Into Africa

Our family left Wenatchee on a cold 14 degree Thursday afternoon, drove to Seattle for a wonderful but brief dinner with family and a couple friends, and began our trek to Emi-woro on Friday. God provided a way for our many pieces of luggage to arrive at the airport at 8 a.m. (thanks Kevin), so Devin left the house and enjoyed a very organized rush hour for the last time for two years! The boys and I were able to sleep in, have breakfast, and spend extra time with family, arriving at the airport at 10:30, just about the time the ticket counter opened.

Our next blessing was when we learned the flight was very full and the information we had about Devin’s guitar being counted as a carry on was not going to be true that day. We were troubled by the cost of the extra bag ($250!!), not because it wasn’t in our budget, but because the Lord had provided a way for us to take everything we thought we might wish for at almost no charge. The January team is bringing a library of books and other extras for us for free. This would free our budget up to bring the shipment of donated goods from the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church up from Lagos to Emi-woro when its container will finally arrive. We had trouble getting our carry-ons to 18 pounds the week before and had decided to go ahead and spend $250 once – not too bad for two years out of the country – but now $500?? Yikes! When we got to the gate, we were charged only $200 J

It takes a long time to fly from Seattle to Frankfurt – about 10 hours – but this is not long enough to need sleep if you are Ben Myers, even on Benadryl. Devin got some great sleep, and Jack got an hour or two, and Ben and I had a great time enjoying the videos and the in-flight computer. It showed the time remaining, where the plane was on the globe, and other interesting things like outside air temperature. I expected a long nap for the Frankurt to Abuja leg of the flight, which was just under 6 hours. No such thing. Just a few winks for Ben and I. It was the peace of God which surpasses all understanding that let us fly through customs, receive help immediately and step through to find Phyllis and Clement waiting. Ahhhhh, Africa!

The boys had some pretty good enthusiasm! In God’s mercy the timing of our trip is the best even in the small things. This is the coolest and driest time of the year! Jack said he enjoys the feeling of the air. Traffic is crazy, as was reported. The trip in to the airport had Phyllis and Clement stuck in a traffic jam for four hours, but our travel was without interruption. God is already answering my personal prayer about the exhaust. I had been somewhat sensitive to exhaust, especially diesel, for years, and you throw in a bunch of dust and my body was not feeling the best after the short drive Saturday. The next day was equally thick, and I had no problem!

There was no option for two beds, or rollaways at the hotel, so we enjoyed a good night’s sleep in a bed for four after bucket showers (Ben and Jack love that!). Actually, I hardly slept (this theme is continuing) because of the guests in the hall, the generator out the window… Thankfully, I had plenty of time to pray with much thanksgiving!

We slept a little late and had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, and when we arrived in Emi-woro, we had missed church. Still, many people were milling about and we greeted many, many people throughout the day. We were served a wonderful afternoon meal of roast and potatoes! Our caterer, Pastor Bassey, made us feel very welcome and very full! Before the night fell, the boys were playing with many children, with Ben on the perimeter and Jack taking charge. Devin was welcomed back as a friend, and I was loved on as a long lost Auntie.

We know that we are in the right place at the right time, and we are listening for direction. Phyllis leaves early Friday morning for the US, so we have much to learn, many people to meet, but it is God’s plan, His place, and He is in control.