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Nigerien Log
Monday, January 19
We spent the morning driving to Danja a short distance from Maradi. We visited the Dogon Gao Bible School. It is a school for adult students who study basic Biblical theology. RCA missionary Barbara Kapinga teaches there. It is also where the Iowa group (January Church Hearld) spent two weeks working on classroom buildings. Students build their own mud dwellings for their families and live on the property. One source of income for the students had been a food to work program. The students made the mud bricks for the housing and were paid by the school with millet. That was successful and they would like to fund a similar program this year. It would take about a thousand dollars to restart that program. From there we met the teachers and students at Danja Primary School. It houses two classes of pre kindergarten. The students enter at various times of the year so the readiness level of the students varies a lot. We were pleased how well some did with numbers, letter recognition, and phonics. They were such precious little children from 4 to 6 years old. We toured the leprosy hospital and were impressed with the love and dedication of the health care workers in less than ideal conditions. We did see some very sad and heart wrenching deformities. Leprosy is curable if prompt treatment is given: education is necessary to get those with symptoms of leprosy to seek medical help. We shared the World Mission’s Talking Bible Project, as we have already done in several other places, where it might be a useful tool for evangelization and education.
We returned to the Guest House for an hour in the afternoon and then went to a bookstore run by the EERN. This bookstore generates a little income for the church. Several ideas were discussed on how some revolving funds might be used to further generate financial help. The church also has possession of an underused building in Maradi. We looked at that site and heard plans and ideas on how it could be used.
All around there are needs that cry out: . It will be a difficult task to prioritize.
It was not quite as hot today, but a slight breeze did make it a little dusty. We had a great lunch at Barbara’s and enjoyed a packet of chicken soup (we had packed) for supper along with bread, jam, and bananas. We have been sleeping well with no need for an alarm clock. This Guest House is quite far from a mosque so we don’t hear the early morning chants, but there are very loud birds at 6:A.M.
Thanks for the email, Sonja.
Our address is eern_BK2@intnet.ne
Love to all, with special hugs to the grandkids!!!