For All You Teachers . . . and Learners!

Just before we flew to Galmi, while were still in Niamey getting acclimated to Africa, I had an experience which I think all educators should have:  We had to write a will ---- by hand --- in ink --- in FRENCH --- as a LEGAL document --- with NO MISTAKES --- on one page only --- under time pressure!!!  A WILL!!!  It was actually a will solely for the purpose of what to do with our body in case we should die on the mission field.  Lest you jump to the conclusion that the implication was death is a real possibility, let me assure you that was not the intent.  That is another topic.  


In trying to complete this task, I felt a great frustration that made me think how children must feel sometimes as they engage in learning activities that may have several of the same hurdles or expectations - time pressure, perfection, using language skills that may be foreign to them, an expected format, using hand writing still being developed, all within a boundary of space someone else defined!  We were provided a format to copy, but since Phil and I do not speak French, think about being asked to do that in Arabic, or "North Pole-ian" or any language where you would have to copy letter-for-letter, or character-for-character.  I made mistakes early on in the first THREE copies I attempted before completing one error-free!  And I almost needed to write on the back (big "NO-NO")!  An experience I have been thinking about . . . . .

For those of you who have come to expect photos with the blog, OR for those of you who ONLY follow it for the photos, here is one for you!  It is unrelated to the above comments, but I think it is funny in that who would select commercial airline wreckage pieces as ornamentation for your airport?!!! 

Leapin' Lizards . . . !

One of the interesting critters I have been watching here are the lizards.  They range in size from about 10" down to itty-bitty babies about an inch long, and they are everywhere.  I don't mind them; they want nothing from me.  They don't want my blood (mosquitos).  They don't want to sting me (scorpions). They don't want to "snuggle" into folds of sheets, towels, clothing, shower curtains . . . (earwigs), and they don't want to eat my wood (termites)!  They just want to scamper around!  So, I'm good with that.

Late this afternoon, while walking from the classroom, we saw the most amazing lizard yet:

"Hide and Seek" Lizard

"Now You See Me . . ."

"Now You Don't!"

As we were trying to get a good picture, someone came along, trying to help, and pulled the branch to the ground, whereupon the lizard fell out.  I personally would not have disturbed it that way, but we did get a good picture:

"I am really angry now!"

"Attack Mode!"

The colors were more vivid than can be seen in the picture, and the size was bigger, too.  It was quite a special sight!  So vast are the wonders of God's creation!

A Day in the Life . . .

I remember this summer, as we were preparing to go to Niger, how I had in my mind "snapshots" of what life might be like, but there was no continuity.  We have shared a lot of pictures of "events" and "new experiences," so now (at daughter Malaika's request) it is time for a little journey into "A Day in the Life . . ."

Sun rises about 6:15 here, and so do I!  the shower is always warm, as is water from every faucet.  We share the same good, plentiful water as  the town of Galmi, however ours is piped to the faucets, while people in Galmi must get it themselves.

Water For Sale-By the Cup?

Buy a Container? 

Dressing is quick, as the clothing for women consists of skirt, top, shoes without socks, and a mandatory head wrap, so in Galmi there are no "bad hair days!" And there are not too many clothing choices to make . . . Which skirt?  Which top? (Often determined by which was the least "sweaty" the last time I wore it!)  The clothing is quite beautiful and most people on the compound have had several pieces made by the tailors in town.  The workmanship is exquisite, often with trims and embroidery added.  I have not done that yet because you have to get fabric from the market and I am usually busy teaching.  I do have pieces of my own that I will use to make skirts.  You do not need too much here!

The head scarves are formal; the usual head coverings are the other "wraps" you see above.


Before I head off to school, I usually grab breakfast, which could be yogurt (Phil makes it every other day or so.), or a wedge of "Laughing Cow," or a couple of eggs.  "Oh, SlimFast, I am missing your quick, sustaining, yummyness!"  It is a lovely 5-minute walk to the classroom, and I enjoy the beauty of God's creativity in nature along the way!

School begins at 8am and the kids are usually there, playing outside, well before that! 

Dan and Elisha Wait for School to Begin

Our classroom looks pretty much like any elementary classroom in the U.S.  We have lots of books, furniture, wash station, bathroom, etc.  However, I must say I have been thankful for almost every resource I brought from my own collection!  I seriously doubted myself as we were paying extra for it at one of the foreign airports!

Teacher Work Station-Never Enough Room!

Hands-On Corner - Math Manipulatives

Student Work Stations-aka Desks!

We work on schoolwork from 8-10, beginning with Bible verse, short discussion, and prayer. I try to have at least a couple of all-student learning activities a day, like a session on "problem-solving strategies," or making little "spinners" to help learn how to write interesting sentences with lots of detail.  Other work is more "individualized."  The boys are ages 6,9,10, and 11, and it is turning out to be more challenging than I thought it would be to have all those different lessons running simultaneously.  Dan, the youngest, is a real "trouper" and tries to do 4th-grade work although he is a very bright 1st-grader.  I usually feel during the day at least one person is being cheated.  I am depending on your prayers to make this a successful learning year for all the students. Thank you!

From 10-10:30 is a break and then another 2 hours of school before lunch at 12:30. I come home for lunch and then return for  the afternoon session, from 1:30 - 3:00, which goes very fast!   The curriculum is like in the United States (I wonder why . . . ?) and I try to give as much "hands-on", "project-based," "open-ended," etc. work as I can.  

I have some real blessings here, that make this opportunity a wonderful experience. . . 

We have air conditioning in the classroom!  The students are very smart, and the Nigerienne boys speak several languages! The children LOVE LOVE LOVE to read, and they are usually clammoring for more reading time!

On Thursday and Friday we do not have afternoon school.  I use that time to plan, grade, or participate in another part of the ministry of the compound.  Last Friday, I got to watch my first "live" surgery, which was the rodding of a broken femur.  Loved it!!!  (By the way, if you are "squeamish," do not enlarge this photo!)

Rodding a Broken Femur

Paging Dr. Barb to the OR . . . STAT!

After school, I am usually pretty tired, especially from the heat.  But the community here is like "family," and sometimes there is a birthday party to go to, like when one of my students turned 11!

Beautiful Sanoussi Family (Dad is doing Surgery?)

When a missionary comes or goes via the SIM plane, it is a "big event" and many come to the airstrip to say good-bye!  One of our medical students (who come for several weeks' experience), left one day last week, as did another well-loved person who was here for 2 months. 

Saying Good-Bye to Alice

It is always nice to return to our "borrowed home" where Phil has been the chief cook and bottle washer!  His meals seriously are delicious, and his most recent dishes have involved okra, which has come fresh from a neighbors garden (with permission!).

Flowering Okra

So, that's a fairly typical school day.  I will try to keep the blogs shorter in the future!  Thank you for your prayers.  I sense them and need them!  All glory be to God!

GALMI!!

After an extra day's stay in Niamey, due to rain, we were more than ready to embark on the final leg of our journey and get to Galmi!  On the way to the airport, we saw some things that caught our interest, and the eye of our camera:

Off to Work Monday Morning

The Niger River - Still Flooded

The variety of "wildlife" here presents interesting situations, for example . . .

                                      If you want a turtle to move . . .
                                        

                                        You have to move a turtle . . . !        


Navigating the road, even in a big city like Niamey, is a job not for the feint of heart, because all modes of transportation share the road.  We weren't fast enough to snap the camels crossing the bridge, but here are a few other observations:  People (and weather and terrain) 
are very hard on their cars . . .

but they LOVE their motorcycles!  They always wear helmets because the consequence is to have the motorcycle taken away.

There are a few ways to get from Niamey to Galmi:  You can drive your car the 300 miles, which I understand takes about 6-8 hours, you can go by bush taxi (mini van with more piled on top than inside!), or bus, or you can go by SIM plane.  Guess which one we chose?

The choice was wise!  Not only did it take only 2 hours, but viewing Africa from the distance of a small plane was phenomenal, especially as we approached Galmi, itself!

One of MANY little almost-isolated villages dotting the landscape 

Approaching Galmi

Closer to Galmi

And finally, just before landing . . .

We were warmly welomed by everyone, and especially my 4 new students!

And a few more pictures to complete the story of our arrival:

Our New Home!

Our Classroom

Dan and Elisha wait for the bell!

Nathaniel and Joel at recess!

We are very glad to be here, and very grateful for your support of this ministry to these wonderful people!  We are learning so much, with something new each day, and rejoicing in God's provision and greatness!