What I've Gained . . .

. . . by living here!

As promised, to follow my list of things I miss . . . here is my list of things I've gained by living in Niger:

1. friends

Through my three years here in Niger, I've made many new friends - some friends who were here for a time and others who are here long-term. They have become an integral part of my life here. These new friends walk with my as I do life over here and my life is blessed for them having been a part. They challenge and encourage me as we learn together how to live and work in a new culture.

2. culture

My life and worldview is richer for living among people of a different culture. At times, blips of culture shock take over as life here frustrates me. But even those moments teach me about life and myself.

Jokingly, over here, we often call the moments of 'culture shock blips': WAWA (West Africa Wins Again) - these moments in life are often times when we look at our situation and feel like our choice is to laugh or cry - and decide to laugh. The term is code among ourselves to drop an acronym and everyone knows we have had a frustrating day without having to relive it in detail.

Learning how to live in a new culture can be frustrating and fascinating as I learn to interpret different cutural cues and understand what is hidden behind words not said.

3. language

I love to talk . . . this is no secret to those who know me well! And just as much, I love languages - always have, growing up I studied two other languages in school - German and French. In Bible College, I had friends from around the world and I sought to learn some of their languages - I still remember a few words I learned in Manadarin and Swahili! Following Bible College I enrolled in American Sign Language courses - had I stayed at home, I would have loved to continue down this road for a ministry option.

Now, there are so many languages surrounding me! I have studied French again and have been learning Fulfulde (the language of the Fulani) for the last 2+ years! Aside from this, there are many national languages that I hear everyday - and I am making the effort to learn a few greetings in each so that I can greet workers, neighbours and people in the market place in their mother tongue. So far, I can do basic greetings and 'market language' for shopping in Djarma - a national language of Niger following French. I can also do a few basic greetings in Hausa and Tamasheq!

4. variety of food

As you can tell from my previous blog post - I miss a lot of food from back home! But, living in Niger has introduced me to new foods and there are some that I really enjoy:

a. shwarma

This is essentially a meat wrap with sauce, found in Lebanese restaurants. When I am on home assignment, I will need to find a Lebanese restaurant for a shwarma fix every so often!

b. fari-masa

This is a breakfast item sold on the street here - basically, deep fried dough sprinkled in sugar. I treat myself occasionally to this, and there is a lady around the corner from my house who I know cooks 'clean' and it is safe to eat her food.

c. brochettes

This is basically a shish-kebab and many outdoors restaurants will serve brochettes and fries. It is also a good street food to buy! Every restaurant has a different sauce in which they marinate the meat.

d. nems

These are bought at Chinese food restaurants - it is an African version of spring rolls found in Chinese restaurants back home. They are eaten wrapped in lettuce and dipped in either a savoury or spicy/hot sauce.

e. mango

On my last post, you will note that I miss summer fruit - a fruit in abundance here is the mango. Yes, we have these at home - but it is so much more amazing here!

f. rice and beans

One of my favourite village foods is rice and beans, though, it is usually reserved for visiting guests. I especially love it when fried onions are added on top!

g. lecciri

This is another favourite village food, but a rare treat - usually reserved for special events (wedding or baby-naming ceremony) or visiting guests. The main ingredient is a starch (ground corn, ground millet, ground rice) of cous-cous consistency steam cooked. Then cooked tree leaves and sometimes fried onions are mixed in.

h. kwa-kwa-met

Another great street food - a sweet coconut ball. Basically, shaved coconut cooked with sugar and some lemon juice and then rolled into a ball. I have asked my friend Aissa to show me how to cook these!

5. ministry options

a. literacy

I am not sure where I will end up with this; but during language study, I have had the privilege to partner with some Fulani worker colleagues to help write and produce literacy books in Fulfulde. Literacy work was a dream I've had since helping children learn to read in my younger years, but a dream I thought I would have to put off until retirement when I could volunteer in a school. My small involvement this past year in this ministry has shown me a glimpse of how I can follow God down His path and still loves to meet us in our giftings and desires as well!

b. talking about the things of God

I am so thankful for the youth leaders in my life - in my junior high, high school and post-college years - who encouraged and mentored me in my desire to share with others the Word of God. Back when I was 14 years old, when I started writing and leading Bible studies, I never dreamed I would have the privilege of doing this in Africa and in not only my second - yet third language (respectivly, French and Fulfulde)! I've been able to write a study in Fulfulde and I've just taken a course on story-telling. It is such a joy to just sit with people and discuss the things of God!

c. development aid

Also since my youth, another of my passions has been to help those who are downtrodden in life or those fighting poverty. And now I live in a country where I am able to actually help people - living out my God-given passion!

6. The Fulani

Were I to leave Niger, there would be a void in my life and my heart would be saddened and yearn for those that I have come to love. I love sitting around and chatting with my friends, helping them with their work, and the odd moments to play one of their games. I love listening to their stories, sitting with them in their pain and seeing their joy in life! I am blessed by their presence in my life!!

7. 'tourism'

It seems almost surreal sometimes to be living and seeing what I do. In my 'backyard', I play on sand dunes and I can go out and see: giraffes, hippos, elephants, monkeys and lions. (Though one day I hope to travel somewhere where I can also see a zebra!)

8. simplicity of life

I need to learn a lot more of this, I think; but I would summarize this point by saying that there is no 'rushed hurriedness' feeling in the air . . . I noticed this even moving from Calgary to Québec City for language study. It is more so here.

9. purpose and calling

I suppose the biggest thing I've 'gained' in moving here, is that I am living my 'dream'. I am doing not only what I feel I was made for . . . but I am following God's calling on my life. Through all the ups and downs of living here - this is what I hold on to!