Community Nursing: Faith-based organizations

I had to go to a Faith-based organizations and healthcare seminar on Wednesday for my community nursing class. It was really interesting to hear what they had to say, to see the differences between the different churches, and to see my classmates' responses.

The first person to speak was the Minister of Health and Wellness at Dawson Baptist Church in Birmingham. So, yes... this church actually hired a nurse to provide healthcare to their community. Which is essentially what faith-based community nursing is, faith organizations allowing themselves to be used as a resource and a headquarters for providing healthcare and health education to their church body as well as their surrounding community. Most of what this nurse does at Dawson centers around their church body, which is huge, but mostly your middle-class Christians. Her duties include organizing education classes on health topics from diabetes to depression to prostate cancer. She organizes some some of their human needs ministries, like a food bank, disaster shelter, and other supplies for needy families. She also heads up a emergency response team, so if an emergency was to occur during one of their services or activities. She even runs a dog and cat kennel for when different groups of the church go on retreats... I thought that was weird... haha!

The second group represented was the Congregations for Public Health. They are a group of six African American churches that find themselves in the middle of very poor communites that have little access to healthcare. So, they started this organization, and have partnerships with UAB Public Health and the School of Nursing. Public Health provides them with what they call Community Specialists who assess the community and meet as many health education and treatment needs as they can. The School of Nursing provides students each semester (me!) to go out into the community to do the educating and treating. Then, they have members of their churches, who they call Natural Leaders. Natural Leaders work with the Community Specialists and kind of tie the love of Jesus Christ to the healthcare that is being provided. The way that this organization is set up just seems to work really well, and I'm excited that I'm going to get to be a part of it this semester.

The last person to speak was a former pastor of the Church of the Reconciler in downtown Birmingham. He opened up his presentation talking a lot about social justice. Church of the Reconciler was founded during the civil rights movement, and social justice has always been the heart of this church. Now, they focus on ministering to the homeless, which is perfect since they sit in the middle of five points, where you can always find a group of homeless by the fountain! They have a day program for the homeless where they provide them with a hot meal. But their church staff works one on one with the homeless. They help them with their addictions, getting them into rehabilitation. They take them to the hospital if they have a health problem. They take those with mental illness who are having an active episode to the emergency room, so they can be admitted and treated.

They are working on raising funds to build supportive housing for the homeless which will eventually lead to them conquering their addictions if it applies, and getting a job. He showed a lot of statistics about homelessness. For example, did you know that it would be cheaper for the government to provide supportive housing for the homeless then paying for them to live on the streets. Also, many people stereotype the homeless as those with addictions or mental illness. But a growing number of homeless are familes with children. His church staff had come up with a budget that explained how much money a person in Birmingham would have to have to leave homelessness. It's $3500 cash... I can't remember what all was included in it, but it really did make sense when he explained it. He also made a point that I had never thought about before. Mountain Brook is one of the most wealthy cities in America, and it is right beside some of the poorest areas of the black belt of Alabama. How terribly sad...

He was very open to questions and comments during his presentation. Comments from my classmates included, "I'm not going to help someone who's lying on their butt." to "It's their own fault for starting the addiction in the first place." to "We need to join hands with these people, and see them as that, people." to my instructor saying, "Some of you will embrace this and learn from it, and some of you will put up a wall. And one day when you get that homeless or addicted patient in your hospital bed, you won't understand."

And I agree with her. There are so many complicated reasons for homelessness... and it's so hard to get out of it. My classmates kept saying that all the homeless have to do is get a job or that it's their own fault for being an addict. First of all, you can't get a job if you stink because you have no where to take a shower, or if you don't have a phone number or address, or if you have no transportation. Secondly, how can we judge someone who's life has been taken over by addiction. Obviously, there is some reason that they turned to drugs or alcohol in the first place.

I am deeply saddened that some people in my nursing class feel this way. All they have to do is think about, "What if I was homeless? What if I was addicted to meth? What if I felt like I had no hope?" If they would have stopped and done that, I don't think that such comments would have been made to a man who has devoted the past 30 years of his life to reaching out to the homeless of Birmingham. I don't know how they expect to be able to be caring and compassionate nurses, understanding nurses, if they cannot put themselves into someone else's shoes, and treat every human being with dignity and like a person.

Welcome Back International Style

Last night I went to the Welcome Back party at the International House at UAB. I feel like a lot of things in my life at UAB have changed drastically, including classes, BCM, where I live, but I always feel comfortable at the ihouse, since it's been part of my UAB life since sophomore year.

They started off the party with some games (the theme was the olympics). There were a lot of internationals there, and more Americans than usual also. I've been to a lot of events at the ihouse, but this one was probably the most attended (except our huge events like SpringFest and International Bazaar).

There was a dj and some music playing, so of course, very soon everyone was tired of the games and just wanted to dance! First, it was mostly just the Indian guys dancing. They all dance together, sometimes very closely, and do a lot of dancing with hopping and weird arm movements. It's actually kind of annoying, and most non-Indian internationals agree... haha. I was standing by some African guys, who decided to start making fun of them... haha.

Eventually, everyone started dancing. It is so much fun to dance with Indians, Africans, Spainards, Greeks, and Asians - who just don't dance... haha! I had a fun time and got to meet some new international friends. I am always overwhelmed when I'm in the presence of so many nations who do not follow Christ. Our God is an amazing creator and lover, and how awesome that he would choose to love us to tell His creation about him!

My "summer break" is over...

My third semester of nursing school started today. But before I start talking about my first day of classes, maybe I should give you a run down of my two week break. It was really nice, lots of relaxing, hanging with friends, activities with my home church, and time with my family. My favorite part about it though, was that I was really able to stop my life and look to God more clearly then I've been able to in a while. I had already posted earlier about my break and my times with God, but I never really said what God has been showing me.

I graduate in a year, which has really gotten me thinking about what I want to do in the few years after college. Since high school, when God started putting a passion for missions in my heart, I've wanted to do something called the Journeyman program (http://going.imb.org/shorterm.asp). It is a program with the International Mission Board for single college graduates in their twenties. When I went to Niger in December, I stayed with two Journeyman, and really saw the amazing way that God uses them. Since getting back from Niger, God has been building more and more of a desire within me to serve him overseas for a couple years as a single woman.

When I look at all my thoughts about what I could possibly do after graduation, it kind of reminds me of snow cones... When I was in high school the snow cone man always showed up during the hotter months right at 2:40 when school let out. A lot of times I would want to try a new flavor or one that I had had a while back and liked. But I always had to go back to the dreamsicle eventually, because I mean... it's the best and usually what I wanted most. The past few years I have had tons of ideas about what I might want to do. Ideas from studying public health or becoming a nurse practitioner to joining the peace corp to working in NICU. But, no matter what new interests pop up in my head, I always come back to missions... to Journeyman, it's my dreamsicle!

I think I finally understood that, and came to terms with that during the break. And it's funny, because last time that I really got close to God was while I was in Niger and during the weeks that I returned, and during that time I also really felt led to plan on applying for journeyman. It just always seems that different things, including nursing, sometimes gets me off course. But I know that God will use my love for nursing with my passion for missions. In fact the first night in high school that it really became clear to me, was when I heard the story about a journeyman who was a nurse in a closed country... could get into the country because she was a nurse...

Anyways, I didn't mean to write a whole post on that... but my first day of school... I had community nursing today. My other classes this semester are psych and older adult. I'm really excited about community because a lot of it will involve working with poorer communities, minorities, and refugees. I'm also excited about learning more about community nursing, because weirdly enough it's kind of like a mix of politics and nursing. It should be a good semester though. I'm excited about my classes, but more excited about the relationships that I'm going to form this semester, getting involved in a new church in bham, and just seeing what God has planned!!

December 27, 2007

I'm sitting at the mission house in Niamey waiting to go to the airport. This morning I got up and packed all my stuff. I don't know how to describe how I feel. I am way sad about leaving, exicted about sharing with everyone, and pumped about starting nursing school so soon. I am depressed that I'm leaving, but also know that it's what I have to do. I have seen so much of Africa and so much of God, and I'm leaving very full!

We loaded the truck and went across the street to tell everyone bye. There is one little boy, Yalei, who is so absolutely precious. At first he was really shy around me, but I kept trying. Today when Kanesa told the zanke that I was leaving, he got the saddest look on his face,and then practically tacked my knees! :D I love that little boy so much, and he made me want to cry!! He was always so dirty, but so very cute!

Leila, an African girl about my age who is not a believer, rode with us into Niamey. Earlier in the week, she was at Brandy and Kanesa's and got something in her eye, and told them. She was really quiet, so since she said something I asked Brandy what she said. I get stuff in my eyes all the time, and it's the worst thing ever, so I had come to Africa prepared with Visine and an eye flushing kit. I told Brandy to tell Leila that she could use them if she wanted. So, I went and got the eye drops for her. She put way too much in her eye, and so had visine running down her face. I went and got some tissue for her, and then put the drops away. Later I asked her if it was better and she said thanks. There was just something about that moment, where I really felt like I was being Christ to her, even though I was just letting her use my eyedrops.

On the way to Niamey, Kanesa started talking with her and Brandy translated for me. Kanesa asked her if she was Muslim, and Leila said no. No! Not the answer that we were expecting. Then kanesa asked, well what do you see yourself as? And Leila answered, "I guess a Christian because I read the bible and believe!" It was so awesome to see how simply this sweet sweet girl believed the words of Christ. (about two weeks after I returned I heard from Kanesa that Leila had come over to their house and said that she had had dreams about Jesus. She wanted to know how to follow him, so she accepted Christ!!) We dropped Leila off, and then drove to the mission house to meet Melissa and Ouomu. Brandy and I were going to go run errands and go to the grand market so I could get some souvenirs, while Ouomu, Melissa, and Kanesa went to the doctor.

First of all, who knew that it would be so hard to find spaghetti noodles!? Finally we found some. Between our errands, Brandy would stop at certain places that sold hand made Nigerien souvenirs. I ended up buying a necklace for stephanie, a leather box for stacey, Tuareg knives for Jason and dad, and a nativity set made out of sand from the desert for my mom. Um, and also, I saw the most beautiful man today... he was Tuareg and was trying to get me to buy one of his knives. Brandy was discussing the price while him, and I think I just stared the whole time... haha. The tuareg people are so beautiful. I love them because they are like a mix of what most people think of as typical sub-saharan African and Egyptian. They are so mysterious that I'm just drawn to them. They are also one of the reasons for the rebellion.

Brandy and I met an American while we were shopping. The government was kicking him out of Niger, because he was living among the Tuareg and didn't really have a purpose of being there... which is kind of shady. I know that two french? reporters have even been arrested by the Nigerien government, so it's pretty serious. Most of the rebellion goes back to the Tuareg's low representation in the government, as well as oil... of course. But the tuareg do provide a valuable point of income for Niger through the oil on their land. Niger is already the poorest country in Africa, and I would hate to see it's condition without the oil, though other countries like Libya are working hard to try to take control of it.

But anyways, Brandy didn't want to talk to him long just in case he was a spy... haha, so she cut the conversation off pretty quickly, though he was very informed. On the way to Niamey that day there had even been soldiers out in the bush, and we passed a bunch of trucks full of soldiers leaving Niamey. Africa had seemed so fairy tale safe since I had been there, but I'm glad that I got somewhat of an awakening to the true state of Niger before I left. (A few weeks after returning a car was bombed in Niamey. This really tore me up because the Sustar's and Yakuba live in Niamey, and Brandy and Kanesa and the Black's only live about 30 minutes away. I mean, it was on the same roads that we had driven all over. Everyone was really afraid that the rebellion was moving south, but nothing else happened after that.)

Also, one of our errands was to go buy some bread. So, Brandy pulls in and asks if I just want to go in to get it. So, I went into the store all by myself and said, "un baget." And left with a fresh loaf of bread! I was so proud of myself as stupid as it sounds; I had been so dependent on Brandy and Kanesa all week, and I had gotten to do something on my own!! After we had all our supplies and souvenirs, we headed back to the mission house to meet up with everyone else. We got the news that Ouomu's blood pressure was fine! The reading at the clinic in Kollo had been wrong. So, either the nurse's didn't know how to correctly take a blood pressure or the pressure meter was broken. It's so sad to think that that's what these people have to rely on for their health. Brandy then decided to tell me more about childbirth in Niger. Supposedly, Niger is said to be one of the most dangerous places to give birth. Brandy said that in the clinic in Niger, there are no sheets on the bed. Women come in and give birth and bleed all over the bed. None of it is cleaned up, and the next woman comes in and gives birth on the same bed. It's not a surprise at all to hear that someone's child died during childbirth, and childbirth is still very dangerous in Niger. (And by the way, Ouomu safely had a baby boy about 2 weeks after I returned, and she named him Ibrahim.)

We went to eat lunch at a restaurant in Niamey. It was outside and overlooked the River Niger. We got to drink coke!! We ate french fries and kabobs. It was really good. Kanesa said that it was one of the nicest restaurants in Niger. Just to kill any of your expectations of what a "capital" would look like... the restaurant was about the equivalent of the outside porch of a normal American restaurant. The tables and chairs were white iron. Nothing special. So, every restaurant in America is nice.

Then we headed back to the mission house. I decided to take a nap, since I knew I would be very sleep deprived on the flight. My flight leaves after midnight. Ouomu also took a nap, and Brandy and Kanesa got some internet time. Then we got up and fixed spaghetti. We took it over to the Sustar's and ate dinner with them. I really love the Sustar family. Ben, the father, is such an amazing follower of Christ. He has so much wisdom and so much passion, and you can see Christ in Him so clearly. I was really glad that I got to spend some time with them before leaving.

So, we were about to head back to the mission house, and one of the Sustar's girls' friends needed a ride home. I had no idea who she was. She definitely wasn't Nigerien; she wasn't dark enough. We pulled up outside her house, and Brandy and Kanesa started discussing whether or not they should go inside. They decided to and Brandy said, "yay, you get to meet yakuba" Yakuba!! I was so excited! He is married to a german lady, who's a nurse, so they have a beautiful daughter and son. I couldn't believe that I hadn't put it together sooner! We went inside and yakuba speaks English, as does his wife and children, so it was nice to be able to talk to everyone and understand everyone! Yakuba has so much passion for the people of Niger, and so many ideas. He found out pretty quickly that I was about to start nursing school, so he made it his purpose for the rest of the evening to explain to me why I need to come back to Niger after becoming a nurse... haha.

First of all he has a list of villages with no Christian influence. A long list of about 20 unique villages full of women and men and children, that all need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. And those are just the ones that he can think of off his head. So, he tells me that he wants to send nurses to live in these villages, to treat the people, and to tell them about Jesus. Second, he told me more about the clinic in Kollo that is being built.

We started talking about Abduli while we were there. He’s running out of food and money already, and the harvest was just a few months ago. He told yakuba that he could not be a good follower of Christ, if he could not take care of his family. How blessed my father is that he does not have to worry about how he’s going to feed our family. He had traveled to Niamey that Sunday to ask Yakuba to help him. Yakuba is going to let him oversee a field that he owns to plant, so he can have a harvest of his own next year. (I have received word from Kanesa, that Abduli’s field produced a seriously unreal large harvest. And he!.... is telling everyone that asks that it is a miracle of his Lord! How awesome!)

When we were leaving he asked me when I would graduate. I told him in about a year and a half. He said that he expected me back at this door then haha! Well, we shall see, but I will always remember his passion and his faith in the Lord. I know exactly why Christ went to Yakuba himself, to ask him to follow him.

So, then we went back to the mission house and here I am now. Even though I have no more new events to write about, I know that I will never forget my time here. I am worried about one thing. When Brandy and Kanesa were debriefing with me, they warned that people won’t understand, and won’t see the same way that I do anymore. That some of my closest friends might even make me mad. Just because they don’t understand. They said that people won’t truly want to hear about my trip. That they will ask to hear about it, but are really just looking for an “it was a great experience.” They said that God would provide me with maybe a person or 2 who will really want to hear. I hope that my friends will understand what I’ve seen. I hope that I can find someone that will want to hear. I have so much that I’ve seen, and I don’t think that I could keep it to myself!

I want to see others go to Niger. I want to see a nurse go and work in one of Yakuba’s villages. I want to see an older woman, go and sit, and share with Ouomu’s mom. I want to see a church team build a well so that little boy doesn’t have to get water out of a ditch anymore. I want to come back. I haven’t even left, and I want to be here again.

December 26, 2007

I just woke up not long ago and have been spending some time with god, and thinking. I have seen so much need here. Physical and spiritual. It sometimes seems so dark, and I easily become overwhelmed when I look at the state of the Nigerien people through my own human eyes. I love these peole and this country so much. I want to do so much for them, everything for them, but the time that God has given me here is running out, and I have no promis of ever returning. But god stays here. It is even hard for me to trust God with them. It seems impossible. Buthe created them, heknows them, he loves them, he sent jesus to die on the cross for them. I know that he will show the zarma that they can stop sacrificing sheep, that a sacrifice has already been made for them. And as hard as it is... he is showing me that their spiritual need is vastly more inportant then their despairing physical need.

I have SEEN, really seen what Jesus meant when he said that the harvest is plentiful, bu the works are few. The harvest is so so so plentiful here! I've seen the amazing ministry that Brandy and Kanesa have here. They don't have to worry about their husband or children, their one focus is to furthur God's kingdom in Niger. I really feel led to be a journeyman or do some other type of missions for a year or 2 while I am single. God can use someone who is single in ways that he can't with someone who is married or has children.

This morning we went to see a medical clinic that is being built outside Kollo with funds that have been raised through a mission's agency. The doctors and most of the nurses will be American or German. This place was huge! It's going to be so nice. We walked through and prayed for the zerma that will one day be treated there. I also learned that Yakuba is the main person who is responsible for it getting there. I wish I could meet the Yakuba!! :)

Then we went to meet with and visit with a family of believers who live on the property. They aren't Zarma, but are another peole group called the Tuareg. The father works as guard of the clinic. One of their children was really sick while we werer there. This family made me happy because the father was actually holding and caring for his son. That doesn't happen in Nigerien culture, but does with a man that follows Jesus!! They were just such a sweet and peaceful family, a stark contrast to the loudness and drama of the Zerma I had been experiencing all week. I never want to forget the beautiful smile of the woman there.

We arrived back at home with bad news waiting. Melissa came over and told ust hat Ouomu's blood pressure a her clinic appointment was around 150/90. I'm not a nursing student yet, but I know that a blood pressure that high is not a good thing, espcially during pregnancy. I felt so helpless, because I knew how to take blood pressure, but we didn't have a cuff or stethoscope. we were trying to find the best culturally acceptable way to get Ouomu to the maternity clinic inm Niamey, because she dind't have money to go herself. They ended up deciding that Shad and Melissa could pay for it because Ouomu is their housekeeper. So it was planned for us all to go to Niamey tommorow.

After eating lunch, we headed to a bush village. I though that we were never going to make it there! On the way Brandy and Kanesa told me that this village is very dark and still practice a lot of their traditional African rituals. So yeah, I was a little scared. The feeling there was pretty normal, but there was a subtle tension, that I've never felt before. I told the bible story, and more adults of all ages, including men and women, listened then in any other village. They were also more interstedin asking how and why aboutthe bible stories and the songs. maybe there is such a dark presence there because the people are so desperately seeking light.

That night all the women came over again. Nilly also braided my hair. It took 2 hours and hurt os terribly. All the women kept asking if it hurt! haha, um... yeah! They said that it hurt them too still hwen they get theirs braided. I was sitting there after getting my hair braided when there was a lot of banging on the gate. I heard Bube say something about zanke, and I ran out to go outside and see them. I was so afraid that I was going to leave Kollo tommorow and never see them again! So, I was glad that they had come.

We stood outside and they held my hands and hugged my legs and said, "Amina, Amina" (my African name) and "I love you too!" And they talked to each other and played and laughed, and I just watched them and took pictures. I love these kids!

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!! We started out today getting a little bit more dressed up then usual. Brandy even let me borrow one of her entire African outfits to wear! Then we headed to church. All of the kids get new outfits on Christmas day, so it was so good to see them all in clean clothes that werent messed up! The looked so cute! We all grabbed some kids' hands and headed to church. The church service started off with the kids doing their Christmas play once again. Then John did like 3 messages... Kanesa isn't as good about translating for me, but she at least gave me the bible verses, so I could study on my own. I enjoyed the singing most that we did in between each "message." It is amazing ot be able to praise God with songs that you don't even understand the words. He is a God of all nations and all tongues and I have seen his greatness so much while I've been here, that I just have to praise Him! Also, at the end of church, John and Marie and their children sung about 5 songs that they'd prepared. It was really good. What really cracked me up was that there was on boy who just couldn't figure out which way he was supposed to sway. I'm surprised that we never had a collision!

John's family is so amazing, because I don't even know which children are his, and which are ones that he's adopted. Brandy said that he and Marie are always taking children off of the streets and into their home. He truly is looking after orphans in their distress! After church we headed back home to get all our food ready to take to Niamey. So, we had some Africans that wanted to hitch a ride, me, Brandy, Kanesa, about 50 wheat rolls, 2 pies, a green bean casserole, a sweet potato casserole, sausage balls, and honey ham. How did we make all this amazing American food in Niger you ask? Well, the sweet potato casserole - Niger does have a type of white sweet potato, but we wanted ORANGE sweet potato casserole. Kanesa happened to have some yellow and red food coloring, so we used it! haha! For the honey ham, we bought some slices of ham, and then made a honey-cinnamon paste that we put on it before putting it in the oven. Then the sausage balls - we had to make the sausage and the bisquick in order to make the sausage balls... yes, we are awesome!

But anyways, we're driving to Niamey, all this food in our laps, trying to dodge pot holes and not hit our heads on the top of the ruck when we go over "hills." We made it to the mission house though with everything intact! We went into the misson house to get online and call our families. I was able to talk to my mom, dad, and jason! Then we headed to the sustar's to eat Christmas dinner with the entire mission team. Everyone was so joyful, but there was also a feeling that people really missed their families. Missionaires make such a sacriice to be here. They are away from family, they leave confortable America for a much harder life. And sometimes they seehardly any harvest. They get sick so often, and are in a place with very porr medical care.

When we got to the sustar's we found out that karis, their younger daughter was sick and had been throwing up... on Christmas. Children get sick here so easily. It's something tha tI had never thought about before. I dont' know if I would want my children living in Africa, when they could be in America. If god called me here, it would be my choice to go, but my children wouldn't be able to make that same choice. And I cannot imagine my future without children. I think that I could live with the fact if it wasn't God's will for me to get married, (thought that sounds terrible!) but if it was the case, I would still want to adopt at least one child. And could I even put him or her though that? I have so much respect the missionaries here, and was so honed to celebrate the birth of our saviour with them.

December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve! I woke up this morning not feeling well, but I knew that we had 2 villages to go to, so God led me to Isaiah 40:28-31.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope on the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "

And he gave me enough to go to these villages. First, we went to see Ouomu's cousin. She was only 14 when she got married, and it wasn't her choice to get married. Then after she got pregnant, her husband left to go to another coauntry, and never came back and she hasn't heard anything from him. My breath was taken away when we walked into her house because she has northing. My heart really broke for her. Then we went on to a village where 2 of the semester girls are going to live. I took a picture of their hut, so I could remember how strongly that I needed to pray for them! Life is going to be hard for them these next few months, but I'm anxious to see what God is going to do among their laboring in these villages. It was today that I learned how bathing/ going to the bathroom works in Africa. They have the squatty potty of course, but it is only for the #2. It seems that peeing in the squatty is strictly forbidden. So, they pee and shower in the same place. yes, kind of gross. And where they take a shower will be on a dirt floor. And they're having sand floors in their houses too. Oh Lord, will you every call me to live in such a way? man...

But thses girls are going to need sum prayer! In that same village we went to visit a woman whos a school teacher. She had a very nice house as far as Africa standards go, and she had 2 very cute kids. The litle boy's name was papa. She even asked me if I wanted to be her husband's third wife... haha. She said that she would let me live in the back room of her house and would cook for me... how can I say no to that!?

Then we returned home and all the strength God had given me disappeared. I felt terrible!! So I ended up taking a very long nap while Kanesa and Brandy cooked for Christmas. I felt a little better wen I woke up, so I cooked some, and then it ws Christmas play time!! Which the kids lvoed doing and they all did so well. These kids are amazing... they really totally are! But then we had the banana bread and cool-aid to hand out. It was mass chaos. Mass chaos for a piece of banana bread and really just a sip of cool-aid. It's sad that they have so little, that it has to be that way.

If Africans could only know the burdens that they put on my heart! The feelings that they make me feel!! Then when the chaos of the Christmas play begin to subside, the Muslim teacher and his 2 wives arrived. He spoke English, and I don't think that I hid my feelings well enough when he introduced me to his 2 wives, both standing right beside him... It's so weird. And then his first wife has recently had a baby, but the 2nd wife has to carry the baby on her back, even though she's older. And this was a HUGE baby, like for real! Then we stayed up until 2 cooking for Christmas and I am very happy now to be in my bed, about to sleep!!

December 23, 2007

Today we started off by going to church. I have to say that I was a little disappointed. I guess just after all I've heard about church in Africa, but I think it has to do with John, the pastor. Most of the church is his family, and he really caters everything to them. But I did like the songs. But I pray that God would put more joy there in that little church. I pray that just like in the US, that their songs would become pure and true worship and praise. John's sermon was a little odd too. Even though he did brin gupsome thoughts that I would never think of, he spike about when abraham sacrificed Isaac. He really tried to tie everyting in the story to something else in the bible. Like a detail couldn't be a detail, it had to be a sign or symbol of something else. I guess it could be, but I think that right now the believers of Kollo just need to learn about the life of Jesus, so they can become more like him. When you talk to them individually, all they want to do is walk with Jesus.

I guess I couldn't expect much from John, I mean he hasn't had any "training." He probably hasn't heard many different examples of preaching. He even had to ask Brandy, Kanesa, and I for verses that talk about Christ's birth for the service on Christmas day. It all really is really sad and unfair. We so take all of our amazing pastors in the US for granted. The new Zerma believers really deserve someone who can encourage them, and teach them God's word. It si so hard to share with the believers because of how little they know. It's different then in the US. And they are willing to learn,but life in africa doesn't allow for an abundance of study time. Life is hard for them, which is all the more reason that they need the patience and perserverance of Christ. And then, they can't study much on their own, because most can't read the bible. They do have like 5 books on audio cassette, but I don't know how well the missionaries are doing at getting those out. Or maybe they just don't have an abundance of them? There is just so much need to hear the gospel, to accept it, to be loved, but also a huge need for discipleship. It is so overwhelming!! Oh God, I praise you that YOU are the Lord of the Nigerien believers! They are in the best hands, even when I cannot see it.

After lunch, Brandy and I went to visit with Ouomu's mom. We got there right as she was beginning her prayers, butit must not be a big deal to have guests during your prayers. I definitely saw during my time with the Zerma, that they don't put any heart, and really not much respect into their muslim beliefs. They are just rituals, tradition. Which is a big open door for God. Like this evening, while we were in a village, the men were out on the road doing their prayers, and the preiest stopped, turned aorund, and told us goodnight! Then a few days ago the priest in the compound across the street, let us take a picture ofthe meat that he had sacrificed for sins, and took his picture with it??... But we rejoice, because it seems that in the lives of some, the strongholds of Islam are being broken down!

But after Ouomu's mom finished her prayers, I shared with her the story of the Good Shepherd, and Brandy translated. We were going to just share with her matthew 9, but before going over there, God really laid it on my heart to share that with her. So we did and during the story she said, "jesus taught you about sheep, but didn't tell you to do chimsi?" (which is when they sacrifice sheep for their sins) So Brandy told her we would explain that at the end of the story. When we finished, Brandy explained it all in Zarma, and even got to talk about the part hwere there is more than one sheep pen, but there will be only one flock and only one shepherd. So Brandy told her that even though Ouomu and her were from different pens that they were now united through Christ. Ouomu's mom ended up saying, "I hear, and I see, but I cannot because I am on the road of readiness." Meaning that we were children tellin gher this, and that she could not be on the same path as a child. She told us that a mother could pull a child back on the right path, but a child cannot pull a mother onto another path. Brandy told her that no one can pull someone on another path, but that we can call to each other. So, she doesn't wnat to accept Christ, even she knows that she needs to, because of her pride and because she says she must get ready to die by getting the good deeds that she needs. It breaks my heart, that she is getting ready to death in the wrong way and the harder way, when all she needs to do is surrender. I think about all the older women in my life, what if one of them would come and talk with her about Jesus, someone that is on the same path as she is. It was weird leaving her house, because I felt joy becaue I had shared with her so passionately and wanted her to believe so bad, but so much heartbreak also because of her words. I guess that's just another mystery of God.

After leaving Ouomu's we went to two very poor villages. They were very obviously poorer. Their houes were smaller and not as nice, all the children had the malnourished abdomens, they were all so dirty, but those little kids love to hold your hands! I forgot to bring my camera with me, but maybe it is a good thing. I know that many of my pictures I've taken will make me smile and laugh, but pictures of these children and this village would hurt to look at. I remember seeing one little naked boy getting dirty so brown water out of a ditch and then drinking it. They don't have a well at either of these villages. I thought that I understood the poverty of Africa before coming, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I can't even explain it.

We sang and shared stories at both villages, and at the last one we prayed for a little baby that was very sick and didn't look like he was going to make it. Brandy had asked what they wanted us to pray for, and the mother of the baby came over and laid him in Brandy's arms. I cried that night thinking that that little baby would probably die, just because, really, he didn't have a mosquito net, or clean water, and he doesn't have any healthcare. If he was in America, it would be no big deal, and he'd be fine. But he's not.

December 22, 2007

Today was a very long day. We had planned on getting up and going to 2 villages, but then Marie came over for Nilly to braid her hair. Which equaled to there being people at our house all day long. Which was difficult. In Zerma culture, you cannot ask someone to leave your house, you have to stay with yoru guests and you have to feed them. All this made a lot of frustrating and awkward moments, like... having to cancel all of our plans for the day, being so tired and not able to go into our rooms and rest, and trying to feed people that we dind't ahve enough food to feed. I seemed like a waste of a day, but god must have had a purpose for it. Kanesa brought up a good point when she said that sometimes God has to remind us that he doesn't need us. He doesn't need our plans or our strategies. He doesn't need us at all. It's very humbling to sit in a room of people, whom you can't understand their words, but to just sit there because it's where god has placed you.

Kanesa then told me yakuba's testimony, the pastor in Niamey. She said that he was Zarma and grew up in Libore, one of the villages that we went to! He was a Taliban (or maybe I'm pulling that word out of my brain) boy and was taught the Koran. He moved to America and lived there for 8 years. I automatically though, "Oh! He went to America, someone let him to Christ, and then he came back to Niger." But then out came of Brandy's mouth that while in America, God sent him dreams, he accepted Christ and then god told himto go back to Niger and back to his people and tell them about Jesus. I mean he is like a modern day Paul or Moses! And once again, slap in the face. "Jennifer... God doesn't need you!" He doesn't need anyone to carry out his plan for his creation . It is fully and completely His and fully and completely under his control.

Ouomu also cooked for us 2 times that day. It was our reward for patiently waiting on God all day, and given no answer that we could see, except for in our own eyes. Ouomu cooked us macaroni and sauce for lunch and leaves and rice for dinner. Both with hot pepper and oil and onions of course! When you eat here, everyone sits around one large plate. You can only use your right hand to eat. So, you have to ball some food up and then put it in your mouth. I am TERRIBLE, terrible at getting the food safely from the dish to my mouth. They make it look so easy. Both dishes were really good, but the macaroni one was my favorite. I also tried just the leaves mixed with peanut butter and oil - wasn't as much a fan of that. It was a long exhausting day, even though it just consisted of mostly sitting.

December 21, 2007

We woke up at the crack of dawn this morning because we had to be in Niamey at 8. We went by the MBM and I got to meet Shad. We went to get my visa at the embassy. The Zarma in there were burning up some crazy incense. We couldn't breathe! Like... for real. We ran all over town - to the doctor, to the pharmacy, to the Sustars, all over the place! We got back, ate lunch, and then went to Libore, another village. I got to share the story of the ruler's dead daughter, bleeding woman, and 2 blind men with the kids there. It gave me so much show to share Christ with those little kids who had never heard before. We were also in Libore to talk with a man who had built a house. Kanesa and Brandy were hoping that 2 of the semester missionaries could live there. We went in to talk to the man, and he even brought up the subject of the house. Not only did he say that they could use the house, but he told them that they didn't have to pay for it, which is a huge honor in Zarma culture.

Then we went to see a newborn. The poor thing was completely soiled in urine. His skin was terrible! He was cute though. We came back to the house and later some of the women came over. This was the first time that I got to just hang out with the women. We had coffee and tea again - and Nilly decided to eat the powdered milk also. They are so funny trying to take care of me or soemthing. They wouldn't even let me pu tthe sugar in my own tea. By the way, the other night I had Chai. I like it a lot, and should start drinking it all the time! Just some random infor there! I just love these Africans, they definitely ALWAYS keep Africa interesting!

Also today, while we were running errands in Niamey, Brandy and Kanesa told me a lot about healthcare in Niger. For most of Niger, there really isn't any. If they're sick and aren't lucky enough to have medicine nearly, then they just don't get treated. Or they use some of their witch doctor practices. I really don't think that I comprehend it all. If I'm sick or if I get hurt, then I have to get it fixed; I have to get better. But do these people every really get better? I mean stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches are constant thing sto them. I get a headache and then, "ah, I'm sick." I guess some of this could be prevented by drinking clean water, washing veggies better, keeping leftovers cold until they're ready to eat them. But so many of the resources that they need to do those things are not available. Brandy and Kanesa have a lot of these problems too, and I've even had some of them with only being her a week.

How they live is just, well crazy... and even if someone came in and built them all modern houses and showed them how to cook cleanly, would they even want to live like that? They always joke about wanting to go to America, but would they really go if they were given the opportunity? They're so happy and content with the way they live, but I guess it's because it's their culture, it's how they live, it's all that they know. I guess I'm just having some culture shock. It's really easy when you'r ehere for as a short time as me, to forget that this is a real place where real people live, and that Brandy and Kanesa really do have to cook from scratch everyday, take tons of medicine, sleep in a mosquito tent, have to deal with feeling like crap all the time, have to constantly change what they're used to to meet the demands of another culture, and at that a culture that dishonors their God and believes the most ludacrous things sometimes - okay, most of the time.

Is it really worth it to labor among a people of whom you don't even know if any significant number of them will come to know and accept the truth? But really, who am I to define worth? I don't even know worth, because I am worth nothing. Nothing that I do alone has any spoils, nothing that I can give lasts, I'm only a vapor of nothing really. But I know worth when I look at Christ,

"who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with god something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave him the name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. "

And later down in verse 15 it says, "in which you shine like stars in the universe"

Philippians 2:6-11, 15

So Christ, who is God and Lord, of ultimate worth, humbled himself to nothing, what we all are, so we could have His worth. and in verse 15, paul says that we are to shine like stars in the universe. And we are to shine the light of Christ, the Christ who humbled himself to nothing.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be reavealed." Romans 8:18-19

None of us know what the fruits of our work will be, but with our sinful nature, if we did know, I mean we would definitely mess it up somehow. But I think the most important fact to bring up is that Christ died for those who he knew would never accept his sacrifice.

December 20, 2007

Dear God,

I am just really tired this morning and not excited at all about going into the village. I feel as though learning to tell this story about you is work. Remind me that you are faithful in providing all that I need. Right now I need energy and strength. I need an abundance of your love. Give me joy in the fact that I get to tell the Zerma about you. amen.

Today has been a good day. Kind of laid back, but a good day. I think I'm getting more comfortable with the African life. We started off today going to one village and Brandy and kanesa took the people some pictures. Thsi led to us watching them look at their pictures for about 30 minutes. We then walked through the village somemore. There were some really beautiful children in this village. There were even twins! They've been sick their entire lives, but god has kept them alive thus far. That village was crazy! The kids were pretty bad and just dying for attention. It was really draining. Then we came back for lunch and Brandy and I got to take very much needed naps! Then we had play practice. It went well even though Joseph, Gabriel, and a shepherd were missing. We sung a song marching around the house, and then played duck duck goose. My heart really goes out to these children. They have so little, and get really hardly any positive attention from their parents once they get to the age where they would realize that they don't get much attention.

Ouomu came over for a while. She has such a hard life. She's been working all day, pregnant with swollen ankles. She deserves so many blessings. Last night she was over here really late and I was really tired. Of course, everyone was speaking Zarma, so I didn't get to be a part of the conversation, so that made me even more tired. I was really just witshing that Ouomu would leave so I could sleep. I told God that I just wanted to go to bed, and that there was no reason for me to be sitting htere. I told him to give me a reason. Right before Ouomu left she asked Kanesa how to say, "I'm going to sleep" in English, so she could talk to me. Then she asked me to prayfor her. That was such an encouragement and special to me. There is a reason for me to be here, even if all it is is to give a little joy. I'm just so thankful to be here at all.

Back to tonight, we studied James with some Zarma. There were a lot in and out, but it was mainly me, Kanesa, Brandy, Abduli, and Bube. They worked on memorizing the first four verses perfectly so they can remember it for personal study times and to tell others, since they cannot read. Before we started studying though, Abduli told us the reason that he told his compund that he wasn't sacrificing. He really gets it. He has such a hunger for the Word, and is so joyful to follow Christ. Bube is studing also, even though he doesn't follow Christ. I think though, that Kanesa and Brandy have and are being amazing witnesses, and I think he will come to know Christ soon. Then Brandy and I took Abduli home. In the car he asked me to not forget him and to pray for him. When he became a Christian, his wife beat him terribly, and Brandy and Kanesa had to treat him when he came to their house every night. I told him that I would not forget him and that I would tell my brothers and sisters in Christ in America about him. I plan on doing just that.

Then later tonight, Bube, Ouomu, Kanesa, Brandy, and I sat aroudn and talked for a few hours. It was one of my favorite time so far in Niger. Ouomu and Bube are so funny. Bube decided to spoon powdered milk into his mouth, and then led to suck a tea bad. And Ouomu is just her usuasl self. We talked some about the rebellion going on in northern Niger. Nigeriens talk about politics just like Americans do... I don't know why that surprises me. After Ouomu left, Bube started making all kinds of animal sounds, then decided to demonstratefor us the like 7 types of farting. I didn't know that there were so many. Thankfully, he demonstrated with his mouth, and not the other way. Then Bube came inside and tried to play Kanesa's guitar. He was terrible, but I've never seen someone try so hard!!

December 19, 2007

Memories of Africa:

-my first African zanke (zarma for child) hug from Saphia
- "I love you too"
-eating with chopsticks in Africa?
-pounding pepper and being laughed at! :)
-the facisnation with my flip flops
-the sacrifice of sheep for sins that could be atoned for by grace
-kids begging Kanesa to let them write on their arms
-the fascination with a baby doll
-watching 2 zerma boys bowing down to baby Jesus in the play
-a Zerma woman thinking that I was falling asleep (really Kanesa had just said in English, let's pray)
-learning that two newest Zerma believers didn't sacrifice!
-African massages!
-Ouomu asking me to pray for her

December 18, 2007

I guess it's December 18! Where did my night of sleep go? I'm a the airport in Paris. Crazy to be in Europe and stuck in an airport! I don't even know what time is is, so I'm just sitting here trying to learn some Zarma and reading Passion and Purity, which I love! When I get home I want to sit down with it and really go through it. My first flight was good, just very long! I mostly slept, though not enough. I'm just ready to get to Niger. I hop that not much is planned for today, I just want to sleep in a bed! I don't know what I'm thinking about the mission trip right now. But I read this in Passion and Purity earlier:

The Lord, the everlasting God, creator of the wide world grows neither weary nor faint. No man can fathom his understanding. He gives vigour to the weary, new strength to the exhausted. Young men may grow weary and faint, even in their prime they may stumble and fall; but those who look to the Lord will win new strength. They will grow wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, the will march on and never grow faint.

It's definitely what I need for today. I feel dead. I can't really seem to think much past today, and I hope that is a good thing. I am just going to take each day and each opportunity from God. I want to trust in Him. I want these next 10 days to be about Him and His plan among the Zerma, so I leave them up to you. Use me. Give me boldness and strength. Give me compassion and love. Give me sesnitivity to the Holy Spirit. I am your servant.

December 16, 2007

Tommorow I leave to travel to Niger! I can't believe it. I'm getting to go to Niger! I'm feeling very scared right now... I feel so inadequate... I almost said "to carry the gospel to the Zerma" but I'm not carrying it to them, it's already there. God doesn't need me. I don't really understand all the details to why he chooses to use us, but I know that he's told me to go, so I'll serve him. As Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant." I cannot wait to tell the Zerma about the Christmas story!

I'm letting you read my journal!

Well... my Niger journal at least! I traveled to Niger, West Africa in December 07 on a mission trip. While I was there I tried to write in the journal most days. While I was writing it, I was hoping to share it with everyone when I returned home. I've been meaning to type it up for all the world to see, but coming straight from Africa into my first semester of nursing school didn't leave me much time for debriefing! But I really hope that you will take the time to at least read some of it. I hope the stories of the amazing Africans that I met while I was there, and the state of the country of Niger will cause you to want to do something about it. And maybe it will even inspire you to go!! Remember, this is not amazing writing... just a journal! I'll be putting up as much as I can as fast as I can, but keep checking back! December 27 will be the last entry that you'll see! www.zermateam.org

Why do I miss nursing school already?!...

I've been on a break from school for over a week now. And sadly, I'm very ready to head back to Birmingham and get back to nursing school! Sad... I know! Even though the rest and relaxation has been great, I like being busy, and "busy" has not been the word to describe me the past week! The break has been fun though. I got to go stay with Stacey in ttown for a couple of days, and have just gotten to see a lot of "long-lost friends" so far during the break. I've also had a lot of time to study the Word and think and pray. Lots of journaling too, which is great because I normally don't have time to journal about everything that I want to!!

God has shown me some awesome things the past week, and I really see evidence of me becoming more like Christ this past week... which is really cool. It's amazing that when we just stop, and really give our attention to God, openly, the things that he's able to do in our lives. Some things that I'm sure he's been wanting to do for a while!

I'm way excited to get back to Birmingham. I can't believe that this is my last year, but I'm determined to use it for God's glory. I want to see a little bit more of UAB begin to glorify the King! Though I'm completely hyped up right now, I know that once everything gets into swing and nursing school is back to trying to kill me, it's going to be very tempting to once again take to the "just make it through" mindset. But I know that God has not placed me at UAB this year just to finish up nursing school. I can't wait to see what he has planned for UAB's campus!! So, whoever reads this... haha, please pray for the body of Christ at UAB, and that more would be added to our number this year!

How I spent my Friday night as a vampire...

The new book in the Twilight Saga came out August 2. So, Barnes and Noble held a Breaking Dawn Midnight Release Party. Since, it was the the youth girls that first got me interested in Twilight, we all decided to go to the party. We all picked a favorite Cullen (the good vampire family) to dress up as. We tried to put on dark makeup and snazzy clothes to look like vampires. We started out meeting at the Summit at Johnny Rocket's for dinner. It was supposed to be all girls, but one of the girls, Ana, wanted her friend Brad to come to act like one of the guy characters in the book. He called right before we pulled into Johnny Rocket's and said that he wasn't coming. Then we got to Johnny Rocket's and he was there... haha.

After eating we went window shopping, and we all tried on a dress for fun. Then we headed to Barnes and Noble. I'm very sad to say that the party wasn't any where as fun as I thought it was going to be. It was actually kind of boring. A book scavenger hunt, trivia, door prizes, and a costume contest were the only activities planned for like 3 hours, and they weren't planned very well. Even the girls thought that it was pretty boring.

But against our expectations we all got the book at midnight! We got home and started reading. I went to bed about 2, but some of the girls stayed awake all night reading. It was definitely the quietest slumber party I had ever been to!! It was a pretty fun night though, here are some pictures as promised!!