Visiting in Nouakchott
Much has happened since we last posted. It's been a really good two days. We were in Nouadibou, in northern Mauritania on Saturday morning. We spent the morning exploring the boat cematery. Along the beach just out of town, they've beached dozens of very old ships on right on the sand. It's a very neat sight. Unfortunately we were they're at high tide so we couldn't get unto the boats themselves. We then had a little adventure for the rest of the day.
It started by running into two girls from Slovenia, who came from Morocco with no hard currnency. They only had travelers cheques and bank cards. There are no ATMs in Mauritania and visa and mastercard are completly useless. It was Saturday, so for the next two days they had no money, because the banks were closed. So we decided to help them out by taking a taxi with them to NCK (Nouakchott) and paying for their hotel and food until they could cash their cheques. I should clarify that a taxi is the only way to travel the 470kms south to NKC.
So the girls arranged the taxi from the hotel (a big mistake, since there are no other taxis there to compete with for the price) and we went with them. We also had a local man in the car. So for the entire way we had two people in the front seat. Erin and I did it for about half the trip, boy were we sore. After frequent stops for the driver's prayer and tea, and many police check points, which the driver had to pay off the police to get through, we arrived in NKC at about 9:30pm. We had a huge missunderstanding with the driver over the price of the trip, and he became extremely mad at us. We finally got this sorted out and all was well. The girls stayed in a different hotel, since the one we were at was more costly but very close to the people we are visiting here. I left them with some money, and we got squared up with them today.
Our hotel was a real splurge for the budget, but a real treat after 2 long weeks of dingy places. We had AC, a king size bed, a bathroom and shower in our room with hot water, and all in all a really nice place! All for about $40 a night. We're used to paying less then $10, but for the next few days we're staying with our friends, so it all evens out. A nice treat!
I'll explain a little about what we're doing and seeing here in NKC, and our reasons for the visit. Unfortunately, due to the country we're in details will be very vaugue and I'll use other words to mean something else. You'll just have to bear with me. (Brian)
We're visiting some workers here from the States. We came into contact with them through an organization that Erin and I became very interested in a while back. The work that this organization does is very close to our hearts. They primarily do incarnational work in slums. We are in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It is within the 10 poorest countries in the world, and it's very apparent to us as we see the country. 100% of the population is M. There are currently around 60 workers here in the country, and the folks that we are staying with are one of two teams that work in the slums. The slums make up well over 60% of the population. In the country there are fewer than 10 believers. Of those 10 most have been in and out of jail, and have a very hard life.
Yesterday morning we had the priviledge of going to a service with the workers. There were around 100 people there. All of whom are not Mauritanian. It is entirly illegal for Mauritanian's to attend. What a hard country to be in. It was amazing for me to be in this setting after already being here for two weeks. To sing and hear the word was so refreshing.
As I walk here and see all the people who have not heard, or cannot hear, it really hurts my heart. The poverty is very shocking, but so much more is the darkness all around, and the complete restriction to freely believe the truth. Much is stiring inside of me about this place and the lost here.
Erin and I are going out this afternoon for a walk, to call out for this place, and for some specific request of those that we are staying with. I'm really looking forward to it.
We're going to spend the next two or three days here, and are then going to travel to another part of the country to ride some camels, before we head off to Egypt. Thanks for thinking of us and the people of this country.
Blessings.
It started by running into two girls from Slovenia, who came from Morocco with no hard currnency. They only had travelers cheques and bank cards. There are no ATMs in Mauritania and visa and mastercard are completly useless. It was Saturday, so for the next two days they had no money, because the banks were closed. So we decided to help them out by taking a taxi with them to NCK (Nouakchott) and paying for their hotel and food until they could cash their cheques. I should clarify that a taxi is the only way to travel the 470kms south to NKC.
So the girls arranged the taxi from the hotel (a big mistake, since there are no other taxis there to compete with for the price) and we went with them. We also had a local man in the car. So for the entire way we had two people in the front seat. Erin and I did it for about half the trip, boy were we sore. After frequent stops for the driver's prayer and tea, and many police check points, which the driver had to pay off the police to get through, we arrived in NKC at about 9:30pm. We had a huge missunderstanding with the driver over the price of the trip, and he became extremely mad at us. We finally got this sorted out and all was well. The girls stayed in a different hotel, since the one we were at was more costly but very close to the people we are visiting here. I left them with some money, and we got squared up with them today.
Our hotel was a real splurge for the budget, but a real treat after 2 long weeks of dingy places. We had AC, a king size bed, a bathroom and shower in our room with hot water, and all in all a really nice place! All for about $40 a night. We're used to paying less then $10, but for the next few days we're staying with our friends, so it all evens out. A nice treat!
I'll explain a little about what we're doing and seeing here in NKC, and our reasons for the visit. Unfortunately, due to the country we're in details will be very vaugue and I'll use other words to mean something else. You'll just have to bear with me. (Brian)
We're visiting some workers here from the States. We came into contact with them through an organization that Erin and I became very interested in a while back. The work that this organization does is very close to our hearts. They primarily do incarnational work in slums. We are in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It is within the 10 poorest countries in the world, and it's very apparent to us as we see the country. 100% of the population is M. There are currently around 60 workers here in the country, and the folks that we are staying with are one of two teams that work in the slums. The slums make up well over 60% of the population. In the country there are fewer than 10 believers. Of those 10 most have been in and out of jail, and have a very hard life.
Yesterday morning we had the priviledge of going to a service with the workers. There were around 100 people there. All of whom are not Mauritanian. It is entirly illegal for Mauritanian's to attend. What a hard country to be in. It was amazing for me to be in this setting after already being here for two weeks. To sing and hear the word was so refreshing.
As I walk here and see all the people who have not heard, or cannot hear, it really hurts my heart. The poverty is very shocking, but so much more is the darkness all around, and the complete restriction to freely believe the truth. Much is stiring inside of me about this place and the lost here.
Erin and I are going out this afternoon for a walk, to call out for this place, and for some specific request of those that we are staying with. I'm really looking forward to it.
We're going to spend the next two or three days here, and are then going to travel to another part of the country to ride some camels, before we head off to Egypt. Thanks for thinking of us and the people of this country.
Blessings.
posted by Brian and Erin at 8:07 AM
3 Comments:
Hey guys. I Google Earthed you this morning and was surprised at how "packed in" the city looked. They've got a pretty detailed shot, so I could easily locate the street you're on right now. I just had a very close (within 50m) look at most of the city, including the soccer stadium on the north side. I can't believe the number of cars all over the place. I appreciate hearing what you guys had to say this morning. It really gave me some perspective on my day. Thanks guys, and have great and deep call outs!
Hey Brian and Erin, that was an interesting update- really good. anyway i saw marv on saturday he was biking down spring creek with like 18 other people. That's about all that happened on the weekend. have fun with the camels
Glad to hear your trip is going as well as it is. It all must be very exciting and at the same time strange and a little scary. You are in my prayers and now I will add the people of M. as well. Enjoy reading of your adventures and the pics. We had a first snow last nite, just a dusting.
Love Aunt Nancy
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