following the LEADER

It has been at least a month since I’ve been online. I’m not exaggerating. I honestly thought life here would be a little slower paced than it was in the states, and in some ways I guess it is…. or maybe it will be. These last 2 months have been insane. Dave and I thoroughly enjoyed the LINK teams. It was so awesome to see God bring together all that he is doing in the hearts of the Americans that were here are the Nigeriens that they were working with. In a village outside of Niamey called Goudel, the college team prayed for a boy who had not walked in over a month. The next day he was up playing, dancing, and running around with his friends. Personally, it was amazing to see some of the teenage girls that I know from MCC (our home church) step out in ministry and self sacrifice. Even though they were hot and tired, these girls were giving all that they had to love on the Nigerien girls on their kid’s camp teams.

After the teams left Dave and I were thrilled to have our friends Andrew and Liz stay for 5 days with us in Niamey. The crowning achievement of this time was our trip to the wild game park. I call it an achievement because when we got out there (the park is 3 + hours from Niamey) we were told that our nice hotel was closed. It was getting dark, and we were not looking forward to driving back on the dirt road in the pitch black. The locals offered us a place to stay in a bungalow. By bungalow they meant hut. Now, I’ve backpacked across Alaska, but I can honestly say this was roughing more than any place I’ve ever been. We survived the night with 5 of us in a little cement/mud hut with no ventilation of any kind. When we woke up the next morning all was well. Especially with the lizards and frogs we found in our clothes and under our mattresses.

Less than a week after our pals left the next construction team arrived. We’ve been enjoying getting to know Brent’s great Aunt and Uncle who have had long and distinguished missionary careers. They are full of funny anecdotes, and they are tough as nails. Aunt Ruth is 81 ( Uncle Charity hasn’t told us his age) and came with some cracked ribs from a recent car accident. She was quick to start telling me that she loves me. Please pray for this team. The work that they have come to do has not exactly been going smoothly. They were to construct a roof on a stadium that was just purchased. The problem is that the rough was going to be enormous, and was sent in 3 large shipping containers. The containers have been detained and have not yet arrived. Therefore, the team has had to change its plans and build other things instead. They worked on one tabernacle kit at the stadium site that will be used for other ministry. They constructed another tabernacle in a town called Tahoua that is several hours away. I think they will construct their third tabernacle in a village just passed Tillaberry. The second two will be used as churches.

The Teagues will be leaving a week from tomorrow, and we will be sad to see them go. It’s amazing how fast time flies. Dave and I are excited about jumping back into our language study. We have 8 tutoring sessions a week. We also found out that Jon and Nicole, Dave’s brother and sister in law will be coming to do work with Book of Hope in late October. We are so excited to see them, but also to see their ministry on “our” field. Book of Hope is really changing lives here and enabling the church in ministry in exciting ways. We are able to hand out “books” in Muslim schools across the nation of Niger.

In other news, Sam is doing well. We’re very glad to be back in our house. Sam has been sleeping in his own room for the last week. This is enabling Mommy to get her first solid nights sleep (without nursing the boy) in at least 6 months. He is now officially weaned. (Sorry if that was TMI). Sam loves to play in the sand, play with Mulligan, climb things (like stairs and chairs), and throw balls. He’s all boy, and I can’t take my eye off him for a second. He’s still taking 2 naps a day with a combined time of 5 hours on some days. In related news, I am about an hour away from finishing the DVD of the second season of Alias. I have been very glad to have some “me” time. Sammy and I have not been back to play group since the teams arrived, but we hope to start again next week.

Amina is doing great. Her fiancee payed the dowry for her wedding a few weeks ago. They will be married in October in Niamey. We are very excited for her. Our guard was also married last week. Things are very happy around our house.

So, that’s all the news. We have some really great pictures, but I’m not on our computer right now. I’m connected at the Bible School. We really hope to have internet soon. Once this current team leaves, it will be our top priority. We love all of you and miss you so much. Please continue to pray for us, and thank you for your prayers. We feel very loved.

Dave, Hope, and Samuel