One year later

Yesterday morning was the first bible study for this new series on the holy spirit we are going to be looking into. I wish I could describe to you how much I thoroughly enjoy these women, and to be honest, women studies in general are so uplifting to me. Better than high schoolers anyway????!!!!! Okay, I am really only kidding, because I do enjoy high schoolers, but I do enjoy women groups more.

Eleven of us women met in my home to start the study, Living Beyond Yourself, by Beth Moore. I looked around the room as some of us were sharing how we were doing spiritually since our last study (The Psalms) and again, I sat in Awwww of how I could actually be living across the world and in my living room sat nigerian women who are desperately trying to love the Lord as I am. I could have began weeping at my feelings of privilege to be able to be there. I have the utmost respect for these ladies and I am counting them amongst my friendships here in Jos. I am also grateful for the Spirit's ability reminding me to not take my living here for granted. I love that I can still, one year later, feel energized by the ministry of the nigerian women here. For the record, one year ago today, we left for our African journey.

Oh, and also, it is our good friend, Chad's birthday today and he is here to celebrate it with us. Thanks for being here Chad and Happy Birthday!!!

students

Good Morning! So last night's blog was kind of small, I was wiped out. I have started coaching the long distance high school track team runners. The first one was this past Monday. It was pretty awkward, I must admit. Imagine if you will, being the only (middle age at that) woman amidst 5 young, strong nigerian men (the other coaches). Plus, a bunch of high school students who pretty much think you (meaning me) don't know anything.

I tell you what, high schoolers are rough. They weren't mean or anything, they just didn't care. Anyway, the first practice is complete and we meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So, here is to being in shape in the middle years of life.

The above picture is of one of Gus's good friends, his name is Katwahl. He is a great guy and he is in fourth grade with Gus.

stronger together

Today, the block boys created their first block. The reality was exciting on many accounts, one, it is happening. Two, now let's make it good. These men are great as they are all created so differently. Everyone brings something to the table and together it is a stronger team than individually it could have been. We are grateful as staff to have them here as well as these children who have been watching them work are grateful to have them to play with.

knowledge does not equal desire

I had an ahaaa moment a couple of days ago. I was having a conversation with some people about my kids science fair projects the other day and they were commenting about my lack of desire for helping my children. They were poking fun because I was an environmental science major in college so I should have so much knowledge about different types of ideas, etc...

It hit me at that moment that shows itself to be true of me in other areas as well, for example, I do know how to cook, but it doesn't mean I desire it or get excited about it, etc... I don't enjoy it, but sometimes people take that as I don't know how to do it.......

What I am getting at is this frame of mind that I have somewhere acquired, can be an american mindset. I don't enjoy something; therefore, I don't do it. I have realized that this mindset is truly a luxury, and it not understood everywhere. For example, sometimes I feed my guards food, and I always want to know what they "like" and what they don't "like". Also, I am constantly asking them questions about their schooling. "Do you like your class?" "Are you excited about doing this later on?" Yadda, yadda, yadda......

They have ALWAYS responded to me the same about every single one of the questions.... "It is food, we like it" , or "It is my class, I like it". They are thrilled to gain knowledge because they are gaining knowledge. They haven't had the luxury growing up with a variety of foods. They eat what has been given and they buy what they can afford to eat. End of discussion. Their luxury is going to a class at all.

Their excitement is getting food prepared for them. They don't go further with "I don't feel like it today, so if I get around to going to class, I will" They go to school, they study and learn. They eat what is given and are thankful and grateful.

If they could rub off on me in this area, I think I could really benefit from this idea.

Okay, the second thing I wanted to share is that the men's group (The block boys) arrived safely last night and we are so excited that they have arrived and have chosen to come and serve alongside of us these next two weeks. The picture above is of the donation of tools they brought for the ministry..... before you ladies think, "Oh, poor wives, they didn't receive anything fun".... There were a few wives of these men who were able to tuck away a few sweet little gifts for us as well. Thank you for the blueberries and the lotions and candle, journals, etc... They were a nice surprise....

God Bless.

baptisms at the local car wash

The picture above is truly where we had 5 baptisms yesterday for our local church. The baptism fount, in its off times, is doubled as a motorcycle car wash. (Actually, I am serious, he had to finish before we could begin).

Emilee and I went to encourage and support five members of the village church in the afternoon go through their baptism experience (the top picture). We asked the pastor what this entails prior to the start and he communicated that they go through a year "class" and through their faithfulness they can then acknowledge outwardly before their brothers and sisters in Christ through the immersion of the bodies. It was one of those moments that I looked down at my feet (not sure why my feet) and thanked the Lord that He allowed me to be there and be a part of it.

I wish I could explain to you, when these moments hit me, what honestly goes through my mind. I remember hearing other people talk about it at other moments and would think, "I wonder what that feels like?" I never understood until living here. It is a mixture of trust, truth, emotion, excitement, Awwwww and just thankfulness that I can be there, experiencing AFrica. I really believe that yesterday afternoon as I was soaking in all of the sights and sounds of in front of me that I was created to be there, at that moment, with those people. Praise God for those brothers and sisters of yours and mine who chose to make that outward step. They will be with us in heaven someday, and when that day comes, we will be with them forever!! Do I hear an AMEN?!

5 year anniversary

This week (Feb. 1st to be exact) proved to be mine and John's five year anniversary with Back 2 Back ministries. It is a ministry that "provides care for today, hope for tomorrow" with the orphan population in Mexico, Nigeria and India. We served in Mexico the first four years with the ministry and moved one year ago to Jos, Nigeria, where we are currently serving.

It is strange to me how our lives have changed in the past five years. Before we were called by the Lord to serve with this ministry, John worked at Duke University in their construction management team on their medical facilities. We had three children, lived in a beautiful area in NC, Elon. We had the 4 bedroom house, the Volvo station wagon and the Suburban and the fenced in backyard with the playset, mind you, where our happy family of five could be safe and have fun. John and I, at this point, were married 10 years. Gosh! Our kids look back at these years and call them the "learning how to do things years". It is where they learned to ride a bike, how to rollerblade, how to use a toilet, how to tie a shoe, how to be an american kid, etc...

When we moved to Mexico, we literally sold all we had (except what could fit in our little trailer behind our suburban) and followed the Lord's leading. The four Mexico years they call the "learning how to live with lots of people around years". It is where we learned how to live with a community and all that it offers. Friends right outside your door at every moment. Fun interns and visitors always willing to give a hug and to help you with anything. I remember one specific moment when I caught Sami, our youngest, she was probably 4 at the time, asking the head, mexican staff to help her put on her little shoes. It was very precious to me to see this man get on his knee to help this little white girl with her pretty shoes..... Those years were full of family, friends, events and wide open spaces.....

Now, here we are in Nigeria. We are getting ready to celebrate in March our 15 year wedding anniversary. Who would have thought an obedient act five years ago would bring us to this moment. When I was younger I always dreamed of living here. I cannot believe we are doing just that. I have asked my children what they would maybe call this season, they all, without hesitation said, "it is the game playing, family time season." SO, as this next season of ministry unfolds, I think it is a good beginning. I think there could be worse things than "game playing, family time"...... I am excited to see what will unfold. Loving the Lord and following the passions He has given us has been quite a ride. I look forward to all that is in the seasons to come......

P.S. Jason and Emilee surprised us at our last staff meeting and for our anniversary with Back 2 Back they had purchased for us a Hausa/English bible and we absolutely love it! These pictures don't do it any justice. But Hausa is the local language outside of English and it will be so fun to start learning the words of the Bible in Hausa. Thanks Munafos for this precious gift.

schooling in Kisayhip village

Meet Meshach (4th picture down). He is twelve years old and he does not know how to answer the question, “What do you want to do or be when you grow up?” He lives in the Kisayhip Village where Back2Back ministers. We are learning he is not unusual in not being able to answer this question. He stands to be the normal in this rural upbringing with the limited education that the government provides. When we first moved here in February, the public schools were on strike and remained that way until October of that same year. There are many reasons why the school system goes on strike, not any of them benefit the child, but this is the system where most village kids have their only option, and are daily being left behind in their learning.

As a ministry we desire to provide free supplemental education through a tutor program throughout their school week to the children in Kisayhip, whom the village community feels is in the most need. We are also going to give the community an opportunity to help with the children’s basic needs, like food. We have a new staff couple joining us, Will and Theresa Reed, and they both will be instrumental in our relationship with this village. Theresa is joining us to help us meet some of these education goals and Will is joining us to deepen our relationship within the village. We are so grateful and excited to have them a part of the what God is doing here in Jos, Nigeria.

This past Christmas season the Vineyard Church family and the Daniels family sponsored a fundraising idea of “Simplifying Christmas”. As the students simplified, their money they chose not to spend, is going towards building an “education center” where this tutor program can begin. We are so grateful for others who have joined us in taking the next step in showing the children there are opportunities and they can dream. God has something for Meshach, and not only do we believe it is possible, but we want to come alongside him and help him in any way we can.