Yourizey Koira, Days 3 & 4 (Thursday 7/26 & Friday 7/27)

 Sometimes you just know you're standing on Holy Ground.  This village is Holy Ground.  This village wasn't originally "on the radar" of our church.  It's not one of the villages on the road we committed to evangelize and serve.  Men from this village went looking for truth and they found it being taught in a village right across the river, one of "our" villages.  These men heard the truth, believed, were obedient in baptism, and obedient in the Great Commission.  They took the truth back to their village and shared with their wives, families, and friends.  This village has a growing body of brave believers.  They are facing persecution and some downright scary things have happened in their village, but they are not deterred.  Ten new believing women will be baptized this weekend.

 On our first day in this village, we took "the long way."  We drove to the compound of our brave, toothless, first believer.  The men spent the day teaching believers more of God's word. These men can't read, so they listen to God's word again and again.  They memorize, internalize, repeat, and soak in the truth, so they can share and teach.  Before the day was over, a friend our believers had invited to visit for the day, was on his way to the river to be faithful in his new commitment.

 We women started, as always, with groups of curious children.  Soon their mothers came near, with their farming tools in hand, to listen to stories from the bible.  They stayed, and stayed, and stayed, and listened as we desperately scrambled for more applicable and understandable stories.  They didn't talk much, but they listened politely.  Women in this culture can't make a public proclamation of faith unless their husband allows it.  As a teacher, I looked at the eyes of our "students" and recognized the eyes of confusion, defensiveness, kindness, curiosity, and that look we teachers live for--the "I GET IT!" look.  HIS word does not return void.

The children in this village were shy, until Morgan decided it was time to sing and dance.  We played and played and sad little faces started to smile and giggles filled the air. 

 The next morning, we took the short-cut.  We crossed the river in boats--more similar to canoes.  The water is a lovely shade of brown and the current moves quickly, but it was a cool, relaxing ride.  This day, we met at the farm of our first believer's father.  This day was, hands down, my favorite day of our visit.  We got to fellowship with, disciple, and encourage believing men and their wives.  Mid-day, we began preparations for a shared meal.  Our trip was scheduled during Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sun-up to sun-down.  This is the first year that our believers in this village have not participated in the fast.  This is huge!  They stand out like sore thumbs.  It was an honor to share a meal with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 We spent at least an hour picking through the rice to remove bugs and pieces of chaff.

 The rice, black-eyed peas, onions, oil, and water were boiled in these pots.  The rice mixture was served in large communal bowls topped with Tonka.  Tonka is a hot spice blend made and used by the Songhai. ( As soon as I tasted it, I knew I had to bring Tonka back to my husband.) This was one of the best meals I have ever eaten.  I still tear up remembering working and eating together.  It was a blessed day. 

On the way home, the rain came.  Yes, the rain, after a couple of years of drought and failing crops in this area.  The rain came on the very day faithful friends of the Songhai, who were participating in a 30 Day Songhai Ramadan Prayer Guide, were praying for rain. This village is Holy Ground and this was one of those days when you can almost feel the veil tear and God's presence and blessing surround you.