following the LEADER

There are times, living here in Niger, that the realities of this place are overwhelming. Niger is always in danger of famine, and this year is no different. When the rains do not fall exactly as expected, the millet does not grow and people die. It is such a harsh reality.

Dave has been working with the AG national church and also some of the pastors in far out villages to try and disperse grain from the American AG Mission for famine relief. He has asked some of the pastors for lists of the name of every head of house in their village so that we can give them each a bag of grain. One of the pastors had the list ready before Dave asked for it. He said problems with starvation are already starting to get bad there.

This is so incomprehensible to me. Here I sit, craving McDonald’s and Panera while people two hours from me are literally dying of starvation. This is why there is such a large worldwide emphasis to stamp out poverty and disease. It seems so unacceptable that these people are dying when so many around the world have a surplus of food and money.

Can you imagine having to decide who in your family should eat and who should not? Can you imagine killing your last cow in the middle of the desert and knowing that after that your family will die? Can you imagine choosing to die so that your family has a better chance of survival? I can’t imagine what this would be like, but living here, I’m faced with these situations.

Please continue to keep our health in your prayers. Sam and Dave have scratchy throats and I went to the clinic this morning and received an IV treatment because I have not been able to keep much down this week. The doctor was encouraging. She gave me a medicine that should help my nausea, and I already feel 100% better.

Next week, Dave’s brother and sis-in-law, Jon and Nicole, will be here for their work with Book of Hope. We will be traveling with them to some of the villages where the famine is beginning to become a problem. We are sure to take many pictures during their trip, and we promise to post. Until then!

The first night that the team arrived, we all had dinner at the Johansson house. Soon after we ate, some of the team members asked if they could pray that God would heal my morning sickness. It felt so good to be ministered to in this way. Sam did not understand what was going on. He wanted those people to take their hands off his mommy.

This was where we stopped to have lunch on the road to Miradi, but we didn’t stop long. It was way too hot.

taking some time to stretch our legs before getting back in the car…

After church on Sunday, our hosts, Dan and Earlene Ligon took us to a village outside of Miradi called Baramaka. The team got to tour the village and then do their first medical clinic at the church. These kids have just gotten out of their village swimming hole.

These are the people waiting to be seen by the medical team outside the church. There were way more people than we could see in one afternoon. The need in Niger is seemingly unending.

The following day we were able to tour the beautiful new clinic and begin setting up before seeing patients. The team was amazing. They work tirelessly. They saw more than 400 patients in 3 days. This with 2 doctors, 1 PA, 1 nurse midwife, and 4 nurses. It was amazing. This is from the ceremonial opening of the clinic.

Camera man Dave in action at the opening.

working at the clinic…

This is the long ride back to Niamey…

broken down on the side of the road…

This is Sam after the 12 hour drive eating his dinner.  What a trooper.

Before the team left, they got to visit the orphanage.  This is Dave with a few of his favorite kids. 

both large ones and small ones. This team, for us, has been just that. We are feeling so refreshed, and are really enjoying being here in Miradi with them. They have been working so hard! It’s amazing how many people in Niger need medical attention and go without it because they can’t afford it. We have been praying with people, handing out medicine, and one of the doctors has even done some surgery, removing 3 hernias from Nigerien children.

My miracle came the night the team arrived. Two of the team member laid hands on me and prayed that God would heal my morning sickenss. From then on, I have felt much better. I threw up once, the next morning after breakfast, but besides that I have been completely better. I have really enjoyed getting to eat the wonderful food that Earlene Ligon has been preparing for us here in Miradi. It feels so good to be myself again.

We want to truly thank all of you for your prayers for the health of our family. We are so grateful to God for all that he is doing in us, and protecting us from, physically. Yesterday, we got to see our new baby on the ultra sound machine at the new clinic. He or she is looking great. The midwife and I have been having a lot of great conversations about my pregnancy and the things I need to think about while I’m here in Niger. I’m just really thanking God for providing us with EVERYTHING that we need. He is so faithful!

Sam is also having a blast in Miradi. He loves the Ligon’s dog, cat, and turtles. There’s even a baby kitten that lives in a clay water pot outside the front door. Lucky for the kitten, Sam can’t get to him in the pot, but he checks on it every time we come and go from the house. He is loving all the extra attention, and has decided that Earlene Ligon (an experienced grandma) is one of his favorite people. She calls him her little friend and he showers her with hugs.

Please keep praying for us and for this team. We really believe that we’re going to see people healed. We love you guys! Dave, Hope and Sam