Voices......Part 2

Together!

During this recent journey to Niger, for economy, Paul and I decided that emailing and texting each other would be fine. The trip was only two weeks. We would avoid the cost and frustration of dropped calls, voice-mail, and time zone confusion. Who wants to get called at 3:30 AM for a cheery check-in or romantic tête a tête? The deal was that I would call Paul as I was leaving the USA from JFK in New York and when I arrived back there again. Meanwhile we would communicate via cyberspace daily. Simple, right? Everyone texts and emails all the time. Who needs to actually talk for most communication? Of course, this may be fine for some but......I missed the sound of Paul's voice sooooooo much. The first thing I wanted when I cleared US customs and took care of rechecking my bags, was to get a Starbucks? (NO!!) It was to call Paul on the phone and hear his voice! Words cannot describe the delightful sound of my precious husband's voice on that call. It was sweet, kind, gentle and reassuring. He promised to meet me at the Cincinnati airport in a few hours. Paul's voice was full of love and appreciation of our relationship. It was full of hope for our reunion and a special weekend trip to Atlanta for a friend's wedding. How could I get all that from a few moments on my iPhone? I know Paul well. Our first date was October 19, 1974....since then I have been learning his use of words and what each voice inflection, tremor, and tone means. For me, this is a reminder of my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ......

Do I long to hear His voice through scripture and the Holy Spirit's promptings?

Do I get excited to talk to the Lord in prayer regularly and often?

Are my communications to My Heavenly Father like text messages--abbreviated? 

Do I recognize the tone of intensity, urgency and love of my Savior as I read the Bible?

Does His name thrill me?

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the troubled breast:

'Tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary rest.

Dear name! The Rock on which I build, 

My Shield and Hiding Place,

My never failing treasure filled with boundless stores of grace! 

(Public Domain)

Yes, coming home to hear Paul's voice has been so exciting and reassuring! Better still, what a blessing to know and hear the voice of the Almighty God of all nations as He speaks graciously and personally through the scriptures. What about the times when I am too tired, too lazy, too jet lagged, too distracted or have a hard time getting into God's Word? This is when I must recall Philippians 4:13.....'I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength'.....no wonder His voice is so winsome!

The sound of voices....

It seems eerily quiet this morning. Paul and Marie are at work. Zachary who is visiting on his fall break, is quietly studying downstairs. Things seem so odd.....where are the familiar faces of the hospital staff, the dear patients and their caregivers? Where is the desert terrain.....and who turned the outdoor thermostat down so low?
 Yes, these are the normal discombobulating senses of returning from Niger. I miss the sounds, smells, faces and noises of a place that has caught my attention and a people who have captured my heart!  Perhaps the sound of silence has struck me the most this morning. I appreciate the rain that keeps the lawn and garden green. I am grateful for the alone time to rest and think. Yet, I am missing the voices:

...of the Islam's call to prayer broadcasted 5 times throughout the day-reminding ME to pray for the lost and least of these dear people in need of physical and spiritual healing of the Great Physician, our Savior Jesus Christ
... of the many hospital guards and other employees greetings, Bonjour, Ca, va? Mamma Maureen!
...of the caregivers and patients in the outpatient hostel.  Fou, Fou! Bangagie, Madala.....words of greeting and gratitude in local languages.

Caregivers at hostel

Caregivers calling out a morning greeting as we visit them

"Papa Toureg" selling bracelets

...of the hawkers on the street selling everything from phonecards to floor tiles up and down the streets.
 ...of the donkeys, sheep, goats and camels bleating, bellowing and protesting under their loads and severe treatment!

Nurse Rabi and I enjoying a joyful moment in the OR

...of the nursing staff as they chat, argue and joke amongst themselves in several dilects....who knows what they are saying about me right in my presence :)


The sounds of CURE Niger were missing from my first day back! Readjustment and reorientation will take several days. Voices of people are an important part of daily life. They remind us of where we are living and what activities are happening about us. Voices also remind us of the relationships in our lives.

The one voice that can be heard in my heart everyday is the voice of God's Word speaking...

truth of who God is and His character

an invitation to join Him in joyful obedience and fellowship

direction for His kingdom work

help to think, speak and act in a manner pleasing to the Lord

comfort for the hurts and issues that challenge the life of faith

assurance that I am His and He is mine

all this in the pages of my Bible!

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

John 10:27-30

Happy Anniversary CURE Niger!

Samna our HR director giving a welcome speach

Joyful singing, music and lots of picture taking!

Marcia Lanoha and her Madala team join the celebrations upfront and center

Leron Lehman, CURE NIger Executive Director gives a warm welcome to all

Issacou works joyfully and loves to listen to Christian music tunes. He has is own personal style for using earbuds :)

Dr. Jean Francois and family came to celebrate too!

Habib taking pictures wearing  outfit made from a panga of fabric from CURE

What a joy and privilege to visit CURE Niger on the first anniversary of it's grand opening. Wow, the Nigeriens know how to party. We worked pretty much a normal day. Some got to leave a little early to return home and bring back their families. We were treated to three hilarious skits. We had a band from Mr.Karazi's church. They even played a few familiar hymns. It was such a great testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness. We all came in our best duds! We were served snacks followed by huge plates of rice and chicken...a real feast! Everyone got a bottle of soda...a real treat!
We laughed and greeted one another. We prayed, celebrated and snapped pictures of each other! What a sweet foretaste of heaven. I am so aware that there are many families and employees who are far from a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to be here and to be involved with the important work of sharing the good news and love of God!
This side of heaven there will be tears, strife, disappointments but....with Christ, I can do all things for He gives me strength...and somedays are truly a party!

Stepping out and stepping back...

As I prepared to go through security at the Cincinnati airport, Diana, Elaine and I put our arms around each other and joined our hearts in prayer. Diana lovingly spoke to our Heavenly Father, committing me to His call to Niger, for these next two weeks. Indeed, I have stepped out in faith to serve obediently. At the same time, as we prayed I am so aware that this is God's work to be done God's way for God's honor and glory! So I must step forward in faith but step back, step aside and see the power, strength and glory of God!! Now who would want to get in the way?! I can do this through Christ who gives me strength step by step!

Jesus Loves the Little Children...All the Children of the World....

Singing Sunday School Songs is always a delight in any language!

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world

Red and yellow 

Black and white

All are precious in His sight

Jesus loves the little children of the world!

Jesus loves me this I know 

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so!

My God is so BIG

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so BIG

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

The mountains are His

The rivers are His

The stars are His handiwork too

My God is so Big

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do...

FOR YOU!!!

Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it.

Habakkuk 1:5 NLT

October 12-26 Heading back to Niger-Do your best, forget the rest!

Our wedding photo August 19,1978

Why do I have a wedding picture for a blog entry entitled 'Heading back to Niger'? Perhaps it is because weddings are on my mind...Marie and Zachary are getting married in 12 weeks, 11 hours, 27 minutes, as I type this? Yes, that's true but the real reason I have included this photo is because I am going to Niger, and I am going to miss Paul very much. Sure we have been apart for much longer stretches of time, but it is still hard to be away from the dearest partner God gave me. Please don't stop reading! This blog is not going going all mushy and TMI (too much information-as my kids tell me).
Those of you who know Paul, know that he is calm, steady and generous among other things. He keeps me in balance. When I travel, it is easy to want to sprint resulting in burnout or illness. Paul teaches me to pace myself. When I travel, I want to pour myself into whatever I do and do it with excellence.....sometimes I do not have the capabilities to meet expectations. Then it is easy to fall into the trap of feeling inadequate....then it is all about my feelings instead of being all about God, His Kingdom, His mission and His ways.  Paul teaches me to give what I have and leave the results with the LORD. 'Do your best, forget the rest' It is a challenge for sure as I anticipate what lies ahead. Yesterday and this morning, the Lord brought to my attention the gospel of John's account of the feeding of the 5000. ( John 6:1-14) The simple lesson is this, just as the young lad gave his little lunch to the Lord, I can do the same. I can give my limited skills and resources to the Lord. He will multiply them.  He will use others alongside me to fulfill His purposes. Jesus not only used the young lad's lunch, He used the disciples to distribute the food. In this way, the disciples had their hands-on experience with the miraculous provision for the multitudes. How am I going to participate in God's kingdom work in Niger? How will I adjust my attitudes of nervous inadequacy to vibrant confidence? I am rehearsing and reviewing this truth:

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Yes, the countdown is on for departure. My bags are nearly packed. The real preparation must be in my heart, to do my best, forget the rest for Christ is my help, strength, refuge, wisdom, comfort, guide, provider, healer, Savior, friend, counselor, Rock, King, Bread of Life, Living Water, peace, joy.....!!
What a joy to anticipate God's results and lives changed for eternity! God is so Good!

Is it August already?

Aunt Annie loves little Anna Lee-June 2011

Anna Lee all dressed up and ready to go visiting!

Shannon and her baby girl....pool time in July!

 

 

 

Joy is being cuddled by Daddy! Baby sisters are fun!

George loves the creek and throwing stones in the water!

Anna Lee is a happy baby!

George is so happy to have homemade chocolate chip cookies! Life is good!

Pappa with Marie, Anne and Naomi in Montreal

These pictures are a small sampling of our summer. May was super-exciting with my return from Niger, Marie's graduation, Marie and Zachary's engagement, Marian's wedding, three trips to Peoria. These visits were for Anna Lee's arrival.  In June we had a wonderful family week at Duck, although this year we were missing some....Mark, Shannon, George and Anna Lee, Mum, Nancy, Keith, Sarah, Aaron and Rebecca! Actually, it was quite a few! Perhaps another year we will be able to have more of the family come. July was busy with Anne's oral surgery for removal of her wisdom teeth. Several days later, Anne, Marie, my niece Naomi and I drove to Montreal....yes, drove....oh, boy, it is a long drive. Marie was the only driver besides me. We were in Montreal from Thursday evening until Monday morning. The weather was lovely and summery. We managed to squeeze in a lot....visits with Mum and Pappa, a visit to Parkside Ranch, a bit of shopping for the girls, some eating out....ok a lot of eating out and a wonderful time of worship at Rosemount Bible Church on Sunday.
In addition to all this summer activity, we drove to Lindsey Harris and Tyler Mathew's wedding in the Birmingham, Alabama area, spent time with the Guyse family (Marie's fiance's family)in Decatur and drove to Washington, DC for Paul to attend the Manchester United versus Barcelona football match (soccer in USA and Canada). Fun times have been had by all.
We are enjoying planning Marie and Zachary's wedding. Marie is doing a great joy....I am in the shadows if she needs help but she is a super organizer.
My work this summer has been to organize my study, cleaning and purging files, de-cluttering and tidying messes. It feels so good. I can do all things though Christ who gives me strength...INDEED. Although the work may not be too physically difficult I have been procrastinating. Sadly, the burden of clutter decreases efficiency and effectiveness in serving my family and the LORD. As each drawer, closet, shelf and bookcase is dealt with, there is a sense of accomplishment and joy. From a spiritual standpoint, this work is representative of de-cluttering and clearing out what is not necessary or beneficial in my life. Sometimes it is painful to throw or give away things. Yet, when I see a clear desktop, tidy shelves and orderly drawers and closets....it feels great....likewise, when I acknowledge negligence to spiritual discipline, laziness, overindulgence, pride and sinful attitudes....the clearing-out makes for a happy soul....one that is unfettered and free to soar to new heights of joyful service to my dear family and my dear Savior Jesus Christ.
August already......it's a great summer and it's not over yet!