26 November 2007

"LEAVING! On a Jet Plane..."

We leave tonight.Late.Very late.... There is always a mixed combination of feelings when we return to the States, even for just a few weeks as we are doing this time:
  1. Anticipation - we can't wait to see and hug family, eat some favorite foods (raspberries - yummmmmmm), enjoy the winter weather of Michigan, celebrate the holidays where Christmas music is playing in the stores, trees are decorated everywhere, candle light services at church.....
  2. Trepidation - flying with a family our size is never fun (pray lots, please, for safe and uneventful travel), and we are never quite sure how we will fit/mix back into life on the "other side." Things change so fast in the States, and it is often overwhelming and shocking, especially when we first arrive.
  3. Some sadness - six weeks is a long time to leave our home, our beds and our regular, daily life here. The kids will miss their friends, their pets and lots of school (Don't think that is causing any sadness, at the moment; but it does mean we are taking a rather large chunk of homework with us...SMILE!) Tim and Richelle will miss their different ministries, and we pray that things continue well, knowing we've left them in very capable hands. And, of course, we will miss sweet fellowship with both missionary and African friends and colleagues while we are gone.

13 November 2007

Study in Picnic Contrasts

Saturday, we went on two very different picnics. Lots of things were the same…

  • We had wonderful times of fellowship with friends;
  • Our kids enjoyed playing and running around with their friends;
  • We grilled meat;
  • We ate yummy food;
  • Donkey rides were offered, for a price;
  • We left our leftovers for the local children (who rapidly gather when they see we are getting ready to leave); and
  • Both picnics took place within site of the Niger River.
  • Our morning picnic was right down on the river, where one of the seasonal flood rivers flows into the Niger. Since the rains have stopped for this year, it makes a huge, sandy beach. Last time we were there (last April, I think) for a picnic, the kids had a ball playing and swimming in the shallow river – as the river was near its lowest point before the rains had started. This time, they were forbidden to go into the river as the water is much higher and deeper, and there can be tricky and strong currents.

    The ladies and I prepared the meat (cut it up, marinated it with spices and put it on shish kabob sticks), the men prepared the “charbon” to cook the brochettes, and the children played with an “American” football that one of them had received as a gift …our kids only had a general idea of how to throw it and their friends were mostly clueless. So, once we had finished preparing the brochettes, and walked down to the river to wash our dishes (using river water and sand – I’d call it more of a rinse J ), showed the kids how to throw a “spiral” football, describing it as flying like an arrow. They thought that was great fun and spent tons of time throwing the ball around, afterwards. While we were waiting for the brochettes to cook, a group of Arab ladies wanted to come and take photos of the little white kids – and we spent a few minutes talking with them. They were out wandering around the beach for a picnic too – but they were dressed in their very best, most expensive clothes, as were our African friends. We were most definitely the most casually clothed in our party!

    We conversed in a combination of French and Zarma, and learned all about one of the local legends… superstitions… that is part of the tribal/animistic religion. Several of the children were warning us to stay away from the river, as someone had died there just the day before. The legend says that a migrating octopus type creature, or an evil water genie, or an unexpected rushing current – depending on whom you talked to – grabbed the man and he died. That led to an interesting lesson about the animistic religion that centers on the Niger River, at least in this part of Africa. After the food was cooked, we ate – and our African friends were surprised when I grabbed a plastic bag to start picking up after ourselves, we prayed together and then headed home- to prepare for our second excursion.

    The same evening, we went to our favorite picnic spot, northwest of town on a plateau that overlooks the river. Brendan had asked if we could do this to celebrate his birthday – and he chose the family we invited to join us.

    We ate sloppy joes and grilled hotdogs...

    ...rode donkeys, watched the sunset,

    the kids built their own “kids’ fire” – and Tim couldn’t believe that I allowed Jonathan to follow his big brother around, climbing the closer rocks and sitting by him down by the “kid fire” but Brendan, Rebekah and Nadia did an awesome job watching out for him.

    After the sun had set, the fire had died down, we picked up our things, loaded up the trucks and went hunting for jerboas. We spent good 45 minutes chasing the little critters up on the plateau, using the spotlights on the land cruiser, the headlights and flashlights. The kids would hang with their heads out the windows and as soon they caught the flash of a critter's eyes, everyone would pile out of the cruiser and run pell mell to try and catch the creature. It was quite amusing to watch!

    They never found any, but ended up catching one tiny field mouse and 4 other black striped mice to bring home, which we now have living in the an action packer in our house. The little mouse escaped the first night – he could jump really high. So, I’m hoping we don’t stumble across him running around our home some evening, or I’ll be jumping really high myself. (Did we ever tell you about the shrew that took up residence in our home for awhile?)

    But so much was very, very different – just a vivid reminder of the two different worlds we try to straddle in Niger, living and working here.

  • Fellowship took place in different languages;
  • Our kids enjoyed playing and running around with their friends- playing an American game with their African friends and enjoying Africa with their American friends;
  • We took supplies and prepared the food there in the morning. Except for grilling the hotdogs, everything was ready when we got to the plateau;
  • I’m not too sure our African friends were impressed with the potato salad to which we introduced them; They wouldn’t budge on the first price offered for donkey rides by the river, so we declined. At the plateau, the local children were more than willing to discuss price, so 9 of us tried riding the donkeys (including myself and Kathie Golde, the other mom there. It isn’t quite as easy as it looks – their backs are pointed and slippery. Fortunately, they are small enough your feet almost touch the ground while seated on them;
  • We left our leftovers for the local children (who rapidly gather when they see we are getting ready to leave) – usually it is quite the scramble and scene at the plateau, but this time – maybe because of our improved Zarma, the children were quite polite and waited for us to hand them the leftovers; and
  • Both picnics took place within site of the Niger River, one was down at the river – just a stone’s throw away. The other was up and away – and a lot fewer bugs and mosquitoes.
  • WE.WERE.SO.TIRED!

    ...at the end of that day, but it was a good tired!

    07 November 2007

    November 7 - Today is Brendan's Birthday!

    Today, Brendan turns 12 - and we are having a hard time getting our hearts to believe it. It is not a problem to convince our minds... we can see the obvious evidence - he is growing tall, starting to look (and sometimes act -which can be both good and bad) like a "becoming teenager." He's even responsible enough to babysit the whole gang for short periods of time (but Rebekah Joy is a good helper, too). But to believe that our sweet little baby, who seemed so glad to escape from the womb and into the world (only one of the kids that refused to be swaddled, preferring at first to lay "spread eagle," as stretched out as he could be... well, while we rejoice it also leaves a bit of an ache in the heart, too - kwim. That's why grandparents and great grandparents are always telling us to treasure every moment...

    No birthday pictures, yet. Since tonight is a school night and Bible study night for the secondary school students, we decided to wait and go to the plateau with friends on Saturday night. That is one of Brendan's favorite places. We will also have his favorite meal today - beef stroganoff and green beans. He usually asks for banana pudding in lieu of cake for dessert on his birthday, but that will wait for Saturday.

    However, there are some pictures below. Anna's recent baptism has sparked lots of questions from the other kids, who, while each one remembers their own, the details are a bit fuzzy (they were all pretty young). And, of course, some of the younger ones weren't even around. So we asked Gammie and Gampy to email some photos.

    Brendan was baptized almost 8 years ago - the winter of 2000, by Pastor Dan at our sending church, Calvary Baptist - just weeks before we moved to Québec for French language study.

    One thing we all remarked on - Jonathan is just the spittin' image of his big brother!

    of donkys and such....

    This picture was taken when we went to the weekly market in a small town called Boubon, just a bit northwest of Niamey. We were visiting the "livestock" department!

    Can anyone see what is not "quite right?" with this picture?

    Mom and Dad Stewart (and other family members who already know) please don't spill the beans! And thanks, Dad, for the photo!

    02 November 2007

    Totally and Completely Just for Fun - Which ANIMAL Are You?

    We had a lot of fun taking this survey as a family today... obviously, some of the questions were not directly answered by the participants (i.e. Jonathan and Elsie Mae *SMILE*), but by those who know them well. Click on the link at the bottom - and then let us know what kind of creature you turn out to be!

    TIM
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Duck

    Ducks are content to swim around all day or relax in the grass. They are loyal to their mates and can get very angry in self-defense, but generally they are calm creatures. You are a duck.

    Cat
    Horse
    Dog
    RICHELLE
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Cat

    Cats are curious and agile, as well as highly independent. They also have a distinct mischievous side and can get themselves into trouble. You embody these characteristics.

    Hawk
    Horse
    Dog
    BRENDAN
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Mouse

    A mouse is a very small creature, and is known for its timidity. They creep around quietly and try to stay out of sight. Your quiz result shows that you are best matched with a mouse.

    Hawk
    Duck
    Horse
    REBEKAH JOY
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Mouse

    A mouse is a very small creature, and is known for its timidity. They creep around quietly and try to stay out of sight. Your quiz result shows that you are best matched with a mouse.

    Cat
    Horse
    Duck
    NADIA
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Mouse

    A mouse is a very small creature, and is known for its timidity. They creep around quietly and try to stay out of sight. Your quiz result shows that you are best matched with a mouse.

    Duck
    Cat
    Dog
    ANNA
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Horse

    Horses are powerful, beautiful animals. They are also useful and can be friendly and tame, though some may be wild. You represent the characteristics of a horse.

    Dog
    Duck
    Mouse
    VICTORIA
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Horse

    Horses are powerful, beautiful animals. They are also useful and can be friendly and tame, though some may be wild. You represent the characteristics of a horse.

    Dog
    Hawk
    Cat
    JONATHAN
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Dog

    Dogs are loyal and friendly, though they can certainly hold their own in a fight. They can be cute and they can be tough. Your results best match with a dog.

    Horse
    Cat
    Bear
    ELSIE MAE
    Which Animal Are You?
    Your Result: Dog

    Dogs are loyal and friendly, though they can certainly hold their own in a fight. They can be cute and they can be tough. Your results best match with a dog.

    Horse
    Cat
    Snake

    Which Animal Are You?

    Happy Birthday, Gampy!

    There are 7 grandkids who can't wait to see you (and everyone else, too :-) to give you your birthday hugs in person in just:
    25 DAYS!!!

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