Day 1

Monday, February 22. S, M, & I found ourselves in the PDI Toyota landcruiser heading out to LGG & Ang. for our first visit. We had a plan of how we were going to do this. The health workers had a plan too. Theirs was different. But were we surprised? Nope, especially in this village. We followed their plan which of course which meant going to various homes to visit. We’d talked about how things were with them and basically encouraged them to keep looking after the women and children and using what they had been taught. Then I showed them the calendar I had made with pictures of home which has the verse from Psalm 25:4-5. I shared with them about seeking God’s truth and knowing His way. Then S. shared with them too about following God’s way. It was delightful to see so many people and see them in good health too. In Ang they are known for making dried beef on Monday to take to the market on Tuesday. This was a strategic plan for me as I really like the beef as it’s dipped in peanut sauce with spices. I did buy some and then was given even more. On the way home I shared it with S & M, but resisted eating any till I can reheat it and be sure it’s safe to eat. Normally I would just eat it on the way home, too.
So not too far from Galmi, as can often happen, we got a flat tire, (only 10 minutes away). Since it was already late and dark and nobody had a flash light we were having a hard time to get the spare tire down from under the vehicle. Then one of the tools to get it down got stuck inside the hole and then we were stuck. Thanks to cell phones we were able to call to Galmi and have a friend, Dave, come rescue us, actually using the spare off his vehicle. We arrived back home at 9 p.m. pretty exhausted but pleased to have had the opportunity to meet up with friends.

At Galmi

Here I am back at Galmi. And how is it being back? What does it feel like? How have things changed? How am I coping with it all? Well, so far so good. From the beginning –my flights were pretty uneventful. Once in Paris I had to dust off my French and found myself being misunderstood. Fortunately not in a bad way, just when I ordered du thé (some tea) I got deux thé (two cups of tea). Well, they were small so I thought I still have plenty of time before my flight to Niger, there’s time to sip ‘em both. And I did.
I got in a conversation with a lady traveling to Niger who asked me in the course of our talk how I practice my faith. So (since we had plenty of time in a coffee shop, before the 2 cups of tea) I actually showed her what I do for my devotions. As I pulled out my Bible and started sharing some verses with her, I wondered in my tired jet lagging state what in the world I was doing. But she was sincerely interested with good questions.
In all my coming to Niger with excess bags and boxes I never missed a piece, until now. One suitcase decided to stay behind in Paris, the other arrived with me. It was to be no problem as it was to come on the flight Thursday and then sent on to Galmi on Friday. Maybe next Tuesday & Wednesday???
It really feels very familiar being back –the sounds, the smells, the sights. Hausa comes out quite naturally. I took the bus from Niamey to Galmi on Thursday, not knowing what was to happen in Niamey later. Thursday & Friday there was a stream of people coming to greet and welcome me back. It’s so special for me to be able to see these dear friends again. It really seems like yesterday that I left. Salifou and I have planned out our trips to the villages which we’ll start doing this Monday through Friday in the afternoons. Marie & Maimouna have permission from the hospital to come on some of the trips.
I’m living in a duplex next door to my dear friend Linda. (Understand that we were in SIM orientation together back in 1983 and she’s the one who introduced me to Galmi!!!) The duplex has a common entry to the hall that separates the two apts making it really easy to be in & out of each other’s place. It’s great to be next door, to share meals together, to have lots of time to catch up with each, to plan activities together.

To Galmi

Galmi is a special place as I spent 24 years there working in the hospital and in the villages. It's been nearly 2 years since I packed up my home and said my good-byes to dear friends. Many many expats have come and gone through the years. As one year there were over 100 (mostly short termers and a few long termers including children). At present there are around 10 families/couples and a handful of singles. Most of them I have known and are dear friends. Many of the hospital employees I know, too. Of course, in the villages I'm anticipating meeting the health workers and the trained birthing attendants. Pictured below are S and his family, my househelp with her husband, and Yoko with friends.

A FIRST

Nearly all my life I have heard about the Ag Fair or Farm Equipment Show or what is now what has been called since 2001 the World Ag Expo. For me this was something farmers, my dad and brothers attended. Most often I just haven't been here for the event that takes place the second week of February. This year I attended this international event which is in Tulare (30 minutes from home) and was quite amazed at all that I saw and I didn't even see it all. I went with my brother and his 3 youngest daughters. We started out at the GMC exhibition (at 9 a.m.) which is tradition for them. Here we got our caricature drawn. Hmmm. Quite fun. Then we went to one of the pavillions, first getting a bag for all the 'goodies' we'd collect. I decided any of the snack foods offered were to be eaten then and there, like chocolates, peanuts (which were to me extra large size, not Niger size), pistachios, cheese, chocolate milk, although a few of the chocolate candies did make it home with me. We did lots of walking around to other pavillions, stopping at the farm equipment to climb up for photo ops. Quite amazing to see the complexity of farming. If my Niger friends could see this they'd be so overwhelmed by the immense variety offered. One piece of equipment that I say was the most practical was the 'Optimizer'. It did it all from start to finish, it seemed. What I really appreciated seeing there was Christian organizations as exhibitors sharing the Good News with others.

Meet Puppy

About two weeks ago a little puppy was running around from neighbor to neighbor looking for a haven. I went out to get a look at him and see if he'd come to me but he only barked ferrociously pulling his upper lip up and showing his little teeth. The next day he was still around, running around our yard and jumping at my bedroom window and then hiding in a corner. So in the evening I went out to try to get him, still barking like he'd bite my hand off. But once I got a hold of him, he calmed down and even sighed. Well, this catch had to be for keeps. I fed him and showed him where he could sleep for the night, in the laundry room outside. He's so pleased to be here, to have a home, to be fed and loved that he just can't stop jumping up and down. But we're working on that. He's learning sit, no, wait, no, stay, no, come, no. Our old dog, Boy, has been teaching him to be sure to eat up all your own food and don't come near his. He's been showing him around, showing him how to cross the road at a snails pace. Hmmm. Puppies don't go at a snails pace. He loves going on walks and sniffing out everything and running in the ditch water (which will disqualify him from inside privileges), what little there is. We'll see how he does this summer!

Today he had a huge lesson I hope he learned well. It's one of those lessons you live and learn or if you don't learn, well. . . . So he did cross the road and then he wanted to come back but at the wrong time. He dashed in front of a car that had to brake (they're supposed to be braking anyway for the corner). He got hit and hobbled home. He has some scrapes and little cuts, no broken bones that I can feel. He doesn't seem to be in pain and is able to walk with a limp. Don't know if there's any internal injuries. Although I see signs that this isn't going to slow him down any.

He still needs a name as he's going to outgrow 'Puppy'.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!"

Joyful, all ye nations, rise;

Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim,

Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new born King!"

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Christ, by highest heav'n adored;

Christ the everlasting Lord;

Come, Desire of Nations come,

Fix in us Thy humble home.

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;

Hail th'Incarnate Deity;

Pleased as man with men to dwell,

Jesus our Immanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

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Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings,

Ris'n with healing in His wings:

Mild He lays His glory by,

Born that man no more may die:

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth!

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new born King!"

by Charles Wesley

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This is one of my favorite Christmas Carols, expressing all that God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour and calling us to join in the triumph of praise in the skies. May we do so this Christmas and each day of our lives!

Gardening

One pot became four! I was at Dinuba Raisin Day's Women Luncheon in September and was one of the recipients of a door price -- a pot of plants! After a week of enjoying it inside I decided it was time to transplant (before the plants die from clastrophobia). And this is what I now have -- four growing plants. The ivy is really extending its vines and might need to be transplanted again --in the spring. The orange flowered suculant is fading.

I must admit that when they started to draw the names for the prizes I was praying "please Lord, could I win a price". God was very kind & gracious in hearing and answering my prayer (that had underlying tones of self-pity.)

Besides these plants I have some outside my bedroom window that I keep nurturing. We'll see what winter does to them. I'm also learning how to care for the six roses bushes we have. There's one long stem red rose bush that has the best fragrance. Those I'm quick to clip and put in a vase inside.

Twenty One Questions by John Wesley

Awhile back I came across these questions. Thought provoking.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I am a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. How do I spend my spare time?
17. Am I proud?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people?
19. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so what am I doing about It?
20. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
21. Is Christ Real to me?

Thoughts from My Utmost for His Highest.

I continue to read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers most days. Recently there seemed to be a common theme and a good reminder coming through –being rightly related to God. Here are some of those thoughts:

Aug 4: The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is being continually assailed.

Aug 30: Don’t rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me. The snare in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water through you and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it. When once you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that wherever you are, you are put there by God; and by the reaction of your life on the circumstances around you, you will fulfill God’s purpose, as long as you keep in the light as God is in the light.

Aug 31: “That My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11 The joy of Jesus was the absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do. “I delight to do Thy will.” . . . Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Be a centre for Jesus Christ to pour living water through.

Sept 1: “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16 Continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is. The destined end of man/woman is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. Nowadays we have far too many affinities, we are dissipated with them; right, good, noble affinities which will yet have their fulfillment, but in the meantime God has to atrophy them. The one thing that matters is whether a man/woman will accept the God who will make him/her holy. At all costs a woman/man must be rightly related to God.

PS

Mom informs me that the poem I read at Chris & Jeff's wedding was read at Mom & Dad's wedding by Chris. Not certain if we can find the actual poem.

My Aunt Chris

In February, when I was beginning to recover from my hepatitis, my aunt Chris was struggling with jaundice. I recovered. My Aunt Chris recovered too. On August 5 she entered into the presence of Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior. She has been made whole. How beautiful!

I have thought a lot about her during these last few months and the memories she gave me. My first memory is when I was probably 6 years old on Christmas Day. My family went to grandma’s house. They all went inside. I stayed in the car with dad as he was taking me to the doctor’s. I was sick. But Aunt Chris came out to the car to say hello and wish me a Merry Christmas. I was touched by her kindness to come out to see me. I even had tears in my eyes. One never knows the impact they have on another person, especially a child, by the simple things that can be done.

Five years later she got married to Uncle Jeff. At their reception I got to recite a little poem. I have no idea what it was. I felt very special to be given that honor.

Sometime in high school she gave me a gift, maybe it was for my birthday. It was a New Topical Memory kit. Sixty key verses to be memorized. I did it. And I kept memorizing other verses, even chapters and reviewing them. Having those verses hidden in my heart has built an incredible foundation to my faith. I continue to review the verses (don’t ask me to quote any though). I have slowed way down on memorizing . . . But the verses remain a great source of encouragement in the journey of life.

In my last year of high school, she discipled me, doing a weekly Bible study together. When I graduated from BIOLA, Jeff & Chris gave me the devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. This too has been an invaluable tool in my journey of life. I have been reading it every since.

After nursing school, I moved up to Oregon and lived with them for six months. Once I got myself settled with a job and found a roommate I moved out. It was a hi-light of my life to live nearby, to be involved in each other’s lives. My uncle Jeff is really the one who pushed me into missions as he knew my keen interest. One day he asked me, “So what are you doing about this?” And I started to pursue missions.

One last story. Chris is my mom’s sister. Every year since who knows when, mom’s family has gone camping together in the summer. One year Chris joined us when she was on staff with the Navigators (a Christian Organization. And I thought she sat behind the pilots on airplanes directing them. I really truly did!). So in the evening we had gone out somewhere in an uncle’s pick-up, all piled in the bed of the truck. We passed the ranger at the entrance to the camp ground. He made some sort of comment to us. Aunt Chris’ response was, that’s okay, cause . . .then began singing:

Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before;

Every day with Jesus, I love Him more and more;

Jesus saves and keeps me, and He's the One I'm waiting for.

Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.

There’s no more waiting for Aunt Chris.

Fura, the National Drink

Here Rabi is making fura for me to serve to visitors. This is a very typical drink that you’ll find in any home at anytime. If there’s no fura, then something is wrong. Fura is made with millet or sometimes with sorghum. The grain is pounded to a flour and mixed with water to make a dough. The ball of dough is place in boiling water for 20 minutes then it’s taken out and placed in the large wooden mortar to knead. The next step is to put it in the calabash with water and buttermilk and some spices. A large metal ladle is used to work it out into a liquid. Then it is ready to drink right out of the calabash with a large ladle or just simple pick up the bowl and drink. More water is added as needed. It really is quite tasty!

With my impending departure I thought it would be fun to have fura on hand to serve to people who come to bid me farewell. People in the village have been so kind to me, always serving fura and other foods too. After the harvest when we visit they again show their kindness by giving us some of what they have harvested: millet, peanuts, beans, dried green leaves, & sesame seeds.

MEET MARTIN

I’m Martin. I belong to Gen who’s gone away for a year. Then another family was looking after me and they went away too. Now it’s Jeannie who’s my care taker. She does a pretty good job although she forgets I’m a puppy (even if I just turned ONE) and would like to have at least 2 meals a day. But she is generous with the peanut balls and sometimes even meat scraps. Jeannie hasn’t been well for the last month and has to rest lots, so Huang Di and I keep her company during the day, sleeping at her feet or next to the fridge or under the table or on the mat in the living room. We can sleep the day away from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (if she lets us) not needing to go out and find a tree or bush. I also like to get wrapped up in the computer cord, but better be careful when I get up.

Four Hours is Way too Long Alone.
Awhile back I was following her to the office as I often do. She finished work and went out, locking up for the morning. Normally she doesn’t come back in the afternoon. Well, guess who she forgot in the office? Yep, me. That was a bit much and I don’t like to be left alone in a building, especially locked in. So I barked and barked and barked. But do you think anyone heard me? Not at the far west end of the compound. Nobody is around there. So I thought I’m going to have to do this on my own. I went for the door and tried to open it, only to eventually chewing and tearing the wooden handle off. That didn’t work so I walked around, went to her desk, put my paw print on a letter, I thought it needed another signature, made a mess in the doorway and pee-ed on the floor. The other option was the window which is screened from the inside. So I went at it and finally got the screen door on the window open, actually off. But I couldn’t master the window itself. So I had to wait 4 hours and finally she returned for some unknown reason. Oh what a relief!! And boy did she apology up and down and down and up for locking me in. That’ll never happen again.

PDI OFFICE

I was trying to think what I should write in this blog and decided to look at my most recent pictures taken. Pictures of the PDI (Programme de Developpement Integre or Integrated Development Program) office. This is where the team meets each morning for devotions and prays together.

We share the previous day’s events and make suggestions or comments that will hopefully help for the next visit to that village and the health workers. We have also been going through a book on two religions, one asking the other questions. It’s quite an eye opener for me, actually for all of us, to see the inconsistencies and the untruths in the one. Yet these are things that are not talked about or challenged openly. Anyway. . .we are usually in the office from 8 to 11. Then we go out to the villages in the afternoon. Although recently, since people are available in the late morning and early afternoons, we have changed the times to going out at 10. This is a nice schedule as we get back around 4 p.m. instead of coming in at 7 p.m. (But in fact, I have not gone to the villages in the last 3-4 weeks, that’s another story).

This is my ‘office’ with my desk and the computer. Note the dust, it’s part of the décor at Galmi.

Reasons & Enduring

With having said good-bye to friends this last week, I'm thinking of my own departure coming up in 5 months. This is my last term here until God directs otherwise. So I’m starting to do some clean-up around my desk, sorting some papers, and found some of my early prayer letters and a letter to the director regarding my future. Would you like to know why I have spent all these years here? Written 21 years ago, it's still my heart. Let me share part of it with you (written July 24, 1986):

The end of my short term is coming up in five months. I have had to do some serious consideration as to what I should do after this. Having been here already two years, having gone through the initial adjustments and struggles, having stated building relationships with the nationals, having a basis of the language, and having learned the work and my role as a nurse at G. H. I can’t see throwing all this away only to go somewhere else and start all over again. Through various things I have read in Scripture and books by Christian leaders, through what I have seen in the last two years of myself, and with lots of prayer, I have decided I would like to return for another term. It is difficult for me to say career. We take our life really one day at a time. I know my life is committed to the Lord, for His service, for life. As Eric Alexander said of Paul, he had two motives that formed his life and thinking: 1. for the praise of His glory, 2. for the sake of the Gentiles and a third one could be added –for life. II Timothy 2:10 also encourages me to continue here in this ministry. “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen that they also may obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”

An Old Hymn

Old hymns are really beautiful. So poetic. Recently this has been one that I have decided to at least memorize the first verse. When I think of the love of Christ, without reason (unconditional), never-ending, that pulls me to Him, I am just amazed. He calls us to love one another in this way too. Do we do that? No. Well, we do try. But maybe too often we're pushing people away more than pulling them to us. I have been reading Everyone is Normal Till You Get to Know Them, by John Ortberg. This is a great book about learning to live in community. God has invited us into the Fellowship of the Trinity. Jesus has prayed that we may be one, just as the Father and He are one. He paid an enormous price for us to be admitted into this Unity --death on the cross. And how do we respond to this? How are our lives changed by being loved with everlasting love? How are other lives being changed? I'm learning much from this and having to check my motives and my actions.

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
Oh, this full and perfect peace!
Oh, this transport all divine:
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here,
Doubt, and care, and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.

George Wade Robinson, 1838-1877

Trip to Niamey

Earlier this month I went to Niamey with a few friends. One had family members come for 2 weeks' visit, so we took them around to the tourist places in Niamey. The Grand Marché, the Petit Marché, a ride on the river in a canoe looking for the hippos (found one with its baby!!!), eating Shish-Kabobs by the river watching the sun go down, and tracking down the giraffes an hour down the road out of Niamey. We took lots of pictures --wish you could see all of them. Here's a few:

What do you feed your ba-bies???

Visit to a Nearby Village

Yesterday I took the girls, M, M, & S, down the road to a nearby village to do teaching with the women. The TBA (trained birthing attendant) who knew of our coming had already informed the women in the morning. Now she went back around to say we were here. She was gone over an hour encouraging women to come. And they came. There were probably 60 women gathered before she herself returned. The girls started the teaching on malaria. Before we finished maybe we had 100 women gathered. They were very interested in the teaching, knowing better how to care for their children, what to do when they had a fever, what treatment they needed. Yet the treatment isn’t readily available. There are young men who are roving ‘pharmacist’. But their medicine is not reliable nor is the treatment they give necessarily accurate.

The girls have been doing this teaching weekly in the village of Galmi going to each larger neighborhood. It’s been encouraging to here reports, how the women have questions and are eager to learn something.

Today I went to Magaria to teach the women. It’s been months since I have been there on a Wednesday. I go regularly to church there, although attending one church one week and the other the next. Then I go out to Jinkai to visit a small growing church once a month. I enjoy these visits, yet I miss getting more in-depth time with the women. So today’s visit was a real encouragement to me as we did a Bible lesson together and had a time of prayer. One of the ladies had a minor stroke earlier this week. She is regaining her strength, but it scares me to think what could happen any other time. She has tried to learn to read but . . .so we worked on memorizing verses. Today she quoted Psalm 23 for me. I encouraged her to keep reviewing this and let God’s Word strengthen her.

Pictures taken in April

Mom, me, and my sister, Diane
















Diane and my niece, Nicole
















High-School Girlfriends : Debbie, Linda, Janet, Leslie, and me
















My nieces and me
















Girlfriends from childhood, Pam, Becky & me

Something New

So it's time to put something new on here. Sorry it's been so long. That seems to be the story of my life. I'm often behind and trying to catch up. Anyway. . .I thought I'd put some pictures on here but I'm not having success. I'll try that later.

I'ts now over 3 months since I got back from vacation at home. It was great to be there with my family and enjoy lots of different celebrations. One being Easter!!! This is one celebration we don't just celebrate on Easter, yearly, but is celebrated or should be celebrated each day. New life in Christ!!!

Another celebration was my birthday, marking 50 years. It's nice to know I'm not alone in celebrating this hallmark. A lot of us are enjoying this together!!! Smiles. Again it's a celebration of the daily life God has given us on this earth.

Then there was the celebration of my nephew's marriage. Darren & Amanda. Their motto is 'Good for Life'. That's how it should always be. A marriage relationship committed for life, with God in the center.

Back here at Galmi we celebrated life in a different sense than the normal. Helene is celebrating life in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus. It was her home going on July that we celebrated on July 30th. That's something to anticipate and eagerly waiting for. Helene was diagnosed with cancer last year and lived a full life until the last few weeks. Her desire was to stay serving the Lord in Niger with her family -husband and 3 children. And that's what she did. She knew and could say, 'God is good, all the time'.