Niemene Kids Day

An event planned for 80 kids ended up bursting at the seams with over 300! My dear teammate Carina planned a kid’s day in her little village called Niememe. She organized a meal, Bible story, and plenty of games for the energetic kids in her village, and invited the entire Journey Corps team to come and participate. So the ten of us Journeyers took a bus together into the village one afternoon and prepared our stations for the following day’s party. Little did I know just how entertaining it would be to do sack races with large rice bags, and running relays balancing fruit on a spoon. The kids – and parents alike – absolutely loved it. 

Tagbana Bible Dedication

All of us in our Bible Dedication uniform pagne. 

La Journée des Jeunes Filles

La Journée des Jeunes Filles (Girls Day) took place last Saturday, May 25th. Thank you for praying for the event. While it was stretching to plan and guide such an event in another culture and language, God blessed the day and it turned out great. Nearly 35 girls from Niakara participated. Most of them were Christians from the church, but there were also some unbelievers. With the help of my Journey Corps teammates, we held four stations where the girls had fun getting pedicures, creating bracelets, covering Bibles with pretty fabric, and having their picture taken. The youth girls enjoyed these activities, but considered the Bible Study the highlight of the day. Lea, an Ivorian friend who works with Journey Corps, lead us in studying the fruit of the Spirit. Her joy in the Lord was evident as she walked with us through several Bible passages. God touched the hearts of all of us girls through this study. My sister Affou told me toward the end of the day: “Emily, I’ve got to keep working on my relationship with Jesus. It’s the only thing that really matters after all.” Praise God! Please continue praying for these youth girls in Niakara.

Till Not a Spot Remains

Being here on campus longer than the rest of the team has also provided me with quiet moments to spend with the Lord. Lately God has been leading me through a wilderness of sorts. And, just as He faithfully provided daily manna for the Israelites, so He has providing for my needs, one day at a time. This morning as I was thumbing through a hymnal I stopped to read this one. My mind needs constant renewing (Rom 12:2) in light of the Gospel of Christ. I love the way this hymn puts it.

“I Lay My Sins on Jesus”

I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God;

He bears them all, and free us from the accursed load.

I bring my guilt to Jesus to wash my crimson stains

White in His blood most precious, Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus; All fullness dwells in Him.

He heals all my diseases; He doth my soul redeem.

I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens, and my cares—

He from them all releases; He all my sorrow shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus, This weary soul of mine;

His right hand me embraces, I on His breast recline.

I love the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, Christ, the Lord;

Like fragrance on the breezes, His name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus—meek, loving, lowly, mild;

I long to be, like Jesus, the Father’s holy child.

I long to be with Jesus amid the heavenly throng,

To sing with saints His praises, to learn the angels’ song.

Little Bugs, Big Interruptions

Who knew just how much a little tiny insect could interrupt life. Nearly three weeks ago I had two red spots appear on the back of my leg, which looked more like burns than bites. I didn’t think too much about them until a rash starting developing and then grew and grew and grew. My body was reacting to something and the itch became unbearable. By this time, I had come to Bouake with the team to say good-bye to our dear friend Tricia who left for the States. This provided me with the chance to visit the doctor. He affirmed that I had indeed been bitten by nasty little ticks, those buggers. A combination of antihistamine, cortisol cream, and oral antibiotics was prescribed. Indeed, after three days locked in a cool room and multiple oatmeal compresses, the rash began to subside. Goodness, I’m the first to admit that I’m not a happy camper when it comes to uncomfortable skin problems. So I thanked God for the relief. I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor and he was pleased to see that the medicine helped. However, he prescribed another type of antibiotic to treat Lyme’s disease that could have been transferred by the ticks. So, I’m still in Bouake this week…getting a shot every evening.

I decided to make the most of my week here. I’ve pulled several classics off the library book shelf, found a piano hymnal to stumble through, and nearly dried up two uni-ball pens writing letters, journal entries, and to-do lists. The campus is livening up again with flamboyant trees and flowering plants everywhere. If I can get over the sweatiness of it all, I love my evening runs. Mimi and I also made a couple of trips into town to the fabric market and tailor. Between my antibiotics, stash of chocolate, and outfits-in-the-making, my entire May stipend has disappeared. Oops. 

Lord-willing I'll be returning to Niakara on Saturday morning. After nearly two weeks away, I am very ready to see my family again and continue day to day life in the little Ivorian town.

Beading and Bible Study

Last weekend, the Niakara youth girls were so happy to have their friend Jessica Willman back in town. Jess and her husband Steve were two Journeyers who lived in Niakara for 9 months last year, just before I moved there. They lived on the church property with the pastor’s family and were loved by everyone around. Still to this day I can walk through Niakara and hear kids call out “Yili!” which is Jess’ Ivorian name. After their host family time ended, the Willmans moved over to Benin where they now work with a Christian Radio Station. But we were privileged to have them come back for a visit!

Since Jess was in town the weekend of our Girls Group, we asked her to share with us about her transition to Benin and what God has been teaching her. All of us could relate to her story about the struggle of serving and loving those who are hard to love. We were reminded that God has blessed us and loves us immensely; therefore we ought to love others without expecting anything in return.

Bathing Elephants

Early on in the month, we made a looooonng road trip. I was picked up in my little town, Niakaramandougou (to give you the full name) and eventually made it as far north as Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. But along the way, we (the entire Journey Corps team) stopped at an animal game park called Nazinga. We spent a couple of days there. Aside from lots of just hanging out as a team, we took a few rides out into the park in search of elephants, antelope, warthogs, and whatever else we could find. It was very humbling to see God's handiwork in His creation. West Africa has landscaping and creatures that are completely different from North America, including one of the largest animals on our planet. To see elephants up close and personal was unbelievable. There was a small lake just behind our cabins where the elephants came to bathe in the hottest time of the day. I enjoyed observing their movements, interactions, and noises as they submerged themselves in water to cool off and play.