baby naming

Savannah Rose!

                   Louise, one of our first friends here in Niger, had a baby. We received an invitation to the Baby Naming Ceremony. Here in Niger, you do not find out what the baby's name until like a week after it is born. Both Christian and Muslim parents follow this custom. We have never been to an Islamic baby naming, just visited during the day after that actual ceremony. remember my blog about Halimatou? Well, Louise and her husband, Aaron, planned and held the naming of their baby girl yesterday at a local Christian church. We went and met a bunch of CURE employees at the hospital and all went together. Everyone got very dressed up and the mood was light and joyful. A short 10 minute drive down dusty walled off streets and we were there. We entered the church and Leron and I were escorted up to the front. Right away, I found Louise. I am just so thrilled for Louise and Aaron. I just love them, they are so great & fun to be around...both helpful and full of joy and always laughing, it seems.

Louise, Aaron and of course Savannah Rose

The baby is so precious and was sleeping contently in her mommy's arms.

  

Aminatou, Louise, Marie and Jocelyn

We greeted them and I just stepped back and enjoyed watching her show her baby to the nurses that came along with us. Loise was part of the group of nurses who work in the Operating Theater. she did not renew her contract because she wants to stay with her baby full time. We miss her, but I respect her decision. Okay...back to the ceremony....In this church the men and women sit on opposite sides of the church, but Hassane gave us a seat and asked us to sit together. We were parked in front of a large oscillating fan, and for that I was quite thankful! 

Hassane (blue) announcing Savannah Rose

The ceremony was much like a Christian church service in the states. We praised God in song and I loved watching the leaders & "choir" sing, smile, clap and sway to the joyful bright music.

 

praying with the parents

Pastor Hassane, who coincidentally is one of our Spiritual Directors at CURE & related to Louise, announced the name and gave a brief message about the meaning of her name. The name.....Savannah Rose! So beautiful and a promise to bring beauty from the plain land....here in Niger! You see, Louise grew up in Maradi, Niger- a town east and close to the Nigerian border. Aaron grew up as a Missionary kid in Nigeria. They have such a heart for Niger and have made their home here in Niamey. Currently, Aaron works for Samaritan's Purse and like I said, Louise was so very helpful to CURE at it's beginnings and was one of our first employees. She traveled around with Leron and I helping find things we needed early on, and then decided to apply to be a nurse when it was time to ire for nurses! After Hassane's message...in Hausa, French and English, Louise and Aaron came forward with the baby and answered a few questions in Hausa. Basically saying that they believed that Savannah Rose was a gift from God and that they would raise her in His ways. Three different pastors came and prayed for the family and it's newest member.  

The special room, with Hassane and other pastors

Upon being dismissed, we were invited to take a seat under a tent and wait for refreshments. Well, true to form, it was rice & sauce with mutton. Leron and I decided to share a plate, but as soon as we started eating, Hassane's wife came and found us and asked us to follow her. She took us to a special room where there were huge common platters of food. It was a place of honor and fun to sit and talk.I was the only woman for a bit and was thankful when my Dutch friend Afka and her husband joined us. What a happy day. I was so happy to meet Savannah Rose!