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.
