Swimming

Much has happened since my last update.

A few weeks ago I was preparing myself to stay up all night helping chaperon a lock-in at a Christian high school for English speaking students. That would be on a Friday night. The following Monday would be the first day of one of my busiest weeks: helping translate for a medical team during a clinic. For several months, I have had a problem with money being stolen in small, but consistent amounts. That Friday, I hid a camera and left my house. When I returned, I had caught the thief on video. The culprit was a new Christian I had been teaching for two years, someone I had baptized several months prior, and a trusted friend. I found out later that he had also been stealing from the office where he worked. Since his wife had always been a Muslim and he had converted to Christianity, the families had been asking her to leave him for some time. He lost his job, and his wife left him taking their three children with her. Choices are powerful things. My front room and yard are now available for the next people who come my way.

Walking around in an empty pond is safer than swimming in the ocean. No water means no chance of drowning, no chance of meeting unseen predators, and no chance of experiencing reality in a condition that covers over 70% of our planet’s surface. Many people trade the exhilaration of the ocean for the safety of the boat. Life would be so much less complicated if it weren’t for all the people. But, we aren’t called to walk safely along on parched terrain; we’re called to swim.

The week of the clinic went well. I always enjoy listening to the chorus of laughter from women when they hear me trying to speak Zarma. I don’t know if they are laughing because a white person is speaking their language or because I’m speaking it rather badly. It’s probably a little bit of both. Apparently, Christians had tried to work in this village before but had not been allowed to do so. However, this team of medical personnel was invited to stage the clinic, and the door was left open for future possibilities.

In my last post, I wrote briefly about the Ebola situation in some countries of West Africa. Recently, I have received a few messages from individuals expressing concern for my safety. Ebola has been raging in this general area of the continent for several months now. However, there actually is very little talk on the streets here concerning Ebola. The government is aware of the situation and has made a real effort to educate people about the disease. People entering the country must have their temperature taken before being admitted. The possibility certainly exists that Ebola could find its way to Niger. However, the Muslim culture of Niger is very conservative, and Islamic notions of ritual cleanliness naturally lend themselves to combating the conditions that often lead to disease outbreaks. The word ‘hygienic’ is not the first thing that comes to mind when one visits Niger, but individual adult Nigeriens are usually quite clean, and they are usually quite clean because they partake in ritual bathing at least once per day so that they can pray. Islam also contains mores concerning animistic beliefs, sexual behavior, and general comportment. This cultural factor is a large reason why Niger has never had an overblown problem with AIDS. In short, I am probably further away from an Ebola patient here in Niamey than I would be if I were back living in the Dallas area.

Thanks for all you do. I request your prayers. It seems that changes are coming, but I will give you more details in the future. Pray for new Christians in Niger and pray for new pastors.

 

Jeremy