Our First Easter in Niger

We shared a beautiful Easter Sunday with the Christian believers in Niger. What a privilege! One of the things that stood out to us most was the simplicity of the celebration - it was a celebration that focused on Jesus alone. The Nigeriens that we celebrated Jesus' Resurrection with all know the meaning of suffering for His name's sake. They have faced persecution, they have forsaken all, and they are thankful for the joy, peace, forgiveness, and abundant life that His death and resurrection made available to them. There was such excitement in the air as everyone gathered in the church to celebrate!

Like many believers, our family had special outfits made for Easter Sunday. Easter is the primary Christian celebration in Niger, with Christmas coming in second. Many people spent weeks preparing for the Easter weekend! There were multiple meetings from Good Friday through Easter Sunday, one of which included a showing of the Jesus Film at the church Saturday evening. Christmas brings the birth of the baby, but Easter celebrates the power of the risen, victorious King! Hallelujah!

Our family sang a special in Hausa, "Yesu ya mutu bisa giciye saboda ni, yanzu ina da yanci!" (Jesus died on the cross for me, and now I am free!) Jonathan and Isaiah wrote this song, and it is now one of Isaiah's favorites.

Here they are...

...two Bowden cutie-bugs enjoy the worship, and each other!

They're becoming the best of friends.

Giggles...



And more giggles...

After the service, everyone gathered for a celebration feast! Everyone had brought a "dish to pass". All the "dishes" were served out onto large trays, then divvied out to groups of people. Here is Anna, ready to dig in. We all sat in a circle around the food (most of which was rice, stew, and yam), and ate with our right hand from our area of the platter. Don't worry, everyone washed their hands before eating!


So hungry! Can we start yet?!!



Anna and Mommy! Anna still amazes the Nigeriens by her incredible appetite and love of all.foods. They've never seen anything like it, and think it is simply wonderful.



Daddy and Isaiah with the pastors and church leaders.



Daddy helps Anna wash up at the pump on the church compound. The motos that you see in the foreground belong to our pastors. They are the primary means of vehicle transportation in Maradi. Most people travel on foot, though.



Walking back together... I love these Daddy-Daughter moments!



The youth in the church wrapped up the day by dancing joyfully after the meal.

What a special day! We'll never forget our first Easter in Niger!

Tiny Additions

I am now the new "mommy" of three tiny, motherless kittens. We were originally hoping to take one or two of the litter after they had been weaned, but when their kitty-mommy was found dead three mornings ago, our plans changed a bit. Hand-feeding three hungry little mouths seemed like a pretty big task, but I would dare say that the whole Bowden family is enjoying the bouncing balls of fur that have joined the family!

Tiny kitties... just after we brought them home.

The kittens weren't used to being around people, so they were quite skiddish at first. I am thankful that we had the chance to hand-feed them. They are already warming up to us. They all come running when they hear me coming, tripping, head-over-heels, and falling into a big pile at my feet!

Beginning to explore...

It took everyone a while to adjust to eachother. We have to adjust to having little balls of fluff chasing our feet, playing with our toes, and meowing loudly whenever they're hungry or alone. .I am sure, for a fact, that the kittens are the ones with the greatest adjusting to do! . Nothing in their previous little lives could have prepared them for the initial shock of two excited, enthusiastic Bitty Bowdens! Isaiah and Anna are small to us, but to these kittens, they are giants! .The children are learning the valuable lessons of being gentle, being still, and being quiet. The kittens are also beginning to enjoy playing with Isaiah and Anna, and aren't as bashful around them as they were the first day.

I was very thankful when they started drinking from a plate, instead of needing to be dropper-fed!

Little buddies now...

It's good for the soul to see the three little tykes sound asleep in one big lump. Someday we'd like to get a dog, but for now, these are some wonderful tiny additions to our home in Niger!

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Please Keep Praying...

We would like to give you a quick update on Umi, Rebecca's daughter. Just this last week, she returned to live with her father, upon his request. Rebecca didn't have much say in the matter, and is feeling sad at not being able to have Umi live with her right now. We are thankful, however, that Rebecca now has a wonderful relationship with Umi, one that she was never able to have before! While she lived here, Umi began learning how to read and write, she lived in an environment that was saturated with the love of Jesus, and we watched her blossom beautifully. Please pray with us that all of the seeds sown in her life during her season with Rebecca would bear fruit in the next seasons of her life!

Rebecca will be able to keep in touch with her, and again, we are thankful for that. Thank you for praying and covering this family, rejoicing with them and grieving with them. It is a beautiful picture of how the Body of Christ should function. Please continue to stand with us in prayer for them!

Much Love ~ Dani