Christmas in Niger - Part 2

One of the best Christmas gifts we have ever received was MY DAD, Pastor Bob Burket, coming to Niger for Christmas! He didn't come alone either! He came with love, thoughts, prayers, gifts, and the blessing of our whole church family in Lawrenceville and many other friends and family in the States. For everyone who blessed us by blessing my dad, we want to say THANK YOU! Thank you for sending him to Niger! Words just can't describe how much his visit meant to us.

I have a photo-journey for you of Dad's trip!

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WELCOME TO NIGER!

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At the airport!

Dad's plane flew over our car as we drove to pick him up a the airport! You can see the plane in center-right of this photo, just above the horizon.

...heading into the airport!

Waiting to see Grandpa! His airplane just landed!

Yeah!!!! Here comes Grandpa!

There are no words to describe moments like these!

Grandpa brought M&Ms for the Isaiah and Anna at the airport!

The M&Ms, needless to say, were quite a hit!

I mean, seriously, is it LEGAL to have this much fun?!!

These guys couldn't get enough!

Here we are - TOGETHER in Niger!

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Let's hit the road! Off to Maradi, 8 hours away!

Bush stop!

We don't have rest areas here! We sure do wish there was a Burger King somewhere along the line, though!

Where am I?!!

At home in Maradi,
unpacking the things that you blessed us with!

Isaiah and Anna help Grandpa unpack the 3 suitcases of gifts and supplies from home!

I think their facial expressions say it all! Thank you for blessing us!



One happy Mommy right here! :)

A new outfit from Grammie Dawn Burket!

It's been chilly here with temperatures in the 70-80s during the day, and 40-50s at night, so we're thankful for long-sleeves!

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Ministry!

In the 5 days that Dad was here in Maradi, we ministered in several villages and hosted a 3-day Pastors' Conference at which Dad was the guest speaker.

The Village of Tamroro!

Arriving at the village church... (the church building is on the left)

Worship in Tamroro!

Jesus IS God, He changed my life!

Our family, Pastor Yahaya, his wife and three children, and Rebecca (far right), holding Amy's hand.

Children in Tamroro...

Anna must be getting a little tuckered out! It's been a long day! But a GOOD one!

These wooden logs are carved out on the inside to make a bowl of sorts. The women then pound their millet and yams in them.

The Village of Nakoki!

The "road" to Nakoki - 4-wheel drive is a MUST!

Teaching a new song in Hausa!

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These four little girls wanted to receive Jesus after hearing the gospel preached!

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Jesus said, Let the little children come unto Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

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Praying for the sick...

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The whole congregation, standing outside the church (the straw structure behind everyone).

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The children LOVE seeing themselves after their picture is taken! There is never a time when GIGGLES don't ABOUND!

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Pastors' Conference!

Here we are with all of the pastors and their wives at the Pastors' Conference! It is so exciting to have opportunities like these to invest into the leadership of the Nigerien church!

Ministering to the pastors...

Hallelujah!

This is the "nursery" where the kids played while the teachings were going on. It's just a mat on the floor in the back of the room...

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Some special family time!
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Things we don't take for granted anymore! Having the chance to walk hand-in hand with Grandpa...

Isaiah and Anna wanted to show Grandpa where they like to swim when it's hot outside!

Next...

We couldn't resist...

If one travels to Niger, one simply MUST ride a...

CAMEL!

Wahoo!

Up with Grandpa!

Mommy and Isaiah take a turn!

Rakumi - is the Hausa word for camel

Isaiah, who was nervous at first, ended up riding with everyone! He spent the most camel-time of us all, and now refers to this camel as, "Our camel..." when comparing it with others that he sees around town.

Merry Christmas from Niger!

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Back to Niamey!

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Since Dad had another week of ministry scheduled in Ghana, he had a plane to catch! Here are a couple of the sights we saw on the way to Niamey... just a few of Niger's beauties!

Watermelons! Can you believe this? Niger grows beautiful watermelon!

This trip, we dubbed, "The trip of the camels!" There were camels everywhere!

Gone are the days of worrying about hitting a deer on the PA roads!

Watch out for that CAMEL!!!

These camels were waiting outside a camel market... They're for sale!

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One last evening together before Grandpa leaves...

Grandpa's buddies... Isaiah and Anna

We ate dinner at a restaurant that overlooks the Niger River with the Childs families!

Savoring every moment together...

I loved having my Dad in Niger!

Thanks for coming, Dad!

And thank you to everyone who sent him!

I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the sunrise on our trip back to Maradi, after dropping Dad off at the airport.

"The path of righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full light of day."

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Proverbs 4:18 (NIV)

May Your righteousness continue to shine forth, Lord, in the land of Niger, brighter and brighter, until there is no darkness to be found!

I can't even find words to describe how special this 1st Christmas in Niger was. It was truly a gift from God. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us, sent packages, supported my Dad, blessed us financially, and went the extra mile to make this such a special Christmas!

We love you!

Happy New Year from Niger!

Let's continue with our hand to the plow, sowing in 2011, and looking to the Lord to bring increase!