The Sahelian

Ever want to escape to the jungle to be wild or relax? The latest Student Council event gave everyone the opportunity to do just that. Jungle Juice was a WILD evening with the Dining Hall decorated like a jungle, full of plants and wild creatures. The specialty of the evening was WILD juice drinks prepared by Uncle Brian. He came up with many interesting concoctions including the “Miss Carriger” which of course was a purple drink, the “Niger River” which was kind of brownish but delicious, and the “Cry Baby” which was a little heavy on the lime juice. There were a huge variety of fruits, juices, and concentrates which when added with some ice and water in the blender created some delicious and interesting tastes! There was plenty of food including a zebra decorated cake and some salty snacks to offset the sweet.  The evening’s events consisted of door prizes, a “Chubby Monkey” game, and the big competition for who would be the “King and Queen of the Jungle.” The competition was fierce and animated. The guys had an arm wrestling competition with Rufus Dewanou taking the crown! The girls they had to come up with a good jungle call and Bethany Sim was crowned Jungle Queen for her unique noises. There was time to play some games, do a jungle jig and just enjoy being together. A WILD time was had by all! ~Cathy Bliss

Dateline: June 5, 2008 - For the first time, Sahel’s graduation ceremony was held on the “green”, a beautiful patch of grass in the center of the campus which stands out from all the sand around it as a cool green oasis.  Especially unique this year: instead of ceremoniously marching down the aisle, the graduates arrived from across the campus on camels. This year’s graduating class consisted of three boys, all of whom have grown up in Africa since they were infants. Each one in some way commented that he was not at all saddened at what he had missed by not growing up in North America, but felt that he has been blessed by all that he has gained by growing up in Africa. Pray for these three graduates who are now saying good-bye to their home of the last 18 years.

The following 2008 Staff Commendation was written and delivered by secondary Science teacher Ray White.

“The seniors three are very unique individuals in that they have spent most of their lives in Africa. Matt was born in Sierra Leone, Adam was born in Tennessee and came to Africa at a very young age. Jonathan was born in Montreal, Quebec and came to Benin at age 3 months. Adam entered Sahel Academy in the 1^st grade, Matt in the 5^th, and Jonathan in the 12^th. I have had the privilege of teaching all 3; Matt and Adam chemistry and all 3 physics. I have seen them mature quite a bit during that time…

“All made significant contributions to class; most were good, but some were not so good. Matt and Adam had the most accidents during lab but were very good at helping others with math problems, even me. Adam added tremendously to the class atmosphere with his constant sarcasm and dry wit.

“At the end of the 2^nd semester of chemistry, I told the students that the exam would be open book and open note. That didn’t help Matt and Adam that much because they didn’t have any notes. When Jonathan joined the physics class, I gave him the option of choosing lab partners. He made a questionable choice when he selected Matt and Adam. When they turned in their lab reports, Matt and Adam’s met minimum requirements but Jonathan would submit a book. I don’t think that Matt and Adam ever allowed Jonathan to become a yak brother.

“All three contributed significantly to their softball team’s taking first place in the NUTS tournament. Adam was the leader of the Gray Goats who won the overall competition for field day. All three are interested in going into a math or physics related field.

“Now for some information about each one:

“Matt went through 3 evacuations, two of which were serious. The family lost everything. When Matt and his family were getting settled in Michigan when he was 5 years old, he asked his mother if they were going to stay until the rebels arrived. Matt likes most anything that deals with numbers. He likes computer strategy games. He is quickly becoming a fan of the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. He looks forward to spending time with his older brother and sister back in Michigan. He has enjoyed going to the bush with his parents while here in Africa. He is a University of Michigan fan as is evidenced by the hat he wears most of the time. He despises red clothing. Last year when he was placed on the red intramural team, he had to go searching for a red shirt. Matt plans to go to a community college in Michigan and eventually end up at the University of Michigan where he plans to go into the math/physics field. I think he will end up being a statistician for the University of Michigan and also an entrepreneur for “M go Blue paraphernalia.

“Matt, I would like for you to take these verses with you. Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thes 5: 16-22.

“Jonathan likes tennis and softball, working on the computer as well as reading. He is very friendly. Normally, every morning he and I would arrive at school at about the same time and he would always greet me. He likes to organize events for people. He is very considerate of others. He worked with a church PA system in Montreal as well as the one here at school. He has worked on a yearbook committee and done public service to raise funds for an orphanage in Cotoneau. At times he has suffered with asthma and allergies.His favorite foods are pate rouge (a corn dish), spicy foods and pizza. He hates rawvegetables, onions, agouti (a field rat delicacy) and gombo.Jonathan plans to do a gap year in Montreal, get involved with a church youth group and then pursue a co-op program at either McGill or Concordia University. He would like to also attend Bible school for a year. He hopes to end up as a mechanical engineer. I think, because of his eloquence and language ability in both English and French, that he should become a speech writer for the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

“Jonathan, these verses are for you: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3: 16-17.

“Adam has been at Sahel the longest. His first time to live in the dorm was in 1991. He likes cheese and meat but hates vegetables. He likes softball and football, most computer and video games, math, Tennessee Titans, cars, wrestling, dry humor, the color black, hooded sweat shirts, Harry Potter and Ted Dekker, and quips on T-shirts. He dislikes soccer, people who are oblivious, waking up (alarm clocks), the color yellow, manual labor, Idrissa’s fried rice, and Chantelle’s tea. Adam plans to go to technical school in Iowa to become a radiologist. If you want to glow in the dark, look up Adam in 3 to 4 years. I’ve encouraged him to become a physics teacher but he doesn’t think that he has the patience.

“Adam, take heed of these verses: But you, man of God, flee from all this (the love of money and possessions), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6: 11-12.

“May the Lord richly bless all of you and keep you close to Him all the days of your life.”

The 9-10th graders are swamped with IGCSE exams. The Yearbook team is desperately trying to have the Yearbook printed before the year is over. The Drama class is getting ready for a last-minute mini-production at final assembly. In a word- it’s chaos!

In the midst of all the pressure from teachers, the tests, the final projects and the goodbyes, it’s nice to have a break. The “Water Extravaganza” youth activity and “Mission Impossible” were two events that gave the students a chance to relax and just have some fun. Organized by Pastor Dave, the youth activity included some fun water games like relays, water balloon volleyball and “basket bash”.

Mission Impossible took place on Friday the 16th of May. The winning team was the “blue” team, composed of the field day teams “Blue Wolves” and “Killer Bees” However; it was a very close game, decided by the turning in of one agent bracelet at the end of the game. Despite a few minor injuries, the evening was a success, enjoyed by all.

On the 26th of May, the Sahel Secondary students had their Swimming Carnival. The first events on the agenda were the races. The students were separated by gender and class level for races in the four competitive strokes. A number of the races were very close, such as the 7-8 girls breaststroke, which Jacqui Bunn won, when Melinda Morgan was penalized for using an overhand stroke to touch the edge before her friend did. Special mention goes to Esther Eiger for blitzing the 9-10 girls’ races! Her time for the backstroke was two seconds faster than the winning 9-10 guy. 

After the races, there was a relay between the four water polo teams, which was won by team C and a water polo competition. The water polo games, though tiring, were great fun. Everyone was glad to crawl out of the pool and enjoy a snack provided by Mrs. Wright when it was all over. Thank you very much to Mrs. Wright and all the other teachers and parents who helped with swimming in P.E. or with rides to the pool!

For those students, teachers (and parents) who are feeling that it’s time for the year to be over, be encouraged in the knowledge that it will be soon! And don’t give up; God has promised to be with you until the end. ~Rianna Bunn

…where the grass is green, the beach is sandy and the climate is hot! The air is crisp, the weather cool and the whole community is going Hawaiian style!!  It is a beautiful day indeed as we are gathering just a couple of feet near the riverside to be a part of this great luau that Sahel Academy Student Council is hosting today.

It is 5:30 and we are all gathered here to feel - or imagine - a cool blue Hawaiian tropical breeze. Folks from all kinds of nationalities gather here today, all dressed in their own Hawaii style of clothes!! From Hawaiian shorts to complete outfits - you name it, this is one big stylish Luau!!! Even the staff are here being a part of this fun occasion to show us their good old Hawaiian grooves!!!

After chatting and conversing among ourselves, it is time to start the event!! Did you ever think aerobics and Pilates weren’t helpful - think again!! This time we are doing the LIMBO… Hawaiian style!! We all are going under a stick, flexing our backs and not bending our knees until we make contact fully with the ground! Its so great to see students and staff-young and OLD alike-test their back flexibility skills!! You can’t believe the different styles that people would even come up with to do this limbo! We are talking snake style, dance style and hip style-you name it!! Even tall people were smokin’ as they proved that they can do the limbo too!! What a great way to move your body!!

Next up, we all gather together in prayer before we feast on Hawaiian delicacies: pineapple, Hawaiian chicken, Hawaiian rice and Hawaiian salad. So much to choose from-even coffee and sodas on this cool/hot Hawaiian day!!

Later on, after  chowin’ down food and relaxing Hawaiian style- we are treated royally to a first hand experience of Hawaiian culture!! Mr. Sauers, the all mighty hula dancer, who went to college in Hawaii, is showing us the real way of doing the hula and is explaining some Hawaiian culture at the same time!! We all gather round to see the master at work in showing us how to position our feet, hands and hips. Boy, is Mr. Sauers awesome! ~Jonathan

It was a cool night, the crowd was growing, kids were laughing - this was going to be great! As the band started playing their music, I was swept into a world filled with the words, beat and meaning of the songs. I think we all have been in a state like that before: when your favorite song comes on, or you hear a song that has memories attached to it, or when you hear a song(s) that tell you about Jesus or move you closer to Him. You become so pulled into the song. It’s like the world isn’t how it is at that moment without that song playing in the background. Then suddenly when the music stops and the song is over…it feels awkward. You may still have a sense of joy or happiness, but without the music, it doesn’t mean as much. Somehow, it seems the words have changed.

I think at the concert, we were there to have a good time and enjoy that type of music, but I think God also used the band to get the real message of what “worship music” really is. Am I singing for the person beside me? Am I singing to feel good about myself? Am I singing for God? What do I really mean when I sing “When you lead me , Lord, I will follow; where you lead me, Lord, I will go?” When I sing that, I am saying that tomorrow, I would be willing to go to Afghanistan to do missions if God honestly called me there, right?

We need to worship Jesus, and we need to feel good about it, too. But we need to be aware of what’s coming out of our mouths and what we honestly want to accomplish by worshipping. ~Jessica

The Niamey English Worship Service on December 9^th, 2007 proved to be a fun time of worship led by the Sahel Academy Elementary Choir. They presented the musical, Hark! The Herald Angel. Lachlan Bunn played the lead role of Hark, and Rotimi Jones-Evans played the supporting lead role of Gabriel. All of the students were involved and had their own special role to play within the angel choir who had arrived for choir rehearsal in Heaven. They were asked to make an incredibly important announcement about the birth of Jesus Who came to save the undeserving people of earth. The music went well, the lines spoken clearly, and the power stayed on all night…until just after an announcement thanking our Big God for keeping the lights on all during the entire program! ~Kathie Golde

At Sahel Academy, assembly period on Wednesday afternoon is never boring. Sometimes students are in charge of the assembly, sometimes parents talk about their ministry, and every once in a while we play games.

Yesterday in Assembly we played one of Pastor Dave’s extremely wild and wacky games, like Djiboutian Baseball which we played last year at the plateau. This time we played Blind Flamingo Kickball which was completely different, but involved some ridiculous and challenging rules nonetheless and really mixed up traditional kickball.

Rule one: The fielding team has to stand on one leg, hold the other leg with their strong hand, and pickup and throw the ball with their weak hand.

Rule two: The kicking team has to kick and run the bases blindfolded.

As the rules would indicate this game held great potential for embarrassment as standing on one leg the whole time actually proved quite challenging. We divided up into our Field Day teams and played two games at once out on the field: Green vs. Yellow, and Gray vs. Blue. Yellow and Gray were the winners. Both the Secondary and Elementary students got a chance to play. It was a lot of fun for everyone who participated.

Besides having fun during our usual assembly period Pastor Dave actually used these games to teach important life lessons. To help the runner run the bases, the kicking team was allowed to put coaches at each base. The runner needed to know the voice of their coach and listen very carefully to it. Many times the fielding team tried to yell at the runner and confuse them. Pastor Dave talked about how we need to be firmly grounded in the Bible so that we would be able to recognize voices that are trying to lead us astray. When it was my turn to kick I made sure I knew who my coaches were so that I could know whose voice to listen for. In the same way I think it is very important to read the Bible daily and be strongly grounded in God’s Word. Pastor Dave talked about how we need to set our hearts and minds on things above not on earthly things.

Yesterday’s assembly was a good example of how fun and games can be used to teach spiritual truth. Sahel’s integration of spiritual values into every aspect of school is something that I think many students may take for granted but will ultimately be very thankful for.  ~Matt

 The masquerade was a wonderful evening of elegance and relaxation. Considering that it was placed right before a couple of very busy weeks, Student Council did an amazing job. They worked incredibly hard to bring together a wonderful banquet. There was good food, an amusing raffle and hard to beat dancing. The grassy area was decorated with Christmas lights, glittering masks and purple, black and blue sashes. The atmosphere was comfortable, yet very sophisticated with the aroma of pasta primavera, lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce floating in the air. Everyone started out by socializing and checking out each other’s creative masks. We all then sat down for a delicious Italian buffet. As we were eating, a raffle was held that required the ‘winner’ to do something crazy to get the prize. After supper was over, you could either watch Beauty and The Beast or learn the Waltz and Two-step. The evening ended with laughter and I would say it was a completely successful evening! ~Jessica

Eagle’s Nest dorm went camping on Saturday to the river with the Winsors who were there to replace the Smiths while they were on their weekend off. Mr. Winsor worked on setting up the campsite for so long just to make it fun for us. I personally found it interesting because I’ve never camped before or slept in a tent. When we got there Mr. Winsor gave us some rules and then we started unloading the supplies from the cars. We girls slept in the biggest tent. After setting up, Tam and John got out their guitars and played some songs while the rest of us sang along. Soon after that, we ate hot dogs and pasta salad for supper and Mi-Yeon’s birthday cake for dessert. When we were all done filling our empty stomachs we had devotions and more singing.

Mr. Winsor, who is a great planner, had a game for us to play. The game went like this. The person on the front line was allowed to have their eyes open and hold a flashlight. All the other people had to have their eyes closed and follow the lead of the person with the flashlight. It was terrifying for all of us with our eyes closed, but we had to trust the lead. Sadly, I got a thorn on the back of my heel, so I couldn’t go on. It was good because we learned to trust each other and work together to reach our finish point.

At night we had the camp fire set up and the secondary students got to stay up chatting for a long time. The next day we had a simple Sunday devotional in the morning and then we went on the pirogue to experience the river. Before lunch we also went hiking. Looking down from the cliff onto the river was such a beautiful sight, and once again I saw the amazing creation of God in a little country called Niger that not many people know about. ~Esther

Adam’s perspective:

This Saturday, November 3rd, was a busy day for many people. While several missionaries and a few national artisans tried to sell things outside, the student council ran a 50’s style diner in the dining hall with hot pancakes and coffee.

Inside 1000 cfa could buy you all the pancakes you could eat and coffee or hot chocolate to wash it all down. Meanwhile, oldies music played in the background creating a fun atmosphere. Another attraction was the Lego building competition where people of all ages had a chance to compete in constructing first a space ship then a land vehicle much fun was had.

Outside a horde of potential buyers swarmed around the tables rented out by the senior class which also had a table of its own where they sold donated. Many other people came hoping to empty their cluttered closets and earn a little money in the process.

Overall it was a fun-filled morning where almost everybody found something to do. Both student council and the senior class made a decent profit to help fund more fun events later on in the year.

Jonathan’s perspective:

It’s Saturday morning. The seniors have all helped set up the scene for their first annual garage sale. It is almost 8:30. Miss Carriger, Jonathan, Adam and Matt are frantically pricing last minute items, setting up the items and making their senior table ready with all the stuff on it. Thirty minutes later, the stuff is ready to be sold. All four of these hard-working people are finally done and are eagerly waiting for the series of fortunate events to begin. Meanwhile, Student Council is preparing for a pancake breakfast at which they hope to make some profit too.

 It is finally 8:30!! The distant car sounds can be heard over the horizon. Customers are arriving. The seniors and StuCo are going to make some profit today. Artisans are coming down the dirt sodden road to sell their jewelry and weaponry in hope to gain something out of what they have skillfully made.

The dining hall is decorated with records hanging on the wall. You could hear the 70’s-music, the noise and activity from outside as people gathered around tables, chatting and getting caught up with each other. The music and the atmosphere were now becoming one harmony, both inside and out. It is a great gathering as many people from outside the community have come to join in the fun and interact. People from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds are interacting; exotic clothes and flamboyant dresses are clashing and blending together as we speak-literally!! The many voices that are heard sound like one piece of music blending together, each piece a part of the grand design that God has created.

The goodies were numerous. Ranging from freebies to Christmas ornaments, to artisan stuff to clothes-you name it- we probably had it! Many people came by to every stand and found a thing or two that they wanted. Some of the more African people bartered and we reduced the cost to make their day.

Chantelle’s perspective:

On Saturday the senior class and Student Council held a ‘double-whammy’ fundraiser. The seniors had a garage sale, where they sold donated items and rented tables for other people to sell stuff. They had creatively named it ‘A Saturday of Fortunate Events’. Student Council had a pancake breakfast with a 60’s twist. They decorated the inside of the Dining Hall as a 60’s diner called the Bee-Bop Pancake Shop. The StuCo members dressed like they were from the 60’s era with poodle skirts for the girls, and slicked-back hair for the guys!

I saw the from a very different perspective than most Sahel students. With my mom helping StuCo and my dad doing other stuff, I was the one responsible for our 6 garage sale tables. We were finally selling TONS of our old junk! When the sale started, there were very few people wandering around. Things were fairly easy, and I sold some things. As the hours passed however, I began to feel like I was running the Grande Marche single-handedly. There were so many people coming to buy our stuff, and I was feeling very overwhelmed! One small problem was change. There never seemed to be enough change around, and at least twice someone had to get change from elsewhere. There was also some confusion over purchased items. Some people bought things and thought that I would remember what they had purchased, and they could leave them sitting nearby. With so many people, and so much to sell, I didn’t remember for a few people. I accidentally sold something that someone else had reserved (but thankfully hadn’t paid for). I almost did this twice, but someone corrected me before I made the same mistake. It was very embarrassing.

I hadn’t eaten breakfast and as all this was going on, I was getting hungrier and hungrier. It was past 10 am before I was able to eat any of the pancakes that were being sold. Mr. Gillespie brought me something to eat when the crowed had thinned a bit. When you’ve waited that long for breakfast, it really tastes GOOD! By noon people were leaving, and we began to clear up and consolidate all the items that we hadn’t sold. It was incredible how much we had gotten rid of and along with that, the amount of money we made! Although parts of the morning were stressful for me, it was a very productive morning.