Chronicles of Africa-2

At the airport we ran into more troubles...but as usual God provided! (Praise Him) As we approached the desk to check in our luggage, we were informed that Dave and I were booked for the flight but that the young ladies were traveling with were not! To make a long story very short, we had to run around the airport a little bit, but details were worked out and we all traveled to Niamey safe and sound. After landing, going through customs, and waking up (in that order), we were greeted by a local porter holding a sign for us. With his help, we gathered our luggage from the merry-go-round, waited in line for an hour, and then traveled to the local mission’s compound where we would be staying.
The next ten days were filled with events. Some of the things we learned while there: to cook a few meals from scratch; to shake with your right hand (because the left hand has another use); when showering, to turn the cold water on first or you will burn yourself (this was learned more through experience); to pull the shower drain or you will flood the bathroom (again experience); drinking vinegar is gross (thanks Todd!); Mon Amore (in French) means My Lover; cars do not stop for pedestrians, they only swerve at best; traffic lights, lanes, and laws are optional; look all four ways before crossing the street; lizards are everywhere; we DO need a visa to leave for Abidjan in a few days; the locals drink 3 rounds of very strong tea before bed; and most importantly, Islam dominates Niger! It is appropriate to reference Piper here: Missions exists because worship doesn’t.
One particular event worth detailing briefly was Dave and I’s “Bush Night”. Quite simply, this is when Dave and I spend the night sleeping in the bush. It was worthwhile. We spent the night at Oudou’s (Oo-doo) house, getting to know Oudou, his family, and his extended family. All together we enjoyed the company of about 25 folks, most of which were children! (Yeahhhh!) And even though we could not speak their local dialect, Zerma (Zar-ma), Dave and I were able to communicate with Oudou, who knew French and a little English. Throughout our time there, we learned some French, drank tea, walked the fields, and ate some rice, millet, and corn.
Several hours before Dave and I had to go, we had the opportunity to share the gospel with Oudou. What a privilege! This was very tough because of our limited communication. But God was gracious. After discussing some concerns between Christianity and Oudou’s Islamic beliefs, Dave and I labored to communicate the riches of Christ’s grace. We used what French we knew, what English he could understand, a little drama, and, praise God, some Spanish words that paralleled French in order to help Oudou grasp God’s plan to save man. Dave and I think he understood, and Oudou said he would consider whether or not he would abandon Allah and come to Christ! Please pray for Oudou and his family. Phil Cain, our host, lives in Niamey is planning on following up with Oudou. His conversion would be drastic as it would mean abandoning the faith of his ancestors and his village, and would certainly result in rejection from many he depends on within his community. However, it would likely mean that others in his family would follow him, at least formally. Pray for Oudou and his family as we know that people from all tribes will, one day, together worship Christ.
Also, throughout our ten days of training sessions we discussed many things to prepare for the next four months. Phil and Kimberly Cain, our hosts and trainers, were very pleasant and accommodating. They spent the next ten days teaching us how to live and do missions in West Africa, and we loved it. We talked about common sicknesses and symptoms; house churches; church planting; how we can maintain our health; how to bargain at the local markets; because many locals cannot read or write, the details of orality and the storying of Scripture; how to interact with and evangelize to Muslims; the common occurrences of demon possession; and much more. By the end of the ten days Lauren, Lacey, David, and I were fatigued but eager to trust the Lord in carrying out the missions He appointed us to.
Having finished our training, Dave and I were ready to fly to Abidjan. (And, praise the Lord, God had also provided, in less than the week, the visas that Dave and I needed to get into Abidjan. It is so amazing that He takes notice of His children!) We checked in at the airport in Niamey…