The Never-ending Story

It's funny how when you acknowledge that something will soon be ending, it just makes time slither by because of you eagerness or expectations to finish. So much to the extent that you start thinking that whatever it is will never really end. It's surreal. You're shocked when the "never ending" actually ends. All the while you'd been saying how soon it would be over, without actually believing it. 

This is how I feel right now. After almost a year of having the same schedule everyday; routine after routine after routine, it abruptly stops. No more the rushing to and from the schoolhouse four times a day. No more bright, young faces every morning at 8 o'clock. No more spelling tests or silent reading; no more music class or P.E. No more pouting, no more grumbling...at the same time, no more bear hugs! What shall I do without these things?!
They've been such a part of my life that it will be hard to transition back to living without. Kind of like, how living in the 21st century we become so dependent on internet, which we could have easily lived without before. But no, this is also different. It's so fruitful to watch the kids grow and learn everyday. I've become a part of their world, and they in return are a part of mine. 

I have to be extremely careful about every little word I say out loud because every one of those words will be absorbed and impact them in some way. It's a lot of responsibility! Many of them look up to me, and it's a privilege. Their parents trust me, which is an honor. I have been so blessed by this community in which I've served. God has been teaching me throughout in underlying ways. It's glorious! It really is! 

My heart is overflowing with memories and with sorrow that I'll no longer be a part of their lives. Filled with so much joy for the lives they'll lead; for the men and women of God that they'll become. A year ago, I never could've imagined this much, but God has brought it all together for His good. I praise the Lord for this one-of-a-kind experience and ask that my adventures with Him would never end. 

In the van returning from the youth "minicamp" in Kony.

Vanessa and I with two of the youth leaders after church.

On Youth Group Happenings

“Godiya ga Allah

Godiya ga Yesu

Godiya ga Ruhu Mai Tsarki

Na gode Allahna!”

I am now an official member of the matasa EERN Galmi! For those of you not familiar with any of these terms, “Matasa” means “youth” in Hausa and EERN (Église Évangelique de la République du Niger) is the largest group of evangelical churches in Niger. I originally began to attend this youth group with two of my Swiss friends in January.

Now this is not anything like your typical American youth group by any means. Apparently “youth” seems to be anyone who isn’t married, and even a couple who are. Ages range anywhere between 15 and 35! Also, this youth group meets 2-3 times a week instead of just once, and the main activities are singing and dancing! It is really a youth choir that sings in front of the church every Sunday. We sing songs primarily in Hausa, but also in French and English.

At first my friends and I were a bit too shy to sing up in front of the congregation, but as time went by we gained courage and began to move in time to the beats. After about a month of inconsistent attendance, one of my Swiss friends returned to Switzerland. My other friend was still eager to attend, so we continued on!

At the end of March, this friend and I decided to be wild and signed up for a “minicamp” with the youth group that was four days long. What an adventure! About 20 of us crammed into a van and took a hot hour and a half drive to a larger town called “Kony.” The teachings were all in Hausa, of course, and the sun beating down made it even more difficult to focus. Different people took turns doing private translations into French for my friend and I. It was still quite a bit difficult for me, because my French is not as good as I would like it to be, but never mind that…

We soaked in the sun (and sunscreen), ate with our hands, got to know a couple of the girls a little bit better than before, used what they call a shower (a multipurpose hole in the ground for both a toilet and a shower drain), danced, sang, and drank more water during those 4 days than I think our Hausa friends knew was possible. Though it was different than I expected, I know that it was a growing experience for me even in my frustrations.

Soon after the minicamp, my Swiss friend returned home and I was no longer allowed to attend youth group because I am not allowed to walk alone in town, especially at night. Since then, many people who attend the youth group have asked me when I intend to start coming again. Someone was volunteered to walk me to and from the church, now three times a week, and I have been attending since last week. It’s very different being the ONLY white girl there, but I think everyone’s finally getting used to it. We have all bought fabric for our matching matasa uniforms and on Wednesday we were all required to sign a paper saying that we would consistently attend youth meetings, or else pay a fine to the youth treasury… they might bank on me.

Although it seems like quite the commitment to attend youth meetings 3 times a week in addition to going to church on Sundays, God has brought me joy through this communion. I may not understand much of what is said, but I’m happy to be there whether as a source of encouragement or just of plain laughter. 

During prayer requests at school today, one of the kids suggested that we pray for the marriage seminar that starts this evening for all of the missionary couples. "Why do our parents have to go on a marriage retreat anyway?" M asked. J responded, "We can't understand, 'cause we're not married. Let's get married and then we'll understand." I love these kids!

I don't know if any of you remember the flooding that happened in Niamey when I first arrived here, but if you are interested in clean-up updates from Sahel Academy, here's their blog:

http://niameyflood.blogspot.co.uk/

I realized how little you all know of my day-to-day life here in Galmi. I also decided that it would e worth the time to share some of the little joys that make Sharilyn (whom I work with) and I laugh daily. In case you didn't know, I'm working full-time (8am-3:30pm) as a teacher's assistant with 10 wonderful MKs. We come home with new stories everyday, so I will try my best to become more consistent about sharing them.

Today for example, when we turned on the school air-conditioner (a real luxury in 100ºF+ weather) some fluff shot out of it and E exclaimed, "It's mouse feathers!!" We had also experienced a very bad stench coming from the air-conditioner on Friday and concluded that something had died inside. Later on today, while the kids were in their Lit-circles, a mouse jumped out of the air-conditioner onto a stack of books. It caused quite a bit of excitement and J managed to get the half-dead creature swept into a dustpan and disposed of it outdoors. Class resumed as usual, though we're all hoping for no more mice anytime soon. J is the same one who asked us not to turn in a viper to the guards to be killed, because it "wasn't going to hurt anyone." These are just a few occurrences within the past week. Enjoy!

A Compact Summary of the Past 2 Months

All of the STA's at the beginning of January

Many things have happened since my last post... 

God is good

People have come and gone

God is good

Christmas and the New Year have both passed (with much joy and celebration)

God is good

More people have come and gone

Spiritual Life Conference 

God is good

Second semester at the Day School started

God is good

Kids are growing up

God is good

New student came

God is good

Time is flying by!!

Today I have been in Niger for exactly 6 months. Five months from now, I will be in Paris. 

God has been so faithful in my time here, and I'm so thankful to be right in the palm of His hands.

Holding a baby in the hospital on Christmas Eve