Beauty and Blessings

We have shared some difficult stories of our medical exploits, and I thought that it was time for a different message. It is a beautiful Sunday and we have been thinking of some of the Beauty and Blessings of our Galmi compound home. Of course, the most Beauty is the smiles of appreciation and greeting from patients who are on the mend. This 14 yo girl had severe pneumonia , improved with iv antibiotic treatment and went home smiling.



We have dozens of pix of beautiful Niger faces.








Our Galmi compound is filled with trees, shrubs, and plantings that are cared for by diligent gardeners who water and trim. As we sit on our front stoop, the sound of birds fill the air--hundreds of birds-doves, spectacular Purple Starlings with their iridescent blue feathers and striking yellow eyes, cuckoes, and Weavers. This tree is a picture of a "condominium" of dozens of nests made by the male Weavers to entice their mates.







This strange looking shrub is called an Elephant Shrub, named because of its thick pachyderm like woody structure. It is striking in its lack of foliage and abundant lacey pink blossoms. A thing of Beauty, eh?











Bougainvillea and hibiscus shrubs brighten the neighborhood, providing a visual splendor in the midst of the reddish brown dust and dirt that covers the earth.






Blessings include our weekly Sunday evening English/Francais worship service. Our community gathers for singing, Scripture, testimony and time of sharing of God's Word. It is a Blessing to gather with brothers and sisters.


Wednesday 10 am is a special Galmi Blessing when we have a time of coffee, tea, and fresh baked cinnamon rolls. The whole community crowds together in a home for this time of joy in the middle of our daily activities. ...encouragement comes in many shapes and sizes.




Blessing includes the help that we receive from Hassou, a woman who comes to our flat to wash our clothes (hand wash), dust and clean up the house. She comes for four hrs on Monday and Thursday; we are so thankful for a clean house, even though the dust wins the battle! We are happy to help Hassou with some income for her family; we are told to pay her 2400 cfa for her work-that is about $5.





So, in the midst of a great amount of darkness, let us always remember to look for Beauty and Blessings. We are thankful that He has called us to be Light.