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.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

My Jesus is From America

Tonight we had the opportunity to meet the President of the local Evangelical Church and his wife.  They came to share their faith story with us.  They were both born and raised Muslim and he was working in Washington D.C. as an ambassador of Niger.  He felt that "inside his life was empty and there was no peace at home".  He began searching to find peace and a co-worker reached out to him.  He said that "one needs to speak life- do not talk about religion".  This is what his co-worker did for him.  His wife shared how she was lead to her faith through the example of her husband and a direct vision from God.

They both returned to Niger no longer as a diplomat but as a Pastor and Pastor's wife after living 16 years in the U.S.  However, they were returning to family and friends that were still Muslims.  His friend in the U.S. said "only the sand and stones will listen to you".  They have since started 4 churches in two years.  "The Jesus of the Bible is very faithful".  He tells Americans that "my Jesus is from America" and told us that we are miracles for coming here.  He stressed that people want to be able to see Christ in you.  The ministry of presence is what this trip is really all about....both ours and theirs!
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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous2/08/2009

    wishing you both good flights home. Sue enjoy your days in Paris with the Gary and Jenna. I know Jenna is looking forward to it.
    Love you and Kay
    Mom and Dad, Ed and Gloria

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