It was a pleasure to hear how
they have been sharing their January 2004 volunteer experiences
in Niger with their church and community. Already, they have helped
raise almost a third of the funds needed to build a Christian
primary school in Niger! Later, we met with my Michigan State
University and University Reformed Church friends for two small
baby showers before spending the night with Kevin and Michelle
Mackey, another couple who came to Niger this year as volunteers.
We returned to Iowa where we mixed taking slow days and visiting
friends with shopping with Aichatou’s sister, Absatou, who
took her annual vacation with us. It was a nice pace, although
I think we were all surprised by how much we bought! After living
in Niger where quality goods are expensive and difficult to find,
Wal-Mart seemed too good to pass up. We also had things to get
for Marie-Florence, but some of the more interesting baby items
are just too big to put in a suitcase—although we did buy
a rocking chair and disassembled it since we can‘t imagine
putting a baby to sleep without one!
We were grateful for my home church, my parents’ neighbors
and my dad’s family who each held baby showers for Marie-Florence.
This is one little girl who will never know a stranger because
she has been held by so many people! We received many beautiful
clothes for her, as well as many gifts that have allowed us to
start a college fund for her.
We were able to visit with a few churches and individuals (in
Iowa and in Michigan) who were thinking about coming to Niger
as volunteers or were interested in supporting our work. It was
especially nice to re-connect with our friends at Ebenezer Reformed
in Leighton, Iowa, and First Presbyterian in nearby Oskaloosa.
When Aichatou’s uncle, an EERN Church Official, arrived
in Iowa en route to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s General
Assembly, we arranged for him to speak about Christianity in Niger
to several local churches one evening.
Our final outing was to Adventureland Resorts in Altoona, Iowa,
where we and my sisters’ family went to a theme park. Aichatou,
it turns out, is not afraid to try any ride or roller coaster,
although I just can’t do anything with sudden drops. We
had a fun day, except for Absatou, who lost her lunch on one of
the twirling rides. Well, she did have fun for the first part
of the day.
So, now it is time for us to return to Niger and to our work.
We’ll need to move houses in Niamey on July 1 because we
were subletting our house from furloughing missionaries who will
be back in town! Aichatou will also return to her internship/rotations
as she tries to complete her medical program.
Prayer requests
- Pray for our travel between Iowa and Niger, particularly that
Marie-Florence will be easy to travel with. Pray that all our
luggage will arrive with us! (We leave Iowa at 12:37 p.m. on
the 24th and arrive in Niger at 3:30 p.m. (African time) on
the 25th.
- Pray for all the individuals and churches that have expressed
interest in volunteering in Niger or otherwise supporting our
ministry. Pray that God will guide both them and us as we work
out the details.
- Pray for Marie-Florence as she grows daily. She is usually
a very pleasant baby and is a real joy for us.
- Pray for our move in Niamey and for Aichatou as she figures
out how to balance her work requirements with the needs of a
nursing baby.
In Christ,
Tom and Aichatou
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
44 |
