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
