To Maradi and Back

Trip to Maradi
We are thankful for a good trip to Maradi. We got to SIM's Leprosy clinic in Danja. Leprosy is a disease that requires treatment over an extended period of time. The patients seemed very happy to see and greet us. Another highlight to our time in Maradi was seeing SIM's MIDP (Maradi Integrated Development Project). This project is multifaceted, including teaching people how to better farm the land, research as to what are the best methods of Farming in the Sahel, public health, and how to cook with some of the new ingredients produced by the new farming methods.
Another purpose for our trip to Maradi was to participate in SIM's orientation. It was neat to learn more about the culture here and learn about SIM's vision for Niger.
We saw rain for the first time here in Niger on Friday night. A nice thunderstorm came through Maradi. We went outside and got drenched. It was a lot of fun. We arrived back at 8:30 PM on Saturday night.
Easter in Africa
We went to an English Sunrise Service with a small breakfast afterward. We worshiped in a Zarma speaking church in the area and were invited to the home of another missionary family for lunch. It was a good day celebrating the Resurrection.

Prayer Requests:

• Safety as we travel home (we leave at 11:50 PM on Tuesday [April 10] and arrive at 4:10 PM Wednesday in Charlotte NC)
• A good re-entry into American culture and time zones

Praises:

• Safe travels to Maradi and back (we went via van with other SIM people, and Returned in a 70 passenger Bus. It was an 11 hour trip each way)
• For the hope of the Resurrection
  

PS We will plan to post an update later this week upon our arrival in Charlotte.

God's grace in Camels, Cars, and Colds

I (Scott) caught a bad cold on Monday and struggled with it all week. The temperatures continued to be 100 + this week. By God's grace we persevered and had a good week. Lornel help pick up some of the slack left by my illness. What a joy to serve with such a wonderful wife!

My highlight from this week came on Friday afternoon. We had part of the Fulani team over to our house and I taught them how to use the dictionary software. It was a joy to see their excitement about using this tool. I gave them the alpha version of the dictionary.

A second way that God showed his grace was Thursday while traveling to Torodi. Our driver was passing a large truck with another car coming head on the driver panicked and we nearly had a head on collision. Thank you all for your prayers this week. God has been very good to us.

A third way that God demonstrated his grace was in our camel riding experience. Lornel had heard true stories from missionaries about camels killing people by biting, stomping, and then listening to see if the person is still breathing. She became a little afraid, before remembering, that God is God over all of his creation. We went and rode camels. It was our recreational highlight of our time here in Niger.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for safety as we travel to Maradi Tuesday and return Saturday (we will be participation in a orientation and observation of SIM's ministries further into the heart of Niger)
  
• Pray for us as we say good buy to friends we have made (this is our last week in Niger)

Praises:

• God's protection
• God's Grace in trials