Bonnie On Mission

 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

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