Holiday in Niamey

A couple of days to rest, relax, enjoy an easy pace.

In Niamey – no way. Now it feels like we need a week to recuperate.

As we wandered through the markets my mind wandered to time spent in North American Malls. I thought of the differences and similarities. N American malls can be nothing short of chaotic, especially approaching special holidays. But the chaos is somewhat orderly. After spending time in the African markets I do not think I can rightfully complain about walking through a N American mall. Here the chaos is truly chaotic, in a true chaotic sense. In North America the struggle is too make money; here it is all about survival. You are accosted not only by vendors but by beggars as well.

You give a gift to someone and you get swarmed by others. Where did they all come from? They can sense you from far away. Our white skin just shows out too much. They know we have plenty and they want us to share. I cannot really blame them but how can you give, and give, and give? Sooner or later you run out of resources and there are still so many that have need. Not just the little beggar boys who do this as almost a job, but the ones that are disabled and really destitute. You can give and give but there are just too many. They keep coming without end.

We are so blessed with all we have, but when you shop for supplies you then step out of a store to a barrage of more beggars. You have all the supplies you need but they have nothing. You walk past them not wanting to make eye contact because you have just spent your money on yourself.

You travel through villages and you have to stop at these humongous speed bumps and there are more beggars waiting because they know you have to come to a stop to traverse the speed bump. Some of these are in just terrible shape. They are so disabled and sickly. I have never seen so many strangely distorted bodies.

Jesus said we would always have the poor, it just seems like so many are right here, ever present - ever needy.