camp, cards & pink kitchens

Hi everybody!

It’s been a month now that I’ve been here in Niger. In many ways it seems that I’ve been here longer, and in others that I still just arrived! Both are good I assume. Thank you for your prayers and encouraging emails sense my arrival! Whether I have responded to all of them yet or not, they truly bless my heart.

In my past update I mentioned how we were preparing for a week of adolescent camp and a week of kids camp. The theme was basically stories of Peter or rather Pierre. (French) There was a pastor who dressed up as Pierre every day and gave a first hand account for what the things that Jesus did in his life. The props had a lot to do with fish/fishing and we even built a village background! Here are some pictures of the finished work…

it's Pierre!

playing a game; knock down the animals

Finished product, and plenty of children!

Adolescent camp was for children or rather teenagers ages 13-18. (though not everyone really keeps track of ages here, so many times they are an educated guess) Camp was overnight and ran Monday afternoon to Saturday. The following week was the same thing, but for children ages 5-12. Children came from as many as 15 churches and only as far as 100km, 60min away. We had people who drove to pick them up and take home when camp ended due to transportation being such a problem. A day at camp usually starts with a small breakfast in the morning, then worship, a visit from Pierre, a daily Bible verse with a game to help with the excitement. The craft this year for the older kids was a cross key chain that they painted and braided the chain of; it was a two to three day project. The younger kids each got a small knapsack  and decorated it with fabric paint! The girls love having help drawing flowers, butterflies, and hearts! After crafts was lunch, and then a couple hours of rest due to the heat at that time of day. Sports were at 3:30 and evening service began around 6:30, followed by dinner, Bible games and bed. Quite a long day for the campers! Also, on Fridays we held a Carnival which had about 15 games and prizes for each of them. The Carnival was a big success!

Any free time or “quality time” we come across is almost always welcomed with CARDS. Especially a game called ROOK! I was told of this game on my visit in September and of the addiction just about everyone has for it, but now I know the truth. It was all TRUE! Don’t be afraid though, I have learned, and although I am not that great at it, I would rather play and not win every game then join those who obsess over that little bird! (or as they refer to themselves, “rook masters”)  haha We also play Settlers, which I would play over at the Burrs many late nights! It always brings sweet, competitive memories to my mind when we play that game. There are some French card games that Danika discovered during her time spent in France that are quite entertaining as well.

On a more personal note, there has been progress concerning my apartment. It is now painted! A painter who has done the homes and a lot of other buildings for the missionaries here was able to match some colors I chose pretty well and now I have a custom painted apartment!  The day before they began painting I saw how close the painter got to my color choices and chose which ones I preferred. The next day I went by the apartment to see the progress and saw a PINK kitchen! Fortunately, all of the other colors were great and we fixed the pink to its correct color of orange!

attempt #1- pink kitchen

I have been staying at Brent and Shelley’s this week for a couple reasons, one being the painting. Their two girls started school last week and were pretty excited to see many of their friends again. They go to a school where many of the student’s parents are missionaries so during the summer they go back to where ever home is. (the US, Australia, UK) I’ve also been able to purchase some necessary cleaning supplies, kitchen stuff (dish rack, big bowls for washing food), and other needed items.

This coming Sunday Mike Thaler, the creator of The LINK arrives with his wife and son for a week. He asked us for a few things they could bring for us. I was able to get my mom to send them some curtains. (for my apartment) I’m excited to see what it will look like when they get put up! If you’re wondering what else I requested, two of the things were sour patch kids and a few hangers!

There is a language center close by that offers French classes twice a week! Hopefully Tirsa (one of the missionaries from El Salvador) and I will be able to begin as soon as possible. This will help a lot for the task I hinted about in my previous update… There is a Bible School here that currently has 6 guest rooms and a small eating area. Being built is a guesthouse that will have 9 rooms, cafeteria, conference room, offices, and storage rooms. This should be finished in 2011. Brent has made me the Hospitality Manager of the current guest space and coming attraction! Basically, there needs to be a lot of re-organization and new organization in the housekeeping and maintenance departments. I need to make checklists for cleaning rooms, be sure we aren’t double booking the rooms, etc. Also, explaining to the workers the reasons why all of these things are necessary is also important because many of the guests are used to a different level of comfort.

So it seems that I have my work cut out for me, and I am ready! Who would have thought that my major in hospitality management would be just what Niger needed?! Please pray for me to trust and focus on the Lord with every step. To serve Him, love Him, and love the people of Niger with a love not of my own, but of Christ’s.

For the glory of God and the people of Niger,

Julie

ps. click here to go directly to see more camp & apartment photos, or click the word pictures on the right column

I made it!

Wednesday the 15th

I arrived in Niamey, Niger around 3:30pm yesterday. I’m now on Niger time which is 5 hours ahead of the east coast. The travel went smoothly and I managed to get a little sleep on the plane. After arrival, I went to the Teague’s house where I was greeted by the entire Teague family (Brent, Shelley, Ashley & Amber), the Johanson’s (Dave, Hope, Sammy & Nathaniel), Danika, and another couple that has been here for a little while. The Rivas’ (Rodrigo and Juanita) and Daniel were unable to attend. Dinner was wonderful and I was greatly welcomed. Although I was a little jet lagged, and probably still am, I was able to rest well at the Johanson’s for the night. Tonight I should be in my apartment close to the Bible school.

Thursday the 16th

Yesterday several things happened. I’ll get to the part that most of you are interested in…. where I’m living! It is the married apartments so there are children on both sides of me!  There is a hallway you enter where currently Emina and her husband and baby Ester live in the first room on the left. Eventually when another missionary associate arrives she’ll move in there, and Emina will move in a bigger apartment. Further down the all is my apartment! My room has a fan and a wonderful AC unit! A mattress was brought in from the states for me which was so thoughtful because it is very comfortable. There is a desk and two end tables as well. Attached to the bedroom is a bathroom.  It has a kitchen area with a small refrigerator and stove. There is plenty of cabinet space and a good size counter next to the sink. I have  a water filter which will allow me all the clean water I need! Off of the kitchen is a screened in porch area which would be great for a lounge chair or even a hammock… The door from the porch leads to a small outdoor area where I hope to get some flowers and plants. Also, over the wall is where Daniel and Jeremy’s apartment is. If we really wanted, I was told we could pass pancakes… (but I have a funny feeling I would be doing the passing) I am very excited about making the apartment more of my own. Dave encouraged me to make it a place where I look forward to go and spend time. (a sort of sanctuary you could say) I have ideas of painting and fabric for curtains… It’s a blessing to know that I’m being encouraged to enjoy this space!

Currently, a lot is going on to prepare for youth and kids camp which starts in two week and lasts for two weeks. It will be in Boni Fondou which is about 15 minutes away.Shelley is working away at getting the main stuff finished and the props are hopefully going to get done by then. (please pray for everything to be ready)

Also, I talked with Brent about what I’ll be working on for my stay here and you’ll love it! I had no idea really…. but that’s for another time! I can’t share all the good stuff at once… Just know that the Lord never wastes our time, or rather, nothing we do is considered a waste if we ask the Lord to use it for His glory!

Love,

Julie

ps.pictures to arrive shortly

doing

I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing these past few days in order to be ready to leave Monday for Niger!

I am usually not one to make a list for every occasion, but for one as important as this, a list has been made and followed rather closely. After purchasing all of the necessary items I will be needing that are not as easily available to me overseas a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been able to focus on the little things. (sort of) Some over those things have been: getting an international driver’s license (which sounds so cool to have!) and I need if I want to be able to drive over there. Also, tubs/bins to put my stuff in (I’m able to check 2, 50 lb  pieces of luggage) I’ve been in contact with people from the LINK offices and with the missionaries in Niger quite a bit about any other last minute checks. The most important thing is that I spend time with my family and friends before I take off and talk with the ones I am not able to meet up with (which is a lot unfortunately)

Over the last few months I’ve had great opportunities to do some things I’ve really wanted to do! The big one was to spend a lot of time with my niece Kayla and nephew Aaron. After going away to school for 4 years and only being home a little in the summertime, our time together has been so sweet! I’ve also been able to see one of my favorite (if not #1) singer/songwriter/musician/and artist, Patty Griffin perform TWICE! Once in Baltimore and once in Va, both with Emmylou Harris and Buddy Miller. (all folk legends) I visited my Grandmother, and also my brother Mark and his family during Easter in NJ. I got to spend time with a great friend of mine who lives in NYC, working with an inner city ministry. We saw Guys on Dolls with discount tickets (which is also a good steel when on Broadway) There was even a day where my best friend and I were able to finally catch up face to face! What a blessing that was, especially with her crazy schedule these days! Through out my time I had my parents to enjoy and some wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who have blessed me though out this entire process!

Now back to packing and visiting!

God bless

away we go!

Time has taken its course these past 9 MONTHS (wow) and much has happened, although at moments it seemed to be going in slow motion…or possibly backwards. I know that waiting on God’s timing is really the only way to go. Trying to take short cuts in able to seek more instant gratification and time limits (basically what I want) is just my sinful nature trying to get the best of what God is doing in my life. It’s been difficult…trusting that the Lord is still working when the progress is not being seen, but His faithfulness is undeniable. Reminding myself to stop focusing on my wants and petty problems, turning to the Lord and focusing on His desires makes these past months worth the wait.

The wait for what, you may be asking? It may have slipped your memory by now! But in less than 1 WEEK I will be headed to Dulles Airport for my flight to NIGER, AFRICA! The time has come for my 11 month journey to begin! I praise the Lord for His faithfulness, provision, enduring love, and capacity to see past all of my sins, forgive them, and see into my heart which yearns to serve Him for the glory of His name, and now, also for the people of Niger!

I am so excited! Every morning I wake up, and thank the Lord for His love and faithfulness. Then I freak out inside because I’m going to Niger! How great is God…wow! How would I describe my spirit right now, before a life changing experience? At peace. The Holy Spirit has given me an incredible amount of peace concerning the decision to go to Niger, and during these crazy months, although anxiety has crept in, peace has been prevalent. Above everything, I want to be doing want God wants me to do, and if it changes, then I’m cool with that… (its crazy for me to say that and really believe it)

So, this is what I know so far about when I arrive in Niger… I’ll be moving in with Danika, a missionary associate who just arrived this June. She has been to Niger with the LINK many times, is very fluid in French, and I’m pretty sure we have similar tastes in books and music (which is a huge bonus for me!) We’ll be in an apartment that is associated with the Bible school. Oh, and by the way, Danika already has a moped, so she’s mobile! (how cool is that?) I’m so excited to see the Johansson’s, Teague’s, and Rivas’ again. I have thought about them so much since my trip in September!

There has been so much encouragement from my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I am blessed to be able to share this exciting new part of my life with so many of them! These past months I’ve been able to speak at 3 churches about what’s happening next in my life and the responses have been direct answers to prayers. The Lord really does use His people to do His work, even if it is just giving an encouraging, supportive word. I’ve enjoyed talking to God probably more then ever lately, our time together has been precious and I think it’s because He knows, I know, that I desperately need Him to accomplish anything. I praise Him for letting me know this.

Well, I must apologize for my lack of “blogging.” Most of it was due to not much of substance really happening, but now I will really make it a priority to keep it better updated. I plan on doing a post on some of the fun/prominent things I’ve done during my time home before I take off… then I’ll let you know when I arrive. (here i am already planning)

I’ll leave you will what has seem to really become perhaps what some call ones “life verse:”

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.Wait for the  Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”             Psalm 27:13&14

Proper Temperature

I woke up this morning with hesitation to turn down the blankets which were covering my somewhat chilled body. The weather has been quite cold lately and despite my dad’s tendencies to keep the inside temperature in competition with the outside, he’s learned that my mom and I just cannot adjust. Fortunately, my dad does consider our comfort levels!

Lately we’ve been using a couple space heaters which help when considering the electric bill and  also do a good job at blasting a fair amount of heat in a desired area. This is especially useful upstairs which seems to have its own climate.  The only downfall is, when one wakes up with it 8 degrees outside and realizes the space heater is downstairs. This may call for a long morning.

While my morning was continuing in the warmth of my bed, I started to think of my time in Africa this past September. When I was in Niamey, the capital of Niger which is located in West Africa, the temperature was usually in the 100′s and dry. We’re talking desert. Anyways, the group and I spent most days working the clinics. While one clinic was in an actual building, it didn’t feel like it. The relief from the fans was amazing when compared to another location where there was no air circulation. Fortunately, with so many patients and people everywhere it remained impossible to focus on the heat.

For me, it wasn’t until the evenings when I would take my shower, expecting and wanting the water to be more cold than warm that I would realize how hot it really was. At first the water seemed cold as it hit my back, but as it continued, my body seemed to soak it in. I put my hands on my stomach and it felt like a microwave oven! My body temperature never really changed, it just got refreshed. After, I was able to go to bed clean and the ac unit was much more effective hitting my wet head of hair.

With a morning such as this, it is hard thinking which temperature I would prefer, but I know the Lord will give me the ability to adjust. Besides, I’ve learned my attitude towards the situation has a whole lot to do with it!

Just about every morning Africa is one of the first things that pops into my head!  It seems habitual. The fact that I am going back for 11 months has me praising the Lord everyday for His love, faithfulness and provision! In a way, in knowing that I’m returning to Niger, it seems that life has been on halt. Maybe it’s somewhere between graduation and Africa. There is only so much looking at pictures of friend’s recent facebook photo albums one can do before realizing that I’m done with one part of my life (yet not erasing it) and still waiting for what will happen to arrive. I could choose to find an escape and not let the rest of my time at home matter. It would be easier in many ways. There would be a lot less emotional stress, but in doing that, what would I be telling the Lord.

“Lord, use me to show your love, but just wait until I return to Niger to do so?”

I must admit that there have been times in the past where I have wanted to share God on my own terms and just do… other stuff instead. God has taught me that it’s in these in between or awkward times that He can work the most.  After all, it is Him who does the work! If He wants me to use the space heaters a little while longer before feeling the relief of a fan in a desert, I can do that! So, I want to give these final weeks or months to His ministry here, to affect those I’m around right now. When it’s time for me to be in Niger, I know He’ll be there as well.