Galmi

January 10 at 7:22 pm we entered the Galmi grounds for the first time. 

It was about a 6 1/2 hour drive from Niamey.  The road is actually pretty good. The last 20 miles was rough.  Lot's of potholes.  It was also very dark which combined with all of the dust in the air was like driving at night in a heavy fog.  The last 20 miles took almost 1 hour.  Very grateful for an experienced driver.

There were people were sitting at the road side waiting for a bush taxi.  Saw camels wandering about.  Lot's of cattle, goats and sheep at various points. Sometimes we could see the herders.  Massive speed bumps through the villages to make you slow down.  Very effective.  Once again we are amazed at how hard these people work to scratch out a living.  It was market day at many communities along the way which is always interesting to see.  The couple driving treated us to some barbequed Ram.  The flavor with the spices and the Galmi red onion was very tasty.

Right now we are in the season of the Harmattan winds which kick up the sand and dust.  The other day, at the conference, I almost felt like there would be a thunder storm.  The winds picked up, the air was a little cooler and the sky darkened.  Rather than a coming thunder storm it was just the dust hanging in the air darkening the sky.  The winds create a continuous haze that blocks out the sun.  Sometimes you have a dusty grit in your mouth.

We have had our first tour of the compound and later today we will get a tour of the hospital for the first time. 

Each new person gets hosted for supper by a different missionary couple for the first 3 days so once again we find ourselves under good care.

Blessings
Orest & grace