A Baker's Dozen-Some Firsts of our Adventures with CURE in Niger

Ready to Roll after many months of preparations and many prayers!

First flight with noise canceling headphones

Second flight....still looking perky

Poor Paul had to sleep on the way to Niamey!

First sunset on the way to our first dinner with friends

We made our bed up first thing! Note the pink stuffed giraffe that George and Anna Lee game me when I was in the hospital. I will keep it close by to remind me of our dear grandchildren and their love for us!

It didn't take long to unpack our few clothes.

We are very happy with a clean and spacious bathroom with hot water...not that we need it!

Our first breakfast on Friday morning was special as we brought placemats from home.

This is a view of the courtyard of our apartment building called The Link Outreach Center.

We are so glad that we packed the folding camping chairs that Mark and Shannon bought for Daddy and me. Here we are enjoying our first Saturday morning tea and coffee on the roof terrace. It is nice to have a little breeze and view of the few treetops.

Cheers! It is not Starbucks but it is just fine!

 First attempt at cooking was an omelet. It will take a little getting used to this type of stove, but we will manage.

It has been a great few days in Niamey, Niger. There have many firsts, many new experiences and many friendly reunions with dear ones. Getting set up in our new apartment has taken a little time but we are very happy here. We have all that we need and more.  We were offered a cable TV package but we refused. We never watch TV. It will be more fun visiting and reading etc in the evenings. Paul has even started to drive. Next blog I will post pictures of the hospital and every day life. Will also post some of the everyday prices so you can see what daily life costs. What do you think? Is food cheaper or more expensive in Africa? (where we are living?) See next blog for the answer. Thank you for your interest in this adventure and your faithful prayers.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Everytime I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:2&3

Bye -Bye for Now...until next time!

 God Be With You

God be with you till we meet again

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you

God be with you till we meet again

Refrain:

Till we meet-----

Till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus' feet,

Till we meet----

Till we meet----God be with you till we meet again

God be with you till we meet again,

'Neath His wings protecting hide you,

Daily manna still provide you

God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again, 

When life's perils thick confound you,

Put His arms unfailing round you

God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again

Keep love's banner floating o'er you,

Smite death's threatening wave before you

God be with you till we meet again.

Jeremiah E. Rankin (1826-1904)

Public Domain

How did the time here  in Niger go so fast? This morning I woke up thinking about this old hymn. It is a bit of a tear jerk-er. We used to sing this at the end of BSF Leader's Retreats. The tears would flow not knowing if we would see each other for another few years. My Mum has recalled saying good bye to missionaries at the docks in England. She recounted a time when a young woman was going to a far off land with a wedding dress and baby clothes in anticipation of her future joys! When one left to serve in another land it was a lifetime commitment with seldom opportunity to seeing one's homeland or family again.  Serving the LORD today is quite different. With the advent of airplanes, antimalarial medications, Internet, stricter visa requirements and government restrictions on Christian missionaries rarely leave their home country forever.  I was brought up to love and respect missionaries. At the same time, I learned that all those who are saved are a part of the God's family. We are missionaries...each one has the privilege of sharing the Good News of God's kingdom. Simply put,  you are either a missionary or a mission field!

As a young child, my Sunday School teacher, one year, was a missionary on furlough. Her name was Mary Poole. She was a missionary in Rhodesia (which is now Zambia). I was 10 years old and so impressed with her love and devotion to the LORD and to the children who she taught at the Sakagie School. She brought reel to reel movies which was pretty sophisticated for missionaries in those days. All the other missionaries had slide shows beginning with maps and ending in lovely sunsets. In between these book ends, there would be pictures of missionaries in villages with straw thatched roofs and church services under trees. Miss Poole's movie showed me the movement of children playing, learning and engaged in everyday activities. During her movie, I sensed the Holy Spirit calling me to go to Africa to be a nurse for these dear people. Oh, how I wanted to leave everything behind to go and be a missionary in Africa! So I began to pray.....and pray........the Lord's timing was not what I expected.

Fast forward 37 years, nursing studies, marriage, 3 children....many life events, including various ministries.

Finally, it seemed that the LORD answered my prayers and in 2004, I was able to travel to Uganda for my first African experience. It was so wonderful to be able to integrate my nursing with my love for the LORD....What would be the next step or phase of serving the LORD? How could I be a missionary in Africa as my heart desired?

God's plans and ways are so amazing as He has allowed me to go back and forth since then serving with CURE International as a nurse. Now I get to serve as a nurse consultant, sharing my love of Jesus Christ with my passion for caring for people's health and well being....physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. It has been a joy to even have family members join me in the earlier years. More recently, my dear husband Paul has enjoyed joining in God's activity through CURE International and is able to travel with me.  This journey, I had to make alone. It is hard to be away from Paul especially at this particular time in our lives as grandparents and with some health issues. It is hard to be away from Mum who lives with us too. Being able to go back and forth works well for the most part.  So here I am preparing to return to Lexington......part of me will always be in Africa, particularly in Niger, ( but also Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya and wherever the LORD calls me)!

God be with us till me meet again!!

Sweet cuddles and goodbyes...last picture together for this time!

Some of my team of nurses....I say my team because they are like my family! Love each one1

Deep and wide there is a fountain flowing deep and wide. May these dear children and their caregivers all know the length, breadth and height of the love of God through Jesus Christ one day! Looking forward to next time!

Sunday Activities

Proud and beautiful Hannatou with her new daughter Eliza---dedicated to the LORD!

I am so excited to be included on this very special occasion as part of the CURE family!

See the plastic bags? They contain the catered lunch...a box with rice, a little meat and veggie sauce, a soft drink and a bag (yes, bag) of water.  Everyone was very pleased with this generous offering!

Nafissa is one of our ward nurses. She was showing me her 3 month old baby....so beautiful!

Enjoyed an afternoon coffee after the baby presentation/dedication at the Negrini's....learned to warm and soften a Belgium waffle over the hot coffee.....yummy!

Finished Sunday at NEWS (Niamey-English-Worship-Service)....expat missionaries and workers join together to sing praises and share God's Word together. It was a very refreshing time!

Worlds apart-Paris and Niger

Here I am in Paris for a day on my way to Niger! I loved walking around the city and visiting the Musee D'Orsay.

This little fellow is called Abel. He has a beautifully painted cast with his name on it. He is such a jolly little guy. He is going to be able to run and play 'football' (soccer) one day!

This is our village clinic being set up last Saturday. We had quite a good set up with a pharmacy, family medicine doctor, small lab and three nursing stations.

This was my set up....no electronic charting! We managed to see about 64 patients. I saw whoever was sent to me. We treated everything from malaria, gout, impetigo, GERD....

 This is not for those with a squeamish stomach! This dear woman has a long history of diabetes and she has stasis ulcers that will not heal as she has very poor circulation. I could not feel any peripheral pulses. I dressed the wounds and referred her to the hospital in the city. She will most likely loose this leg. 

Once again, we are having CPR classes. These two young men have been waiting for a whole year for me to offer this class.

 

 Although, Paris and Niger are worlds apart, the gospel is the same. It is a privilege to be able to offer words of life and plant seeds of the gospel wherever the LORD sends me.


For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11

Showers of Blessings in the Sahara Desert!

There shall be showers of blessing,

This is a promise of love,

There shall be seasons refreshing,

Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:

Showers of blessing,

Showers of blessing we need,

Mercy drops round us are falling,

but for the showers we plead.

It may seem silly to talk about showers in a desert during the dry season but the showers of God's grace and mercy during this last trip to Niger were plentiful!!  My dear sister Ruth sent the words of this precious hymn to me on Day 16 of my trip....two days before I left. What perfect timing to reflect upon all the goodness and kindness of the LORD!!

Was everything perfect at the hospital? No!

Were there obstacles to to the patient care? Yes? Unexpected infections and illness of staff surfaced which slowed the work to a halt.  There were challenges on all fronts.

So how can I say that I experienced 'showers of blessing'? 

Sometimes the blessings come disguised as problems.....there is a wonderful song about that by a Christian,  I believe is named Laura Story. I heard her testimony at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. We expect blessings to be manifested in a perfect, pretty life....no struggles or problems.  What I learned afresh and in a deeper way was that the LORD is ALWAYS with us. He is ALWAYS ready to reveal His power, love and goodness. Sometimes we have to look hard and may never understand His ways but He is there. He is the God who is I AM....I AM....I AM...."I am always with you, I am always loving you, I am always forgiving you, I am always keeping my promises, I am always giving wisdom when you ask for it, I am always giving peace that passes understanding, I am always keeping your mind guarded....."

It seems the sooner we learn to lean on the LORD in the midst of our struggles, the sooner we recognize the evidences of His real presence. We may not understand the problems, storms or dry spells in our lives but I can testify that clinging to Jesus Christ is the only way to make it through...believing His promises!! 

I experienced showers of blessings as I had fellowship with dear missionaries in Niamey! 

The reality of their daily walk with the LORD was evident. Their honesty, their transparency and their genuine love of the LORD JESUS CHRIST was such an encouragement one like me! Oh how I love each one of them. These are a precious family to me as we shoulder together in the proclamation of God's kingdom and saving grace.

On my last evening in Niger, I experienced showers of blessing in the desert as I went to the dunes for fun times around a campfire and under the stars. The beauty of God's creation filled all of us with Thanksgiving and joy in being connected to the LORD and each other through Jesus' sacrifice.  Joy!!!

Aunty Maureen with the Negrini family...love these kids so much!

Liz and Julie with me in the middle....precious sisters!!

Josh and Julie with dear Leon....celebrating one year as a family!

Chuck and Liz....precious new and dear friends! Next year in Jerusalem....!

Anne and I are enjoying the sunset and spaciousness of the dunes.

JF started the fire better than a boy scout! We were so impressed.

Angele and I have become very close over the past three years working together. I am so proud of her accomplishments with the nursing staff at CURE. She has sacrificed her health to serve abundantly to proclaim the good news!

You would think you were in Kentucky with the ATVs! We were afraid they would take away the dignity and repose of our picnic, but thankfully, they stopped for a long dinner!

What a beautiful sunset! The glory of our Great God and His Creation is evident in these showers of blessings in the desert!

He is Lord!

It has been such a long time since I posted a blog that it is embarrassing! Yet life has a way of happening. Seasons come and if your life is anything like mine this season....the Holiday Season  of Thanksgiving and Christmas is HUGE! The expectations that I put upon myself and allow others to put on me can be overwhelming.

What's a woman to do?

Work harder, faster, smarter?
De-compensate...like 'Skipping Christmas'?
Just Do It?
Get mad and sad then glad when it's over?

Or......how about re-framing all the activities of the season within their true context?

Counting my blessings?

• The freedom to celebrate Jesus Christ's birth in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christianity
• The circle of family, church friends and community when so many in this world are friendless
• The abundance of food (and the need to count calories) when so many  are hungry
• The availability of shelter when there are so many homeless even in our own cities
• Clean water, sanitation, access to medical care....
• The beauty and symbolism of the lights, greenery, even candy-canes!
• Christmas music, movies and memories
• The ability to celebrate in some fashion

Such thoughts are a balm to my frazzled attempts to make this 'a perfect Christmas'.  As I travel with Cure International, it is a privilege to learn about different cultures, how and what they celebrate. During my last visit to Niger, there was a very special holiday season called 'Tabaski'  with many festivities that are similar to our own....special meals, special ceremonies, special clothes, symbolism and so on. I will attempt to describe these in future blogs. Hope this whets your appetite!

Today, I would like to share the words to a song we sang at at simple church in Niamey, Niger, no walls,  no decorations, no frills, no distractions (except for a few cats, chickens, children and dogs strolling through)...

Rabbi no; Rabbi no
A tun ka fun buukay ra a zamma!
Kange kulu ga gurfa
Deene kulu ga seeda
Ka re: Yessu wo Rabbi no

Guess you want the translation?

He is Lord,  He is Lord
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord

Grandma Maureen's lap is often full with dear children-smile!

Natalie, a sweet sister I met this visit to Niger-such strong faith and love

No walls, no worries, worship under a tree is fine!

It puts it into perspective does it not? So when the work of the holidays and the expectations get overwhelming try to hum this little chorus. Remember, Christmas is just the prelude. Our expectations and hope is for the Second Coming!  What a celebration that will be!

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus!

Prayers, Presence and Smiles

Everyday I try to round with the Spiritual Life Directors and we pray for each patient in many different languages. Each day with  God's help, I am able to pray more comfortably in French....I know the Holy Spirit understands and translates my poor grammar before the Throne of Grace.

Grateful patient returning for follow-up visit!

Pastor Josh, Grateful Patient, Nurse Amadou and me :) Being together is always a joy!

Children sitting on a woven mat outside the Hostel. We visit these patients everyday and share smiles, handshakes, stories, etc. Sometimes the patients' caregivers have physical and spiritual needs that we can help with....sometimes it is as simple as a cup of tea!

Big joke to have me with the children on the mat!

Every Mama likes to have her picture with their little ones!

 

It's all about relationships!

Don't smile!

Tuesdays are consultation days so we get to see lots of kiddos who potentially will come to CURE. It is always exciting if there is something we can offer to heal their problems. We always offer spiritual and social service advice as appropriate. The spiritual team always circulates and prays and talks with the patients and caregivers.

Made you do it! Such a sweet young boy!

Grandma with Nurse Louise's baby Savannah...she immediately held out her arms for me to hold her :)

Lunch time with the team who worked the Tuesday morning consultations

Two more of the nurses who worked with the outpatients...all tired out. It was a big and busy morning!

Louise and her treasure, Savannah....so precious

 Sodogas, the physical therapist and a little patient learning to mobilize postoperatively.