2011 coming to a close

Greetings dear friends around the globe!

Again, I've shown that the name of my blog was well chosen... "poche parole," that is, a few words.

As 2011 draws to a close, we’d like to wish you a happy and blessed 2012.

Here we recap some of the things God has done for our family in 2011 as well as plans for 2012.

· Daniel graduated from Sahel Academy in June in Niamey (Niger). Well done! In August, we left Daniel in Switzerland for a year (that was hard) and he's currently learning German and getting more acquainted with family and Swiss culture. He's already set up for next year, working in an architect's office and learning theory at school.

· Melinda is enjoying her senior year at Sahel Academy. One semester to go...She's looking forward to spending a year in Switzerland to explore various school and work possibilities. A return to the States for college is still an option for 2013.

· Christina is quite the writer and reader. We’re wondering if she has a career in writing or editing (then she would be a paid ‘reader’!).

· Lilian and I have been busy with the construction of the new Foyer Evangélique Universitaire. This was made possible due to some very generous gifts. We're thankful that we can be a part of it. Also, teaching is going well at ESPriT. We have a strong first year class in the two programs. It’s encouraging to be a part of training present and future church leaders here in the Sahel!

· In July, I was able to attend the international meeting of the Society for Biblical Literature in London. The article based on my presentation, "Emplotment, Plot and Explotment: Refining Plot Analysis for Biblical Narratives," has been submitted to a journal. Also, I've signed a book contract with Wipf & Stock to publish my dissertation (due for Nov. 2012). I think I’ll know what to do with my free time!

· We decided to return to Switzerland in June 2012. This will be a major change for the family. Lilian and I have a few ideas about work possibilities but nothing concrete yet. We're walking by faith!!! The same goes for Melinda and Christina for their schooling...we trust that the Lord has something special for them too! We're planning to live in the area of Fribourg (a bilingual city), just 28 km from Bern. This way we can be close to work and family (in canton Bern). We will keep you posted about our new ministries there and possible areas of partnership.

Well, that's it for now, just a "few words" about this past year. Keep us in mind in your prayers...we're going to need it with this major transition ahead of us. We’re very thankful for your partnership this year. It literally would not have happened without your gifts and prayers…Thank you!!!

Shalom to you in 2012!

Catching up...Nov. 09 - Feb. 2011

The last post was in November 2009. Something happened in between...writing my dissertation and turning it in (Jan. for rough draft, then June for final draft)...then getting ready for the defense on September 3, 2010. All went well. I worked extremely hard on this project and in conditions that were not always favorable (understatement! See post about doctoral work in the tropics). Finally, when we got back to Niamey, I had a lot of catching up to do, especially at the FEU. Now it's February 2011 and "burnout signs" seem less visible (I'm hiding them...). No, I really feel much better, and consequently my family, too. Yes, we're all relieved that the dissertation trauma phase is over.

On the fun side, during the summer of 2010, we went to the States to visit family and friends in VA, NC, AL, FL (yes, we did Disney!), SC and then...we did the same thing in Switzerland with Lilian's side of the family, especially in Emmental and Adelboden. Not bad, but when in dissertation phase, I just couldn't seem to relax...Now we're looking forward to Spring break, probably a trip to Benin, our neighbor to the south.

ESPriT's new library

What a new look for ESPriT's library!

This is a huge blessing for the seminary. Students and faculty are really thankful for this improvement. Other photos are on my Facebook site.

The next project is to build a block of three classrooms and a computer room. If you're interested in this project, let us know.

Lilian and I are trying to promote another building project: the construction of a new Foyer Evangélique Universitaire. Pray for this too! (Here's the FEU's website: http://feu.niger.sim.org/

ESPriT Grads 2009

It was a great pleasure to celebrate the first graduation at ESPriT (June 28, 2009). Goula, Samson and Oumarou represent the promising generation of new church leaders. It was rewarding to be a part of their training. The tall guy is David Wright, a fellow missionary.

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!).

Writing a theological dissertation in the tropics

When we decided to come back to Niger in 2006, I knew that my doctoral work was going to be more challenging than ever. The main reason is that we don't have a major research library for theological studies in the sub-region. Another difficulty is the heat and the frequent power failures during the hot season. Also, the two ministries keep us quite busy.

What I do to make up for this lack is to make as many photocopies as possible in Europe when I go once a year. Another way is to order books and send them to friends coming to Niger. Another way to get articles is through the online services that my school is subscribed to in Beligium. Also, when you need a few pages or a chapter of a particular book, sometimes you're lucky to find what you need on Google Scholar or Amazon. So, doing theological work in the tropics is possible, but you look for every opportunity you can to bring the material to you.
I'm thankful for the support of my family and co-workers who encourage me to persevere. Lord willing, I'll be all done in 2010. May the Lord's will be done!

What is plot? And how does it apply to Luke-Acts?

Try to define 'plot', it's quite illusive. I've been working on understanding this literary concept for chapter two of my dissertation on Luke and Acts, read together as one narrative (hence 'Luke-Acts'). It's a challenge, and a good one. I'm making progress, but at times it seems very slow indeed.

Did you know Aristotle was one of the first to work on describing what plot is and what makes a good one? In the domain of drama, he said that a poet is a maker of plots. He is still referred to by literary theorists and narratologists. Now, I understand Luke-Acts as nonfictional, but I still see a plot, a careful arrangement and design of the main narrative elements to create that narrative tension that keeps the reader interested and to achieve the purpose of the writing (see Lk 1.4).

Plot is "story-as-discoursed" (the what and the how), wrote Seymour Chatman. Luke certainly had a story to tell and used a great variety of literary techniques to tell it. See if you can discern what the central plot is from the beginning of Luke to the end of Acts.

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[A couple of years later, I wrote an article on plot theory and analysis, see other post So, what is it plot anyway? Here's my go at it...]

Why learn? Why study?

As a teacher, every now and then, I find myself giving sermons to the students, especially when I notice a lack of enthusiasm or effort on their part. So, what do I tell them? (I hope this list is going to grow by the way...!).

- the joy to discover as the root or main motivator for learning. It's that curiousity and enjoyment to discover the many domains of knowledge that seem endless.
- the privilege to glorify God with our whole being, even with our thinking cap! I think this gives him joy too.
- the desire to improve oneself is a great virtue.
- the need for discipline, and good old fashioned 'hard work' (that's the link between learning and studying). Since I was an athlete back in the old days, I often talk about training seriously before matches, and having a coach who keeps on the right track. (I'm their coach.)
- the duty to learn and study for others, those who might benefit from our work.

If these sermonettes don't work, the weekly Greek quizzes often do! Yes, for some reason some of us need that extra push to pick up our books and discover, review and even master the basics to move on to greater things (like moving from Greek 1 to the actual reading of the New Testament). I enjoy teaching, because it allows me to help others discover, and, gratefully, it allows me to continue to discover new things!

A Tough Week and Matthew 5.4

This has been a tough week. I've got a nagging flu since Tuesday. Fortunately I was able to do a lot of work stretched out on the bed. I was able to teach on Thurs. morning despite a weak voice. It's also my turn to preach on Sunday. It's Sat. night and I'm feeling a little better. I'm praying for my voice to be strong enough. In case you're wondering, yes, we have microphones and amplification in our church. Just as I'm getting better, Lilian caught the other flu bug that's going around. Not good, but hopefully it's a 24 hour bug.

Our church is doing a series on the kingdom of God and we're currently studying the beatitudes. Interestingly, my message tomorrow will be on the second beatitude in Matthew's gospel (ch. 5. verse 4): "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Amen.
I hope my message will be of comfort and give hope, even now as we wait for complete comfort and healing in the Lord's presence: "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Take courage!

Looking back, looking forward...

Happy New Year to all!
As I write, the trucks are rolling behind our compound even on Jan. 1st to bring sand for the building of Niamey's 2nd bridge - a massive project that should take about 2 or 3 years. It will be a welcome change for Niamey's growing population.

On a smaller scale, we have some family projects that are on going and a few will begin this year. Lilian, the kids and I enjoyed the last week of 2008 here in Niamey. It was a good time of rest and family time. We have so much to be thankful for. Last year for Christmas and the New Year, we were our family in the States, and this summer we were our family in Switzerland. It was a busy year again with work, school, and doctoral studies. After lunch we took time to share a few goals for this year and pray for them. We are aware of our frailties, but we count on God's strength and wisdom to accomplish his will.

God's blessings for 2009!