Bonnie On Mission

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

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    

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    

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

 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

Update on ESL classes:

24 regular students. Gospel was presented, Genesis tapes in Tamashek were given out to each student, only 2 students refused them. I will start the new classes start on Monday July 2 with 6 different class each week. I will continue to speak the truth of God’s Word to the students and let the Lord work. We all sense the Lord doing great things.

Thanks for all your many prayers, I am relieved of the attacks in my body, spirit and mind. Keep up your prayers

Love to all, Bonnie  

God is at work and we are joining Him   

          We have as many as 36 adults come to the English as a foreign language classes that have been started by the volunteers mission team from Warren Woods Baptist church in MI. We have been so blessed by each student’s participation and enthusiasm. 

          We have played charades with then to learn new words. We have sung and danced the hokey-poky with them to learn the names of body parts. We are using Bible stories to introduce new words.  

          I have been blessed to see how the Lord will use this in each student’s life. I will take over these classes at the end of June after these mission teams leave. I need your prayers to have the confidence to do this. Please pray they we will get to the place they  understand the messages from God’s word during the lessons.           I have been able to pray for the health of one man during class. The next day all his symptoms were gone and he was able to return to class. God is able to handle every need. Later that night he asked the men to pray for his family.   

       Of course the enemy isn’t happy about all of this and I am personally feeling depression, irritability, frustration and tiredness. Please pray that I will put into practice Philip. 4: 4-9. I am finding it hard to do while I am in the battle and very busy. But I must learn this and have victory.   

       During July 20-27 all of us will be in our annual meetings. Please pray we will gain rest, knowledge, have good fellowship and come back to the field ready to do the Lord’s work once again. I will take a week for R&R after this. So I will not be sending a news letter in July. But please do not take time off from your prayers I am counting on them!!    

      I will be seeking out two of our students that know English very well to take over the classes while I am gone. I pray this will work out well. Pray for these two students to be able to do this class and gain good experience from this. 

         Thanks to all of you for all your prayers. God bless each of you, Bonnie

Here is a recent picture of kid’s club and a lady standing to listen to the stories as well.  Bonnie is sitting in on this lesson to help with learning the Zarma language. Teen boys listen and even color the sheets. What a blessing!