following the LEADER

Last night was the end of a chapter for us here at Chez Johansson.  Last night we said good bye to our sister and our friend.  Krystal boarded a plane for France with a few tears, lots of memories, and a heart full of excitement for the future.  With some fun traveling and wedding plans in the forecast, we are excited for her and sad to see her go.   Having her in Niger has been such a gift, and we are sure that the friendships made here will last a lifetime.  She definitely did an amazing job here “on the field”.   From feeding malnourished kids to blessing us with her beautiful smile (even in the heat), her presence in Niger these last 10 months has encouraged us all.

door to door evangelism in Zarma Gande

her first attempt at becoming a barber

with Amber and Ashley at the Rose Dune in Gao, Mali

a little thanksgiving crafting

This is Rahina. God used Plumpynut and Krystal to save her life.

with her African daugther, Esther

Mounira and Kadidja

last Sunday in Gueladio

dinner with the ladies Sunday evening

Today my mom and I began teaching a class at the NGO, Kamna.  Mom brought crochet hooks and yarn with her  from America.  This was a treat for all of the local women (including me!)

We had 12 ladies come to learn how to crochet.

We really enjoyed this opportunity to interact with the local ladies.  The class is a great exucse for us to make new friends and pass some time in a room full of women.

Even though the language barrier can be difficult (many of these women speak less french than I do), the smiles and twinkles in their eyes said it all.  The feeling of accomplishment you get from learning a new skill is the same no matter where you are from.

Check back in!  We’ll be teaching all week.  I promise to keep you updated on our progress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

day 2

Yesterday afternoon we were pleased to welcome my mom to Niger.  The last twenty four hours have been full of lots of sweat, lots of playing, and a few sweet tears.  Sammy and Nata are so pleased to have Gramma around. (And Mommy and Daddy are too!)

Today Dave left with Daniel for another night in the village to prep for our June team.  With Krystal working at Chez Teague this afternoon, we had some great time to play and gab and enjoy the special bond between a mom and her girl and her boys complete with Mom’s first trip to Petite Marche.  It was sweaty, and eye-opening, and fun.

Among the many things that my mom brought to us in her suitcase was my very own copy of The Creative Family by Amanda Soule.  I have only just begun my cover to cover study of this book, but I’m already getting some great ideas about taking moments out to enjoy the creativity that already lives in our home.

And so tonight, after meatloaf and salad, we had our first three-generations-of-art-night.  We wish our Daddy could have been here for this one.  Maybe tomorrow night we’ll rope KK and Dad into joining us.  Sam requested that we use markers, but when we started cleaning up he asked if we could get out the paints.  I told him maybe we could try that tomorrow.  Thanks Grammy for the awesome roll of paper.  We’re still loving it!

Here are some photos and an apology.  I don’t know why I wasn’t thinking about the blog when we were actually creating this beautiful art.  I only thought of that after the boys were in bed.  I promise more pics of actual people this week.

I was so proud after we finished, I just had to proudly display our tallent!

Grandma’s corner of the paper complete with the obligitory (when Sam’s around) bus and the blue rick rack snake that drew himself across the table to “chomp” on Sam.

Sam said, “good job, Mama!”  but also insisted that the man in the purple hat was actually an airplane.

Sam’s corner: full of busses.  See the wheels?

Juanita was the first friend I made here in Niger.  I stayed with her and her husband, Rodrigo, when I visited Niger for the first time in 2005.  It was then that we became friends.  I know no other person on earth quite like her.  Juanita and Rodrigo are missionaries here from El Salvador (click here to visit their blog).  The first ever to be sent from their country to Africa.  

Tia (as Sam calls her) and I share the love for creating.  We are often discussing sewing projects.  She is an artist and it shows not only in her paintings, but her clothes, the way she decorates her house, and pretty much everything she touches.  

Last Sunday Juanita turned 26.  So, this year, for her birthday I wanted to giver her something hand made.  She has been very interested in my quilt and has been asking me tons of questions and keeping up with my progress.  And so, I had the idea to make her this.  

It’s called a gratitude wrap.  There are three pockets: one for an address book, one for cards, and one for a pen/stamps.  

Made with love for my friend for whom I am most grateful.

The other day while reading books before naptime, Sam pointed to the illustration and said, “Sammy make that, Mommy!”  It was a chocolate chip cookie. 

Well, you don’t have to ask me twice, sweet one.  Mama will make chocolate chip cookies any day. 

And we just happened to have some m&m minis from America!  And so began a very fun project.  Mommy took advantage of the opportunity for yet another lesson on colors.  Sam was happy to help sort the m&ms, sneaking more than a few into his mouth as he “worked”. 

Mommy wore her Texas apron that used to be Grandma Great’s.  Sam wore the art smock that Auntie Laura (or was it Grandma) sent for Christmas.  (That is until he decided it was too hot to be covered in a plastic smock!)

toochies!  That’s what we like to call them around here.  Good times.