Niger: EA's month in the 'hammem'

In the beginning of our journey we were introduced to Arabian hamems- big public baths where you get steamed and scrubbed. And arriving in the scorching 41 degrees heat- 10 o'clock at night, we thought we were very spiritual and prayed for a 'month in the ''hammem' so God could clean us vigorously from the things that make us dirty. . .eish- that's exactly what He did!!!

It was definitely one of the hardest months for us as a family and personally individually too. Each of us went through some scrubbing, which wasn't always exactly therapeutic, and some uncomfortable bareness.  But we have also never grown so much, and some of us said we would do it again( others said if the heat and malaria were excluded they would reconsider it;) ).

The first week or so after we arrived all of us went through some kind of illness, or a few! We even started praying about whether this is where God wants us! But looking back we can say without a doubt or hesitation that it was definitely where we were supposed to be.

Three of our team had birthdays in Niger. The bottles labeled Gin are actually peanuts packaged nicely.

After our illnesses cleared up a bit, the team members who were healthy enough went out to a village just outside of Zinder called Dogo. We spent an evening there with the Pastor and a Fulani couple he is busy mentoring and training to go back to their own village and share Jesus with them. It was such a special time of fellowship and sharing each others burdens.

        African petrol station           & nbsp;                                                   Childrens meeting

We were also able to plan and have 2 Youth meetings, 2 Children's meetings, and a Youth meeting with the youth of the church. We served in the church and gave the people one week off where we ran the services and meetings for them- it was so much fun! We each had the opportunity to lead a meeting and share from the Word.

             Abel leading the Bible study  & nbsp;                        Stoffel leading the church service

In between we were also able to go as a whole group to another village and show the Jesus film for the first time to the people of Kantcheng. There we also spent time encouraging and being encouraged by the Pastor.

              Showing the Jesus Film                                        One of the villages we stopped at

We were blessed enough to not have to stay in our tents during our time in Niger, but in a house with an air con and a real toilet (like the ones we have in SA ) ! Unfortunately, or as we realized later, fortunately, our little petrol stove broke and we had to cook our meals over an open fire outside- not fun in the heat, but it gave us an opportunity to spend some time with and get to know Lawali and his family, and realize their need for a place to sleep in during the rainy season. We prayed about it and felt that God wanted us to help them, not just with finances but to build it as well! And so, ironically, we stayed an extra week in Niger to complete the house in time. It was reallys such a nice time and so good to really make lasting friendships with the people of Zinder.

   The first few levels                                                                Hard at work

                                      & nbsp;                                Ladies at work

A special thanks to Pastor Song for hosting us, and along with everyone else who took such good care of us and loved us immediately! It was a pleasure working along side and learning from you.

                                               After the rain we took a swim with the kids!                                                                            

    Little David and Ayuba helping to wash the clothes            The team eating Tau

                                                      & nbsp;             The Zinder Church family

And thank you supporters for your prayers! It really was so needed and appreciated in our 'month of hammem'!

Lots of love,

EA 2011