Sandboarding

So earlier this week, a group of us went sandboarding near the capital.  Actually, they went sandboarding while Melissa and I watched.  I didn't participate for a couple of reasons: First, I was wearing a skirt and that would just have been asking for trouble... :)  Second, something about sliding down a huge hill on a piece of wood didn't really appeal to me.  

But, it was worth it to watch the others and to admire the beautiful scenery!!  I am so amazed at God's creativity and beauty through creation!!  Here are some pictures from the day!


Our shadows on the sand...

What amazing views!!  God is so good!  Praise Him for He is worthy!

Thoughts...

Well, rainy season has come to an end.  Which means that our mini hot season has begun!  October is always fun – being able to re-live the unbearable heat from April and May.  Fortunately, this time we have cooler weather to look forward to after our battle with the heat.  Around the middle of November, things should begin to cool down.  I have to admit – I CAN’T WAIT for that to happen!!

So I finally have a vehicle to drive around.  Unfortunately, it’s a “stick-shift.”  Which means I have to overcome some anxiety each time I get in it.  Although, I’m not doing nearly as bad as I imagined.  Of course, so far, I’ve only driven it early in the morning when no one else is around and only in my neighborhood.  But, that’s where the practice begins and confidence builds until soon, I’ll be driving like a pro all through town!  At least that’s what I keep telling myself… J

A few weeks back, I was able to purchase a package of hangers for my clothes (up until then I had exactly 2 hangers to my name).  I can’t tell you how excited I was when I got them back to my house and began hanging up all of my clothing!  J  After my initial excitement began to wear down, I looked at myself in the mirror and laughed.  Only in a place like Niger would one get so excited over hangers!!  But living here, I can think of many other times something so simple and commonplace in America has made me overjoyed!!  J  I guess that’s why for our Christmas lists here you’ll find things like a package of pens, band-aides, and notebooks without grid paper! 

So I suppose my message for you today is to enjoy every blessing, no matter how small it may seem.  For the Father has blessed us immensely!  May we be such a blessing to those around us.  

The bus ride...

Let me take you on a little journey - the experience of a bus ride in Niger....

I got up early because I had to be at the bus station at 6:00 am.  Now, they told me that the bus wouldn't arrive until 7 but for some unknown reason, I had to be there an hour early.  I wanted to ask them if they were going to serve breakfast while I waited...but I probably wouldn't have enjoyed anything they gave me anyway!!

So, 6:00 and I begin my wait.  As I wait, more people begin showing up and the pile of luggage grows.  By 7:00, there is a whole group of us waiting and a small mountain of luggage.  Shortly after the hour, one bus comes but continues on past....it's full.  A few minutes later, two more buses come and stop.  They begin to try to figure out where they are going to fit all the luggage.  I wait and wait until finally, the bus man looks at me and says "Rakia!!  Come!"  

I give him my ticket and work at finding a seat on the already crowded bus.  I finally find a seat - sandwiched between two men.  I get settled and find that neither of the men are willing to give up any space - even if it's being taken from what should be my seat.  

So, we begin our journey...we have several stops along the way.  At the bigger stops, the bus pulls into a compound and people can get out and buy food, water, etc.  I tend to stay on the bus because it has been known to leave people behind...

We get about halfway and my friend calls.  So I try to hear her over the roar of the motor, the babies crying and other people talking.  From that point on, my phone no longer works.  

A few hours later, the bus stops - I look up and realize that we have stopped in the middle of nowhere - not a good sign.  People begin getting out and I watch as they stand watching the driver and his helpers do something underneath the bus.  Before long, those watching begin to find areas of shade to sit down - also not a good sign!  Finally I make my way off the bus and watch as they fiddle with something about the oil.  

30 minutes later we get it fixed and load up again.  We continue down the road - me squished in between these two men.  I hear people's phones ringing but each time I check mine, it says no signal.  

So, as we approach our second to last stop, I begin to realize that it will be dark when I arrive in Niamey.  But, can I call anyone to tell them?  No...my phone, still no signal.  We begin the home stretch at about 6:00 pm.  By this point, I'm tired of heat, body odor, babies crying, people staring.....I'm ready to be off the bus!!

FINALLY at 8:00 PM we arrive in Niamey - Total travel time: 13 hours!!!  

And then, just when I think I'm too tired and miserable to continue, the Father places in my path a taxi man who speaks Hausa and happens to be from my town.  Our conversation on the way to the Guesthouse - mostly about Jesus!!  Praise the Lord for giving us those opportunities to share when we feel we are at our weakest moments - those are the times we allow God to speak for us the most!!

More pictures...

Ok...here are a few more pictures for you to enjoy...

One is a great example of how beautiful our God is!!  I love taking pictures of the amazing African sky!  

There is also a picture of me with a little baby who was just born a few weeks ago.  This was taken at her "suna" (which means baby naming ceremony).  This is a ceremony one week after the birth in which the baby is officially given it's name.  A sheep or goat is sacrificed and people come from all over to see the baby and greet the family.  

There's a picture of me and one of my new friends...

And a couple of pictures of the amazing artwork of these beautiful African children!!  They can put anything to use in making their toys!!

Pictures of my new home!!

Ok...not sure how this commentary will go with the pictures but here are some pictures of my house.  As you can see, I have quite the garden growing in my yard!  I have mango trees, other trees I don't know and even a banana tree!!  As of yet, I haven't seen any fruit on them but my guard faithfully waters them every few days! 

One picture is a view of the front of my house...yes, it's quite big!!  But I will have a partner joining me in January so it won't be just me forever.  There is also a picture of my living room and my bedroom.  I also have a nice kitchen, two bathrooms (although only one of them has  a toilet right now) and I even have a little foyer!!  :)  Yep, i'm roughing it out here!!!  Seriously, the Lord has been good in providing for me.  

Random observations from life....

I’m amazed at how quickly ideas of being clean and smelling good leave my mind as I begin washing my clothes by hand each week.  “Clean” becomes a relative term and I soon hear myself saying a phrase my mom says all the time: “Good enough for who it’s for!”  I love that phrase!!

 

And, of course, I can’t be too concerned about being clean and smelling good when I am walking around my town in 120ish degree weather!  At those temperatures, the main thing you worry about is finding shade.

 

Fortunately, rainy season has begun and so every few days, we have a good rain that cools things down for a day.  Praise the Lord for His blessings from above!!!

 

For someone watching me, it’s probably quite an interesting sight when it rains.  First, if I see the clouds before the rain begins, I run inside and get my camera.  I love taking sky pictures!!  After I have captured the look of the sky to my satisfaction, I return my camera to its place and wait for the rain to begin.  Once it does, I am almost always out standing in it!! I’m sure my guard and his family think I’m the strangest person they know when everyone else is running for cover and I stand around dancing in it!! J  But we have to learn to enjoy the small things in life...things like rain after days of scorching temperatures!

 

I’m beginning to get used to my town.  I go out walking everyday…each time trying to find someplace new to see.  I love the various reactions of people as I walk down the street!!  Children, especially, are precious to watch!!  For some, they run up to me and greet me with their versions of “Bonjour!”  They laugh and smile and even come to shake my hand.  Others are a little more wary and smile shyly at me from a safe distance.  Those are the ones that usually get their courage after I’ve already passed by.  And it’s those moments that I often here a chorus of “Bonjour”s follow me down the street.  And then there are those who are scared to death of me!!  J  A simple glance in their general direction is enough to send them running and crying! 

 

Ahhh….Africa….

 

Tid-bits from life....

Blog Entry

I had a mini photo shoot with my guard’s wife and 3 boys the other day.  It always amazes me how dressed up they get for pictures.  What really makes me smile is that as she was getting ready, she sprayed herself, the boys, and me with perfume.  As if the perfume was going to make the picture even better…ahhh the things about life in Africa that I missed. 

 

One of my guard’s sons is among the many children who seem to be terrified of white people.  I even brought him cookies to try to  “break the ice.”  He took the cookie and then moved closer to his mother.  And when she stepped outside for a moment, the screaming began.  By the end of our photo shoot, I think my guard’s wife and I were the only ones not crying!!  J 

 

Life in Tessaoua has many similarities to life in Guidan Roumdji and yet it is also very different.  For one, I am on my own here.  I’ve actually been doing better than I expected to, being on my own.  I try to keep busy as much as possible.  Although, without knowing much of the language, it gets kind of difficult.

 

That’s another huge difference – language.  Not only is it a different language than before, but I also came out here not knowing hardly anything in Hausa.  My first term, we had a basis in Fulfulde before moving east.  Making friends can be a challenge when all you can do is greet them.  But I try to go walking a couple of times each day just to get people used to seeing me around – even if all I can do is continually say “Ina kwana” (good morning) to everyone I pass by.  The good thing about all of this is that I am the type of person who hates not being able to understand what’s going on around me.  So, this becomes great motivation for learning Hausa faster!

 

Another thing about the language is people’s reactions when I tell them that I don’t speak Hausa.  There are about 3 basic reactions to that statement.  One – the person may smile at me with a look of pity and repeat “you don’t speak Hausa” before moving on their way.  Two – the person may tell me I do speak Hausa and go through greeting again before moving on their way.  And last (and possibly my favorite) is the person that says “you don’t speak Hausa?” and then proceeds to rattle off more Hausa – as though I will magically be able to understand all that they are saying. 

 

Tessaoua is much bigger than Guidan Roumdji which also has it’s good points and challenges.  First, it has much more to offer.  I can actually buy things like dish soap, canned veggies, and toilet paper in town!!  Before, we had to wait until going into Maradi to buy those things.  But a challenge is transportation.  I don’t have a vehicle as of yet and so I am bound to walking everywhere.  Now, I don’t mind walking…I enjoy a good walk now and then.  But when it’s walking in sand, in 130 degree temperatures, covered from head to foot in fabric….well, let’s just say that walking loses some of it’s appeal. 

 

But I am beginning to get used to some of the everyday norms of living in Africa again.  The heat rash, the constant sweating, the feeling as though you’re in an oven.  Even the constant stares as I walk down the street.  All of it makes up life in Niger.  And you know what…I wouldn’t have it any other way! J

I'm back!!

Well, I am writing you from the beautiful land of sand and sun!!  I have safely returned to Niger and am in the process of getting settled in and re-adjusted to life here.

One of the first things to "welcome" me back was the heat!!  I think I had forgotten just how hot it gets in Niger during hot season!  Or maybe I had just tried to put it from my mind...anyway, I am finding that I am adjusting to the heat quickly which is a blessing!

I love being back in Africa!  The Father has already blessed me many times through His protection and provision.  I am so blessed to be here and so blessed to be a part of the work here.

In just a matter of days, I will be moving out east to my new home.  I am excited about beginning to learn Hausa and getting to know my new neighbors!  I had the wonderful opportunity to go visiting a Hausa neighborhood today and it was wonderful just to sit and listen to the language.  Hopefully, in a few months, I'll be speaking it!!

I look forward to being able to post pictures and stories from my life.  I hope you'll join me on this amazing journey!!