Former Missionary in Residence Laments Severe Flooding in Niger
Joel Gray, a former Missionary in Residence with the CGCM, describes devastating flooding in Niamey, Niger. Joel and his wife Karen evacuated their home at the end of August, and had to evacuate again at the beginning of September. They write,
Thousands of people in Niamey have lost their houses and their food. Our places of ministry, Sahel Academy and ESPriT Bible School, are completely under water. Some city streets are impassable and traffic for many people has become an increasing challenge….For two weeks we worked in teams to salvage furniture and equipment. Teams wadded into sometimes neck-high water…other teams drive the furniture and school equipment to dry places around town to wash, dry, and fight back mold.
Especial damage was done to the library, which had been newly renovated two weeks before the flood. The Grays, who work with Sudan Interior Mission (SIM), are praying for all those suffering in their city at this time, especially as Niger enters the malaria season.