Here are some more photos of “our kids” from South Korea (parents are missionaries in Ghana), Great Britain (parents serve in Burkina Faso), USA (parents serving in Togo, Eastern Niger, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso), Benin (parents serving in Benin), New Zealand (parents serving in Easter Niger).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that last one is appropriate, since we still laugh at ourselves – which helps us maintain some level of peace amidst all of this busy-ness! (that picture was taken at the school banquet, held at the American Embassy Recreation Center, where we were chaperones!)

Thank you for following our journey!

I just noticed that there hasn’t been an update to our blog in QUITE some time! Of course you know that a plethora of activity has passed by and I could write a page on every challenge and victory. But that would be tedious to write and (most likely) even more tedious for you to read! So I’ve decided to share some photos of the reason why we are here. (Well, the reasons, plural.) We came to serve God, but our assigned task is to live with and care for missionary kids.

This includes meals, birthdays, activities (sports, music), homework, morning devotions, Bible Studies, to-and-from school, and meals and meals and meals! Did I mention snacks? Yes, teenagers need to eat. (smile)

So here are some photos of our life with these incredible teenagers! (if the internet will cooperate!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I drove a rowdy vanload of our dorm kids home from school, bouncing mercilessly along the dusty roads of our cartier C*.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw something truly wonderful. Not the usual waving hands of gorgeous brown children, clothes a mess and smiles to perfection. Neither was it the comforting nod from a neighbor working hard over a cookfire of spicy-smelling fried food.

I saw her – Hadiza. Such beauty! I slowed down to absorb the sight of her more carefully. It was like God was showing her to me again and beaming with pride over her! I simply had to take note!

Walking tall, with her traditional build (so she tells me proudly), wearing a colorful dress with ruffled details, her graceful head balancing a giant bowl of who-knows-what to bring home to her family in cartier Harabanda.

My friend. What makes her sparkle so?

This week Andy and I (along with a few helping friends – thank you forever doctor B!) faced sandmites head-on and went to battle! They are microscopic bugs so our battle-gear had to be specific…and African…so we rented a giant cauldron (who knew you could even do that!), filled it with water and set it atop a makeshift fire outside our house.

Here it is.

It took an hour to build the fire hot enough to boil the water, then load by load we boiled our clothes, linens, stuffed animals (well, not all of them!) and blankets. Stirring, stirring, sweating, sweating…

Isoufou, our happy-go-lucky day guard joined in and helped Andy survive the heat and labor of it all.

After each boiling load, it was my turn to take the burning hot clothes and wash them – I had to use tongs to get them into the washer so as not to burn my fingers! Then dry. Then fold….

Hadiza, this beauty, noticed me in the midst of our ridiculous endeavor – (it is a bit ridiculous isn’t it?) – and she asked me if I was okay? Her concerned eyes seeing right through my tin armor of so-called strength. I was completely discouraged and of course I can’t hide anything from anyone, but especially this woman of love.

I shrugged and tried to explain the cauldron. The mites. The excuses for my bad mood.

She smiled and listened. Beauty and grace while I was all grimy and grumpy. Then, another smile, even bigger, and her words came easily as usual, with a deep and airy voice, “You know Nikki, you have to give this thing to Jesus. It is for him to take care of and then you no worry.”  (She speaks seven languages, yet the translation of thoughts often has this charming, jagged effect.)

She motioned her arms and hands, pretending to have a little box in her hand, stepped forward and gave it to an invisible someone next to me, “Like this, Nikki”.

She continued, “God… It was he who tell you and Andy to come to Africa to help the families here. And you said you would come and so you work hard. And then this happen and you are sad. But do not hold on to it, Nikki, give it to him!” A big smile came easily as she gave the imaginary box away again.

Perspective. This is where Hadiza lives. With her four children, two who are in university, and her husband.

She and her husband both work full time to support their family and they hope to move to a better home soon.

Hope.

“Nikki,” she almost sang it to me like a heart-song that day, “God did not leave you here without his help. He know you have many problems when you come to Africa. So give it to him!” Again the gesture of handing the imaginary box to imaginary Jesus standing next to me.

But it is not pretend!

He is not pretend. He is not imaginary! He really is with me in everything.

And there it is again, like an old-fashioned record with a scratch, playing the same note again and again…this lesson I have to learn!

With Jesus. With Jesus. With Jesus.

Our whole life is wrapped up in this one thing and I wonder if I will ever really get it?

Hadiza’s got it.

A sparkle that comes from within and has nothing at all to do with circumstances good or bad. Muddy-floored houses, sandmites, boiling-clothes-in-a-cauldron exhaustion, m*l*m neighbors, flooding rivers, loneliness…

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?……For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35, 38-39

So, today our eyes met as I slowly drove past her, both of us waving joyously that we unexpectedly saw each other this way, (though we spend all day every day in the same dorm-house together.) She, on her way to catch a taxi for a ride to her little precious God-given home, and I, on my way to share a meal with a large dorm family, a meal that she joyfully prepared for us.

With Jesus. With Jesus. With Jesus.

It is time to hear from our firstborn son – Nathaniel! He is now 11 years old, in fifth grade, and continues to bless our family with his peaceful presence.

 

Nathaniel is keeping a journal as we live in Africa these 18 months, drawing pictures and keeping record of major events. Recently he wrote about the past couple of months and gave permission for me to share it with you…

 

 

 

This might be difficult to read (poor photography, yet again!) This is what it says:

“The past few months have been crazy! It started with rainstorm that eventually flooded sahel. We had to move somewhere else for awhile called MBM. then we moved into a new house full of problems. Through these times I felt that God was in control and that he would take care of me. After that we got back to school.”

 

“P.S. We got to see giraffes and they were super cool. Sam got into a different school so I am a little lonely at recess. It’s really sad. I got to watch the first two Lord of the Rings movies.”

 

All of this is from a boy who, a year ago, was completely opposed to leaving his home in America to go to Africa! It is amazing how God changes hearts! We are so proud of Nathaniel!

We lived. We were flooded. We evacuated. We moved several times. We moved furniture. LOTS of furniture. We washed. We scrubbed. We immersed our hands in bleach to rid the mold. We now live in two houses in Niamey. (Did I mention that we cried a few times in between each of those things?)

Welcome to the new dorm!

Here are some pictures to help you SEE what has been going on this past month! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the two houses — the girls live in the white one and the boys in the pink one.

 

 

Hadiza is our full time cook – she has been keeping us healthy through all of the hard work of settling in.

 

We had to bring the toilet seats from the old dorm since EVERY SINGLE toilet seat in the new houses was broken or cracked. How random!? (Note to self: remind Tim and Janice to bring the toilet seats back next summer…)

 

I’ll finish with this photo of our white board schedule for our first full weekend in the new dorm…needless to say we were going a thousand directions! 

 

We may not know “what in the world we are doing” at any given point in the day, but we believe we are having fun together and learning a lot about following God and honoring one another as a dorm family.

Stay tuned for some pictures of our upcoming NUTS softball tournament — the dorm team is named Sahel Refugees! Woohoooo!!!!

Maybe I should say “wading” for a word? Not funny, I know, considering the circumstances. But you have to laugh a little when things go completely haywire.

Totally unexpected…

Unforeseen detour…

Plans awash…literally…

Dreams & expectations all drowned…

Vision now blurry…

This explains my recent silence. Waiting for God to show me the next step. Waiting for God to speak to my heart about His plans. Waiting for that reassurance of His guiding hand…not wanting to move without it, without Him.

The Niger River flooded our campus last week, and changed everything. All plans, all priorities shifted with this one unexpected event.

 

Many of my colleagues have written beautifully about this crisis and the aftermath, sharing pictures and thoughts and Scriptures. (I’ll share those links!)

I’ve been busy with the seventeen dorm kids (plus three of my own) — getting them out, then getting them back in (to get their stuff) — then back out again…all by canoe.

 

Then … housing them in a lovely guesthouse, feeding them, washing their very-dirty clothes (ten loads in one day — please come back my beloved househelp! — I cried!) Finally, getting them back to their homes (or to someone’s home!).

Breathe.

 

What was that heroic statement Frodo Baggins made at Rivendell? When all the mighty warriors were arguing over what should be done about that blasted ring? When all the more-qualified ring-bearers were bickering over strategies? What brave words did he manage to eek out?

“Well…um…I’ll take the ring. [pause..silence…] It’s just that…well, I don’t know the way.”

 

I have this strange feeling…just like that one — where I feel just barely brave enough to move ahead with whatever God is bringing or doing in this community. In me.

I do not know WHY He has me here at this time for this challenge and this responsibility.

I definitely do not know the way!

I just know that He has me here. Right now. For this.

 

“Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

 

 

Nitty-Gritty Update: Thank you for your prayers and words of support and encouragement! We are doing well and learning so much! We have shelter, food, and God has met our physical needs in generous ways. Our kids are handling the stress of being “homeless” with child-like enthusiasm! Today we found out that our beloved campus pet Rover was found alive, floating on some logs! So much to be thankful for. My emotions have been (predictably) up-and-down, but Andy has been true to his college nickname “Steady-Andy!” His faith has been unwavering, but his strength is sapped with all of the physical labor of it all. We all need rest now.

Our Nigerien friends who have lost homes and were working for the school are receiving aid already. They have a long road ahead — rebuilding their lives in a new location since the river is not expected to recede for many months. Keep them in your prayers — they are beautiful, hard-working people who are truly grateful for simply a kind greeting. We love them and are eager to see them back to work and providing for their needs!

 

My nursing skills could use some help. These poor children fell victim to my neosporin-bandaid treatment for mosquito bites! Seriously…this is embarrassing.

 

Someone reminded me recently that I said I would boast in my weakness….I AM A LOUSY NURSE! 

There. Was that loud enough?

 

I’ll finish this post with a picture of a really good-looking guy! (this was taken before the flood waters broke the dike and the water poured in.) He has been a champion — so glad we are on this journey together, babe!

Stay tuned for news of our RELOCATION!

We are in full swing in the Sahel Dorm now! Everyone has arrived, we’ve broken more than a few things around the dorm, had a late-night rescue on our first outing together, celebrated our first birthday of the year (yay Daniel!), played frisbee, softball, basketball, ping pong, foosball, scrabble, bananagrams, settlers, legos … I’d say it has been a pretty exciting start for this dorm family! Our “family meetings” are helping us iron out the important policies for this year, and our dorm devotions are simple and in the Word. Here are some pictures of our first week and half — enjoy!

 

(above) Ultimate frisbee on our first friday evening.

 

 

Even our campus “pet”, Rover, wanted in on the action!

 

We now have a slackline behind the dorm — it is supposed to be great for training balance and strength in all sports. But you can ask Aunt Ruth how dangerous it is when TWO people try it at the same time!

 

Little Ruth and Tryphene – she always wanted a big sister! (Now she has 7!)

 

Foosball!

 

Aunt Ruth and Tryphene — a little bit of girl-time.

 

Little Ruth found someone who like Littlest Petshop – Suji!

 

Here is the creative solution to being stuck-in-the-mud — and it actually worked! Our van got stuck as we ventured out to view the Pleides Meteor shower on Saturday night. Alas, no meteors were seen, but the dorm family bonded in our first survival experience! Thanks to John’s excellent French speaking, the creativity of positive-thinking Nigeriens, and a rescue by fellow missionary friends, the experience was redeemed!

 

Daniel’s birthday was a blast — he invited two friends and this is the birthday table (his hallmates and two friends).

 

 

 

Daniel’s hallmates set the tables for the meal — and decided to arrange them in the shape of a “D”. Creative, eh?

 

Well, that is a glimpse of our first week or so! We look forward to many more to come!

A tout’a’leure! (See you later)

– Dorm Mom (Aunt Nikki)

Twenty-four beds, twenty-four chairs at the dining tables, twenty-four … well, twenty-four is the number of human bodies that will soon dwell under this tin-roofed building we now call home!

Here is the breakdown: 18 teenagers from Korea, Africa, United States, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Canada, plus three children from Washington State, USA (our kids!), plus one dorm assistant originally from Malaysia (but really from all over the world!)  plus Andy & I — two rookie dorm parents!

In just a matter of days this building will be buzzing with all of these personalities, all of these precious people with needs, desires, hurts, victories, birthdays, homework, appetites… AM I READY FOR ALL OF THIS?

I feel sorely under-prepared. Deficiencies, insecurities, doubts..all bubbling up inside of me.

I grope for TRUTH…

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Was that “boast”?

Well, um….okay!

I really have no idea what we are getting into!

I am afraid that I won’t cook enough food! Or the right food! 

I am afraid that I will be tired all the time and become a super grumpy mom!

I am afraid I’ll miss all of the cultural cues from this diverse group — Koreans? British? African’s? TEENAGERS???

I’m afraid my own kids will feel lost in the shuffle of humans in this busy dorm family!

Fear fear fear! Anxiety! Doubt! 

(That was quite a burst, wasn’t it?)

A fellow missionary said yesterday that we are all serving a bit outside our comfort zone here. How true!

Outside our comfort zone. But always WITH JESUS. Every day, every hour.

This will be a year of growth for all of us, and I’m looking forward to seeing how God shines through my weakness — His power resting on me!

I guess if I was “in my comfort zone” I wouldn’t get the chance to experience this grace-power in me! 

So, bring on the cultural confusion!

Welcome home you teen-aged food critics!

Strange adolescent hormones — come on in! 

 

 

So, HERE WE GO — the 2012-2013 Sahel Academy School year begins August 8th!

If you would like to follow our dorm family a bit more intimately, check out our dorm blog at www.saheldormlife.wordpress.com!