Thoughts from home, after the trip

It has been over two weeks since leaving Niger. It seems like a dream, until I look through the items I brought back or talk to friends about my experience.

I can still smell the dust, hear Muslims at prayer, see in my mind the cute children with their dirty little faces all full of smiles, the garbage all over the place, how the goats wander through their dwellings, the pot holed highway, the camel rides, the small humble church we attended that first Sunday morning, meeting Sali and Samuel, the third world markets with friendly vendors, motor bikes zipping around and, of course, the Schmidts!

Since I've been back, I have written Oprah a long, informative letter regarding the reconstruction of the hospital at Galmi. I also emailed her and have since received a short reply... she had not received the letter yet... I'm not sure she reads all her own mail, but I did mark PERSONAL on the envelope! Please pray that she gives it some attention and consideration.

It only took a few days to get used to covering my head and wearing skirts, in respect of the culture. I actually didn't mind; after all I am a woman... hair and makeup were not important, and a little goes a long way!

The vegetation along the highway between Niamey and Madaoua was very sparce... the desert is creeping farther south year by year and there doesn't appear to be any reforestation going on... just fine dust and sand for miles and miles. There was talk of building a dam on the Niger River, but apparently no political will to do so. Also, it seems there was money donated to build another bridge over the Niger River in the city of Niamey, which is 1,000,000 plus in population. However, the minister in charge absconded with the money and bought land in France... he was fired, but there was no attempt to get the money back... government corruption appears to be a problem. The only bridge they have is two lanes and carries every mode of travel, including foot traffic, camels loaded down with hay (which takes up a lane by itself), donkey carts, buses, cars and motor bikes... lots of them. If that was Saskatoon, the people here would have a fit!!

The weather was warm for us, but the Schmidts were wearing longsleeved warm sweaters. The blowing dust also brought in cooler weather and one could look at the sun through the dust-filled sky. We did see the moon one night!

More to come...

- Lucille