On our way to Niger - 2021

We left Grand Rapids on Sunday, October 17 and had good connections through Detroit and Paris, arriving in Niamey, the capital of Niger on Monday mid-afternoon. We took full advantage of the Delta Airline humanitarian/missionary fare which gave us each 3 free checked pieces of luggage plus a carryon case and a small backpack!! One trunk and one large suitcase were jam packed with surgical equipment and supplies and we had a 50 pound duffle filled with school books for a home-schooling missionary. Another piece of luggage was filled with miscellaneous items for folks that we had been asked to carry.  

We had had the required PCR covid tests in Grand Rapids and were ready with the paperwork. Interestingly, there was only one cursory check of our documents in Paris- the lady looked to see that our names were on the sheets but did not check the date!

Only 5 of our 6 checked pieces arrived with us - the duffle of books came several days later. Unfortunately, the customs agent held the trunk and suitcase with surgical items - he did not care that we had letters explaining that the items were for patient care and not for resale. The SIM mission organization  is in the process of sorting this out.

Our taxi driver took us to a guesthouse for our one week quarantine- surprisingly, it passed quickly and this past Sunday the 24th, we had another covid test that allowed us to fly to Galmi Hospital the next day. We have now been here nearly a week!

SIM Air has two planes flying now which gives folks good travel flexibility - the roads are not felt to be safe so few use them. This single engine 4 seater cruises at 3-4000 feet and at speeds of 120-150 mph.

We were happy to see Dave Ceton, who is the airplane mechanic at the SIM hangar. Dave and his wife Laura and their 3 children have served in Niamey for a number of years and are supported by our home church.

This little plane has an impressive instrument panel. I was up front next to the pilot and was careful not to touch anything!!

The quarters were tight but bearable for the nearly 2 hour flight. I (Dave) even took a brief nap! We wore head phones since the engine noise was extreme and I was able to listen in as the pilot talked with the control tower.

                                                                                                                                                                  

The dirt/gravel airstrip is a half mile long. Due to the 25 mile per hour headwind that we were flying into, it took only half of the runway to stop.

Safe arrival!!!!

Galmi will be our home for 5 weeks. We look forward to having Thanksgiving here and return home on December 2.