I’ve been told that there is not one single counseling office in Niamey, maybe even in all of Niger! Well, if that is true, then I am happy to share with you that we have just created the very first.

The home we are renting is not large, but the property is pretty big, with lots of trees and places for me to plant flowers and bushes. It also has a small “out building” – meaning, there is a fully finished building that is not connected to the house. Many years ago it was used as an office, but when we arrived it was very run-down and simply being used as a storage space.

About a month ago we decided that it was time to make use of that great space! We hired a local guy to come and replace the windows and rotten window sills, take out the non-functioning water cooler, patch up the walls, repair the mosquito netting on the windows and give it all a new paint job.

Voila!

Now we have a private place to meet with couples and individuals. It is peaceful and lovely and we are so very thankful!

Already we have been able to share it with others in creative ways! One couple, who we’ve been meeting with for a couple of months now, needed a place to spend about two hours just talking through one of our assignments. Going to a restaurant was going to be difficult for them so we bought some cokes and invited them to use our meeting room for their “date”.

Also, on Thursday nights a group of young men from the university come to this special room to pray together.

It may seem like a small thing, but I believe this place is going to be a blessing in the lives of many people.