Messages from
Niger

Church on Sunday


Bountiful Breakfast

Tales from Far Away

Tuesday, January 27, 2004
We had just finished the breakfast cleanup this morning when Pastor Ibraham Usman from the EERN Niamey Church called on us. He was so gracious and caring about our welfare. Since Tom is out of town with RCA African Supervisor Deb Braksma, Pastor Osman has been appointed as our contact person, driving us to and from our classes. The morning call was a simple courtesy, but a true spiritual blessing for us. He is a man of God with a chilling testimony. It was a grand start to our day!

Later in the morning our walk outside of the guest house compound turned out to be an event. Eleanor had received the approval of a man with a loaded donkey cart to take his picture. Three hundred feet up the road we were stopped by the Nigerien guards near the US Embassy. We were told to wait, and that someone with a higher authority would come. After five minutes someone else came and wanted to see the camera, this all had to do with the simple picture which was in the opposite direction from the Embassy grounds. We were again told to wait and stay, and we began to wonder if we had really set off an international alert. The head of Security himself, an American, came and questioned us. What we came to find out is that Eleanor's request for the photo was reported to the security system. Our conclusion is that the security system is operating! After many questions we continued our walk, making sure our cameras were well covered.

We had dinner in the evening with Ben and Christine Hegeman. They are originally from Sioux
Center, Iowa, so we had a fun time talking Iowa. They were part of the group we had lunch with yesterday and wanted to pursue our interest in Christian Education in Niger. That is also their passion, especially the training of teachers. We have gained much from this trip and many contacts for us once we are back in the US.

Thanks for the emails, Sharon, Shelley, and Sonja.
We have two winners who guessed my 12 stone weight. Andrea and Sonja have it with about 168 pounds. Someone asked if that was up or down for me. Actually it's pretty much the same only down by two pounds, I usually weigh about 170#.

Last night when Ben dropped us back home at the guest house, he said, " It is obvious you both have energy and stamina, you must be covered with much prayer." We feel your prayer support, and how wonderful that it is obvious to others!! Thank you!! Praise God,
In Christ, Ted