baptisms

We baptized 5 believers this past week. Many of you prayed for Hamstitou to come to faith in Christ and rejoiced with us when, this past February, she joined our family! However, she has a real fear of the river and was waiting for the rains to fill up this giant trash hole behind her house. Parker, however, has a real fear of that giant trash hole. So, we dug a hole in our yard, put some plastic down, and a couple of trips to the river later and viola!


It was a sweet time as Parker baptized her friend Hamstitou who then baptized her friend Houray (Ibrahim's wife) who then baptized her oldest daughter Maryama.


Houray baptizing her daughter Maryama.



Hama then baptized his friend also named Hama.

too cute

I think Parker will post this pic with a similar one on Izzy's blog but i'm here posting blogs tonight and this was too cute for daddy to pass up.

FBC Ayorou

Just some pics of our "first" baptist church in Ayorou.


We always have a sweet time of singing, praying, reading God's Word, and taking Communion at our church gatherings.


As good Southern Baptists, we've already incorporated food into our meetings. We meet in the evening and have a delicious bean supper afterwards.


Izzy and Hawa enjoying their beans together.

happy 4th

Nothing beats celebrating America's Independence day Niger-style. We dropped the kiddos off with a babysitter and went with some of our good friends to the Ambassador's House for a 4th of July celebration (on July 3rd). We were treated to the national anthem played by the national Niger band, sparklers instead of fireworks, and all you could drink cokes! Needless to say, pictures can't capture such a magical night!


Parx and Laura wondering when Niamey got their first Wal-Mart.


Mark and Greg with the Ambassador. We're expecting an email from her any day asking for a copy of this.