It is quite common for these new
converts to turn to the church or local Christians for assistance
for their food and housing. Like everything else, when there are
only a few people in this situation, it can be manageable for
the local church. However, if there are many without food or housing,
it quickly becomes a burden for the church and quite discouraging
for everyone involved. On the other hand, if too much is done
for new believers, there’s a risk that people will become
“Christian” just for the material benefits. What is
the solution? The local churches, which are usually comprised
of poor people, are looking for answers, and they asked us for
help. This is certainly a dilemma for all of us. Obviously, though,
stronger local churches would be better able to deal with the
situation. Church-based community development efforts that improve
local capacities are probably part of the answer, but that is
a long-term approach. After our trip, Doug and Caryl met with
EERN leaders to discuss what they had seen and how the PC(USA)
will work with the EERN in the future.
Now that everyone has left, I’ve been spending a lot of
time on my computer, trying to catch up on communication and various
types of paperwork. We’re already planning on hosting three
work groups in 2005, plus possibly a carpenter for December of
2004. The EERN is also preparing for the possibility of another
Reformed Church of America couple and an educational consultant
from the PC(USA) coming to Niger as long-term missionaries.
In other news, Marie-Florence is growing well, and she finally
seems to getting longer/taller. She is almost able to sit up by
herself. She’s full of smiles and wants to put everything
in her mouth. Aïchatou is still working half days at her
rotations and is now in cardiology. We are enjoying our new home
in Niamey (our long-term home at the Bible school is almost finished!),
particularly our air-conditioned bedroom. The rainy season has
been late this year, but in August, the rains have been plentiful,
at least in Niamey.
Prayer and praise
- Give thanks for our visitors, for their safe travel and for
all the things we learned about the challenges for the Nigerien
church while they were here. Pray for wisdom as we try to address
some of these challenges.
- Pray that the rainy season in Niger will last throughout September
and even stretch into October (much more rare). Pray also that
Niger will escape the full effects of the locusts that are swarming
in the region right now.
- Pray for God’s guidance as we determine Aïchatou’s
future job responsibilities with RCA World Mission and our partner,
the EERN. As a couple, we will ask for only half-time work for
her while we have small children. She is interested in children’s
medicine and is also intrigued with the possibility of collaborating
with Words of Hope in producing health messages that incorporate
Christian themes for the radio. The partners, though, will need
to agree as to what kind of work she should do.
- Pray for more workers for the Nigerien mission field. In particularly,
pray for the couple and the young woman who are considering
and being candidates for work in Niger. Pray, too, for the development
of Nigerien church leaders.
- Pray for EERN General Secretary Hassane dan Karami who will
leave Niger at the end of August for a two-year program in Christian
education at Nairobi Evangelical Theological School. I have
worked more closely with Hassane than with any other church
official and will miss his leadership. Pray that God will raise
up capable people to replace him during this time.
In Christ,
Tom, Aïchatou and Marie-Florence
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
44 |
