I’m in Galmi! (The long awaited and overdue post..)

On the flight to Galmi.

Well I made it at last! Took one week from leaving Dallas, TX (5/18) to arrive here at Galmi, Niger (5/25).  Much has happened in the last few days.  I’ve certainly been kept busy since I stepped onto the missionary compound.  I flew with SIM air from Niamey to Galmi, about a 90 minute trip.  The bus ride here is an experience they say... Over 7 hours long and if you’re lucky you get the bus with air conditioning! I might have to try my luck on the way back ;) 
    After arriving Wednesday afternoon I was thrown right into the mix of things.  I ended up hanging out at the hospital for a few hours getting acquainted with staff and quickly forgetting names I’d heard minutes before.  The staff here on the compound are incredible people.  I’ve only known them for a few days and 3 families have already had me over for supper to ease the transition.  Now and then someone will show up at my doorstep with food or another might jokingly act aloof to the fact that I owe them money for something.  It’s been a very easy transition so far.  We’ll see if it lasts haha.
    Still haven’t gotten my 2nd piece of luggage yet, but man am I thankful that I have at least one piece!  I realize more and more what a blessing it is that God delivered to me at least one. 
    The people here are very kind.  The most important thing you can do in this cultural is learn to greet people, regardless of whether you saw them 2 minutes ago or 2 days ago.  The language thing is still getting to me.  I’m working in the shop right now with a gentlemen named Abraham that speaks only French and Hausa.  Needless to say our time together has been interesting.  There is one thing that I have to mention.  It’s both hilarious and quite unfortunate... In my application to SIM some time ago, when I was distracted by school and other things I mentioned that I had some carpentry experience from working with my father.  The missionaries of Galmi quickly took this as I was a full time professional carpenter.  I’ve since dispelled the rumors that I am indeed no “miracle” carpenter come to save the place from creaks and decay, but I have offered what I know.   Please pray that my shop partner and I keep our patience and our heads working with each other as well as any others who don’t speak English that I run across. 
    The hospital is a dark place.  Death happens often, especially with children.  I was told to expect it.  I haven’t witnessed anyone pass yet, but Michael who was on call on Saturday was praying over a child before surgery when it passed away.  He had a rough day, and once again I was taken back by the sheer volume of care and support he received not an hour after from the community around here.  I beginning to think I want to live here long term simply because of the people I’ve met in a weekends time.  I’ve gotten the chance to witness some surgeries and to watch the process of admitting patients to the hospital.  In the shop I’ve been helping to make crutches for the recovering patients.  Who knows what’s in store for this week!
    Cooking for myself begins this week :P I’m excited and a bit nervous.  There is no Walmart in Galmi.  Finding food here involves bargaining with locals which is entertaining to watch but it’s not for me.  Michael and I may have struck a deal, if I clean dishes (which he hates to do) then he’ll cook (which I lack talent in).  I can also learn from him as well so I don’t walk away empty handed.  I’ll let you know how the whole food thing goes. 
    My eyelids are getting heavy and tomorrow is a new day and the beginning to a new and full week.  If I could have prayer for direction during my stay here that would be wonderful.  I would like to find out if medicine is right for me now, not after my 2nd year in medical school. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog! It means a lot :)
Your eternal brother,
Josh

More Fun Little Details!

 (I just finished putting up 2 posts including this one. The other entitled Friends on the Flight should be read first.)

Mmm..Lunch! Mango, Shwarma (this is how you say it..)

    I just sat down to my first internet access in Niamey, Niger!  Unfortunately the trans-Atlantic ethernet cord that supplies internet for all of West Africa was cut recently by a ship.  This means internet is very slow and unresponsive sometimes.  I made it safely here and have been enjoying exploring Niamey with some missionaries today.  We've been looking for a cheap cell phone, a flashlight (lost mine somehow), a watch, and a wall outlet converter for my lap top to plug in.  No success getting any of these yet :(  The fact that hardly anyone speaks English in Niamey makes things interesting.  My French is worse than I'd hoped it would be haha.  At least I remember common greetings, which are very very important over here.  Just a simple hello is all it takes.  If you do not greet people in this culture, it is considered highly offensive and will ruin my witness.  The downside to knowing some French greetings is that the people I greet then assume I know French and try to start a whole conversation with me... The situation quickly turns awkwardly hilarious..
   I'm scheduled to fly to Galmi on Wednesday.  It's too bad my luggage didn't make it through to Niamey yet, but I've been told by SIM personnel here that this kind of thing happens with the airline Air Maroc all the time.  God will provide if they don't come! If I've learned one thing, it's that being calm about all the troubles makes the troubles much easier to handle and even seem nonexistent :)  If I seem absent from updating this blog as frequently it means 2 things.  I don’t have internet connection or I don’t have time haha
  The picture I've added was my lunch for a day in Niamey.  The "shwarma" is something like the Greek gyro's, except the Lebanese version.  Filled with tender cuts of lamb, lettuce, tomato, and a delicious sauce, this was an excellent meal!  I think the mango was still the best part.  It's mango season here, the only good thing about the hot season.  Sooo delicious!

Blessings friends! Please continue to remember me in your prayers,
Josh

Friends on the Flight

Keep reading to find out who this is :)

     On my journeys so far I’ve already made a couple friends, including some that are traveling all the way to Niamey with me.  From NC to NY, I met a doctor by the name of Uchenna (Wu-chee-na) who is from Nigeria originally.  We had a good time talking about his experience at medical school in Nigeria, his family, and the culture back in his home country.  He is now in the states finishing up his residency.  He was a great encouragement to me, please send up a prayer for him. 
    On my flight from NY to Casa I was so blessed to meet a young couple.  These two are on their way to Niamey to visit some friends and investigate if moving to Africa to serve as missionaries is the right for them.  Chris and Jen brought along their 2 youngsters, both cute kids.  They certainly weren't the only small children on the plane... If one baby stopped crying/screaming, another was quick to take its place haha.  It was nice to meet someone going to the same place.  For those of you who attend John Brown, I got a great taste of what it must feel like to be a Walton Scholar (With scholarships provided by Walmart, hispanics are able to attend JBU at no cost).  Among a world I didn't know where people were much different than I, I felt comfortable traveling with my the couple.  So a lesson for you JBU peeps, the Waltons are COOL!  Trust me, I'm dating a girl who might as well be one ;)  If you haven't, try to get to know them.  Just because they hang with each other doesn't mean they won't accept your advances for friendship.  Quite honestly it makes them feel more welcomed and loved if you go out of your way to do so.  This is definitely how I felt being the minority.  This couple certainly was a blessing to me as well.  Please send up a prayer for them and their decision to pursue mission work.
    The 16 layover in Casa was relaxing, mainly because we were given vouchers to a hotel by the airline.  The couple and I boarded our flight to Niamey at 1 a.m. Monday morning.  Another person I met that I just cannot pass up was Diarra Ladji Abdramane.  Diarra greeted me on the plane and asked if I spoke English.  We had casual conversation.  Eventually he mentioned to me that he played football (soccer for you Americans).  At first I missed it, but he said again that he plays for Portugal.  I was skeptical but asked for his signature anyways.  Haha I looked it up and guess what I found...Regardless of my skepticism, I felt lead to give him one of the small New Testament Bibles I carried with me.  These things really come in handy!  We didn't have much time to talk about religion as we were leaving the plan when I gave it too him, but please keep Diarra and his salvation in your prayers.
   I forgot to mention another girl I met on the flight from JFK to Casa.  Andrea is a part of a group of students going to study in Morocco for the next 4 weeks.  She mentioned that a lady who had greatly helped her in her travels and given her the book of John in a small tract.  I prayed and felt let to complement her copy of John with another small New Testament I had on me.  Please pray for Andrea and for her salvation as her parents are Muslim.  As you probably know, the consequence of converting is quite severe. 
Prayer requests again are for:
Uchenna- Continue to live his life for the Lord, pursue his seeming curiosity about pursuing medical missions.
Chris, Jen, and family- Safe travels and prompt direction from the Lord about their question, should we be serving as missionaries in Africa?
Diarra and Andrea- for a growing curiosity about the gospel, for their salvation

   Made it safe to Niamey! Read my next post for a little more fun details ;)
   

Luggage Shennanigans

Pictured are myself, Scott, Melissa, and Elyse.

      Wow! Finally time to sit down and write.  I wrote this on the plane from New York to Cassablanca and am taking time to type and post it now while I’m in Cassa.  SIM kept me and several other short termers pretty busy these past few days.  We talked about everything from health concerns, Islam, finances, to spiritual warfare.  The other short term friends I met there were about my age.  Scott and Elyse both are in undergraduate.  Melissa has completed her schooling as a dental hygienist.  Scott is heading to Synagol for 6 months to help serve the youth in a remote village.  Elyse is on her way to South Africa for 3 months to help with teaching, and Melissa is on her way to Peru to help with dental work.  Please keep them in your prayers as well. 
    A quick shout out to some of the wonderful SIM personnel that made this all possible.  It was a joy to work with you Sonya, Anthony, Sheila, and Jim.  These people along with many more are the ones that made sure my other SIM actually got to Niger.  Praise God for their help!
    Speaking of praising God, I am still so happy to witness to you about his faithfulness and goodness.  Traveling can be so chaotic and nerve-wrecking, how can I ever hope to make it there alive and with all my luggage?  That’s exactly what was running through my mind the entire day Saturday.  Fortunately God has delivered both to me so far.  By His grace, He did some amazing things Saturday morning to make my trip a lot easier and less expensive.  Let me explain briefly:
    My flight path from Charolette, NC passes through New York on to Cassablanca and finally to Niamey, Niger.  From Niamey I fly or drive to Galmi.  Saturday morning in NC, Jim and I fought for (politely of course) my two 50 lbs. bags to be shipped directly to Niamey, Niger.  Unfortunately the system wouldn’t allow us to no matter what the kind baggage lady tried.  This wouldn’t be a problem if my flight from NC to NY hadn’t been delayed 2 hours.  After landing in NY I needed this time to collect my luggage and check it through Casa all the way to Niamey.  If not I would be charged an extra $600!
    Long story short, God came through and we got the bags patched through from NC all the way to Niamey.  I’m still praising Him!

Tomorrow!...I mean today..

In about 7 hours from now I will leave this wonderful land of Texas for the airport.  Said goodbye to the family and friends. Unfortunately I won't be landing in Africa until May 23rd in Niamey, Niger where I assume I'll be driving to Galmi from that point.  I'm excited and I'm ready to go! God has been so good to bring me this far and He's done that through you my friends :)

Thank you for your continued prayers!