Life in Chad

Sue and I have been here in Chad since Saturday. We spent the first few days in N'Djamena with Margit, running errands, going shopping, visiting friends, and getting a sense of the capital city. It's a fascinating blend of Arab in the north and black African in the south. Both French and Arabic are widely spoken. We stayed in a missionary guest house, which gave us a great feel for the missionary community not only in N'Djamena but a number of missionaries working throughout Chad.

On Wednesday we flew from N'Djamena, which sits on the border in the far west of Chad, near Cameroon, to Abeche, which is in the far east toward Sudan. There we caught another plane to Guereda, just northeast of Abeche, approximately 30 kilometers from the Sudan border. This arid, sub Sahara region is filled with refugees from Sudan, as well as a number of Arabic people groups who've settled in this area. The terrain reminds us of the desert region near Palm Springs . . . but obviously not at all developed.

Guereda is a town of mud brick courtyard homes, sandy “streets,” and scrubby trees and plants. There are dry river beds waiting for the rains to come and fill them with water. Arab men in flowing caftans and white turbans stroll around and lounge on straw mats in front of shops. The women are fully wrapped in colorful lafais. Children run through the streets and play with old tires and homemade tin cars which they pull through the dirt.

Margit's home is a typical Chadian courtyard house, which she has made very comfortable and welcoming. Two rooms on each side of a covered area, which is shaded and cool in the breeze. This is where most Chadians will spend the warm hours of the day. One one side is her bedroom and on the other is her kitchen and eating area.

We've spent these past two days walking around the area, meeting her friends and neighbors, and getting to know her coworkers.

The weather is warm and dry. As we were walking through the town today, I asked Margit if the clouds overhead had any rain in them today. She says she's given up hope of seeing any rain. It's just dry and dusty.

We've loved getting to know Margit's coworkers. She's blessed to have such a team. Sue and I are impressed with their deep commitment to their people and to this area. Because of so many refugees and the difficulties in Darfur, which is just across the border, this is a region that is often in the news these days. The UN forces and other NGOs are here to pass out food and set up refugee camps.

Margit and her team are building friendships with local men and women to share the gospel and bring light to a dark region. Sue and I feel greatly privileged to be here, to experience life in such a harsh region, and meet brothers and sisters who are fulfilling a calling to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.