Well, I traveled from Paris back to Niamey without incident. I like boring travel, no stories to be told.
During my last day in class, as was fitting, I discovered yet another word that I have used incorrectly for many years. This one took me by surprise because I was convinced of its correctness. Apparently, the French word ‘complete’ does not mean to complete. The 4-week program really was helpful. I added two important tenses to my repertoire that I really should have added long ago. And, now when I say something that’s wrong, I know it’s wrong… I’m just not sure how to fix it. But, I suppose knowing is half the battle.
One day, in the middle of an oral presentation, I used a word and could feel a tangible wave of displeasure emanating from the direction of my instructor. I ignored it and continued. At the end of my presentation, I used the word again. My teacher said very sweetly, “Jeremy, I don’t know what provisé means.” Oh. I have used that word in French for a multitude of years. I don’t think it’s fair that restaurants get use the term ‘fast food’ as perfectly acceptable French but I can’t have ‘provisé.
France is rather famous for cave drawings. I took a few days and visited one of the more famous cave options. Apparently, a common practice of prehistoric humans was to place a hand on a rock wall and blow paint behind it thus leaving the image of a hand emblazoned for posterity. I’m not totally certain how archaeologists discern ancient hand impressions from modern graffiti, but I’m taking what I was told at face value. I’m a trusting person; that’s how I roll. Anyway, I had the experience of viewing one of these hand paintings. As I stood there watching primeval man reach into my modern world, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the patient plan of God. Adam and Eve messed up. God decided not to destroy them. He knew that someday, some people would follow the cross and find a relationship with him, and so he waited.
Many of you have been following the story of the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Some of you may be wondering if it has affected Niger. The short answer is, ‘no’. Niger has no confirmed cases of Ebola. West African culture is very talkative. Technology is limited, jobs are often scarce, and chores are performed in communal effort. So, people talk. When they run out of productive things to say, they keep on talking. Rumors exist, but Ebola has not been confirmed in Niger, and I have heard of nothing to the contrary from my friends within the healthcare world. However, you should pray for this issue. Ebola is not an airborne disease, but it is contagious through bodily fluids including sweat. It also has a long ‘shelf life’. That is, it tends to remain active on surfaces for a rather long time. It has no cure; one must simply outlast it. Many African people live the way their ancestors have lived for hundreds of years. I don’t say that as an insult. People in large chunks of West Africa simply live a primitive life. Women walk hours in one direction to the nearest well. Men plow with donkeys and mules. Fishermen mend their nets from dugout canoes. It is what is. A large obstacle to treating Ebola has been in dealing with primitive ignorance. One clinic was destroyed by an angry mob refusing to believe that Ebola exists. Others teach their children that Ebola comes from doctors with needles. Many have declared that drinking saltwater will cure Ebola. Unfortunately, Ebola does exist, and the lifestyle of many Africans lends itself to the spread of this terrible disease.
I receive occasional notes of encouragement, and I know that many people are praying for me. I have some decisions to make with regard to my future; keep up the prayer. I recently accessed my PayPal account and found quite a large sum of money waiting to be transferred to my missionary account. Thanks for everything you do.
Blessings
Jeremy
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