Messages
from
Niger
Vonk's Nigerien Log
Sunday - August 5th
With
love and greetings to all:
After two hectic days in Niamey, we set out for Maradi at 6:15 A.M.
on Friday morning, August 3. The vehicle had four new tires and a recent
check-up so we felt confident and enthusiastic about going through the
bush and desert. At 6:35 A.M. (that's a travel of only twenty minutes)
the van refused to start after having to slow down on af poor stretch
of road. So there we were, all six of us, looking at each other wondering
what to do. We were near Brigitte's house so we went there while Brigitte
went to find a mechanic. .............Five hours later, at 11:30 we
were back on the road. The mechanic had discovered a worn cable and
loose spark plugs.
Soon the rain began. Hard rain. Sheets of rain...but we hummed right
along.
Then the rain stopped and the wet roads gave way to dry, bumpy, pot-holed
pathways. We bounced along, enjoying the fascinating scenery and simple
sandwiches we brought with us. However, we soon noted that the van,
which did well on flat and down hill, but going uphill was becoming
a struggle. Engine check... a loose spark plug wire. The bumps really
rattled the van (and passengers!) and it just shook that wire off. Periodically
we had to stop and rewire. (The masking tape just did not hold!) Since
we had gotten such a late start we had decided to go only part way on
Friday. Galmi Mission is seven hours from Niamey so that was our goal:
that's about 300 miles and it took us 10 hours! Oh, was that mission
bed appreciated!
We enjoyed a good night's rest, an oatmeal breakfast, and then repacked
the van. The mechanic at Galmi looked under the hood to see if he could
keep the wire tight and in place. He did, and he took it for a test
drive. On the test drive the power steering belt broke! They service
a lot of Toyota vans, like the one we were driving, and he had a belt!
We were once again on our way. The remaining portion of the trip was
enjoyed by all: and we were praising God for that loose wire or we would
not have known about the broken steering belt.
Well, so much for our travels, we had been on he road a week so now
it feels good to settle into the Maradi SIM Guesthouse and call it home
for two weeks. We are both feeling well and blessed by good health.
We have much to do in preparation for the opening of the seminar on
Monday.
It is Sunday afternoon and we are pleased that we are able to get on
line at the main office. The internet isn't always up and running so
we rejoice when we have the opportunity.
We stand in the need of prayer. Thanks for taking this journey with
us.
Love, Ted and Eleanor