Eternal Purpose

Blog #8 from Galmi, Niger, West Africa (#1-7 below this blog)

One of the most difficult things for me here in Niger is not seeing first-hand an eternal purpose. Our mission here is two-fold: to heal the sick and to heal hearts by introducing people to Jesus Christ. On a daily basis Ben sees women (and a few men too!) who are better off because he is here. He sees long-term pain being relieved through surgeries and babies being delivered by c-section who might otherwise not have made it without his presence. He also sees local evangelists praying with each patient before and after surgery. Ben sees lives being changed. The only change I’m seeing is within me.

I am experiencing strong growing pains. My heart hurts that I am such a spoiled American. The Nigeriens are extremely hard workers and they never utter a word of complaint. Every time I see Maria, one local friend I have made, she gives me a huge grin and asks me how I’m doing. How am I doing?! I’m hot, tired, lonely and frequently frustrated with the kids. But I’m the one living in a Galmi mansion (at least that’s the way it must look to the her) with food in the refrigerator and ceiling fans; she lives in a house that could get destroyed with the next heavy rain. I push my kids around in a stroller; she carries Abednego, her five-month-old, on her back – while she’s working. But Maria, she never complains. I tell her, “You have a hard life.” She just says, “Oh, Carrie.”

I saw Maria singing in the church choir today. She is a life that was changed because of the outreach of SIM. She is the reason we are here yet she is ministering to me.

Speaking of church…I went for the first time this morning and boy was I gorgeous! I had my new Niger dress and head wrap on! “And don’t forget to put on earrings." Alice told me, "all the women wear earrings.” (Of course I’ll include a picture, as soon as I get it downloaded.) Church was very much like church at home – minus the air-conditioning, carpet, padded pews, English and deodorant! The instrument, a “drum,” was literally an empty old metal drum barrel but it sounded great! They did have a keyboard but didn’t use it much. The congregation sang, the youth choir sang, the women’s choir sang, the children’s choir sang, the women sang again, the youth sang again and then we all sang again. All the women were very dressed up and looked beautiful in all their colored fabric and head wraps to match their dresses.

Everyone is up from their naps – I must go. More later on our 17th wedding anniversary dinner – the best one we’ve ever had! And congratulations to my brother Mark and his wife Robbon who are expecting their second girl! (Why can’t I have a girl?! To quote my children, “It’s not fair.”)