Niger Adventures: An Amazing start to 2015

But since we belong to the day, let us be self controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

 

                            

When we were called by the LORD to go to Niger, Paul and I imagined that we would be taking care of dear little ones like this girl. She was born with a cleft which has been beautifully repaired. Never, did we imagine that we would witness the violence to the churches, homes and orphanages. The shock waves that rippled throughout Niamey, particularly touched many staff at CURE Niger. We have many stories to tell for those who have time and interest to hear....but not on the blog. We have more medical pictures and stories too but wanted to share this special aspect of our time. We feel that we were given the privilege of being with our brothers and sisters during a time of persecution and testing. How complacent we have become in our comfortable churches and communities in the USA!
We long to return and come alongside in solidarity to encourage and support. We will never be the same again! And that is a good thing!

Staff morning devotions were blessed with Paul's leading in worship....he loved encouraging young Christian musicians on staff.

Brian Van Hall (our CURE Niger Executive Director) and Josh Korn (one of our Spiritual Directors) encouraged and blessed us with scriptures to encourage in the aftermath of violence in Niger against Christian churches.

In typical African fashion, speeches must be made by all....Paul spoke in French and English to the delight of the staff!

The staff eagerly await the 'cadeau' from the USA that Paul and I brought. They were beautiful briefcases with the CURE logo....donated by Richard and Brenda Divito (Paul's publisher and wife).

Everyone wanted their picture taken with Paul...here is Djimilla one of the OR nurses.

Paul and Amadou, a nurse anesthesia trainee...

Paul and Clarisse, one of the OR nurses

Paul and Djbil, our sterilization tech.....I call him my Professor of Folding (he loves to show he how to fold the drapes for the surgical packs)

Paul and Dr. Shabani, the anesthesiologist at CURE Niger...they worked well together!

Elodie, the nurse manager and myself...she is a precious sister in Christ! We work well together.

OK, there has to be a goofy pose.......Issafu in the middle is the real joker!

This dear sister is the house mother for our hostel for long stay patients....her story is amazing! I will save it for a presentation later in our home or church.

Fattie (that is her real name....I think it is a form of Fatima, a popular name in these parts) she is a trainee at the hospital. We look forward to working together on my next visit.

Elodie and Paul asking for requests at our praise and prayer time. We had no idea that this trip would be about solidarity and encouragement to the staff even more that for the patients. God always had a good plan and purpose to bring honor to His name!