following the LEADER

Yesterday I drove to the airport (Dave drove a different vehicle) with Donkarami, our friend and LINK employee. We needed gas on the way and had to go to 4 places before we found one that had diesel fuel. Just another one of those things that’s common place here and very rare in the U.S. It’s pretty rare for me to drive with Donkarami in the car. Usually Dave would be with us. Sam calls Donkarami “Eye-yieye-yieye”, and was absolutely thrilled to be in the car with him.

As we drove to the airport I felt like I was watching the story of my life turn pages. I told Donkarami that Chapter 1 was ending and Chapter 2 was beginning. You see, we were on our way to meet the Teagues upon their return to Niger. For my family, I feel that this marks the end of a giant transition and the beginning of something new. Chapter 2 will include our first trip back to America as “visitors”, a new baby, and a totally different life in Niger than the one we have lived for the past 6 months.

With the Teagues arrival, things in Niger will change. The biggest way they will change is that we will have leadership. We are very happy about this. We know it was God’s timing and his plan to walk this last part of the road alone, but we’re very glad the troop leader has joined us again. Also, we feel like our job is beginning. Our stated purpose for being here is to host teams. With the Teagues, the teams will begin arriving at a rapid pace. It’s always fun to have visitors!

And so we embrace this new Chapter with everything we have. In 11 days our first team will arrive. Many of them have never been to Niger before. In 16 days I will get on an airplane with Sam and the team and fly home to America. Tonight as we said prayers with Sam before bed, I thanked God for our life here. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that I was made to be right here right now. I would have it no other way.

We are so blessed. Dave and I say this over and over to each other. Today we are blessed because we’re enjoying some amazing house guests. Our friend Nills, missionary to Niger from Sweden, is in town this weekend to pick up his mom and brother from the airport here. They’re staying until Sunday because the AG in Niger is having their national church council elections. So, we have been honored and blessed to host the three of them in our home.

For those of you that don’t know, Dave’s entire family is from Sweden. Being Swedish is very important to Dave’s family. Dave’s grandparents lived in a Swedish neighborhood in Worcester, MA and spoke Swedish as well as English. This is one reason why it is such a pleasure to have these people in our home. When they arrived, Dave made them promise to speak Swedish in our house as much as possible. The sound of it is so beautiful. We have been having all kinds of conversations about their culture and ours. Nills’ mother brought us a beautiful book all about Sweden with translations in French, German, and English. AND this morning at breakfast they even went into their suitcase and broke out the HOME MADE lingon berries. If you don’t know what this is, you should stop at your local Ikea and pick some up. Think a cross between raspberry jam and cranberry sauce.

Today I made chicken tacos for dinner. I say today because between the tortillas, salsa, chicken, beans, ect. it took 3 and a half hours to prepare. It was pure joy. I can’t tell you how fun it is for me to be here, in Niger, hosting people in my home. I’m learning so much about what it means to love serving people.

Sam is full of new words. Yesterday he said, “Merci Tanti!” [thank you auntie] to Amina. Today when Dave left with the crate full of empty soda bottles to refill at the store, he said “coka” [coke in French] for the first time while he walked around the house with a bottle opener. Tonight in the bath tub I asked him to sit down and he looked right at me and said, “I sit down,” very seriously. These firsts fill us with such overwhelming joy. We are so thankful to God for providing us with such a full life. We know what David meant when he wrote in Psalm 23 that his cup runeth over. We don’t know how to handle any more blessing.

[translation: It's a girl!]

Wednesday is ultra sound day at the clinic. We showed up around 3 and waited our turn to be seen by the technician. He said the baby looks great. All her parts are growing AND her head is down! Praise the Lord! At 25 weeks I had the ultra sound that labeled Sam breech. The other thing he said is that it appears that instead of 28 weeks pregnant I’m more like 26.  It will be interesting to get to the U.S. and see what my doctor there has to say. We’re hoping for an April birth since we plan to vacation with the Johansson clan beginning May 16th.  It appears our thinking was correct – she’s a she. Her name??  Greta Helen. We are thrilled. Thanks for your continued prayers for our health.

My apologies.  I didn’t know Dave had posted that Sam was sick.  Otherwise I would have updated a little earlier.  Sam and I both got a 24 hour stomach bug from the kids at play group.  It was not fun, but I won’t include all the runny details.  On Friday night Sam woke up sick in the night and about the time we got him back to sleep, I started.  Last night Dave woke up feeling miserable.  He’s in bed now.  Please pray for him.  I’m sure he’ll be feeling better by tonight.

Today I plan on making the comfort foods I’ve been craving- potato salad and french onion soup.  I love being pregnant.  (Now that I’m able to keep the food down again!)  The temps have been in the 70s during the day and the 60s at night.  The whole family has been wearing sweatshirts most of the day.  Funny how your blood gets thinner when you’ve made it through the 140 degree weather.  That makes the 70s feel almost snowy.  Yesterday Moumouni asked me if it was as cold in Niger right now as it was in the U.S.  He asked me while watering the lettuce and tomatoes in our garden.  I laughed and told him about the ground being frozen.  He couldn’t comprehend it.

Sam and I will be home in 3 and a half weeks.  We hope to see some snow!  If you know of anyone who has an extra vehicle, we will be needing some wheels to get us around the Richmond area.  Between doctor’s visits, church, and coffee dates with friends, we plan to be kind of busy.  We’ll be staying with my mom, but can’t depend on her car because she’ll be going to work.  Please email us if you have any ideas.

hey guys, just a quick post to ask you to pray for Sam.  He has been sick the past two nights.  Thanks