying attention to the other. Makes C470 heading west at rush hour look like a cakewalk!
We were treated to a delicious meal of spaghetti, green beans, salad and bread for dinner. It really was wonderful. Tomorrow morning, we will be attending church for a men’s meeting and a women’s meeting. Our singing group will sing a couple songs at each of those meetings. Then, the rest of the day is pretty open for us to set up all the computers and the temporary clinic in preparation for next week’s activities.
I’ve posted a couple of pix, but they are pretty large, so the download time may be too much. Between now and tomorrow, we will try to figure out a way to downsize the photos so we can send lots more to the blog.
First day in Niger: God has made it very clear that He has gone before us and prepared the way. We are all safe, joyful and healthy (Colette and Shawn, who came down with strep a couple days ago are both feeling much better) and the rest of us are just looking forward to getting some sleep tonight.
God bless you. More wonders and news from Niger tomorrow.
Teri – Niger Team Blogstress
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