Absorption of Niger

Much like my emotions, this collection of thoughts and experiences resembles patchwork; different fabric scraps arrayed with many colors, coming together to form a completed, functional yet beautiful quilt. Quilting is on my mind since my dear friend Hope is in the process of making one. A mosaic would also suffice in comparison to the inconsistent shape of my daily activities and the following jagged and smooth stones I will share.

I’ve been working at a NGO called KAMNA, which means LOVE in the Houssa language. Besides being the nutritionist and attending meetings with the government officials for the approval to partner with UNICEF and WFP(world food program), being forced to speak French, learning more about Niger, I’ve also made friends of all types.

(lady on left is coworker at KAMNA...this is at a kids program)
I’ve talked with other women in the “break room” over water, coffee and bread about things similar to typical water cooler conversations. We discussed mindsets of men, news in eachothers’ lives, the faithfulness of God, our needs, and us as women! I’ve even had my hair done(washed, combed, rolled, oiled and was even put under one of those old woman dryers) in the salon training center onsite. I’ve talked with some of the guys who differ in future hopes; one wanting to reside in his home country and the other praying to reach the promised land of America, where everything is perfect. We’re really not that different huh? But why do I feel like I have one foot in the United States and one foot in Africa? I’m straddling two different worlds, even now. Tainted with love for a culture not of my own, I’m hesitant to remove my foot from the abundance of Nigerien sand. I think my dreaded attempts would be futile anyways.

“Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong.
They are weak but He is strong.” Do these little ones include puppets?

There are 3 trunks of puppets sitting on our front porch with new clothes, hair transplants, and the anticipation to be used for childrens’ ministry. Most of them worn from their many years of service makes me want to throw them in the garbage (and some of them are there now), but after some attention and care, they’re ready to shine! Why am I talking about puppets? Well because sometimes I feel like one; Controlled or influenced by others, weak and needing strong Jesus to make me anew. When these puppets are directed by a master puppeteer singing in sync with the music, and the childrens’ open-mouthed laughs respond, the puppets’ are perfect in purpose.

On a less spiritual level, these creatures have been inhabiting my bed and floor for the past few weeks as I’ve worked on them in between other time commitments. Sammy has become accustomed to playing with one for a few minutes. He loves the puppets! Tonight as we were driving in the car to our house, he randomly said, “KK, puppets sleep?” I said “Yep, but when we get home we can say goodnight to them.” And so that’s what we did.

I’m not going to portray myself as some tough girl who never complains. The reality of this land right now is hotness! There is a sort of peace in knowing that you’re not the only one with sweat pouring down your body as you talk to your friend in a non-fanned living room due to power outages, or immediately when you turn the shower off.
When will the rain come and cool down this smokin’ land? Well, it has briefly rained twice and both times we ran out and stood in the cooling waters. Refreshing. Joy. Innocence. However, the sun with its heat producing affection reminds us of what season we’re in.

Some times I succeed at ignoring the heat, perhaps because as the sweat pours out, I’m more focused on soaking as much of Niger up as I can. Niger is the salt that I crave. However, I’m privileged to sleep in an air conditioned room (when the power is on) and have clean water to drink, making it less difficult to endure. I wish I could say the same about the people beyond these walls I call my home, or those I see sleeping on the dirt road, or just one child out of many whose lack of clean water could prevent him from living to see the cooler season. There is this daily reminder that I can choose to ignore. But unlike ignoring the heat, I desire to actively remember it. This heart wrenching heaviness shares residency in my heart with joy from 2 kiddies who can’t resist playing with the hose as Etien tries to water the plants.

Until the raindrops come again...

We shall make our own...

All for One

As much as I enjoyed working with the babies in Gueladio and watching the numbers on the scale increase every 2 weeks, my heart has grown for the big number of one(baby) in Koira Tegui. Is it because this 10 month old baby girl only weighed a little over 8 pounds? Is it because she’s been an orphan since her 4th day on earth? Perhaps it’s because she was the only child we saw that first day of assessment. Is it due to weekly visits, instead of every 2 weeks? Maybe it was reality enveloping me as my hands met her ribs, carrying her from her aunt’s hands to the baby scale. Or is because she got sick, lost weight and could’ve easily died? After accompanying her to a clinic for a malaria test and receiving the negative results, was it fear that she wouldn’t be admitted to a hospital in time a contribution to my higher level of concern for her? Is that why my heart is so attached?
Meet Rahina:



I began to parallel the desire for God to pursue one amidst the multitudes. He had Dave, myself and Dave’s dad (who was visiting) go assess and distribute plumpy’nut to what we thought would be many babies. There was a misunderstanding and there were no babies for us to see that day. Or so we thought. Then, in a group of children receiving lunch from the church, there was little Rahina.

All for one

We had thought, “well this is Africa, where communication sometimes just lacks and time is wasted.” However, this was anything but a waste of time. It was just in time. Our visit commenced the restoration of a little girl named Rahina. The Lord knew she was there and we’d be there too. He knew she needed help and we had the resources to do so! God saw her need and the boxes of plumpy’nut in my room. How would a severely malnourished body and a nutrient dense product meet? They met. We met. In all the world, why us 4? I’m thinking so that she would be well, we’d be used and most importantly, Jesus would be glorified. He’s definitely being glorified through that tiny person, named Rahina not to pump himself up, but to plump her up! Because he loves her. After Rahina spent more than a week in the hospital, free of charges, we reassessed her and she gained over 1.5 pounds! Her road to recovery is slowly being covered. Can't wait to see the destination He has for her.

There is another baby receiving plumpy’nut in Koira Tegui named Ibrahim. He started plumpy’nut a week after Rahina. He is 2 years old and weighs about 15 pounds and currently does not walk. He sure hates seeing Dave and myself, especially if we touch him (even to pray for him). This is most likely due to the shocking skin color of ours. But he sure loves the taste of what we bring him. We watched him eat plumpy’nut a couple of times and I can’t express how awesome it was. I could imagine his cells soaking all those nutrients up. His mom says he asks for more of this yummy peanut butter based goodness! He is gaining weight too. We’re praying for his development level to increase (ex.walking).



Meet Ibrahim:


In the few, intimacy enables depths of my heart to be explored and pierced. In the multitudes, more are treated but surely relationships aren't the same. I’m thankful God loves Rahina. For Him, guiding a bigger girl to change her address to another continent for 11 months is worth all the costs so that a 10 month old baby girl could be healed through the wonderful product known as plumpy’nut and prayer! Perhaps it would’ve been someone else's hands, or Dave's alone, but I’m sure glad it’s too late for that to happen and He allowed me to live here!

Jesus would leave His 99 safe sheep to look for 1 lost. All for one.

Full of Life

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
-John 10:10

I admit that since I said yes to Jesus’ invitation of salvation at the age of ten, there have been many times and seasons in my life where I have chosen other things besides the overflowing life He has purposed for me. As the source of life, He came with good intentions to give life, carried out through His death.

Blessed by the Impact Niamey mission team, I had revelation concerning the importance of Jesus’ purpose statement above. The team of over 30 people who differed in talents and roles as much as they did in ages and looks, chose the abundant life, Jesus for themselves and had intentions to offer the life source to poverty stricken, diseased uneducated and sin committing Nigeriens. Whether one resides in America, the land of plenty or in Niger, the land of little, every person has the need for life in Christ.
The focus of this mission was evangelism throughout the capital city. While much service, worship, prayer and building of relationships was accomplished, the most important aspect was the commitment to accept and follow Jesus. One day as we split into small groups to evangelize in the village of Zarmagandey, our group witnessed the choice of life as seven people heard about Jesus for the first time and took the initial step in following Him. The other groups experienced similar responses from thirsty people wanting to drink from the fountain of living water. My eyes filled with tears and my heart with gratitude and praise as we prayed with this young girl to know Jesus.

How full of life I was at that moment and those following. Little did I know that six more people would follow the first. Our Savior did not come to condemn but to save us, to give us life in Him. Life is not found in another.
As I ponder what my treasure is, where my heart’s focus is, where I’m choosing anything less than His life, I also think about how my decisions teach those seeking life around me.

The day before the team left, the Lord spoke to me about the verse below. The day after the team left, abundant life was confirmed.

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…” –Isaiah 40:31

The Lord has done great things.
My strength is renewed.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
His joy in me is renewed.

What I thought impossible, God has accomplished. He healed my heart to trust and love again, despite my vows not to. He has shown me again his desire and ability to redeem and restore. Life has conquered death. My friend Jesus brought me all the way to Niger to ignite healing in my heart almost 3 years ago and today I am whole in Him and engaged to Jason Carter! It happened in Niger, much to my surprise. God is so intimate and faithful!

Don’t worry, I’m not leaving Niger just yet! This Friday we are going to assess and evaluate malnourished children in a different village called Koira Tegui (the village where the orphanage is located). If the children are severely malnourished, Koira Tegui will be the next Plumpy’Nut distribution site. Please pray for other potential neighborhoods within Niamey, as well for the babies in the previous village, Gueladio. May we choose the overflowing life in Christ, step by step. Merci!

Fruit

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 15:5

When 9 month old Nata Johansson cries for his momma (he’s a big momma’s boy) while in someone else’s arms, I think of an older tv show called Dinosaurs. The baby dinosaur yells “You not the momma” to others besides his mother. Silly as it sounds, it’s applicable and hilarious. I find myself saying that here in Niger when Nata cries. Is he thinking “you not the momma?” No counterfeit will do. Only Hope will suffice and she is known by her youngster. After all, she is the one who gives him nourishment.

Sometimes I think God is telling me, “you not the vine!”
I act like I’m the vine but I am a branch. There’s no way to be a vine. I can only remain IN the vine. I wonder who else attempts playing the vine’s role. Assuming the role of the vine only leads to defeat and failure. As a branch it is impossible to have life and be fruitful without our source of life, the true vine. So why am I not faithfully in the vine, as a branch? I can do nothing without the vine, Jesus. I can’t even distribute Plumpy’Nut to malnourished children without Him. Any fruit that I bear is because of the vine.

We went to Gueladio for Plumpy’Nut (PN) distribution on Sunday and after assessing 7 children, we left the village with gratitude. Guess how many packets of PN were distributed…Zero. None of the babies qualified for PN, therefore indicating that they are no longer severely malnourished! The six year old Saadou who I’ve mentioned before also did not receive PN on Sunday, but not because he’s healthy. He hasn’t been gaining weight for quite a while. We suspected worms and treated him accordingly but found out they aren’t the reason behind the malnourishment. Please keep praying for him.

There were some children who didn’t show up to the distribution but two weeks ago their assessments had improved tremendously. We gave children’s chewable vitamins to those who were old enough and will receive children's liquid vitamins tomorrow when the Impact mission team arrives! I will follow up with the children of Gueladio but am now consulting the Lord about which village we should distribute PN to next.

Finishing the PN distribution in Gueladio produced conflicting emotions. As I was saying goodbye to the mothers, children and the Pastor and his wife, I felt so thankful to the Lord for His provision, the privilege to work with these babies, for letting me live here in Niger, and most surprisingly, to see such beautiful fruit. Much fruit is produced from a seed, yet that sower is not guaranteed to see the fruit of his/her labor. The Lord has allowed me to see the fruition of others’ prayers, sacrifices and work that has made PN distribution and improvements in babies’ lives possible, but he also has let me taste the fruit produced only by remaining in Him. Because of the relationships made through the PN distribution, emotions of gratitude and joy were mixed with sadness, knowing that I wouldn’t be seeing these people every two weeks. But mostly, I’m thankful. His glory is displayed. Below is a picture of the Pastor in Gueladio with his wife and daughter.

Severely malnourished babies are healthier. Many blessings were prayed over the babies and their families by us here and those in the United States. Thank you for doing so.

May we bear lasting fruit.
Look what the Lord has done.
See what He will do…

Worth the Costs

Happy New Year!

When exactly was my heart so grounded to a village by the name of Gueladio? Going there twice a month since October for church and plumpy’nut distribution perhaps is one culprit for the love growth I’ve recognized. Perhaps it’s the love of Christ that so compels.

The malnourished children in that village have gained more than weight. With each prayer, they’ve gained the truth of God as well as love as we become His hands and feet. Forecasting another two distributions in Gueladio, I know this privilege of seeing the preservation of life firsthand will continue in another village. But will the next village ever reach such depth of my heart? With every pound of weight gained by these babies, at least a ton of love has been deposited in me.

Pastor Lawali and his wife Ruth are included in the “ton of love” that has been added to my heart. Last week when we were distributing plumpy’nut, we witnessed the painful separation of father and daughter due to the Lord’s work. Ruth’s father and sister were visiting but had to return to their home 13 hours from hers. After a passionate and tear filled prayer, her father and sister rode with us back to the capital city. Hearing, watching and feeling the pain in their voices and eyes, the reality of sacrifice, even while residing in the same country, that is required when following Jesus was felt by all. The Lord called Lawali and Ruth to this village and I can’t imagine Gueladio without them, much less all those they’ve ministered to within. Yet it’s costly.

Driving back to our home, staring out into the sandy horizon, inwardly I was challenged by these questions:

-what sacrifices have you made?
-what sacrifices are you making right now?
-what sacrifices will be made as you obey the Lord in the future?

Remember the Lord wants our obedience, not sacrifice.

However, as I listed some sacrifices (not huge compared to many others) I’ve made in the past and currently, punches of unrest came while contemplating the third question. I’m not sure what the future will entail regarding this. The restless feeling settles as I trust in Him. Sometimes its easier to play it safe, in the security of what I think is ‘the known.’ How deceiving it is think that way. In retrospect, the most uncertain paths in my life thus far have unraveled and exploded into the most tangible and certain roads that I wouldn’t trade traveling down. God has made this concept a theme the last couple of weeks for us members of the Johansson household…

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” –Psalm 126

Much joy-Last Saturday I accompanied missionary Shelley and other missionary associates to Gueladio for their annual kids program. Upon arrival, I was asked to help Ruth with preparing lunch for about 150 children. I was delighted by the request but had no idea I’d enjoy spending time with her and other women from the village as I did. I began with cutting onions and tomatoes African style…with no cutting board. Technically, our hands were the cutting boards. Incase a cutting board is not available, chopped onions can still be consumed! While cooking, Ruth and I connected in a new way since usually when I distribute plumpy’nut, conversations of personal topics aren’t priority. We talked about our families, about our dreams, our struggles and God’s faithfulness to answer, even in bizarre ways.

Cooking and sitting with a few women of the village, who only spoke Fulfulde, I began to attempt speaking a few words of their language such as “what is your name.” It helps that Ruth speaks English. Complemented with laughs at my mispronunciations, they kept repeating the words until I finally got it. By far, this sleepover in Gueladio is one of my favorite experiences here in Niger. This different, delicious taste of life in the village prompts me to indulge in it more often.

Revelations and Reminders

Niger eyes, what do they see?
Niger eyes, looking back at me.
Flickers of hope, escape the dungeon of despair,
pressured from within, paired with an outward gaze.
The flickers will find a friend in another's flame.
The flame of hope defined and magnified, Jesus Christ.

How intimate is an extended gaze. Not only is one's existence acknowledged, but many emotions can be expressed without words in this few second encounter.

Each time I make eye contact, I'm exposing another facet of our Creator and Savior. This responsibility is not one to take lightly. Sometimes I catch myself becoming too comfortable in my new home and do not value each passing person or opportunity to display the love of God through my eyes or smile. However, I'm not suggesting we plaster fake smiles on our faces constantly. I just realize here, where communication isn't always possible, that a smile can reveal much.

This display of Jesus also applies to our missionary team here. In the midst of conversing, giving, laughing, preparing, and potentially shedding tears, isn't it all for one purpose? Isn't it to encourage eachother's hearts toward the lover of our souls, to the Prince of Peace, while giving others an opportunity to know the Lord.

We have been involved in a lot the past two weeks and God's faithfulness has been shown. I'm going to highlight a few to share with you.

Plumpy'Nut News:
Provision-The Lord is faithful to take care of His children. In the village of Gueladio there are 9 children who have climbed out of the severely malnourished category. Are they still malnourished? Yes. The Lord is rehabilitating their health through a peanut butter based paste. I've started decreasing the rations of Plumpy'Nut to those who are no longer in the severely malnourished category.
There are two babies who are still severely malnourished. As their weights are barely changing every two weeks, we may have to stop distribution based on Plumpy'Nut's criteria. Please pray that the mothers will properly give their babies the nutritional supplement. Also, pray that the babies' bodies will digest and absorb the nutrients as purposed.
We are distributing children's vitamins, worm treatments and will follow up with these children's progress in Gueladio. We are praying and planning to go to another village to assess and help more children become healthier.

Thanks to God's provision through travelers on short term missions who have seen the children of Niger firsthand, we have adequate funds to continue distributing Plumpy'Nut in other villages. Thank you all for joining me in praying for these babies and mothers, AND for sharing your resources. None of us can fully know the impact it will make. Merci.

Au Revoir GLUTEN:
Through a series of hints and years of researching and praying, at last the Lord has clearly made known the reason for my unexplainable iron deficiency anemia. Maybe some think its odd for me to mention this on my missionary adventure in Niger. But let me tell you, it's something to rejoice about! And it's an adventure. Frustrating adventure too:)
So my body is allergic to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye as well as all the foods containing even trace amounts. Since I've been consuming gluten everyday for years, and my intestinal wall lining called villi(they absorb nutrients) have become damaged, I'm unable to absorb iron and other minerals efficiently. This gluten thing isn't a disease I want to cling to, but I am extremely thankful to the Lord for giving me the knowledge and revelation, FINALLY!
And of all places to be completely sure about this, Niger is the the place He's healing my body, much like He started the healing process of my heart 2.5 years ago. I'll keep you updated about the gluten free lifestyle.

The Jo's have been super supportive. Dave helped make it possible for me to obtain millet flour which is gluten free. Monmouni, our day guard bought the millet, took it home to his wife to pick through and clean, took it to a mill (cleaned before processing the millet) and brought the flour to me. He surpassed his responsibilities and blessed me. I plan to make millet bread and millet pancakes tomorrow morning.


Celebrating Jesus' Birthday: On Christmas Eve we went to the orphanage with our Nigerien friend dressed as Santa. The children absolutely loved him! We gave out Christmas bags donated by the children's sponsors and each child took a picture with Santa. The funniest part was having Santa lead the children in worship. Imagine 50 plus children with gigantic smiles on their faces...that was our morning!


Christmas morning..."Happy to You, Happy to You..." little Sammy sings while the candles burn on a cake (this time a Niger style crown cake for Jesus-Daniel's tradition) before Dave reads the story of Jesus' birth, and Hope gives thanks to Him. Being the youngest of six children, I've always been the most excited about the family gathering, waking up super early, opening stockings, and just hanging out. However, this year without my family, I was blessed with another family...the Johanssons! Yep, having 2 kiddies around made Christmas so much more joyful. I'm usually the one waking everyone up (yeah, even at my old age) but this year Sammy came in my room and said, "KK, up!"

Even though I missed home during Christmas, the Lord showered me with love here. We ate delicious meals with our missionary team and French missionaries, I went shopping with Amina (a Nigerien friend of mine), had gift exchanges, and lounged around, like I would at home.

Also, I'm extremely thankful for skype because I was able to see my family. I hadn't seen my mom and dad since I've been here, so that was a HUGE blessing. Because of Jesus' birth, I know God and because of Him, I am here in Niger. Even on the mission field, it's easy to focus my eyes on things other than Jesus. But he seeks us even when we aren't faithful.

Sleeping Under the Stars:
The Johanssons and I went camping with their friends Beth, Steve and son Tim. We went to a village about 2 hours away from Niamey, where we live. This was my second camping experience in Niger, however it differed greatly. Camping brought many memories to my mind, mostly from when I was a little girl camping with my dad, to youth group camping, all the way to my adulthood camping trips. Sitting by the fire, staring at the grand sky of stars, eating, talking and sleeping on a hard ground while tossing and turning all night, waking up to the crisp Niger air, having less than ideal bathroom facilities and situations and exploring the land of wilderness all reminded me of God.
I could write an entire blog on these two days alone but here's the short version...
Hope sang Beautifully at church on Sunday. We took a walk, graciously guided by the pastor's son named Samuel. I couldn't stop seeing the Lord's majesty in the design and size of the baobab and other trees.
On the way out of the village, Hope pointed out one tree with three trunks, representing the trinity. Those of you on the Jerni retreat may recall similar words from my share time. He is so faithful to remind me of previous encounters and defining moments where my heart connected to His. Likewise, looking at the stars was another reminder of His goodness, provision, involvement and desire for us to really know Him.


We are in Niamey for a couple of days and then off to the game park known as PARK W! Our missionary team is going, so I'm sure we'll have lots of fun. We'll be ringing in the new year in the park. Then on Sunday we're going back to Gueladio for reassessment of the children on Plumpy'Nut.

The Lord is faithful and loves reminding us. If you're like me you need a reminder or two every now and then.
Happy New Year!

Mighty to Save

The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
–Zephaniah 3:17

Every time we go to Gueladio for reassessment of the children and distribution of plumpy’nut, my eyes fall on the words above as soon as my notebook is opened. I have written this promise in the front of the notebook as a reminder. I don’t fear I’ll forget this promise but sometimes I get distracted and don’t fully believe His promises to be with us, to save, to delight in us, to quiet us with his love, and to rejoice over us. It’s a lot to digest! I can sing the song “He is Mighty to Save” all day but practically, in real life, do I truly believe this? Do I believe this for the children?

When children’s weights are increasing, I eagerly believe the Lord’s promise to save His children and therefore give Him the glory for his faithfulness. However, difficultly arises when a baby does not gain weight, due to sickness. What is even worse is that a baby lost the weight that he had gained. After I weighed him, feeling discouraged and helpless, I glanced at the verse in the front of my notebook. Yes, He is mighty to save. Even though it appears otherwise, the Lord is with this baby and his wasting body. We prayed for him and will check on him this Sunday. Please pray with us. With the intention to bring glory to the Lord and not dwell on the negative, I can’t disregard that the other babies are gaining weight! There’s much to be thankful for but that one baby clenched my heart. I called my sister hours after we returned from Gueladio and expressed to her with tears the best way I could using these words, “I’m not seeing malnourished babies on tv from afar… they’re in my arms.” I hope my honestly doesn’t discourage anyone. The truth is that the Lord is with me and His desire to heal these children is greater than mine.

Preceding the plumpy’nut distribution, Hope and I told the story of Samuel to about 20 children at church, in FRENCH! We translated the story to French in advance, had colorful visual aids (thanks to Hope’s artistic abilities), and had Dave pretend to be God, calling “Samuel, Samuel.” I was slightly nervous before the Bible lesson because I had to speak in French, and I’m more of a one on one person. However, as soon as I was standing in front of the children, scanning the room, periodically catching their eyes and glimpses of smiles, any feelings of anxiety fled and were replaced by joy and purpose. Leaving Gueladio, I had many emotions and thoughts. Oh the contrast that can exist in them.


Living in Niger still seems surreal most days. How blessed I am for my feet to touch the sand of such a land every day, see the African sunset, hear the sounds of French, Djerma and Houssa languages, take taxis or walks with Amina, share everyday life with the Johanssons, worship God with Nigeriens, and just exist here!

Probably one of the most surreal times I’ve experienced was this weekend when my little girl from the orphanage, named Kadidja came over and spent the night with us. Upon arrival, she was shy and scared of the Johanssons’ dog, and rightly so with a bark like his. We made Christmas sugar cookies, took a walk to buy eggs, colored, looked at pictures, ate a delicious peanut chicken and rice dinner, played djembes and sang, went out for ice cream, went to the market to buy supplies for Amina to braid Kadidja’s hair, watched Toy Story in French and then went to sleep.

The next morning Kadidja took a warm shower, which may have been the first time for her (you should’ve seen the smile that appeared when I let her feel the temperature). Hope made us pancakes and eggs for breakfast and off to church we went. After church we ate at a restaurant and came home to rest before taking her back home to the orphanage. Seem overwhelming? I think it may have been for this gentle spirited, polite nine year old who has never been inside a white person’s house, or been so lavished with food. While she was here, I was very content yet I couldn’t fully absorb her presence. Especially when she was sleeping in my room with me, I was thanking the Lord and thinking, is she really here in my room? If only I could read her mind in regards to her experience with us. We plan to have her and a friend over in the future. I wish you all could meet her but incase that doesn’t happen, here is a photo of beautiful Kadidja.


It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The three missionary families have Christmas trees in their homes, accompanied by stockings, Christmas music and the aroma of freshly baked cookies (well some days). At our house, we’ve spent down time making ornaments out of paper, sewing letters on our stockings, baking cookies, dancing to the rhythm of seasonal tunes. My two year old friend, Sammy Pie as I call him these days has made these activities much more enjoyable, in particular the dancing! The decorations and preparations clearly show it is that time of year, but the temperature is enough to fool me. To help you understand, Dave said the temperature the other day was 100 degrees. I'm excited to spend another Christmas in Niger. In December 2006 I came with a team and assisted missionaries Rodrigo and Juanita when they lived 12 hours North of Niamey, in Agadez. One thing I don't miss about home is the commercialism before and during the Christmas season. It's easier here to focus on the birth of Jesus and his saving grace. The Lord is Mighty to Save!