About the Niamey, Niger Project

Niger is located in West Africa and 80 percent of its land is in the Sahara Desert. Most of the country is desert plains and sand dunes, droughts are frequent. The climate is one of the hottest in the world. Its estimated population of 11 million are 98% Muslim. Niger is ranked 172 out of 173 countries in the United Nations Developemnt Program's Human Development index, and only 13.6% of its population is literate (6.6% of women). The Reformed Church in America partners with the Evangelical Church of Niger. Their focus in the region is to help with community development, theological training, literacy, medicine, and agriculture. The Mission project for this winter is to build a guest house to assist the Evangelical church's programs. It will give them a facility to house people who come in from the countryside for training in evangelism, leadership and other minstry skills. Bruce and Laurie Hawley are the missionaries responsible for the project and will be working closely with Kay and Sue. More information is available on the Reformed Church website at http://www.rca.org/.

Kay and Sue will be in Niamey from January 26, 2009- February 10, 2009.

Friday, February 6, 2009

African Weather Report

It has come to our attention that winter is official over here in Niamey.  Jeremey informed us today that we missed it.  Unfortunately for Kay and I it was the one week before we arrived.  Temperatures were in the 80's during the day and the 50's at night.  Today's official high (the same for yesterday as well) was 104- in the shade!  It says that the temperature low is in the high 60's but we don't believe that.  Tomorrow the high is to be 106.  Kay and I are beginning to miss the good old weather in New Jersey.  Don't let anyone tell you it is a dry heat- 104 is 104 no matter what.  It is HOT!!  I don't think the African's understand us.  This morning I walked to get bread from the Bakery and the young boy who lives here had to get a jacket before we went- because he was cold.  I don't know how the women wear the long dresses and the long sleeves all the time.  The seat of my pants are never dry- it is gross (and it doesn't help that every chair here is vinyl).

As for our suntan- we aren't.  It is amazing that we are not sunburn.  We are wearing suntan lotion 55 and we are in the sun most of the day.  I think that the dust/sand that covers our body during the day is providing an extra layer of protection.

Tonight we will be attending a young couples group from the church.  Okay I know what you are all thinking- we don't qualify.  In fact, we don't.  According to the diggers, people over 50 don't work.  Unfortunately for Kay and I we don't qualify for that quite yet.  They also find it interesting that we are digging considering our age and sex.  Women do not do this kind of work here.

The shock and awe from the daily life here has become normal and it is amazing to see how fast one gets used to things.  We will not be doing the final night of the devotions tonight, because of the gathering we will be attending.

Surviving together
Kay and Sue
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3 comments:

  1. Anonymous2/06/2009

    Hello from sunny Calif. The weather here has dropped to the high 60's during the day. Understand when you talk of dry heat -that is what they tell us out here.
    Tried to send a comment before but dummy Mother had to call her granddaughter Kelsey so will try again. Enjoying your blogs and can't wait to hear all about it.
    Our love to both of you.
    Mom and Dad Ed and Gloria

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  2. Anonymous2/06/2009

    Glad you are fairly comfortable, I miss you. I have to depend on your husband to care for me and he is doing a very good job. Nice to read your blog. Love, Mom-Mom

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  3. Marlyn2/07/2009

    Everyday is so fasinating. What is the average life span there? If it's under 50 - you could actually be oldtimers. Your social life sounds active and educational. Anxious for your return.

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