A taste of the Market

Yesterday (Wednesday) was market day, a weekly event here in Galmi.  Traders come from out-of-town to sell their various goods.  We enjoyed perusing the stalls finding things familiar (oranges, onions) as well as unfamiliar (aromatic spices, peanut paste rolled into balls).  Non-food stuff was also available (soap, rope, plastic bins/basins, hardware, kindling, charcoal); basically a one stop shop for all one’s basic needs.  Thankfully we were accompanied by a couple who has been here for a while, which enabled us to ask questions and purchase items we needed.  Stephanie and Dianna found fabric and plan to have traditional style outfits (skirt, top and head wrap) made to wear to church and other cultural events.

The market was about a 20 minute walk from the hospital.  This photo was taken as we approached the back entrance to the market.

Along the way we stopped in a few local “shops” where one can find staple items (soap, dry beans, rice, tomato paste, pasta noodles, matches, flavored drink mixes etc.).  

We often end up using hand gestures to communicate our needs.

We were pleasantly surprised by the variety, and we were particularly excited to find couscous (one of our all time favorites grains).  We will certainly be making return trips to these local shops.

This tasty treat is made from black eye peas which are ground into a powder then made into a dough and fried -- like a hush puppy with a spicy kick.  These ladies made a fresh batch just for us to try.

The kids stayed home -- we figured that given the distance walked in the mid-day heat and heavy crowd would be a little too much with them in tow, at least for our first time.  Maybe we will venture out another time when she can come along.  If we had to pick what would be Gracie’s favorite part, it would definitely be the animals.

Camels are frequently seen, as are donkeys and goats.  Gracie is quick to point them out every chance she gets.

Gracie has become friends with two dogs on the compound.  She loves to pet them and talk to them: “Hi, doggy.  Hi, doggy...”  

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Thankfully they are older dogs and their passive natures are a good fit for our gregarious toddler.  The other kids enjoy them, too.

The airstrip (which is in our backyard) is another marvel for Gracie.  Today she was thrilled that the “airpane” returned to pick up a couple of ladies and take them back to the capital.  

The majority of folks gather to greet the plane -- either to welcome or bid farewell to its passengers.  Today two ladies were leaving, so goodbyes were in order.  This is the same 4-seater Cessna that transported our families; you can now appreciate why it took two separate trips to get the 7 of us here.

Local folks also enjoy watching the plane land and take off.

Today was also a cooking day for us.  We have been blessed by invitations to dinner the last three nights, so tonight was our first meal on our own: eggplant, chickpeas, onions, tomatoes and garlic sauteed with spices and served over couscous.  Yum!

Other random accomplishments:

• Survived first week of cloth diapering...still committed but scrounging around for every disposable we can find : )

• Successful flour tortillas

Gracie is definitely a fan of these.  

We anticipate these will be incorporated into meals regularly.  Plus they make a yummy snack.

• Batch of yogurt from powdered milk.  Turned out tasty, just a little runny.

From the hospital end, Dean is mainly working in the obstetrics right now.  He sees a lot of patients and unfortunately not all of their stories have happy endings.  Both Dean and Marc are working hard to acclimate to this new environment:  language barriers (French and Hausa), less familiar diseases (malaria, tetanus), different formulary and treatment options, etc.  Please continue to pray for their stamina, encouragement, emotional stability, and health.

Dean hopes to share in more detail about his experiences and what he is learning.  But for now our days seem long and nights seem short, which leaves little time for writing (although this posted ended up being rather long).  We anticipate this will change as a more familiar routine develops.

Savoring His Blessings,

DD&G

We are online!

Our internet connection is up and running, and we are excited to be back online.  We've not yet managed to read our backlog of emails -- but we have seen that many folks have written and we really appreciate the encouragement and support.

We are now at Galmi Hospital and settling into our new home and community.  We had a safe flight in a small four-seater plane (need to find some pictures to share because it was really neat).  Gracie was very excited about the "air-pane" and even more excited to see her best buds Eli and Hailey (along with many others) standing and waving to her at the airstrip entrance when we landed.  

Dean (along with Marc) has begun orientation on the wards while Dianna and Gracie (along with Stephanie, Eli and Hailey) have begun "shopping" and stocking the pantry/house.  If you would enjoy reading more from the Carrigans perspective then checkout thecarriganslife.blogspot.com.

Yes, there have been lots of adjustments...but by God's grace we are all adjusting well.  

Today, for instance, we three (Dean had the afternoon off from the hospital) hand-washed our clothes using 3 plastic basins, powdered soap, a hose and, well, our hands (all 6 of them).  Although it was hard work, we actually had a lot of fun, too.

There is a lot to process as we acclimate to a new culture, new geography, and new responsibilities.  We are thankful for others who have gone before us and are now here with us to guide us through this process.  We have been warmly welcomed into this community -- meals in others' homes, assistance with shopping, tips on daily living, etc.  Most of all, we are thankful for our Father who always goes before us, providing for us and loving us, unconditionally.

Safe in His Arms,

DD&G

1/13/12

Safe Arrival

We are happy to announce that we have safely arrived in Niger!  

This picture was taken in the yard of the guesthouse where we've been staying.  

Gracie loves the swings!

The last two days have been adventuresome -- transatlantic plane flight, shuttling luggage, orienting to guest house and SIM policies, as well as shopping for groceries.  We have been warmly welcomed into the SIM community and appreciate everyone’s contribution to making our transition as smooth as possible.  

Little Miss Gracie has proven, once again, to travel well.  Although she did not sleep (on the planes) as much as we had hoped...

she remained happy and cooperative throughout the "20-something" hour journey.  

Enjoying breakfast somewhere-over-the-Atlantic

Since landing, she has transitioned extremely well.  We are still working on regulating our sleep cycles and overcoming some jetlag, but as her shoes and clothes can attest, Gracie plays in the red dirt as if she has known it her whole life.

There are many more details to share -- especially considering we were unable to blog over the holidays and should catch up on the sweet time we had with family and friends -- and in due time we hope to do so.  Currently, we do not have internet access; apparently the entire city of Niamey has been without reliable internet these last few days.  We anticipate our internet access will improve upon arrival to Galmi, where we should be in a few days.  

So, this entry will be posted later...but writing in now in an attempt to encourage the habit of regular updates!

God has safely delivered us,

DD&G

Where does the time go?

Somehow more than a month has passed since our last post.

There have been many good intentions to update but the task seemed daunting because so much has been happening (and we were having problems uploading pictures again).

So, what have we been so busy doing?

Lots of traveling!

Nov 10-12th:  We attended an amazing conference in Louisville, KY.  The annual Global Missions Health Conference continues to encourage us in our future plans to serve overseas.  This year we met with a missionary couple from Pakistan, reconnected with old friends (Edmonds family), prayed, worshipped...while Gracie had fun with Nana and Papa in Kentucky AND South Carolina!

Little People Nativity

Gracie even visited Pascalina, the homestead where her parents were wed on 

July 30, 2005!

Nov 16th:  Dianna took Family Medicine Board Exam

Nov 16-21st:  We reunited with Gracie in South Carolina just in time in for the annual Soggy Bottom Syrup Festival -- Gracie's first (extra-uterine) experience of this fun event.

Gracie's turn on the "tractor" to crush cane

Nana to the rescue...she wasn't so into the tractor ride

Nanny with Hannah & Gracie

Nana with her Grandbabies

Papa Dan and Papa Jeff were at the festival, too, as was Aunt Cherith and various other family members and dear friends.  Some folks seem to evade the camera more than others : )

Nov 23-27th:  We headed to Ashland (small town in western Kansas) where Dean covered the hospital and emergency room.  Thankfully the medical work was light, and we were able to join the Stephens (Via Christi faculty) for Thanksgiving dinner at Dr. Todd's childhood home in Minneola.  Gracie loved exploring Ashland -- despite cold weather and lots of wind.  Her favorite part: yellow lab and scotty dog that followed her every move!

Braving the cold

A break from the wind in the hospital's exercise room.

Run Gracie Run!

Climbing rocks at St. Jacob's Well (outside of Ashland)

Looking at Buffalo

(unfortunately we didn't catch catch the herd on camera but Gracie saw them)

Nov 27-30th:  Nona (Dean's mom) visited us in Wichita.  Gracie really enjoyed reconnecting with Nona and Paisley (Nona's miniature dachshund).

Gracie learned how to "walk" Paisley -- at times it was hard to tell who was walking who!

Dec 2-3rd:  Rejuvenating conference about being Christ's disciples and discipling others.

Dec 4th:  Nona stopped back by on her way back to Colorado after spending several days in OKC at a horse show and helping Jonathan (Dean's brother) move into a new apartment.

Looking at "Moqui" marbles (naturally occurring balls of iron)

And somehow we have managed to continue working through all of this : )

Now, the time has come for packing and saying farewell to Wichita.  We are bound for Niger, West Africa via South Carolina, and we won't return to Wichita until June 2012.

Upcoming important dates:

Dec 16th:  Gracie and Dianna leave Wichita

Dec 20th:  Dean leaves Wichita

   *** Time with family and friends on the east coast ***

Jan 11th:  Depart from Atlanta to Niger

June 9th:  Return to Atlanta from Niger

Let the packing begin!

In the midst of all this activity, we are also aware of Advent.

This is such a special time of year -- God incarnate, Immanuel.  We hope for you, as well as ourselves, that the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season do not overshadow the baby in the manger.  

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary

Love, DD&G

A little taste of Sweden

Here are pictures from our visit to "little Sweden" aka Lindsborg, KS. 

 

Dean covered the local hospital and ER from Sat AM to Sun AM, but thankfully the patient load was light so we were able to discover Lindsborg as a family.  We'd visited before but not since early May 2010 aka "pre-Gracie," so this time we experienced Lindsborg as a touring toddler...

Checking out the view from our room at the Swedish Country Inn

then off to explore...

After walking around for a while we found a nice park so stopped to play.

Climbing up "on my own"

Tunnel!

Trying out the merry-go-round

Sliding with Daddy

Then back to the inn for lunch and a nap -- a must for every toddler whether or not they agree -- then back outside for park number 2.

On our "adult" tours of Lindsborg we never noticed this really cool park, but for toddler touring it is a must see -- and of course a must play, too!

Climbed the tower with Daddy

Swinging with Mommy

and, of course, on my own too!

Can you find the lady bug?

Baby bumble bee

This was a cool set of chimes where kids can play various tunes (by number) or create a song of their own, which is what Gracie and Daddy decided to do.

(will try to add a video here soon)

Talking to the Dala horse, a traditional Swedish symbol, before...

going for a ride!

And what Nordic adventure would be complete without a boat ride?

Our little viking!

We had a wonderful weekend time exploring and discovered we really like this little town.  Hopefully, we can visit again soon.

Since returning home Sunday morning, we've had quite a beginning to our week...

+ Earthquake x 2: one Saturday night (which we didn't feel in Lindsborg) but repeated last night, both without significant damage noted but bizarre and unexpected

+ Power outages at Grace Med (where Dianna works) AND at Gracie's daycare, an entire sector of the city went out due to a storm yesterday, and it took most of the afternoon & early evening to repair

In all of this we continue to see God's love and grace abound -- beyond what we think to ask or even imagine.  How Great is our God!

With thankfulness,

DD&G