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!