Our International Visitors

We were blessed to have our dear El Salvadoran friends that serve as Niger missionaries with us for the first week and a half of November. We picked up Juanita, Rodrigo, Nathan (3) and Kaila (2 months) in Northern Virginia and entered a full weekend to celebrate the wedding of another Niger missionary, an early Christmas party with Zalika's (Leila's bud from the orphanage) family and a trip back to Northern Virginia where Rodrigo preached at an Hispanic church. While the kids and I sat out on the trip to the Hispanic church, Geoff enjoyed and was challenged to spend several hours listening and speaking in what I consider his 2nd language - Spanish. I hear he did pretty good and kept up well. Rodrigo headed to Niger from there for a quick trip to check in on his staff and their house that they hadn't seen since last February (long story but basically Juanita was incredibly sick and the Nigerien doctors couldn't take care of her, so they had to leave to ensure her safety and Kaila's whom was not yet born). 

So, we had Juanita and the kids with us while Rodrigo was in Niger. When you live in Niger and are gluten and dairy free, your food options are limited. And when you're overseeing the LINK Outreach Center (LOC) where mission teams stay and Westerners come for a little reprieve, and there's a brand new 2nd floor, you can't exactly go to the local Target to get what you need. There is no Target. Or Home Depot. Or Bed Bath and Beyond. Even in the capital city. So, that meant we shopped here - in the great place of America where Americans know how to shop. 

With some help from other friends (because let's face it, taking 4 children under the age of 4 shopping is not enjoyable for anyone), Juanita wore herself out shopping. But really, we loved having them here and with us. We've only spent time together in Niger during my one trip there in September 2012, but through email and FaceTime we've been able to stay connected. She is really a kindred spirit, and a very dear friend that gives and loves others well because of her great faith in Jesus. The girl also speaks 3 languages fluently and has lived in Niger for almost 10 years. She's pretty amazing. If you go to Niger and see it, you will understand that living in Niger is no small thing, especially with 2 small children. Only by faith and through her faith can she do this. It's truly inspiring.

With juggling children, we were not so stellar with picture taking, but here's our few attempts.