This week...

Written July 26, 2013

I wanted to write a few blogs with a few different topics - but I'm going to try to combine everything together in one. Hopefully this'll make sense to y'all. 

The Bethany team was here and went back home last night - their flight was cancelled - but they should be home or almost home pretty soon. Thank you for praying for them. 

This week has been eventful. Everyone knows why we're here - and women are beginning to face opposition for talking to us. They seem very uncomfortable when we talk about Jesus and the way to get to heaven. They don't wish to be rude at all - so they usually just try to change the topic or they do other things. The men do not approve of us - and that makes things harder - because of the culture. Women are viewed as property. 

Today we got quite a surprise though. Fati - a lady (she's 20 - married, with 2 kids) came and visited us. She wished to talk and say hi. We talked about the stories we told (Creation to Christ - or C2C) and she began to ask questions about how one begins to follow Jesus. She told us that she saw us walking around and overheard what we were saying about different things. (We shared c2c with her, but had to leave because of the men.) She wanted to talk to us but didn't want everyone knowing - as to not face persecution. 

Reminds me of Nicodemus, coming to Jesus at night. 

She said she would think about the things we told her - about trusting in Christ. Please pray for her - that God would open her eyes even more. She says that the things we speak are truth, but she isn't sure that she wants to pay the price. Many times families will try to kill those who convert to Christianity. It's a hard road for those who follow Christ out here. Harder than we (Americans) know. 

My heart rejoices that she came to us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! :)

I was reading in Scripture today in Ezekiel 37 - about how God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones and God raised them up to be a mighty army. That they are like Israel - because God will raise up our bones and we will know that He is God. 

God desires all nations to know Him. He sends us as a light - but surely we can do nothing but proclaim who God is, only God can work in such ways. God desires to be worshiped. Truly worshiped for who He is, because He alone is Holy.

One of my favorite Old Testament stories is that of Elijah and the prophets of Baal  - that they set up 2 altars - and the followers of Baal asked him to send fire from heaven - and the fire did not come. But then Elijah dumped buckets of water on his altar, and then  prayed to the LORD, and God sent fire down from heaven that licked up even the water. - and so the people fell on their faces and said the LORD is God. 

Surely, anything is possible with God. Even the belief of the Songhai people. Keep praying for the Songhai people of Boubon. Also, pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are already facing persecution. To truly follow Christ is not easy. It's such a temptation for unbelievers to just add it to the things they already know (like Islam).

God is moving among the Songhai. It might not be evident at times - but He's here. God has not left the Songhai people. His sheep hear His voice. God's people know when God calls them forth.

As for me, my health is doing better - minus my stomach being weird - but I am in Africa. Lol. All of our stomachs are messed up. Of course, it doesn't really help that my Endo gets aggravated when I have a bad stomach - but thank heavens the pain only comes when I'm not out and about. 

Pray for Caitlin. She's still battling malaria - it got better for awhile - but I guess she overdid it one day and it came back strong. 

This was our last week with Odette (our translator) pray that we can still be a witness to Christ - without language. We still know very little Zarma. 

So this week concludes my 3rd week here. (Yesterday marks 3 weeks exactly.) I have 13 days  left here. I've been here for 22 days.... And it's been quite a journey. I feel like before I know it, I'll be on the plane back to home... Full of mixed emotions. I miss everyone at home.. I miss my comforts, but I don't wish to leave Niger. 

Day to day we go walking around (Iri go ga koy windy windy!! [we are walking around] = Zarma) and I'm always the slowest - the last one sort of lagging behind everyone.  (Odette, Caitlin and April walk fastet than most - and I walk slower than most. I don't do it on purpose. I think part of it is that I'm pigeon toed.) In some ways that's good - because people come up to greet me more often - and if someone just peeks around a corner - usually I can catch them to say hello. Some of the children walk slower as well - the little kids. So it gives me a chance to greet those who might otherwise be forgotten. I just wish I knew more Zarma. (Guess I have to study harder.)

There have been quite a few crazy things that have happened this week too - like our stove catching on fire. (Thank heavens for the guys knowing how to fix it. Sarah and Jody were both in Niamey seeing the Bethany team off - and since we don't have a microwave.... The stove is important.) it's a gas stove - the tube wasn't attached all the way and the back burst into flames. But we didn't burn our house down - thank heavens. 

It's been so hot this week. I wish it would just rain so everything would cool down. It looks like it'll rain - and then it doesn't. 

Keep us in your prayers. Remember - after I leave - April, Caitlin, Logan, and Thomas still have 10 days here. So we need to keep praying for them - and then be sure to always keep Sarah and Jody - and their kids, in our prayers. 

Praise God for Fati. Praise God she has listened and understood. :)

I love y'all!! Thank you again for all your encouraging notes - and remember - we're not doing the work - and this is not our battle - but it's God's work and His battle. 

To God be the Glory forever and ever. Amen!