Rebecca's Desert Dwelling: My New Family

Before leaving to come to Niger, I had doubts about whether or not I would be able to connect with the people. Because I was raised in Africa, the basic assumption was that it would be no problem, but still there was doubt in my mind as my MK experience was quite sheltered and mostly revolved around my international school. However, the past few days have very much assured me that my doubts were in vain. God has been showing me how much he is my provider and I know that it is because of him that I have been welcomed with open arms by various people in Niger.

This past Saturday, while Asku was on guard duty, he invited me to join a tea party outside to (informally) celebrate his 23rd birthday. Not long after joining the party, his sister who I have claimed for my own, Fatima, showed up and spent the majority of the day there with me. Another girl from hutte classe and a friend showed up a while later and spent a few hours with us. They taught me a local game that requires great amounts of coordination--not my forte! But we had a great time laughing and joking nonetheless. Apparently the rules to this game state that the winner gets to cut off the ears of the loser. Raichatou, the winner, kept snipping her fingers at me, making us both laugh hysterically, as I would cover my ears and cringe in pretend fear.

Ibrahim and Asku making tea

It was during this time that I was invited to come hang out at Asku and Fatima's house. We settled on the following Tuesday afternoon (that of course being today, I just got home.) Talk about nicest family in the world! On Christmas Eve, I'd visited this family with my cousins to deliver Asku's Christmas present (each of our guards received a gift) and I'd brought along a game of Pick Up Sticks. Mohammed, the second youngest brother was so excited to show me his skills--he'd been practicing. By the color of the Pick Up Sticks, it was evident that they'd been well used in the two weeks since I'd given the game to them! The littlest boy, Ibrahim, who is three, lay on the mat next to me and would just same my name over and over again--except that he pronounced it "Levecca."

Mohammed with his Pick Up Sticks

Ibrahim and Levecca

With my two sisters--the third one missed the photo shoot

We spent our time drinking tea, eating together, practicing the various languages we are learning--English, French and Tamasheq. It was a crazy jumble of Tamafranglish! They even played Celine Dion for me so that I would feel at home, you know, since Celine Dion is Canadian like me! Just before sunset, we walked ten minutes to a sand dune to wish the sun a good night. We took all sorts of pictures. When we came back from the dune, we ate supper, played with the chubbiest little puppies, star gazed and watched Tuareg music videos on one of the guy's cellphone. Tuareg music videos feature A LOT of camels!

on our way to the sand dune--Fatima looks so cool!

kings and queens of the sand dune!

On the way home, I was informed that their mother (who doesn't speak French) had tried to convince the guys that they should convince me to spend the night--she didn't want me to leave! Boy I feel loved! Had I known while I was still at their house, it would have been awfully tempting. The only thing that might have kept me from saying yes was that I didn't have contact solution with me! Next time, I'll be prepared!