NIGER
I took a picture of you today
a moment captured in time
you gave me a glimpse of your soul
a second to feel your heartbeat
When I look at this picture I will remember you, Niger:
- By the look in the eyes of a boy sitting on a cart drawn by a bull
- the strained muscles of an elderly man carrying eighty litres of water in Guidiguir
- the warm bodies of innocent and neglected children fighting for a place next to me in Dogo
- the awe and attention of hundreds watching the Jesus film out of the dark corners of the night, drenched in fear of being seen...
- the bewildered and fearful eyes of women, whose worth is only "half that of a man"
- the dirty little hands and faces of children too scared to touch a white person, searching of love - finding none
- I will remember you in the love of a missionary couple pouring out their lives so that you may breathe the Lifegiving breath of Eternity
- in the sun looking like the moon while setting after a long day of hard labor
- in a birthday cake and the wonder of a letter
- in the dessert, the Foulani-people, Housa words of welcome and an oasis...
BUT WILL YOU REMEMBER ME,
land of drought, beauty, simplicity and pain?
WILL MY FOOTPRINTS REMAIN IN YOUR HEART
or will it disappear when the next dry wind blows a few grains of dessert sand in my trails?
Did I show you enough love to bring LIFE to you?
Was the cup of water in my hand enough to quench your eternal thirst?
HOW WILL YOU REMEMBER ME,
Niamey, Zinder, Dogo, Guidiguir
NIGER,
Land of God?