Ben turns 8 today!!!

The twin scimitars his brother built will keep him battling many a foe for a
long time to come. Not sure where he gets his moves but if I were a "Power
Ranger" I'd steer clear of Emi-woro for a time.

ALL NINE VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

 

Team from WFMC

We are so excited to be hosting a team from our home church next week.  They will be in Kano and her in Emi-woro, working with children and giving away about 140 free wheelchairs.  Please be in prayer for their preparations (visas are not yet in their hands), travel, and ministry.  Continue to pray for peace in Nigeria and for the families they are leaving behind.

 

To God be the glory.  Great things He has done.

 

Love, The Myers

Salihu/Ibrahim/Mohammed's camp

The Secrets Revealed

It is becoming clearer why Mr. Egusi, the cat, keeps taking Mr. George, the
monkey, for walks in the bush. Then coming back alone.

Motorcycle Trip? (Part 3)

Good Friday started off with morning devotions in the room next door,
Clement, Blessing, and Godwin, who had slept on the floor in that room.
Some singing, some out-loud-all-at-the-same-time prayers. It was nice, even
before 6 am. Next was a walking tour around the ECWA compound and vicinity.
We saw the house that Clement's mother, our school nurse Lucy, and father
started back in the early eighties but never finished. It was an interesting
house, very western style floor plan with a garage, master bedroom with
private bathroom and wardrobe, kitchen and bathroom for company. Just never
had a roof. After returning to the guest house, Clement showed up with a
big plate of scrambled eggs Mustafa had made with bread and hot water for
Bornvita (Ovaltine). After breakfast and another quick bucket bath, this
time no cockroaches, and we were off to the palace again. We stopped to
pick up Victor on the way as he was the one to do the introductions.
Remember this was going to be a motorcycle ride. Jack was in his best tank
top and shorts from yesterday, and Ben is going through a phase on rolling
around on the ground a lot and his cloths looked like it, plus they were
from yesterday and slept in. When we arrived at the Chiefs Palace we were
ushered into the "throne room". This Chief is the Chief over the all the
Bassa-Nge people in Nigeria. As we were brought in we, the Oyibo, were told
to sit on the comfy chair on the side as the Bassa people in our group bowed
down hands and knees before the Chief on the carpets laid out in front of
the Chief. This man named His Royal Majesty Abu Ali was an Army man who
rose to the rank of General and in the early 90's was the Governor of Bauchi
State when Nigeria was under Military Rule under Muhammad Buhari. The same
Buhari that just lost a bid for President that is causing so much Wahalla
now in Nigeria. Chief Ali gave us a great history of the Bassa -Nge people
from when they migrated from Niger in 1885 until they settled in Gbloloko.
In the throne room the Chief had 120mm shell casings, from the Russian built
tanks he used to command, as flower vases. Interesting man - he is a Muslim
but credits the Christian Missionaries for giving the Bassa people the
education that has, in his opinion, giving them an edge on the other tribes
in the area. He was very proud of his people and I believe cares greatly
for them.
After leaving the Chiefs palace we headed for home. First we stopped by a
small village, perhaps the size of Emi-woro, called Emi-Tseja after
Clement's Grand Father. If Clement were to move back it would be his
village and he would be the Chief. We are truly blessed to have this guy
working with us. After that we went to a Bible school that was established
by some Irish missionaries named Hysslop a few generations back. It's nice
to see what a mission compound can become after time and the physical growth
is complete and the work continues. By the way at the end of June some
Forsythe's, Grand kids and Great Grand Kids will spend a few days with us
here in Emi-woro before heading over to the bible school.
From the bible school we drove home with Bridget and the kids swapping out
turns riding in the back of the truck. Jack got his first sunburn of the
year, looks just like Apple Blossom.
All said and done this "Motorcycle Trip" was a one of a kind. My life is
not my own and when we are open to go with the flow amazing things can
happen.

George has returned

Mr. George, the Monkey, ran off with the cat last night and didn’t return.  Heavy, heavy rain last night and this morning neither the cat, Mr. Egusi, or Mr. George were home.  Much searching and prayers this morning and nuttin’.  Latter Jack and Ben went to the village to search.  They found him tied up at someone named Gimba’s house.  After much debate about the true ownership of the monkey and a Nigerian handshake, read bribe here, the boys returned Mr. George to his proper place on Bridget’s shoulder.  I’m guessing that he will think twice before following Mr. Egusi on any more adventures into the bush. 

 

God answers prayers just not always as you predict.

I never imagined

I never imagined I'd get to stand around barefoot, reading the Easter story
to an "unreached people group," with a monkey hiding in my skirt. Life with
Jesus is a hoot!

Motorcycle Trip? (Part 2)

As we left the ferry it became apparent that we were heading out into the
bush and that this part of central Nigeria has been neglected by the
Nigerian government for a long time. The roads were dirt and wash boarded
but Clement said that back in the 70's they were tarmac. Power poles lined
the road in some places but the power line was missing. As we entered
Clement's "village" we were surprised to find that it was actually a small
town. The houses were well spaced with good sized "yards", the road was in
good shape fresh chip seal and gutters on both sides. Clement took us to
the house where he grew up, although no one from his family still lives
there the current family had no problem with Clement brining a bunch of
"Oyibo", white people, through the parlor then through the bedroom to the
back yard to show us where his father had been buried. I was starting to
wonder where in this "city" does on throw up a tent.
After we left Clement's childhood digs we continued through town then turned
down a road into the bush. OK this was a little more like what I'd
expected. Then we pulled up to the gate of a guest house: NOT what I
expected. It turns out that Clement snuck out here on Tuesday to set
something's up for our trip. Always full of surprises that one. After we
moved into our "deluxe" accommodations, which I am pretty sure had been the
accommodations of one of the guest house employees until we arrived I could
be wrong but I do know that he kept his pillow and an arm load of clothes
there, we went out to tour the town. First off we met Clement's "step" Mom,
this means his Dad's second wife. She had re-married the pastor for the
ECWA (Evangelical Church of West Africa) and was living in the same compound
that our guest house was in. Next we picked up a man by the name of Victor
who was the headmaster of the local secondary school. Victor was to be our
tour guide and he did not want us to miss a thing. We went to the Market, a
block factory, the Chief's Palace, who had traveled and was not home but we
met his wife and made an appointment to meet the Chief the next morning
(tune in for part 3). Then we went around and were introduced at 4 or 5
different churches. It was becoming more and more apparent that white
people don't come around this part of Nigeria very often. At the final
church, St. Paul's Anglican Church, the Pastor found out that we were
showing the Jesus Film at the Primary School in the center of town, as
Clement had arranged but asked if we would show it at his church instead.
This sounded OK except he already had a program planned for that evening but
he assured us that his program would be "sharp sharp" and that we could
start our film after 8:00. Since our plan was to show it in a field
starting at 7:00 an hour delay to show it at the biggest church in town was
fine with us. To be honest our "plan" was to show it at a village in the
bush to about 20 or 30 of Clement's family. To be completely honest my plan
was to come through here on 2 wheels stopping for a cold Coke and continuing
on the trail. My original plan would have had me home before 8:00 chillin'
and maybe watching a movie with my family but I guess God plans are not
always the same as my plans.
We returned to the guest house to rest a little and get ready for the night.
It was about this time when I started wondering what we would do for
dinner? I didn't see an Olive Garden as we pulled in perhaps I missed it so
maybe we will have to settle for a fried yam or a Galla (a mystery meat
concoction wrapped in pastry with a shelf life that rivals a Twinkie.)
This is when I noticed that Clement, Blessing, Godwin and Mustafa were all
MIA. Looking at the small loaf of bread we had picked up at the market and
some pure water I was thinking perhaps an Easter fast was in order. Then
Clement and Co. arrived carrying a huge vat of Jollof Rice with fish. Very
delicious. Travelling to the church, about a 5 minute drive I realized that
there was no power in the town. Apparently they have a big 250KW generator
but no fuel. We got to the church around 7:00 for the program. It was in
English translated to Basse-Nge but both speakers were amped up and the echo
factor was severe and I at times could not tell which one was speaking
English. This "sharp sharp" service include time for scripture reading,
prayer, preaching, prayer, foot washing for each of the 300 people performed
by the two Pastors, followed up by prayer then more prayer for anointing
oil. At around 9:05 I was given the green light to set up the projector and
PA. This church building was big but the Media Art Ministry was seriously
underfunded. After a short discussion with the Bassa equivalent to Chris
Lund, WFMC's extremely talented Director of Media and Programming, it was
apparent I was on my own. So with the help of my crack AV tech Jack we set
up our generator out the window ran an extension cord then placed a wireless
microphone in front of our little PA system that ran through the church
sound board. By 9:15 we were up and running. The Pastor translated the
whole movie through his own mic and a think had he turned it down a little
he would have got a better sound quality. That being said I don't speak
Bassa-Nge and perhaps it is better understood with heavy reverb and a slight
echo.
The turnout was great over 300 people watching the Jesus Film during Easter
week in a country that is struggling after the recent election violence that
is taking place in other parts of the country and churches cancelling Easter
retreats and programs for fear of reprisal attacks. At about 10:00 the
Pastor asked if we could turn it off because it was getting late, REALLY,
and many people had to walk far in the dark to get home. REALLY? As I was
going along with the Pastor but thinking to myself "this is the Jesus story
during Easter week how do you just tell part of the story" Jack was at work
talking to the Pastor. Not sure what he said but the next thing I know the
Pastor is asking the congregation if they want to end the movie or continue.
They voted to continue, but slowly trickled out, and we ended up with around
80+ people sticking it out until the movie ended after 11:00. After we
packed up and got back to the guest house Blessing, who had disappeared
again during the church program served up another heaping vat of rice with
stew, tomato sauce with magi and oil, and yummy meat. Bridget and I are
still debating if it was chicken or beef. It was dark and we were hungry.
After a quick bucket bath complete with cockroaches it was off to bed on the
guest house employee's bed. At least Clement had bought a brand new sheet
and pillow cases for us to put down. Not sure when he did that.

Happy Easter

Motorcycle Trip? (Part 1)

Clement and I have been planning a trip by "Machine" to visit his village in
"Bassa Land" across the Niger for probably 8 months now. The day finally
came.
Monday Clement and I again discussed the possibilities of a trip, and with
the Team coming soon and everything else coming up the time was now to take
advantage and go for it. The plan was to leave Thursday morning ,catch the
Ferry at Ganaga village, cross the Niger, then ride 20-30 minutes to
Gbloloko, Clement's village and center of the Bassa-Nge tribe, greet some
people, then head south about 2 hours to Itobe, cross the Niger at the
bridge then "home again home again jiggety jig" as Jack is fond of saying.
Wednesday around 3 or 4 in the afternoon I found out that my motorcycle trip
had morphed into my family taking "Big Jim", the truck, to Gbloloko to spend
the night in a tent and show the Jesus Film to Clement's people. So
Thursday by 12:30 we were loaded and ready to roll. We looked like the
Beverly Hillbillies. Not sure why we need so much when we travel but I'm
sure that it is all essential gear. We had a tent, mattresses for the kids
to sleep in the truck bed a PA system, projector and cameras to document to
whole extravaganza. Between noon and our departure time I was informed that
Clement's wife Blessing and daughter Faith would be joining us. No problem,
Big Jim is a king cab. As we loaded the cooler of pure water frozen into
block ice (Clement had the forethought to buy it and put it in our freezer
the night before), I was told that Godwin a teacher/church member and most
importantly Bassa-Nge, who had been hovering around the truck, was going to
go as an "interpreter" since we were showing the film in English. As we
were pulling out, Mustafa our security guard jumped in the truck. Did I
mention Mustafa is Bassa-Nge?
Plan B was beginning to take shape. Drive to Gblolko to campout in
Clement's village inside the bush set up the tent under a tree, set up a
mosquito net over the bed of the truck for Jack and Ben then set up the
projector and PA start the generator sing and dance, OK I don't dance but
most of you have met my wife, show the Jesus Film, and chat with Clement's
family.
Getting to Gbloloko was going to be part of the adventure. The ferry loads
by ramming the bank of the river, which is very low this time of year,
dropping a ramp by a hand crank, using boards and blocks to improve the ramp
and then backing vehicles on. One thing that never ceases to amaze me is
how in a country where so few actually drive how whenever you put a vehicle
in reverse you will have 6 to 8 people giving you advice on how to drive
your car backwards. I was told, all at once, to go straight back, stop and
turn right. The person who actually works for the ferry company just stood
quietly not really paying any attention. After boarding I quickly inspected
the vessel for safety equipment and properly maintained machinery. None was
to be found. There was however a placard that stated ALL Boats/Canoes
operating in Nigerian waterways must have 2 paddles and that life jackets
are to be worn at all times by all passengers. I didn't see either. I did
however take solace in the fact that the vessel is required to have an
annual inspection. The ferry which was big enough to haul 4 cars and untold
numbers of people was powered by 2 - 12 cylinder diesels that ran hydraulic
transmissions. After closer inspection I noticed one was missing a
hydraulic hose and I was not sure how you reconcile that issue when in
operation. I clearly had not been thinking the problem through from the
right angle after only one engine was started and we pulled away from the
shore it became clear that the other motor was for ballast and spare parts
if the one operating became inoperable during the crossing. As we "beached"
on the other side and I was pulling off the steep ramp to the boards that
bridged the gap to the cement ramp, I was advised not to touch my brakes. I
thought that a strange request but complied. The person following me must
have not been given the same info because as he hit the brakes the board
slid and his car dropped making a loud clunk as the bumper came in contact
with the ferry ramp.

Chilly

Yesterday the temperature was 114F… 

Then the rain came and in 20 minutes dropped to 82F.

I like rain!

George joining our family study

not exactly boating in the islands, but fun!

Our student took us by canoe out to these islands in the Niger near home.
It was so amazing to be sort of alone! You know, if it weren't for all the
cow piles everywhere, it's just like the San Juans. OK, not really

Not exactly the redwoods, but big!

Happy Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-9

1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

2 saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.

3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.”

4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying,

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,

Look, your king is coming to you,

humble, and mounted on a donkey,

and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them;

7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.

8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Muslim school

Just across the road, the locals are building an Islamic school. Somebody
came and burned one of the two buildings this week. Tragic.

Imagine this your village.

The whole village! This couple goes to our church. Fabric walls, grass
roof. Last year the whole thing flooded for about a week. They are close
to the river and surrounded by farming - who needs more than that to make a
village?

Shuaibu's compound

These are our students - we just happened by their place while out for a
ride

The catfish are growing!

Ben just couldn't get a grip on one of these guys - thank you Mustapha

Easter break

Hardly anyone around! We were heading out on the machine (motorcycle) to
find a mango tree!

See baby Faith

The same little girl we prayed for, who could put no weight on her feet, is
now carrying her bucket in from the village for water, totally healed,
totally strong. It's no easy thing for a tiny girl (she's the smallest) to
bring a big bucket, but she is determined. Another couple years and she
will be carrying it home full. Thanks to the power of prayer!

10 Amp Screw

Does the 10 on a machine screw box stand for the amperage it is rated for???  I’d post a picture but that is far too incriminating.  ;-)

As I was saying...

Like his father, he has a unique style all his own. This is his nice church
outfit. Couldn't wear the "downs" from the "up and downs" because it was
too hot. I explained that might be the beanie, but he says "that's not hot
- it's COOL."

Samuel gives a lesson

Yes, I know, plaid and cammo. He gets his sense of style from his Dad. And
I like it.

Supernatural protection

You can have your doubts, but we KNOW it was a miracle.  Jack and Ben were cleaning up trash all around the compound with Caleb and Samuel.  This includes burning it so it isn’t blown or carried out again.  From inside Devin and I heard BAM! like a gunshot and then Jack screaming OW! and a desperate cry, so we came running.  He was red all over and covered with dust/ash.  We quickly put him in the shower, knowing something in the burn pile had exploded, but not knowing what.  He said he hurt everywhere – his whole front and back of his neck, too.  He had some sticky stuff around on his arms.  Many people heard the bang and came in – our bathroom has never been so crowded. 

And the miracle?  Well, the explosion was a metal can of PVC glue.  The lid was found 30 feet away at our door.  The boys all had the same story – big fireball that went up and around Jack.  Caleb was behind Jack by about six feet and down the hill just a bit, but had the burn on the front of his pants just a little.  Quickly wiping at the burning feeling, somehow Caleb got a blister on his thumb.  Jack was completely unscathed (once he got the ash out of his hair).  Unlike the young men in the fiery furnace, he did smell like smoke and glue, but once he calmed down we were all hugely praising and thanking God that the fire just went right up and over him. 

Secondary lesson learned – don’t clean up near the fire pit while burning in it.  Primary lesson learned – OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD.  Of course, we knew that.

 

the Evangecube

Telling the Easter story has never been so much fun

family resemblance

We carried some of our boarding students home at break time. Had a chance
to meet some of their many siblings and relatives.

Salihu's grandmother's house

Over the river (Niger) and through the woods (bush, actually)

Priscilla turns 15

the cross

Lord I lift your name on high...

Lord, I love to sing your praises...
This is our family, the headmistress Mrs. Agnes, 3 of Pastor Reuben's
children (Caleb, Roseline, Samuel) and 4 of Pastor John's kids (Blessing,
Favour, Promise, Anointing) singing at the end of the Easter drama we did
for assembly Friday. I was so proud of everyone!!

election postponed again

Well, now elections are the 9^th, 16^th, and 26^th.  OK.

Snowing in Emi-woro

Thanks Kennedys

thanks sponsor

This beautiful, feisty friend is an orphan, along with her sisters, under
the care of another man with many children and grandchildren of his own.
Her sponsor sent her a money gift - maybe a bit over $10, through ICCM. She
bought food for her and her sisters, which is a real blessing because her
sister just had a baby. She also got to treat herself to this sparkly scarf
and was very thrilled. It's cool like that sometimes - seeing the joy of a
person to person touch!

election postponed

Well, the election for representatives and senators that was to happen today was postponed until Monday because 9 states in Nigeria didn’t have their ballots.  So, public holiday Monday.  No traffic today on the road – it was very strange.  But, peaceful and quiet, so we thank God.  Next Saturday will be the Presidential election.