My New Normal

The longer I live in Niger, the more difficult it seems for me to write a blog post.  When I first moved here, everything was new and exciting, very different from suburban life in Pennsylvania.  Informing friends and family back home was easy because of my many new encounters with Niamey.  Now, the once-crazy, jaw-dropping sights on the streets or in the market place are less shocking.  I don't find myself staring and I no longer have to tell myself to "get a grip, Hannah, it's just Niger."  Niger has become my new normal.

Don't get me wrong, of course there are some hilarious sights when you are out and about - a man talking on his cell phone while riding a camel, four men riding one motorcycle, bush taxis packed inside and out with chickens, goats and mattresses.  You really never know what you are going to get.  Niger is unexpected like that.  But I'm learning to expect the unexpected.

I've recently begun driving in Niger (wahoo!), which is a big accomplishment for me, since when I first came here driving was a rather stressful idea.  But I have some friends who have graciously loaned me their car and I've successfully made it to the airport, various restaurants, the grocery store, the tailor, church, and friends' houses.

With only one more quarter left of the school year, I can confidently say that teaching has become more normal, as well.  Much like Niamey, every day is an adventure, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.  By no means am I perfect, but I find joy in being with my students and am sad to think that I only have one more quarter left with them, some of them leaving Niger for good.

"Adulting," a term I stole from a good friend (thanks, Debbi!), is something I hope I am getting better at, too.  Being on the other side of things (the adult, rather than the child), has given me plenty of opportunities to learn, mess up, and relearn.  I am finding it challenging to maintain consistent discipline.  Yes, discipline is Biblical, but how do you discipline in a godly way?  I've never really been in a position in which it is necessary to rebuke.  Of course, I've held leadership roles before, but being an adult feels much different, and in a lot of cases with my students, I am the higher authority, making the calls.  I have found that it's not fun for me to send students to the principal's office or have them lose a few minutes of recess.  And yet, I'm learning the importance for me to follow through.  Actions have consequences and that's an important lesson that I hope my second graders are learning!

I had a humbling encounter last week during parent teacher conferences.  As the third quarter ended, I had the opportunity to touch base with about half of my students' parents.  As I ended one conference in particular, my offer to pray for them was reciprocated.  I immediately felt encouraged and convicted as they prayed that I would be a godly example for their child.  Those are the kind of prayers that I so desperately need.

I continue to navigate life and the journey is not always smooth.  I trip and fall and get back up again over and over.  So yes, may the students I serve and teach see my mistakes, but may they also see the redemption of God Almighty through me.  I think being a godly example does not mean that I have to be perfect, but rather that Christ's perfection covers me.  I want to live in that - in the truth that I am made new in Christ.

As we celebrate Easter, remember exactly what this celebration means for you in your everyday life.  It is more than a holiday and an excuse to eat candy.  It is a glorious remembrance of  Christ's death and resurrection, giving us holy access to God Emmanuel, Redeemer, Counselor, and Friend.

Happy Easter, everyone!

"He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.  Come and see the place where he lay."  Matthew 28:6

Days Gone By

It's been a full week and only one more before break.  Report cards are out and Parent Teacher Conferences commence Tuesday and Wednesday.  Our unit on Vikings is finished and we will continue learning about globe and map skills this week.  I am excited to start a poetry unit with my kiddos, too!

Tonight was the big night.  "I have butterflies in my stomach!" my second grader told me.  The girls looked beautiful in their Easter dresses and the boys handsome in their collared shirts.  Lined up, quiet in the hallway, ready to wow the eager moms and dads, cameras in hand.  Miss Farrer worked hard with grades K-5 this past month preparing for the Easter Musical.  The hours of practice paid off!  They were wonderful!  What a beautiful sound and a powerful message.  He is Risen!

I am looking forward to celebrating my first Easter in Africa.  There have been many firsts for me here.  And while people come and go, I have found a family with whom I can celebrate to make it special.  (I would love to dye eggs, but African chickens lay brown eggs and I'm not sure it would be the same.  New places, faces, and traditions to be made.)

And with time, I have found myself adjusting to life in Niger in other ways.  If you have been keeping up with me since August, you know that I had a bit of trouble with the food...bleaching lettuce too long, failed attempts at yogurt, and melted tupperware.  However, I am excited to inform you that I have come a long way in 8 months!  I have successfully conquered yogurt, made my own bread, granola, homemade salsa, hummus, and tortilla chips.  I have cooked chicken and fried zucchini.  I've baked cookies, cakes, and pies.  While time limits my adventures in the kitchen, I have truly enjoyed making new things!

I have also been given the opportunity to drive in Niger!  Don't be fooled by the smiles.  Aggression is the name of the game.  And patience.  Cows, goats, and sheep meander in front of cars.  The road is shared with donkeys pulling carts of hay and camels with wide loads.  Taxi drivers zip in and out of traffic.  Motorcyclists often carry tall loads of eggs, windows, chickens, or anything else impractical.  I have seen up to 5 people on one motorcycle.  The other day I saw a man climb up onto his camel as it was walking...he just swung his leg over its neck and climbed up!  You never know what you will see in Niger.  Needless to say, driving here is quite the accomplishment and you will never be bored!

This past weekend, I enjoyed some Indian food, dancing, and great friends!  We ate to our hearts' content at the buffet and then danced it all off!  A few Sahel students and their families were involved in putting together the event.  It was so neat to see them in another context and super fun to watch them dance traditional Indian dance!  I tried my best to follow along at the end, and I was surprised and humbled by a student who commented, "You danced better than we do!"  Ha!  If only I could remember the moves!

I helped a good friend from Switzerland celebrate her birthday on Saturday by going out for brunch!  We shopped and then enjoyed a delicious meal with chocolate mousse for dessert.  That evening, we joined some other friends at the dunes.  The dust and sand in the air made it difficult, more like impossible, to see the horizon.  But we sat in the red sand, feeling the dark of the night slowly pull its quiet blanket over us.  Silence echoed in our ears and the fading of light was almost tangible.  After throwing the football and chasing it down the dunes, we started the fire for dinner, hot dogs and chips.  For dessert, chocolate in bananas on the hot coals!  We chatted long into the night, returning home tired and ready for rest.

Did I tell you about the Masquerade yet?!  Last Saturday, Student Council put on a dinner and a dance for the secondary students at Sahel.  It was absolutely lovely, from the decorations to the food to the dancing!  Cameras flashed as pictures were taken.  Volunteers circulated with appetizers, meatballs, pinwheels, and veggies.  I joined the round table of teachers for dinner, candles lit and decorations sparkling.  I was asked to teach dance, and so after dinner, I gave it my best shot.  We waltzed and did a simple two-step.  It was absolutely fantastic!  I didn't know I could teach dancing, but I am so glad that I tried.  And of course, we did the Cupid Shuffle and some other "party" songs!  After crepes and ice cream, a few fireworks were set off to end the night.  What a fun evening!

Thank you for supporting me through your prayers and encouragement.  It has been such an adventure living in Niger and I hope you get a small taste of life here by reading my blog.  May you find peace and joy, but most of all Christ.  Blessings.

Weekend Fun!

Last weekend was full of fun...check it out!

Sahel Academy held its first annual 5k!  We started the run early and enjoyed the hazy morning with over 40 participants.  Some walked and others ran the red dirt road, past the bright green rice fields.  It was so beautiful to watch the sunrise as we ran.

Beth made a great running partner and I finished 2nd in the female category!

One of my good friends here is expecting!  So the ladies at Sahel celebrated by having a baby shower for her.  Praying for Amanda and Dietrich as they start this new chapter!

Bev made an adorable fruit salad in a watermelon buggy :)

Grateful

This past weekend, I fell quite sick.  Thankfully, I was back in the classroom today!  Here are just a few reasons that I am incredibly blessed, despite my illness.
1.  The amazing teachers and staff at Sahel graciously covered my class for two days while I recovered.  Thank you Bev and Marsha!
2.  The Friday before I got sick, I received a package from Grandma!  It was an adorable and super cuddly puppy!  I don't think I'll ever get too old for stuffed animals.  Thanks for sending your love, Grandma :)
3.  My roommates checked in on me and helped me find medication and stay hydrated.  One even gave me a malaria test (don't worry, it came back negative)!  Thanks, Rachy :)
4.  My neighbor visited me with updates from the day and how can you not start to feel better when she decides to come in wearing a green wig in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday?!  Thanks, Kathy :)
5.  My second graders wrote me "Get! Well! Miss! Knox!" cards.  They just warm my heart.

Last week I used an idea I found for measuring perimeter.  It worked out great!  We made "Perimeter Cones" by measuring the lengths on one side and adding them together for the perimeter on the other side!  The kids are getting great at measuring!  (Thank you Mrs. Lemons! http://stepintosecondgrade.blogspot.com/)


I also just have to share some of my students' creativity.  We made "Gallon Men" to learn about capacity and equivalents.  Of course, the boys turned theirs into boys and the girls made "Gallon Girls." :) The gallon people slowly turned into surfers, action figures, and even me!  Can you see the resemblance?! ;) Check out their artistic talent below!

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

The second grade classroom has been full of excitement and activity lately!  Here is a peek into what we've been up to!

Cold season is officially over, but here are a couple pictures of my kiddos bundled up in the mornings - sweaters, fur hats, boots, and hoods!  I'm sure you can relate! ;)

For a week in February, a local ministry team came to Sahel Academy for "Spiritual Emphasis Week."  They ministered to both the secondary and elementary.  Grades k-5 enjoyed learning about the life of Daniel.

In math class, 2nd grade learned about fractions!  We went to the kitchen that morning to make pizza with "Chef Knox!"  I spoke with an "Italian" accent while instructing the kids on how to make their pizzas.  Later in the day, we cut our pizzas and talked about each fraction piece!  What a yummy way to learn about fractions!

In science, we learned about insects.  Each student took time to research an insect of their choice, made a poster and presented it to the class!

As an end to our insect unit and an introduction to mammals, 2nd and 3rd grade went to the zoo!  The students enjoyed finding the animals on their bingo charts.  (And a shout out to all the moms and dads who came to help!  Thank you!)

The 3rd grade teacher and I at the zoo!

In French class, the kiddos learned about Mardi Gras and made masks to celebrate! 

We've begun our measuring unit in math!  "Inchy the Inchworm" was hidden all over the classroom.  Students found and measured his length in inches and centimeters!

That's it for now!  Thank you for making it possible for these children of God to learn and enjoy Sahel Academy!  Please pray for these kiddos and all teachers and students at Sahel.  Please pray for students who are transitioning out of the school early.  And pray that God will meet the huge need for new staff for next year!  Thank you for your support and prayers!!!

Parc W

I already had my bags packed, ready to quickly load up the Land Rover and hit the road!

This past weekend, I joined five friends and coworkers at Sahel Academy for a weekend at Parc W!  After school ended on Friday, we drove a couple hours outside the city to spend two nights on an island in the middle of the Niger River.  Parc W is a National Park covering parts of Niger, Benin, and Burkina Faso, named after the W-shape the Niger River forms.  Our journey meant two hours on the road and about an hour more of driving through the Park to the boat that would take us to the island.  We spotted buffalo and guinea fowl on our way and watched the sunset behind us, baobob trees silhouetting the coral, blue sky.

We parked the car to get into the boat, avoiding giant elephant footprints in the mud as we stepped!  The sun had completely set by then and I lounged in the boat, stretching my arms above the river to feel it's coolness; tipping my head back to watch the stars twinkle.

When we arrived to the island, dinner was ready for us at the small restaurant:  Capitaine fish from the Niger River, rice and fresh peas and carrots.  For dessert, lemon meringue!  We ended the night by finding our cozy cabins for two and figuring out the toilets.  After laying under a blanket of stars and journaling a bit, I nestled into bed under the mosquito net.  I listened to the purr-like roar coming through our windows, cuddled under blankets with socks, sweatpants and long-sleeved jacket to keep warm from the night-time cool coming from the river.

I woke up just in time to watch the sunrise and we all met for breakfast at the restaurant:  fruit, yogurt, bread and jam, and tea!  We set off for a guided tour of the river, soaking in the scenery all around.  I drank in the clear blue sky, the still river reflections, baobob trees growing in the multi-colored rocks, bright green grass shooting up from the river bank.  Birds of all shapes, sizes, and colors flew around, red dragonflies zipped beside the boat.  Cows, sheep, and goats grazed.  We passed villages that appeared to be in the middle of nowhere.  We stopped to snap pictures of a hippo.  We prayed for an elephant siting...and saw a herd of six!  Spots of gray leathery skin showing through the dry mud, trunks outstretched for a green treat.  Amazing!

After our river excursion, we came back to the island for lunch.  An afternoon nap and a bit of time to draw in my sketchbook was a nice change of pace.  Rachel, Lisa, and I explored the island on a hike, conquering the rocks, climbing the heights for a good view.  We traversed the trails, finding trees and unknown fruits.  We found a dead millipede, elephant poop, as well as birds, goats, and lizards.  AND...as we walked the trail, a loud rustling sound came from the bushes next to the path.  I looked over to find an elephant!  Right next to me!  On the river's edge!

We played Quiddler while we watched the glowing orange sun sink below the river.  We waited for dinner:  poulet, chou avec beurre, and puree de pomme de terre.  Fruit cobbler for dessert!  Lisa and I talked late under the stars, grabbing a blanket to lay out on the rocks.  An African night sky seems to have so many more stars than any other!

I woke up before the sun to see it rise over the rocks, the baobob trees silhouetted against the hues of orange and blue.  As we ate breakfast that morning, a herd of elephants was spotted across the river!  Two babies and six adults, eating and drinking as they meandered down the river.  I climbed to the top of the rocks for a better view.  I think I could have watched the elephants all day!

Soon enough, we boarded the boat to make our way back to the car.  Along the way, we saw a trunk peaking up through the water like a straw...sure enough!  It was an elephant taking a morning swim!  We watched him cross the river and climb up the bank.  What an incredible way to end our trip!

We toured a bit more through the Parc as we made our way back to the entrance.  I climbed to the top of the Land Rover to sit with the guide...I was living the African safari dream!  The sun's heat, the wind in my hair - it was too good.  We stopped at the look-out for lunch and finished our journey home after taking a look at the hotel and dipping our feet in the pool.

What an amazing weekend with some amazing ladies, witnessing the wonders of an AMAZING God!  Check out more pictures on my Facebook!

"Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

...Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord."

-Psalm 150:1-2, 6

In the World, Not of It

That's when I realized, I'm still in the world.

Of course, I'm not going to have the perfect mentor or students, parents or friends.  This world is so full of evil and the day has not yet come in which Jesus makes all things right.  The frustrations that I have had are not specific to Niger.  No matter where I am, the world is still fallen and people will still fail me and I will still mess up immensely.  Why do I forget that so often?

I may be in the world, but I do not need to be of it.

Complaint seems to be justified by the heat and the traffic.  Apathy is excused because sometimes it's just "one of those days" and "everyone has those days."  Avoidance and relationships lacking intention are so common because "I just need time for me."  We are so good at pointing our fingers at the nearest thing to an excuse.

I refuse to partake in it.

Of late, I rarely find myself joyful or encouraging.  If I were my neighbor, I wouldn't even want to be around me!  I'm not lacking joy because there is a shortage, but because I'm looking in the wrong places.  The world does not, it CANNOT offer me joy.  The world is fallen and though God uses it for His good, it will never satisfy.  True and lasting joy can only come from Jesus Christ Himself.  I've been looking in the wrong places.  Though I didn't realize it at first, I was expecting friends here to fulfill and guide me in a way that only Christ can do.  I held myself to such a high and impossible standard, leaving no room for grace.  And sometimes I am so focused on getting a day's tasks done that I forget that my primary purpose is to be with a God who delights in his people.

Think about it.  God actually takes DELIGHT in being with you!  And yet I feel myself grumble every time I reach for my Bible because I didn't get everything I needed to get done today and no one asked me how I was doing and I'm too tired to read anyways.  Wow!  It's a wonder God still desires me!  My heart is so far from Him and yet He pursues me over and again.

I falter and yes, I have "those days."  But may my sole focus and primary goal always be the glory of God.  Do my complaints glorify God?  Ha.  Does my selfishness, denial, or judgement?  Not at all.  God receives glory when we take delight in Him.  And delight is much easier to be had when I am not so concerned with my own agenda.

I am ready to not only pause my desires for my sinful, natural self, but to completely crucify them.  I am so tired of feeling guilty for losing the little battles that take place between my flesh and spirit daily.  It is a matter of the will to surrender completely to God.  The battle is won when we finally realize that we have a choice to make.  And may I always choose joy over cynicism, peace over angst, intentionality over apathy, sacrifice over selfishness.  These are daily decisions of the will.

Praise God, He has given us the power to choose, not because we are strong enough to overcome ourselves, but because Jesus already lived perfectly for us.  And when God looks at me, He doesn't see the filthy mess that I really am.  He sees Jesus Christ in me, white as snow.  I don't understand it, but when we live in Jesus Christ, we live in freedom.

So yes, I live in this world.  But I certainly don't want to be of it.  My God is greater and the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives and breathes inside of me.  It's time I start living in that reality.  Praise God, I am new!