Chats with Cindy

Chuckle...

2012-01-24T15:00:00.000-05:00

Amen! :)

WWLAB/Africa Mercy Ship

2012-01-19T11:33:00.001-05:00

At WWLAB, we love getting emails from places all over the world where God is using His people to do His work. Recently we received an email from Mercy Ships (Africa) thanking WWLAb for their involvement in lab training and providing equipment to the ship. Included was a great video. I wanted to share it with you.

The link below takes you to the WWLAB blog where the video link is listed.

Enjoy :)
www.worldwidelabimprovement.blogspot.com

Verses to meditate on...

2012-01-18T11:42:00.002-05:00

I 'snagged' this picture from the Women of The Harvest blog.

What comfort this verse holds and how precious the picture.

Other verses that I have been meditating on lately are:

John 21:19b '...Follow Me...' (with an undivided heart...)

2 Cor. 4:17 'For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolute incomparable eternal weight of Glory'

Hab. 3:19 'Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!'

Ps. 84:1-2 'How lovely is Your dwelling place, LORD of Hosts. I long and yearn for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the Living God'

Latest Prayer Letter/January 2012

2012-01-14T18:34:00.001-05:00

The quarterly prayer letter from the Borodys

1^st Quarter 2012

SIM Missionaries

Reaching people worldwide with the Gospel of Christ through partnership with WWLab Improvement.

SIM Canada

10 Huntingdale Blvd

Scarborough, Ont.

M1W 2S5

Mailing Address:

4405 Clayborne Dr. Apt 306

Kalamazoo, MI

49009

Email: james.borody@sim.org

In loving memory of Norma June Rumble

We would like to dedicate this letter to a wonderful mom, mother-in-law, wife, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend who left us to meet Jesus on Jan. 5, 2012, surrounded by all her family.

It has been a difficult number of years for Cindy’s mom physically, and even though we mourn her loss, we are comforted to know that she is free from pain and rejoicing in Our Lord’s presence.

Thank you for the many words of condolence and encouragement that we have received in recent days. We appreciate each one. We have felt God’s presence in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Mom is now part of that “great cloud of witnesses” who is cheering us on as we continue our journey on earth until we join her in Glory one day.

Update on US visa process

The second round of paper work was submitted to the Department of Homeland Security in late Nov. They had further questions about our application for permission to apply for a religious worker’s visa. Big thanks to Carol Bos at WWLab for accumulating, organizing, and sending the many documents required to help support our case.

We ask that you continue to pray that the DHS will approve our request soon, so we can get on with applying for this visa.

This process is taking much longer than we expected, but we know that it is right on schedule according to God’s timetable. Pray that we would not be discouraged as we wait for this document.

WWLab News

We continue to spend the majority of our weeks at WWLab in Kalamazoo as we wait for our visa. Every day we learn new things and get more involved in this unique ministry.

James was able to return to Jordan in early Dec to complete the lab installation and training. He returned healthy this time! A month previously, he had the privilege of going to Cambodia for retraining and upgrading of lab equipment.

A new partner in Haiti, Village of Hope, is next on the travel schedule. James will be there Jan. 27 to Feb 1.

Many other projects are “in the works” for the coming months.

A few things from Cindy......

A few verses of Scripture, a few thoughts, and a few ponderings that have touched me over the past few months. (Taken from Cindy’s journal)

God needs knees more than hands.
Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”
“The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness.” Brennan Manning.
He is in the moment.
EXPECT TO SEE GOD.
I can only enter His gates when I enter with Thanksgiving.
“A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven.” Charles Swindoll
Luke 1:45 “She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled”
While you journey through life in My Presence, My Glory brightens the world around you.
Surely, the Lord is in this place.
The Lord is my portion, therefore, I will put my trust in Him.
Let God infuse His Peace into my inmost being. Peace – it’s not about will power or discipline, it’s about opening myself to RECEIVE.

…and lastly…

Instead of trying to figure things out yourself, you can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything…

- As you lean on Me in trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete.

- Your efforts, to win others approval eventually exhaust you.

- Let My Spirit give you words of grace as you live in the Light of My Presence.

When I don’t live in the Light of His Presence – I am offering others only dry crumbs…

Family News

We had the opportunity to all be together in Canada for Christmas last month. We were thankful for dry roads and good traveling weather for all. This was Rebekah’s last Christmas as a Borody! Wedding plans for Aug 18 are moving along nicely. We are looking forward to welcoming Ryan Gall into our family this coming year. He is a high school teacher in Waterloo.

Bethany is working long hours at Engineers Without Borders. International travel is on the agenda for this year.

Tim has started the preliminary courses needed to work towards his CMA designation as he continues to work at OTIP.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for Cindy and her family as they mourn the loss of her mother. We are thankful for good neighbors who will keep an eye on her dad as he adjusts to his “new normal”.

2. Pray for DHS as they process our paperwork. Pray that we will soon be able to apply for our R-1 visa.

3. Pray for safety in travel for James, John, and Ed as they install lab equipment and train local staff throughout the world.

4. Pray that WWLab would continue to have a great impact on mission hospitals and clinics around the world.

5. Pray that we would be intentional in making relationships with unbelievers in our community so that we can point them to Christ.

…..did you know….??

- You can discover great information at www.wwlab.org

- The new Blog site at WWLab (developed by Cindy) gives timely reports of recent trips

- WWLab was officially formed in 1995 – the same year God called us into FT ministry!

Thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support.

Mom

2012-01-10T13:41:00.002-05:00

Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven.
Of touching a hand and finding it God's.
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial,
Of waking up in Glory, and finding it Home...

January 5th, 2012-Mom woke up in Glory.

Christmas and family :)

2011-12-28T13:16:00.000-05:00

This year we really didn't know what was going to happen around Christmas...would we go to the kids? ...back down to North Carolina? ...stay 'put'? ...we just didn't know.
About 10 days before the Big Day, we decided that we would go up and spend some time with the kids.
James has a niece that lives not far from where the kids live, and she graciously let us stay in her home while they were away for a few days (thank again Jenn!). We had a great time! Here is the latest family photo...minus Ryan, he agreed to be the photographer...thanks, Ryan :)

The 'men'...

...and, as much as I miss the kids and other extended family members...it didn't take long until I had a Tim's in hand...ahhh...

It was a great time together with family and friends. We had great food, fellowship and a lot of laughs...it was just what this gal needed :)

O Come All Ye Faithful - Celtic Woman

2011-12-20T12:06:00.000-05:00

O Come let Us Adore Him...

2011-12-20T11:41:00.000-05:00

O Come Let us Adore Him...
O come let us adore Him...
O come let us adore Him...
Christ, the Lord!

We Give You all the Glory...
We give You all the Glory...
We give You all the Glory...
Christ, the Lord!

We'll Praise Your Name forever...
We'll praise Your name forever...
We'll praise Your Name forever...
Christ, the Lord!

Come, let us ADORE...
Give, You all the GLORY...
Praise, Your Name FOREVER...

Mary...

2011-12-15T10:35:00.000-05:00

Mary had to be one of the most misunderstood individuals in the whole Bible. If her fiance (Joseph), didn't believe her story about her supernatural pregnancy who else would? We don't know much about Mary, but we do know at least 2 things: she had a broad knowledge of the Old Testament, and she deeply pondered things that puzzled her (see Luke 2:19, 33, 51).
How can Mary's example help me to find a richer experience of peace this Christmas?
(taken from Jesus Calling Christmas Devotional, Day 18)

Pray you ENOUGH

2011-12-13T14:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for your prayers as I made another trip down to see my mom and dad. Thank you also for your prayers for our family. Isaiah 6:1 tells us that God is seated on His Throne. He is not pacing back and forth, but seated, it brings comfort.

Today I was back at work, and this article was brought to my attention, I thought I would share it with you.

Pray you ENOUGH

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough'.

The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom'.

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'Yes, I have', I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away and has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said...

'When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I pray you enough'. May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said, I pray you enough, we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'.

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirits alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate what you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Thanks again for the prayers for my mom.

Pictures from the Getty Concert

2011-12-06T06:32:00.000-05:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billkimandthecats/sets/72157628284298733/

Here is a great link for pictures from the Getty Christmas Concert!
I am in there :)

Joy - An Irish Christmas

2011-12-03T07:54:00.001-05:00

Since coming back from Niger, West Africa, I have been enjoying music by Kristyn and Keith Getty. Their songs of worship are...wonderful. What a treat it was when joining the choir at Calvary Bible Church (Kalamazoo, Michigan) to find out that this year's Christmas Concert is singing WITH the Gettys! We have been practicing the songs since September, and tonight is the night! I am excited :). More to come...!

WorldWide LAB Improvement

2011-12-01T12:10:00.000-05:00

Here is WorldWide LAB's blog address.
Enjoy!

Cindy
www.worldwidelabimprovement.blogspot.com

2011-11-29T11:56:00.000-05:00

http://

"My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark," -Dear Jesus.

2011-11-29T11:14:00.001-05:00

I have come to really appreciate the daily devotionals from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Her insight, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading have spoken to me a great deal lately. It is amazing how God uses His Word and gifted writers to speak to so many of us on the same day, yet in such different circumstances. This book was recommended to me over a year ago, and it has just been in the past few months that I decided to check it out. I am thankful that I did.

Sarah Young also has a daily Christmas Devotional that can be sent to your inbox. This week's theme is Trust...I think I better pay attention :)
Here are a few excerpts from the first 3 days...
Day 1--"Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your Guide. Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it according to our will, be attentive to Me and to all I have prepared for you...Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense My Presence or not. A thankful trusting attitude helps you to see events in your life from My perspective. A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable. Expect each day to contain surprises! Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day..."

Day 2--"...Whenever you start to feel anxious, let these feelings serve as a warning that you're putting your trust in the wrong place. You need to stop listening to your worry-thoughts, and instead tell yourself the truth--that I am totally trustworthy. Then turn your attention to Me, saying: 'Lord, You're my refuge. I trust in You and I'm safe!'".

Day 3--"...As your thoughts centre more and more on Me, trust displaces fear and worry...Time spent with Me not only increases your trust; it also helps you discern what is important and what is not...As you walk close to Me, saturating your mind with Scripture, I will show you how to spend your time and energy..."

A few things to contemplate "...To what 'adventure' might God be calling you this Christmas season? What is He doing in your life right now that seems a little different, a little out of the ordinary, maybe even a little surprising? Make this a matter of prayer and ask the Lord what new thing He might want to do in your life this Christmas..."

I will try to keep updating on these devotionals.
Thanks also for your prayers for my mom. I am heading back down to NC next week to be with her and dad.

A few thoughts...

2011-11-22T11:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. I am back from Calabash, NC, for about 10 days then will head back.

Here are a few thoughts from the past week...
* Leave the outcomes up to God.
--keep my focus on the path just before me, leaving outcomes up to Him (Ps 27:13-14, Exod. 15:13)
* The great I AM is pleased with me, I do not need to seek the acceptance of any other. I do not have to perform well in order to receive His Love.
--It is not about 'how well' I do...
--It is not about performance...(Performance pulls me away from Him).
* Be content to be a simple sheep.
* Instead of trying to figure things out, I can relax in the Presence of the One who knows everything.
--As I lean on Him in trusting and dependence, I feel peaceful and complete.
--My efforts to win other's approval eventually exhaust me.
* Let His Spirit give me words of grace as I live in the Light of His Presence.
--When I don't live in the Light of His Presence, I am offering to others only dry crumbs.
* Enjoy the rythmn of Life lived close to Him.
* A thankful attitude opens windows in heaven.
-- Hab. 3:17-18, Ps 46:1.

A cold cup of coffee...

2011-11-15T09:23:00.000-05:00

I have been sitting here with the computer on my lap and just staring at it.
* My coffee has gotten cold...
I want to write, but I don't really know where to start.
This past week has been a bit if a roller coaster...
This past week has seen my mom back in the hospital. Daily calls to family and doctors, texts, bbms, late night conversations have been part of the routine...
It has been 'touch and go' as siblings called with daily updates...
A carry on is always packed...
Regular responsibilities need to be taken care of...

So many of you know what I am writing...

I am heading to be with my mom tomorrow...

*my coffee is getting colder...
I am the oldest...
Expectations...
I LOVE my mom...and dad...and my siblings...
This is new territory for me...
I want to be strong, but find myself weak...but when we are weak, He is strong. I think I am going to be relying on that strength in the next few weeks...

He is Good and Faithful...
He really is. That had been tough for me to say a while back, but, He is...

I read this morning "...You will always face trouble in this life. But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter. Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing light" (Jesus Calling/Nov 15)

...a light touch...when I focus so intensely on the situation that I lose sight of Him...
...when the situation starts to overwhelm (see previous post) my thoughts, I need to bring this it to Him. Talk with Him about it and look at it in the Light of His Presence...allow Him to overshadow...yet see His Light guiding shaky footsteps...

...thanks for letting me ramble...

* coffee is in the microwave being 'nuked'...

Overwhelmed...

2011-11-12T20:01:00.000-05:00

I recently subscribed to the magazine Just Between Us/Encouraging and Equipping Women for a Life of Faith.
I received my Winter edition last week, and took it with me in the car as we drove to the Global Health Outreach Conference in Louisville, Kentucky (an other post!), this past weekend.
I opened the first page to find a note from Jill Briscoe, (Executive Editor). It was very timely. This week has been a bit overwhelming. I wanted to share it with you...

"...Have you ever felt overwhelmed? That life is just too much? That the demands on your time are just too heavy, your problems too painful, and every task too daunting? Then hurry to the Deep Place where nobody goes. I remember such a day. I was overwhelmed. It wasn't one thing but many. Suddenly, one morning, I didn't want to get out of bed. So I stayed there for a bit and went and sat down in the Deep Place, on the steps of my soul. You can, you know, even when you're in bed! "I'm overwhelmed." I announced loud and clear, expecting Him to come running, He didn't. I hung around for half an hour or so and became gradually aware of a sweet darkening of the windows of my soul. It was as if someone had drawn the curtains to help a sick child rest better. I laid still. "I'm overwhelmed", I said, quietly this time. No need to shout; did not He whom my soul loves say, "My ear is not heavy that it cannot hear?" The sweet safe shadow around me deepened. Then His voice said clearly, "When you're overwhelmed, remember that you are overshadowed!" Oh! So that was it. The Overshadowing! I was "under His wings." I remember Mary, and reaching for my Bible read a little of her Christmas story, and how the beautiful angel came and told her he had come to interrupt all her really personal plans for her life with Joseph. When told she would be the mother of the Messiah, she had asked a very practical question, "How?" "That was a brave question," I said out loud. "Yes," He replied, close at hand. "She was very brave. She didn't ask 'Why me?', she asked 'How me?' She was overwhelmed with the 'How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?'" "I can only understand such a small fraction of what she felt," I said. "But I can relate to her sense of inadequacy. That's my problem right now. How can I do so much, care so much, work so much, love so much, travel so much, give so much? It's all so much much! I'm overwhelmed!" "I told you - " He began. "Yes, yes," I interrupted Him. " I know. When I am overwhelmed, I've to remember I'm overshadowed. But - but, Lord Jesus - just what do you mean?" Then the wonderful shadow seemed to wrap itself around me and hold me close into God, as if it were a warm, comforting heavenly blanket. "The Holy Spirit", He said, knowing I needed no more talk, just touch. "The Comforter." "Yes, the Comforter. That's what Gabriel told my mother, when she was overwhelmed. 'The Holy Spirit will overshadow you,'" and ever after when she was overwhelmed she remembered she was overshadowed." Wrapped warmly in that same promise and reality, I got up and went out into my day. The challenges hadn't changed, but I clothed myself in a "garment of praise" that covered over my "spirit of heaviness." It would be alright. I vowed to keep the conversation in mind. When I was overwhelmed, I would believe that I was overshadowed..." Jill Briscoe.
I pray that this article encourages you as it has encouraged me this week.

Few thoughts of the past week...

2011-11-06T19:00:00.000-05:00

These are a few journal entries that I made this past week.

* "Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice" Sarah Young
Jer. 20:12-13 " You will call to me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all you heart."

* "Thanksgiving raises the dead" Ann VosKamp
John 11:41-43 "...Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that you heard me...the dead man came out."

* "I only live the full life when I live fully in the moment." Ann VosKamp
* "Wherever you are, be all there" Elisabeth Elliot.
* "The real problem in life is not a lack of time, but a lack of Thanksgiving." Ann VosKamp
* "Stay calm, enter the moment, and give thanks."

Isaiah 14:24 "The LORD Almighty has sworn: As I have purposed, so it will be; as I have planned so it will happen"

* "Walk peacefully with Me throughout this day..." Sarah Young
Ex.33:14 "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Ps. 29:11 "The LORD gives his people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace."

* "Seek to please Me above all else." Sarah Young

Sarah Young is the author of: Jesus Calling, 365 Daily Devotional
Ann VosKamp is the author of: One Thousand Things.

Cambodia/Bangkok WWLAB

2011-11-05T13:50:00.000-04:00

Sandbags greeted James as he landed in Bangkok last week. We are very thankful that where he was staying remained flood-free during his stay.

Street view of Poipet, Cambodia.
Here are a few shots from the lab at TREES Clinic in Poipet, Cambodia.

James was taxied back and forth in one of these Thai taxis.

James was greeted by this shrine as he was getting ready for his flight back to North America. (Bangkok).

Thank you for all your prayers for this trip. It was a fast one, but very encouraging. A month from today, he will be back to Jordan...!

On his way home...

2011-11-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

If you are on our Prayer Letter list, or follow me on Facebook (or Twitter), you will know that James has been in Poipet, Cambodia for the past 8 days. He has been re-training and fixing equipment in the lab at TREES Clinic, Poipet, Cambodia.
He is currently snuggled in a nice bulkhead seat on American Airlines flying from Tokyo to Chicago (he should be landing around 8pm tonight :).
At WWLAB yesterday we received this email from the doctor that James was helping...I wanted to 'brag' on my hubby!

Just want to thank WWL for the great service that James provided. He not
only got us up and running again with the DT machines, but also really tuned
up our lab impressively. We were in serious need of some refreshers, and new
training. James patiently found a number of areas that we needed improvement
and showed us how to fix them. He worked great with M. and J., our
two lab guys.

Thanks so much for sending James. We are very appreciative. We love WWL!
In Christ, K.

I am so proud of him! :)

5 hours and counting...

Still among the living...

2011-11-03T09:38:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,
Where does the time go?
I have been encouraged (a lot), lately to catch up on my blogging. I want to thank those of you who have followed our many adventures over the years.

The adventure continues!

What have we been up to since January?
* We have moved twice.
* We have started some of our responsibities with WorldWide LAB.
* James has traveled to Congo, Angola, Haiti, Jordan and most recently Cambodia since January.
* In between trips for James, we continue to make many (many) trips back and forth between Ontario and Michigan.
* We are still waiting for final paperwork to be approved from Dept. of Homeland Security. (This has taken a bit longer then what we had originally thought...)
* Our oldest daughter, Rebekah got ENGAGED!! The wedding is scheduled for August 18th, 2012, in Ontario. Lot's of planning has already taken place, she is very organized! We are very excited :)

So we have been busy.

The Lord has been teaching me many lessons as I continue to '...wait upon Him...'.
The greatest for me has been to Listen to what God is saying. I can run around and be so busy that I don't take the time to actually Listen. I have my Quiet Time, but, have I Listened, or is it something that I have done to cross off my to-do List?

Another area that I have been challenged in lately, is Thankfulness...this has always been a challenge for me. I am so good at thanking God when I get the answers I want, but how about in the small daily things in life? Am I looking for 'those'?
I am currently reading One Thousand Gifts, by Ann VosKamp...very challenging...(I had over 14 people ask me if I had read this book, so I figured it was time...maybe they know something that I don't?? :)

So, a couple of challenges:

--get back to Blogging

--Listen

--be Thankful

hmmm...BLT :)

James trip to the Congo.

2011-01-15T10:03:00.001-05:00

In November, James's made a trip to Goma, Congo to install a lab for World Wide Lab Improvement. This was his second trip for WWL since our return in June. This first picture was the view he had from his balcony at the hotel where he stayed...a little different from Niger!

This was the hotel where James stayed during his visit.
DOCS was the organization that requested help from WWL. (Doctors On Call Serving)
Unloading supplies.
James and one of the fellows in the lab that he trained.
Unloading more boxes, early Christmas presents!
The 2 lab techs. that James enjoyed working with.
Another view of the hotel.
James with the CMO and Director of the clinic.
James is scheduled to make a trip to Angola within the next 6 weeks to do another install. We would appreciate your prayers!

Pictures....

2011-01-15T09:53:00.000-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted some family pictures. Here it goes! :)

Still here!

2011-01-03T13:36:00.001-05:00

Once again, I ask for patience with my blogging!
We have been in Port Perry, Ontario for the past 6 months, and our Internet was not that great. So many times I had written an article for my blog, and I could not get it posted. WE are currently in Sarnia, Ontario for the next 6 months, and we have great Internet! So....here goes to blogging!
Here is our latest Borody's Blessings.
We have been praying for over a year about our future, and seeking God's direction in our lives. He has answered, using many of you!

1^st Quarter 2011

SIM Missionaries

Reaching people worldwide with the Gospel of Christ through partnership with WWLab Improvement.

SIM Canada

10 Huntingdale Blvd

Scarborough, Ont.

M1W 2S5

Mailing Address:

763 Manor Park Cr

Sarnia, Ont

N7S 4W7

Email: james.borody@sim.org

Blog: www.chatswithcindy.blogspot.com

New Year – New Direction

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support during 2010. We trust that we can continue our partnership in ministry with you in 2011.

As many of you know, we have been asking for prayer regarding future ministry after our home assignment is finished later this year. When we left Niger in late June, it was with a large question mark about our return. Many of you have been praying – and God has answered!

He has made it clear to us that our “call” to full time missionary service has not been rescinded. We are still committed to serve Him wherever He places us.

In the past 6 months, God has used many of you to speak into our lives – even if you were not aware of doing so. He has now made it very clear to us that our ministry in Niger is complete. The need is still great, but He is raising up new team members in SIM Niger to continue the work. We have been sensing a change for over a year, but the details were unclear. God has now released us from our ministry responsibilities in Niger.

We are pleased to officially announce that God has opened the door for us to work with Worldwide Lab Improvement based in Kalamazoo, Mich.

We are still SIM Canada missionaries. Our country of assignment has been changed from Niger to the USA. While living in the US, we will assist WWLAB to accomplish their ministry goals. SIM Canada is currently working on a formal agreement between the two organizations, along with the legalities and logistics of living in the US. Financial donors can still give directly to SIM to receive a tax-deductible receipt.(See FAQ on the next page.)

This decision has been made with much prayer and Godly counsel. We appreciate the role that many of you have played. It has not been easy, but we are confident that God is leading us in this new direction.

What will we be doing?

WWLAB is an organization that we have been acquainted with since Jan 2000 when they installed new lab equipment at Galmi Hospital. 11 years ago, God planted the seed for us to eventually work directly with them. This seed germinated a few years ago, and has continued to grow. It is now ready to produce fruit!

James will be involved in learning all aspects of the organization – both the business side and the technical side. The technical side includes repair and refurbishing of lab equipment to prepare for placement in Christian hospitals and clinics around the world. He will also be sharing the traveling responsibilities around the world to install the equipment and to train the local staff. He has already done 3 lab installs in the past 2 years with WWLAB – 2 in Niger, and 1 in DRC (Nov 2010).

His experience as a field missionary has prepared him well for the challenges of international travel and cultural adjustment. His abilities in French will eliminate the need of a translator in francophone countries. His life has already been enriched by the relationships he has established on recent trips. We anticipate multiplying ourselves in many lives around the world, not only Niger. It will be exciting to see how God uses these new opportunities and contacts for His glory.

Cindy will be involved in donor relations, hospitality, and various other duties in the office and warehouse as needed for WWLAB. Also, God has placed a burden on her heart for adult MKs. Thus she will be developing a ministry to this special group of people. Our experiences in Niger have alerted us to the unique needs of MKs.

We are both looking forward to being involved in a local church to use our experience to encourage others as they seek God’s will concerning missionary service. A percentage of our time will continue to be devoted to SIM-related activities, as assigned.

We are excited, yet a little nervous about this major change in ministry, but trusting God to provide everything we need to serve Him in these new roles.

We are limited by space in this letter to adequately explain the full extent of WWLAB Improvement’s ministry. WWLAB is a Christian non-profit ministry which assists the laboratories in mission hospitals and clinics in developing countries with equipment, supplies, methodology consultation and on-site installation and training. More information about their work can be found on their website at: www.wwlab.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQ)

1. Why are we still on financial support?

All WWLAB staff either raise support or serve as volunteers in order to keep the costs to the missions for services as low as possible.

WWLAB is a non-profit ministry, similar to SIM. Its focus is very specific, whereas SIM’s is diverse.

2. Where will we live?

We will need to live in or around Kalamazoo, Mich. The office and warehouse are located there.

3. Do support funds pay for overseas trips?

No. The mission hospital or clinic requesting assistance is responsible for all costs related to a lab installation, including travel costs.

4. Have our support requirements changed?

Yes and no! The monthly required total is approximately the same, but the designations are slightly different. As an example, we will no longer be contributing to the Home Assignment travel fund. However, our health insurance costs will increase, as we will no longer have valid Health Cards in Ontario. In general, our monthly requirements will remain the same as other years.

5. Who pays our salary?

SIM Canada will continue to pay our monthly allowance.

6. Will Cindy be traveling with James?

Not usually. The requesting mission pays for all travel expenses, so unless we pay personally for Cindy, she will not accompany James on trips.

7. How often will James travel and for how long?

To start, he will probably do 4-6 trips per year typically lasting 7-10 days.

Home Assignment News

We continue our travels to share what God is doing in Niger and the new opportunities that await us. We have been so blessed to visit with many of you while we are in the Port Perry area.

We will be moving to Sarnia, Ont. in early January. We hope to see many other friends and supporters west of the GTA during that time. Please note our new mailing address for the next 6 months.

Our debrief/retreat scheduled for late Oct in Wisconsin had to be postponed due to family commitments. We are hoping to attend one of the 2 scheduled for 2011.

We are so happy to announce that our son Tim has received a one year contract back at OTIP in Waterloo. Pray that this will work into a FT position.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray that our move to Sarnia will go well, and that we will be a blessing to the congregation at Temple Baptist Church.

2. Praise the Lord for the love and care that the congregation at Port Perry Baptist Church has given us for the first half of our H.A.

3. Praise the Lord for a successful trip to the Congo for James in Nov/Dec 2010.

4. Pray for SIM Canada and WWLAB Improvement as they finalize the legalities for a formal partnership.

5. Pray for continued health and strength for travel and visiting.

6. Pray that we would be a help to James’ family as we live in the Sarnia area.

7. Pray that God would raise up more workers to serve Him in Niger.

We are still alive...

2010-09-20T18:42:00.000-04:00

...and kicking!

Sorry for the lack of updates.

We have been very busy with 'life' in North America! Seeing our kids, parents and extended family have been keeping us busy. We also have traveled many, many kms. by road (and air) visiting friends throughout North America, and presenting the work of our last term.
James has been back to Niger, and is now back in Ontario. He made a very successful trip with WorldWide Lab Improvements mid-August to the 3rd of September. James was able to install a lab at the new CURE hospital in Niamey. He was very encouraged, and so was CURE!
He also made a quick trip out to Galmi and Danja Hospitals to check on the labs there. While in Niamey our African Son #1 (A.) had his first baby! James was able to see the baby and find out the name before the Naming Ceremony. We were quite surprised to hear that the name is Timothy. (A.), wanted to name him after our son, Timothy!
Here is James with A. the fellow that he trained to work in the new lab at the CURE hospital in Niamey, Niger.
A. and M. working together at Galmi. James took A. with him to Galmi to see him work in a full functioning lab.
James with his new 'African' grandson.
James and our 'son' A. the proud papa!

Family Wedding...

2010-07-29T11:19:00.000-04:00

I think this picture says it all!

We were able to make a trip to North Carolina for my niece's wedding this past month. A great time was had by all. It was so much fun being with the family. Both of our girls were able to fly down for the weekend...(we missed having Tim with us.) Lot's of laughs, food and great fellowship!

Here I am with my brother (father of the bride, and my sister). Just a bit of family resemblance :)
My mom with our 2 'beauties'.
I think this is my favorite picture of that weekend. Me and my mom. She has been such an inspiration to me! Thanks Mom!

Women of The Harvest Furlough Retreat

2010-07-10T18:44:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the silence these past few weeks. We have been busy! Lot's of traveling seeing family and friends has taken over our lives :). It is great!

July 6th-9th, I was able to attend a Women of The Harvest Furlough Retreat in Colorado Springs (Glen Eyrie). It was just what the 'doctor ordered!'.
Here is a link to the official blog:

http://wothfurloughretreat2010.blogspot.com/

Please check it out.
I encourage any missionary gal to attend this retreat!

We head to North Carolina next week, for my niece's wedding, and to 'catch up' with my side of the family. We should be back by the end of the month!

Thanks for your prayers!

We're back!

2010-06-25T06:47:00.000-04:00

We have been back in Canada for a week! Time with the kids last weekend was great! Here are a few pictures from Father's Day.
We busy traveling this week, getting boxes and visiting extended family and friends.
We are especially enjoying High Speed Internet!
More pictures to come...
Thanks for praying.

Leaving in...

2010-06-17T07:40:00.000-04:00

11 hours,
20 minutes,
30 seconds!

Canada, here we come!

Last Days...

2010-06-12T04:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the last day of school at the Galmi Private School. James, myself and a group of missionaries went out to see the celebrations. It is always fun to see the kids! Here are a few pictures, the kids LOVE it when a camera appears! :)

This is the new Administration building that has just been built in the past few months.
Each of the children brought a bowl from home, and it was filled with rice and sauce.

Happy faces...and full tummies :)

Another new song...

2010-05-31T02:35:00.000-04:00

Last week, the kids at Galmi Day School had fun changing the words to this song to meet the needs of a MK in Galmi. Last night we sang it for the compound. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

I’m a Missionary Kid
(I’m in the Lord’s Army)

I may get to pray in Tamaqek
Speak in Fulani
Write in Zarma
I may get to jabber in Hausa
‘Cuz I’m a Missionary Kid!

Cho.
I’m a Missionary Kid
I’m a Missionary Kid
I may get to jabber in Hausa
‘Cuz I’m a Missionary kid!

I may get a craving for Rice and Beans
Chomp on tough Beef
Savor some chocolate!
I may get to eat some exotic guts
‘cuz I’m a Missionary Kid!

Cho.

I may get to drive on a bumpy road
Experience a tire ‘blow’
Worms in my Intestinals
I may get to visit Galmi Hospital
‘Cuz I’m a missionary Kid!

Cho.

I may get to ride on a camel
Sweat in the Sahara
Get stung by a scorpion
I may share my bed with some earwigs
‘Cuz I’m a Missionary Kid!

Cho.

I will need to tell of Jesus
How He loves us
Died to save us
I will need to tell he is coming soon
‘Cuz I’m a Missionary Kid!

Cho.

The third line of the chorus changes with each verse.

My kids learned a variation of this song when they were in SIMCO in 1997. That is where we got the idea! :)

Last day of school, May 28/10

2010-05-28T15:56:00.000-04:00

For our last last day of school, we had Donkey Cart Races (rides), and a swimming party.
8 excited kids...
1 very tired teacher!

Hot Season Jingle...1st Verse

2010-05-19T14:23:00.000-04:00

Hot Season Jingle (tune Jingle Bells)...Verse 1

A day or 2 ago, I thought I'd take a ride,
In our tiny truck, it has a/c inside!
The sun, it was so hot, it fried the battery...
And so I took an ice cold bath with ice cubes from the freeze....
Chorus...

Hot season, hot season,
Hot season is here.
Sweat, sweat, sweat,
drip, drip drip,
It's that time of year... (repeat)

We are having fun with this one :)

Hot Season Jingle

2010-05-18T12:06:00.000-04:00

Hot Season Jingle (Tune: Jingle Bells)

Hot Season, Hot Season...
Hot Season is here.
Sweat, sweat, sweat,
Drip, drip,drip,
It's that time of Year.....(repeat)

(Still working on the verse) :)

Over 40C with 49% humidity at 8AM today.
We have to do silly things like this to get through this season :)

Hot Season in Niger...

2010-05-17T14:42:00.001-04:00

4 weeks

...in Ontario, Canada!

:)

Pie Eating Contest and 'Moto' rides

2010-05-07T11:57:00.000-04:00

For the last 10 weeks, the kids at Galmi Day School have been earning points for 'Moto Rides' with Aunt Cindy and a Pie Eating Contest (which actually turned out to be Chocolate Pudding Tarts...it was too hot to bake 16 pies ;).
Today was the day. The kids came to school quite excited. Each child got to ride on the front seat on the bike and handle the gas! What fun it was. The Galmi Airstrip will never be the same. After an hour of riding we took a break before the Pie Eating Contest! Moms and Dads joined us on the Borody's front porch...the fun began!
Here are 2 of my oldest 'going at it'.
J., and N., enjoyed themselves!
S., my only girl kept up with the boys in the class!
G., was a little timid the first time around...he warmed up by his second :)
S., one of my youngest...yummmm
D., A picture is worth a thousand words!

Quote from A.W. Tozer

2010-05-05T10:42:00.000-04:00

Abraham has always been one of my favorite Bible characters. I found this quote recently while reading Cynthia Heald's book: Becoming a Woman of Purpose.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It is based on Genesis 17.

"Abraham, I am trying to tell you something-
something very important.
I want you to listen and comprehend.
Abraham, you were made in my image
and you were designed for a single purpose:
to worship and to glorify Me...If you do not honor
this purpose, your life will degenerate into shallow,
selfish, humanistic pursuits...commit your whole life
and future into My hands.
Let Me as your Creator and God
fulfill in you My perfect design.
It is My great desire that you become a faithful
and delighted worshiper at My throne...
When you have found Me, your Creator,
your Redeemer, and your Lord,
you have found everything you need!
It will be your privilege to trust and obey.
It will be My privilege to bless you,
guide you and sustain you."

A few things on my mind....

2010-04-30T14:54:00.001-04:00

6 weeks, 3 days!

No Power Song

2010-04-19T10:48:00.000-04:00

'Tis The Season For No Power
(tune: Deck The Halls)
words rewritten by the
Galmi Day School Kids
(Joseph, Sissy, Gary, Nathaniel, Elisha, Dan, Samuel, Joel)

'Tis the season for no power.
Fa la la la la la la la la
It's so hot, our clothes smell sour.
Fa la la la la la la la la
We are sweatin', we are fannin'.
Fa la la la la la la la la
The school feels like an Easy Bake Oven.
Fa la la la la la la la la

Why don't we just take a shower?
Fa la la la la la la la la
The sun has boiled the water tower.
Fa la la la la la la la la
Stick your toe in...
OUCH! That's burning!
Fa la la la la la la la la
Quickly jump into the freezer.
Fa la la la la la la la la

Open the window? Hot air blows in!
Fa la la la la la la la la
Is there no relief from panting?
Fa la la la la la la la la
Everything is thawing quickly!
Fa la la la la la la la la
This just drives Aunt Cindy crazy!
Fa la la la la la la la la la

It's so hot she cannot bear it.
Fa la la la la la la la la
We just hope she doesn't faint!
Fa la la la la la la la la
Then she'll have to cancel school!
Fa la la la la la la la la
THAT WOULD BE SO VERY COOL!!
Fa la la la la la la la la
FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LAAAA....

Can you tell what kind of day we had today??
Always something happening in Galmi :)

Trusting...

2010-04-10T14:34:00.000-04:00

“Are you going to trust Me with this?”

A few weeks back, the Lord brought me to a verse that spoke very clearly and personally.

Isaiah 43:4,5a (HCSB) “Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and I love you, I will give human beings in your place, and peoples in place of your life. Do not fear, for I am with you;…” (Italics mine)

In a few short weeks, Galmi Day School will go from 8 children to 4. For over a year we have been asking God to provide a teacher for Galmi Day School. So far, no one has come forth. This is hard on the teacher leaving, and for the parents who remain. I was beginning to get stressed as I thought about the school. What is going to happen? Who will teach the kids? How are the kids going to continue on in their education? As I wrote many of these questions in my journal, God was whispering back to me, “Are you going to trust Me with this?”
As most of you know, I am a ‘doer’, I like to ‘help God out', whether by worrying about the situation, or trying to tell God what to do about it, and I was doing just that! Nothing was working. (surprise!)
During our weekly Bible Study as a compound, we were reading through the book of Isaiah. God stopped me in my tracks in chapter 43: 4b-5a… “…I will give human beings in your place, and peoples in place of your life. Do not fear (fret), for I am with you (and the Galmi Day School)”.

He has someone to replace me.
He has a new work to do.
He is trustworthy.
I need to stop fretting and watch Him work!

Friends...

2010-03-26T14:59:00.000-04:00

I am very blessed to have many wonderful friends. Friends back in Canada, the States, South America, friends all over Africa, and almost on every continent...but there is one friend that I am not very fond of...

A black cobra that seems to enjoy coming to Galmi Day School. I am thinking of naming him, I have seen him so many times this year! (We are becoming quite close...NOT!)

Yesterday, he decided to make a return visit.
I am amazed at God's protection over our Missionary Kids here in Galmi. Usually there are at least 3-4 kids at the school playing outside before I get there. Yesterday, we were saying 'farewell' to a missionary going on Home Assignment at the air strip. I told the kids they had a couple more minutes at the air strip before making their way to school. I hopped on my 'moto', and headed down to the other end of the compound. As usual, I had my mind on many things as I drove to school. I thought that I saw something laying at the entrance of the school, but, I thought one of the kids had left a stick. This stick started to move, and as I came closer on my bike, I knew that we were headed on a collision course! All of a sudden my brain went blank (no comments!)...I couldn't remember how to stop my moto! All I saw was the snake. God intervened...and stopped the bike! I got off quite quickly...trying to get the kick stand in place and watch where my friend was 'slithering' to! I was so thankful that no kids were at school, but I could see and hear them coming. As I watched for the kids, my 'friend' slithered off (they can move very fast!), into some old cement blocks that are next to us. I called the kids, got them into school while still trying to breathe and then made a quick phone text to my hubby!
"Huge, Huge Snake..."
Within a few minutes fellows from the shop were down to help out. They 'think' they found his/her hole and within 10 minutes had enough poison to kill a small community! We watched from the window as they poured the poison. A few times the guys shouted and jumped back...and we jumped inside the school. My boys were especially excited about what was going on outside.
After about 20 minutes, I was told that if the snake was still in the hole and the poison worked he would be dead. I would know that fact once I started to smell him!
As of 12:30pm today...no smell...

When I decided to be a teacher over 30 years ago...hmm...nope, this was not part of the plan!

Thanks again for your prayers over our little school.

BTW...this is not our 'friend', this picture was downloaded from the Internet...I am not that brave ;)

Old Post...DUST!

2010-03-19T07:51:00.000-04:00

The Harmattan Wind has caught us off guard yesterday and today... it is pretty NASTY!
I just had to reprint our Dust poem from last year!!

DUST

Dust in my fingernails
Dust in my toes
Dust in my ear holes
Dust up my nose.

Dust in my sandwich
Dust on my banana
Dust in my bed at night
And dust in my pajamas.

Dust in my armpits
Dust in my throat
I live in Africa
Its covered up my goat!

Dust in my flip flops
Dust in my hair
Dust in my 'knickers'
Dust is EVERYWHERE!

Written by the children from Galmi Day School
Joseph, Elisabeth, Gary, Ian, Elise
and Auntie Cindy.

The last month...

2010-03-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

I am up early, and it seems that I can upload some pictures! Yay :)

Here are a few events of the last month in Galmi.

February 28, 2010. I have been told that every Canadian will remember where they were when the Canadian Men's (and Women's) Hockey Team took Gold at the Olympics. We could not let that moment pass here! Our Canadian flag was proudly displayed. We had a Short Term Canadian with us during that week...it was great fun!

February 28th was also Women's Sunday at our church. This is always a very lively service. We were there for almost 4 hours! Lot's of singing, dancing and offerings were given that Sunday morning. The offerings go to help send women to their National Ladies Conferences that will be held later this month.

March 6th, the Galmi Day School Performers put on their Spring Concert. Here is S. (my only girl). She did a fabulous job on her solo.
It is hard to believe that we only have 10 more weeks of school. The time is flying. A lot of us leave for Home Assignment this summer and Galmi Day School will lose half of its students!

The Dead Head...

2010-02-18T08:36:00.000-05:00

As I arrived at school this morning, I was greeted with much excitement. I thought, "Isn't this great, the kids are so excited about school today".
Well, I was in for a bit of a shock! As I listened to them, (they were jumping up and down non stop), I kept hearing something about a 'dead head', and 'it really smells...yuck!'.
I turned off my moto so I could hear them a bit better, and was quickly escorted to the 'Dead Head'. There just a few meters from the front door of the school was a donkey head, and a very guilty looking Compound Dog laying beside it.
I quickly jumped back on the moto to get my camera. Good blog post, I was thinking. :)
So hopefully the pictures will upload and you can enjoy our 'new student'

As one of the students said, "Well, at least he is smiling!"
We then went on a Treasure Hunt to see what else we could uncover...these horns were behind the school...
You just never know what a day will bring you at Galmi Day School!

I have not forgotten...

2010-02-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long waits in between posts. I have not forgotten how to blog...or run out of stories to share.
We are experiencing some major Internet problems right now at Galmi.
We have a Task Force working on the problem, and they are making progress, but, this is West Africa, and we can expect some delays. Pictures right now, are challenging to upload (unless I want to get up between 1am-4am to try and get a better connection)...sorry folks, this gal enjoys her sleep too much! ;)
Some highlights of the past few weeks:
* We welcomed back a Long Term doctor and new wife plus kids.
* With this new family, I have an extra child at school. 8 children/8 levels...never a dull moment!
* James and I have moved into a smaller duplex. Packing up in January is a lot 'cooler' then in June.
* Short Termers continue to come and help us with hospital work.
* My 'moto' is up and running again, and I am having a blast! We found out that the bike does not like cold weather...anything below 20C! We joked that we need to buy it a block heater ;)
* Our tickets have been bought for furlough, June 17th we will be leaving Niger and arriving in Toronto on the 18th. Please contact us if you would like us to come and visit.
* I am able to attend a Women of The Harvest Furlough Retreat in Colorado Springs in July/10...so excited for this opportunity!

Hopefully soon, I will be able to get some pictures up of our new 'home' and the fun that we have been having at school.

Thanks for your patience.

Sahel Fun!

2010-01-17T02:54:00.000-05:00

The 'Gift that Keeps on Giving!'
Here is Miss B., the Grade 1/2 teacher at Sahel Academy in Niamey. She is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed teaching with her in 2004/05. She 'won' back this wonderful hat during our Give Away time at the Ladies' Prayer Breakfast during Conference. We have had a lot of fun with this gift! :) (this hat actually belonged to her mom who served in Niger!)

After our Spiritual Life Conference ended, the kids started making their way back to the dorm. I was anxious to see a certain student of mine from 2004/05. "A". has grown quite a bit! I was welcomed with a huge bear hug that nearly knocked me off my feet. I have not seen him since he left Niger in 2005. He is currently back at Sahel, and doing fine. What a 'delight' it was to be re-united with this special young man. There are just some kids that stay with you forever...he is one!

I was also able to get a picture with the kids that are currently at Sahel (Grade10/11), that I taught in 2004/05 (Grade 5/6). Here are 6 out of the 13 from that class. It is wonderful to see them growing and having fun.

Conference was great. We were challenged and renewed by the speaker. Times of fellowship around meals is always a highlight for me. Catching up with those that we haven't seen in a long time, praying for one another, encouraging each other...it is always a special time.

We are now back in Galmi and ready to get back into a 'routine'. School starts for me tomorrow, with a new student. James will be back in the lab and the office. The compound welcomed a new Long Term family this week as well as 4 Short Termers. It is a busy place. Last night we had a Retirement Party for one of our Long Termers that is leaving us this week, and there were over 50 in attendance! It has been a long time since we have had that many missionaries on the compound!

We thank you for your prayers!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T14:11:00.000-05:00

In a few short hours 2010 will be ushered in...here in Niger anyway :)

We want to take this opportunity to wish all our family and friends around the globe a very Happy New Year! We wish you all God's riches blessings for the New Year.

2009 has brought some challenges and an abundance of blessings. We are thankful for His guidance and protection.

We look forward to 2010 with anticipation. A New Year...no resolutions, gave up on those a long time ago :) We want to continue to be obedient to what God has called us to do for Him.

In 6 short months we will be heading back to Ontario for Home Assignment (1 year). I am getting excited about spending some extended time with the kids, family and friends. I have great friends here on the field and I am so thankful for them. Yet, I am looking forward to re-connecting with many friends back in Canada and the US.

Thank you again for your prayers, love and concern. They are so appreciated.

(No pictures for awhile. We are experiencing some Internet issues, and pictures of Christmas and a national friend's wedding will have to wait for a bit longer...sorry).

Happy New Year everyone!

Cindy

How Great Our Joy

2009-12-21T23:24:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday evening brought another performance by the Galmi Day School. Once again, they did a great job! These pictures are a little out of order, but they show you the fun that was had by all.
Here we have Fulani shepherds. We tried to be as culturally appropriate as we could!
While by The Sheep, we watched at Night.
Admiring the Christmas Tree as everyone assembled to hear the performance.
Quoting Luke 2:8-14
, The donkeys cleaning up the stable for Mary and Joseph. Deck the Stalls with Bails of Hay...fa la la la la la la la la...
Even the adults got involved this year.
The Angels telling us we need not be afraid!
Wisemen who have come to worship the baby Jesus.

When Jesus was a baby...Was He quiet or did He cry?

It was a great success! We were thankful that ALL our dads were there to hear the concert! The hospital did not call until the last song was sung. :)
We also enjoyed having some National friends bring their families to watch the play...it was good practice for their English comprehension.
Goodies were enjoyed afterwards, we have some of the best cooks here at Galmi!

Thanks for your prayers!

Galmi Onions...

2009-12-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

FOR THE BEST AND FOR THE ONION

in Films, Rich Mix Cinema, Thu 3rd Dec 09, UK Première

Thursday 3 December 6.30pm at Rich Mix – UK Première – Book Now!

Winner of the best documentary at the African Movie Academy Awards 2009, the documentary is about the the Galmi purple, the onion from Niger that pervades West African markets with 400,000 tons a year. In Galmi, Salamatou’s been waiting for her wedding for 2 years. Her father Yaro, urged both by her future in-laws and the village gossip makes a decision : «The wedding will take place at the harvest !» Yaro is aware that to be up to his commitment this time, he has to produce more and sell at a higher price …

Director: Sani Elhadj Magori
Writer: Sani Elhadj Magori
Cast:
Country: France-Niger
Year: 2008
Runtime: 52 min

A friend of mine had this link posted on his FaceBook. (thanks Stephen).

Every time we leave Galmi going east, or even looking out our back windows we see these onion fields. If anyone gets the opportunity to see this documentary...let us know!

Thanks

Excuses...

2009-12-03T06:48:00.000-05:00

As a teacher, I have heard my fair share of excuses for not getting work done. Yesterday, I heard one that I have never heard before...

MK Quote of the Day...

MK: Aunt Cindy, I can't do any work today.
Aunt Cindy: Why not?
MK: I ate too many grasshoppers last night, and they are still jumping...

What am I suppose to say to that??~!

...and it was true, his mom said that he stuffed himself on fried grasshoppers for dinner :)

Only in the world of MKs!

Christmas Programs...

2009-12-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks, I have been busy with the Galmi Day School's Annual Christmas Pageant. It is getting rather challenging trying to think up of new ideas and scripts. The kids are always great helping out, but they too are 'running dry' on new ideas.
This afternoon I was 'googling' Christmas Pageants and I came across this story in an old issue of Guidepost Magazine...It was perfect!
I don't think the kids and I will be able to replicate it, but I thought it was worth sharing with you. Tomorrow I will read it to the kids...

Enjoy...

Wally Purling and the Christmas Program.

Guideposts magazine once ran a Christmas story
about a nine-year-old boy named Wally Purling. Wally
was big for his age, and was considered a slow learner.
But Wally was a gentle giant.
It was Christmastime, and Wally’s school was planning
a Christmas program. Wally wanted to play the part
of a shepherd, but his teacher thought he was perfect for
the innkeeper’s part (Not many lines to memorize). So, Wally agreed.
On the night of the play, Wally was ready for his part.
When they came to the place where Joseph knocked on
the door of the inn, Wally opened the door on cue and
asked, “What do you want?”
Joseph said, “We need a place to stay for the night.”
Wally replied, “You can’t stay here. The inn is full.”
“We’ve come a long way and it’s cold,” said Joseph.
“There’s no room here,” Wally said.
Joseph pleaded, “But my wife is going to have a baby.
Isn’t there some corner where we can stay?”
There was an awkward silence. Wally just stood
there, saying nothing. The prompter off stage whispered
his line, “No, begone!” So, Wally said, “No, begone!”
Joseph and Mary turned to walk away.
At this point the Christmas play took an unusual
twist. Wally couldn’t stand to see them leave. Caught up
in the moment, Wally blurted out, “Wait a minute,
Joseph. Bring Mary back. You can have my room!”
There were those who said the Christmas program
was ruined because Wally didn’t follow the script. But
others said it was the best Christmas program ever because
Wally responded to the Christ child in the manner
that all of us should. Here was a boy willing to give up
his own comfort to honor the Christ child.

Way to go Wally!

"Madame Cindy est ici!"

2009-11-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

It has been awhile since I have posted pictures of the Private School in town. Whenever I have been there, I have not had my camera with me. I remembered this week!

This is our graduating class of 2010.

S. has been the teacher for the past 7 years, and will guide these young people throughout this next school year.
One of the fellows from the LIFT team had a very tender heart for the children of the school. He brought bags of supplies and handed out over 6 bags of 'sweets'! Needless to say he was their favorite on Tuesday :)
The young man standing in the second row (J.) is very special to James and I. His dad works quite closely with James in the lab and administration. He has come to our home numerous times for meals and playing games. It is exciting to watch these young people grow in their knowledge both academically and spiritually.

Here is a picture of J. handing his 'sweets' out to the youngest class. I am not sure who was more excited, J. or the children.

Thank you once again for your prayerful support of the Galmi Private School.

Priorities...

2009-11-14T02:53:00.000-05:00

There are times when 'supplies' get low here in Galmi, and we are not quite sure when the next shipment will come. That happened last week. We found ourselves faced with the possibility of being without certain 'necessities' and we needed to get creative on how to find them and get them to Galmi.

A few phone calls/texts were made to Niamey...

"Do you still have toilet paper in the city? If so, the plane is coming with a couple of Hospital Board Members for the Board meeting on Saturday, anyway you can fill the plane with TP?"

And...SIMair comes through again for Galmi :)

There were quite a few laughs as one bag after another came off the plane! In fact we had families waiting to grab a bag...money in hand!
Not sure what the Board Members thought... :)
SIMair...once again Galmi thanks you!

Galmi Day School Performers...

2009-11-08T09:37:00.000-05:00

Last night, the Galmi Day School Performers gave their first concert of the school seaon. It was a great success! The last few weeks at school have been busy with singing and memory work. Here are a few pictures. My 5 year olds are quoting Psalm 1.

Getting ready to 'swing'!

In full 'swing'!

My school kids love to sing...

My 6 & 8 year olds quoting James 1:19-24.

One of the highlights was playing the Hand Bells.

My 10 year olds quoting Psam 91.

They are almost done...!

Brothers...

We had matching outfits made...and it was a perfect opportunity for a class photo!

Thank you for praying for the Galmi Day School...

Monday, we start to practice for Christmas!

Naming Ceremony and SuperHeroes!

2009-11-02T10:59:00.000-05:00

It has been a very busy few days! Thursday was Superhero Day at Galmi Day School. What a riot! The kids came dressed up as every kind of Super Hero...pictures below. :)

Friday we headed to Niamey for the Naming Ceremony of our African Grandbaby...Suzanne...isn't she a doll!! It was a real treat for James and I to be in Niamey as this precious little one was dedicated to the Lord. We enjoyed great fellowship with some friends we haven't seen in awhile.
Here I am with our 2 'boys' A. and S. We always have a great time when we get together with them! S. is the dad of Suzanne.
James and the 'boys'!
Suzanne being given back to her mom and dad after the Naming Ceremony.
M. (mom) fussing over the baby...

SUPERHEROES!

Here are my Superheros! SuperMan, Birthday Boy SuperHero, Mr. Incredible, CropMan, SpiderMan, SuperGirl, and Power Ranger! It was great! We had a parade around the compound showing off our costumes then finished the party with homemade icecream! Yum...
Here they are showing off their SuperHero strength!
What was I? S. still can't figure it out! ;)
My SuperHero is a Homeschooling Mom in Niger!! Note the diaper on my head for changing diapers, attached is a roll of toilet paper for toilet training. Banana hanging from my ear...bartering with the traders for a fair price for produce, papers attached that need grading, measuring spoons and cups for preparing good meals for the family. Yeast for making bread, glue, scissors, tape....coffee mug! Hot water bottle for upset tummies, Betty Crocker CookBook, dustpan...daily planner, language books...french and hausa..flower...as mothers and teachers they are forever planting seeds that will flourish! Sneakers...because they never stop! Thank you to all my HomeSchooling friends...you are my SuperHero!

Kids say the funniest things...

2009-10-24T14:12:00.000-04:00

This is a copied post from a good friend here at Galmi...when I read it, I knew I had to share it. I hope it brings a chuckle.

Samuel is 5
Rachel will be 3 next month

Enjoy!

Well, I must have reached a new level of motherhood this week! Samuel has brought me his first toad. The school kids have the week off, as we follow the same schedule as Sahel Acadamy in Niamey. Recently, toads have been finding their way onto our back porch. They like the rolled up mats that we use for morning devotions. They jump up in them and hide there. In the morning when we unroll the mats, they come jumping out. One morning saw three in the same mat. Samuel was a bit timid at first, but as you'll see, and discover from some of our conversation, he warmed up to them quickly! The poor toad probably didn't know what he'd gotten himself into when he looked for a cozy place to sleep the night before. After discovering the toad, he carried him around in a small tin for awhile, and then when I suggested that he give him a little more room to roam, Samuel let him hop around the back porch and practiced catching him. After much giggling, he decided to give him a "rest" and let him go for a swim. Next thing I knew, one of my buckets had been used as a toad-pool, and there was one large toad making circuts, trying to find the ladder to climb out. As I passed by this scene on my way to the clothes line with more washing to hang, I asked Samuel if he'd named his toad. "Toady" was the response. As I was hanging wash on the line the following dialogue took place.
Samuel: Hey mom, I just kissed my toad!
A horrified me: WHY???
S:'Cause I wanted too!
Curious me: Where did you kiss the toad?
S: On his mouth of course!
Horrified me: You'd better wash your mouth, otherwise you won't get any bedtime kisses from me!
S:Sure mom.
Curious me: Did you think the toad would turn into a princess??
S: No, I just wanted to.
So there you have it.
Needless to say I didn't ask him to repeat the act just to get a picture for the blog. Then a bit later at lunch as I was relating this story to Alan, Rachel pipes up with her own unusual bit of information...
Rachel: Mommy, I accident-y stepped on a lizard.
Me: Oh dear! Are you sure? They run pretty fast.
R: Yeah, his eyeball got squished out of his head. (note: no distress noted)
Horrified me: Oh my !
R: Yeah, but he didn't cry.
Skeptical me(ie: is she making this up??): I guess it must not have hurt too badly then, right?....Is he still alive??
R: Uh...I don't know...(add confused tone, and lifting of shoulders here)
Me: Samuel did this really happen?
S: Yeah, Gary stunned one, so he could catch it and Rachel wasn't looking where she was walking...and she stepped on it.
Curious me: Did it live??S: Nope, it died in peace.

Now, I didn't think to ask if she'd had shoes on...but maybe I don't really want to know!

Posted by watersinadryland,blogspot.com

At the Galmi Day School, the kids are allowed to 'stun' a lizard by throwing their flip flop at it. They do not kill it, just stun it enough so it can be thrown outside...
I guess they are doing it at home too!
Cindy

Grounded...

2009-10-23T05:06:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was another exciting day in Galmi!

We welcomed back a Long Term Doctor from furlough, and said farewell to a Short Term medical student. The mode of transportation for both was SIMair. After greetings and departure prayers were said SIMair was ready to head back to Niamey. Our pilot and passenger safely buckled in. Everyone waits...and waits...no sound of an engine starting.
I was at the other end of the compound with the school kids. They like to see when the wheels lift from the ground...we waited and waited...no sound...no plane...
A quick phone call to find out what is happening..."The starter is gone...we need to fly the other plane from Niamey to Galmi!" Never a dull moment here!
A few hours later, we had the honor of having ALL of SIMair in Galmi at the same time. Both pilots and our SIMair mechanic. It was great!

Here is the current SIMair team in Niamey.
Our mechanic gets right to work, solving the problem.Both planes on the airstrip, that doesn't happen that often here.
We even put the MKs to work. This young man wants to be a SIMair pilot when he grows up!
Everything is looking ok!The men needed to push the other plane out of the way for the lift off...And away it goes...!

Thank you for your continued prayers for SIMair. It is a vital part of our ministry here in Niger.

Par Avion...Take 2!

2009-10-19T10:50:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are some more pictures from SIMairs visit to Galmi.
K., our pilot was able to bring his daughter E. along for the trip. Here she is (I think with her trusty teddy bear) getting ready to check out Galmi for the first time. . Our MKs get to do lots of exciting things! :)
Outside the plane checking out the airstrip.
CHEESE!!...edam :) We do not convert from cfa to Canadian dollars at times like these...we just eat and enjoy :)
More special 'treats' from the Big City...
Waiting for take off....

I also realized...(or it was pointed out to me) why it was taking so long for my pictures to download. It was not the Satellite system...This past June we bought a new digital camera while on holidays. I did not realize that the the pictures were so much bigger then the old camera was taking. My wonderful hubby readjusted the size, and voila! they are coming in fast and furious!! Thanks hon!

Par Avion...(We LOVE SIMair!)

2009-10-18T01:56:00.000-04:00

Yesterday SIMair made a trip to Galmi. The plane came EMPTY!. When that happens, it means 'Gracery Shopping' can be done for us missionaries. Don't get me wrong, we love a full plane of doctors and support workers...! But, an empty plane means 'treats'!

Treats like Diet Coke!Cream...and cheese!Until next time...!

I have a lot more pictures, but our Interent System here at Galmi is being a bit over worked. We are so thankful for our Satellite system! I will try to post more pictures later...it was a fun morning!

This says it all...

2009-10-15T10:24:00.000-04:00

Invigorate my soul so I can praise You well,
use Your decrees to put iron in my soul. Psalm 119:175 The Msg

My Utmost For His Highest...

2009-10-14T03:47:00.000-04:00

James gave me a copy of this devotional book almost 30 years ago. Over the past 15 years, it has read like a diary. The pages are filled with notes, meetings that took place on a certain day, births, anniversaries, challenges from the Word, delights...it has become very special to me. It is a constant reminder of God's Faithfulness to us in our journey. Today's reading was no exception. The margins are filled with 'thoughts' from the past...I thought I would share it with you today, it may encourage someone as it has me once more.

The Key To The Missionary's Work (1)
Matthew 28:18-19

The key to the missionary’s work is the authority of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the lost. We are inclined to look on our Lord as one who assists us in our endeavors for God. Yet our Lord places Himself as the absolute sovereign and supreme Lord over His disciples. He does not say that the lost will never be saved if we don’t go— He simply says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . ." He says, "Go on the basis of the revealed truth of My sovereignty, teaching and preaching out of your living experience of Me."

"Then the eleven disciples went . . . to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them" ( Matthew 28:16 ). If I want to know the universal sovereignty of Christ, I must know Him myself. I must take time to worship the One whose name I bear. Jesus says, "Come to Me . . ."— that is the place to meet Jesus— "all you who labor and are heavy laden . . ." ( Matthew 11:28 )— and how many missionaries are! We completely dismiss these wonderful words of the universal Sovereign of the world, but they are the words of Jesus to His disciples meant for here and now.

"Go therefore . . . ." To "go" simply means to live. Acts 1:8 is the description of how to go. Jesus did not say in this verse, "Go into Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria," but, ". . . you shall be witnesses to Me in [all these places]." He takes upon Himself the work of sending us.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you . . ." ( John 15:7 )— that is the way to keep going. Where we are placed is then a matter of indifference to us, because God sovereignly engineers our goings.

"None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus . . ." ( Acts 20:24 ). That is how to keep going until we are gone from this life.

Birthday Month!

2009-10-03T05:39:00.000-04:00

September was a busy month with Birthdays! At Galmi day School we love to celebrate :)
Here was S. celebrating his 5th birthday at home with all the compound.
E. mom brought chocolate cake to school to help up celebrate his birthday!
N. chose 10 stickers to be place on his forehead instead of birthday kisses ;)
S. chose the birthday kisses!
E. chose 8 stickers also, but wanted his picture at his desk, so his dad could see that he "is working!". Enjoy Y.!
We have one more birthday in October until we take a bit of a break...
Galmi Day School continues to be a busy place. We are learning a lot about each other and about different cultures. Please continue to keep us in your prayers...

Also...my brother celebrated his birthday in September...didn't forget you Ric!

I want to see...

2009-09-27T02:55:00.000-04:00

“What do you want?”

Jesus is the one asking. He is asking, gently, tenderly.

His eye is steady, searching deep. His breath falls warm. “What do you want?” (Lk. 18:41).

A current shoots through, tingling.

Someone cares.

Very God incarnate sees. And genuinely wants to know. “What do you want?”

No one bothers to ask that question. Except, perhaps, the voice crackling through that box at the drive-through. Or a weary, frustrated spouse? Or a once-rocked-close-babe now grown into more skin and more attitude who yells some kind of variation from behind a closed door at the end of the hall.

But this is Jesus who is drawing close, softly imploring what cries in this heart. He knows. But maybe He wants me to probe within, look, know for myself.

I take a deep breath. For what actually does this heart howl? For what do I thirst, crave, yearn? Do I even know the answer? His voice nudges again: What do you really want?

I ask myself while I string laundry out on the line, dip my hands into sudsy soap water, squeak the squeegee over fingerprints smudging the window panes. The porridge burns. The toilet backs up. The computer crashes. Socks get holes, milk goes sour, the price of fuel goes up, the account runs down. We dig graves and weep. We pop pills and pray. We argue and ache.

“What do you want?” He is persistent, passionate.

I have tried to buy what I thought I wanted. Threads unravel, plastic cracks. New, better, flashier models are released.

I have tried to book a ticket there. But no matter where I wing, sail, or drive on this spinning orb, this worrying heart, this racing mind, this heavy, sinful skin comes too. I can’t escape me.

I have tried to build it. Drywall chips, floors wear, carpet stains.

In the midst of this questing, this buying, this thirsting, Jesus stirs, “What do you want?”

The answer emerges from the fog. I feel it first. Before it takes shape as an image, as words, my body knows it: the tension drains from my shoulders. I loosen, untie. I breathe long and deeply. Like a gentle ocean breeze washing over me and the stars and the night, the answer refreshes, cool and reviving. A smile spreads in its wake. Yes, Jesus, I think I know what I want. (Dare I say?) I simply want a little bouquet, three flowers, sweet aroma wafting. I want a bud of relief, a few petals of peace, a profusion of joy.

But I wonder. Is that the all-about me-answer? Does that answer slot one in the category of self-gratifying pleasure seeker? God Himself beckons His child to cast the crushing burdens upon Him. Yet He too asks His followers to take up a cross. He is the One Who offers His people peace, a supernatural, all-encompassing peace that passes all understanding. And yet our Lord announces that He came not to bring peace, but a sword. Doesn’t He meet seekers with the joy of the abundant life, the joy of living waters? And yet He makes it known that blessed are those that mourn.

Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Can one genuinely , in purity of heart, a heart that beats with His, ask for a trio of little blooms: respite, peace, joy?

This same Jesus , the One asking what I want, is also the One who said,

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mt. 11:29). I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace (Jn 16:33). Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (Jn 16:24).”

I will believe Him. I will ask for that bouquet, though I know that each petal has a paradoxical underside, a different, darker hue and shade.

I know I can’t buy that little bunch, or craft them, paint them, or stitch them. I can’t embark on a quest for them. Mainly because I can’t molt out of my skin. I take my sinful DNA with me, wherever I go. Barring being made new, I am doomed to inevitably crush that bouquet underfoot. And that crushes me.

Simply, plainly, I need to be healed. I have been blind. I have missed His gift, this bouquet of His. I need my sight. I need to eyes to receive what He is offering this bleating heart.

The beggar did too. When Jesus asked “What do you want me to do for you?” he doesn’t miss a beat. He knows what he wants: “Lord, I want to see” (Lk. 18:41).

And I too say, “I want to see.” I want to see Jesus who gives rest, joy, peace. I want to see God who walks here and knows me, who dwells in this skin with me. How can I, rushed, stressed, and overloaded, see God in everything, everywhere, everyplace? I want to wake up. The whirring pace of life has droned me to sleep, a fan of white noise. I have lived groggy and blind. I grope and rant and rail through the maze of my daily obstacle course. And flail right by the rest, peace, joy that He stands here offering to me.

What do I want? I want to see the sacred in the common, the hallowed in the everyday, the holy in the now. I want to have eyes for grace. I want to know life as gift. I want to see God, El Shaddai, who is enough: my very own rest, my perfect peace, my wellspring of joy.

The way into the life that sees God is thanksgiving. “Enter into His courts with thanksgiving.” When I am willing to give thanks, the gates swing open. When I clothe myself in gratitude, I am ushered into the presence of the giving God. When I wash off the scales and the grime of this earth with thankfulness, I see God.

Can I give thanks and see ?

What do you want, Jesus asks.

I want to see.

I want to see that what I want is what I already have.

Lord? I know what I want. I want You to lay hands over these eyes. And I want to open them. To lay eyes on You. Everywhere. I want to SEE.

From: aholyexperience.com

Emergency Landing...

2009-09-21T13:49:00.000-04:00

Our little airstrip has seen lots of action today!
This morning SIMAIR whisked off a couple that have been here for the past month. They are 'regulars' here at Galmi, coming every year for the past 4 years. It is always hard to see people leave.

After they left and things returned to 'normal' on the compound, we heard the plane again (about 3 hours later). When we hear the plane with no notice that it is coming, the first thing that goes through your mind is "Who is sick, and is being flown to Galmi Hospital?" We all go running.
This time the plane wasn't carrying a sick missionary. The plane was in trouble.

It was a gov't. Crop Dusting plane that was having trouble with his auxillary tanks. He was getting no reading of fuel. He knew that he could not make it to his destination, and decided to land here.
We have the most creative people with us here at Galmi! In no time hoses were being brought out and the avgas was being transfered from one tank to another....

He was here for about and hour and a half. We said a prayer for him as he flew off...
He was very appreciative of all the help that he received. He asked for my hubby's name...James replied...and the pilot looked at him and said "Like James Brown?"...we all had a good laugh, then the pilot changed his mind..."No", he said..."You are James White!"

Oh, for a boring day in Galmi!!
:)

Disturb Us...

2009-09-19T14:47:00.000-04:00

I came across this poem tonight, and I really enjoyed it...especially the last vere.
It seems to speak to me of change. Am I willing to be disturbed by the Lord, or do I want to stay with the 'status quo'

...what do you think??

Disturb Us, Lord...

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

[Sir Francis Drake]

Gateau chocolat

2009-09-17T15:41:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week, D. asked if I would teach her how to make un gateau chocolat (chocolate cake). She leaves to go back to school in Maradi in a few days, and wanted to make a cake for her family to enjoy before she left. We decide this afternoon would be good for both of us.
It was a good time. She practices her English, I get to use my French. I have known D. for almost 11 years now. She use to live with us on the compound. It has been fun to watch her grow up.

I think it turned out pretty good for her first try!

Singing...

2009-09-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

I'm trading my sorrows...
I'm trading my shame...
I'm laying them down for the Joy of the Lord!

Last Sunday night the kids from the Galmi day School sang two songs for the missionaries...one in English and one in French. They were great! Here they are jumping with the Joy of the Lord...!

Viens, ne tarde plus... (Come, Now is the The Time to Worship), was the French song. We can't sing without doing some actions, so with our 3 Francophones in the class...they are teaching us how to Move!!
Here they are getting ready for their big final jump...look at those arms ready to fly!!

New family coming!

2009-08-26T11:22:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow James and I will head into Niamey to welcome a new family that is coming to Galmi! They are Long Termers! I think only missionaries will really understand the phrase 'Long Termers'! In Galmi we host well over 200 STAs each year, and we appreciate each one...we really do...but a Long Term family! ahh...
This family has just finished their french study in Quebec and will land tomorrow afternoon in Niamey. James and I wanted to go in and help them through the initial stages of culture shock and to help them with their house hold items that they will need.
Please pray for this family. They are bringing two teen age daughters with them, but also leaving two young adult children back in the States...we know how that feels...

Thank you again for your prayers.

Insects of Galmi, Niger

2009-08-18T10:21:00.000-04:00

Today the kids from the Galmi Day School went on an Insect Hunt! We are trying to find as many different insects as we can on the compound. We were quite successful this morning!
Here J. is picking millipedes off of the school wall :)
E. is trying his best to get the ants to co-operate.
S. scrapping off a caterpillar...
"Don't pinch him too hard G., we want them alive!"
First of many caterpillars for N. He ended up with 15!
For those who do not want to touch the insects with their hands...another use for plastic bags! ;)
Hard to see, but there are 2 moths flying around in his jar.
"Yea...I caught them!"
Sheer joy!
A centipede and 3 millipedes...

All in all it was a good beginning to our Insect Unit!

Galmi Day School starts a new year!

2009-08-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

This morning Galmi Day School opened its door to 7 eager students!
Here is N. S.
This is his first year with us at school. He has been so excited for the past 2 weeks to start school.

G.L.
Has been with me for the past 2 years...and is a delight! :)

E.S.
Also his first time with us at Galmi. I am sure that he and G. are going to keep me on my toes ;)

New friends playing a game together.

It is fun to watch the returning students show the newer kids the 'ropes'.

My 2 youngest...eager to get started!

First official class picture.

J.L.
I have had J. off and on for the last 5 years. This is a very special young man!

E.L.
My only girl! She has been with me for the past 2 years also. She keeps me sane with all the boys!

S.W.
This is his first year at Galmi Day School also. His family are very special friends to us (as are all my students families :). We were able to attend his parent's wedding back in 2001, and then they were with us in French study in 2006.

D.S.
He is my youngest. He is trying his best to follow the English, and he is doing a very good job.

These are our 'Hands of Fame'.
What fun it was this year to more then double the number of hands on the wall!

Thank you for praying for the students of Galmi Day School. This year will be an interesting one with 3 ESL students. We have gotten off to a very good start...

Sorry it has been awhile...

2009-08-06T14:22:00.002-04:00

f S., and his bride S. outside of Sonitan EERN church in Maradi. This was the first time that we have seen the groom and his freinds wearing white suits, it was a nice change.

Last weekend James and I were in Maradi for a wedding. S., works with James in the lab, and we wanted to go and support him on his Big Day...it was fun. This was the 'Wedding Uniform' that family and special guests get to wear. The friends of the bride pick out the material. This one wasn't too bad...we have had worse! :)

Sorry, it has been awhile since the last post. We have had some Internet issues here on the compound, and for some reason our new computer will not let me upload pictures, so I am back on 'old faithful' tonight.

Many of you have been praying for Niger this past week. Thank you. Everything is calm, and we rejoice that things went relatively smoothly.

We ask you to pray for a missionary gal (Southern Baptist) that required an emergency medical evacuation from Galmi this week. She is currently in Ghana receiving the treatment that we could not provide for her. It always makes you stop and say a prayer of thanks for good health. It is during times like this that you realize how far 'away' you really are.

The MK school here on the compound starts next Wednesday, so hopefully I will get pictures posted, thanks for your prayers.

Internet Issues

2009-07-29T02:18:00.000-04:00

We are having some Internet problems...

I cannot download any pictures right now, and I have tried posting this message a few times. We are hoping that in the next couple of weeks the problem will be corrected.

Thank you for your patience! :)

Vacation pictures from NC.

2009-07-24T02:58:00.000-04:00

Here are a few pictures from our holidays. The Internet is very slow today, so I can only download a few at a time. (Maybe later today I can add some more).
A high light of the trip for me was spending some time (albeit brief!) with my SIM. These ladies are a source of encouragement to me. We have all served in Niger at one time or another. They know the struggles and can identify with the daily challenges. Thank you gals!
Another high light is my dad's Shrimp Boil! He makes it for us when we visit them in Calabash, North Carolina. It is SO good. Here he is putting the shrimp in the shrimp pot.
It was great having all of my family together. Here I am with my mom, dad, brother and sister.
The 3 siblings. It has been 4 years since we have been all together.

Testing out the new computer

2009-07-23T14:33:00.000-04:00

If this 'publishes' then I have figured out the new computer!

Sorry for the silence...

2009-07-20T03:45:00.000-04:00

We are safely back in Galmi, Niger. Forgive me for the lack of communication lately.
We had a FANTASTIC holiday! Thank you so much for all of your prayers. The fellowship we had with family and friends was indeed sweet. We are sorry for the visits that we could not get in. We were running the whole time! It was that fastest holiday... :)
We are busy getting back in the swing of things here, and getting a new computer up and running. I am having trouble downloading pictures for some reason, but will be working on that in the next few days. So please 'bear' with me. I will get back to blogging soon.

ONE HUGE PRAISE!

While on holidays I received news that the kids graduating form the Galmi Private School (town school), ALL passed their national exams! This was a HUGE answer to prayer! Why am I surprised?...our God is HUGE, and He loves to delight us! Thank you again for your prayers for these kids!

Father's Day

2009-06-21T19:06:00.001-04:00

This has been a special Father's Day for us. It has been over 4 years since all of us have been together as a family to celebrate. We have had fun. We had a great dinner this afternoon celebrating dad!
Here is dad with his kids...
Mom too!
Yesterday we celebrated with James dad and had (almost) all the grandchildren...minus 1...not too bad! M. you were missed.
3 good looking kids! I am lovin' being back! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

2009-06-21T08:11:00.000-04:00

MOM!!

Trusting that you have a great day! Looking forward to our visit...
Love you and miss you!

Cindy
xo

Happy Father's Day Dad!

2009-06-19T18:42:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day dad!!
See you in a couple of weeks...
(Mom, thanks for showing dad this!)

Love you both
xoxo

Niagara Falls

2009-06-12T19:18:00.000-04:00

28 years ago...where does the time go?
Here we are on the Niagara SkyWheel. It is a huge ferris wheel that has an amazing view of the Falls.
The flowers and colours were beautiful! And everything is so GREEN!
Here are some shots from the SkyWheel.
We had a great weekend. It was good to unwind a bit from the busyness of getting back in Ontario and all the festivities around grad.

Holiday update...

2009-06-12T19:03:00.001-04:00

It has been a whirl wind!

We have been back in Ontario now for almost two weeks.
Becka graduated from Laurier, we have been to Niagara Falls to celebrate 28 years of marriage, a Blue Jay game (they won!), and have been settling into the church house in Sarnia. Great memories!

It has been great to catch up with friends and family. Tomorrow we 'hit the road' again.
Here are a few pictures of Becka's graduation.

All our bags are packed...

2009-05-29T14:41:00.000-04:00

We're ready to go...

Leavin' on a Jet Plane...(but we do know when we'll be back again...July 12th)

Please pray for safety in travel by road and by air. We take nothing for granted here!
See you in Ontario :)

51

2009-05-29T02:23:00.000-04:00

Hours and counting...

:)

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2009-05-25T01:42:00.000-04:00

Lord willing...a week from now (Monday, June 1st...6:50am) James and I will be waiting to board our next 'leg' of our journey back to Ontario...Charles DeGaulle in Paris....
Am I getting a bit excited?
YES!

Demolition Time

2009-05-20T14:10:00.001-04:00

House 29...Going, going...Gone!

For all you former 'Galmi-ites', you may recognize this house as #29...(Beth, I think you lived here at one time?)
Well, it has seen better days...
Demolition started this week. Nothing is wasted here. Each rock is carried to a pile where they will be sold along with beams, old cupboards, broken panes of glass, anything they think salvageable.
It has been quite a process to watch. The school kids and I have been going everyday to see the progress, we are sure by the end of the week it will be completely down. Another house will be demolished after this one (#33...termite infested).
This is all done by hand...no machinery and in +44C heat!
Within the next few years we are hoping to have 2 new dwellings to replace these homes.

Wal-Mart...Galmi Style!

2009-05-16T03:20:00.000-04:00

Galmi C0-op....Our Wal-Mart!
Every Wednesday afternoon for 1 1/2 hours I run the Galmi Co-op. When our Short Term Associates first come in, you can read the look on their faces..."This is it, this is what they get excited about?", and after about a month, they are just as excited as we are to go shopping at the Co-op! We try to meet as many needs as possible...tuna, milk powder, vegetable oil, oatmeal...things that are not available on the street.
I enjoy the co-op. It is a place to meet everyone once a week. We are a small compound, and eveyone is busy...but we all gather each week to shop and fellowship at the co-op.

We jokingly call it our "Wal-Mart"...not quite. :)
BUT...only 2 more weeks until I get to walk the isles of a real Wal-Mart back in Ontario!!
HOLIDAYS!
Maybe I will see a few more things to add to our Co-op!

The Husband...

2009-05-08T07:48:00.000-04:00

of the Scorpion... Namijin Kanama (in Hausa).

This fellow was waiting for us as we came home last night on our front door. Hot Season brings out these spiders. They are really quite harmless...they are just so UGLY and FAST! When you spray them with insecticide....they tend to run AT you...their front tentacles raise up and start frantically waving...usually we are the ones running in the opposite direction! It is quite comical! We were brave last night and got close up and personal with this fella! When you get your courage up to kill them...you have you really 'whack' them... then.... they SPLAT all over everywhere! You are cleaning up a bit of a mess...

Welcome to our lives in Galmi! :)

Did I kill this guy? Nope, I was on the other side of the screen...I took my shoe and hit him hard and he went scurrying down the path...

One Word....

2009-05-06T15:20:00.000-04:00

RAIN!!!

Ahhhhhh...

O.K. 2!
:)

Hmmmm...

2009-05-03T10:35:00.000-04:00

What to say...

I know a lot of you may be getting tired hearing about weather...everyone seems to be talking about it. How cold it is or has been, how hot it is...

Well...

for the past few weeks we have not seen under 40C plus humidity. Hot Season is here!

For the past 24 hours our power has been 'off' more then 'on'. Inside the house, the temperature has been as high as 42C. Without power that means no fans, no air coolers...

What to make for meals? Anything that does not require an oven!
Consumption of water has increased,
Trips to the Galmi pool are daily...
Spray bottles are handy for a quick 'douse'
...even at school, we have stepped into the shower, fully clothed!
Anything to bring down our body temperatures.

Yet, we have heard reports of rain around us...
Yeah!

Sisterhood Award

2009-04-22T12:57:00.000-04:00

Things like this do not usually happen to me!
A friend (blogs.oddsocks.com/ahunt), from 'down under' nominated me to for this award...

This is what she wrote about my blog:
Cindy at ChatsWithCindy is someone we met in Niger, West Africa back in 2000-2001. We taught her children (who are now grown up) at Sahel Academy. Cindy and her hubby are missionaries in one of the toughest parts of the world and I always find her blog a great read.
Thanks Amanda!

Now it is my turn to nominate 5 other fellow bloggers whose blogs Inspire others.

1. The Bee In Beth's Bonnet
Beth is one of the most creative teachers I have met. I had the privilege of working with her at Sahel Academy 2004/05. She is currently in her last months of french study, and getting ready to come back to the field full-time as a teacher. She can always be counted on to pick up your spirits.

2. Life In Niger
Rachel's blogs are full of honesty and integrity, as well as beautiful pictures. She depicts live in the big city very well. I consider her a great friend.

3. Our "Wrighting"-ing Pad
Richelle is an amazing mom/friend/missionary! She is the mother of 8 beautiful children, homeschools and writes great Bible Studies. Her blogs are full of interesting reads!

4.Live The Adventure
Rebecca in Benin...you just have to read her blogs. She is 'Living The Adventure'!...and should be on The Amazing Race. She was a past student at Sahel Academy...back in the days! ;)

5. Matt and Stacey
We first met this great young couple in Quebec. We did 6 months of french together. They are serving in Haiti. Stacey writes incredible blog entries. She is a new mom, and is having a blast!

All my other blogging friends...there were so many interesting blogs to choose from...you are ALL my favorites!

The Picture Speaks...

2009-04-16T14:16:00.001-04:00

Thursday, April 16th...3:30pm...
ugh...

Just how hot does it get?

2009-04-15T01:41:00.000-04:00

This is an excerpt from a fellow M. prayer letter in Niger. It describes perfectly Hot Season...

"...One of the major topics of conversation this time of year is the heat. When greeting people on the street, one of the common greetings is, "How's the heat?" We are now in the hottest weeks of year. Temperatures approach or exceed 110 F (43 C) every day--in the shade. When it is dry, those temperatures are easier to take, but with humidity, it becomes heavier and the heat index can soar into the 130 F range (54 C +). During the first part of the hot season it is very dry. But during the last half of the hot season, the humidity begins to work its way in via monsoon winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Over the Easter weekend, the previously dry weather turned humid, and now we will see a constant buildup of humidity until the beginning of the rainy season sometime in June. This time of year productivity declines, fatigue comes on quickly, and tempers can be short as we "boil over" in the heat. Pray for good rest each night, for good listening ears, and the ability to take a break from time to time..."

Thanks J. and N.
Perfect description!

SURPRISE!

2009-04-10T07:45:00.000-04:00

Special days bring Special Events!
Last weekend we celebrated a fellow missionary's 40th!
We got her!..it takes a bit to plan and execute a Surprise Party here...She was told that one of her children was in a bit of 'wahala' (trouble/suffering). She was so concerned about this child and trying to figure out what he was doing, that she was totally surprised when we all came around a corner and started singing Happy Birthday to her!

Here are my fellow conspirators!

We had a "Ladies Only Potluck" at the pool. It was very nice...we can be so creative on the edge of the desert! Candles were placed around the pool once the sun started to set...it looked pretty..and was so relaxing (would have had pictures, but my batteries in my camera died!)

Happy Birthday Alicia!!
Love your family at Galmi!

Success!

2009-04-10T02:21:00.000-04:00

I have been trying to post different things for the past few days, and Blogger has had a mind of its own! My posts seem to vanish into thin air...somewhere in cyber space...maybe one day they will reappear!
We will see how this post goes!
If you see it....SUCCESS!

Baptism at Galmi Pool

2009-03-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

This afternoon we had a Special Event take place at our pool. The local UEEPN church and neighboring UEEPN (Dogorawa), church had 10 people baptized.
There were lot's of children, young people and adults there to witness this great occasion.
About every 2 years, the church asks if they can use the pool as a Baptismal Tank.
May God get the Glory.

M. and S.

2009-03-29T02:08:00.000-04:00

James received an excited call this week from S. to tell us we were going to be 'adopted grandparents!'.
M. is expecting!
Not often the future 'dad' will tell the news, but he wanted James to know right away.
M. and S. have settled in Niamey in a very nice house. We were able to share a meal with them the last time we were in the 'big city'. They are both very excited....and so are we!

Great shot!

2009-03-19T07:55:00.000-04:00

Isn't this great!?
This young man (Dogo...Hausa for tall) worked in a nearby village. The kids LOVED him. Everytime I see it, it brings a smile....hope it does to you as well.

Sorry for the 'silence'. We are fine. We have had a busy month. More than 25 Short Term Associates have been through Galmi in the past month...lot's of work and visiting.
Only 72 more days 'til holidays...We get to see the kids :)

Not sure...

2009-03-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

I am not sure how to share this post.
There has been some more troubling news coming from the school in town.
Stoning (done in fun!) and strangling (thankfully the child was not seriously hurt...again done in fun). How do you do these things and have 'fun'?
Things that I would never have dreamed being done at a school...yet, they are going on. The children involved were spoken to. Teachers are aware...again I am reminded "It is the culture".
Culture...10 years, and I still struggle over cultural issues.
Will I ever learn?

Happy Birthday Bethany!

2009-03-09T10:05:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday honey!

Our youngest turns 22 today...
I miss her...
83 days until holidays, and I can personally give her a Birthday hug...

Hope you have a great day babe!

Mom

H.'s wedding

2009-03-02T01:09:00.000-05:00

Saturday brought another wedding to Galmi.
H. and I.
H. is the daughter of the gal that helps me with the household tasks here in Galmi. We have known H. for 10 years. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow into a beautiful young woman. She is currently enrolled in the Nursing Program in Niamey.
He husband I. comes from Niamey, and is the son of a pastor (his father was killed in a car accident just before Christmas). They will settle in Niamey.

Chats with Cindy

Chuckle...

WWLAB/Africa Mercy Ship

Verses to meditate on...

Latest Prayer Letter/January 2012

Mom

Christmas and family :)

O Come All Ye Faithful - Celtic Woman

O Come let Us Adore Him...

Mary...

Pray you ENOUGH

Pictures from the Getty Concert

Joy - An Irish Christmas

WorldWide LAB Improvement

"My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark," -Dear Jesus.

A few thoughts...

A cold cup of coffee...

Overwhelmed...

Few thoughts of the past week...

Cambodia/Bangkok WWLAB

On his way home...

Still among the living...

James trip to the Congo.

Pictures....

Still here!

We are still alive...

Family Wedding...

Women of The Harvest Furlough Retreat

http://wothfurloughretreat2010.blogspot.com/

We're back!

Leaving in...

Last Days...

Another new song...

Last day of school, May 28/10

Hot Season Jingle...1st Verse

Hot Season Jingle

Hot Season Jingle (Tune: Jingle Bells)

Hot Season, Hot Season...Hot Season is here.Sweat, sweat, sweat,Drip, drip,drip,It's that time of Year.....(repeat)

(Still working on the verse) :)

Hot Season in Niger...

Pie Eating Contest and 'Moto' rides

Quote from A.W. Tozer

A few things on my mind....

No Power Song

Trusting...

Friends...

Old Post...DUST!

The last month...

The Dead Head...

I have not forgotten...

Sahel Fun!

Happy New Year!

How Great Our Joy

Galmi Onions...

FOR THE BEST AND FOR THE ONION

Excuses...

Christmas Programs...

"Madame Cindy est ici!"

Priorities...

Galmi Day School Performers...

Naming Ceremony and SuperHeroes!

Kids say the funniest things...

Grounded...

Par Avion...Take 2!

Par Avion...(We LOVE SIMair!)

This says it all...

My Utmost For His Highest...

Birthday Month!

I want to see...

Emergency Landing...

Disturb Us...

Gateau chocolat

Singing...

New family coming!

Insects of Galmi, Niger

Galmi Day School starts a new year!

Sorry it has been awhile...

Internet Issues

Vacation pictures from NC.

Testing out the new computer

Hot Season, Hot Season...
Hot Season is here.
Sweat, sweat, sweat,
Drip, drip,drip,
It's that time of Year.....(repeat)