Yes, weather...again...(compare with Dec. 8 post!)

In March I began an update with “Greetings from hot and dusty Niamey!” Well, that was actually “very warm and dusty”, now it is “really hot and dusty”! Yes, this is what we call “la saison chaude” (the hot season), only because it is hotter than the other “hot” months. Typical temps are lows around 88-90° and highs around 110°, and humidity is climbing…until the rains come…usually in June.

Things have changed since my first stay in Niger back in the 80’s. In 88-89 I had a fan, in the 90’s we had a “water cooler” (or “swamp cooler”), but now we have air-conditioning in our home and office. What a difference it makes to get a reasonably good night’s sleep. All this is possible because A/C units and electricity both cost less. Even so, we still don't have portable a/c units (let me know if it exists!), and so the hot season takes it toll.
So, you can imagine what a frequent prayer request might be...

..........................for good health and good attitudes (and for fewer power failures!).

Of weather in Niger

Greetings from Niamey, Niger (West Africa, for you fellow Americans)!

Weather...yes, let's begin with the weather. Well, this is the time of the year when we think you (in the colder parts of the world) should envy us. We woke up to 17° (about 63°F). It's actually pretty early to have these temps. I didn't have to turn on the fan in my office until the afternoon, only because the afternoon sun roasts one of the walls.

If this all sounds too good, wait until May, June...when I'll start complaining about the heat and the humidity. We thank God for the change of seasons here in Niger, even if they are all, in some ways, variations of warm and hot, and sometimes even cool!

In fact, one of the coldest nights I had was in Zinder, Niger back in 1989. I was totally unprepared for a 12° (55°F) night. I shivered the whole night. I have heard stories about the cold dunes and mountains in northern Niger. When the sun goes down, you'd better be prepared! Here in Niamey, we don't have such drastic changes. I do enjoy see kids with their winter caps on and folks around with parkas.