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!!