1st Week in Niger

So I have been in Niger for 5 days! Today I went for a short walk in my neighbourhood to take a few pictures:

This road is a more side road and yes that is garbage that you see, you kinda pick your way through the burn garbage and hope that you do not hit an area where the sand is really deep.

The first two nights, I slept decently well (except the second night I kept waking up with the ear plugs in my hand, as I was taking them out in my sleep! - I no longer sleep with the ear plugs). Though after the jetlag, my body reverted back to Calgary time. Tuesday night I laid in bed from 11 pm to 4 am - wide awake and hungry (it was suppertime in Calgary) and praying for sleep. I forced myself to get up at 8:30 anyways and managed to function the full day (without a nap!) on four hours of sleep. The next two nights I have managed to sleep on Niger time. So I hope that one night was enough to kick my body into this time zone! My memories of the last few days:

• shopping in the Yantala market - I bought two bolts of cloth and left them with a tailor to have some African tops made
• going to a French cultural centre and seeing the library and watching a children's movie in French (there was air conditioning)
• seeing my new house
• Chinese food (I ate nems, which are like small spring rolls, wrapped in lettuce and dipped in an amazing sauce!)

More on driving: Being driven through back streets - they do not play street hockey here, but street soccer!! The soccer posts were big rocks (you have to watch out for the soccer posts at night that you do not run over them - they are red too and so match the sand colour). Yet the soccer field stretched from half of a block to another half of a block - yes, through an intersection!! and one with a bit of a curve. As the children were playing soccer when we went by, we drove around the outside of the field, even though they all stopped playing to watch and wave.

While driving on the main roads, one must watch out for the bikes and donkey carts and motorbikes. On the back roads, one must watch out for deep sand, soccer posts, dogs, goats, donkeys, children, burning garbage and other people walking around (though they normally watch for the cars). Yet, because the roads are so bumpy and sandy, about the maxium you drive is 30 km/hr.

My teammates have been welcoming beyond expectation!! I have spent every day with another team member or family - spending the day with them to see how they do life; how to drive, how to buy groceries, how to barter, where to buy vegetables. It has been a wonderful week.

and the sand is red!!

I have finally arrived in Niger - and have been here for just over 24 hours.

I left Calgary at -7 degrees (thankfully during a chinook) and arrived in Niamey at 37.8 degrees!! phew, it is hot here!

As I am heading to bed soon (it is 10 pm) here is a flashback of a few quick memories and new experiences:

• I was in the country about 5 minutes and saw my first bribe - someone did not have the necessary health documentation, coloured paper changed hands and the man walked in! I was hoping my papers were all in order, as I was not flashing money across the counter!
• as mentioned, the sand is red
• there appears to be no traffic rules or respect of lanes (defensive driving is taken to a whole new level over here!)
• garbage burning on the street
• goats, chickens, dogs and donkeys all over the road (the donkey actually stops for the cars when it gets close - eg: 1 foot away)
• vendors on the side of the road and walking up and down the road . . . beggars on the side of the road
• bright colourful african dresses
• small grass huts beside huge houses

Currency exchange!!!

I was lent money for the day, until I exchange my euros. My colleague gave me $10,000 - figured that would be enough for one day! Today I spent $5000 - to buy shampoo, conditioner, box of kleenex and a pack of gum. This would be about $12 CDN. 675 francs will buy a can of corn.

Well, this is all for tonight -pictures to follow - this tired girl is heading to bed!

Bon Nuit!

I fibbed . . .

A family photo:

Guys: my brother, Dan; my father, Ray

Ladies: my sister, Stephanie; my niece Madelynn (brown t-shirt); my mother, Maryann; my niece Michella (pink t-shirt)

Last Blog . . . Until the other side

Well, today is Monday and I leave for Niger on Saturday morning!! This week is full of final preparations:

• I have just taken my first malaria pill!!
• I need to finish packing
• I will be visiting family
• and trying to get as much rest and sleep as possible!

For those who have been asking . . . here is a copy of my flight plan:

World ClipArt: http://graphicmaps.com/clipart.htm

And for those who are more visually inclined, I thought I would do a progression of changing landscape:

In one week, I will be waking up in Niger and ready to take on the sand and my new home, culture, food and sites to explore. I will need to learn how to drive on the sand, navigate traffic circles, barter in the marketplace and eat new foods. I will meet my new family - those with whom I will be working in Niger as we minister together to bring the Good News to this dry and weary land.

Isaiah 43:19 "I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert!"

And most of all, I look forward to beginning my ministry among the Fulani people of Niger!!

Suitcases

I have begun packing my suitcases!!! Leaving in . . . .

8.5 days!!

in Toronto

Over the weekend in Toronto, I went to Toronto Island with my friends - the W family. In order to get to the island, one needs to take the ferry, and during the voyage there is a view of the Toronto skyline. It is a beautiful view with the CN Tower in the middle. Around the island, we saw ice covered rocks and many swans: After returning to Toronto, I ate lunch with my friends Paul and Chantelle McIver and other personnel from the National Ministry Centre of the C&MA.

During the evening, I volunteered at Toronto Alliance Church who provide supper for those who are homeless or poor. The church is located in a storefront in downtown Toronto and they provide ministries, throughout the week, to those around them. On Saturday evenings, there is also a clothes room where these people can come receive winter parkas, pants, sweaters, etc... I helped in the clothing room and then joined in the worship service.

The following day, I returned to this church for the Sunday service. The dynamics of this church and their work for others, who are welcomed to the Sunday service as well, was a good experience, quite extraordinary! The worship was sincere and the church is a place where one finds themselves close to the heart of God! No pretense, just hearts which were rended before our Saviour.

If you visit Toronto, I recommend visiting this church during your stay!

You can see the church at their web site: http://www.torontoalliancechurch.ca/