a great day

Today began with a visit to the Fulani camp “inside inside.”  I was giggling as the two Nigerians (our nurse and Pastor John) kept exclaiming how “this is far-o,” and “this is bush.”  It seems they hadn’t ever been so off the beaten path.  Pastor John started to envision becoming chief of all the area, since the land was unclaimed.  When they learned we are taking the bus out that rough road twice a day they were in disbelief.  Of course, a trip like that is no thing to Phyllis.  We think she may be more of an indigene than most Nigerians.  We spent about 3 hours doing a medical visit.  We played with some big dice, wrote in the sand, played parachute and looked at books with the children while Nurse Lucy administered love and care and Pastor John translated.  We are celebrating that he came out to a camp to minister!

 

We came back and about a half hour later, went down to have “Easter dinner” with the boarding students, Mr. Chukwuma’s family, and Baba Umaru.  Some travel home tomorrow, and the rest by Friday, for Easter break.    We splurged ($25) on a chunk of beef and had a wonderful meal of meat, rice and “stew,” or sauce AND “minerals” or Cokes AND cabin biscuits which are a staple cookie-ish type thing.  We used a Bible Big Book to tell the Easter story, adding a lot of detail, explaining a lot of words, and being translated into Fufulde (Fulani language) by Salihu, so that everyone could understand.  Then I very briefly told my journey.  I was a little girl when I first believed in who Jesus was, but as I study the Bible more, I am amazed at the perfection of God’s plan.  It’s because of this sharing of these truths and the amazing plan that I am even in Nigeria, I told them.  Salihu said “one thing I see about Christians, this I know… even if bad or sad things happen, it’s like Christians are always feeling happy.”  That let me talk about calling ourselves Christian vs. having so much trust in God and peace of the Holy Spirit that we don’t have to be happy to have joy.  It was so great.

 

Of course, it is 115 degrees…

 

So, we have an hour or so to cool off before we (missionaries and Pastors’ kids) get to practice for the Easter drama we are doing for assembly Friday.  I am having a great day!  Join us in praying for these seeds we are planting, please. 

 

But, so you know Africa, my little friend in the hall just told me that our little buddy ThankGod (that’s his name, and it’s a common one) lost his baby brother yesterday.  He was sick, they wanted to take him to the hospital, before they could reach Lokoja, he died.  Not even walking yet.  And I worry sometimes about the heat?  God help us.