brothers unite!

Mark's brother, Jon, came to spend 10 days with him after I left for Senegal. I am so glad that Mark didn't have to spend his remaining time in Niger all alone! The fellas had actually been counting down the days to see each other & giggling like school girls just anticipating their reunion. If you know Mark & his brother at all, they are the best of friends & love to hang out together. What better place to do that than Ayorou, Niger! I'm sure Mark will tell more stories of their adventures together after he gets here to the land of fast internet but I just wanted to post a few pictures of their time together.

Jon & Yacouba acting goofy. The kids fell in love with Jon (aka Boubacar) and vice versa!


Mark & Sakina. Who doesn't love this girl?


The brothers hiked Mt Kendaji. Woo hoo, you may be thinking. But let me remind you that it is the HOTTEST part of the year - temps between 120-130 on a good day & that's not the heat index either. You are looking at 2 courageous souls!


Jon had the privilege of baptizing Yacouba. Yacouba became a believer a year ago but had not yet followed through with baptism. Mark & Yacouba had been talking about it lately, especially after Isa & Hama's baptisms, and they discussed it with Yacouba's parents. With approval from his parents, Yacouba was baptized in the Niger River!


Doing our normal afternoon activity - hanging out with the kiddos! I'm glad someone could take my place & offer their laps as a jungle gym since I haven't been able to do it for the past few months.


All in all, Jon fell in love with Ayorou & the people. It's really hard not to! Like their mom says, "There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about Africa—it really does do something to you." For the few of you who've been here, you know what she's talking about & what Jon's feeling!