a blessing

Well, we've been in Niamey since December 20th.  Our goal had been to stay in town during a period of unrest for our country and then determine whether or not we'd be able to go back to Ayorou.  Knowing there was a chance we'd not go back, we completely packed our house and said our goodbyes.

After the 22nd, we were thinking we might be able to go back. However, many nationals advised us not to do so and with this happening http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8433013.stm  we knew we'd not be going back to Ayorou.  Djambala is about 25 miles from Ayorou and a frequent stop for us on our way home.

In the meantime, Randy and Susan (some of our team members) were supposed to have a volunteer team to do discipleship in Ayorou, Tera, Dargol, and Karma.  With it being unwise to travel we began to scramble to determine what to do.

This was one of the bizillion reasons I love serving a sovereign God.  In what seemed like chaos, he had a plan.  We began calling believers asking if they could come to Niamey.  We stumbled upon a place to meet and sleep.  Nine believers were able to come - 6 from Ayorou!  Within 24 hours, we had everything we needed to have a conference here in Niamey. 

It has been such a sweet time reconnecting with these brothers who have become my closest friends.  Izzy has also enjoyed seeing some of her Ayorou family!  Just wanted to share some pics.

Hanging out with Bouba, Ibrahim, and Alassane.  These are the leaders of the church in Ayorou.  Bouba and Alassane are wanting to start churches in their compounds very soon.  NOTE: all the guys had sunglasses except me, these are Parker's sunglasses, not mine.  Repeat, these are not my sunglasses! 

   Things can't stay too serious too long.

A local church opened their doors to allow us to use their facility to both sleep in and conduct the training.

This is Jason who has been conducting the training.  I noticed this piece of paper on the wall.

It reads: "Please put your cellphones on vibrate, thanks!" Classic!

christmas

This was the first Christmas in 8 years that Mark and I have not celebrated it in our home. Our first 4 years we celebrated on Morehead Road in Bowling Green. The next 3 were celebrated in our mud brick home in Ayorou. This last one was celebrated in the home of Randy & Susan (aka - Grandy & Grusan). We are so thankful to have them as friends & "family." It was a hard enough time not being in our home or with our family but also because we were still feeling (and still are) the effects of saying goodbye to Ayorou.

Nonetheless, we had a great time with them during Christmas week - watching movies and a little football, having some quality time with Isabelle (instead of having our noses deep in packing boxes), baking (woo hoo!) and just relaxing. We added 2 new events to our Christmas routine. The first was shooting off fireworks on Christmas Eve. And the second was adding music into our Christmas morning routine. We made a tradition last year by being slow to wake up, then read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke, followed by presents & ending with a big ole Southern breakfast. Isabelle's request this year was to have her Daddy play the guitar while she danced a jig.

Starting out the new Christmas tradition with sparklers ... planted in an orange. Leave it to Mark & Randy & you never know what they'll come up with next.

 Watching the "real" fireworks from the balcony. Isabelle loved them! She didn't jump or get scared once. She just kept clapping & wanting more!

 

 I couldn't get a picture of the actual fireworks, so here's one of Mark & Randy lighting them.

 

 New Christmas morning tradition - the guitar! Isabelle found her stocking before she was supposed to, hence the large sucker in her mouth! Check out her blog for more Christmas pictures & her dancing.

 

 Our little helper passing out the presents. When she got to her presents, she tried to pass those out too!

 She's so fun at this age knowing how to open presents.

 This is Isabelle's "I love it!" face while she also is saying, "Ooohhh!"

 After opening her presents, she wanted to continue being a good helper by helping Grandy & Grusan open their presents.

 What Christmas morning isn't complete without an episode of Barney with curlers & combs in your hair?

And the Southern breakfast ... yumm!!