A Classic Hymn

If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him thro’ all thy ways,
He’ll give the strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee thro the evil days;
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

Obey, thou restless heart, be still
And wait in cheerful hope, content
To take whate’er His gracious will,
His all discerning love hath sent;
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways;
But do thine own part faithfully.
Trust His rich promises of grace,
So shall they be fulfilled in thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Georg Neumark
(written at age 20, based on Psalm 55:22)

"Uniforms"

One thing that women really enjoy doing in Niger is having a "uniform", that is, matching outfits. This usually happens on special occasions like weddings, naming ceremonies for a newborn, Christmas, Women's Fellowship conferences, and just because. Before I returned to Niger in February I asked Linda to have two outfits made for me. She decided one of those would be a "uniform" in celebration of my visit. So when we visited the churches and villages together we wore our "uniform". The women thought this was pretty special.

This is another occasion in 2004 when SIM Niger celebrated its 80th anniversary in Niger. Seen here is the PDI team (Integrated Development Program) enjoying the "uniform" for the celebration.

Galmi Day School students in "uniform" gave a musical and oral recital in March. They are amazing performers with incredible talents and expression. They really poured their hearts into singing songs of God's greatness.

Rabi's girls with crocheted blankes made by mom.

Rabi & I making New Year's Cookies!!!

Friends enjoying New Year's Cookies

Dinner with Dave & Lois

The Weekend Plus

Linda, Jean, & I departed early (well, 7:20) for Maradi, a 3 hour trip east, over a pot-holed road for a good portion of the way and then a nice ‘n wide road the last third of the way. On the bush trips around Galmi we unsurprisingly had two flat tires. It was good to have the guys around to change them (although I could do it if I absolutely had to, as it’s happened before). After arriving at the Haaga’s and unloading we’re told that the front tire is completely flat!!! So that was the third flat. The fourth happened while at the church on Sunday in Tumba. The kids informed us the tire was low (not completely flat).

In visiting the churches they always give me an opportunity to share. I have been impressed with Daniel 3: 17 where the three men say to the king they really don’t need to think about whether they should bow down to his gigantic golden idol or not. They already knew the true God of gods and His mighty power. They would, as they always have, continue to trust in Him to provide. “Our God is able!” So I share with them to know God so when tough times come they already know how they’re going to respond. Last Wednesday, Linda & I went to Magaria to meet with the women’s fellowship, where I shared these thoughts again. Then we had a fun time of singing some of our favorite songs & choruses along with dancing. Dancing means kicking up the dust while marching in a circle. Good fun we had together.

So what happened in Maradi? Lots of visiting with expat friends, a visit to a building site, the pool, the market to buy material, . . . doesn’t sound too exciting but it was fun doing these things & being with friends.

The saga of the lost suitcase. When I arrived in Niamey only one piece of luggage accompanied me. The other, they told me, was still in Paris and would arrive on Thursday. But when the airport was closed because of an event it didn’t arrive. And it didn’t arrive. And it didn’t’ arrive. They then told me it was lost and to make a list with the cost of each item. So over several days I kept recalling all that was in that suitcase and had the list complete ready to send. Wouldn’t you know it, news came that it was at the airport!!! So now I’ll be getting my suitcase on Thursday and then I depart for Niamey on Friday. It’s amazing the way I packed this time that I had what I really needed in my carry-on and was able to borrow the rest from others. This was the first time in all my travels to and from Niger that a piece of luggage was delayed or missing. Why now???

God's Details

Today we will be visiting in the last two village. From home I made a general plan to visit in the villages we worked in, where we trained community health workers and birthing attendants. From here God developed the details for us. It’s been super to do these visits with former team members as people have been so delighted to see them again. It has helped me tremendously as I don’t remember all their names and even some faces. A very special detail that God orchestrated was passing through Salamou’s village. Normally we’d take the road north out of Magaria to Jinkai, but there’s a new road east of Magaria that works better! And this road passes through Salamou’s villages. Salamou is a dear believer who lived in Magaria but moved back to her home village to live with her son & his family. When I went to church at Magaria on Sunday I realized I wouldn’t be seeing her. But not so. We stopped outside the village, inquired at the well if the women knew her, which of course they did. We left a message to meet us at a certain point at 5. Sure enough there she was. This lady is so diligent in everything she does. She learned to read and continues to read. She walks 6-8 km to church each week in Jinkai. I hadn’t anticipated seeing her but was blessed with this unexpected detail that again God worked!!!

I’ve tried to upload pictures here but it’s just not working. Just glad to have internet connection.

Daily Living At Galmi

Life takes a bit more time around here than other places. Take for example cooking and baking, especially when it’s not your kitchen and when you’re using 2 kitchens at that. As there are friends coming by to greet and visit it’s the hospitable thing to serve a drink (water, coke, lemonade, etc) and even a bit of food. The banana bread Linda made for me has been eaten up so I made a loaf not knowing how the oven would work. There’s no temperature markings on it, nor did I initially have a thermometer. Well, the oven was quite hot and the bread was getting quite brown, even black on top & bottom. After maybe turning it down it still was hot. I later came to find out it has one temperature –hot, like 550*. Okay, so we’ll use Linda’s oven from now on.

I’ve always enjoyed the style of shopping here –the vendors come to your door. One comes with mangoes, another tomatoes & cabbage, another meat, another with eggs. It’s very helpful. Another thing I’ve enjoyed here is having househelp, someone to come in and clean up my mess in the kitchen. Rabi comes nearly everyday to see what she can do for me. Today she cut up the meat so we could grind it and sliced the onion (as they’re very hot and cause tears to flow. I told her it’s her turn to cry). She’ll come tomorrow and help Linda & I as we make New Year cookies for the compound. It’s been my tradition to do this at New Year’s and tomorrow happens to be a holiday here. A friend makes & sells peanut oil and brought me some today for the cookies. A friend of Linda’s who is farming onions (the local cash crop), carrots, lettuce, etc brought her a 10lb (or more) bag of carrots which were quite small. That evening we prepared half of them for making carrot cake for more visitors. This morning I made yogurt. With the heat one doesn’t need a yogurt maker and it takes about 3-4 hours.

So that’s a bit of daily living here.

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!"

.

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!"

.

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

.

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.