Seasoned travelers

While wandering around between buildings and various sessions at the site of the conference here in Niamey, I have met some interesting people. I got to know Bert from Mississippi, Chris from New Zealand, Brigit from Switzerland, Richard from England and Tim from ... well, you get the idea. These are fascinating people, having traveled to Niger from various parts of the globe. And they have one thing in common. They all forgot to return home.

Bert and his wife have been in Niger for the past twenty years. Chris comes from a Hell's Angels background. Brigit is stationed here in the capitol, Richard has previously worked in Lebanon and Tim resides at the easternmost point of southeast Niger, near Lake Chad, about a twenty hour drive from Niamey.

These people amaze me. They are braving 45 degree heat in the summer months, all kinds of inconvenience and discomfort and the extreme difficulty of contacting their families back home. Their commitment to their jobs in Niger is mind boggling. These people are, indeed, serious about Niger and about their call by God to help Nigeriens to a better life, to experience God's love for them.