Danielle in Africa

For those of you who don't know Cora!

2007-07-22T03:28:00.001+01:00

For those of you who don't know Cora!
Originally uploaded by dkoepke

This is my niece Cora! She is so amazing and her smile just lights up

about anything... especially her Daddy's face!

Wedding Planning

2007-07-22T03:25:00.001+01:00

So, as complicated as it could be, wedding planning is fun! I have
been having a blast making some dreams become reality for our
wedding! I have been super busy working full time, planning the
wedding and renewing old friendships that I have had time for very
little else, actually.

Today we spent the day in Sebring, cementing some of the decisions
that needed to be made for the wedding. It was a big deal to have all
these people to meet in a short amount of time, but man, we had a
great day!

We met with the representative from Taylor Rentals in Sebring and
went to the park to check it out. He was great! He mapped out the
area where we'll be putting the tent, gave us opinions about table
spacing and room for cars in the parking area and was totally willing
to make anything happen for us! We are so pleased with them.

Our meeting with the caterer did not give us the exact same feeling
but she was good to work with and I was so glad to have this meeting
to talk face to face about our vision for the wedding.

I am excited about our florist! She was so friendly and
knowledgeable! I showed her the flowers that I liked and she got some
ideas together to do her magic. I really think she understood the
theme and feel of the wedding that I was going for and is going to
run with it.

The day, in all of its wonderfulness, was not without its wrong turns
and missed directions. :) Nate and I tried to decipher internet maps
and make sense of crazy roads as we toured the area looking for our
vendors. We got to go into the park again as we were planning and the
beauty of it just hit me again. I was reminded with each step why we
chose this park and how much I love it here. What an honor to begin
our married lives in such a great testimony of God's goodness to us!

Mission accomplished! We are back home, tired and a little more
excited than when we left. We are so excited that you may be able to
join us for our wedding! It should be a very special time!

Engagement Photos For You!

2007-06-02T05:25:00.000+01:00

Birthday fun!

2007-05-07T07:59:00.000+01:00

I turned 25 yesterday and it was very fun! Two of the most important people in my life made me feel very very special. Also, the midnight crew helped to make it a birthday to remember. Today Nate and I went to see my parents in Okeechobee and pick up some of my furniture and things that were stored at their house. I was able to see some old friends and spend some quality time with my folks. They are so great.

Last week I traveled with 10 other people to Thirsty, a conference in Atlanta for leaders in young adult ministry. It was such an encouraging time to soak in wisdom from many great leaders in ministry. I enjoyed sessions by Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Francis Chan and others. They were eye opening to say it dramatically, and one of the things I gained from attending the conference was to start to focus my ministry thinking towards our local church. It was hard for me at first, having just spent two years working on a field team, to filter the information towards a home-church ministry focus. After the first day, though, I was able to listen to my peers, get an idea for where exactly we are in the crossseekers group and share my thoughts for how what I learned could help us.

It was so worthwhile! The worship was very different from what I have been used to, but being in a building where over 1000 people are worshipping together just gives you an amazing experience. I was able to worship in very personal ways and also be part of corporate worship, something I missed in Niger.

Tara and Seng called me for my birthday and it made me feel sad. I was going out to dinner in Naples while they were dealing with the ups and downs of hot season in Niger. We're talking seriously hot!! It is so hot right now that they can not even take their moto out in the middle of the day because the street is too hot that it would heat the tire up and make the plugs fall out. Can you believe that?

They gave me the latest news: My friend Sare (Sar-ray) who had been imprisoned without a trial for 16 months was released last week. He is at home today with his wife, children and 10 month old son! That is a big answer to many months of prayer. Please thank God with us! Also, my friend Sutura in RZ had her baby girl this week. The baby naming ceremony will be held on Tuesday.

Please lift up 2 of our believers today in Village D. Seng went to visit and encourage them and I am praying fervently because it is a joy to continue to be part of their lives in that way.

It is strange to go from the field with my hands in everything, to now on this side of the ocean hearing news second hand. It is different but so much fun not to just stop being part of their lives. I can, like you have for years now, be part of the team through prayer. I am proud to be beside all of you.

I have better internet connections now so I hope to post more, but now that I am in the states I am sure there is less for me to blog about. I don't want to bore you :) I will post as I get news from the field and about some of the fun events going on in my life here in Florida.

Nate Proposes in Central Park

2007-04-26T04:36:00.001+01:00

Nate Proposes in Central Park
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

So, for those of you who were not informed of the surprise months
ahead of me I wanted to share that a week ago Nathan Flood asked me
to be his wife!

It all started when we headed to Central Park after attending church
on Sunday. I thought we were just going to walk around so I really
was not prepared for much excitement. Then, when we found
Shakespeare's Garden that my friend was looking for. Not two minutes
later Nate surprised me by walking up to me in a suit. Here's my
expression as I finally recognized him.

The Question

2007-04-26T04:35:00.001+01:00

The Question
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Notice the random guy walking by while we're having our special
moment!!!

The excitement

2007-04-26T04:33:00.001+01:00

The excitement
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

I still couldn't believe it was happening. I was so surprised!!!
Imagine... ME.... speechless...

Nate and I had lost all time. We were alone together in that moment.
We had forgotten our friends and everyone else. We didn't even notice
that a crowd had gathered to watch. When we turned towards our
friends they yelled congratulations and a whole crowd of people
started clapping for us! It was so neat!

Don't we look great together!?!

2007-04-26T04:31:00.001+01:00

Don't we look great together!?!
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Our Special Spot under the Magnolia Tree

My Henna

2007-04-26T04:30:00.003+01:00

My Henna
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

So, like I said before, if I had known, I probably would not have
gotten henna done. But, I am glad I was so surprised and the henna
will be nice memory. The ring fit beautifully and felt like it
always had always belonged to me. The ring is beautiful! Nate did an
amazing job designing it, but my favorite part about it is that HE
gave it to me. A week later I am still looking at it wondering why
God has chosen to bless me with such an amazing man. I hope that
wonder never ends...

Very Happy Couple!!

2007-04-26T04:30:00.001+01:00

Very Happy Couple!!
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

The accomplices

2007-04-26T04:28:00.003+01:00

The accomplices
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Together at last!

2007-04-26T04:28:00.001+01:00

Together at last!
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Jman poetry

2007-04-13T21:36:00.001+01:00

Engagement story coming soon! But first:

This was written by a friend of mine in a "dry and thirsty land where
there is no water..." Very powerful:

This life here on earth continues to amaze me at how hard it can be. I
know that part of the curse of the fallen world is suffering and toil and
strife. And we all know that life is hard and all that jazz ( no one said
it would be an easy kind of thing) But it seems to be even more so here.
The ground is unyielding, with brown sand covering everything. The dry
sprigs of grass and browning trees always look thirsty. And the heat is
overbearing as you struggle to find some relief from the unrelenting sun.
Even in the shade, the sweat rolls down your body like rain drops and
steals the strength from your body. Even in the midst of this miserable
heat, I find a thin, frail man with a white cloth wrapped around himself
looking years older than his age, working hard at this task. Jobs
assigned to machines or animals in the west are lifelines of existence
here in a land of so many; so many barely surviving, so many struggling,
so many who live without hope. And so we fight the fights and join with
the battle for their souls. We set about the task of bringing them the
truth that can set them free. We seek to reveal the words of life and
promise and unveil their blinded eyes from the evil one's lies. We engage
in the battle...

When the temp changes 80 degrees, you notice.

2007-04-07T14:41:00.001+01:00

So, here I am, waking up and having breakfast in Queens, New York. I
didn't get to blog before I left because we were too busy having fun
getting ready and saying goodbyes.

I am still in a state of denial that I'm actually leaving..even as I pack
and prepare to leave. This place and these people have become my home and
I eagerly look forward to the day that I return. A jman friend once wrote
that Gd is the Alpha and the Omega... and as sure as He called me to begin
this journey He has also given me clear direction that this is the end of
this portion of my journey. As He closes this door He is preparing the way
for another door to open in America. Yet still my heart longs to be here.
During the past several weeks I have really thought about why I want to
return to this region of the world. What is it that continues to draw me?

I don't know the answer to that question yet. It is one that I will be
praying through asa this next journey begins.

My last days in Niger were filled with many joyous times as my Bon Voyage
party was a true FIESTA. We made a giraffe-shaped pinata, had games about
fun memories that we shared, ate lots of mexican food and even danced a
little salsa and merengue. Tara and Seng threw a great party and I am so
thankful to my mission family and friends for coming and making it such a
special time.

Then, we didn't sleep because we needed to leave for the airport at 2 am.
So for the next 46 hours I was awake, in an airplane, airport, car,
subway, restaurant, and the Rockefeller center.

We spent our first night in America in 32 degree weather. That's an 80
degree drop in 48 hours. We went shopping for warm clothes, shoes and then
went into NYC to see the lights of the city from the Top of the Rock. It
was pretty amazing to see the lights of the city! We were freezing, but it
was still so worth it.

Today we are heading into the city again, ready to see some more sights
before I get to go home to Florida. As I type this my countdown says 31
hours. How exciting is that!!!!!!

Thank you for being with me through all my adventures. I would not be the
person I am without the Father's direction and your intercession.

Please lift our volunteers up in prayer

2007-04-04T21:18:00.000+01:00

The heat saps all of our strength and especially short term teams
like from Bardstown who have not acclimated to the climate. That
makes travel all that much harder. I know they would appreciate
prayer for their journey home and their physical wellness while they
are here. Ministry in Niger requires grace from God for the many
physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges.

Will you stop right now and lift Dave, Carla, Janice and Anna up to
the Father?

Dave, Carla, Janice and Anna have arrived!

2007-03-28T10:39:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends at Wickland and around the world,

This is Dave C. writing (not the one you expect from this blog).

After a long, but interesting trip, we are finally here! The plane trips were uneventful (thank the Lord). Janice almost lost one of her bags, but after a little panic and some looking back in the airport, she found it and we went on with the trip. We spent several hours in Casablanca with a driver who took us around the city and showed us many things. I bought a table (no, not something you eat on). This is a square drum that should be very interesting to show to everybody. You know I will buy another drum before I leave Africa.

The guest house is really nice. It's a little like a small hotel. Danielle is here and we are sitting, talking about our activities for these two weeks. I don't know about the rest, but I can't wait to really get started. We will spend time in Konni, Guidan-Roumji, Maradi, and Tessaoua before making the 10 hour trip back to Niamey where we will have a PARTY, and then back to the states.

Okay, I have spent too much time on this computer and it is about time to start traveling. We will not be back on the internet for many days. I will try to get an update as soon as I can. Thanks, Danielle, for letting us use your blog space! Continue to pray for us, and that we will be able to really make connections with people for God to do His work.

Dave.

Thoughts for today...

2007-03-19T15:44:00.001+01:00

Mixed emotions don't seem to encompass all these strong emotions that I've
been feeling in the last few days. We attended a Fulani Believer's
conference this weekend and were blessed beyond belief to worship with
believers from all across this country. The two new believers from my
village and the one that I have been discipling in town all came,
expressing much joy at seeing other Fulani that have also let go of
generations of traditions to follow the One True God. We got to sing songs
in Fulfulde, hear teachings on sin, persecution, prayer and worship and
spend time with other Fulani. As we departed my friends could not stop
telling me how happy they were that they came.

If you have been watching my countdown you know that my time is very
short. It is now less than three weeks until I land in Ft Myers and less
than two until I leave my home of two years and travel to the capital to
finish up office business and say goodbye to the missionaries who have
become my family. It seems like it has flown by, but while living these
past few years I have learned many lessons that will stay with me for the
rest of my life.

I have been through many trials and shed tears. I have seen the departure
of dearly loved team member due to illness and other reasons. It has been
a difficult two years. But, all those trials seem to fade away when I talk
to my friend who, with a sparkle in her eye, tells me the joy she has
found in Jesus. I can now share prayer requests and pray with a dear woman
who has found a hope and joy that she never knew in our Savior Jesus
Christ.

These two believers meet each morning and evening as they carry out
traditional chores of milking the cattle. They have decided to pray
together at these times for the people of their village to see the change
in them and desire to learn more about Jesus.

Please pray for this dear brother and sister of mine as they grow in their
faith and learn what it means to be a child of God.

Please pray for my coworkers as they continue this work in my absence. I
would love to be here to be a part of it, but God has called me to come
home for this period of my life.

Looking ahead, I can not seem to imagine the rest of my life without the
Fulani in it. Seeing them gather together fueled my passion to seem them
reach out and share the gospel among their people and all the other
peoples that they are in contact with across West Africa. Please pray with
me that God would lead me to the path that He has called me to; to rid me
of my own desires and place his where mine once were. We are all called to
make disciples of all nations. I want to be faithful to that call wherever
it leads me.

Thanks for staying with me these two years. I am blessed beyond measure to
know I am surrounded by such a "great cloud of witnesses." People of faith
who believe that God wants to use such as me for His grand purposes.

To Him be all the Glory!!

Prayer Requests for the week

2007-02-25T09:31:00.000+01:00

I am thankful that you are there as prayer support and moral support. Everyday I'm reminded to draw close to the Lord in order to be close to you all, as distant as we may be. I know He's working all things to the good and I can't wait to see what God will do in the coming days. Here's some news and prayer requests to lift up to Him:

-Tara's mom's surgery and recovery from ovarian cancer: We got some scary news when Tara's mom Carol was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with a large mass. She had surgery on Tuesday but is now resting at home. We truly praising Him for His intervention, for His love and healing. She is clear of cancer at the moment, please continue lifting her up!

-Tara and Seng will be heading home for 2 weeks in April, the same day that I leave for Florida. Please pray for safety during travel. Tara and I will be stopping in NYC to spend a few days finding Fulani in the Big Apple. Please pray that we would be able to be an encouragement to people so far away from their home.

-Fulani Believers Conference March 15-17: Fulani from across Niger will come together to fellowship, worship and learn from His word. Please pray for accepter/believers of Konni and surrounding villages to feel the desire and need to go, that we too will go with faith in the Holy Spirit and joy in the body of Christ, and for the Fulani leaders who are seeking to serve the Lord and their people at this time.

Last but not least, please pray for my emotional and spiritual preparation as I go back to the states. I am already mourning the loss of this beloved country and people, but as each day passes I get more excited to return home. I am already saying goodbye to very dear friends!

Praise and Requests; Read On..

2007-02-25T04:01:00.000+01:00

I am thankful that you are there as prayer support and moral support. Everyday I’m reminded to draw close to the Lord in order to be close to you all, as distant as we may be. I know He’s working all things to the good and I can’t wait to see what God will do in the coming days. Here’s some news and prayer requests to lift up to Him: -Tara’s mom’s surgery and recovery from ovarian cancer: We got some scary news when Tara’s mom Carol was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with a large mass. She had surgery on Tuesday but is now resting at home. We truly praising Him for His intervention, for His love and healing. She is clear of cancer at the moment, please continue lifting her up! -Tara and Seng will be heading home for 2 weeks in April, the same day that I leave for Florida. Please pray for safety during travel. Tara and I will be stopping in NYC to spend a few days finding Fulani in the Big Apple. Please pray that we would be able to be an encouragement to people so far away from their home. -Fulani Believers Conference March 15-17: Fulani from across Niger will come together to fellowship, worship and learn from His word. Please pray for accepter/believers of Konni and surrounding villages to feel the desire and need to go, that we too will go with faith in the Holy Spirit and joy in the body of Christ, and for the Fulani leaders who are seeking to serve the Lord and their people at this time. Last but not least, please pray for my emotional and spiritual preparation as I go back to the states. I am already mourning the loss of this beloved country and people, but as each day passes I get more excited to return home. I am already saying goodbye to very dear friends!

Celebrating an Explosion

2007-02-24T23:31:00.000+01:00

Celebrating an Explosion!

Here is an excerpt from some recent correspondence that I received from our regional prayer team:

"There are times that the results we see far exceed our expectations. That's the case with the Wickland Baptist Church (PRAYERplus Partnership with the Sokoto Fulani of Niger) story in the 2006 International Missions Emphasis materials. This simple story of a small church praying for an Unengaged Unreached People Group is impacting our daily workload. Last year we had (a total of) 26 new PRAYERplus Partnerships. Since returning from Christmas break, we have been contacted by 27 churches who want to establish a partnership! We rejoice in the response and look forward to hearing from these congregations as God opens the hearts of the Unengaged Unreached People Groups of our world. Our office has often prayed for the PRAYERplus Partnership program to increase and today we celebrate this explosion!"

Sarah's note: When I visited with the prayer office last week, a worker said that six different churches had called the Prayer Office that day wanting more information about PRAYERplus Partnerships. This month (February), our region has gained three new PRAYERplus partnerships: one church adopted the SONGHAI of Nigeria, and two other churches chose the Tukulor of The Gambia. We now have several PRAYERplus partnerships of this type in which the actual partnership is with a population segment of a people group in a country other than the one/s where we have IMB personnel. Other churches are involved in PRAYERplus partnerships with people groups that are not engaged in any location. If you have any questions about PRAYERplus partnerships, please contact me."

My own involvement in this whole deal is simply obedience to a call that God put on my life. When I arrived in Niger I had no idea that I would get to encourage churches all around the United States. I am very awed seeing all that God is doing around the world!

UPDATE ON THE ACCIDENT

2007-02-08T23:03:00.000+01:00

Last Monday evening, my supervisors went to the hospital to check on the 8 year old, Zenabou, again. To their joy she was being released! She is now walking, talking, and eating normally. They were able to take her, her father and mother, and an aunt back out to their village, Bamo, about 7 PM. Again the villagers received them well.

We praise the Lord for prayer support which we believe has accomplished this miracle. Now help us pray for emotional equilibrium for the H family, and for opportunities to share Christ with this family and village. We appreciate your standing in the gap for us!

Please join our missionary colleagues in Niger in praying that God will continue to open doors for a Christian witness in this area. Also remember to lift up the H family to the Lord in prayer in the coming days.

2007-02-04T21:05:00.001+01:00

Getting a chance to write an update is always good. This time I am writing
it and sending it by my friends who will be traveling to an internet
connection. Such is the life in Africa J
I wanted to update you all on the progress of the volunteers here in Konni
this week and in the ministry among the Fulani.
1) One of our close friends, a Chief of a local village has decided to
follow Christ. He has been thinking and praying about if for a long while
now and even though his choice could adversely affect his family, village
and position he has chosen to follow. He has shared his decision with his
wife who has also stopped doing the Muslim rituals and is wanting to learn
more about Christ.
2) Kar, a night guard, after meeting a Fulani Christian asked to begin
studying the bible with me each afternoon. We have read through the book
of John and just yesterday began Luke. Right now I am taking advantage of
John, the team leader's, theological knowledge, instructing and conversing
with Kar, helping me to better understand personal discipleship. Kar is
growing daily in his understanding. He amazes me with the things he pays
special attention to and the things that he does not bother with. His
favorite word picture is the dichotomy between light and darkness. He
talks about his friends that are still in the dark and how he desperately
wants them to know what it is to be in the light. What a blessing!
3) In Village D, our believers are encouraging to us, showing joy, peace
and patience even through their trials. Barti enjoys each time our team
comes and the men visit with him and disciple him each time. Socially it
is not common for a young woman to visit in his home, so my visits with
him are not frequent. This is why our volunteers are such a vital part of
our team! On the night our team slept in the village Barti's daughter had
been in labor for two days and we were asked to take her to the hospital.
She gave birth early that next morning to a baby girl! We were blessed to
be able to help the family in that way. Laya, the other believer in
Village D went to the hospital to help the young girl through her
experience. We are praying that God would be glorified through this
relationship and that those believers would feel the call of God to share
their faith with their brothers and sisters.
4) In Village RZ we are telling Bible stories weekly, orally and also
testing stories crafted by the OneStory team. That is one of the major
groups of men that we get to share the stories with. Two of the men are
especially interested in the stories, telling them back to us in detail
with great care. Please pray for them that they would understand the
eternal significance of these stories.

Update on the accident

2007-01-29T17:25:00.000+01:00

UPDATE

URGENT PRAYER
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
JANUARY 27, 2007

WEST AFRICA. "Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men," Psalm 107:19-21. Thank you for interceding for an 8-year-old West African girl who was accidentally hit by an IMB missionary's vehicle Friday, January 26. An IMB field strategy leader who visited the hospital Saturday morning, January 27, learned that the girl's mother had arrived and that the girl was awake, responding to her mother and eating. The local hospital staff had intended to transfer the girl to a hospital in the capital city but has decided that it is not necessary. Please continue to pray that this child will have a full recovery. Also pray for the emotional recovery of the missionary family that was involved in the accident. Ask God to provide opportunities in the coming days for IMB personnel in the area to have a positive Christian witness to the family of the injured child as well as to others in the community.

It is amazing to be here and see first-hand the Father's awesome answers to your prayers. When I arrived to Niamey yesterday I heard of two other accidents that involved our missionaries. But in each one, prayers were raised and the potential tragedies have turned to reasons to praise God! Everyone involved in these accidents is fine, recovering from a close call and a few aches and pains. It really cements in my brain what a HUGE part that you all have in our ministry here.

We will never know why these things happen, but God does!

2007-01-27T11:48:00.000+01:00

Yesterday afternoon (14h00 EST) the H family, part of our Sokoto Fulani team, were traveling near the town of Maradi in Niger when their vehicle struck a local 8-year-old girl. The child is currently hospitalized with serious injuries, but no one else involved in the accident was hurt. Other IMB West Africa personnel are with the H family and at the hospital with the child at this time. Pray that God will bring healing to this child and be glorified in this situation. Intercede for the H family and for our other WA personnel who are with the family members of this young girl; ask God to give these colleagues sufficient strength, courage, and confidence to be His witnesses in these difficult circumstances. Ask God to give them spiritual wisdom and discernment to know how to respond in a culturally appropriate way that will bring honor to Him.

My friends were leaving from meeting with our team when we received the call about the accident. Yesterday evening and this morning I have been with this family and four girls who desperately need our prayer for peace in this difficult time. The latest news on the little girl is that she is stable but has sustained head injuries with possible internal bleeding. They were going to evacuate her to Niamey, the capital city, but have decided against it because she is showing progress and looking better each time. Please pray that she will be healed in the way that only God's power can. We have already seen His hand at work when at the scene of the accident the family was not sure if the child was even alive but is now stable and resting. Many prayers have already been lifted for this situation. Please join us as soon as you can.

Dust, dust everywhere and not a drop to...oh wait!

2007-01-12T11:20:00.000+01:00

Experiencing harmattan last year was not enough preparation for the crazy weather patterns we saw this year. See this picture? It was taken by my good friends in Niamey last week. Would you believe that it is the 9 o�clock sun trying unsuccessfully to break through the dense dust that is everywhere? The dust has cooled things down well, but the eeriness of noon that looks like a dusky 6 o�clock sky is overwhelming.

My mom flew away from Niger at 6 am Monday morning, and should arrive back home sometime very early Wednesday. It was wonderful to have her here, but I know that by the time she left she was ready to go home. I loved having her here to experience part of my life, introducing her to my friends, and seeing her interact with everyone with whom we came into contact. It was neat to see the welcome she was extended in the Fulani villages and the respect she was given by everyone. She was called �mother� by everyone she met.

The highlight of the trip for me was one evening visiting with my friends, Maman* and Fati* in Niamey (*names changed). That day we went to their home to visit them and were warmly greeted. Then, after a bit of conversation the husband asked if he could bring his wife and children over that evening to visit us and asked specifically if my Mom would pray for him and his family. What an honor that was! It took three attempts for us to finally meet up with them that evening, but when we did I got to witness my mom being used by God, praying for God�s blessing on a Fulani family in Niger. It was such a special moment. My mom commented that she thought he could have chosen a more able person to pray, but I think that God knew exactly who He wanted to use!

Tomorrow I am headed out to my town and will be soon back in my villages. I am hoping to get some teaching time before the volunteers come from Maryland in February to continue the ministry. They will be doing discipleship and Bible teaching as their ministry grows among the Fulani.

This week I would appreciate your focused prayer on Rabi* and Belo* in Village D who both have made decisions to follow Jesus. They are not from the same family or social groups but I know one day they will worship God side by side. Please pray that they would be challenged to grow in their faith and empowered to share by the Holy Spirit who equips us to accomplish His will.

Secondly, I ask you to remember Maman* and Fati* my friends in Niamey. They are seeking the truth. Please join with us in prayer that God would confirm some things they have already learned and also give them the courage to step out of such a binding tradition of beliefs.

And last, but not least, the bittersweet countdown to my departure has begun. In less than three months I will be returning home to Florida. Please pray that these last three months would be manageable, emotionally and physically and that I would be productive and obedient to all the things that God asks me to do. My ongoing prayer is that I would be given the opportunity to share my faith wherever God asks me to go and be His ambassador among all peoples.

You are very dear to me! Thanks for holding the ropes!

Merry Christmas!!

2006-12-25T12:51:00.000+01:00

Dear Friends and Family,

This Christmas has been filled with friends and family (my Mom is here visiting!,) great food and fun times of fellowship. The most prevalent though, has been the constant, intentional worship of Jesus as his birth is celebrated. It has been difficult without the "spirit of Christmas" happening all around us, but it has been more joyful and so much more meaningful as we worship as worship was meant to be, in joyful sacrifice.

My friends, Tara and Seng and I spent this month sharing the season of advent together. The three of us lit the candles, read of the coming King and sang joyfully as we remembered His promises. It was such a special time. Then, with the arrival of my mom and our travel to spend Christmas with our larger team we have shared worship and carols, fellowship and fun. Christmas does not "happen" here, but the joy of the Lord has penetrated every tradition and made it so special.

Thank you to those who are praying for me and for the Fulani! I am seeing God's hand at work and marveling at what He is doing.

A few prayer requests:

1) Two people in village D have chosen to follow Jesus but want to know more about the truth. Pray that their questions would be answered and that the Holy Spirit would fill their hearts and minds.

2) The Chief of village D has asked me to begin sharing Bible stories twice a week. Please pray that these meetings would happen and their eyes would be opened to understand.

3) A very close friend of ours has been imprisoned without a trial. Please pray that he would receive fair treatment and soon reunited with his family.

4) December 27th and 28th we will be hosting a Christmas party to share the stories of Advent, Jesus' birth and resurrection. Please pray that these stories would pierce the hearts of the women and children present, that they would hear our passion for Jesus and respond to the Holy Spirit.

I miss so many of you this Holiday Season. I hope you are having a time filled with family, friends and the true Reason for the season.

Love, Danielle

Thanksgiving Praises!

2006-11-22T21:21:00.000+01:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Greetings everyone! I pray that you are having a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving this year with your family and friends. Though I am far from home this Thanksgiving, there is so much to be thankful for. Please thank our Father for the following:

* Five Fulani have confessed Jesus as their Savior in a village where two of my teammates are working, including the chief! * Several women who have decided to follow Christ came to last week's time of worship in one village. * We have many students who have answered God's call to come serve alongside us among the Fulani. * As we were going to sleep last week in our hut, we heard several men sharing Bible stories with their wives and others. * The family that recently joined our team has settled into their home. It is a huge blessing to have them so close to us. * After leaving one village for over a month, the Fulani there have expressed interest in having one of our teammates spend more time there. * In another teammate's village, the family she has lived with in the bush for sometime has been very open to the Gospel and has taken her in as one of their own. * A volunteer team recently visited a Fulani village where one of my teammates works and was able to spend a lot of time with the chief who is asking serious questions and earnestly seeking to know more about faith in Jesus.

Praise God for his faithfulness and provision. He is working in a mighty way among the Sokoto Fulani. Thank you for your prayers on behalf of my team and the Sokoto Fulani.

Sharing Bible Stories

2006-11-20T17:43:00.000+01:00

Sharing Bible Stories
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

October and November have been very busy months! My friends from Maryland came back to visit their villages and to rekindle
relationships that they have here. Although some of my time was spent preparing for their trip, the rest was spent enjoying their company!
I went from being the only person from my mission in Konni for three
weeks to having more guests than I knew what to do with. It was lots
of fun! The team from Maryland was a blast to be with, encouraged and challenged me in my faith and blessed me with prayer, fellowship and some goodies from home.

This is a picture that we took in RZ using a storying cloth to
illustrate the Bible stories that the team was telling. The men were
very interested and gathered around to see and hear. It is such a joy
to have these men and women join my ministry here in Niger. They are now back with their families and their church home back in the States.

Would you pray that the seeds that were planted would grow in the
hearts of these Fulani men and women?

Lessons on Trust

2006-10-16T11:25:00.000+01:00

I did not realize how confused I was with God's plan until last night. I am at Galmi today, a missionary hospital that has internet and some wonderful people. I like to come on Sunday afternoons, spend the night and leave on Monday. The Sunday night worship service is very encouraging, especially when it has been weeks since I have heard anyone else's thoughts on the Bible. This week it was led by an amazing missionary family and was such a blessing!

I was confused with God's plan because ever since the four people expressed interest in Jesus Christ and prayed, every attempt at meeting with them has been thwarted. Harvest time is the busiest time of year, one of the men is very sick, and the woman told me that she wants me to pray that she will get lots of money so that she can take her parents to Mecca. I did not know what to do with all this.

Then, last night in the service my friend mentioned that one of the themes of the book of Mark is the journey that the disciples were on. They were constantly learning from being with Jesus much like we are today. One of the things they were learning is that "real trust is proven in the midst of confusion." The disciples understood the good things that Jesus did and some of his teachings, but the hard part came when He spoke about his death. If they could have trusted then... They could not understand what He was doing, what this plan was of His that He would die. But they trusted.

That is where I found myself this morning, pondering these thoughts when I read Psalms 40. Verses 3 and 4 say, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside false gods."

It all came together. I need to trust God even when I am confused. He has promised us that He will take care of us and that everything is going according to His plan.

Today, I have a new song, a song of praise to our God. And that is my message to the Fulani.

Please Pray

2006-10-16T11:17:00.000+01:00

Two men and two women in Village D who are interested but being kept from understanding the truth.

One man who is sick. He needs God's healing touch. Pray also that he will be willing to seek medical attention if that is God's will.

One woman who is so blinded by desire for money and possessions that she loses sight of the greatest possession of all, one that she can never lose, the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Pray for all the women of Village D that they would desire to know God. Many are content not pursuing any relationship or knowledge of God because they have been told for years that it is for men only or that women are not smart enough to understand the things of God.

As the month of fasting ends I will be spending the day in this village celebrating with them. It will be held on Sunday the 22nd of October. Please pray that I will get the opportunity to share some stories on that day.

I feel a burden to share with the group of men who constitute the leadership in the village. Please pray with me that I will have boldness and wisdom in doing that. And that they would accept the truth that I will share with them.

"God, why did you send me?"

2006-10-16T10:02:00.000+01:00

You are who you are for a reason

You're part of an intricate plan

You are God's precious, unique woman or man

You look like you for a reason,

Our God made no mistake.

He knit you together in the womb

You're just who He wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones He chose

no matter how you feel.

They were custom designed with God's plan in mind

and they too bear the Master's seal.

No, the trauma you faced was not easy

and God wept that it hurt you so

but it was allowed to shape your heart

so that in His likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason.

You've been formed by the master's rod.

You are who you are, beloved,

because there is a GOD.

--Russell Kelfer

My Mission

2006-09-24T21:51:00.000+01:00

My mission
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Welcome to a day in my life here in Niger!

Come take a peek!!

2006-09-24T21:43:00.000+01:00

IMGP2217_resize.JPG
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Let's go see the village

2006-09-24T21:36:00.000+01:00

Ruga Zabi in Rainy Season
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This is what Ruga Zabi looks like during rainy season. The grass grows so much and so fast. Finding my way to this cluster of huts is a real challenge.

Let's see who we'll meet...

More millet pounding

2006-09-24T21:32:00.000+01:00

More millet pounding
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

The Fulani women pound grain into flour everyday! I try to help when I can, but they usually will not let me for long. They refuse because 1) they like my soft hands and 2) frankly, i am not very good at it. I have gotten better over the year but still I spill the millet often.

I love to participate with them and be part of their daily life. Can you imagine doing this each day?

My friends

2006-09-24T21:16:00.000+01:00

Cutey girl was a little camera shy
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

These are the people I see everyday. We laugh, we talk, we share trials and songs, food and drink. These are the people that I have grown to love more than I thought I could.

These beautiful people have such a rich culture and I am so blessed to be allowed to witness it. See the markings on her face? Those are regional as well as unique according to family. She has had these for a few years now and is very proud that she did not cry while she received them.

Lots of Fun

2006-09-24T16:32:00.000+01:00

Lots of Fun
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This is my house in village D on a typical rainy season morning. All the women and girls pull out their bowl covers and continue the tedious task of "weaving." It is actually more complex than weaving and I can't do it as good as the young girl in the foreground, Mariama.

Beautiful though!!

Village D

2006-09-24T16:28:00.000+01:00

IMGP2218_resize.JPG
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Okay, just so you know I am pretty tired of pictures of myself, but by request here is one of me in Village D with some friends. Can you believe that I have made friends with the children? They are lots of fun! These girls are cousins and the one in my arms is such a sweet little one! Thanks for coming to see my villages today! I hope you enjoyed your "tour." Maybe one day you can come and see for yourself!

The past two weeks

2006-09-24T16:21:00.000+01:00

So, the big thing I have been dealing with these past weeks of "away from home-ness" has been the four new believers in Village D. I know that they are open to the Jesus Way and have heard and accepted the gospel, but as soon as that happened I have been kept from visiting them. While in the village they were out working; while I was in Konni my trips to the village got postponed; and then I was taken to the capital for two weeks for the infamous quarantine incedent. I have been praying steadily for them during this time that they would remain hungry for the things of God and this prayer that they prayed would not be something they forget about.

It has been three weeks now since I have been able to meet with them. I am going out to their village on Tuesday, so that is pretty exciting. I will be staying out for five days this time because I feel I have missed a lot in the last few weeks. Jabo has had her baby, a healthy little boy; the millet is almost ready for harvest, beans are being planted and many families are making plans for yearly stay at their "cold season camp." They will take the cows to fields and places far away from the village where the grass and plants are plentiful. This is part of Fulani life but it makes it difficult to see good friends go away. Especially this season because I will probably be ending my time here before they return.

As harvest and cooler (heh) weather comes please be praying daily for the Fulani in village D. That they would continue to thirst for stories of truth and that they would make time to meet and learn more.

Please make a point on Tuesday the 26th to pray for our meeting and conversations, that God would be glorified in all I say; That the hearts would be touched by the Holy Spirit and that Individual Fulani would be burdened to share these stories with their families.

Thanks for being part of my team!

PS I will have email access until midnight Eastern time tonight. Send me a note will ya? Let me know what's up and how I can pray for you. God Bless

Cleared to go home!!

2006-09-19T21:59:00.000+01:00

I am so excited! I just got news this morning that my test results came back negative and the doctor has given me the all clear to go back to Konni. I was hoping and praying that it would be so and had already bought my bus ticket. (Hopeful thinking!) I will be leaving on the 4 am bus. I am very glad to get to go back, but sadly I do not get to go directly back to my village. Excitedly, I get to do an interview with the band SonicFlood live at their concerts in Florida.

Here is the schedule for the shows:

Tallahassee, FL

Sep,21 2006

Showtime: 7:00 PM

Venue: First Baptist of Tallahassee

615.941.8971 www.sonicflood.com

North Port, FL

Sep,22 2006

Showtime: 7 PM

Venue: South Biscayne Baptist Church

615.941.8971 www.sonicflood.com

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sep,24 2006

Showtime: 6:30 PM

Venue: First Baptist Church

615.941.8971 www.sonicflood.com

If you are near any of these venues you should come out for the shows! The band is going to rock and I hear there is a cool missionary too.

Check it out.

I will be back in my villages starting Monday. Please remember me in prayer!

Peace and joy,

Danielle

Update from Niamey

2006-09-12T18:10:00.000+01:00

Hello and thank you for your prayers!

Things have indeed calmed down and the quarantine has been lifted. Two of our teammates have flown to Dakar for further testing and treatment, two have been cleared to go back to their posts and Seng and I are awaiting clearance to return as well. We are still in the guest house, resting, sleeping and eating well.

The doctor from Dakar will be calling tomorrow to order more tests or give us the all clear! Thanks for your prayers during this time! They have shown in my ability to accept this situation with Christ's strength and patience and to look for what He is trying to teach me through this. I have had some wonderful time of conversation and strengthening the bonds of friendship with my teammates.

Please continue to remember Toby and Rebekah as they are in Dakar!

Love and peace, Danielle

This is [most of] my family [older brother not pictured]

2006-09-12T00:34:00.000+01:00

This is [most of] my family [older brother not pictured]
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Mom, Jonica, Gavin, Dad and Danielle

Gavin is not always so goofy as he looks here. Isn't my family

handsome? I love and miss them very much!!

Thanks Joni for the picture!

This is the path between homes in my village

2006-09-08T23:01:00.000+01:00

This is the path between homes in my village
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This time of year the millet is tall and getting ready to harvest. Paths like these dot the landscape, leading the way between homes, villages, wells and roads.

Just like there is only one path between one home and another, there is only one path between man and God. Please pray that the Fulani would thirst and hunger for the truth. That they would remember the stories that we share and desire more. Please pray that we will be diligent in sharing and being led by the Holy Spirit as we share stories about Jesus and what it means to follow His path; the only way.

Quite a Scare

2006-09-08T18:25:00.000+01:00

Last week we had two visitors come to Konni and the surrounding villages. After they returned to the capital one of them became ill and was hospitalized. We were not sure if it was serious and so we’ve all come in to Niamey to run some tests and check our health. Yesterday afternoon we got tested for several diseases, even did a few x-rays. We were hoping to receive results today but have been told it may take up to three days.

This is difficult for me because I have been having very important conversations in my villages lately and a few people have expressed interest in the stories I have been telling.

Please lift this up to Him: visitors Jesse, diagnosed with malaria and food poisoning, (currently in hospital but healing) and Emily her teammate, and my teammates Bekah, Tara, Seng, Toby, Bradley and me. Please also pray that the stories would stick in the minds of the Fulani in my villages and that they would thirst more for the truth found in them.

Thank you all. We give Him all the glory.

2006-08-20T12:44:00.000+01:00

My family and friends:

My internet access is limited to a computer in which I do not have my email addresses so my emailing ability is not good. I have received much joy reading your emails whenever I can get to them and replying, but am unable to send out an email to everyone. Please understand.

I am so glad to share this news with you! It is a nice encouragement after some difficult but very rewarding months of ministry. I am fully grounded in the timing that God has planned for the Fulani people and I am honored to be able to be here watching it.

I hope to share with you the best I can; with words and images. Know that this is all to draw you closer to God and to His work among the nations!

Thank you for your prayers, love, encouragement and even challenging my faith from time to time. God is so faithful! I am so thankful to you all!

Read on:

4 believers, the longer story!!!

2006-08-20T12:37:00.000+01:00

We will never come to expect the times when God chooses to stretch and mold our faith. Recently I realized, again, how much room there is to grow daily in my faith. Well, I know you are all dying to hear the stories of our new brothers and sisters in Christ so I'll get on with it.

Each week I spend time in three villages, my town and a fulani neighborhood within the town visiting, building relationships and sharing Bible stories when appropriate. It is rewarding because of the relationships but I was not seeing much interest in Jesus at all. God is faithful to encourage me and I know that results are not the reason I am here, but rather to plant seeds that will grow in the future.

Well, this week my teammate asked me to record a Bible story that goes from Creation to the Cross to help her better prepare to tell it herself. I had told it maybe four times previously, each time significantly struggling to get my thoughts across. I did not feel like it would do much good, but consented. I told the story to two women whom we have close relationships and they assured me they understood but did not feel led to make any decision. That reaction was typical but still disappointing.

Later in a village I took my recorder and played the recording for others. I stopped at various places to clear up understanding and rephrase my words. In one home it led to a great conversation about the Fulani's concept of God and sin. Later, I was visiting when a woman came by with a crying baby. It was not her baby but she was holding it and it would not stop crying. I reached for it and cradled it for a while, and it calmed down and fell asleep. They were delighted and we went back to a hut to lay the baby down. They got out some milk for me to drink and then we sat and talked. I took the opportunity of few distractions to tell the the "Creation to the Cross" story. I did not have my recorder with me, but was able to tell it sufficiently for them to understand. Near the end I told them if they believed what I had said and wanted to accept Jesus' blood as sacrifice for their sin they could do that. They said they wanted to. "What?!?" That had never happened before and I was not sure I had heard correctly. I tried to talk to them about it telling them about persecution and the difficulties of following Jesus but they still said they wanted to talk to God and ask Him for His forgiveness. Wow! I asked if they could retell the story and when they could not really remember the sequence I retold the story again. I promised that the following morning I would come and retell it and we would practice it together. I left their home really excited but still questioning if they really meant what they said. Two of the girls were teenagers so I questioned whether or not their prayer was real. I decided to tell people that one person, maybe two had accepted. My faith is still so small.

The next morning I went to the house to find no one home. I went to the well looking for my friend and ended up visiting with some others, eventually coming back to the house around 1 pm. I did find my friend and one other girl was there as well. She excitedly came to me to tell me that she had prayed to God that morning thanking Him for the sun (as I had in my prayer the previous day!) That was confirmation that even though she is young she knew what she meant and had chosen for herself not for anyone else. Praise God!!

I wanted to visit with the one woman but she was pounding. Her Father in law was there resting after coming in from the fields and he asked to hear my story. I took out my recorder and started it. His friend, another man whom I had seen often but not really knew well, came up and sat with us too. We went through the whole story and they had questions which made it fun to tell. I told them that my work was to share this story with the Fulani in the villages around. At the end of the story before I asked if they believed what I was telling them he commented excitedly, "how are they going to choose Jesus if somebody does not go and share this story with each home?" It was exactly what I was thinking and I told him how we wanted to gather people to hear stories and praise God and how he could tell the story to his friends and family. We talked some more about the difficulties of gathering people because of the work that they do and then they asked me., "How can we choose Jesus?" I finished the rest of the story and led them to pray to God for forgiveness of sins and to lead them in the "Jesus Way." I looked back at the women behind me and they were smiling as they watched it all play out.

Then I talked about how they were better ones to tell the story to their peers. I promised to tell the story again when I came back and practice it. They were glad and promised to meet with me when I got back.

I am going back to the village today, Sunday, and then again on Wednesday! Please pray for these four new believers in their new faith. Pray that they would have a hunger to learn about God and what this decision means for the rest of their lives.

Please pray that I would have wisdom to share God's word with them.

4 Fulani pray to Jesus to forgive their sins!!!

2006-08-19T22:18:00.000+01:00

It was not a normal day. I woke up with a painful stomach, remnants of a recent battle with Giardia. I was tired, didn't want to eat and especially did not want to go out and spend three days in the African bush.

I called my friends hoping to get motivated and just talking to them helped. Then, when our connection was ended I had to go out and buy another card. That got me out and motivated and in the next hour I was arriving in the village.

I went around greeting people and eventually ended up holding a fussy baby. "Rayno" is what they call it and I am sure they laugh because I always jump to spend time holding these new blessings. While in my arms this one fell asleep and we ventured off to a home in which I had not often visited. They offered me soured milk to drink and I accepted. We sat for a while chatting and I took the mostly distraction-free opportunity to share with them the story of Jesus. At the end of my story I told them that they could have the same forgiveness of sins that I had and peace and joy in their hearts. They accepted! They wanted Jesus! Then I warned them of the difficulties that their following Jesus could bring. They could be beaten and lose their homes. Two of the three still accepted.

I promised to come the following day to repeat the story so they could remember to tell their friends. That day two older men wanted to hear the story also. Those two also accepted!

God is doing something BIG here among the Fulani. (See Jessica or Sarah's Blogs) and KEEP PRAYING!!

Scotto's 5th Birthday

2006-07-27T00:04:00.000+01:00

Scotto's 5th Birthday
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Danielle the Co-pilot

2006-07-24T00:55:00.000+01:00

Danielle the Co-pilot
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Our adventure to Togo started with the captain in the flight deck and me on the wing. Shelley was more studious than me; She read her book all the way but I had to sleep a little.

I learned a lot about the workings of the instruments in the cockpit. It was very interesting. The pilots even answered all my questions.

I really liked wearing the headset!!!

Danielle the Co-pilot

2006-07-24T00:47:00.001+01:00

Danielle the Co-pilot
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Me in Togo

2006-07-21T23:13:00.000+01:00

Me in Togo
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

I like these flowers. They're called Frangipanies, right?

They smell great. Kinda like Plumeria

Togo Streets

2006-07-21T23:00:00.000+01:00

Togo Streets
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This is new culture that I have been experiencing these three weeks. We went to the beach today and wore ourselves out. It was technically a "singles beach outing" which really only means lots of fun! We played football, volleyball, threw the frisbees and had tons of fun wave-jumping. The waves here are huge!!

We also had some time on these streets shopping and experiencing the cultures. I bought some gifts for my friends in Niger and maybe even some for those back home... We'll see in September.

Togo

2006-07-17T23:36:00.000+01:00

No picture to spice up this blog, I apologize. I am in Togo, a country 18 hours away from my home along dusty bumpy road that is sometimes filled with potholes. We were blessed to come on a chartered, six seater plane on a trip that took just over three hours. Eight of my fellow missionaries and I are attending two seminary courses as part of the MATSIL program at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

It has been challenging! Imagine it! 45 hours of class crammed into 5 intense days. Our first class was Survey of the New Testament. I learned so much and took so many notes! I am excited to reread them and internalize all that we covered.

A highlight of last week was the moto-taxi ride that we took to the bakery to buy croissants and other goodies. I was with two of my friends in a white person parade of motos. It was so much fun though. Togo is very different from Niger. The cultures are completely different, the languages are miles apart and the climate is amazing.

It has rained three times since we have been here!!!

This week our class is Biblical Hermeneutics, or interpretation of the Bible. We are studying rules of Biblical interpretation and then how to put it into practice. I am excited for the chance to exercise some of the skills I learned last week as well as new material.

The highlight of this week has been an unfortunate incident with the projector. It started when my friend offered to help and I snidely remarked that I had it under control. Already feeling slightly like a prideful jerk I apologized, thanked him for the offer and went to work setting up the movie. We plugged in all the cords and I handed the power cord to someone to plug in. The projector did not light up so I started to check it but everyone said it was just warming up. Knowing that that was the case, I joked with my friend Carrie as we waited.

Then, without warning smoke filled the room! The projector was fried. Everyone was surprised, but we immediately knew that the 110 v projector was sizzled to oblivion by the 220 v electricity here. I, being the one setting it up felt horrible because this projector cost over $9,000 when they purchased it. Luckily for me, the projector was 12 years old and basically a dinosaur. They were actually surprised that it was working at all. My supervisor was very understanding. He was tempted to come in an ream me out but held back the urge to cause me tears.

So, as you can see we have been busy and our weeks have been filled with fun events. I am enjoying getting to know some of my coworkers better as we delve into God's word.

Please pray that I would be diligent in my work and that I would grow in knowledge "to be prepared for every good work"

Thanks guys! I'd love to hear from you!

Kiro and Ketcho

2006-07-05T22:47:00.000+01:00

Kiro and Ketcho
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

These are my favorite boys in Konni! They, along with their parents and baby brother have a house built in the yard. Altine, the father, is my nightguard and helps out with pretty much everything else during the day. His wife, Aicha, is one of my best friends. They are such a great family. While I was back in the states I could not help but buy them some cute matching clothes. Thanks Walmart for making these great outfits! Aren't my babies super cute?!?! Their favorite game to play with me is Jenga, but we don't play it right :) We simply use the wooden pieces as blocks and the boys build to their heart's content. It is so fun to watch them be extremely creative; something they do not get to do often enough. Sometimes even their parents get in on the fun!

4th of July

2006-07-05T22:28:00.000+01:00

4th of July
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

You know, not many pictures say "Happy 4th of July" better than this one. She is my friend here, one of our missionary kids in Niger. We had some great burgers and potluck potato salad, water games, ice cream cake (Thanks Theresa) and lots of fun fellowship. It was great to be with my missionary family again!

back to the big screen

2006-06-20T01:48:00.000+01:00

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

2006-06-20T01:44:00.002+01:00

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

2006-06-20T01:44:00.001+01:00

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

No explanation needed!!

Some of the Crowd in the Coluseum

2006-06-20T01:25:00.000+01:00

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

2006-06-16T23:49:00.000+01:00

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...

2006-06-15T20:23:00.001+01:00

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

New York, New York...

2006-06-15T20:23:00.000+01:00

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

New York, New York...

2006-06-15T20:22:00.000+01:00

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

Culture Shock...

2006-06-15T20:18:00.000+01:00

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

2006-06-06T20:28:00.000+01:00

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!!

2006-06-06T20:27:00.001+01:00

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...

2006-06-06T20:27:00.000+01:00

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.

Morning on the dunes

2006-05-22T11:06:00.000+01:00

Morning on the dunes
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

The trip to the desert was vacation, but that doesn't seem to stop God from teaching me. I'm very glad of that. I was able to go with three other christians from various walks of life and learned alot sharing with and hearing from them. One activity we did was share devotions that God was teaching us while in the desert. One such devotion was about waiting for God's best.

On the first day out we were driving hours and hours through flat sandy areas. We saw some small rocks, but nothing big. Then the rocks started getting larger and we started to see small sand dunes infrequently dotting the landscape. Being the excitable ones that we are we asked the driver to stop and spend about half an hour playing in these dunes. We had a great time. Then we packed up our things and headed on the way.

Only a few hours further our guide pointed out the tops of a few dunes in the distance; again we were thrilled. But these dunes were neither small or infrequent. We were at the edge of a vast landscape of dunes as far as the eye could see. Not just one dune but hundreds. Our guide told us that the dunes stretched like that all the way to Libya.

We had been so content with the one small dune that we couldn't wait for the hundreds of dunes that God had planned for us. Does that sound similar in your life? It does in mine. I have to fight each day to wait on God for exactly what he has planned for me. Not the small victories that I want each day, but the divine victories that He wants to give me. I want to be excitedly satisfied for a cup of His spirit when He wants me to swim in the waves. I strain to feel the breeze, but His gusts are just around the corner.

Email issues

2006-05-21T19:49:00.000+01:00

Hey guys. I am sorry for the fullness of my email box lately. I have not been able to get internet access for about four weeks now. I have checked email and cleared the server, so please resend any emails previously sent between May 9 and 19th. I would love to hear from you.

Also, since email access is few and far between I would love to get real letters and phone calls letting me know how you are doing and how I can pray. I won't post my address or number on here, but if you know Amy, Nate or my parents, get in touch with them and they'll give them to you. Or you can email me. (Is that an oxymoron?)

The Grand Mosque of Agadez

2006-05-21T17:05:00.001+01:00

The Grand Mosque of Agadez
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This historical monument is known by everyone as the most common

landmark of Agadez. You can still see men praying in its courts

daily. The tower is over 30 meters high and can be seen from all over

the city.

The Grand Mosque of Agadez

2006-05-21T17:05:00.000+01:00

The Grand Mosque of Agadez
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Amazing Beauty

2006-05-21T15:41:00.000+01:00

Amazing Beauty
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This woman has recently returned to her mother's home to finish her

last trimester of pregnancy. Pray for S as I have a few months to

share with her until she returns home with her infant. Please pray

that I will be bold and she will be open.

Midnight snack made easy...

2006-04-22T20:39:00.001+01:00

Midnight snack made easy...
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

It's amazing how easy it is to spread peanut butter for a midnight

snack when it is 97 degrees in the kitchen at 12:45 am. The 91

degrees is the outside temperature...

I am not complaining, I just thought it would be fun to share.

Lemae (Lee-MAY)

2006-04-22T20:39:00.000+01:00

Lemae (Lee-MAY)
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

This is Lemae, the daughter of a very important friend of ours from

the village. She is eight years old. She fell out of a tree,

dislocated and fractured her elbow. Thanks to the support of

individuals and churches, she received orthopedic surgery and is

healing well. God has used this situation in amazing ways to

encourage her family, especially her father that Jesus loves them and

came to save them. Please pray that her father and the rest of her

family would come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

My four new teammates

2006-04-22T20:12:00.000+01:00

My four new teammates
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

To my teammates back home

2006-04-22T19:26:00.000+01:00

We here in Niger have come to a time of goal-making for our respective teams and ministries. This is an exciting time to look ahead with anticipation and expect God to do BIG things. Making goals for something so unpredictable is a daunting task. I either feel like I am being unrealistic and reaching too high or that my faith is too small and I am not expecting God to work supernaturally. I want to be obedient in all things, making the most of every opportunity. Please pray as I seek God's will for these goals that He would direct me to the places He wants me to be. Pray that He would give me His goals for my ministry.

New Name!!

2006-04-17T14:41:00.000+01:00

My original african name, Zeynabu, was given to me by a small girl in the first village that I visited. I loved the name, but the fact is that it is not a traditional Fulani name. It is descended from Arabic and is known throughout the Arabic world. I did some research to find a truly Fulani name, was helped by a few friends in a village near Konni.

The results of the search have come in and my new name is........... Danejo.

It slightly resembles Danielle, which is a very cool coincidence, but it means lighter skinned. Idiomatically it is used to connote a very pretty girl in the Fulani culture.

I apologize to those of you who already know me as Zeynabu; I understand if it takes you a while to make the switch ;) but thinking long-term I really enjoy having a traditional Fulani name.

God is aware of the name change too, so don't worry if you mix them up. He will most definitely understand.

If you post it.... They will comment... Right?

2006-04-13T22:49:00.000+01:00

So, I did not get to post my first day back. I am sorry about that, but I will try to be better about it. I have posted since then, but this was sent to our team's prayer blog and not my personal blog. If you have never seen the Team prayer blog, check it out:

www.prayforfulani.blogspot.com

For those of you that don't know, I met some really cool people the week that I was in Tampa and they gave me some feedback on this blog. They sort of expressed concern on the frequency of my posts. They still understand that when I am in the villages that it is impossible to post, but for those times when I am in the capital or even remotely have the chance to check email and update the blog then I am under obligation to do so.

For those of you that are loyal (or obsessive) checkers of my blog I will be better. The problem lies in the uni-directional flow of communication on the blog. That is just a interesting way to say that posting on my blog is great, but if I do not receive feedback/ comments on posts or emails I am not so encouraged to post. That is where you all come in. Please comment on my posts. The deal is that if you comment, I will post more. Got it?

Take care!!

Thanks again Wickland!! I had a great time with y'all in Tampa!!

Success

2006-04-13T00:01:00.000+01:00

I do not know how to measure success in a storying group, but God's word says that His Word will never return void. God's Word was presented in story form on Monday to a small group of women and children from our neighborhood.

It went off without a hitch, and was accepted well by all who came. We are praying that this meeting will become regular and will be used by God to bring the Fulani to Himself.

Some teammates of mine will be showing the Jesus Film in a village on Easter Sunday. Please pray for open hearts to understand the sacrifice that Christ made for us as they hear about the significance of this holiday. The cheif of this village has asked some very pointed questions regarding Jesus and his death, and this is his first opportunity to hear the whole story in his language. Please pray for this cheif as he has influence over many people and his choosing to follow the Jesus way would have serious consequences but never ending joy!

4 pm -- time for rejoicing and prayer

2006-04-10T12:38:00.000+01:00

This afternoon a believer and I will be leading a bible storying group at my home with praise songs and bible teachings in Fulfulde. I am so excited to be part of this new step in our ministry and helping my friend S share her faith with her friends and neighbors is such a joy.

Please pray that each person that attends would feel the Holy Spirit tugging on their hearts. Pray that they would realize the power of Christ in their everyday lives and the love He gave for them on the cross. Pray that they would come again, yearning for more teaching of the Truth. Please pray that this would be the beginning of many outreach groups that would share the Gospel throughout this whole land.

Your participation is so vital to my ministry. Thanks for rejoicing as I rejoice and comforting me as I am down. I don't know what I would do without this amazing Father that we have in God. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

Faith

2006-04-10T09:24:00.000+01:00

Do you ask, "What is faith in Him?" I answer, The leaving of your way, your objects, your self, and the taking of His and Him; the leaving of your trust in men, in money, in opinion, in character, in atonement itself, and doing as He tells you. I can find no words strong enough to serve for the weight of this obedience. "

--George MacDonald

What a great return...

2006-04-10T09:23:00.000+01:00

I almost hesitate writing this for many different reasons, but I do not want you to get the wrong idea of what it is like here. This life is not easy. I am not suffering in a physical sense, but many things are difficult emotionally and spiritually. Thanks for sharing in them with me.

On my first day back, after suffering jet lag and severe lack of sleep, I was driving around with my friend and had this horrible thought. It was a fleeting, momentary lapse of will, but into my brain flashed the idea, "I am not glad to be back." It was sudden, confusing and scary that I would feel that way. I did not want that to come from my heart, but it did.

God was so good, allowing me to share my thoughts with others who understand and I really believe He is preparing me for the future. I am praying that this term will be my first of many and that God would let me serve Him here in West Africa. This is rather scary to pray because I understand that the answer could be no and my first reaction is to refrain from that specific of prayer until my path is more discernable. But, God has taught me over the last year (yes it has been a whole year already) that my only fears are justified being away from His will for me.

I get to wake up every morning knowing that without a shadow of a doubt I am exactly where God has told me to be. I know that everything I am was made and prepared for this. My feeling of not being glad to be back has vanished as I see God at work here in Niger and among the Fulani. I lament leaving friends and family and really important relationships behind, but God has a plan for this time, for me and for the awesome Fulani people.

Please pray that I will be faithful in my tasks and that God's Spirit would shine in my life like a cool breeze here in the hot, dry desert wind.

Just in the nick of time

2006-03-30T13:10:00.000+01:00

Can I just tell you that my mom is absolutely the most amazing woman ever!! My passport situation was stressful and being patient as my flight time was approaching was not easy. I was encouraged and supported by so many people praying for me and reminding me that God is in control.

Here is the story:

I applied for my passport with two weeks left in my trip. Plenty of time for a 10 day need, right? Well, they informed me that those 10 days were 10 business days, putting the arrival of my passport the Saturday before my flight on Monday. "Phew", I thought, "that is really close", but God knows what He is doing, so I trusted.

The Wednesday before my departure I got a call from my Mom that said that the passport office wanted an explanation as to the loss of my passport. So, I wrote it, found a printer, then found a fax machine and sent it. I called the office to confirm that they had received it, but there was not answer. I left a message.

I planned to call the next day, but was not able to. I called on Friday to check the status. She told me they had not received my fax!!!! What?? And they did not call me and let me know. Man oh man. I went back to fax it again, and again she did not receive it. Then she gave me the correct fax number. I could not believe it! It was the day before I needed it to arrive in the mail, and she had not given me the right fax number. I was sweating by this point. She confirmed that they had received the explanation and that the passport would be sent in the mail that day.

Well, it did not arrive on Saturday like we were hoping and there is no mail (not even overnight express mail delivered on Sunday). My Mom decided to meet the mail truck at 5:30 am on Monday and then IF the passport arrived would drive it to Tampa (3 hrs away) to meet me at the airport. And that is how it worked out. It did actually arrive on Sunday, but was waiting for someone to sort the mail on Monday morning.

My mom is such a do-anything-to-help-the-ones-she-loves kind of person and I could not have been on that plane without her unconditional love.

Why do I have a new passport photo???

2006-03-20T07:13:00.000+01:00

Why do I have a new passport photo???
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

Oh man, what a story, I travel over 24 hours to get to New York and

my passport is cancelled upon entry to the United States. I don't

think I did anything wrong this trip, but it all goes back to the

fateful week in Ghana where my passport was "missing" for three days

and mysteriously showed up after we alerted the hotel manager. I

reported my passport lost on Friday morning, only to have it turn up

Friday afternoon. Since my new passport would not be available until

Monday and my flight was that Saturday I decided to leave the new

passport and leave with the old one. It is funny that no country has

even questioned my passport until almost a year later.

This story was not to entertain you too much, I do want to ask for

your prayer for quick paperwork so that my new passport could come in

the mail before my flight leaves on Monday. Thank you so much for

joining me in this request. God even cares about the silly stuff.

Greetings from Sunny Florida!!!

2006-03-14T07:12:00.000+01:00

Wow, vacation time is great. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with friends and family and the friends that feel like family, too. God has really been great allowing me the opportunity to see many of the people that mean so much to me and encourage me so much. These people are such an important part of my ministry that I believe I would not be serving where I am without them. Thank you so much, guys! I am very very blessed to have people like you "holding the ropes" of this spirit-filled, exciting ministry.

What an honor being here, getting to share my heart for the Fulani with the people most important to me. It is so cool. I'm not much like Moses; I can really talk a lot, especially when I am very excited and passionate about the topic. My work in Niger drives me and getting to share it with others who truly have a passion to see the tribes, tongues and nations of the world to come to know Jesus Christ is such an amazing opportunity.

I'm having a great time if you could not tell! I will keep you updated.

The days are short...

2006-03-08T02:28:00.000+01:00

Last week I headed out East in Niger to visit existing pockets of believers, some in churches, some not, and research where the Fulani populations are located. This information will help us to better plan for the placing of workers and strategies used to share the Truth. The trip was full of some craziness, difficult times and lots of fun. My friend came with me who speaks Hausa as well as Fulfulde, and she was so helpful! We traveled over 1500 kilometers in a week. It was a crazy few days.

I came home with an amazing grasp of what God has been and is currently doing around the country! I got to hear testimony of one Fulani believer that has been a christian for over 30 years and the impact one missionary had on his life. Praise God I may have the opportunity to meet her when I am in the states! What a legacy she has left among the Fulani!

I leave for the States in two days. Less than 48 hours will find me on a plane. I am so excited, but know these last two days will be full of planning and preparing for my time away from home. I am so thankful for those that are even now preparing for our arrival. I am so excited to get to see family and friends as well as participate in the Global Impact Conference at McGregor Baptist Church.

Two days... Tampa here I come.

More about my volunteers...

2006-03-08T02:25:00.000+01:00

Wow, things have been busy here these past few weeks! From hosting a volunteer team in my home to bush taxiing my way across Eastern Niger I have been going and going. It has been wonderful though! When my body doesn't want to go anymore God always provides the energy that I need to keep His will first.

He has blessed me so much these three weeks. The volunteer trip was especially encouraging especially hearing and sharing in their heart for the Fulani. It is such an honor to be able to facilitate missionaries like these as they serve God both home and abroad. They really touched the lives of the villagers and I can not wait until they can come again and see the joy as they are remembered for years to come.

We were blessed to be able to pray for the people as we visited them, tell stories from the Old Testament and Show the JESUS Film. It was awesome to see answered prayers as God's power was shown. Here is what one member wrote about it:

It was such an awesome experience to prayer walk in another country. This was my first time. We prayer-walked in the village of D. We prayed to God to give them a desire and a craving to know Him. We visited each hut and asked the women if we could pray for them. Usually the requests were for better health for the children, clean water, and more livestock. We encountered one situation where a woman was holding her cheek. She was in so much pain. We asked her what was wrong. She was very shy and didn’t answer. One of the other women told us she had been hurting for several days. Her cheek and neck were very swollen. We asked her if it was okay to pray for her. She nodded her approval. Danielle prayed in the Fulfulde language and then the rest of us prayed in English. We said our goodbyes and left. The next day we came back to that same hut to check on the woman. She was smiling and laughing. She was healed. Our God is awesome!

We had the opportunity to share the Gospel in two huts following the showing of the Jesus Film. Please pray that those seeds of Truth will continue to grow in the hearts of H and R and those other women and children that were in their homes. Thank you so much!

The Team: K, M, L and J

2006-02-16T23:25:00.000+01:00

The Team: K, M, L and J
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

What a week! God has been so faithful to give us what we asked for during the time that they were here.

We spent time in prayer for the villages while building relationships, found three new villages and told Old Testament stories along with the showing of the Jesus Film!

We had a great time and I look forward to the day when they can return!

January was packed with village life!

2006-02-06T00:49:00.001+01:00

After a wonderful Christmas holiday and visitor from home I jumped right back into work in Konni. The Muslim holiday Tabaski brought some emotions and travel difficulties, but was a good opportunity to learn more about my host culture. My friends in Konni were excited to see me back and I had some good times catching up with them!

This month I was in Konni as the only worker from our company. That was difficult as well, but the Father was great in supplying fellowship, encouragement and lots of fun! I attended two wedding celebrations, another festival and a baby naming celebration! I was able to spend 7 consecutive days in my village, something not usually attainable due to schedules and work in the town.

Going to the well is one of my favorite events of the day. It is the morning task of most of the women in the village. It is a social event as well as work to provide their families for water and is so much fun! It starts early as different people grab their buckets, plastic jugs and the rope to lower their rubber water bag into the well. They head out to the well in groups of two or more talking along the way. Once at the well they work in pairs, first throwing the rubber bag into the well, letting the rope slide along their hands until it hits water, lift it and drop it a few times to allow it to fill with water.

The pairs then alternate pulling the rope up in an amazing rhythm that pulls the rubber bag out of the well in no time. They did not allow me to pull much water because they were afraid that I would fall into the well and the american government will be mad at them. The system continues with a third person who grabs the rubber bag when it is out of the well. They pour the water into whatever bucket is available. This is my job of choice. Then, with the bucket, the person pours the water into the plastic 25 liter jugs by using their hands to create a smaller water flow that goes easily into the mouth of the jug. It is an art that I have not mastered. They do let me try and only get onto me a little bit when I spill the water onto the ground.

At any given time there are five or six bags of water going up and down the well. The women are going and coming with each full jug of water. Help is needed to get these amazingly heavy jugs and buckets on their heads. I am allowed to help with that too. They are amazed that I can even lift them up over their heads.

We all leave half drenched with water (me more than others) which feels really great with the heat.

Thank You WAY FM

2006-02-06T00:49:00.000+01:00

This week in the village was quite an adventure. There were tiring afternoons, long nights, early mornings and lots of great conversations in between. I brought out my digital recorder, given to me by my friends at WAY FM in Ft Myers, FL and recorded some of my Fulani friends singing, some of the wedding celebrations, the hustle and bustle of the well in the busy morning hours and some poems from the Word to keep me encouraged and help me memorize them. The recorder will help me so much in my anthropology research when I do interviews too!

Thank You WAY FM

2006-02-06T00:41:00.000+01:00

January was packed with village life!!

2006-02-06T00:35:00.000+01:00

After a wonderful Christmas holiday and Nate's visit from home I jumped right back into work in Konni. The Muslim holiday Tabaski brought some emotions and travel difficulties, but was a good opportunity to learn more about my host culture. My friends in Konni were excited to see me back and I had some good times catching up with them! This month I was in Konni as the only worker from our company. That was difficult as well, but the Father was great in supplying fellowship, encouragement and lots of fun! I attended two wedding celebrations, another festival and a baby naming celebration! I was able to spend 7 consecutive days in my village, something not usually attainable due to schedules and work in the town. Going to the well is one of my favorite events of the day. It is the morning task of most of the women in the village. It is a social event as well as work to provide their families for water and is so much fun! It starts early as different people grab their buckets, plastic jugs and the rope to lower their rubber water bag into the well. They head out to the well in groups of two or more talking along the way. Once at the well they work in pairs, first throwing the rubber bag into the well, letting the rope slide along their hands until it hits water, lift it and drop it a few times to allow it to fill with water. The pairs then alternate pulling the rope up in an amazing rhythm that pulls the rubber bag out of the well in no time. They did not allow me to pull much water because they were afraid that I would fall into the well and the american government will be mad at them. The system continues with a third person who grabs the rubber bag when it is out of the well. They pour the water into whatever bucket is available. This is my job of choice. Then, with the bucket, the person pours the water into the plastic 25 liter jugs by using their hands to create a smaller water flow that goes easily into the mouth of the jug. It is an art that I have not mastered. They do let me try and only get onto me a little bit when I spill the water onto the ground. At any given time there are five or six bags of water going up and down the well. The women are going and coming with each full jug of water. Help is needed to get these amazingly heavy jugs and buckets on their heads. I am allowed to help with that too. They are amazed that I can even lift them up over their heads. We all leave half drenched with water (me more than others) which feels really great with the heat.

Welcome to Niger -- again?

2006-01-12T14:16:00.000+01:00

"Welcome to Niger." is what my supervisor said to me when I told him of the difficulty (actually ill-fated trip) at the bus station. There are usually four busses that pass through my town per day, and I have never ever had problems getting on the exciting first four a.m. bus. Well, my teammates got up at 3 and took me to the bus station only to find out that all four of the busses that day were full. Completely full. And the following day was a holiday so there would be no busses running. This had never happened, but there is always room for a first, right? We tried another bus company to find that all three of their busses were full. Ill-fated was right. We returned back to the guest house to go back to sleep and I gave in to the fact that I was going to spend two more days in Niamey.

God always knows what he is doing, and I had a blast this morning, buying a Wednesday bus ticket and then working more on my Anthropology Focus Study. I am mostly done and it has gotten good reviews from my teammates. Tomorrow will be another work day on my report and maybe I will finish it. That would be exciting.

Please pray that I would take everything that happens and look for God's awesome will within it. Even the silly bus schedules!

Peace!

New Year's Eve #2

2006-01-07T22:59:00.000+01:00

New Year's Eve #2
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

January 1, 2006 12:13 am...

Last New Year's celebration was pretty special and I got to spend it with Nate. This year was very different, mainly because we're in Africa, but it was great because I still got to spend it with Nate. A few families played games and ate dessert until after midnight. It was so much fun!

Ah the holidays

2006-01-07T10:06:00.000+01:00

I think I have figured it out a little. Well maybe not, but there are many things you learn spending Christmas in another culture. I felt the joys of Christmas in a new way for sure, and realized some parts of my culture that I really enjoyed, but have nothing to do with the real meaning of Christmas! I learned to appreciate family in a new way, cherishing clear phone calls to bind us together.

Nate and I had a wonderful time while he was visiting! What a blessing to have someone care about me so much and encourage me to follow God's awesome will for my life. He is amazing! We got to visit my villages, spend time with fellow missionaries, see the sights in Niamey, eat brochettes, go camping with some friends and ride on top of a safari truck looking for elusive animals in a game preserve. We saw elephants, a lion, crocodiles, baboons, monkeys and an "antelope chavelle" (which means horse antelope in French) Above all, though, just having time to talk face to face and pray together was what I treasured most.

That being said, I am so ready to get back out to my villages. I did not realize that so many things would take my time from my ministry. Meetings, planning and preparing for new workers and volunteers have kept me in the capital much more than I would have liked, but this month I get to be out for a whole month. I can't wait until my schedule gets more calm and I can be out for months at a time. I do have patience though, and know that in God's perfect time that will come about.

Thank you so much for participating with me in this awesome adventure! I feel so blessed by your prayers, love and friendships. Each day I wake up and feel that God created me for this work, and you are vital to each step of it!

I will try to post as often as I can from Konni and will update you on the work that is going on out there.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!!!

Going to market

2005-12-17T23:12:00.000+01:00

Going to market
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

We Walked to Bazaga!! Only 6 kilometers! ( a little over three miles :))

So, on Mondays the bush taxi doesn't come to Djiko because the market in Bazaga is the place to be. So, with my beans on my head and all my friends either carrying their milk on their head or their baby on their back, we hoofed it to Bazaga to catch a bush taxi. Fun times!!

Looking Forward to a Wonderful Christmas!!

2005-12-17T22:46:00.000+01:00

I can't complain about the lack of snow or any of those coldish things that most people are missing about Christmas this year. Back home in Florida I could go to the beach on Christmas day if I wanted. Actually, yesterday it was exactly the same temperature here as it was in Florida. Due to the time difference it was 11 pm here and 5 pm there, but still, pretty close.

What I am missing lies mostly in the joy of the Christmas season! I just remember feeling it in the air, in conversations with friends, in planning to get together with family and friends and rejoicing because Jesus was born. Decorations, nativity scenes, childrens' crafts and music in the stores; The christmas story being read and joyous singing filling the night air.

It's a little different here. For most people, life goes on like usual, with little change from the routine. The weather has cooled down, and prices have gone up but there is nothing especially Christmasy in the streets. Christmas music only comes from my own cd player and my nativity is small. Coming back to the capital this week was my first chance to wish someone Merry Christmas. I won't get to hug my family as they all come over to celebrate or wrestle with my cousins on the floor.

I do, however, have a family here that is looking forward to a wonderful Christmas. To celebrate what it means to truly understand that small baby in a manger; to gather and thank God for sending His son and for sending us here, to Niger.

No, Christmas is not going to by typical this year, but I hope you too can come to see through all the extra "padding" that Christmas gets and see the true meaning behind this day that we celebrate December 25th each year.

God Bless and have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

The Blessings Keep Coming (sorry Drew and Jen, no pun intended :))

2005-12-11T02:27:00.000+01:00

I got to share the whole gospel for the first time in Fulfulde this week! It was in Djiko, my main village, talking to a woman and her mom. They were very agreeable to it! They seemed to understand, but not yet in their hearts. After going back over it and thinking about it a lot I think they just take whatever I have as true because I am a westerner and have lots of "anndal". (fulfulde for knowledge) Do you know what I mean?

R was being my informant. After we finished talking about their marriage traditions she asked what our marriage traditions were. I told her and then we talked about their death traditions. She then asked about our death traditions. They were basically the same, and she commented "Maayde fuu wela" (which means "all death is unsweet (bad)) At first I agreed with her, but then thinking about it more, and no doubt prompted by the Spirit I disagreed. I told her that my death was not going to be bad because I know that I get to go to heaven with Jesus. I led that into a gospel presentation thanks to the awesome Holy Spirit. The next day in their home I was able to give a more complete version with R and H (her mom) and they were very interested. I didn't want to ask them to accept JC too soon (like there is a too soon) so I wasn't going to ask if they wanted to accept the JC way, but then I felt convicted that If I didn't atleast give them the opportunity then I was no sort of friend. (It's a little complicated) So I did ask. R said not yet and her mom went along with that. Anyway, a man came into the hut right then, so maybe it's not their time yet.

I just wanted to share that with you. Please lift them up in your prayers!!

Not Your Traditional Thanksgiving... but close :)

2005-11-26T01:07:00.001+01:00

Not Your Traditional Thanksgiving... but close :)
Originally uploaded by dkoepke.

A Very Busy Two Weeks

2005-11-26T01:07:00.000+01:00

After I posted last, things did pick up a notch! My supervisor arrived with the new personnel and we got busy taking them to the villages in which they will be living. Then, after they were set up for language class I spent three consecutive days and nights in my villages to make plans for a volunteer optometrist to visit.

The doctor's visit was a first for me! It was a good first opportunity to learn a little about how the dynamic changes in a village when volunteers are brought in. The first day we went to Village R and only three people came to see the doctor. I struggled a little with my own culture clash, because when we saw that not many people would be needing glasses we decided to gather the people and talk about how to keep their eyes clean and avoid getting eye infections. I really wanted all the people there to hear what was going on! I tried to gather them all in one place, and got frustrated when they were not listening to what was being said. I realised shortly thereafter that I needed to let God’s Spirit work and not try to do it myself. The doctor and I debriefed it later, helping me to realize ways in which I could do things differently in the future. He was a great encouragement!

The following days brought different results. In Konni we saw roughly 55 people but were asked to hold another day due to the high need of and interest in prescription glasses. In Village D we were able to make lots of headway in relation with the chief. While the doctor was treating the patients, the girls and I were outside building relationships with the women and children. We played games, pounded in various households, met new friends and got to foster old relationships. This part of the village is further away from the home in which I am a guest so I do not often get to visit with these women. This gave us just the opportunity. Now, I have an open door to come visit the Chief’s home and the others surrounding it whenever I am able. I think God is seating village D deeper and deeper in my heart as a place of long term ministry for me.

In total, we spent those four days going 100 miles an hour fitting 168 people with prescription glasses and handing out 90 pairs of sun glasses. It was a crazy week.

The doctor did a great job and many people were blessed! Please thank God for people like him who selflessly give to those who need it.