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.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Another Update

Had an easier day today.  We started with a devotional at 9 with other missionaries in town as well as Shocko, who is our representative from the EERN.  Then we went back out to what is referred to as the Suez Canal for the rest of the morning.  We had guests for lunch and then went to the grand market to exchange money- you already know from the blog that it is like a drug deal.  The window gets rolled down halfway and you barter for the exchange rate which is 490 for 1 US dollar.

We also went to the market to purchase fabric- Kay already has a request for a table runner.  It took so long that I didn't have to dig this afternoon- the temperature today is above 105 now.  We are having company for dinner and a lecture on living as a Christian in a Muslim culture.  It should be interesting.  We are hoping to go to see the giraffes on Saturday.  We are making progress on the foundation- it doesn't look as intimidating as it did in the beginning.

Last night the dreaded travelers disease hit me and Kay had it this morning.  I took my meds right away and I am feeling better now although I have tried to avoid the bathroom most of the day.  The food has been a challenge, but it is not as bad as I thought it would be.

Sleeping is hard, very hot on the top bunk, but I have traded that for not having to ride in the third seat which faces sideways and is so very hot that I am afraid that I would get car sick.  This is a very hard life and we are living like privileged people and it is still very difficult.  I just can't imagine ever living here.

I had fun last night with the children on the compound and some of the kids who live on the street.  They were very impressed that I could jump rope.  Susan said that adults do not play with their children- they just don't have time.  Kay and I continue to be of much amusement to the guys digging with us and the children.

Love you all,
Sue
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