The Beginning of the End!

Wow. I really can't believe it! I got my debriefing schedule today. I really can't believe that I only have three days left. I remember thinking, "Only two weeks left!" But that seems like it was just a few days ago. Where does the time go?

I'm preparing to go back to America and to return to all the things that were once familiar. I know that reentry culture shock is going to be very hard on me, but I also know that I have a wonderful network of supporters that I am coming home to. More importantly, I have a wonderful Savior who never ceases to comfort me. He has comforted me so many times and I know that he will continue to do so.

After I finished that last post, I was really discouraged. It was like I could feel people turning their faces away from those who are hurt and in need. God gave me comfort though. He reminded me that I have not always cared either; it has only been through the work of the Lord in my life that I have come to see these injustices. He works on His own time. Right now he is molding and breaking peoples' hearts. His will will be done on His time. I can be sure that His plan is the best for us all. He is in control of everything; I need not worry.

It's so hard to explain all of the things that I am feeling. I am excited to be home with my family and friends, but I'm so sad to leave. I really love the Zarma team. We had a farewell party for me this Friday. I really enjoyed it so much. Every person on the Zarma team brings something a little different to it. They all have unique God given talents and abilities, yet they are all like minded in the use of those talents. They all have such passion for the Lord in a real and genuine way. It has been such a blessing to me be a part of this team, even for a short while.

I really don't feel like my work here is done. There is just so much to do. There is such a need for workers here and I would happily fill that role.

To be honest, when I first got here, I didn't really think I could love Niger or the Zarma. Yes, I could have compassion on them and serve them, but I didn't really think this place or these people were for me. Now, I don't know, I'm at home here. The Lord broke my heart for the Zarma and showed me how I could use so many talents I didn't even know I had to serve them. Serving in Niger is not ideal if you are into comfort and security, but Christ never called us to comfortable lives!

I feel the call to cross-cultural ministry stronger than ever. I know that this is what I am to do. It gives me a peace and yet, makes me jump for joy. I know that my life can become one of those amazing stories that people read about. That is not me boasting about my life, but me boasting in the amazing work that Christ can do in anyone's life!

I surrender my life to Christ. It is His to do what He wants with it. And with Him the possibilities are endless!

"Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." -William Carey

I'll be posting lots of pictures in the next few weeks after getting home, so be sure to check back! Also, I fixed the comments so that anyone can comment, even if you are not a member. So I would love it if you left me a comment about something you took away from reading my blog or how the Lord has worked in your life over the past 3 months. Even if you are busy, just leave a comment letting me know that you read it! I'm very curious about who this has been reaching. Thanks for reading!

World AIDS Day

For the past 21 years, December 1st has been recognized as World AIDS Day, to spread awareness about the global pandemic that is the HIV/AIDS virus. You may or may not know that I happen to be pretty passionate about this topic. Three years ago, I was given the opportunity through Cal Baptist to attend the International Conference on AIDS and the Church at Saddleback, Pastor Rick Warren's church. It was two days full of information about the HIV/AIDS virus, how it worked, common myths about it, the connection with poverty, what we as the church should do about it, and so much more. I could talk about it for a very long time, but I'll try to keep this at a reasonable length.

One of the things I did in Ouallum was tag along with Don and Teresa as they did presentations is villages about AIDS. Even though I know a lot about this topic, this was still eye opening to me. It seems that we always assume that a person who is HIV positive contracted the virus through some immoral means and that they deserve it. However, facial tattooing is very popular in Niger. It is done with a razor blade at home. There is nothing immoral about this practice, but it is a behavior that could lead to the spread of this deadly virus if the blade is not properly cleaned which is not very likely. The same goes for the needle used for ear piercing. Also, it is possible for a mother to transfer the virus to her child while he or she is in the womb. Is it the child's fault? Did the child do something to deserve this? Obviously not. Or what about the woman whose husband has been unfaithful, but she does not have the right to say "no" even if she knows he is infected? Just because someone has the HIV/AIDS virus does not necessarily mean that they were doing something sinful. Even if they were, who of us has not fallen and made a mistake? None of us is perfect. I always try to remember that God is the judge; not us.

This is such an easy thing for me to talk about, something I am very knowledgeable about, and yet I am finding it very difficult. You see, the AIDS pandemic is a very complicated thing. I really could spend hours talking about it and explaining it to you. However, right now I feel like my words would fall on deaf ears. It seems that as much as I can talk about this, few are willing to listen. Most people do see it as a disease that people bring upon themselves. Very few really care about those suffering from this disease.

This is something very dear to me. I don't want to talk at you about it. I would, however, love to talk WITH you about it. If you would like to discuss it please feel free to contact me.

So I'm going to cut this blog short. I apologize for the lame update. Instead of spending my time writing useless words I'm going to do something much more productive. I'm going to go pray. I'm going to pray that the hearts of Christians everywhere would be softened by this global tragedy. I will pray that they will see this complicated pandemic and see the amazing ways that God could be glorified through it. I pray that we would realize that the Church could stop AIDS if we truly want to. It's possible. Anything is possible with the Creator on our side, including the softening of the hard hearts I feel whenever I mention the topic of HIV/AIDS. I'm going to pray; I think you should too.

The Least of These

Let me apologize for the lack of updates! The 13th was Field Day! It was very successful. It's always great to watch students work hard at something and have it pay off. I hope to post some pictures of it later.

The day after field day, I headed up to Ouallam to stay with a couple on the Zarma team. Ouallam is a village about 2 hours out of Niamey by dirt road. It was a great experience. I was there from Saturday until Thursday. It was 6 days of fun, fellowship, and lots of new discoveries. I took 500+ pictures. I was truly astounded by God's creation several time

The day after I got back I went out camping with some of the single girls on a plateau over looking the river. Again, words could not describe the beauty of the sunset over the river or the vast star speckled sky. My pictures simply did not do it justice. I barely slept that night, both because of my own insecurity, and because I did not want to miss a moment of the beauty before me. I watched Orion arch slowly across the sky and caught many a shooting star skipping across the blackness through the thin screened roof of the tent. We also went hippo 'hunting' in the morning. We managed to safely see a family of hippos. They are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal in Africa. It was so relaxing to sit on the river in our little wooden boat and watch the water lilies float down stream. God is amazing. =)

After getting back from that adventure, I wanted to update, but the internet had other plans. It has not been working for several days, but HUZZAH! It is back!

So that was a quick recap of my last couple of weeks. I really learned a lot in Ouallam. It's been one of the highlights of my time in Niger thus far. I got to tag along with an amazing, Godly couple. The Bolls do so much! They are answering the President's request to teach the people about HIV/AIDS and public health. They have been trying to do this for awhile, but recently had a real break through. They went to the King of Ouallam and asked for his help. He was more than willing, having had a vision that his people be educated on these matters. We were invited to follow the King to the village of Banne 25 kilometers off the main road, where he would be meeting with 28 of his chiefs. Teresa got to show them her presentation and handed out business cards so the chiefs could contact her to have the presentation done in their village. She got several texts that night! We did the same thing the next day, but were interrupted half way through to go to a school and present to teachers and parents.

What's even more amazing that just getting this information out to the people, is the faith integrated in the presentation. Several of the chiefs were imams too, but they enjoyed the presentation and agreed with it. What a great way to introduce the gospel and get people talking.

Also, during my time in Ouallam, I really learned a lot about the state of things in Niger. In the city it seems easy to cover up the truth, but out in the villages it's clearer to see that things aren't always as people tell you. And what's worse is I can't really talk about it. But trust me when I say that I will. When the time is right, I will.

Niger is not even on the world's radar. No one cares and it drives me crazy. Just because you do not see Niger in headlines on the front page does not mean that things are not happening here. Open up your eyes and look beyond the obvious. But, why should they matter to us? They don't affect our lives at all.

Right after I got back from Ouallam, I just felt so depressed. The reality of living in Niger really hit me and sunk in. I'm talking about the living conditions of the people of course. You can't even imagine. You can't comprehend how little they have.

Then I remember this passage from Matthew 25:45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" The people of Niger are the very least of these. They have nothing that we don't. Whether they live or die, will not make a speck of difference in our lives. But these are the people that Christ said to care for. How we treat them reflects how we treat Christ himself. It's a sobering fact. Loving God and loving people is what we are supposed to do. Those are the most important commandments as Christ himself told. Do we love people only when it is convenient? I think this is the case very often. The same is true with loving God. Sometimes it's easy to sing His praises; sometimes there is no risk involved. But, when times are hard and things do not go our way; when we could be in danger for loving God, we are so quick to abandon everything.

Loving the least of these has no earthly reward. How could coming to Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, sitting on dirty mats, and talking with lonely children and women ever give me anything of value? It won't. Niger will not repay my time and money. These people have nothing of earthly value to offer me. That's ok. That's not why I'm here. I'm here to love the least of these as Christ would, with selflessness, denying them nothing of myself and expecting nothing in return.

I think loving the least of these is an act of selflessness. When you give to people who have nothing, you really can't expect to get anything back. Hm... if you think about it, it's the same as Christ did on the cross. What are we to Him? Nothing! We have nothing compared to the almighty. Yet, He loved us, the least of these. He gave all of Himself knowing that even if we follow Him our whole lives, there is no way we could truly repay Him.

I will do my best to love the least of these in Niger and wherever the Lord may take me. I'm not saying that I'm good at this. Lord knows, I am far, far from perfect. I'm just so thankful that He has opened my eyes to it and I want to show others what the Lord has revealed to me.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for all your prayers and support! It means more to me than you could know!

#182

Greetings from Niger!

Well, I don't feel like I have much to update about since my last blog. The end of last week and the beginning of this week I was pretty knocked out by a bug going around. I was just really tired and had some head aches. But alas, I am feeling much better now! Because I was so tired I missed some kid's clubs and did not go to PE in the morning. This week has just been a blur due to my inactivity and I can't recall any experiences of interest to you.

However, this is something you may find interesting. Several weeks ago the UN came out with it's annual Human Development Report. This list ranks countries based on their people's quality of life. This often gets translated as the 'best and worst places to live.' The list consist of 182 countries. This year it went something like this

1. Norway

2. Australia

3. Iceland

4. Canada

5. Ireland

6. Netherlands

7. Sweden

8. France

9. Switzerland

10. Japan

11. Luxembourg

12. Finland

13. United States

.

.

.

180. Sierra Leon

181. Afghanistan

182. Niger

Niger was dead last. Now if you ask any of the missionaries who have been here for a while, they are not surprised by this. But, really? Last? Afghanistan is in a war and Niger was still ranked below it? This is a little strange. However, I found something else very strange about this.

I read several articles that talked about this report, such as this BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8290550.stm. What do you notice about what it says? What does it say about Niger? Not a whole lot. This surprised me. It's ranked as the worst place to live and... No one cares? No one wants to know more about it or learn what it's like to live here? Are we that ignorant? Are we that self absorbed? Or do we fear that if we learn about the suffering of these people, that we might care? Are we so selfish that we are afraid of caring about other people? Are we afraid that if we care, God might call us from our American lifestyle of excess to go to those people and join in their suffering? Think about it! Why do you resist watching world news? Do you ignore offers to watch documentaries about modern injustices? Why?

I am asking you to take a step out in faith. Make yourself aware of what's going on in the world. For as many sad things as you will see, think of all the amazing things that God is doing and preparing to do! Lift up these problems to the Father. Are we so selfish that we cannot even be bothered to spend a minute in prayer for other people? It costs us nothing, but a moment of our time!

Why are we so selfish in this way? We think "Oh Lord, I don't want to see these things. I don't want my heart to break." At the same time, God's heart breaks for these people. How much more do you think it breaks when we say that they do not matter to us? They may be from different countries, have a different shade of skin, and speak a different language, but they are the same as you and I. They are created in the image of God just as we are. Christ died for them. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us by giving up His life. Yet, we cannot be bothered to give a few minutes, and heaven forbid that we should be called into life long ministry! But really, our lives are no longer our own. We have died and it is Christ that lives in us. He was willing to give up everything, and so should we.

This is not me telling you that you should become a missionary. This is me, just trying to get you to think. So this week, I dare you to do one of the hardest things. I dare you to care. Don't turn the channel when you see a news report on a famine. Don't turn a blind eye to the injustices and the hurting around you. Know what's going on in the world around you. The world is a lot smaller than you think, trust me.

Most importantly, seek after God's heart, for it is pure and full of truth. If you want to do the Lord's will, to follow Him as the name Christian implies, then never stop searching for that heart. I pray that God reveals himself to you in new ways this week; in ways that you never imagined possible. That He would astound you with His strength and love and that your faith and desire to walk with the Lord would be renewed by it.

Hm... so much for a short update! What can I say? These are the things I am feeling; the things the Lord has put on my heart. I want to share them with you to the best of my ability, even from 7,000 miles away.

You can find the actual UN Human Development Report here: http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Zarma cine nda Zarma borey.

I swear, weeks just fly by here. And so do the days, for that matter. Is it 10 o'clock already?! Sheesh!

Well I've had a great couple of weeks. The Sunday before last, I went to a Zarma church that was right down the street from the compound. I wore an African outfit that I recently bought. I got several compliments on it. One lady in particular kept commenting on how I looked like an African and how if I wore that in America, people would know that I was from Niger. This lady in particular, spoke very quickly, so it was difficult for me to understand her. She was speaking to me and gesturing to the young man next to her. All I could understand was that she was telling me to say, "Yes.'" Unsure of what she was talking about, and not sure what I would be agreeing to, I looked to Kimberly who also told me to say it. So I said, "Oh-ho" and the young man shook his head and walked away. I later found out that the lady was telling me that the boy liked me. She was telling me to say yes, that I did not want him. So, I unknowingly rejected this poor guy! I guess it's better than the unknowingly agreeing to marry him, though that would make the many Zarma women who have offered to find me a husband very happy.

Later that day, Kimberly and I went out to a nearby village. We have a kid's club here, but we haven't had any kids show up in 5 weeks, I think. So we decided to go 'windi-windi' which pretty much means wandering around, visiting other people. Again, I got many people who liked my clothes. One lady also commented about my head covering (just a bandana) and the fact that I was speaking Zarma. She called me a Zarma person and I cannot tell you how happy it made me! Zarma people really love when people take part in their culture. If you came to Niger, you could get by by speaking French, living in seclusion in your air conditioned home, and wearing your jeans and tank tops. But if you want to win people to Christ you have to become incarnate in their culture. I think because Zarma people so often see westerners living in the above description, they are so surprised when we learn their language, come out to their villages to sit and talk with them, and even wear their style of clothing. It's hard to describe what their reaction is. It's a mix of gratitude, love, curiosity, and a boost to their self esteem. I think taking part in their culture really shows them that I am not here to change them, or Westernize them. I want to make disciples of Christ, not disciples of America. God created the Zarma people to be unique. He loves them for who they are and so do I. I hope they see that.

The past couple of days have also been great! Yesterday, after helping out with P.E. at Sahel Academy, the local Christian English speaking school, I was to take a taxi BY MYSELF back to the compound. I was a little nervous having only taken a taxi twice before and both time with Kimberly. Luckily for me, a taxi pulled right up to me. I told him where I wanted to go and confirmed that the price would be 4oo cfr (about 80 cents) and he waved me in. Now, as with all things in Niger, taxi ride are not what you would expect. You see taxi drivers here pick up and drop off people all along their route. This is not your private ride. They charge a flat rate, not by mile or minute. So, I squished in the back with 2 other people and we headed off. As soon as I was in the drivers said he wanted 5oo cfr from me. I insisted on 400 and since he didn't tell me to get out, I figured I was ok. All 4 of the passengers rode in relative silence and slowly I was the only one in the car. When I moved over to the other window seat, the driver handed something back to me. I quickly realized it was the handle to roll down the window. Oh, Niger... was all I could think. We got through the chaos that was the petite marchee and soon picked up another passenger. It was an older man who had some tribal scaring on his left cheek. He turned to me and said something in French. I replied, telling him that I did not understand French, in Zarma. I tell you the reactions are priceless. The driver even spoke up. So the man and I spoke a bit. It was really great because even if I didn't understand exactly what he was saying word for word, I still got the gist of what he asked and could answer appropriately. When he left, we were not far from the compound. The driver started driving a lot slower. Again he asked me for 500 cfr. I insisted on 400 cfr, but I was a little worried that he was going to stop and have me get out, and walk the rest of the way, so I agreed. He continued going at this slow pace the rest of the way back and practically turned around to talk to me as he was driving. When we got to the destination I thanked him for the good work, gave him a 500 coin, and got out. I started walking away when I heard him call me back. He leaned out and gave me a 100 coin. He drove away with the rear window sticker saying, "My Toyota is Amazing" shrinking in the distance . Yes! This may seem like nothing, but I consider it a huge personal win. It wasn't a win because I did not get ripped off, although that's nice too. It was a win because the driver did not see me as an outsider who he could take advantage of. Maybe he did to begin with, but by the end, he saw me as something else; as someone else. Hopefully he saw me as one of his own, or closer to it. A Zarma.

Today, I told my first story at kid's club. I told the story of Jesus healing the Roman officer's servant in Zarma. It went pretty well, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and the chance to do it again!

These have been the most memorable highlights of the past couple of week. Life in Niger is never easy, but it's good. I'm getting a lot more comfortable here. I'm starting to feel like I'm in my element. It's a good feeling. I've been so happy the past couple of days. I'm not sure why, but really why shouldn't I be happy? Even if something's not going right, I know who is in control. Thank goodness it's not me. God is so faithful, guys. And He is so good to us. If all He did for me was give me grace through His son, I would never be able to give enough thanks. But that is not all He has done. He is a living God and continues to be by my side. He comforts me through my darkest times and joins me in my rejoicing. Let us always be thankful for the gift of salvation and never forget it's cost, but also never forget what He continues to do for us each day and with every breath we take.

Thoughts...

Well, it's been 5 weeks since I left San Diego. So much has happened in that sort amount of time. It really is difficult for me to explain what I've been experiencing. This is firstly because every day is different and never seems to go quite as planned. However, Africa is a very hard place to understand, at least without being here. Unfortunately, it seems that it is one of those 'you had to be there' type of experiences. A little over a week back, I realized that everything I had read or watched or heard about Africa was wrong. It's not necessarily that these are complete lies. But it seems that everything we are exposed to regarding Africa is very biased. It's looking for a reaction. Media uses a specific combination of images, words, and sounds to get that reaction from the audience. No matter how pure the motives are, this still taints the truth. Often you are only shown what the group wants yo to see and they take out all the rest.

Unfortunately, every issue, whether it be poverty, slavery, the AIDS crisis, or any number of problems, cannot be solved within culture if we take it out of culture and all the surrounding implications. Everything is connected within cultures. To pick out one problem and look at a solution from our worldview would do no good.

The same could be said for ministry. It's easy enough to say that we are going to make disciples, but doing it is so much harder. It is also nearly impossible to win others to Christ if we approach them in the same way that we approach people in our own culture. This is something I have been struggling with. I know how to be effective in my own culture, but now I need to be effective here. This is a place that is so complex. It's hard to explain. It helps a lot to have the missionaries who have been here for years and have a much better idea of how to impact these people. However, I'm finding that what really needs to happen is a transformation within myself. To be effective in the culture I need to become part of it. To take part in their triumphs and tribulations. To share in their pain and their happiness. I know that I must humble myself and become I child of the Zarma culture, just as Christ came into the Jewish culture as a child.

"The lesson here is that becoming an incarnate in another culture will be a trial by fire, a test of inner strength, of personal faith, and most of all, a test of the veracity of one's love. An individual who is not ready to give up being an American for a time, and to begin learning as a child, is not ready for the challenge of cross-cultural ministry."

Please pray that I will have such a strong love for the lost Zarma people that will indeed be willing to humble myself and become a learner of the culture so that I might become part of it and be more effective for the Kingdom of God.

Oh look! A picture!

Sorry about the last post! I don't know what happened. So here is a photo I took in Kollo. Just one for now to see if it works properly and then I'm going to sleep! I'm going to breakfast tomorrow with the ladies and I have a busy day after that. I also got henna done on my hands and feet. One of my friends did it for me. It looks so cool! I promise to update with a long entry and all my new thoughts and revelations soon!