The Chief and the Immam

We went to see the Chief today. He is a man of power and influence in the Songhai community here, and we should not try to do our work without his knowledge.

We missed him by ten minutes, but his brother was there. We talked to him and told him about our hope of returning to conduct medical clinics and educational programs. The brother was enthusiastic about our goals and said they would cooperate in notifying the people.

The immam who advises the Chief arrived as we were talking in the Chief's office. He, too, seemed supportive and eager to help.

We talked for 15 minutes and left with the impression that the Songhai community would readily receive medical and educational assistance. Their are no medical clinics operating among them, as far as we know, and the teaching of English is almost exclusively governmental.

Team members were entertaining school children when we returned to the school which was our meeting place. Denise was telling Bible stories. Yvette was helping an autistic young man and his family. Anna was visiting with a young mother and her child, asking about hair-braiding and how long it takes.

Chad, an intern from Tennessee, was trying to mimmick me, he said, by falling asleep on a bench. My clock never quite adjusted, so I perfected the art of cat-napping anywhere, anytime, but not without a lot of jealousy and protest from other team members. Any pictures or stories you may encounter about this are likely borne of frustration and ill humor.

Sim had gotten on the concrete floor with the children and was in need of help to rise. Adam was just taking it all in. And Fourcows (aka Kristen) was insisting that her father had raised the price on her dowry, putting it out of range of almost all prospects.

We are approaching dinner time here when we will enjoy a feast prepared by Adeline. She cooks American dishes and nails them every time.

At 9 p.m. we will leave for the airport and a endure long process of checking bags and going through customs. Flights leave in succession around midnight, and the lines are long. Our flight leaves at 1 a.m. Saturday morning. We hope to be home by noon.

Our team is tired, but we are happy. We have had a marvelous experience in Africa. All of us want to return. The Songhai people have captured our hearts, and we are eager to follow up with more teaching, more learning, and more opportunities to incarnate the love of Christ.