And just when I thought life couldn't get anymore exciting...

I arrived at the Richmond airport on Saturday evening, tired, but eager to start working on all my photo edits from the trip. I knew there would be a lot to do when I arrived at the office on Monday morning, and I was ready to see at least the photographic aspect of my trip critiqued. After meeting Jesse at the airport, I called my sister to let her know I was in town. Since Richmond isn't that far from Lynchburg, Kim and her husband Jeremiah had been planning to drive out on Sunday to have lunch since I would be only a few hours away. We spent the afternoon walking around Richmond and catching up. Little did I know, while I was in Africa, my sister had been waiting to tell me in person that I am going to be an aunt!!

Congratulations Kim and Jeremiah...I couldn't be more happy for you!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the French language, the term "cadeau" translates to "gift" in English. As a white person traveling in Niger, you cannot avoid both children and adults alike requesting a "cadeau" as you pass. Oftentimes, by the time you've walked through a village, a herd of children will be following requesting a "cadeau" before you leave.

But Wednesday was slightly different. We still left the village with a small crowd of children requesting gifts from their white visitors, but those children didn't come along until later. At first, two little boys came up and each took one of Susan's hands. They didn't ask for anything, they were just content to walk through the village holding her hand. They were the most precious children I've met here, and my heart broke to think that they are without the gospel. They probably hadn't had much to eat, and yet they never asked for anything.

My time in Africa is coming to a close, and I truly believe I've been changed by what I've seen and heard. I have just one final interview to finish up today before heading back to the States. Looking back on my time here, it seems like it went by so fast, but I've learned so much.

Well, I've been out of touch for a few days now since I've been traveling. I spent one night sleeping out under the stars in Bankilare, which was incredible. Bankilare is about a two-hour drive from the nearest paved road, and does not yet have electricity, although, shockingly enough, they're about to. It was a cool night, which felt wonderful as the temperature seldom gets below 97 or 98 degrees here this time of year.

I'm working on a story about a guy who is working with famine relief in Bankilare, and I think the horrific truth of their suffering is starting to take a toll on me. I've seen poverty in the past, but I've never encountered it on this level. The need is so great that it almost makes it difficult to consider that their need for the gospel is so much greater. I think it would be easy to get caught up in humanitarian projects here just because of the immediacy of their condition. As we traveled to one village to distribute rice, I could hear the villagers talking in heated tones, and I knew something was wrong. The relief worker looked at me and said, "This is the hardest part. They're saying it's not enough."

You know, I really think it had little to do with greed, and more to do with the fact that it truly wasn't enough. I talked to another man who's been feeding ten to twelve family members on his income alone, which is roughly eighty-six dollars per month. He said he's seen several of his neighbors die of starvation. I don't think I can paint a vivid enough picture for you of what their lives are like using only words.

On a lighter note, I spent this evening in a village about fifteen kilometers outside of Niamey. The people there were some of the most welcoming villagers I've met thus far. In fact, it is their custom to send visitors home with a parting gift, and we, therefore, returned with a bag of freshly picked green beans and a living, breathing chicken. Danielle named the chicken Bubacar, and I think she's decided to make it a pet, rather than a dinner. I also had the opportunity to photograph some giraffes at the beginning of the week, hence the photo. You would not believe how close you can get to them if you walk slowly enough and approach them at an angle.