Blood-Curdling Scream

Post #4 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (see posts #1-3 below)

Drew was napping this afternoon and I heard him waking up and talking to himself. I waited to get him but jumped when I heard a blood-curdling scream. I went running into his room as he was screaming "wizard, window." I don't know who was more scared at that point -- Drew or the poor little lizard who happened to peek inside Drew's bedroom window. He talked about that "wizard" all day today.

Wednesday is Market Day in Galmi. I was escorted to the market by Eli, a 13-year-old missionary daughter, and by Robbie, a 21-year-old Galmi woman (not the same Robbie who hand washes our clothes). I went to purchase material to have a dress made for myself. When I got home, Joel looked at me and said, "Why do you smell so funny?" I don't know which odor he was talking about -- my sweat (he should be used to that by now) or the incredibly different smells that permeated the market that were now soaked into my skin. Odors came from dead animal pelts; live chickens, donkeys and goats running around; strange meats being cooked and from all the people crowded into a very small area. I sort of felt claustrophobic. With the help of my escorts, I purchased my material and a few handmade sling shots (I still haven't told Joel and Evan we have these -- I don't want to get kicked out of the SIM compound) and high-tailed it out of there. I'll definitely try the market again next week, but only for short periods.

Everyone's been asking about the boys (OK, so maybe it's only the Grandma's) so let me fill you in a little bit. The only children my boys play with are the other three children in the other missionary family -- Eli, 13; Zeb, 10; and Joel, 6). They love playing with these kids but other than that, we don't have day-to-day contact with the locals. I deparately want to take Joel to the market and to the hospital, but as of yet, he shows no interest and when asked, says he doesn't want to go. When we do come into contact with some of the local children, Joel completely ignores them after a quick wave; Evan chatters away but since they don't speak English, the conversation is pretty one-sided; and Drew, he just stares at the kids. Today I took them just outside the hospital where some vendors sell items at a "canteen." I wanted to give the kids a little more exposure to the culture and the people. Again, the same reaction. Children gathered around us, staring, but my three boys showed very little interest in talking to them. I taught the 10 or so children standing there how to give "high-fives" and the African children LOVED it! Drew was the only one of our boys who wanted to high-five the children. Joel and Evan were stand-offish. I think they are a little afraid. My guess is that if I continue to give the small bits of exposure, the boys will get used to the locals and not be so intimidated.

Short blog tonight -- it's "Movie Night" on the SIM compound so I have to go. Will write more as soon as I can. I have lots to tell about meeting children, taking their pictures, and buying b-b-q chicken from a lady who came to my door carrying it on her head!