following the LEADER

With Daddy gone life around here is different.

Sam has aquired a fear of going to sleep.  This happens both at night and during his afternoon nap.  He has explained to me that there are some small kitties that live in his airconditioner (the only light on in his room at night) that want to bite him.  And he needs me to pray that he’s gonna have peace in his heart.  With Daddy gone both boys have ended up in Mommy’s bed before morning every night so far.

Getting around is also a more cultural experience.  This afternoon we took a taxi to the pool.  Moumouni (always very helpful) walked us (and carried Nata) to the road.  We hailed the cab and all three piled in the front (yes that’s right…. two small boys and a mommy in the front seat together).  In Niamey, taxi drivers don’t pick up one person at a time and take you directly to your destination.  They start and stop again, piling as many as will fit.  You could say it’s not the express train.  We made two stops, saw two camels, listened to a heated debate in Djarma, and answered a cell phone call from Grandma (in which I quickly explained I couln’t talk) all before arriving at the pool. Without Daddy’s car here, getting around is an adventure.

Mommy is enjoying her boys.  They’re both really changing.  Last night Nathaniel crawled up into his kiddie camping chair all by himself.  He was so proud he gave himself a round of applause.  Today at the table Sam said, “Mom are you kidding me?  I’m not kidding you, Mom.  Sammy sis!  [serious].”  They’re both so funny.  Without Daddy, mom is 100% focused on the kids.

The food is more kid friendly.  Hot dogs, mac and cheese, and dinner at the pool.  Mom’s not spending a whole lot of time in the kitchen with Daddy gone.

We miss our Dad.  And when he comes back, things will feel more normal.

road scenes around Niamey (so that you can imagine our taxi ride)….

The time stamp on the above picture is not correct.  My mom took it in May of this year.

Less than an hour ago I sent my husband, Daniel, and our newest rommie, Danika off to the village with 3 cars full of young people and one mom.  It was Jonathan’s idea.  Jonathan is a friend of ours from CA who has been to Niger on 3 LINK trips (www.linkniger.com).  Last summer when he was here for kid’s camp he said to us, “I would really love to come and stay in the village for several days.”  That started the conversation about what kind of team you would need to make this happen.  A team of people who like to camp.  A team of people who aren’t afriad to try new things and eat new things and see new things.  Adventurers.  And so it began.

Not long after Jonathan decided he was going to recruit enough people to make his dream a reality, Benjamin got on board.  Benjamin is Daniel’s brother.  (The very same Daniel who lives here in Niamey and works with us).  Benjamin had also been on a few LINK trips and felt like he could also find some friends that would be up for the adventure.

They left this afternoon for Alambare.  A place that is new to us this year.  Where we have been invited to build huts of our own and come and visit often.  A place full of kindness and hospitality.

From California: Jonathan, Matt, Jake, Nick, Mackenzie, Sarah, and Brandon.  From Virginia: Ben, Xander, Hope (not me), and Brittany.  They seem to be up for the adventure.  Today when Daniel asked who wanted to go with him to buy wood, they all volunteered.  They piled into the back of the pickup and embraced the experience.  I see this as a very good sign.

Did I mention I wish I could go with them?  I do.  But with Nathaniel, the nature explorer who likes to touch and taste everything, I just wasn’t feeling up to 5 nights in the village.  We did go out there two days ago to bring supplies and see the finishing touches put on the facility.  Here’s a sneak peak of what they’re gonna see…..

This is the latreen that Dave and Dan designed. Dave even installed a toilet seat. In the village that's luxury. See the window? When we saw that we laughed. It's right at eye level when you're sitting there. I sent curtains.

Sam is walking from the latreen to the village. In the back ground are the huts that the team will live in for the next 5 days. Not a short walk in the middle of the night.

putting the finishing touches on the girl's shower.

inside the huts. try not to be jealous of these ritzy digs. not everyone can have a sandbox in their bedroom.

the common area in the middle of the huts. this is where the team will eat their meals and spend a lot of their down time.