Transition

It has been six months since I left Niger. A lot of things have happened since then and since moving back to the USA. I visited Paris for a week, took part in a month long road trip with my family, started university, made new friends, finished my first semester, returned to Peru for two and a half weeks, and am now heading back to university in a week. This life is a whirlwind!

Last week in Niger, headed to a wedding.

God has been absolutely amazing to provide me with everything I need and with perfect timing. He brought up supporters for me while I was in Niger, and although I can’t afford to attend a private Christian university, He has enabled me to go there as well. I know that God has great plans for my life, even when I’m unsure of the future. I hope that my time spent in Niger was just a snapshot of what God will allow me to do in the future.

Visiting the fistula hospital in Danja.

I’m so thankful for the opportunities I had in Galmi as a Teacher’s Assistant, working in the pharmacy, and shadowing doctors. I am so encouraged by all the work my fellow missionaries are doing there for God’s glory. I hope one day to be as strong and courageous as them, trusting God every step of the way.

Thanks to those of you who supported me financially or lifted me up in prayer. I’m sorry for the infrequency of my newsletters and updates. Those are things I hope to improve in as I get older. In the meantime, I have a new, very informal blog for those of you who wish to continue following my inconsistency:

inadequateimages.blogspot.com

Thanks for being a part of my journey!

All the kids on the compound saying goodbye to the plane.

Send out Your light and truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling;

That I may go to the altar of God, to the God of my joy and gladness; and on the harp I will give thanks to You, O God my God.

~Psalm 43:3-4

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

November Update!

The Christmas season is coming around again, and the festivities on Galmi compound are just beginning! I’ve decorated my house and will begin to bake more frequently than I already do. The weather is getting cooler in the mornings and sometimes at night I actually have to sleep with a blanket! We’ve begun singing carols and the kids at the day school have been rehearsing for their Christmas play.

We celebrated US Thanksgiving last weekend, which was the first holiday I’d spent away from my parents. It will be a very different Christmas from any I’ve ever celebrated before because I will remain separated from my family in Peru. However, I’m surrounded by my Christian family from all over the world.

As always, the population on the compound continues to change as STAs (short-term associates) come and go. All of the STAs are great too, and we’ve enjoyed many adventures together. It’s great to have such a wide range of friends so close by. One of the greatest additions to compound life has been my next-door neighbor, Elise. She’s lots of fun and a goof-ball just like me, and though she is younger than me, every once in a while I tell her to be my mom… she tries and fails to boss me around, but she’s been great at daily encouragements, which at home, I would receive from my mom everyday.

Elise and I drinking hot chocolate while decorating for Christmas!

At the end of September I began taking Hausa lessons every week-day after school, and though the lessons have been good, I’m sorry to say that I am one of my teacher’s worst students (Sorry, Malam Markus!). The classes come to an end next week, which will be both sad and relieving.

My two absolute favorite things that I’ve enjoyed about my job at the school so far have been witnessing the day-by-day progress of our two kindergarteners and one first-grader, and teaching Christmas carols during music class. It makes my face light up when any one of the little boys picks out and reads words, letters, or sounds that they did not know at the beginning of the year! I love choosing Christmas carols for the kids to sing, and most recently we have been working on harmonization! This has been both challenging and a great joy to me. The kids were very excited when I told them that I would be splitting them into Soprano and Alto groups, and the majority of the time their harmonizing sounds beautiful!

Some of the STAs and I on a trip to Niamey

This time of year is when we concentrate on celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Savior, but I still tend to get caught up in all of the silliness of the traditions that we have tacked onto it. One carol’s words that continue to come to mind are those of O Holy Night:

“O Holy Night!


The stars are brightly shining,


Music Class!

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 


'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth. 


A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, 


For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees,


Oh, hear the angels voices!


O night divine,

On a walk with some friends

O night when Christ was born!”

It reminds me that hope really did become reality when Christ was born, and that before He came to earth as a baby, we were utterly miserable. When we truly see Him, we know in our hearts that He is the only one that can redeem us. The world is weary and tired of sin, but if we allow Him, Christ raises us up and gives us a second chance. He gives us a new and glorious morn! 

It's crazy how fast time seems to fly! This week went by very quickly, and as of Wednesday, I've been in Galmi for an entire month! It has been a blessed time so far, and I can't wait to see what God does in the rest of my ten and a half months here. It's been a learning experience helping to teach at the day school and all of the kids are wonderful and quirky in their own ways. It's been great getting to know each of their personalities and it will be great to see their progress over this year.

My favorite class that I have the privilege of teaching is music. Every Tuesday and Thursday I haul my guitar down to the school and we sing and play games. The kids absolutely love to sing and learn new songs, and we actually performed a worship song at last week's Sunday evening service. It's so great to hear their voices as they sing and praise the Lord! They also love to be silly, so I taught them one of my childhood silly songs, and they taught us one of their own! It's been really great, though there have been some minor struggles, and I'm so thankful that God has placed me in this position.

Last Saturday I had the privilege of going to the OB in the hospital and socializing with the ladies who work there. I had been introduced to them previously by my friend, Sara, who is now back in Switzerland, and they received me very warmly. We shared cookie bars that I had made, and I was able to try a new spicy Nigerien dish... I love trying new food! It was good to be able to hang out with them, and I was even invited to visit them any time.

It's also been great to spend time with the STA's and we will be receiving more new-comers this week. Please continue to pray for the flooding in Niamey. There is a lot of damage done, and many people are still homeless. Please be praying as the local churches are helping to feed and minister to the flood victims. Also, pray for the missionaries who don't have homes because of the flooding. May lives be touched for God's glory through this situation!
Thank you very much for you prayers and support!

Sahel Academy, the Christian school in Niamey

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.

It's hard to believe that my planned departure date is in less than a week! Please be praying for everything to be worked out for my Nigerien visa to be processed and returned to Lima in time for my flight on the 6th. I won't be able to leave on that date if my visa isn't returned, and the process is taking longer than we had hoped, but God can do anything! He can get my visa here on time if He wills it!

I'm becoming more and more excited as my departure time comes closer. My bedroom is a disaster because of packing, and I started taking my malaria medication today. It's finally becoming reality that I will be gone; living in a different country than my parents, family, and friends. God remains in control even when goodbyes get hard, and I know that He will guide my steps the whole way.

Isla de la Plata in Ecuador with my senior class and teachers on the senior trip.

I graduated! My family, including Grandpa Arby, who was visiting (left).

It's official! As if it wasn't official before... I am going to Niger! Last Friday I was able to purchase the tickets for my flights to Amsterdam, Paris, and ultimately Niamey! I will be leaving on August 6th. I am at 97% committed support, which God has been awesome to provide!

Last month I flew to Charlotte, NC on my first solo international flight. Training at SIM USA went well and I was able to meet some other short-termers who were also headed to Galmi or to other countries in Africa and Asia. I was also blessed to stay with the Linsz family for my remaining days in Charlotte, where they took me in as part of their family and drove me around to the places I needed to go (disadvantage of being an MK... I probably won't get my license till I'm 20).

The past few weeks our house has been absolutely full of people visiting and I have enjoyed all the excitement. I'm realizing how short my last 3 weeks in Perú are going to seem but I'm glad I've been able to spend this time with so many great people. I'm very excited to finally go to Niger and meet all of the people I have been corresponding with. Prayers are appreciated as I finish raising support and things are wrapping up and as I begin my transition from Lima to Galmi.

 Some of the other STAs headed to Malawi, Niger, and Kenya.

The Linsz boys and I.

Hello everyone!
I just wanted to report that support for Africa has been coming together pretty quickly! God is providing in many ways. I currently have about 2/3 of my financial support needed for Niger and I have purchased my tickets for training in Charlotte, NC. I leave June 19th, six days after my graduation and will be gone for a week. At this point, I am planning to buy tickets to Niger for the middle of August.

I'm looking forward to my Senior Trip to Ecuador this weekend and I can't believe how soon I graduate! My graduation is June 13 and it's a little scary that I will be an "adult" and independent soon, but I know that God will strengthen and teach me each step of the way. I'm going to enjoy my last couple of months in Perú, but I will definitely be sad to leave my friends here. Growing up is hard, but God is comforting me through this whole process.

It's officially "winter" in Lima and the neblina (darkness) has set in for good. It feels extremely cold even though the temperature remains above 60ºF (15.5ºC). Less than a month ago I was complaining about the heat which had a high of about 93ºF (32.2ºC)... I'm preparing to get my mind blown by the the balmy weather that averages in the mid 100's (over 40ºC) in Galmi! I'm not sure I'm ready for such intimidating weather or the mosquitos quite yet, but I'll get a small taste of them beforehand when I visit hot, muggy North Carolina! I can't wait to go back for my training, as NC was also my home for two and a half years of my childhood.

Prayers would be appreciated as my graduation is coming up. Thanks :) More to come soon...

New Hair!

Last week-helping sponsored World Vision kids in Perú to write letters to their supporters.

Praise God for new committed prayer and monthly support! As of right now, I am at approximately 30% of my total support for the year! There is still a long way to go, but God is always faithful and I know He will provide whatever is necessary in His timing for me to serve in Africa.
Today we reserved a flight for me to attend a required 3-day missions training in Charlotte, NC in June. Please be praying alongside me for continued and increased support and that I will be able to purchase my ticket to Niger soon. God is so good!

For those of you who would like to know more about where I am going, Galmi is located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The hospital there has 120 beds and provides medical care in a place where there is one doctor for every 30,000 people. The clinics at Galmi serve up to 300 predominately Muslim men, women, and children daily. Loving medical care is a bridge to share the love of Christ. Each day the staff there shows the Jesus film and patients have the opportunity to hear the Gospel through Bible teaching and prayer. Please be praying for more qualified, committed staff and that God will use this ministry to bring many to know Christ.

This is the Zoolkoski family that I will be working with!

Praise God that I've decided which school to go to when I return from Niger! BIOLA has accepted my deferment  and I am on for the 2013-2014 school year! 

Also, thank God that people have been responding well to my first newsletter and please pray that He will continue raising up prayer warriors and people to support me. The Lord is awesome and I know that He will provide no matter what! 

Hi again!
I would like you to join me in prayer as, along with planning on going to Niger, I must also decide within the next week which college I will go to when I return to the States.
I have narrowed it down to two colleges; Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL and Biola University in La Mirada, CA. I have already been accepted to Biola with a good scholarship and grant package, but still need to decide if I will accept their offer. It gets slightly more complicated because if I do choose to go to Biola, I will need to ask for an enrollment deferment until next year. I have yet to apply to Moody, and even though I have already been accepted into Biola, I am still very interested in Moody's ministry program. Students who go to Moody are required to do ministry hours weekly, and double major in Bible and another subject.
Both are great Christian schools and I would be happy to go to either one of them, but I'm torn between the two. If you would please be praying for me to make wise decisions concerning school, that would be great. I know God can use either one of them to help accomplish His purpose in my life.

Hello everyone!
I would like to invite you to join me as I encounter a new culture. I'm not only entering the culture of a people in a different country with different customs; I'm also entering the new culture of adulthood. I've been a kid all my life and now is the time for a change. I don't have to change who I am because God can use anyone for His glory, but I do have to change my heart. I can't live for myself because there is no purpose in that. I MUST live for Him. I'm dedicating my life to whatever God wants me to do. I am going wherever God sends me, and at least for now, that place is Africa. I have been so blessed to have grown up in Perú and I'm so excited that I get to be a part of His ministry in Niger!