April 23

Last Sunday Linda, Maimouna & I went to Gidan Roumji, 2 hours east, to the Maradi Region EERN Women’s Conference. The conference went from Friday to Monday. We have the annual national Women’s Conference as well but Maradi has started to host one in their region so that it could benefit a lot more women. There were 315 women who attended and most of them were from Maradi. That’s quite amazing. The women always enjoy being together with other believers and not having to work.

They were already singing when we arrived around 9 A.M. Each church group presents 1 to 2 songs, and there were at least 6 church groups. They also take offerings during these times of singing. You bring your offering up, dancing, and put it in the bowl. There was also the offering for the widows with lots of dancing around and around in a big circle. The way we were situated outside was very conducive for this.

There was a skit put on by some men, acting out how some women they live not depending on the Lord or living a life pleasing to God. The message was obvious to all. Just before noon the speaker got up and spoke on Ps 68:11 “The Lord has announced the Word. The women who proclaim the Good Tidings are a great host.” Good message encouraging us to take the Word to the world and be a part of the great host. (That’s what I got out of it at least).

After that was lunch –rice and a delicious sauce with lots of vegetables. I brought two cakes –banana and carrot, to share with the Galmi women who were attending, they were 25 in number. Then we just lounged around and relaxed and talked. With the temperatures in the 110, there wasn’t much more one wanted to do, besides drink lots of water.

As some of you may know, this was my birthday. So I decided to view the day as a big party with over 300 women in attendance, lots of singing, dancing, gift giving, eating, sharing & talking. I really appreciated that they all participated so well. It was best that they thought they were there for the Women’s conference. What fun!!!

April Heat

The heat is on and it's been on for over a month. This is how some get replenished:

Some got refreshed through baptism yesterday. The compound swimming pool is the venue for this event. It was pretty special to see 16 youth and 4 adults (who were from Magaria) make a public testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ on Easter Day. This is one of the women I have worked with in Magaria.

Easter: Linda had Yoko, Genevieve, and me over for brunch at 1 p.m. She made a lovely cinnamon roll ring and omelets. We had our English worship service at 5:30 outside which included a puppet show: possum and rat shared their experience at the site of the tomb. They testified to the resurrection of Jesus! He is not in the tomb.

After that we had a potluck with yummy food. Today is a holiday for us --Easter Monday. It's nice to have the extra time off to catch up on little things and do special things.