Divine Appointment

What is a 'Divine appointment'? It's when you cross paths with someone and you know, without a doubt, that God orchestrated it for a very specific purpose. Well, that's my definition and that's how I pray, that God will bring people across my path in ways I could not come up with, to achieve His plans in our lives.

Today's Divine appointment~ I've been borrowing a friends car, but she needed it this weekend. Church is too far away for me to walk, so I tried calling the cab company a few times, but never got through. I figured it would take awhile for me to get a cab on the street on a early Sunday morning, so I intended to get an early start. Well, if you know me, you know I am not a fast mover in the mornings, especially if I have not had enough coffee. So I finally got out the door and walked to the main street near my apartment. I looked up and down the street and no taxis were coming. Then I heard a honk and saw that a taxi was parked on the side of the road 'waiting' for me. (per God's agenda).

On the way to church, the driver asked me if The Moody Church has a lot of people (yes). He then asked if you have to wait in line to get a seat ( I explained no). He then asked me how I pray and what do I pray (so I briefly shared that because I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I talk to Him about everything, at any time).

By this point, I could tell he was interested and then I noticed that he had the Moody radio station turned on. So I asked him if he goes to church. Ajit* said that he used to go a lot, but then his wife stopped going and so he stopped going.

He said in all the 23 years of driving taxis, he has never had a woman in his cab going to church on Sunday mornings. (for REAL?) So now I was really interested and by this time, we had pulled up to the entrance, so we could really start talking.

Ajit is from India and is from a Muslim background. But a few years ago, one of his sons started attending a church in Chicago. One by one, all of his children, his wife, and then him started going to church and 'converted' from Islam. Ajit kept referring to his wife and I can tell the Lord has really used her in his life (ladies, don't give up!). I asked him if he reads the Bible and he said he cannot understand the 'thees', 'thous' and all that - Oh! So I wrote down that he should try out the New International Version and start in the book of John.

"When I am in church, I am a different person. When I am not in church, I am not happy." Ajit said.

So I encouraged him to bring his wife to Moody. I told him that all different nationalities and backgrounds are represented at Moody. I then asked him if I could pray for him and he responded enthusiastically!

Ajit said that he never stops and parks his cab, but for 'some reason' he did it this morning just before I crossed the street. :) I encouraged him that the Lord loves him so much and wanted to encourage him this morning.

I share this because I want to increase my faith - sharing God's work with others does that. I share this because Ajit needs prayer and I want to let you know about him. I share this because I want to encourage you to pray for Divine appointments - for God to use you in the lives of others as you go about your daily tasks. The more you pray for it, the more aware you are. The more aware you are, the more empowered you are to be used by God to accomplish His purposes!

God's plan for each life will be accomplished - with or without us. What a blessing that He wants to include you and me to reach out, to love, to be bold, to show compassion, to share Truth.

Let's keep inviting Him in to our days, our errands, our decisions.... and live in expectation to be used for His glory!

*not his real name

Favour's new life

Favour is 4 years old. She and her brother, Abraham, who is 9 years old, have endured things no child should. Their mother was a prostitute. When she would go to work, she would leave the children behind and tied Favour by her leg to the bedpost to keep her from leaving. Abraham was in charge of watching Favour each night. Last year, their mom suddenly died and a Nigerian woman from a local church took in the two orphans. However, her husband said that they could not care for Favour and Abraham, in addition to their own six children. The woman heard about City Ministries and in October 2008, Favour and Abraham moved into one of our Care Centers.

I just received news that Favour is doing really well and has just started preschool! Here are a few pictures taken on her first day of school.

Favour was rescued from a life of neglect, poverty and fear. She is now thriving in a safe, loving and Christ-centered environment. Favour now gets to go to school and play and laugh and eat three meals every day... the life that every child should have.

Pieces of the Tapestry

What is a Tapestry? It is a form of art, where all the individual pieces are hidden in the completed work.


Today, I saw a small thread of God's tapestry when His people gathered in a conference room on the 17th floor of a building in the heart of downtown Chicago. I saw mostly men, lawyers, who make it a priority to stop once and week and come together to encourage one another and to be taught from the Word. They dug into the Word, they asked questions, good discussions were going on, but all under incredible humility. In this corporate environment, all credentials were checked at the door as we all sat down to learn from the Word through the Holy Spirit and through each other.

The gentleman who approached me after church last week, had invited me to attend this study and to come as often as possible. He is brainstorming about how he can help me connect with some people who love Africa, people who have a passion for children and how they could possibly partner with City Ministries.

I left that meeting and hopped into a cab to take me across the river (you've see the scenes in the movies). It's gorgeous and frozen now. I hop out just after crossing the bridge and head to my next appointment and the next thread in the tapestry. I am joyfully embraced by a woman who's never met me face to face, but apparently has made use of my blog and website and is full of compassion for the lost and wants to come up with ways to improve their lives and also help them to grow in Christ. She has been praying for a long time for one woman to come and help her know how to start living overseas. (She thinks I may be the answer to her prayer!) She is really praying about going to Nigeria for a 6 weeks vision trip and seeing what God does through that in her life and how that could expand in many other ways. We had a great chat over yummy broccoli, hummus, and cashews, with her dog laying by the fire.

These are ways that God is interweaving His threads in the tapestry of life. It is beautiful, to step back and see, but it is a limited view because all of us have our own piece that is being created. And one day, we will be in speechless awe when we can view how our every day decisions really impact so many others actions because we are all created equal and in that creativity, the uniqueness we each possess, the uniqueness that gets us off the boat and into the water, the gift that allows us to do something we never thought possible, that prayer that renews hope, that justice that saves one from despair... all the heartbeat of ONE... our Audience of ONE. When, in fact, we are His Audience as He moves, creates, refines, burns, tears, restores His children so that we are where we are to fulfill His purpose for us in that little piece of the tapestry.

Piece by piece by piece, we start to see His plans, purposes and reasons. A limited view, yes, but we are allowed enough to be encouraged to keep adding to the tapestry of our lives so that He can complete the Masterpiece.... and then we can all go Home.

Until then, my piece.... your piece... woven through our obedience to His Holy Spirit who guides and instructs. Making decisions that unselfishly do not meet our needs, but look to the needs of others. Our pieces woven through tears, sacrifice, loss, joy, hope, fun, good health, poor health... There IS a purpose to it all! It is not all for nothing! Oh the beautiful love of Jesus. So simple, free and available to all. Accept His love and watch Him use your past and present experiences to weave a beautiful tapestry and then hands it over to you to continue. He has the Plan and knows the End. But He wants us to experience the joy of hearing His voice and obeying Him and seeing how our actions can very positively affect people around us. He wants us to see that we may feel insecure or unable to accomplish anything. But He reminds us that He has just given us a small piece of the tapestry (of the picture) and that is all we are responsible for now. He'll give us more when we are ready. More opportunities, more of those out-of-the-comfort-zone times, more challenges, more victories.... all part of the plan of His Ultimate Plan for His Kingdom.

Thank, You , Lord for being so detail oriented and for giving us the incredible honor to see how You connect people, places, ideas, strategies, creativity, resources.... all for the end game, the completed work of Your tapestry...
That every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He took it !!

On December 13th, I wrote a blog and titled it 'He can take it'. I shared my struggle with the financial needs of the ministry and how I knew I was depending too much on myself to try and fix the problem. That's so American, by the way, to try and fix everything. :) I am praying that I will focus more on relationships than on tasks, but that is a challenge here in this task-driven society. Well, God knows my heart....

Anyways, the reason I was so burdened on the 13th, was because I was sharing about the ministry at The Moody Church Christmas Festival on the 14th. To about 4,000 people. Yeah.

I rarely ever get nervous in public speaking, so the fact that I was nervous made me even more nervous. That's why I knew I needed to take it to Him, and let Him take it from me. And boy, did He take it!!!

Yesterday in church, Pastor Lutzer shared how, in the 30 years of being at pastor at Moody, he had never said something about the people of Moody Church . He had never said that he is proud of them. But, he decided it is time to say he is proud of the church! Then he called me up on stage (took me by surprise) and said "At the Christmas Festival, Erin shared that City Ministries needs $50,000 to help feed the kids. We did not get $50,000. This morning, your bulletin says we got $62,000. We did not get $62,000. In fact, we raised $76,500!!!"
(again, took me by surprise). :)

Is that not just the coolest, most wonderful display of generosity from God's people? Especially taking into consideration the economic issues. This testifies that God is not bound by earthly things and that His purposes will be accomplished! It is up to us if we want to be a part of His plans.

I am so thankful to Pastor Erwin Lutzer (pictured here on the night of the Festival) for his support, compassion, and love for City Ministries Nigeria. The people of The Moody Church have sacrificially given, so very generously, so that the children in Nigeria can know that they will get three meals every day for the next year.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. ~ Malachi 3:10

Watching the video

For all of the folks who subscribe to this blog and automatically get the new entries...
Apparently when you got the one I sent a couple days ago, the video may not have shown up in your inbox.
Please click HERE to see it.
Sorry about that. Was the first time I've ever posted a video.

Take a 4 Minute Trip to Nigeria

You are formally invited to take a brief journey to Nigeria! I would love to take this opportunity to bring the children of City Ministries into your home. May the hope, love and peace in their faces encourage you and bless your hearts. So turn up the volume on your speakers, sit back, relax and enjoy this exciting trip to Nigeria!




Sara Groves is singing the song in this video, called "I Saw What I Saw".... She wrote it after her visit to Rwanda.

I saw what I saw and I can't forget it
I heard what I heard and I can't go back
I know what I know and I can't deny it
Something on the road, cut me to the soul
Your pain has changed me
Your dream inspires
Your face a memory
Your hope a fire
Your courage asks me what I'm afraid of (what I am made of) and what I know of love.

Words cannot express the gratitude the children and we in the ministry have for all of the people who have partnered with us; in prayer, finances, resources, visits, emails, gifts, encouraging words.... Because of you, we can continue caring for the 350 + children in our Care Centers.

Because of you:
~ they get 3 hot, nutritious meals a day
~ their school fees are paid for each term
~ they receive medical care
~ they have a blanket and a bed to call their own
~ they have clean clothes and shoes and take a bath every day
~ they are loved by Nigerians who live with them, teach them the Word of God, and provide a
safe place for them to call Home
~ they are being equipped to be future Christian leaders in Nigeria

Without you:
~ they would go hungry
~ they would be illiterate and uneducated
~ they would be constantly sick with malaria, giardia, typhoid, etc
~ they would be sleeping on the streets
~ their clothes would be torn and dirty and their bodies would be covered in filth
~ they would be taken advantage of, could turn to a life of crime and violence, and would not be protected from the evils of abuse and street life
~ they would possibly be without the hope, life and eternal salvation through Jesus Christ

Click here to help us contine caring for the children we already have, and to allow more children to come off the streets, away from abuse, out of despair....and into a family of love and protection! After you fill out the form, you'll be directed to another page... Designate your gifts 'Erin Rigsby - Ministry Account' -- and you can be assured whatever amount you give will directly impact the lives of these children.

He can take it

Why is it that I tend to take the responsibility on my shoulders? Responsibility for my friends' well-being, the stranger who does not know Christ, the decisions that other people make that will impact their own lives, the health of our kids in Nigeria, the ever-increasing and oh, so burdening needs we have to care for all these kids.... (this last one is really weighing on me). It's like I somehow feel that in my feeble, limited, and biased understanding of life, that I can actually have the power within these bones and marrow to really make a difference. I mean, why would I trust this body and mind that are decaying minute by minute, have failed me time and time again, and continue to drive me nuts by their weakness... and yet I still have a tendency to think "Ok, Self, let's get to it, make this work, get things done, make a difference." Geez, what pride and ignorance and just plain stupidity. Now, I am not condemning myself here, just stating the facts. And I am really just reminding myself that I am not able to do anything of eternal value within my own strength, intellect, ability, or even determination. Everything done within my own 'strength' will get burned up and won't last. I am reminded tonight that Eternal Significance is not what is seen, but what is unseen. What a relief to know that the things I see, that you see, are not really all there is. There is more, oh so much more!!!

Father, please forgive me for even thinking for a second that I can accomplish anything of eternal worth apart from You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who instructs, convicts, and guides. I don't want to be the same person day after day. In my inmost being, I want to grow, to be molded, to decrease in my selfish ambitions and vain deceit. How foolish of me to get anxious about finances in our ministry - they are YOUR children whom You have brought to us and You will take care of them! You love them as much as You love me. You love me as much as You love them! I receive Your love and forgiveness and pray that not by my meek might, nor by my pathetic power, but by Your Spirit will You move mountains and show Yourself mighty in Power, Provision, and Peace! In the Name of Jesus, the Name Above All Names, I pray. Amen and Amen.

Life lessons

I recently found out that I have been medically cleared to return to Nigeria! My doctors and SIM discussed my situation and agreed that I may return in May/June next year. Until then, I will work for SIM in Chicago as a recruiter and a mentor to people preparing to go into missions.

My journey the past 7 months has been an arduous, yet beautiful one. When I went in the hospital for my lung surgery, my doctor said I may never get to return to Nigeria. Oh, how my heart broke and I literally cried out to God from my hospital bed. "Why, Lord, would You give me such an intense passion for the children, only to take it away? Why, Lord, when You ask for people to go into the world, would you keep me from going?" I was confused, angry, and felt at a loss for words to what was going on in my heart. There were days when I just wanted to ignore God and not talk to Him, to just live my own life. Oh, praise HIM! for not allowing my heart to harden. Even in the dark moments, by His strength, I kept the lines of communication open with Him. I told Him exactly how I was feeling at that moment. If I was angry at Him, He knew. If I was tempted to rebel, He knew. Although in His infinite power He already knew my heart, He loved and continues to love to hear me tell it to Him. This brings the emotions, doubts and fears to the surface and into the light. When truth is exposed, darkness has no power - it must flee in the presence of light.

I admit that at first, I was a very determined lady. I insisted, to anyone who asked, that I was definitely going back to Nigeria. I could not imagine otherwise. Over the weeks of a slow and painful physical recovery, my spirit was also recovering. The Lord promises to heal us, but not necessarily physically. His utmost desire is that we love Him above ourselves and that we love His people. In His gentle way, He revealed to me that to move forward in any way, without His blessing, would not only be foolish, but potentially dangerous. Were my desires His desires? Were my thoughts His thoughts? Was I really willing to obey Him, even if it meant not allowing me to see my children in Nigeria again, my dogs, my house, my dear friends? It was not an easy or fast process. God used His people, His Word, and His voice on many occasions to speak truth in the midst of my storm of emotions.

Over the months, through the lessons I was learning, I began to feel waves of peace and contentment. I desperately wanted to hold onto them, but then I would look at pictures of Nigeria, or I would have a difficult time breathing, and then discouragement would come again. God really does not want us to let our feelings dictate the way we live and the decisions we make. We are emotional beings, but so many times I find that my emotions are so much all over the place that I can't trust myself. Good. Oh, that I will not trust in man, money, health, circumstances... that my decisions and passions should come from knowing Him, from desiring Him, from trusting Him -- the One who created me and knows me so much better than I know myself.

By the time I went for a week of hospital tests in Colorado in October, I was full of contentment and peace and really expected to be told that I could not return to Nigeria. Of course, I still really wanted to return, but since God had been teaching me so many lessons, I figured it was to prepare me to really let go of my life in Nigeria. So, you can imagine my surprise when the doctor told me that he would clear me to go back to Nigeria. I have 'constrictive bronchiolitis', meaning that my lungs trap air and don't expel it as efficiently as they should. However, he feels that it is mild and should not worsen. The dry season in Nigeria (Oct - April) would irritate and cause coughing, so that is why I am not returning until May/June.

Life lessons have been taught to me by Jehovah Rapha, our God Who Heals. I praise Him that I was able to discern His voice, to continue communicating with Him, to daily/hourly choose to let go.... and in letting go, I have received His heart's desire for me... for I am His heart's desire. And so are you.



"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your steadfast love be upon us, O Lord, be upon us, even as we trust in You." Psalm 33:20-22.

New Girls

In the past few weeks, I have learned about the new girls who have arrived in our Care Center.
Although I have not had the opportunity to meet them yet, I am already drawn to them and love them dearly. Their faces and their stories are heart-breaking, yet hope-giving... The Lord took them out of painful and hopeless surroundings and brought them to a new home where they are loved and protected.


Favor is 3 1/2 years old. We usually take in children who are older, but her situation was very traumatic. She arrived last week with her 9 year old brother. Favor's mother was a single parent and a prostitute who lived on her own with no contact to any family. She used to go to work at night and would tie Favor to the bed post with string so that she would not wander. Then at Christmas time last year, their mother suddenly died and never left any provision for them.

A lady from the local church who had tried to befriend the mother took them in, but as she has six children of her own, her husband gave her the ultimatum either them or him....so...amongst much sadness she brought them to us. Here is precious Favor... what a fitting name for the way the Lord has bestowed Favor on this young child!

Patience a sweet, 10 year old. She is an orphan who was brought into the ministry because she was neglected by her relatives.



Rose, a spunky ten year old, is an orphan was brought to the ministry after her life was at risk from her family and her community because of her involvement in a cult.




Happy and Sandra, funny little sisters, ages 6 and 9, were brought to us by their aunt who took them out of a broken, polygamous home.




Although these girls and the rest of the children are across the world from me, I think of them and dream about them all the time. This passion in my soul, this burning to help them and to love them, it seems to consume me... this need to serve our Father and love His children is slightly quenched when I can share their stories with you.

Choose to refuse

Our God has a sense of humor. I flipped open the wonderful devotional "Jesus Calling" to the 'wrong' days entry, but the first few words caught my eyes, so I read it and was put in my place. Many of us are in a place of unknown and questions and I hope this will encourage you as much as it encouraged me....

"Trust Me and refuse to worry, for I am your Strength and Song. You are feeling wobbly this morning, looking at difficult times ahead, measuring them against your own strength. However, they are not today's tasks - or even tomorrow's. So leave them in the future and come home to the present, where you will find Me waiting for you. Since I am your Strength, I can empower you to handle each task as it comes. Because I am your Song, I can give you Joy as you work alongside Me.

Keep bringing your mind back to the present moment. Among all my creatures, only humans can anticipate future events. This ability is a blessing, but it becomes a curse whenever it is misused. If you use your magnificent mind to worry about tomorrow, you cloak yourself in dark unbelief. However, when the hope of heaven fills your thoughts, the Light of My Presence envelops you. "

(Exodus 15:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 10:23)

Wow. Chew on that for a little bit and digest it, so that you choose to refuse to worry. Choose to refuse. Choose to refuse. Choose to refuse.

Miracle's do happen

Earlier this year I introduced Miracle to my blog readers. She was found as a newborn, lying in dirt with a dog chewing on her umbilical cord. For the full story, see the entry on Jan 28,2008.
This is the picture she and I took together when she was two months old.


I fell in love with her and would see her often to love on her and watch her grow. Nicky sent me these pictures of her now. Is she not just the most adorable thing??? You can see why Aunty Erin is really really missing her. She is now 10 months old and has started to walk !!! she didn't bother crawling just got up and walked...she is such a beautiful little girl it is so hard to imagine why someone should want to abandon her, but God had other plans for her life....and she is...





a walking Miracle.

In Nashville

Greetings from Nashville... I arrived here yesterday to visit a dear friend, Jessica. She and I met our first week at Univ. of Mary Hardin-Baylor back in 1996, and have been close ever since. During my furlough a couple years ago, I was blessed to be a bridesmaid in her wedding to David White.  This weekend David is gone, so we're having lots of fun catching up, drinking lots of coffee, playing with her dogs, and enjoying the mild Nashville weather.  

My time in Chicago was very good for me emotionally, spiritually and physically. I still get tired easily, so it was nice to have the time to pace myself as I met with lots of people over the 5 weeks I was there. The weather was incredible, except for the 2 very rainy days when Ike came through - yep it even reached Chicago!  Being around my friends really lifted my spirits and made me feel 'alive' again. They encouraged me and loved on me through their words and actions. I stayed in Sue Cortolillo's apartment, the same place where I lived before I went to Nigeria in 2003! So I felt completely at home. My favorite place in her home is the window seat and since she lives on the second floor, the windows look out right onto the trees. I spent hours sitting there thinking, praying and thinking some more. God was near to me and met me in my mixed emotions of joy, confusion, anxiety, excitement, and anticipation.

A friend sent me a small devotional book called "Jesus Calling".  Here is an excerpt:

"I did not design the human mind to figure out the future. That is beyond your capability.  I crafted your mind for continual communication with Me.  Bring me all your needs, your hopes and fears.  Commit everything into my care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of Peace." 

 1 Peter 5:6-7, Proverbs 16:9, Psalm 37:5

Eyes that see

I could not know, would not know. I could not know how Africa would touch me, bend me, remold my heart. Sometimes there is a place you do not know about, but it is still there, outside your knowledge. When you reach this place you change, and you wonder how you could possibly have lived without the knowledge of it inside you. For everything I see now is through eyes that could not see before, ears that did not hear, and a heart that would not understand...*

* taken from 'Into the Nevernight' by Anne de Graaf

some pictures courtesy of Jamie, fellow missionary in Nigeria. www.jamiehigbee.blogspot.com

Days in Dallas

I finally felt good enough to drive to Dallas last week. I have good friends in the area, so I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. First, I went to Becca’s apartment to get ready for Jennie’s shower. Now, Becca and I live in our flip flops, so we were debating what to wear. Then we thought of what Jennie would wear (so glad she sent me a picture) and figured that it was time for us to toss the flops and grab the heels. When we arrived, however, we saw a lady come out of the house wearing a casual outfit, which kinda threw us for a loop. We debated on going back to change into jeans, but instead decided to hold our heads high and walk inside like we knew everyone (knew no one). Yeah for Dallas Wedding Showers! Everyone (except Capri Chick) were looking good, so we fit right in. ;) Taco Cabana catered the meal, so we chowed down (delicately) amongst roses, candlelight, music and strangers. Jennie is a wonderful, godly woman who will be marrying an amazing man, Roy. We were blessed to be a small part of her celebration.

Christine and her family spent 2 years in Nigeria. It was wonderful to catch up with her.

Etc.... I enjoyed being a part of Prom Week at the Dallas Market. Many of the dresses had corsets. Beautiful, but difficult to lace up quickly. Got the hang of it and really enjoyed getting to know the other girls. Many of them are Christians, so that really gave the atmosphere one of laughter and peace. In that kind of environment, jealousy and competition usually reign, but we were so busy telling the models how gorgeous they looked in the dresses, laughing when we could not get the corsets tied in time and had to walk with the model to the curtain while trying to get the thing tied at the same time!, and getting to know one another, that it was a very positive experience.

Jennifer and I met for Indian food at Roti Grill. It was great to catch up with her. It's amazing how we can just pick up right where we left off. Since we've known each other since kindergarten, we have a lot of history and a strong friendship.

I was blessed to see Julie, a friend from nursing school. While enjoying incredible Kung Pao Chicken at Asian Mint, we shared our nursing experiences since graduation and laughed at memories of nursing school - oh, that time of our lives was so full of stress and fear and late nights and coffee. Lots of coffee.

Vi Hanson is such a precious and powerful prayer warrior. She is in her 80's, I think, and is just as sweet as can be. I inadvertently surprised her (miscommunication) by showing up at her door. But she welcomed me with such joy and a gorgeous smile, which stayed on her face the whole time! Christ's love pours out of her and I was so blessed and honored to be in her presence. If only I will grow up to be like her.

Much love and thanks to Jana, the Whites, Becca, and all who loved on me. It was a great trip.

Today I fly to Chicago, thanks to wonderful medicine and powerful prayers. Please pray that my lungs will hold up well during the flight (first since my surgery).

Off to Dallas

I am so excited about my trip to Dallas. I am leaving today and will be back in Salado next Thursday. I won't get to see all my friends in Dallas, but am happy about the full schedule ahead.

Tonight - Wedding shower for a good friend from college, Jennie Clay
Sunday - hanging out with Becca Webb and watching lots of the Olympics
Monday - meet up with Jessica (Hobratsch) White at the Dallas Market. She is a model for 'Prom Week' (even though she is 30! - she looks amazing!) and I get to help dress her backstage all day Monday and Tuesday. Monday evening - dinner with Jennie and Becca
Tuesday - work all day. Dinner with Jennifer Burrows, friends since kindergarten!
Wednesday - in the morning I will spend some time with Vi Hanson and Louise White, some sweet older women who are two of my prayer warriors. For lunch, will meet up with Julie Birdsong, friend and study partner during nursing school. In the afternoon, will drive to Rockwall and crash for a nice nap at Jana Tucker's house. In the evening, will go to CAbi at Janice White's, hosted by Christine Rothchild (whose family were in Nigeria for 2 years) to help raise money for our kids! Sleep at Jana's.
Thursday - meeting with team leaders from Crazy Texas Team from Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. This amazing team has been going to Nigeria twice every year for 6 or 7 years! Drive home!

I'm so thankful for this time of connecting, encouraging, supporting and just having fun!

Letters and Life

I know the kids and staff of City Ministries in Nigeria have been fasting and praying for me ever since I left in April - well, they have not been fasting that whole time! But, they are seriously amazing prayer warriors and I am so incredibly blessed to have them lifting me up. A couple weeks ago I wrote a letter to them, which included pictures, and made 200 copies of it. In the letter I thanked them for praying and also shared with them what God is teaching me. I sent the letters with the Chicago team. Today I received pictures that Nicky took when she handed the letters out to the girls. She said the girls 'were so excited. They were dancing around and all trying to read at once.'


The first two pictures show the girls in their yard, looking at my letter.






Here is the 'grandmother' of the girls. She's a widow, who prayed for 3 years for God to give her a ministry. God brought her to us earlier this year to help care for our girls. Here she is, returning from collecting firewood, with the girls showing her the letter I wrote. I love this picture!


Nicky said that they have all written me back already and I'll get their letters when the Chicago team returns. Yeah!!

I have not always been so good at taking action shots, and I love how these pictures show the girls in their environment. Very African. :)

Also, I am amazed at how much impact we can have on people's lives, without even realizing it. These girls have blessed me so much and I have learned many things from them. God has given me such deep love for them that it hurts - I suppose it may be similar to the love a mom has for her own children. Like these girls watched every move I made, heard every word I said, and noticed every facial expression while I was in their presence.... we are being watched every day. People all around us are seeking peace, joy, love and satisfaction. Are they seeing these characteristics in our faces and our lives? ... In the lines at Target, while waiting for our food at a restaurant, while pumping gas, during church? I definitely need to step up my personal time with the Lord. Only during those quiet moments will I really become filled with His Holy Spirit and then these characteristics will overflow out of a heart who knows her Master and worships Him through her life.

Off to school...

This time of year, many of you are buying all the things that you or your child will need to go back to school for the new year: Bags, pencil cases, pens, socks, shoes etc…

In City Ministries, Nigeria, we also have to get our children ready to start back to school... all 300 of them !!!

And so we are asking as you purchase items for your child or relatives, please consider helping us, too!

It costs us approximately $ 150 per year / per child to provide the equipment and clothing needed for school, as nothing is provided for the children at school except a teacher !!!

** GO Nigeria," a U.S. based non-profit organization, is providing a $50 matching grant for each $100 donated for school fees/books. **

Mail your tax-deductible checks to: GO Nigeria, Memo: children's educational needs

P.O. Box 1176, Rowlett,Texas 75030-1176

Name them one by one

There are a handful of blogs that I check on a regular basis. If these folks don't regularly post something, I get frustrated. Especially since they are mostly in Nigeria, working with the kids I love and miss so terribly much, and their blogs make me feel closer to 'home'. Then I started thinking that maybe I should be better at posting snippets myself. :)

Today I went back to the 'Pain Clinic' - yep, that is its name. The good 'ol nerves that got damaged thanks to the chest tubes are going to be acting up for awhile, so I have to stay on top of them, or the pain is pretty intense. If you have had Shingles, then you know what I am talking about. Let me back up.... about a month ago I got my first round of 6 injections of steroids in my side (!). However, those did not work (!). A dear man from my church in TX had been keeping close tabs on me, since he is an anesthesiologist and a supporter of mine. A week after the 6 shots, I was pretty miserable. I called him on a Sunday evening and asked if he would be able to work me in to see someone in the morning (never hurts to ask). He told me he'd call me right back. When he called, he asked how long it would take me to get to the hospital. I paused, waiting, and then said, 'You mean, now?' - it was 8pm on a Sunday. So my dad drove me to a back entrance, where this precious man met us and took us back to the surgery department, where his colleague was on-call that night. One hour and 10 more injections later, I walked out of there with bad memories of the injections, but feeling oh so good. Back to today... although I was feeling pretty good, the doctor suggested I go ahead and get more injections (10 more!) so that I will feel pretty much pain-free for awhile. Yeah for that!...

Also, Aunty Erin got to talk to about 20 of her boys in Nigeria today! That was a wonderful 2 hours and money very well spent, I tell you. They just encouraged me so much. One of the younger ones got very serious and said 'Aunty, I have a verse for you. It is Psalm 3:4 'To the Lord, I cry out and He answers me from His holy hill.' Is that not precious or what? They are all so excited about camp, which will be in a couple weeks....

The Chicago Moody Church team is all ready to head out to Nigeria on Friday. I have been so blessed to be a part of the camp preparations on this end of things. I co-directed the camp last year with my co-worker Elisha. In my absence, my dear friend Nicky has stepped up and has done an amazing job getting things prepared. A lot of the camp info was stuck in my head and not on a computer file...so, emails have flown back and forth and phone calls galore - and things are looking good. I had a lot of fun shopping for supplies, games, prizes, etc for the team to take over (about 70 pounds worth of stuff !)....

I am also so thankful that I am feeling so much better (26 shots later:) and signed up for a month's membership at a fitness center here in Salado. Today was my second day and I am sore, but very happy to be rehabilitating myself. As I have said to many and now it is coming back to kick me..... if you don't take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others.

It's been a good day. It really does help to count your blessings, name them one by one.....

I miss the girls....

I miss the sweet, sweet girls. The highlight of my week is when I would drive out to Gyero on Tuesday afternoon's and spend the night. To get there, I drive down a highway for about 20 minutes. Then I turn off onto a dirt road full of potholes and dust (or mud in the rainy season)--- and beautiful farmland and birds and hills--- for another 15 minutes. One of my favorite things was when I would drive up to the concrete wall surrounding the girls compound and all of them would come running to my truck saying 'Aunty Erin, Aunty Erin' and I would get 10 hugs and smiles. Then they would follow me around to the back of my truck and 'help' me open it. I would usually have lots of stuff with me (pillow, blanket, bag, activities for the girls, food) and so the girls would all want to carry something for me. We would then walk to their little building , where there are 2 rooms us missionary gals sleep in.

We would dump everything in there and then play until it got dark. I loved just sitting with them and listening to them laugh and let them play with my hair and sit on my lap.

In the evening, the older girls would help Mama (staff mother) cook dinner in one pot over the fire. We usually had rice and beans and I would dish it out in their tin bowls. They would come to me one at a time and after I served them, they would do a little curtsy, a cultural sign of respect. Then we would all sit on the floor and eat rice and beans (I usually just ate a little and then had a snack in my room later :). I loved how, when they finished eating, one by one they would say 'Thank you, Aunty', 'Thank you, Mama', curtsying to us as they do so. Very cute!! By that time it would be dark, so we'd gather in a little room they called the 'Parlor', to play games.

When bedtime came, we all went into their room, where they climbed into their bunkbeds. The little ones slept two by two (their choice and Oh, so adorable!). We all would cover our heads with a headtie before our nightly devotional (a cultural sign of respect to God). Then one of the girls would lead us in some songs (their voices are so beautiful). I would share from the Bible and they would share their memory verses and then we all prayed. A wonderful result of our time together - one of the first times I was out there, I encouraged the girls to pray about having a friend at school who they can encourage and even witness to. Over the months, the girls would show me letters their new friends had written to them, they shared how they prayed with their friends, and even a few girls witnessed to their M friends!

God really loves every single person all over the world and will use whomever is willing to share about His love! After devotions, I would tuck each of them in and kiss each of them on the forehead before leaving their room.

As part of the Nigerian Christian culture, we would wake up at 6am and have devotions again (well, the church bell would ring at 5am to combat the M call the prayer at the other end of the village - so that always woke us up first!) It was so precious and a wonderful way to start the day. After this, the girls would get busy sweeping the compound (swept dirt really does look better), making their beds, and then would run to the bathing building (made of concrete). They would line up and Mama Sati would scrub the little ones down from head to toe. The would just crouch down and let her have at them - it was adorable! The water had been warmed over the fire and was put into buckets and carried to the bath house. After a girl was finished, she would run back, dripping wet, with a towel wrapped around her and wait in the parlor until all of the were in there. Then they would start putting Vaseline all over each other's body's! This actually really keeps their skin beautiful and all Nigerians do this. After that we got them all ready for school and sent them off.

Here's a pic of the 'original 10', plus a staff child. The girls center opened Dec. 2006. The ministry decided to care for the first group of 10 for a long time before adding more. Of course, there are many more orphans and abused children in the Jos area, but we really wanted to go slowly so that we cared for each girl properly and thoughtfully. Right after I left, 3 new girls were added. I wish I could be there, but I know that many are praying for them. I've been blessed to see how many people love these precious girls who live in a village in Nigeria. In the above picture, a 90+ year old woman handmade the hats, each taking 8 hours! Other people have shown love by sending letters and funding projects. One team brought Crocs for all the kids! A perfect shoe to have in a village climate.

Loving the children in our ministry (almost 400 of them total!) is definitely a team effort and requires lots of hands and hearts to thrive. Although I miss these precious girls, I know the Lord will provide for their every need.

Suffering and Surrender

My mind is always going a mile a minute. It seems I am constantly thinking about Nigeria, the differences of life in America, the blessings I have, the pain I am feeling (physical and emotional), frustration, grief (missing Nigeria SO much), gratitude for all the love and support from family, friends and supporters, anger at being limited physically, joy when playing cards with my mom or having a good chat with my dad, laughter with my brother who makes funny comments with a smirk.... My prayers have consisted of tears, thanksgiving, questions, anger, asking for help to surrender, to trust, to obey, to listen to His voice... but God has not been speaking to me in ways I sometimes hope (I want Him to tell me what is next in my life and what to expect). However, He keeps asking me/telling me to surrender. At first I was like - hello, I did surrender! You plead for workers for the harvest, and I went and I love it and I am desperate to go back. How prideful of me.

But He has gently been teaching me over the past few months that it really is a daily surrender - I now understand Hebrews 13:5 - a sacrifice of praise - trusting and praising Him even if I don't feel like it and that it is to be daily (Romans 12).

A year ago a friend told me about a book, 'Hinds Feet on High Places'. When I was on my way home in April, God told me to read the book. I dragged my feet (because I figured whatever He wanted to teach me from it would require obedience :0) because once He speaks, you gotta respond.)....., but finally ordered it. I am so glad I did.

It is an allegory about a character 'Much Afraid' who has two traveling companions 'Sorrow' and 'Suffering'. (hmmm) They are on a journey to get to the High Places, where the Shepherd lives and promises joy and freedom. They face many obstacles, including traveling through a desert, with the High Places out of sight.

When they reach the desert, Much Afraid cries out to the Shepherd, "You really mean that I am to follow that path down and down into that wilderness and then over that desert, away from the mountains indefinitely? Why ( and there was a sob of anguish in her voice ) it may be months, even years before that path leads me back to the mountains again. O Shepherd, do You mean it is indefinite postponement?'

The Shepherd replied 'It is only postponement for the best to become possible... Do you love Me enough to accept the postponement and the apparent contradiction of the promise and go down there with me into the desert?'

He was leading her away from her heart's desire altogether and gave no promise at all as to when He would bring her back.

Much Afraid replied with tears and trembling, "Even if You cannot tell me why it has to be, I will go with You, for You know that I do love You, and You have the right to choose for me anything that You please." pgs 109,110

The last couple months have been a roller coaster of emotions, as various people offer their advice about what decision I should make regarding living in Nigeria. At first, and at times still do, I blocked them out because they were not saying what I wanted to hear.

But as I pray, read the Word and this book, I am constantly convicted that I need to trust the Lord. I don't know what He wants yet, in regards to my living in Nigeria. But I do know what He requires of me now, and I pray He gives me the strength to obey.

Here are a few quotes in the accompanying devotion that have jumped out at me:

"One way to suffer is to have what you do not want, and want what you do not have."pg.113

"If we hold anything to ourselves, refusing to give it to Jesus, or if we do not obey a request He makes of us, then that has blocked His voice to us. We need to give those things to Him and get back into His companionship."pg.119

"He will never waste our sorrows... Let me never be found resisting what you are birthing or bringing forth in me."pg.117

One day at a time, right? That's what He commands of us. Thank goodness.