Meet Joseph

In our Niger world,  one of the big celebrations is the birth of a baby.  Our Muslim neighbors have had multiple "naming ceremonies" which always happen one week exactly after the birth, in their homes.  For the Christians, the timing isn't as important.  Just that it happens.

One of the students that has been involved in our ministry since our second year here and who has been in my discipleship group for several years got married last December and had her first baby a week or so after we arrived back in Niamey.  We visited the mom and baby a couple of times but the name was not announced until 2 weeks later when he was presented at church.  

After the morning church service was over, we all stayed in our places waiting for the ceremony to begin.
 

 The couple was ushered in with a friend carrying the baby.

 The pastor announced the name of the baby..."JOSEPH"!

 Other churches in town were invited for the celebration so the next hours were filled with people coming to congratulate the couple.  Our little church was too small for the crowds even with a large tent added on.  A joyous occasion.

Some of you may remember that the students and our church folk have called us GP and GM (Grandma and Grandpa) for years.  Voila, my first grand baby!