Aunty Erin's Tree

The staff and kids in Gyero, our rural Care Center, recently came up with the idea of planting a tree in honor of each missionary serving them. Last week it was Aunty Erin's turn to have her tree planting ceremony. :)


Baba Sati, one of the leaders, had a few baby trees for me to pick from and I told him that I wanted one that would provide a lot of shade in the years to come. The girls ended up picking an avocado tree, which I think is very fitting, since this Texas gal loves her guacamole!

I am so blessed, so happy, so fulfilled. In the midst of challenges, heartache, cultural differences, and feelings of complete inadequacy, the Lord's joy surrounds me. Do I really get to live here? Is this really my life? I am so thankful, Father, for the honor to serve You and to serve your beautiful children in Nigeria. May YOU receive all the praise, all the glory, all the adoration. May YOUR name be lifted up. It is all about You, because of You and for You.

Tidbits

Tidbits from the past week:
1) Bad news - my computer crashed and burned on hursday evening. Good news - I did not freak out! Ok, so am a little anxious, but nowhere NEAR how I would have responded before coming to Nigeria. Life here is always full of surprises and setbacks and either you gotta go with the flow or die. :) Pray for Dan, The Computer Man, to wiggle his fingers and heal my computer.

2) I was interviewed by a missionary in Mexico, via the phone, and it is now posted on the website http://www.missionarytalks.com/ A great tool to spread the Word!

3) One of our boys, 12 yr old Augustine, fell yesterday. I thought he needed stitches, so I called our new missionary doc, Dr. Don. He is my 'on call' doctor now, and I am thrilled! So we went to Dr. Don's house and Augustine was shaking, he was so afraid about the stitches. At camp they memorized Joshua 1:9, so he and I said it out loud together: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Within a minute, his shaking stopped. :)

4) I started Hausa studies, AGAIN, with two lovely Nigerian ladies. It is 2 hrs each afternoon and boy, am I tired after class. But, God really convicted me that I need to get fluent in Hausa, to show the Nigerians love and respect. I am not very disciplined in this area, but am determined to learn.

"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it". James 4:17


God bless you guys, ER

On Tuesday I went to Abuja, the capitol of Nigeria. It is reported to be the fastest growing city in Africa. Yep, the fastest in the whole continent! Wow. I noticed a lot of changes since I was last there in July 2006. Nigeria is actually a rich country in resources and this is reflected in the modern buildings and city structures in Abuja.

Thanks to some supporters gifts, I was able to spend a couple days in a nice hotel, relaxing and sleeping a lot. I really enjoyed it, yet part of me struggled with all the wealth I was seeing. I did not feel guilty for my own ability to relax. However, it was difficult to see that there is such wealth here and yet, only for a select few. Since I work with the poor on a daily basis, I guess it just stands out more.

BUT - I am so thankful for the rest and the ability to not be available to anyone, even if just for a couple days!!! :)

GREAT NEWS - I picked up my dear friend Nicky from the airport today! In 2005, Nicky came to spend a year in Jos. At then end of her time, though, she realized that God was asking her to return as a long-term missionary. And now she has!!! I am really blessed by her friendship. I am constantly learning from her and seeing God through her.