Cool Stuff

Book of the Day: Loser by Jerry Spinelli

It is actually written for jr. high kids, but I find it one of the most insightful books I’ve read in a long time. The kid in the story is definitely a “loser,” but the book addresses how we value people and what makes people worth anything at all. In the end, our value is found in Christ. Each of us is made in the image of God and we must be respect that image in everyone around us! It’s a good read. Go buy your copy today!

All the Single Ladies

God has been so good in giving me a group of single women who are serving in Niger. We try to get together every other Thursday and sometimes go out for Sunday night dinner. Last week we just hung out and prayed for each other. How awesome that I get to hang out with such God-centered people.

Niger

What an incredible land! The cool season is starting and I’ve slept a few nights without the A/C on…tonight will not be one of those nights. I wish you could see this city. It operates like a village in the bush, but with a million people. One two lane bridge crosses the river. We passed a long line of camels hauling hay yesterday. A camel is fairly narrow but I am always surprised at how they can carry some very wide loads. One load of hay was the width of the van. We could not easily pass the camel because it’s impossible for three vehicles of that width cross at one time. I want to get a picture of one but the Tauregs (the group of people with the camels) get pretty uptight if you take a photo…so you have to be sneaky.

International Market

Vendors from all over West Africa converged on Niamey this week for an artisan fair. We walked through the exhibits and found stuff from all over! It is amazing how much is available here. I bought an African outfit from Senagal, cloth from Burkina Faso, and some carved figurines from Togo. I got to practice some French while I was there. I really need to work on it!

French class

Next week I will be attending class with my students. Monsieur Hama (one of the African French teachers) has agreed to let me join his French class. Six of my students in English class will be my classmates. I guess there is no time like the present to let all walls down and show them I’m not perfect either. Hopefully I don’t fail.

Newsletter

I’m trying to get my newsletter out but we are having some computer formatting issues. I apologize for that. Hopefully we can remedy the situation and get that thing out soon! Thanks for your patience.