I'll still work with the pastors
and evangelism students in implementing irrigation and micro-credit
projects, but I will not be interacting with them on a day-to-day
basis. There's really a lot I don't yet know, but once I'm in
Niger, we'll sort out the details and will have a better sense
of where things are heading. Now, Aichatou and I will finally
be able to "set up house" after months in transition.
Maybe we will soon live a "normal" married life.
My time in the States since Aichatou left has been incredibly
full. I've recently spoken to churches and groups in Sioux Center,
Maurice, and Rock Valley, Iowa, Kings and South Holland, Illinois,
Colts Neck, New Jersey, Worthington, Minnesota, and Tampa and
St. Petersburg, Florida. Perhaps my biggest challenge, though,
was going to my nieces' pre-school and first grade classes in
Grinnell, Iowa. What can one do to impress little 4- and 6-year-olds?
(I wore desert African clothes, including a turban and showed
lots of pictures) In addition to speaking, I spent 10 days in
East Lansing, Michigan to meet with my Ph.D. advisor and to conduct
library research at Michigan State University. While in Michigan,
I met with World Missions in Grand Rapids about their project
to produce the Hausa New Testament (Niger's most common tribal
language) on cassette tape and with Words of Hope about providing
Christian radio programming to Niger. I also had meetings with
FARMS International in Knife River, Minnesota, regarding launching
a micro-credit program in the Nigerien Church. One of my more
interesting encounters involved seeing an old Iowa State friend,
Mike Coon, who now works with Iowa Thin Film, a maker of flexible
solar panels. I'm taking one panel that can charge a 12 volt battery
home in a suitcase.
The other major use of my time has been preparing for the return
to Niger. This meant getting an eye test, a physical, and a dental
examination. As a result I discovered I needed new lenses, several
cavities filled and a new medical prescription (for rosacea, a
skin ailment). I've also bought all the clothes I'll need for
the next year (or so). And then there're all those tempting items
that one stumbles across in catalogs and stores. Things that you
have gotten along without having in Niger just fine suddenly become
absolutely irresistible when you see them now in the United States.
There seems to be a little voice that says "If you don't
get it now, you'll never be able to find something like that in
Niger.” I'm limited to two 70-pound pieces of luggage, plus
a carry-on and my computer bag, and it’s going to be quite
a challenge to keep within those limits. Suddenly, everything
looks like it is absolutely necessary to take with me.
Of course, there are many regrets now that it is time to leave.
There were several people who I failed to see, even after I promised
I would try hard to do so. And many people were disappointed to
have missed meeting Aichatou. I didn't spend enough time with
my family in Iowa, nor was I able to search for all those people,
projects and books that would have helped the work in Niger. Of
those people I did talk to, there is so much follow-up that has
yet to take place. It has been wonderfully stimulating to be back
and at the same time, I can't wait to be at work in Niger. I'm
not exactly sure what we will do our next time here, but I have
no doubts that it will be a different experience and we'll have
a better sense of how to organize our visit.
Well, we want to thank everyone for these past three months.
You have made them very special and encouraging. We thank God
for the great relationships we have established with so many of
you.
Prayers and praises
- Please pray for my travels from September 27-October 1. I'll
be in Casablanca for three days. Pray for safety during this
period. Also pray that I'll have no problems with customs as
I'll need to claim my luggage in Casablanca and then recheck
it for the flight to Niger.
- Pray for Aichatou's health as she recovers from malaria. Pray
that she will soon return to her studies.
- Give praise for the wonderful time we have had in the United
States. Pray that God will use our experiences here for His
good purposes in Niger. Pray that we will be able to follow
up on the many contacts and good ideas that we encountered in
the United States which can aid ministry in Niger.
- Give praise for the good rains that Niger has received. The
water tables have been recharged and it looks like the crops
may produce a record harvest. Pray that pests (desert locusts,
birds) do not reduce the harvest.
In Christ,
Tom and Aichatou
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