back to the big screen

back to the big screen
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This is Dr. R speaking about the necessity of believers to join together in prayer for the lost peoples of the world after I was able to share my part. It was a team effort and I was blessed to be supported by such strong speakers sharing their heart for West Africa.

My testimony

My testimony
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

I was given the opportunity to share my testimony and what it means

to have Wickland Baptist Church praying for the Sokoto Fulani and our

team. I was nervous but everyone was very encouraging!

Larger than Life on the Big Screen

Larger than Life on the Big Screen
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

No explanation needed!!

Some of the Crowd in the Coluseum

Some of the Crowd in the Coluseum
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.



Definitely the largest crowd that I have ever and may ever speak to. I was honored to be asked to do this and represent our team. This was sent to me by a fellow missionary, friend and prayer partner serving in another part of the world:

I just wanted to write you a quick note and let you know that I have been thinking about you the last few days and asking for you. I was just about to go to sleep last night when I felt that I needed to get up and ask for you once again. It was between 2 and 3am here so I guess that would be between 8 and 9 there. I wasn't sure when it was that you would be speaking, but I hope and trust that everything went as He would have it.

I wrote him back to tell him that that was the exact time I was speaking and I was so humbled to hear how God would choose to call on people like him to take part in lifting me up during this exciting but nerve-wracking time.

SBC Annual Meeting

So you ask, " I did not know Danielle was going to be at the SBC annual meeting. How did she end up there?" Well, It's a long story...

This post is to say thanks to those of you who wrote me asking what in the world I was doing in New York and to explain what I have been up to over the past week. I didn't realize it until then that I did not share with most of you the exciting times that I just experienced.

I found out a few weeks ago that I was invited to attend the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting to share the story of what God is doing through the partnership of Wickland Baptist Church and our team. I was so surprised and honored, but also nervous about speaking to such a large group of people. Before the convention I was told attendance would be between 5 and 10,000 people. Upon arrival I learned that it was even more than that. I was able to meet with pastors and lay people from churches all over as well as get back in touch with some friends whose prayers and encouragement are vital to our task. It was a time of non-stop activity and cold conference rooms; close friends and new acquaintances; little sleep but great american food. :) It was my first time ever at the SBC so I did not know what to expect, but it was really cool to see all that happens there.

I was definitely excited about this great opportunity, I prayed to be nothing more than God's mouthpiece. It was my honor to encourage our brothers and sisters in the States to share in the ministries through prayer. I was bathed in prayer by many friends and family which gave me the peace that only comes from God's spirit.

So you ask, "How did Danielle end up at the SBC annual meeting?"It's a long story that begins and is saturated with prayer. Simply, God has done more than I could have dreamed or imagined, graciously using me to share with Southern Baptists what Christ has done in my life, on our team, with the Fulani and in our relationship with Wickland Baptist Church.

New York, New York...

New York, New York...
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

New York, New York...

New York, New York...
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

New York, New York...

New York, New York...
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Culture Shock...

Okay, so maybe my plans for hopping on the New York City Subway and poking around Manhattan wasn't one of my best ideas. I was a little uneasy having so many people and things to look at and so many choices to make in such a short amount of time. I wanted to buy something for breakfast, but could not decide and then the clerk at the deli was forcefully shouting "NEXT, NEXT." I did not know what to do because I had not decided what I wanted so I just pushed a small cookie in his direction. He rang it up and was demanding money before I could even figure out what kind of cookie it was. It was so awkward to be so incapable in my own culture. Also, I am noticing that I walk slower and need to talk to the people in the store instead of hastily buying my items and rushing out of the store. I had a whole conversation with a store manager about the umbrellas on the rack. There were too many to choose from so I asked him to choose for me. He explained his take on what the colors signified and I had a great time hearing what he had to say. I then picked a cheap, but quality looking red one (no surprise there) and made my way to the cashier. Here's a picture that I took of my subway experience. From village to concrete jungle in hours. Talk about culture shock...

Rainy season is definitely here

I met rainy season first-hand just the other day while on my way back from visiting Kristen, a Peace Corps volunteer, in the neighboring village. The trip was not long; almost an hour on foot. My two friends and I left around 4 pm and the sun was bearing down on our backs as we walked east towards Farasawa. We met my friend and visited for about half an hour. We saw the storm clouds building but did not decide to leave until it was pretty clear that the storm was quickly approaching. We said goodbye and set out on the path towards our village. We were more than halfway home when the dust storm could be seen directly on our path. The winds moved in from the east hurling stinging sand all over us. I could barely breathe because the air was so thickly filled with dust. I covered my face with my shawl so I could protect my eyes and face. I could barely see through it to continue on the path, but I had not other choice. The wind was brutal, but I had no idea that the rain would be worse...

The rain started as small drops on my hands barely noticeable versus the stinging of the sand. Soon, however it increased to cold, wet bullets assaulting my back. I did not realize that water could hurt that much. My cohorts were insisting that we run, but we were still a ways away from home and running would not save us from the artillery that the clouds were hurling at us. Streams of water were forming along the path from water that would not sink into the ground. So, through the howling wind and piercing rain we walked as quickly as possible over the already rain-soaked earth.

The village came into view as I fought the wind and followed my companions to a nearby hut. We were soaked to the bone and the whole hut erupted in laughter as I poked my head in after my friends. They said, "Today, the American is completely soaked from her trip to the bush. " We all had a great laugh and I just marveled in my amazing surroundings.

Church plant? We're planting millet!!

T'was the night before... You can hardly sleep because of the noises you hear on the roof... Expectation drives away sleep so you lay there thinking of what the next morning holds... Rain drips through the millet stalk roof onto your face... What, rain? It's not Christmas, it's the first rain of the season. The first rain in seven months! The wind storm that preceded the rain was brutal, but you knew that it would bring the cooling, much needed rain. Everything is now covered in dust, you just hope that the rain won't drip in the house too much and make everything muddy...

The rain was exciting for sure, but more exciting was the next morning when everyone was up extra early and heading out to the fields. Everyone usually wakes up around dawn (except me) but this morning even I was up and washed before the sun peeked over the hill in the distance. We hoisted millet out of the "silo" and pounded it to remove it from the stalks. Then, with a huge bag of millet and some small bowls we went to join some of the family that had already begun to plant. It was so exciting! All the children were out in the fields and talk was lively. Younger children were allowed to sit play with their siblings in the field as their mothers joined the older children and adults. There were two people with hoes and they were rhythmically digging holes as we followed them with our bowls. I was incredulously given a small bowl and instructed in the way to plant. They were worried that I would not be able to do it, but another adult in the fields would make everyone's work less so they agreed. I was instructed to throw a few kernels of millet in each hole and use my foot to sweep the dirt back into the hole. Like everything in their lives here in Africa there is a rhythm to everything. It took a little while to get a good rhythm going, but to their amazement I was able; not as good as the others, but able nonetheless.

We spent all morning in the fields working. The children worked most the time and played when they lost interest. I really wanted to help out so I worked as much as I could. We sang, talked, I asked questions and was laughed at like usual. It was a bonding experience for us in the fields and I really enjoyed being able to give back a little for all that I have been given. By 2 pm my stomach was growling so I was very excited to see that the Chief's wife brought some rice for us to eat. I ate thankfully. My planting partners told me to go back to the village and rest so against my will I went back to the house where I was staying. I did not realize how much sun I had gotten or how tired I was, but when I sat down and drank some water I knew I better lay down. Before I knew it I had fallen asleep and I slept hard. People came and went inside the hut, but I was out cold. I guess I needed the rest.

I was sore the next day and it was nothing but a pleasant reminder of the planting party. Pretty soon the millet stalks will be seen; bright green peeking out over the orange sand. Please pray that these plants will serve me as a reminder of the "seed" that God has given me to plant here. Also, pray that that seed, the Word of God, would take hold in the hearts and lives of the Fulani. The soil is hard and rocky, but God is faithful and His Word will never return void.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11

'Tis the season...

You know the feeling... It's in the air. Houses are being "decorated", purchases being made. Everyone seems to be in a better mood. They can feel the season coming...

You are thinking Christmas, right? Well, here in Niger this feeling is what I have felt in the past few weeks during the end of hot season. Everyone can feel it in the air; The humidity is climbing as the rain clouds build. Mangoes are seen in the markets. Homes are being prepared with new roofs that will stand up against the wind, dust and rain. Plans are being made for the planting season and seed and hoes are being bought. Children run around in excitement at the first sign of rain; It's in the air.

This is the view of the seasons from the other side of the ocean; from the other side of the income scale; and from a people whose living relies wholly on nature.

I could not explain it a better way, but I hope this gives you a small glimpse of what we are experiencing here. The seasons have never been like this for me, but through this I feel now that I have a different view on the world. Each change of season brings newness for me. I have reached the point where the season is familiar but with each change God brings better understanding of who I am and where He wants to lead me.