April 24, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
God has answered our prayers for Fatti. When she was visited last week by myself and another missionary, we discovered she had listened to the Roman’s Road Scriptures on the tape we had given her, so we asked her, “Who is Jesus?” She told us “He is God’s Son and He loves me and He is in my heart.” Now the Lord has a new child and we have a new sister. We are rejoicing. We told her to invite other ladies from the village to listen to her tape with her. She said they would not come, but she would turn the volume up loud so they will still hear. I was proud of her for even thinking of this. God is at work in her life. The next week, another friend of ours went with us to see Fatti. She brought her guitar and we played songs and sang them in Zarma. All the ladies came along with their children. We taught them, “This is the day the Lord has made and I have decided to follow Jesus.” They clapped, sang and listened to the Bible story my friend told of the Creation. Oh how great God is. He has opened a wide door to begin a Bible story place at Fatti’s and all three of us will continue to go.
Your prayers are being answered for another student as well. He handed in a paper he wrote for me on the Roman’s Road Scriptures and what they meant to him. He is now under conviction and said he is thinking about his relationship with Christ but it is hard to change. Our whole class time was spent in discussion about his understanding of God’s Word and he left class with much to think about. Keep praying for his salvation.
Your prayers are being answered, His name is being lifted up, and I am amazed how great our God is.
Bless all of you,
Bonnie
March 26, 2008
· Filed under Updates
I want to share some of my Easter experience with all of you in the States. The first scene is at the amphitheater with the Niger River as a back drop. This was such a great service. The praise and worship or our Lord and the preaching of His Word blessed my heart. The Word spoken asked “Are we living everyday as Jesus wants us to, because HE is Risen and Living?” I fear I can not always say yes to this and I was reminded of so much that I owe Him because of all He has done. Then I traveld to my home after the service. As I drove there was a small place of business at the side of the road. The two boys played with twigs, an old bicycle tire, stones and what ever lay on the ground. But they were content, they smiled at me and waved as I drove by. You might ask what is sold here? Drinks such as juice, soft drinks, bottled water. Also sugar, tea, cigarettes, charcoal for cook fires. Not much really but it is as life here is. The people are content with very little. The next scene is at the African church I go to called “Hosanna”. The children sat all through the service and enjoy the worship music or they sang special songs for us. They are so sweet and paid attentention very obediently. There were people from many different tribes and nations and I am always so blessed to see the Lord work in their hearts. I was very blessed by the joy on their faces both young and old. They were not inhibited in their worship and their enthusiasm was contagious. The women in the choir were a variety of ladies with different styles of clothing and head dress as from different nations. They sang beautifully. The men sang and played the key board or drums and some even danced special dances. It was awesome to see the way people can worship our Lord. I know the Lord was blessed by the heart of these people.
I finished up my day with dinner prepared by 11 young single missionaries. They went all out and fixed chicken, salad, twice baked potatoes, green beans and several desserts. We had one of the ladies play her guitar and we sang praises to the Lord and closed with prayer. What an awesome experience. Thank you all so very much for your prayers.
I close with prayer request for salvation for family members in the States who are in crisis, salvation for those in my ESL classes and prayer for continued good health to serve our Lord daily.
God bless,
Bonnie
March 10, 2008
· Filed under Updates
It was such a blessing to me to see this new little boy born to my friends. Fati and her son are doing well. His father is so proud. They have named him Adina. His dad proudly told me that the name Adina in Fafulda (the fathers native language) means “Person of Faith”. I was so blessed to hear this. Pray for Fati who is not a Christian. Little Adina and his 2 brothers and sister all need to know the Lord as theri father does. One of my students and I have regular discussion based on the Word. He asks me some very interesting questions. Then he gets out his French Bible and I get out my English Bible and we discuss the Scriptures together. His next assignment is to respond to the “Romans Road” and explain in his paper what the Scriptures mean to him personally. I am blessed to have such discussions with him.
The two new students in class are growing as well. They also ask many question about the Lord. God is at work in such mighty ways. The whole class is memorizing Scriptures out of Mark as we go through the book of Mark in ESL. God is faithful and His Word will not return void.
Continue to pray for the salvation of these students and for the Lord to continue to use this ESL class for His glory.
Thank you and God bless:
Bonnie
February 21, 2008
· Filed under Updates
Last week I went to take my friend Faati to have her baby. On the way I had a flat tire, the 3rd within a week. As we stood out side the car a man on a motor bike and a teen on a bicycle changed the flat, coming toward me was a man and his camel loaded down with mats and a donkey cart loaded down with wood. The donkey was plodding along without a problem, the camel had no problem under his load, but the car stood still and could not go! I praise the Lord for the two people he sent to help me. Perhaps the man with the camel could see the humor in this as I did. He still lives as simply as in Bible times as does the boy on the donkey cart. They were not impeded from their work as I was by the “modern convenience of an automobile” that could not go!! I had a good laugh at this picture. I gained more patience that day. Oh yes, Faati was in false labor! Our class is now using the Book of Mark ESL lesson plan. Please pray that the men of my class will continue to be receptive to this knowing that it is a book of the Bible. I know the Lord’s Word will make a difference in each of their lives. I have a new student. He knocked on my door when he came to work as my new relief guard. He asked me to teach him English. God is really using this class to reach people here. He now comes for class twice a week. Four days went by and I returned to take my friend Faati to the maternity. Praise the Lord, it’s a boy! Mother and son are doing well. The experience at the maternity was so different to see. These African women never make a sound while in labor and they do not have the advantage of pain meds and breathing coaches or their husband’s hand to squeeze off! The husband stays home to tend the rest of the family. She was there alone. If I had not been around to get her to the hospital, she would have taken a taxi! There was a neighbor lady that went with her to carry things to her such as food and water. If you don’t take your food and water with you then you do not have any! But the neighbor was not allowed to stay with her. There was no doctor, only nurses who help with the delivery. There was no clean medical smell, bright hospital lights and nice clean bed sheets. Some ladies were on mats on the floor. She stayed over night and went home the next day in a taxi! Wow, this was quite an eye-opener for me. Life here is very different.Please pray for the continued health of Faati and her son. God bless all for your prayers, Bonnie
January 21, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
God is so good. I had a young lady live with me in Toledo, Oh for a summer as a missionary at the Baptist Center I ran. Her name is Christina. She is now married with 2 children, Nathan and Sarah. Christina and her family and friends at her church sent me 12 pocket dictionaries for my ESL class.
I am seen here giving this to my guard Mohammed. Then I told him there are 35,000 words in this book and he should know them all by next week. At first he just looked at me with a look of confusion. Then he got my joke and the whole class began to laugh. They are so excited that anyone would give them such help. I explained that it is because of the love of Christ that people care about them and want to help them. These students are learning very quickly thanks to your prayers for them. Next week we will begin to learn to use these helpful tools. THANK YOU dear friends for this gift of words. The more learned the better to tell them about Christ’s love. God bless you. Bonnie
December 13, 2007
· Filed under Uncategorized
No, this is not an evergreen, but we had fun decorating it just the same. Emily found this “tree” on her way home from Ayrou where she spends most of her time. At least we have no pine needles to have to keep after. Beside the fact that the sun is blazing and the “winter sky” here is bright blue, we will sing carols, have Christmas cookies and invite friends over to enjoy the holidays. Usually we have a pot luck meal with all the missionaries in our region. So even though I am away from family, I am not alone. Yes, I miss my family but the Lord has given me many families here who share their love and children with me. I am an “aunt” to some really great and precious MK’s who live here. God is so good.
Game Night
A mission team from Michigan played pictionary with my class. We had such fun. Then they played a memory game. My class sang the songs for the mission team they have learned. All of us laughed as we did the hokey-pokey to show what the body parts are. No, this is not your dry run of the mill English class, praise the Lord.
Movie Night
The first half of the Jesus film, which showed his birth and life, was shown to my class. Wow, you could have heard a pin drop as they watched it. This version was in the Tamashek language so I was sure they understood what they saw. Please pray that the Word of God will affect the changed hearts the Lord wants for each one and they will be saved. The second half will be shown next week about the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
May all of you experience His great love, joy and peace in abundance now and in 2008.
Merry Christmas,
Bonnie
November 26, 2007
· Filed under Uncategorized
Hello all:
As you can see it is an awesome sight to see the Lord’s creation. I praise Him for all He is doing here in Niamey.Music is a Universal LanguageA mission team from Michigan came and worked with my ESL class last summer. One of the things the students really enjoyed was the music. Now I have the songs they did on tape and was able to play this for the class. They loved it. The Word says “…unless we become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child- this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” I want you to see the grown men of my class as they sing such songs as “The wheels of the bus go round and round, Father Abraham, In My Father’s House and Head and shoulders knees and toes.” They learn directions, words and have fun doing it. What a blessing it is to see and hear them. These same men have asked to learn to read and write in English so we have started this class. We now have 5 men, some of who are illiterate in their own langue, coming to be taught. I am very excited to see what the Lord is doing. It is the Word that will change their lives as they are taught from God’s Word. He spoke the world into existence with just his breath. Every letter is but breath blown across our vocal chords to make a sound. God is awesome. He will breath life into these men as they learn how to read His Word. We had a class with the salvation bracelets that were sent to me. These men all put the bracelets on their wrists and we had 3 different classes about the colors and what they mean. There is quite a lot of prejudice here about color of skin and classes of people. I also used the colors to teach that God gave us all colors and no one is better than another, He loves us all the same. They listened closely. Another truth was planted. We had a class on first aid with the medical packs that were sent to me. They learned how to use these things in sequence and did a great job. When I gave them their own package to keep they were so excited. You would have thought I gave them a great prize. I have been attending an African church. It’s praise and worship of the Lord is fantastic. I have no idea what is said most of the time but I know the Spirit of the Lord is at work in the lives of these dear brothers and sisters. Each week many are saved from every tribe and tongue. Last week there were 4 Tuareg, many Housa and Zarma speaking people. I am seeing God’s word come true…“every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.” One of my literate students now has been presented with the plan of salvation in words, and written form. Then I said It was now his turn to pray and make a decision about this new information he was given. He became very quiet and said he would. Please continue to pray for this man’s salvation as well as all these students. God is truly at work here in this desert. It may look dry and arid but His Spirit is alive. God bless you all, Bonnie
October 16, 2007
· Filed under Uncategorized
Matthew 10:42 tells about the reward for a person who gives even a cup of cold water to a person in need. I have never thought of a cup of cold water as being much in the way of hospitality but the thirst in a desert community, heat and dry dusty air causes such a thirst that one craves cold water. Most people walk over these dusty roads for many miles, to come to English class arriving sweaty and very thirsty. It gives joy to be able to live out this verse of Scripture, cold water given in the name of Jesus.
I have experienced very mixed emotions this past month. First many students did not come to class because of Ramadan. This is a month of fasting in Islam. It is not a fast as we know and understand it, rather it is feasting and partying all night and sleeping during the day is the fast part!Then one of the ladies in my class is experiencing great marital problems and in great need of prayers for the Lord to intervene. Women here have no rights at all. She is to do only as her husband says or suffer the consequences. There is much divorce.Then it is mosquito season again and many people here are suffering and dying from malaria. They either can’t afford to go for treatment or they simply say “Whatever God wills” All of this causes me to be heart sick and overwhelmed. The problems are great because the traditions of man and religion are all that the people know and live by. The answer lies in the salvation of people so they can be set free from such lies. The Lord can change the hearts, minds of people, governments, and nations. It is your prayers that will cause this people and nation to turn to Christ. Please pray. God bless each of you, Bonnie
September 24, 2007
· Filed under Uncategorized
As I woke up today to hear the birds singing and the rooster crowing I was immediately aware of my surroundings. It is a strange thing to be in a capitol city and here the sounds of the animals. I now have a donkey that brays in the morning as well. Most times he kicks up quite a fuss and is very loud. One of the sounds that is such a blessing to me is the small finches that sing. Yesterday morning while teaching my ESL class, I watched a beautifully colored humming bird as he siphoned nectar from a morning glory in front of my porch. It made it hard to concentrate on what I was saying. I love when I hear the camels. They are an interesting creation to say the least. But the sound that blessed me more than all was the sound of the converted Muslim man in my evening class praying in Tamashek for his classmate. When it was time to tell the Bible study, this same student went to his bicycle and brought back his Bible. He wanted to turn to the passage from which I was reading. As I led in prayer for my students I asked this Christian man if he would like to pray as well. He said he didn’t have the English words to pray. But I told him just pray in your own language and He did. For a converted Muslim to speak out for the Lord is a big step. He prayed for his classmate’s health, to learn the English and to know the Lord. God is working to give this saved man courage to be a witness for Him. Another student who is literate is willing to have discussions with me about the Word. We have been talking about “what is our purpose in life?” I was able to share God’s purpose for my coming to Niger. This gave him food for thought as I said the Lord has a plan for him as well and it begins with his relationship with the Savior. Because he is literate and knows more English, I can share on a deeper level. To hear the sound of this man asking questions about the Word is music to my ears. The Lord has sent me a new student in the ladies class. She is a friend of another student. She is from the Congo, understands English and is literate, so she fits well into this class. The Lord continues to expand this ministry. Next month I will have been here one year. Where has the time gone? I can’t begin to thank all of your for praying for me, supporting me with goody packages, ministry packages and sending me cards, letters and emails. I am so blessed. Now I have to ask you a serious question. Wouldn’t you like to come here and join in what the Lord is doing? Don’t let me have all the fun of seeing the Lord as He works here in Niamey. You too can come for a week or two and teach English. I would welcome you. Pray about this!!
God blessings to all,
Bonnie
Psalm 16: 5-11
September 10, 2007
· Filed under Uncategorized
Blessing from Niamey: August 2007 Newsletter
Let me tell you about the dear people the Lord has blessed me with in my ESL classes. They are men and women from a wide range of ages, life experiences, and diversity of knowledge and character. There are 5 men who work as guards for missionaries. My own guard is in my class and doing very well I might add. I am proud of him. He tries very hard and wants to please me. Also in my classes there is a chef, who I might add is very good. He cooked for our mission teams that were here in June and did a great job making American, French, and African foods. I have 2 artisans. One man works in making leather products and the other paints pictures. They both are very talented. One man works at the mission compound to maintain the offices and guest house by cleaning. One man is a plumber, one man is a teacher of TaeKuandu, 2 young men are students and one of them comes to clean my house once a week to earn money since he has no other job. They both are about 17 years old. One young man in his 20’s is unemployed.
The women in my class are very diverse. One is 17 and in her last year of school. When she graduates she wants to go to the university to become a CPA. She is very bright, and a great hunger to learn and advance. This is very unusual for the women here in this culture. The other two ladies are middle aged and teach at a local mission. One teaches Greek and the wife of a minister. The fact that she teaches Greek intimidates me I can tell you. She laughs and tells me she is learning a great deal. That is God at work for sure. We have great fun in this ladies class because we talk of many things from being a woman in the world today to the Bible and how it applies. I see the Lord at work. The young student is not saved but very open to the Word.
These people come very far to come to my house to be in class. Most WALK or ride bicycles many miles. It takes some half and hour to get to my house walking but they come. Only one man has a motor cycle. They are eager and hungry to learn. They are diligent and committed to being in class. The evening class takes place from 7:30 to 9:30 and they walk home in the pitch dark. That is dedication. I am proud to call them my students and friends. The greatest blessing of all is they are all hungry to hear the Word of the Lord as the Bible stories are shared. Please continue to pray for their salvation.
Blessings to all, Bonnie
