Africa Trip Update

The trip from Indiana to Niger, West Africa was for the most part uneventful. The weather in Northern Indiana had turned colder. Monday morning December 7th dawned with much cooler temperatures with periodic flakes of snow. After a laugh filled three hour drive, my wife Janice and Melissa Lehman (Gerald’s wife) dropped us off at the Detroit International Airport. In just under 22 hours we would step off the plane in the sub-Sahara plains of Africa.
Check in and clearing security was a breeze. We did enjoy the fact that it was Tim Helmuth who was singled out for special treatment as we passed through x-ray in both Detroit and New York’s JFK. In New York we had to change terminals which meant we had to get new boarding passes and clear security a second time. Eight hours later we landed in Paris, France at 6 AM local time. The four and a half hour transit turned into over five hours because our plane was late in arriving at the gate. But we were soon on our way for the five hour and 25 minute flight to Niamey, Niger. Walking down stairs of the aircraft we were greeted with blast of 90 degree temperatures. In spite of the shock to our systems it was good to be off the plane and in Niger. Little did we realize that we were about to encounter our first setback.
We had made a concerted effort to pray for favor as we cleared immigration; specifically that there would be no problem with carrying in all the vitamins we had packed into our luggage. Our missionary friend Rich Jorgensen had arranged for a baggage porter to take care of us. It was a comforting feeling to see him walk up to us holding a piece of paper with our names on it. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. That is until my large suitcase did not appear on the baggage carousel. We waited and waited but “big blue”, filled with most of my cloths, children’s vitamins, play dough, office supplies and a large jar of peanut butter never appeared. Welcome to the realities of international travel. Thankfully Janice had packed some of my clothes in a garment bag, that did arrive, and my carry-on.
The delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Going through the first immigration checkpoint had not been a problem. If we were going to have a problem it would be when we went through the final x-ray check to be able to leave the airport. It was at that point they might take the vitamins from us or make as pay a large import tax. For some reason, perhaps it was because we were the last in line or because another flight was arriving with a full passenger load returning from Mecca, they sent our things through x-ray and never said a word. For that we gave thanks to the Lord. Somehow I would have to find a way to survive until my luggage could be located. Even if it arrived two days later on the next flight from Paris, I wouldn’t see it because we leaving in the morning on the 400 mile drive to Maradi.
To say the road to Maradi is desolate doesn’t begin to describe the terrain. Coming from fertile northeast Indiana one wonders how anyone survives the hardships of this county which is almost twice the size of Texas. What possessed the French to even want to colonize this nation several centuries ago? No doubt it was nothing more than wanting to keep pace with the British and Dutch colonial expansion. With the exception of a few river bottom areas there is no real farm ground; at least as we would define it by western standards.
Life for most of the people in Niger is primarily a daily struggle to survive. People in the villages are for the most part of malnourished. The CARE, UNICEF and famine relief agency vehicles that we see on television at home are very visible on African roadways. Drugs are not much of a problem in Niger because, people are just trying to find enough food to eat. Gasoline, which is sold in liters, is over $6.00 a US gallon.
Oil has been discovered in Niger. We passed a large convoy of trucks headed for the oil fields. The Chinese are largely the ones funding the nation’s developing petroleum industry, pouring in millions of dollars.
We made the 8 hour trip with only one brief roadside stop in the middle of no where for minute of comfort and relief. Lunch was “on the go” consisting of wonderful beef burritos that someone had prepared for us. Passing through a small village that had sprung up alone the roadway we came within inches of hitting and killing a small girl who walked out in front of our vehicle. Rich felt so bad and blamed himself for the near tragedy, but we were just thankful that God was watching over all of us and no one was injured or killed.
About 30 minutes from Maradi, we left the roadway to drive 10 minutes down a path that led to a small village. We arrived almost an hour late for the 4 pm service but the sounds of the distinctly African worship from a small square building with a metal roof were unmistakable. The people were so excited about our coming. Following the service we said our goodbyes and headed into the city where Ginger (Jorgensen) had prepared a traditional meal of rice and pieces of meat in a tomato-pumpkin sauce. Amish cooking it wasn’t; but it did taste good.
The following morning we toured the Abundant Life Primary School where Ginger is the director. Watching the kids run for food at snack time was a moving experienced. Gerald Lehman summed it up when he said, “It just broke my heart to think that those little children had to push their way to the front of the straw hut at snack time because they were afraid that there may not have been enough food to go around.”
It was disheartening to learn that many of the children never go beyond the 6th grade in school. While this school has several college graduates, a person can teach lower elementary grades with less than a high school diploma. Missionaries like Rich and Ginger Jorgensen are working hard to raise the nation’s academic standards.
The Bible school graduation on Thursday evening (December 10th) was nothing short of a celebration. The program went on for over 3 hours. Given how few people finish secondary school it was wonderful to see five Pastoral and nine Discipleship students receive their certificates of completion. It was an honor and a privilege for me to bring the graduation address.
Following the graduation ceremonies food was provided for all in attendance. That proved to be both an uncomfortable and a humbling experience. The graduates were given the honor being served first. The meal consisted of a mixture of macaroni and rice, a small potato and red sauce with a tiny amount of meat. We were told that no one would be offended if we ate only one bite. Most of the village people who had come into the city for the celebration ate with their hands. The rest of us waited until they brought us large spoons. Out of courtesy I hate four or five spoons full and then set my bowl on the floor. Gerald and Tim did the same things as did our missionary friend. Those serving the food came and graciously asked if we were finished. When we said “Yes”, they picked up our bowls and gave them to other people who were eagerly waiting for anything that we didn’t want. I saw several pastors share a bowl of food. No scrap of food was wasted. There were no words to describe the feeling as I watched people reach out for my leftovers. I was convicted about all the food we waste or refuse to eat because we don’t like it. Here were people eager for my leftovers, more concerned about survival than getting my germs.
Friday and Saturday was the Pastors Seminar when the three of us all spoke. I did all of the teaching, but Gerald and Tim each shared in a couple of sessions. Following the last session we handed out the vitamins. Pastors were given a two months supply for each of their children. The pastors will handout the remaining bottles to children in their villages. The pastors were so appreciative because the need among the children is so desperate. Tim Helmuth, EWC Missions Chairman, made the statement that, “As great as it is to bring these vitamins over here, the need is so great; what we did is like a drop in a bucket,” “We just have to find a way to do more and keep them coming.”
The team from Eden was scheduled to minister in a village church on Sunday before making the drive back to Niamey on Monday. Pastor Gingerich will be speaking at a Bible College on Tuesday morning. Tim Helmuth and Gerald Lehman will be flying to the United States on Wednesday. Gingerich will be going on to Uganda for ministry. He is slated to return to Indiana on December 23rd.

~Pastor Harold

Africa Trip / Christmas

Pastor Harold has left for Africa! My dad and 2 other guys from the church left for Africa yesterday. They arrived safe and sound, but minus dad’s large suitcase.They do have ‘trip insurance’ so the hope is the contents will be replaced, but mom laughed as she said that he will have to speak to his first engagement wearing a suit and tennis shoes!

Please take some time to pray for them (Harold, Tim and Gerald) while they are gone the next couple of weeks. Pray for their safety as they travel and for God’s blessing upon the ministry there.

As Christmas approaches we think of the baby Jesus with Mary, Joseph and the stable and everything is so beautiful. But stop and think what it really meant for Jesus. For all eternity Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit had been together in perfect harmony and unity (trinity). Then Jesus, to fix the fallen world, leaves heaven and comes to this earth for what we would call a suicide mission! He was rejected by men, made fun of, harassed and hunted. He was turned on by his friends and family, abandoned by his disciples and eventually beaten and murdered by the very people he came to save!

And why? To deal with my sin and yours! He did not come to ‘make things right’ or ‘fair’, he did not come to make you happy or heal every sickness and make sure no one you love ever gets cancer. Does our God heal … yes! Does he make things right … yes! Do bad things still happen to us … yeah. It is not because Jesus isn’t doing his job! The second time he comes, he said he will wipe away ever tear from our eyes, no more death, sickness or sorrow. But the first time around he came as a “man of sorrow’ to deal primarily with sin. Not to make you happy but to make you holy.

So remember that Christmas although it is a happy time for many, points to the cross of suffering. That is the reason he came, and aren’t you glad?!