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 ;)