Our day in Makalondi

Yesterday we, along with our SIMAir team, had the privilege of spending the day with our friends and fellow SIM missionaries, Gary and Joy at their home in Makalondi. We drove the hour out of town in a caravan of three vehicles. For me it was especially exciting, since it was the first time I've ever been that far out of Niamey. Kevin gets to fly all over West Africa, but I'm usually "town-bound." Being out of the city not only changes the view, but also my perspective on the ministry we have here in
Niger. Along the road, besides herds of sheep and goats, cows being chased by young boys with sticks, and the occasional camel ,we were able to enjoy a lot of green. Rainy season just ended, so things are about as pretty as they get around here!
We arrived at their house, and settled in for some good fellowship! They barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, and served us under a shady tree outside. While I wouldn't say life is completely modern and easy where we live in Niamey, there is no comparison having electricity only when you run a generator, and water hauled from the local well by their house worker! Surprisingly, with their open windows, and a slight breeze, the house felt fairly comfortable even without fans! When our power goes out and I'm in the hot, dead air at home, I need to just be thankful that I have electricity most of the time!

Silas enjoyed being outside, and watching the other kids play, as well as some hammock time with fellow SIMAir MK, Chris.
After our meal had a little time to digest, and the babies tried to nap under battery operated fans, we took turns having tours of Makalondi, and the ministry they have there. The men went out first, and upon their return to keep the kids, we women ventured out around the town.

The first things we saw was the tutoring program Joy has started. The public education system here is greatly lacking! Often teacher strikes or lack of funding mean missed weeks or months of the school year. Sadly these days are not made up, and students are forced into the next level, even if they are not prepared. If they fail their exams to move on, then they are kicked out school, to make room for others. Often they fail simply because the year wasn't completed, even though they are bright and want to learn. The tutoring program just finished a session of summer school, where a Nigerien tutor worked with several kids to catch up for the time they had missed. The parents were able to pitch in and pay the $1/hour fee he charged. Now their kids have a hope of continuing their education. With donated books in French, and donated computers these kids are being trained so that they can have a possibility of better jobs in the future.

Another neat ministry they have going is a dorm for Christian students. (the building pictured with blue doors and windows.) Students who live in the bush come to Makalondi for school, and board with local families. Often the boarding families are Muslim, and they do all they can to make life miserable for these Christian kids! They even give them extra work to do on Sundays so they can't attend church. With some US government funding, they were able to construct this dorm building. There is a room for about 15 boys, and a small room for 4 girls. The dorm parents are a neat Nigerien Christian couple who are doing a great job according to Joy! They have had nine children, but seven died when they were toddlers. (likely due to RH issues during pregancy) Now they are doing a great job caring for a whole dormful of kids! Living in the dorm also means they don't have to be separated from their two living children, which would have been hard for the mom!
This year they will have a helper, as cooking and caring for so many is quite a chore!
Here is the stove built outside for the dorm mom to cook with. There is a hole for a large pot, and one for a small pot. With just one stick of wood in each side, she can cook the whole meal!




Next to the dorm is the church "building." There are between 60-120 people who attend this church on Sunday mornings. I imagine it's quite hot all packed in that little building together. It kind of makes some of the fights churches have over paint and carpet seem even more ridiculous! They are getting ready to undergo a building project.-now that rainy season is done they will redo the sticks and the roof mats. It has taken quite a beating due to the rain and wind!
The church building is not the most common way things are made out here. Most things are built with these mud/ straw bricks. They mix it all up, put it in molds on the ground, and then let the sun dry and harden them. I can almost picture the Israelites making bricks in Egypt when I see them working hard in the sun making bricks. Unfortunately over time the rains take quite a toll on these bricks as well, if they don't get covered in cement.

After a great day we loaded up to drive home. After seeing where they lived, I have a little better picture of the lives of some of the other missionaries we are serving here in Niger. It's so hot here, and they sleep with just these little 8-inch battery operated fans to keep the air moving! I think it was a good lesson for me in thankfulness for the situation we have here in Niamey! Life here is not like North America at all. There are things we do without, and many extra things to do just to live each day. And have I mentioned that it's hot? =) But it's nothing compared to some of the things they deal with on a daily basis. Even with what they face, they are not in a remote location like many missionaries in Niger.

Our trip to Makalondi was a lot of fun, but it was also a great experience, and exposure to other ministries in our area. I'll end with a picture taken heading out of Makalondi, and on the way
home.