I'm learning that Niger doesn't do things halfway. When it's hot, it's over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And when it rains, we get 2.5 inches in a span of 4 hours. When it rains, it pours. Then it floods everything and washes away homes (made with mud and straw), killing both people and animals.
While I'm thankful for my secure apartment, I also feel like I'm "treading water" in the flood of my current circumstances. I've been struggling with frequent migraines, which seem to be mostly related to the fluctuating humidity, and my friend passed away in the States, and last Monday, I was the victim of a sneaky theft in a taxi. The driver and passenger worked together to distract me so that the passenger could take my wallet and my phone from my purse without my knowledge. It was such a disappointing and frustrating experience. Fortunately, I don't carry anything important on me (no one takes credit cards here, if you can imagine that back in the States!), and I didn't lose much cash. I was even able to recover all of my pictures with my Google account. I will get a new phone next week from a fellow traveler who is returning to Niamey.
I learned from African friends that the incidence of crime around Niamey increases before holidays, such as now before Tabaski (the local name for the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Adha). It puts a lot of strain on each family to buy the required sheep for sacrifice (between 40,000-60,000 cfa, or $69-104 US equivalent). So, my friends explained, a lot of them turn to theft in desperation, in order to avoid the shame of failing to provide the sacrifice. They were not excusing the behavior, but they warned me to continue to be more vigilant. Speaking of sheep, the local cell phone carriers are holding multiple contests to give away sheep leading up to the holiday on Wednesday. I have not entered any of them, for the record.
When I look at the reason for the holiday, to commemorate Abraham's submission to God's will and celebrate God's provision of a suitable sacrifice in place of Abraham's son, I shake my head in frustration, that some people have twisted the spirit behind the holiday and resort to thievery instead of trusting in God's continued provision. But it is the same with many of our American holidays, is it not?
So what do we do in the flood? We grasp the hand of the One who walks on water. And then we splash in the puddles.
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| credit Boureima Hama/Agence France-Presse |
While I'm thankful for my secure apartment, I also feel like I'm "treading water" in the flood of my current circumstances. I've been struggling with frequent migraines, which seem to be mostly related to the fluctuating humidity, and my friend passed away in the States, and last Monday, I was the victim of a sneaky theft in a taxi. The driver and passenger worked together to distract me so that the passenger could take my wallet and my phone from my purse without my knowledge. It was such a disappointing and frustrating experience. Fortunately, I don't carry anything important on me (no one takes credit cards here, if you can imagine that back in the States!), and I didn't lose much cash. I was even able to recover all of my pictures with my Google account. I will get a new phone next week from a fellow traveler who is returning to Niamey.
I learned from African friends that the incidence of crime around Niamey increases before holidays, such as now before Tabaski (the local name for the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Adha). It puts a lot of strain on each family to buy the required sheep for sacrifice (between 40,000-60,000 cfa, or $69-104 US equivalent). So, my friends explained, a lot of them turn to theft in desperation, in order to avoid the shame of failing to provide the sacrifice. They were not excusing the behavior, but they warned me to continue to be more vigilant. Speaking of sheep, the local cell phone carriers are holding multiple contests to give away sheep leading up to the holiday on Wednesday. I have not entered any of them, for the record.
When I look at the reason for the holiday, to commemorate Abraham's submission to God's will and celebrate God's provision of a suitable sacrifice in place of Abraham's son, I shake my head in frustration, that some people have twisted the spirit behind the holiday and resort to thievery instead of trusting in God's continued provision. But it is the same with many of our American holidays, is it not?
So what do we do in the flood? We grasp the hand of the One who walks on water. And then we splash in the puddles.
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| image: "Hand of God" by Yongsung Kim |
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ReplyDeleteThis was so beautifully written through the eyes of faith. I hope your migraines lessen. I continue to be so proud of you and all you are trying to do!
ReplyDeleteGod's provision.
ReplyDelete