Praises overflow

So much has happened since my last blog. I am still processing the past month and wanted to wait until I figured it all out before I blogged - but that would mean I would probably not blog for awhile! Reflection brings rejoicing......

Praise #1 - God used my leaders in Nigeria to tell me to come back to Texas for rest and medical check ups. Within one week of arriving in Texas, my right lung collapsed! A chest tube was placed, to help reinflate the lung, and I spent two nights in the hospital. If my lung would have collapsed in Nigeria, it could have been extremely serious. Since the medical care in Nigeria is not up to speed, I would've needed to be medically evacuated. But, flying is dangerous when you have lung issues, because of the altitude problems. So, I may have had to have a chest tube placed by a med-evac team and flown on a special 'medical plane.' Also, the insurance company could have insisted that I be sent to London or to South Africa for medical care - which they have been known to do in past missionary evacuations - since those places are closer than the States. Whenever I feel down, I remember back to how God rescued me and brought me home to my parents and to great medical care here in Texas, just 15 min from my parents house.

Praise #2 - After spending those 2 nights in the hospital, I was taking it easy. A couple weeks later I was finally feeling 'normal' and was able to get out of the house. I was super excited about a trip to Houston on Memorial Day weekend to visit the Anthis and Rothchild families - dear friends who spent time in Nigeria. But on Thursday I started feeling weird and that something was not right. (When my lung collapsed a couple weeks prior, I just had some pain and a little difficulty breathing - but nothing major. So I was not sure what to expect as far as symptoms went - but the doctor told me that it was possible that my lung would collapse again.) When I woke up on Friday and had pain in my lung and decreased energy, I called the clinic and went in for a chest x ray and to see the doctor. I almost did not make the call, because I really wanted to go to Houston. But then I realized that would be pretty selfish and quite a hassle to get to Houston and not be able to breathe. When the doctor showed me my xray, I could see immediately that my lung had collapsed again and I just started crying. The last chest tube was so painful and I also knew that now I was going to need to have surgery. It was overwhelming and I just cried for God to help me. The nurses and doctors remembered my painful experience from the last chest tube, so they gave me a lot more pain medicine, which was a huge blessing. Praise God that I was not stubborn and that I went in to see the doctor that morning. Cindy Anthis and one of her daughters actually drove from Houston to see me the next day. She thanked me for 'keeping my drama local.' :)

Praise #3 - I had to wait a few days for my lung to inflate before I could have surgery. From day one of being in the hospital, I was so encouraged by the people who took the time to come and visit me and send me flowers. Now that I have been blessed in these ways, I know how much a bouquet of flowers or a bedside prayer lifts up the heart. People came in from out of town and a couple precious ladies came from Rockwall and sat with my mom when I was in the recovery room. My family and I were just amazed by how many people showed love by visiting me during my two week hospital stay. And all the cards in the mail! Postal mail really shows effort and love - so many times in the past I have intended to send a card or note to someone - all the cards I have received have blessed me so much, that I hope it helps me to follow up on those intentions in the future!

Praise #4 - The first night after my surgery, God's presence was so strong in my room. I can only explain it as intense peace and joy - I did not even want to sleep because I did not want to miss out! I'm telling you, I had spontaneous smiles and was just in complete comfort that night.

Praise #5 - All the prayers of the saints. Never before have I felt so carried by prayer as I have these past few weeks. In my weakness, pain, and suffering - God's children have held me up and carried me through their prayers. One of my friends from Nigeria called and told me that all the staff and kids in the ministry fasted and prayed for me for 24 hours. Wow. Major answered prayer was that I had great nursing care and an overall positive experience in the hospital. I did not even want to leave the hospital until the day that the doctor said I could be discharged.

Praise #6 - Today I went to see the surgeon for an xray and to get my stitches removed. Everything looks good. Yeah! I am still having a bit of pain, but the pain meds are helping.

There is so much more to share. So many things the Lord is showing me on this journey. For now, I can say that I know He is good. I know He loves me. I know He loves the children in Nigeria and He is taking care of them. I can trust Him and know that this is all about Him, all for Him and for His glory. May He receive praise and adoration!

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Favorite Things and Reflections

I have been in Texas for a week now. Some of my favorite things from the past week:


~ Jalisco's salsa - the Texas folks will know what I am talking about.


~ sleeping in - it is so quiet here. My house in Nigeria is on a loud compound. Outside my bedroom window is the front gate to the compound, so if I tried to rest during the day, I heard everything and everyone coming in. Plus my dogs barking and the phone always ringing. I joked with the gaurd one day saying "Peter, at 6am, you are really loud and it sounds like you are right in my bedroom! Peter, I really don't like waking up and thinking you are in my room." That made him laugh and he got the point and he is no longer my alarm clock.


~ American Idol. Yeah, I am a junkie.


~ Green grass. Everything is Soooo green in Texas now. I love it! In Nigeria, everything is pretty brown because we are at the end of the 6 months of no rain.


~ Front porch. My parents have a porch that looks over their nice front yard. I love to sit out there and just think and pray and just BE.


~ Anonymity. In Nigeria, white folks are kinda obvious and so people watch everything you do. When it gets annoying, I try to pretend I am a celebrity and that kinda makes it funny. Is definitely a good accountability thing. BUT I enjoyed walking through Target the other day and no one even turned their head to look at me.


~ Twinkie, my faithful dog. I walked into the house from the airport and there she was, whining and jumping around and licking me! I had not seen her for a year, but she knows who her mama is!



~ Shopping. Yeah, I love to shop. I love shopping in Nigeria. But here, it is so easy! No one is shouting out 'baturiya' (white woman), or begging you to shop in their stall. And all the prices are set here in America. I mean, I can't go up to the gal at Target and say "Hey, I know the price on this shirt says it is $15, but how about I give you $8?" That's one thing I love/hate about shopping in Nigeria. You definitely have to be in the mood.


A few days before I left Jos, I was shopping and the guy told me the thing was going to cost $45. I guffawed at him and said "Look, I may look like a white person, but I am really Nigerian and I know the price. So please don't try that." I got him down to $14. :)



The list goes on and on...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I am really thankful to be home because I have been sick the whole time since I arrived. The two weeks before I left Nigeria, I was feeling really great, so I was like, hey, I don't need to go home. But, not the case. Last week I saw an internal med doctor and she caught a couple infections and got me on antibiotics. Tomorrow I will see my pulmonologist and on Thursday, the infectious disease doctor.



I feel very loved and carried by God during this time of the unknown. Faith really is being sure of what you don't see. I can't see very far. But, as a good friend told me the other day, just keep walking forward. My dad reminded me that God never demotes anyone. He is always out to promote His children to the next level that He has for their lives.



Yesterday, the Lord met with me as I sat on the porch with my coffee. He said that I should pray for complete physical healing and He may choose to answer that. But the prayer that He will DEFINITELY answer is the restoration of my soul.



Praise Him.

Taking off....

I would love to post pics and tell stories, but the reality is my time is taken up these days with preparing to leave on Sunday, April 20th, for a 2 month rest and recuperation time in the States.

Coming under authority with respect and thanksgiving is a key thing the Lord has been working with me on the past couple years. So, when I was in a bind and did not know what to do... God's voice clearly came through and told me to go to my leaders here in Nigeria. So, I went to my supervisor, missionary doc, and personnel director.

They all said the same thing. I need to go to the States to rest and to get some medical check-ups. Maybe all the sickness I have had this past year since I returned to Nigeria is nothing more than just random sickness. Or maybe it is more. So, to rule out some crazy disease on top of the one I already have in my lungs, I will be seeing my pulmonologist, an internal medicine doc, and maybe a tropical disease doctor.

So the past couple weeks have been busy busy with preparations to go. I have been madly checking off things from my to-do list, trying to get all the centers a-ok with medical and nutritional stuff before I leave.

There is much more to say, but time is not on my side (as we say here).

I will be in touch, once I get settled into Texas next week.

In Sickness and in Health...

Nope, am not married or even close to it.... but this is how I have been feeling regarding my second term in Nigeria. I have been sick on and off since I returned last April, 11 months ago from today. My immune system has been shot from a crazy lung disease I picked up a couple years ago, making me susceptable to other things.

I had to stay home again today (4th day) bc this laryngitis has kicked my tail. I am able to talk now, thankfully. But the coughing is exhausting me and I think that may be more my lung thing acting up now, not the laryngitis. I am getting frustrated by the up and down health thing. Can you please pray for me?

I am working this whole thing through with God. What more can I do for myself that I am not already doing? What should I take away/add? Adding can be a good thing, if I am missing something. How does God view sickness and service? I know He says in Psalm 40 (and many other places) that He is not looking for sacrifices or burnt offerings? but just me. But then how does that compute when so many Christians all over the world are much worse off than me, but God has them that way for a reason and for a purpose? and many of them keep pressing on. Is
it giving up to step back and take care of my body? I know God will not love me any less. He finally got that through my thick skull. But now I am working through how much is too much? where faith and trust collide with reason and common sense?

I know I am vulnerable right now, bc I have spent most of the past 2 weeks sick (had giardia before this laryngitis). And in this state, I don't have much compassion for others or a desire to serve when I have a coughing fit every 10 min. Sigh. Thank God He loves me no matter what!

So, that's where I am at the moment. Not too pretty. But am working it through with the Lord and am in constant communication with Him. This I DO know is what He wants and desires, so will keep it up til He answers ;)

Allah ya kara mani sauki = May God increase my strength

Last Friday...

(This is perhaps my longest blog ever. So grab a cup o joe and read on about a day in the life...)

I had shared on my March Prayer Calendar that the father of two of our boys, Stephen (15yrs) and Matthew (13yrs), was dying of liver failure. Three weeks ago, a co-worker and I visited him in his home. I asked him that when he dies, what will he tell God is the reason he should be allowed into heaven. His answer was "Only God knows." We shared with him about the grace of Jesus and even though he was an alcoholic for years and he neglected his kids, that God will still accept him. That day, the angels rejoiced as Felix received God's love and grace!!!

Felix passed away last Thursday.

Last Friday was an all-day affair with the family of Matthew and Stephen. It was so totally Nigerian in all aspects. My friend and co-worker, Alex, went to the boys home in the morning at 7am to meet with the eldest uncle (bro of deceased) bc he is to make all the decisions. Only to find out that they were waiting for an even older male relation to show up. So Alex returned to Transition House and he called me to meet with him and Elisha (supervisor) to decide what our role should be in all of this. We needed to find a vehicle to carry the body, first of all. They asked if I would be willing to carry it in my truck and I said no way jose! So we sent a staff to the hosptial to see if we could rent their 'ambulance'. Then we called around looking for another vehicle that we knew we would need to haul the family to the burial.

So we got confirmation that the ambulance was available. Alex and I, with some other staff, headed to the boys home. We got there and a group of about 15 people were sitting outside and in the midst of them was a very old man. Come to find out that he is the elder of the family, yet Matthew and Stephen have never even met him before! Yet, he is the one to make all the decisions. Apparently this happens a lot - at weddings and funerals - that relatives just show up to make decisions and maybe even get money (at weddings). So this 80 yr old man is supposed to be making decisions. But it is now 11am and they have not even decided where Baba is going to be buried. So the male staff head off to find something to eat while I sit with Matthew and all the mamas, watching life go on around us.

Some time later another uncle and the pastor show up and get in a heated discussion with the Baba bc he is just sitting on his toosh and not doing anything and here we are with 3 vehicles, 10 staff, and ready to help but cannot make any decisions for them. It should be noted that the hospital does not have a refrigerator or whatever they are supposed to have for corpses, so the body is laying in a room, in a very hot place. So, you can imagine what is happening to the body. SO when Baba suggests we wait til the next day, the uproar (ladies included) caused a scene. Although Stephen is the oldest son of his father, he is not old enough to be able to make decisions.

Elisha comes back from eating and the pastor pulls Elisha and me aside and says that the family has not even started building a casket for the body (by this time it is about 2pm). I am getting frustrated bc they are really taking no responsibility at all. But I also realize that the dad had been an alcoholic for years and this had taken a toll on the family, so perhaps they just felt like they did not need to help or give a proper burial. So, for the boys sake, we said that the minsitry would provide the casket. So off Elisha and Alex go to find a builder. By this point I was really hungry, so Stephen, Matthew and Uncle Ade and I wondered off to find a hole in the wall restaurant to eat some good food and down a bottle of Coke. The boys were at peace and were really amazing. They joked a little, although it was obvious their hearts were heavy.

So we return to the house. By then they had decided where to bury the body and some men had gone off to start digging. Now I need to say that this whole time the cell phone network had been down, so no one could call anyone. That just added to the whole thing. Once we get back to the house we wonder what we are to do next. Two staff decide to head to the hospital to see if Elisha and Alex had shown up with a casket. However, the family left with us had no idea where the burial site was. So we waited til the older brother showed up and then we piled in my truck to head to the hospital. Because now, Stephen and Matthew were supposed to clean the body and dress it!

So we show up at the hospital around 5pm and thankfully the guy was around to open the door to the hot room. By this time we had accumulated about 7 male staff, so they went in with the boys and did their thing. I cannot even imagine how that must have been. I kept getting teary eyed. Then Mama of the father went in to view his body and came out wailing so then I lost it a bit. But that's ok. However, the boys came out dry eyed - what IS it with men all over the world??

The casket was put in the ambulance and we followed it through town back near where Stephen and Matthew live. But then turned down a really rocky road. The road ended so we all got out and I just started trekking down the hilly path with Matthew and some of the women. It kept going and going and sure enough, I looked back to see that the casket and men had not followed us. So we waited at this place overlooking the valley, which is apparently a graveyard of sorts, tho you would never have guess it. The ambulance showed up about 40 min later, having found a different road.

Then they carried the casket down the rocky hill to the site, where the short service was done. Again, Aunty Erin started crying when Matthew gave a short speech about his dad and then the boys threw dirt on the casket.

Walking back to the car Matthew told me that I should not cry because he will see his father again. And one of the women said I need to be strong for the boys. Hogwash. That is one of the most frustrating parts of this culture - the lack of understanding the need to grieve and express emotions in a healthy way. Somehow they (and other Christians in the world) feel that crying shows lack of faith.

The day finally ended around 7pm. I thought. But then I got called to the hospital bc one of our boys had broken his arm playing soccer. Well I got him sorted out and finally went home, exhausted.

A day in the life.

(I said in the beginning that the day was very Nigerian. What I meant was that, due to poverty, most people cannot plan ahead because there is no money to plan with. They survive hand-to-mouth. To Americans, it may seem crazy that the family did not have any plans for when Felix died. This is because they are a very poor family and just hope they will get food for each day. )

Allah ya ba mu karfi! - May God give us strength!

More pics from reconciliation of boys!

These four boys(Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Moses and Danladi) were all taken back the their families. They live in the same village and already had plans to meet with each other the day after we left them. :)

About 4 years ago, Moses was involved in some satanic things, which put his life in danger. This is the reason City Ministries took him in. Moses is a new creation and was really welcomed back into the family and community last week. Only God can do that.

Moses and his mother!

Each time we took a boy home, Elisha (our supervisor, on the right), explained to the family and neighbors the reason the boy is able to go back to his family. He also explained how the ministry will assist for some time, but that the real responsibility lies on the family and the community to raise the child.

Linus and me. Oh, I love this dear boy and will really miss him. BUT - look how happy he is! When we drove up to his house, his mother came running up to the car and embraced him in a way only a mother can. His life is a testimony of power, grace and freedom, as he was once a child of the enemy through witchcraft. Now, he serves his Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

Father God, take these children and use them mightily in their homes, schools and communities. Protect them from the attacks of the enemy that are sure to come, since they used to belong to him, but now are in the Lord's army. Equip them to fight the battles and to resist temptations. I pray, Lord, that you will protect them mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. They are Yours and I know You love them and hold them close to Your heart and will never let them go. We commit them to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

New lives have begun for 38 boys!!!

A few months ago, we started to re evaluate what we were doing and who we were serving , as we had grown rapidly over the last few years. We discovered that many of the children have some family and we also looked into those who had been delivered from Occultic practices for several years to see whether they could be reconciled back into their communities. We realize it is far better in this culture if a child grows up with his family as the family and extended family unit is very strong here.

Some kids in a village where some of our boys now live.

As a part of this process, we sent home for Christmas about 100 of our boys, and the staff visited them to assess their situations . Many families stated that they had seen positive changes in their children , their behavior and their attitudes had greatly improved. Many were pleased to have them back. In some cases, though, it was confirmed that the boy needs to stay with us. We want to exist as a ministry to help those children who have no one to help them and to train and disciple them so they can function well in their society.

Some of the older ones we realize need to learn a trade alongside their education , so they can start to be independent when they leave school. So we have sent some to a Technical Boarding school and they will come back to us or family in the holidays. As a ministry we are committed to help with school fees as long as we can so the children's education does not stop, but this expensive and we continue to rely on money being brought in by God.

Last week was one of the best weeks and most difficult weeks. I have been processing a lot of emotions with all the changes we are facing. Good changes, but hard on the heart, too.

On Tuesday we took 10 to boarding school as you can see from the picture above, this was quite an undertaking as they have to go with lots of stuff.... they were excited and nervous at the same time and we were all quite emotional as we left them. We pray they will settle well and make good friends and that God protects them.

Then on Wed and Thurs we drove around several villages, taking boys to their family members. We caused quite a stir turning up in small communities with two jeeps, a car, and a minibus loaded with mattresses, bags, etc..but we took all the boys together who were in going home in the same area to see where each other lived. We greeted the families and prayed with them as we left their children with them. Mothers were crying, along with us Aunties as we gave back boys.

Daniel's father was waiting for him on front porch. A very powerful reunion. The local pastor observed Daniel's changed live when he visited over Christmas. He has invited Daniel to serve in the church.

It was awesome to see why the ministry exists happening before your very own eyes...boys whose lives had been turned around by God and who could now go home....We hope many more will follow in these first ones steps. We (staff) will be visiting each boy (in home or at school) on a regular basis to see how they are doing.

Here is a picture of Ayuba and Solomon re united with their Dad. He was so happy to see his boys back after being with us for 5 years after their mother died. He has built new rooms for them and has prepared farm land for them to be able to work and grow food. The eldest, Joseph, was among the boys who went to boarding school. During holidays, he will live with his dad and bros.


As we leave these precious children in school or in their communities we have to trust that God will look after them and that He knows the plans for their future. They were His children before they were ever ours and He knows them all by name......please pray for them as they adjust to new lifestyles.

(my pal and co-worker Nicky wrote this blog for her own update, so I figured why write another one! Thanks, Nicky. To my credit, I did at least add the pics.)

PS -
You'll notice in the pic below that Miracle and I are bundled up. It has been COLD here! In the high 40's at night. Seriously. And we have no heaters, folks. I like it, for the most part, cuz I get to wear some clothes that otherwise stay in my closet. ;)

Miracle Baby

My Nigerian parents, Reverand Haruna and 'Mommy', took care of Friday, their nephew, for seven years. Just recently Friday died from a sudden sickness at age 12, which devastated Rev. and Mommy. However, God was so good. The day before Friday passed, Mommy was at work at the community health clinic, where she stays for a few nights at a time, since it is outside of Jos. Someone brought in a newborn baby with her umbilical cord still attached. The baby had been abandoned and covered with sand. She was discovered because a dog was biting on her umbilical cord and she began to cry. The mother of the baby, of course, was nowhere to be found. The police interviewed different women in the neighborhood and decided that Mommy was the best candidate to look after the baby while they tried to find her mother. Mommy was caring for her when she received the news that Friday had died. So Mommy bundled her up and took her home with her.

In the midst of the intense grief, God provided a miracle baby to bring joy, comfort and purpose to their lives. I went to their home the day we received the sad news about Friday. When I saw the baby and heard her story I said to Mommy "You must name her Miracle, for indeed she is." She agreed and that is her name. :)

Two months have passed and Miracle continues to bring happiness and God's love into their home. They see how the Lord was so good to them and His timing was just incredible, giving Miracle to them the day before Friday passed. Rev and Mommy have been wanting to have another baby (have 2 older children), but it has not been possible. They are working on formally adopting her.

This picture was taken on Sunday, Miracle's 2 month birthday. She was dedicated at church, which is why she has some eye makeup on - something the Nigerians put on baby girls for special occasions.

Allah ya ba mu godiya kowace rana. Ku kwallo masu! = God gives us blessings every day! Watch for them!

Whew

Whew - we made it. The past month for me, as for many of you I am sure, was a whirlwind of parties, guests, food, music, work, traveling, kids, kids and more kids. It was one of my favorite Christmas' EVER. Dee and Tilly came from Chicago and we had a blast being together and spending every waking moment with our boys and girls. Many of our boys went to a relatives house for Christmas (as part of our reconciliation process - getting kids back into a home environment), but many kiddos were 'left behind'. So we took it upon ourselves to shower love onto them. I will post pics soon.

ALSO, I turned the big 3-0 on January 5th!! I was not so sure how I would feel about leaving the 20's behind, but now I am feeling comfortable with this new season in my life. A few people have reminded me that Jesus started his ministry when He was 30 - my first thought is - HOW did He live so long without sin? Second thought - WHY would He leave heaven to spend such a long time on earth? 100% man. 100% God. Cannot wrap my head around it. But, thank You, Jesus.

Update - Ladi, the young woman in a recent blog of mine, returned to her family in the village on Christmas day!! She is recovering well and Gay Lynn and I hope to visit her next week. Again, pics to come....

Holiday Hike

Early morning picnic with the girls. How early? Well, the village church bell rings at 5am. Then the dog starts to bark. So after some dozing, it is time to get up for 6am devotions with the girls. Yep, these girls have devotions together every morning. That is part of the Christian culture in Nigeria. When the lesson has been taught and prayers have been said, the girls come and curtsy in front of me and whatever other leader is present and say "Good morning, Aunty". That is the point when I start to wake up :) I will never tire of being called Aunty. Love it.

So Nicky has this fantastic idea to pack our bags with food and take the girls hiking. Now, Aunty Erin loves this kind of thing, but my lungs have not been in top shape recently. But I said, if 5 year old Faith is going, I am going. Plus I miss wearing pants and this was a great excuse to wear them! (Have to wear skirts all the time otherwise).


Faith insisted on carrying this backpack, for about ten minutes. Check
out the diva pose. The crocs (shoes) were a great gift to the kids by a visiting team.

Yeah, this picture is pretty cool. We are in dry season now, obviously.

Faith and I decided to stick together during this
hike. I ended up carrying her quite a bit. Funny
how Nicky, whose great idea it was to do this,
never carried her... hmm....

So we get to the top and are eating our snacks and I said to Nicky, "That was great! Halfway done." She died laughing and said, "Oh no! We still have lots more ahead!"Folks, I had a great time and these pics to boot, but dang I was feeling old.

Farmland - handmade borders dug by the owners.

The green trees that look like are painted in are Mango trees.

I just get a kick out of the beauty and vividness of God's creations. And I love how the bottom of the leaves and branches go across in a straight line.

Other News - Dee and Tilly arrived from Chicago today! They will be staying with me until they leave on the 1st. I am so blessed to have friends who love me and the kids so much to spend Christmas with us!

Merry Christmas from Nigeria !!!!!

Helping Ladi

Last week, GayLynn and I went out to a village to visit Ladi. She is a niece of one of our good friends, Danjuma, and she recently fell into a fire during a seizure. She has a history of seizures and the family believes that when a seizure happens, that she is possessed by demons. So, they concluded that medicine cannot help her. Now, I do believe that Satan can manifest himself in a seizure, but the most likely reason for seizures over a long period of time would be epilepsy.



Soon after she was burned, Danjuma went the village, pleading them to bring her into Jos for medical treatment, but they refused. GayLynn and I were really burdened for her, so we decided to travel there (about an hour away) and see if God would use us. GayLynn is an occupational therapist and has cared for many burn patients whose joints have been affected, so I was really glad she was there.


When we got there, Ladi was sitting in the doorway of the mud house, without a shirt on and flies buzzing all around her. GayLynn and I realized that it was not lack of love from the family, but lack of education. We spent time explaining to them all the reasons she really needed medical attention. God showed us favor, and His love for Ladi, and the parents agreed that she could come for help. This is a big commitment for her mom, as she has to stay with Ladi in the hospital. In Nigeria, each patient must have a family member present at all times to cook, to clean the patient, and care for them.



Ladi's wounds have been cleaned and GayLynn is working on helping Ladi to straighten her arms and fingers. Ladi's mind has been affected, perhaps by all the seizures, and so she has not been too cooperative. Please pray that she will understand the need to receive help. She looks young, but she has a one year old son waiting in the village for her.

This is the correct address to check out the pics!

http://webmissions.net/erinrigsby/media.htm

NEW PICS POSTED!!!

I spent hours getting all these new pics posted. So you have to look at them, ok?

The internet here in Nigeria has much to be desired, but I am still grateful because it allows me to share with you what's going on in my life.

Check 'em out at:

http://webmissions.net/erinrigsby/media.htm

On Tuesday I went to see the girls. I had not seen them in almost three weeks, due to my trip to Israel. When I pulled up, most of them were waiting for me and chanting "Aunty Erin, Aunty Erin" and tackled me as a I got out of the truck. I was told later that one of them even cried, she was so happy I am back. Crazy, huh, I mean, I am here to bless them and BAM they bless my socks off with their welcome!



Before I went to Israel, I met with them and encouraged them to look for a girl at school who needs a friend. On Tuesday, Kyauta runs up to me, holding a tattered letter. 'Aunty, this is from my friend.' Kyauta had befriended this girl, Veronica, and now they are friends! The tattered shape of the letter told me that this is a treasured possession for Kyauta. Three other girls alsoshowed me notes from their friends. :)

Faith, the cutie on the left of this pic, has a Muslim friend at school. At five years old, God can and will use the faith of a child!

Promise - Israel pics are coming!

Love from Israel

Tonight is my last night in Israel. It has been quite a ride in this Holy Land. God has rocked my world and taken me to a deeper understanding of His covenant love for me. I am just beginning to grasp how much He desperately loves me and passionately and jealously desires ALL of me. Every last dirty bit.

Selah.

I am excited to get back to my kids in Nigeria and pour out His love that He has poured into me.

More to come....

Shalom.

Birthdays and Braids

It is common for people in Nigeria to not know their birthdays. I have not completely figured out why - but one reason is that most families do not have money to celebrate birthdays and so, over the years, the actual date is forgotten. Because of the difficult backgrounds of many of our children, they do not know their birthdays. SO - the Crazy Texas Team, who come every October, started an annual tradition awhile back of having a general birthday party for all the kids. The team throws a party for the kids, complete with cake, ice cream and gifts.

Our girls were so delighted with their gift bags

Cutting of the Cake (look at the girls happy faces)

I also recently had my hair 'plaited', as we say here. I asked two of my Nigerian neighbors to do it for me. Because white folks hair is so silky, attachments have to be braided into the real hair so that the braids will last. It only took 4 hours! I say 'only' because I once had it done with really small, tight braids and it took 13 hours - for real. These mug shots are just so you can see the final product. :) I kept the braids in for two weeks.

The Other Kind of Tree

My last entry was about the planting of my tree in Gyero. The baby tree is struggling, thanks to the village goats who come by and eat the leaves. The girls assured me that they are chasing away the goats anytime they see them coming.

I just have to share with you about another kind of tree in Gyero. First, I have to say that lots of folks say the word s**t instead of 'poop' or '#2', as we say in the States. Not sure why, but that is how it is and it is acceptable. So, the other day Nicky was walking with a kid in the village and they were looking for a place to sit down. She saw a tree and said they should sit under it. "No Aunty!," the boy replied, 'that is the s**t tree!!!" Apparently, lots of kids do their business under the tree! :) And you can bet there is lots of grass growing under it, too.

Oh, village life. Nigerian life. I still find myself thinking 'is this for real?' or 'pinch me' - even after almost four years!

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