Village Visit

On Saturday we joined the family we stayed with in Ba-Illi for a day visit to another village not too far from N’Djamena. The Clermonts spent 9 months there when they first came to Chad, before being relocated south to Ba-Illi due to conflict in the region. They have kept in touch with the people there and the purpose of this visit was to say goodbye to old friends before they leave on furlough, while ensuring that the local community knows about their commitment to return in a year to lead a new team back in the village where their heart has remained.

The drive took a couple of hours as the early rains had already chopped up the surface of the dirt road. Unlike Ba-Illi in the south, this village is distinctly Arabic, with an almost completely M… population. Local culture dictates that men and women do things separately most of the time, so we split up and spent time chatting, eating and drinking with friends at several different concessions (the men also went to visit people at the local market - no cameras).

Warmly welcomed by everyone we saw, the friends we visited all asked us to sit and share food or a drink with them (a customary practice). John and Justin shared at least three main meals as well as being shouted drinks at market!

The Clermont kids and the kids they shared a concession with during their time in D...

The relationships the Clermonts still have with the people after a relatively short time living in the village followed by years living further south is testament to their heart and commitment to the people. Seeing the way the Lord works so richly through His people even in such a foreign environment was a real encouragement to us.

As we were leaving we also stopped in to quickly introduce ourselves to the new pastor at the local church.

Although very tired from the busy, long day, we really enjoyed the chance to experience more of the Chadian Arabic culture (very different to Ba-Illi in the south) and see first hand where our friends’ hope to make an eternal impact on the locals in the near future.

 

Justin and Krista just outside the village they will soon return to

Dinner at Marie's

Just before Uncle Dave and Aunty Elly went back to Australia, we all went to Marie (the Sharp’s Chadian cook) and her family’s house to share a meal. Marie has cooked for the Sharp’s since Aunty Elly taught her back when they lived in Marie’s home village out in the Guera. It was a chance for Uncle Dave and Aunty Elly to catch up with the rest of Marie’s family and a chance for us to meet them.

Marie, her husband and their three children

Marie's half sister and one of her nieces

Marie’s 13 year-old daughter Elizabeth (named after Aunty Elly) prepared the meal. We were very spoilt; starting with boule, crepes and a traditional meat sauce, continuing with fried fish and then bananas for dessert, before washing it all down with a selection of soft drinks! Aunty Elly said that if Elizabeth was living out in the village and cooking like that she already would have received numerous marriage proposals.

Marie’s youngest daughter overdosed on the soft drink and was having a great time literally bouncing around, flashing big smiles and climbing the verandah poles! Soft drinks are a rare treat and after attempting to calm her down, her father very honestly exclaimed, “She’s drunk!” Aunty Elly was quick to explain that it was just the way so much sugar affects a tiny body and there was nothing to worry about.

We had a really enjoyable and entertaining evening and we hope to visit again before we leave (when we have learnt more conversational French).