So much has happened in the past 3 weeks! It seems like it's been longer since I left my family and friends in Perú, but I have been so blessed by my new friends here in Niger. As in Lima, the international missionary community is amazing! 

I arrived in Niamey (Niger's capital) on August 8th and was welcomed by Crystal, who I stayed with for my four days in the city. I was able to tour Niamey a little bit with her as well as to get the necessities before heading to Galmi: cheese and chocolate. I flew into Galmi in a little airplane and landed to find almost all of the Galmi MKs (missionary kids) as well as my coworker, Sharilyn, and others waiting for the plane to land.

By my second and third days in Galmi, I felt thoroughly accepted into the group of STAs (short-term associates). As I said before, the international community is amazing... and the younger folks are just as awesome. It’s easy to get to know people well since it’s just a small group and we’ve really bonded well. We have hiked together, eaten together, lived together and stayed up late numerous nights playing Settlers of Catan, worshipping, watching movies, etc. As summer in the States and Europe is coming to a close, I’m having to say goodbye again to another wonderful group of people. It has been a great time of fellowship and I know that God has used these people to help me during my transitioning time and that He will continue to provide friends throughout the year. He is so good to me!

Three days after I arrived in Galmi, school started and I assumed the role of “teacher’s assistant” and started helping Janet and Sharilyn teach the K-6^th grade MKs. It’s been really different having a full-time job and living on a compound, but so far it’s been great. All of the kids love being at school and are eager to learn!

Last week one of my friends, who is studying to be a midwife and works in the OB department of Galmi Hospital asked if I wanted to “help” her with the babies. While I was there, I was able to witness a C-section for the first time and even carry the delivered baby from the operating room into the baby room! For a few more days that week, I continued to go to the OB to see what went on there and to experience new things. I still don’t know where God is leading my career path other than as a missionary, but who knows? I could eventually end up being a nurse (or something else)! It has been an amazing experience!

As time goes by, I’m hoping that I’ll get to spend more time with the Hausa people in and outside of the hospital compound. God is doing great things through the hospital, but things are definitely not perfect here. The people who work in the hospital face death everyday; I’ve even witnessed some of it first-hand. It’s an amazing mission field though and so many people are in need.

God has blessed me so greatly by sending me here and I’m looking forward to how He can use me, along with all of the stretching and growth He will do in my personal life this year. It has been an adventure in God’s plans so far, and I can’t wait for it to continue.

Kids from a village an hour hike away from Galmi.

Some of the STA's with our wonderful guide.

Camel riding with Josh and Sharilyn

Niger is in need of prayer just like any other country in the world, but specifically right now there has been a cholera outbreak in Galmi, destruction from too much rain, and some major flooding in Niamey. I would like to thank all of my prayer and financial supporters for sending these requests and others to God. I know He loves it when we are in community with one another, and we can do this by praying. At our women’s Bible study tonight, one of the things we talked about was how nothing is possible without prayer. Where would we be if we could never speak with God? We would be utterly hopeless and confused! That is just to say that prayer should be the most important time in our day. We should not skip our time with God no matter how busy we are, but know that we can talk to God anytime and anywhere. He is always listening.