Our dear friend and colleague Yoko has retired from work here in Niger. She will be heading back to Japan very soon, and continuing work in the SIM offices in Asia. She has been a wonderful role model to me, and has given of herself so generously to our family. She has enjoyed many mornings with Rachel and Natalie and I on our back porch, for morning devotions with the compound workers. She has the heart of an evangelist, and a gentle, patient spirit. One of the pics is of her and some of the workers in morning devotions on one of Yoko's last days.
A retirement party was organized, and the featured meal was mechouie. Now, I had no idea what it was either, so don't feel bad. Mechouie is a lamb/sheep that is stuffed with vegetables and couscous, and then roasted. It was quite good, but not really a dish I plan to try on my own in the future.
There were games, food, gifts, and of course cake! My favorite gift was a gift that was given to her in jest. Here in Galmi, when someone retires from the hospital, their retirement gift is a sheep, yes, a living, breathing, bleating sheep. Now at the recent Christmas party for the hospital employees (see blog of Dec 18) retirement gifts were given, and Yoko was heard to say, "Where's my sheep?" Well, at the party, Yoko got her sheep. NOT a living, breathing, bleating one, just a cute porcelain one that she could carry back with her (or discreetly leave behind)if she wished! May the Lord bless her abundantly as she returns to Japan!
2 comments:
mechouie sounds like a haggis in reverse how appropriate for burns night - Good to read your blogs guys Norm trevor and myself have all joined the blogging community
david
Yoko is indeed an amazing woman. We will all miss her in Niger!
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