Myers Family

From Phyllis

2011-12-31T06:00:00.001-08:00

Dear friends and prayer partners,

This is a request for you to pray for peace and safety for Christians and

Muslims alike, in Nigeria. Recent bombings in Abuja and statements

regarding eradicating Western-style education make us even more aware of our

need for God's special protection and intervention.

This Sunday, New Year's Day, the entire community of Emi-woro - Muslims,

Christians and a whole lot of pagans (!) will gather at Hope for Little

Shepherds school to pray for God's help in the year to come. For God's

peace, prosperity and protection over all of us.

Pastor Jacob, our new senior pastor at Emi-woro FM church will be

officiating.

Please pray that as we lift our hands together to the one true God, He will

strengthen bonds of friendship, understanding and cooperation between us so

that we can experience a year of joy, growth and new resolve to live in a

way that will honor God and please Him.

Thanks, and a Happy New Year to all of you, my friends!

God bless you.

Phyllis

rambling

2011-12-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

In Africa we went without overhead lights a lot. Until the team came in October, when you had the light on it went through the ceiling fan, making that horrible helicopter lighting. So, we sat by windows. In Africa, the power always cost the same amount (not according to use) and we (the school) paid more because we had more – appropriate in that economy.

In Wenatchee power is cheap because we have the Chelan County PUD, but we are trained to conserve! However, even though I am a “lights out when you leave the room” mom, I kinda like leaving the lights on. It’s dark and gray here! And it sure gets dark early.

update

2011-12-19T17:44:00.001-08:00

My darling husband updated my computer’s date and time. So, now I have to think to know what time it is in Emi-woro. Well, I guess we are home now. I must be a little tired though, because it seems a lot later…

Preaching to the Igala through Pastor Jacob

2011-12-19T15:32:00.001-08:00

This was outside a church about 2 hours from where we lived. Maybe 75 hands
went up making decisions for Christ? Hundreds came out to watch the Jesus
Film in their own language for the first time. Wow, what a thrill.

Swimmin' at the Niger

2011-12-19T15:30:00.001-08:00

With Salihu and Mohammed (brothers)

Dance party

2011-12-19T15:29:00.001-08:00

We ate dinner together, complete with "minerals" (soda pop) and then we
handed out the glow sticks and had a big dance party under the moon. I just
kept thinking - Wow. We are dancing with our friends in Nigeria. Too cool.
So, the quality of the photo is low because it was dark, but the energy is
high and it comes through!

Wow

2011-12-14T19:03:00.001-08:00

Devin got a job at the PUD. He starts Tuesday the 20^th! Crazy

We have the best friends...

2011-12-10T19:46:00.001-08:00

11 people came – their suggestion – and helped us get all the big stuff and some of the small stuff back in place at our house in only two hours! We are so blessed!

God Wins!

2011-12-06T00:30:00.001-08:00

Frustration everywhere as the stinkin’ enemy pulls out all he can for our final day here. Trying to show love and accomplish much in a hurry at the same time. Thank God for Christmas songs Mad Libs! And a scratchy throated Ben laughing and singing them J

last day with the students

2011-12-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

The exams have all been taken, so the children won't come back to school
until next Friday. Friday they'll just have assembly, collect their
results, and go home for a month off for Christmas break. Of course, by
Friday we will have gone...

Little Lambs school

2011-12-02T02:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Iris and to Ed!

2011-11-24T23:42:00.000-08:00

We are looking and sounding FINE in Emi-woro. Thank you for the banner and
the drums!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T22:15:00.000-08:00

This may shock you, but nobody in Nigeria knew it was Thanksgiving and only a few knew it was Jack’s birthday yesterday! But, we made the most of it.

We can thank the team for leaving some Kraft mac and cheese. We had that, with hot dogs for lunch. We also thank the team for leaving a yummy chocolate box cake WITH icing WITH sprinkles WITH ice cream dand WITH those awesome candles that keep re-lighting. We celebrated Jack at lunch and he got a few presents he is happy with. Later we put up the thankful tree. We still have a pile of leaves to write on and tape to it, but it is off to a great start, as a reminder that every good thing is from God. We had Phyllis and Ubong (along with Steph and Aaron) join us for a fine thanksgiving meal. Roasted chickens that we just decided to think of as turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, fresh carrots, cucumbers and green peppers to go with the yummy jalapeno hummus Phyllis brought back from the US, and bread. We thank Steph’s Grandmother for sending pumpkin pie spice, Shelley for the Crisco, Nana for sending Stevia (helps Ben a little, although I must say Thanksgiving is hard on a little diabetic), and Abdulkadiri for growing and selling pumpkins (what we would call ghost pumpkins, so no quite pie pumpkins) It did taste like pumpkin pie for dessert! It was the first time a big pile of bananas was on the Thanksgiving table – but that may become a new tradition for us, to serve as a reminder of a simple time when we were strangers in a foreign land, happy with some familiarity from home, but definitely missing everyone at home. We played some games and talked about what we were thankful for. It was a wonderful holiday – even without football or a parade.

Great big blessings on all of you!

Déjàvu

2011-11-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

I think I remember this scene from about two years ago...

Thanks Ed and Iris!

2011-11-23T03:08:00.000-08:00

The kids are loving marching! The sign looks great! Thank you to
supporters of Hope Academy!

Is that Floyd???

2011-11-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Pink Floyd’s Dark side of the Moon has officially been debut in Emi-woro, Nigeria.

Fulani kids dance past white boys.

Dropped in on the Neighbors'

2011-11-17T13:23:00.001-08:00

We had a great night over here tonight. We took a small gas powered generator over to our neighbors’ compound, about a ½ a mile through the bush, set up our projector and a PA system and showed them a couple of videos we made starring their kids. They have no power and were finishing their evening meal cooked over an open fire when we arrived. After showing them the videos we made we showed them one of the Planet Earth shows. Their son, Yakubu, is one of our star students and helped us explain things like snow and bears and sharks to the rest of his family. There was nonstop laughter and a lot of gasps going on as they saw things they couldn’t even imagine. What an awesome time. That’s the stuff I will miss.

Great start to the morning!

2011-11-16T02:14:00.000-08:00

What a blast! We surprised the school today by drumming and marching out
during morning assembly. A woman from our church volunteered to make a
banner, and then decided to order it instead. The printer donated it! We
were waiting until we could gather funds to buy these drums before we
presented the banner and drums together. The children were so surprised and
happy - and so were the teachers!! Schools here march and have marching
competitions. When we attended Children's Day last year, we started wishing
for a banner and some drums so our students could have the experience most
other Primary schools have of marching. They marched off to their class
after morning assembly, but a few minutes later the school recess bell rang
and all the children rushed out to the field. They learned how to line up
and march! We never knew how many children we have here until we saw them
in line one by one and wrapping the football field! Some of our teachers
were VERY enthusiastic. It's going to be fun for Aaron and Mr. Chukwuma to
teach some cadences over the next few weeks!

It's great having Aaron around!

2011-11-14T11:14:00.002-08:00

Unbelievable

2011-11-14T11:14:00.001-08:00

Today was just unbelievable. There were hundreds of Fulani gathered at
Alhaji Ali's camp for a double wedding. Fulani had come from all around the
country. And we were invited. We were invited into the midst of
preparations, and welcomed with the men (Devin and Aaron) and the women (all
of us). What a crazy thing that Ali had the confidence to have the
missionaries there in his home camp. Here we are, these white infidels,
totally welcome. Unbelievable. As far as the wedding went, they never
really got to that part. The women sang and danced, the men ate and hung
out in the shade, but the brides were "shamed" or actually shy, and we never
saw them, which is somewhat typical apparently. I guess they will have a
somewhat private ceremony (in this case two) in the morning and then whisk
away for a couple of days as a couple (two). It was a lot of fun, and (of
course) very colorful. And hot.

I love this pic

2011-11-14T11:14:00.000-08:00

I know it's no masterpiece, but it needs no editing either! I love the
playful spirit of it. We gave our camera to the children.

Evening baptism in the Niger

2011-11-08T11:46:00.002-08:00

Sallah

2011-11-08T11:46:00.001-08:00

Sallah

2011-11-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Dedicated the Generator today.

2011-11-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

Pastor John and I discussed last week that we should have the church dedicate the new generator this Sunday. With the team from Wenatchee here and all that is going on I forgot until he reminded me at the beginning of service. I quickly ran to the village and picked up three crates of mineral (cases of pop). When I returned Pastor was calling me up front to give a speech. Having absolutely nothing prepared I did what most men do, started rambling on about this and that. After the speech Jack told me “nice speech Dad”, I told him I hadn’t prepared and was just talking. He said, “You should do that more often”.

Wonder if child labor laws in Nigeria are the same as in the USA?

2011-11-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Our team is getting plenty of help from the locals.
Here they are pulling in the main feed from the NEPA pole to the main
service disconnect.

See our new $20,000 - 12 gallon per hour pipe bender.

2011-11-01T02:38:00.000-07:00

Children's Day

2011-10-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Each year all the churches here give a Sunday over to the children. They do
the preaching (That's Caleb), the worship music, some Bible quizzing and
some memory verses, and usually a drama or two. The children take a
collection and offer something to the church. This year they gave a bit
over $15 for a new microphone. Everyone usually shares a Coke, or "mineral"
as we say here. The kids did a great job. Pastor John prays over them,
blessing them for the year. We are always amazed that the first
thanksgiving and blessing is for life. "Thank you that many have died, but
these children live to see another year. Bless them with protection over
their life in the coming year, that none would die."

Dule - Pepe

2011-10-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

swimmin' hole

2011-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Lining up for assembly at the Etiose school

2011-10-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

Generator House? check

2011-10-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

The building housing the generator is complete. Complete with a small
storage/shop and covered pad for parking a machine or drying beans or corn
during rainy season. I am trying to inaugurate a "NO" cassava processing
rule. I'll keep you posted.

Finishing this small building was the last major task before the team
arrives next Friday. We can never thank you enough for all your prayers and
support over these last two years.

God Bless You All

Some of the things we do...

2011-10-22T06:51:00.001-07:00

Chris Lund at the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church was kind enough to post a video we made for the team that came last May.

Check it out: https://public.me.com/wfmcvideo

Steph and the Transition class in the guest house

2011-10-21T04:05:00.001-07:00

monkeyin' around

2011-10-14T13:21:00.001-07:00

Jack-o-lantern

2011-10-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Or do you say Ben-o-lantern? Anyway, this is all we will be doing to
celebrate Halloween. No carving the funny mouth necessary :)

See me happy!!!

2011-10-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

OK- you can't see me but if the picture is blurry it's because I'M STILL
JUMPING FOR JOY! NEPA (Nigerian Power Co.) went out about 2 hours after the
generator was "commissioned". The radio announced it won't be back for
seven days. So, our clan and the boarding students are smiling big right
now.
Thanks to everyone who has prayed and supported us. This generator plus the
team of electricians coming in two weeks will have this place in great shape
for the future. For the record, it was not a special request to "make the
missionaries comfortable." This is planning for the future needs of the
school, the clinic, the boarding house, and the future missionaries to come
replace us. It is not easy to go without power, but it has been doable,
certainly. Clearly, we are in a better place than the rest of the state as
far as comforts go. Even teams can manage to suffer without power for brief
periods of time. But power is more than comfort in this case. Power means
water, power means food doesn't spoil. It is a real long-term need of the
compound, as we take the responsibility of providing for these sponsored
students and us wimpy expats.

Rainy day = morning assembly in the assembly hall

2011-10-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

It's good to be me.

2011-10-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks WFMC and Mike Babst in particular, who spearheaded this generator project. In the morning, the school’s new generator will be placed onsite. It is in Lokoja right now! AND, FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS THERE WILL BE NO POWER IN ALL OF KOGI STATE! Except here. I’ll even be able to run the air conditioner, which we have never been able to do when we are on the generator!! Cold water, cool insulin… we’ve got it all for these last few weeks! The boarding house was shouting with glee that they, too, will have power off this new gen. Can you imagine the government announcing, as they did here tonight, that several states would have a 7 day power outage?

Hello from deep in the Nigerian bush!

2011-10-10T02:54:00.000-07:00

Little lambs school

2011-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Twice we have visited Pastor Reuben as he teaches in our new satellite
preschool in the Fulani camp of Malaam Ali. They are having a lot of fun
and picking things up very quickly. Every time we make that rough drive out
there (getting worse with every rain), we just cannot believe what God has
allowed us to participate in. This school is a little flickering candle in
a dark land! Pray for Pastor Reuben - it's not easy!

Ah, home

2011-09-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Intermittent power, intermittent internet, mosquito bites all over, someone sleeping outside my bedroom door and vomiting in our toilet; those things are uniquely Emi-woro. It was the best and worst of times!

First the worst of it. We arrived at our hotel 29 hours after leaving home. Ben and I only slept an hour or two that whole time! I went to pull the cold pack of his insulin out of the pack and put it in the frig when I learned that IT WASN’T THERE. Unbelievably, the cold pack with our 3 month supply was lost on the plane. I can’t begin to tell you how it came out of the backpack after we added ice to it and put it in, but, it obviously must have. And we didn’t see it when we did a hands-on-the-floor search. We weren’t looking for it – I thought it was in the backpack – but we have learned to go the extra mile looking for things like DS games. Perhaps it had gone up in front of the feet of the people in front of us who stayed on the plane and continued to Kano.

So, it was LATE and we were tired and I started calling all around the world. For several hours, with Stephanie’s phone and a big handful of credit (mine had no charge and who knew where my charger was), I pleaded urgently for this medicine. Expensive and unavailable locally – I was distraught! Of course no internet, so I called Pastor Mike and they gave me a bunch of numbers to try. People were very helpful and somehow I think God helped me keep sounding nice and not desperate, but serious! Tough to go to sleep that first night, even though it had been such a day. A few hours later, at 6 local time, Clement called and we got the new day started. We drove back to the airport and had them make more calls, again with no luck. Then we drove home to Emi-woro, arriving during bible study. More than 5 ½ hours for that normally 3 hour drive felt like a hundred years, making it 49 hours door to door.

But the good news is our pharmacy friend ordered some product shipped in – it’s not identical to what we are using and it isn’t conveniently packaged, but it will get us by if we need to use it and it is in our hands. Of course it was about $45 for what we paid over $275 for in Washington. And, Children’s Hospital is filling the convenient prescription at no charge (she said she saw we didn’t have insurance for it so they would absorb the cost!). Auntie Jen, my sister-in-law’s sister, who happens to be working at Children’s, will pick it up and ship it to us. I do have to trust DHL to keep it cool, so join us in prayer, but in the end it’s covered! It is so much easier all the time to work hard but in the end just trust God. He keeps on proving He is for us. Even when it’s my fault.

Whew.

And then the best of it was just being here! Of course we were met with children running up. Some of us even like it when we hug them – they are used to us! We had 50 guests stop by before bedtime last night. At least 50. It felt good that they couldn’t wait until the next morning. It was a constant stream of visitors today, and everyone is celebrating Ben’s health with us. Devin rode his motorcycle north to Lokoja (for a phone - his died- and parts and food) and then south to Ajaokuta (to the bank), enjoying the cool (95 or so) weather. It was busy paying salaries (Steph helped me count out about 375,000 naira, with 1000 being the biggest bills), settling accounts from when Clement managed the money the last few weeks and talking to many international connections trying to get some insulin for Ben, all the while receiving guests. And making a huge mess on the floor of my room with “to do” piles (I’m really back!). I spent an hour or so talking with the new Headmistress, who is bringing in many of the changes we have been suggesting for our term here! She seems like a great, involved, encouraging leader and really commands respect. She is from the capital city of Abuja, a very modern place, and has moved here to take the position. She realizes the school is still developing and is putting her own children in school in Lokoja. She has implemented many of the things we have cried out for LONG because we see it done at other schools. As a result the school looks different and we are really celebrating! I spent another hour interrupting all the nursery and primary 1 classed to shake hands with each of the children and teachers. I LOVE those smiles! We had a visit from Bature and from Pastor Jacob and his wife Janet, and went over to visit Bature’s mother and house full of wives and children. We had a great long laugh with Mr. Chukwuma and his wife Grace this evening. The boys played with George. It took Ben pestering him most of the day, but I think he is “in” again. George is not “for” Jack or us yet, but he’s not against us either.

Stephanie is just so stinkin’ happy and fun to be around. She is certainly loving with the love of Christ and these children will never forget her! She just sat and talked mostly, but also brought out some of the newly donated materials. Of course, she is nested into her room and her life is orderly (how does she DO that), but she needs to catch a few more zzzzzs.

And to top it off, we already get a 3 day weekend! Monday is Independence Day. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to unpack our things before it gets too crazy around here again.

Thanks for praying us into the country. We SO appreciate you and this opportunity!

Love,

The Myers

lost and found

2011-09-25T16:46:00.001-07:00

Short version: lost my credit card today and found it later. For more, read on…

I had the greatest time in Spokane, and have been just buzzing with joy for days. I was topping it off this morning with a loop walk along the riverfront before my drive home. I got sidetracked to the beautiful Catholic church at Gonzaga (St. Aloysius – built 1911 – amazing marble and stained glass), then continued on the other side of the trail. I was going to look for a latte and sit by the falls but, lo, my credit card had fallen out of the secure location. Grrr! I walked back to my hotel to see if it had been turned in. No such luck. I went upstairs praying and listening to my headphones saying “great it Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness.” I explained to God how inconvenient it was to lose the credit card every autopay is billed to less than 48 hours before leaving the country.

Resigned to the process but committed to avoid losing my amazing joy, I went online and got the phone number for the 24/7 lost and stolen credit card line. You can guess the routine – 10 minutes of pressing buttons to learn they aren’t in on Sundays. OK, I’ll trust and move on. I got in the car to go home and prayed that God would give me peace if I should just drive away and leave cancelling it for later. No peace came, so I walked up the trail again. I reached Gonzaga seeing nothing along the way and as I stepped on to the wide grass field I was reminding God that I took two different paths across this grass and He would have to really help me if it was here, because it would be very hard to see. Then I almost stepped on it.

Good thing the 24/7 folks aren’t always available – but God is.

And one REALLY cool thing came out of it. I ended up on the trail with hundreds of others who were just starting the JDRF Walk for a Cure. That’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Hmm. I just prayed and laughed at the irony of it all. Heal Ben, Lord. Heal them all!!!

retreat

2011-09-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

I (Bridget) am blessed to be in Spokane at the Spiritual Hunger conference. Yes, I am alone in a hotel room for an hour or two during the day, and I collapse into bed with nobody in the room. I’ve been on the grass in the sun and walked the riverfront trails. Other than my new friends treating me to a great dinner, I have been blissfully unaware of others, and basically unseen. No demands on me at all, and so much being poured into me! But don’t picture sluggishness! My body aches from dancing and waving big beautiful banners and I can’t stop just rocking gently all through the teaching sessions. This conference is LOUD and FULL OF JOY and downright boisterous. It’s so great. Thanks, True, for giving me what may be the last “quiet” time for the next few months! Nigeria, we are bringing back a whole lotta love! And it’s not just our own… it’s the unlimited and perfect love of God!

I love people who give of their gifts!

2011-09-21T19:19:00.001-07:00

We are pretty much packed to leave on Tuesday. So many people have been generous and we get to go back with many blessings to share with our friends in Emi-woro. Today I learned that we are taking a professional banner! A friend volunteered to make it, then decided to use a sign company. He donated the sign, holding his hands up and saying “God gave me these hands and this skill to be used for His purposes!” I can’t wait to show you our school kids marching with it!

The Myers folks and the boat

2011-08-30T08:07:00.001-07:00

Are we blessed, or what?

Time to check the crab traps!

2011-08-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

Ben with the "technique-er"

2011-08-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

Learning the technique of whacking the salmon in the head

Garrison Bay

2011-08-29T09:33:00.002-07:00

oh well

2011-08-29T09:33:00.001-07:00

Apparently by the end of August there are no more legal crab to be harvested
in the San Juans.

Ben update

2011-08-23T20:30:00.001-07:00

We had some meetings at Children’s this week which confirmed that Ben is doing great. It also gives us a lot of peace of mind knowing our doctor is all for our return to Nigeria, confident that we can handle most of what may come up, and reminding us that Children’s is on call for us 24 hours a day!

Read this today from the ICCM update

2011-08-10T15:54:00.001-07:00

"Holy One of Israel, who called Abraham and Sarah out of Ur, who called us, your church, out of the nations, save us from self-righteousness. You have made us different so that our difference might save the world. But too often our differences tempt us to ridicule because the world, after all, is ridiculous. Never let us forget that we too are the world, and so also ridiculous. Shape the judgments of our neighbors and our own foolish judgments by your love, so that we might be together saved--that is, be a people that continue the journey out of Ur. Amen." -- Stanley Hauerwas in Prayers Plainly Spoken

Our church is focusing on unity, and this speaks to the heart of unity and judgment. Too true not to pass on…

from the lake

2011-08-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

We have Devin home. We have a few days at the family lake cabin at Chelan under our belt. We worshipped together at WFMC as a family. Ben is doing great, and Jack’s attitude is back where it should be. Every day is just a gift right now! What a treat to have these lazy summer days! It is great to have a time of rest, of no real demands on our time. We are loving laughing together!

He's baaaaaaaaack!

2011-08-04T12:24:00.003-07:00

The boys didn't know Devin was coming home, so when he stepped into the
house, they were so shocked and happy they started to cry! Precious. So,
of course, we drove up to the lake. Ahhhhh...

Healthier!

2011-08-04T12:24:00.001-07:00

Not that Ben isn’t always perfect, but we prefer the end of July Ben (with insulin) to the end of June Ben (before juvenile diabetes diagnosis).

This is what it is all about!

2011-07-30T20:46:00.000-07:00

Check out Stephanie’s most recent post!! Alleluia!!

http://stephanietoafrica.blogspot.com/2011/07/fulfulde.html

need vs. want part 2

2011-07-30T20:43:00.001-07:00

Ben has been having lots of struggles taking his shots, especially at night. It was hard, and extra frustrating for us both because he had been fine with it for weeks. And it was big, “OK I guess we’ll have to sit on you” struggles. No fun. But, people have been praying and he has come around. So, today I wanted to treat him to something special because it has been great now for several days! I took him to Fred Meyer and gave him a $5 limit. OOOO that toy section is hard. We saw a clearance Lego set, so I went up to $8, but he also saw a little stuffed toy he wanted. He COULD NOT DECIDE. It was not a need at all, but a serious want – of both. He carried them throughout the store while we grabbed some quick groceries and was in tears at the checkout stand doing eenie meenie. Oh, man, that is not what I had in mind! I hoped he would be so happy! Thankful! I guess this missionary thing didn’t cure him either. By the way, he was overjoyed before we got home and is now happily building!

need vs. want

2011-07-30T20:37:00.001-07:00

How can it be?
I was living in a place where many people don't own any shoes, and most only
own one pair, for which they were very thankful even if the fit wasn't
great. I had to leave suddenly because of Ben's medical needs and only
could carry the shoes on my feet. For a over a week I was OK, and didn't
even think about my appearance much, since so much else was going on. Soon
I began to get so SICK of my pink tennis shoes. They are comfortable and in
good shape, but definitely not too stylish with my two long skirts I had in
my bag. They even have "SuperFeet" insoles! I am so blessed! And yet, I
found myself noticing my lack - if I just had some cute shoes. Not that
there is anything wrong with cute shoes! I am just saying, it's easier to
be simple and thankful when times are hard. It gets comfortable and
something like a good pair of shoes can make me confuse need (shoes) vs.
want (lots of cute shoes).
Rats. I thought maybe this missionary thing would cure me. By the way, I
have more now.

Great Question

2011-07-25T03:51:00.001-07:00

Ben's little buddy Samuel asked his father, Pastor Reuben, "who is
anti-christ?" After Pastor Reuben explained Samuel then went on to ask
"Then who is uncle-christ???"

Bags!

2011-07-13T21:36:00.001-07:00

It seems like every time I turn around I am carrying home bags of stuff! We are so blessed by our family and church family! We left all our summer things behind as a necessity because of being medical evac’d on a small jet. We were going to donate it anyway – but it was supposed to be winter with all spring to garage sale! But here we are – stocked up on hand-me-downs. I even have a bag of a bunch of diabetic stuff that, if I had to buy it I’d have to put Jack to work. Full time. My cheeks are constantly sore from smiling at how God has us so covered. Of course we are missing Devin, but life is GOOD!

What me lonely?

2011-07-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Not sure how I still feel lonely sometimes. I miss my family but my family
here is BIG and EVERPRESENT.

Back in Wenatchee

2011-07-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

The boys and I arrived at Devin’s parents’ house last night. Wenatchee is so beautiful – still green in July?? – and a sight for sore eyes! Ben is doing great! He is happy to pull some of his toys out from under Nana’s bed and we will be in the pool before long. We are trying to get some things in order and get settled in. I can’t wait to see everyone – I’ve already bumped into some of the most amazing women… who asked “What can I do for you?” God is so good to us. We are so supported and just plain set up. I am DEFINITELY a bit overwhelmed, but that is second to THANKFUL. More soon…

We are in Children's

2011-07-02T16:17:00.001-07:00

YAY! We have had such great care and training! We were checked in about 10 today and it has been nonstop for the past 6 hours. It’s great!

Children’s Rm 2004 and we are here probably until Monday lunch. Ahhh, the finest care! We get sleep tonight! YAY!

In Seattle

2011-07-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

We are in Seattle and hopefully checking into Children’s today. It was a long two weeks, but we thank God for His provision and protection and definitely for the supernatural strength!

in Paris and on the way to Lagos

2011-06-30T22:41:00.001-07:00

Bridget, Jack, Ben in Paris (it’s a lovely morning). Devin on the way to Lagos then Abuja later today. Ben is doing very well, but still no word on getting in to Children’s. Keep praying!

Ben update

2011-06-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

Ben is himself most of the time! Which means (if you know Ben this is no surprise) he is HUNGRY most of the time. This hospital in Nairobi has much better care than Nigeria, although we are more impacted by the imbalance in the world the longer we walk through this. The nights are LOOOOOOONNNG because, as the pediatric endocrinologist told us, we know a lot more about diabetes than any of the staff in the children’s ward, so we are up all night watching closely these “events.” It is looking good for release tomorrow, depending on everything working out with our insurance and all! When we get “home,” it looks like we will be able to have a few days at Children’s in Seattle. Of course lots of people are helping us, all around the world. I just don’t know what else to say besides thank you for being with us.

Better care!

2011-06-27T08:22:00.001-07:00

Well, we still have to be assertive, but we are making progress. If nothing else, the Nairobi hospital is comfortable and clean and the food ROCKS. We’re in a private room with a bathroom with HOT RUNNING WATER (usually) and an extra bed for one of us to stay. We checked in a day and a half ago and still haven’t had intake interviews or met with a doctor to get the results of all the blood tests we had upon arrival. I guess that means they aren’t too concerned. Finally, this afternoon a diabetic dietician/consultant came in and actually talked to Ben and we received our first written materials – a picture page explaining hypoglycemia. I think it both helped Ben understand why he’s been so tired and sensitive, while at the same time making him really sad. “You mean unless God does a miracle of healing I will have to get shots EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE???” We have done virtually all the glucose tracking and food tracking and most of the insulin injections. We are not shy about tracking nurses down, and we have a stocked frig which helps for those low glucose readings. There are still some frustrating things going on, which probably is based on our lack of time in hospitals, (or is it perfect in the US?) but, the people here have compassion, which makes all the difference. This afternoon they changed the insulin, which will change the way we do things, and it should help with these big swings. We’ve learned a lot just by documenting (I made a little graph to try to get a better picture of it all).

We aren’t holding our breath, but some say we may be able to travel Wednesday. Our insurance team needs to talk to a doctor after another day of monitoring.

We woke up Monday morning to a greeting from Jill Parsons, a FMVISA missionary from California working with ICCM in Kenya. She brought some books, some protein bars, a cell phone with a local number and some credit on it, and some local currency J She also took Jack and Devin out to lunch, came back to visit today (with almonds – yum!) and is taking Jack to the elephant orphanage tomorrow. What a blessing!

I’m hoping to be sleeping soon after dark, and Devin is at the hospital with Ben. So many of you have said you are praying for our strength – keep it up!

Kenya phone number

2011-06-26T01:31:00.001-07:00

We have a number in Kenya.

From US : 011 254 703 625 644

Nairobi... What? That wasn't on the flight plan!!!

2011-06-25T23:57:00.001-07:00

Landed in Nairobi after midnight and got Ben admitted by 2:30. This place looks like the right place to be with actual machines that blink and go beep and Drs. and Nurses who chart stats and test results in a single location. They even have these things called computers to keep all the information together. We hope today to get a local phone number some schillings and Jack and I checked into a place that cost less than the room Ben and Bridget have at the hospital. The Mayfield guesthouse is close and caters to missionaries moving through Kenya.

We hope to work with the hospital staff to get Ben cleared to travel with a medical escort back to the US in the next day or two. We know all the testing and training they do here will have to be redone back home and Ben is tired of being a pincushion. We are still praying and believing that Juvenile Diabetes is not Gods plan for Ben and that when he stabilizes we will only need to monitor him. Please join us in that prayer and that we are able to get him home quickly with minimal poking and prodding.

More latter

Sorry for the babble I’m not hitting on all cylinders.

Off to Kenya

2011-06-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

Keep on praying!

Ben is doing a lot better but his blood glucose level is still not stabilizing. The biggest problem here is they are just not familiar with juvenile diabetes. And, in fact, diabetes is really rare. I’m sure we can’t tell the whole story, ever, but we were hoping, based on what we know, that he would become stable enough in a few days to fly home. Since he isn’t really getting better, the evacuation company wants to move us to the closest wonderful hospital, which happens to be Nairobi, Kenya. In about an hour, we will be driven by ambulance (overkill for the situation but I think it’s a liability thing), to an air ambulance to Nairobi. (cool- like a private jet!!) Once there, we are told we “will think we are in an American hospital.” The hope is that in a few days he will be OK and we can come to the US, with a medical escort if necessary. The whole family is going on this trip, but Devin will return to Nigeria when we come home, or as soon as it is clear that our trip is certain and secure. We will be thankful to be in a city with many Free Methodists and are confident that all will be well.

Stephanie is staying here in Abuja. A team is with Phyllis now, in Emi-woro. They will be flying out of Abuja on Monday, so Stephanie will wait here until that time and return to Emi-woro with Phyllis. She is in a lovely Christian guest house in a safe area of town. Pray for her, too, because it is all more than a little bit unsettling!!

Moving Day

2011-06-24T14:07:00.001-07:00

Last few blood sugar test have been promising and we are scheduled to be on a flight to Nairobi Kenya tomorrow at 1:00. It was decided by the company helping us and our Doctor/friends from home it is time to get out of Nigeria and to a better medical system. I want to thank you all for your prayers and support during these ups and downs. It has been awesome to feel so connected and to get solid advise for and conformation of decisions made. Please continue to pray for Ben and his continued improvement. We know he is in the hands of the Greatest Healer even though sometimes we feel a bit on our own. Pray that the trip to Nairobi is easy and fast and that our time there short. Pray for Jack who is really feeling bad for Ben and that he doesn’t go stir crazy while we are in Kenya. Please continue to pray for Bridget and myself to make wise decisions and not get to worn out until Ben is home. Finally pray for Stephanie as she continues to work here in Nigeria helping Phyllis with the visitors in Emi-woro and helping pick up the pieces until I return hopefully first week in July. She has been a real Godsend.

Thank you all. Your love has meant so much to us.

But malaria meds still taste awful.

2011-06-24T05:06:00.001-07:00

Ben is horrible at swallowing pills and malaria meds are bitter. He used to
get to chase them with Altoids, but no sugar just now...

V for Victory

2011-06-24T05:03:00.001-07:00

The IV is out! The DS is charged! The antibiotics are finished!

We are still having the anticipated swings as we try to find insulin
balance, but we are coming along!

morning follow up

2011-06-24T00:51:00.001-07:00

Well, 7 came and went (of course). About 8 the food arrived, so we could proceed – in theory. Nobody knew how to use the new measured dose insulin pen the higher ups recommended we buy yesterday. We asked everyone on this pediatric inpatient ward and on the emergency pediatric ward, and nobody knew. They all pointed at the book that came with the pen, which said “according to the instructions from your healthcare professional,” and complained that it wasn’t more detailed and that the pictures didn’t show it clearly. So we made our best guess, which is not the same best guess of the head nurse last night. Anyhow, he’s had fasting blood sugar taken, received insulin from me (according to our best guess), had a good breakfast, and is laughing with Jack at this point. Ugh! Africa. We thank God he hears our prayers. And PRAY we hear about our departure plans today.

One thing... or two

2011-06-23T22:46:00.001-07:00

One fantastic thing is Ben slept peacefully through the night, with no sugar crashes. One frustrating thing is that the doctors gave him his first injection of a mixed rapid/slow insulin at 8:30 last night and not one person set foot in the room for the next 10 hours. Thankfully, we can check on him with our own glucose meter. Now his glucose level is high again, climbing throughout the night. I went out and showed an attendant about an hour ago. She says that we’ll treat him “by 7.” If there is one thing we have learned in Africa, it is that 7 could mean any time before noon. If there is one thing we’ve learned in this hospital experience, it is that we have to be very assertive to get care. If there is one important thing we have EVER learned, it is that our God is SUFFICIENT. We aren’t worried, but concerned and motivated to be the squeaky wheel. I will try to get a good word out later. Thanks for praying with us!

quick update

2011-06-23T15:18:00.001-07:00

Thank and praise God with us. Ben has moved into a different stage of treatment, and he should only need two shots a day. We’re still tired – we all have some catching up to do on rest– but attitudes are definitely better now that we are under better care and a little more educated. It seems Ben had malaria, and maybe not sepsis. They also treated him for worms (apparently that medicine tastes awful). We are surely in the hospital until Saturday, with some fluctuations still expected, but hopefully Jack, Ben and I will return to the US not long after that. Devin will stay to support the work. We are not really planning, but speculating right now and trusting God will be consistently good! We are working with our FM VISA headquarters and insurance company, but can’t make plans to travel yet – not until Ben gets the doctors’ OK.

There have been MANY frustrations and MANY amazing little graces, opportunities, and acts of kindness. Stephanie has been a real blessing to us, of course. We have a wonderful 11 year old roommate, who makes us thankful for the mild condition we are continuing in. He and his lovely mother have been in this room 7 months. We had a chance to check email today and it was such a blessing for Ben and I to see how many people let us know they are praying and with us in this! I apologize for the lack of updates – the days both drag and are full. But, by the power and grace of God, Ben is laughing more, constantly hungry (his norm), and has a lot more energy most of the time.

Prayers needed

2011-06-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

We are in the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja, and will be transferring to a hospital in Abuja in the morning. Ben has been diagnosed with diabetic ketosis (sorry if I got the spelling wrong) and a blood infection, and we invite you to pray for healing now and AGAINST lifetime juvenile diabetes. Our God who brought us here whole can carry us home whole! By the way, we are thankful this is our only hospital time in these 18 months! They don’t feed patients or even offer water!!

Sermon on the mount

2011-06-19T02:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we needed a little something different. We tried to go to a
friend's church, but we had the time wrong. So, we went to the hill over
the top of Lokoja and did our own church by going through the sermon on the
mount. You can see the confluence of the Benue and Niger rivers and the old
part of Lokoja in the background. We sang, we laughed, we walked through
pieces of scripture then talked them out, we prayed intermittently as we
felt compelled. God was with us. It was GREAT!

2011-06-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Nice to have Stephanie around - we don't get many pictures with all four of
us!

transport

2011-06-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Another fundraising scheme - transport to the camps far inside the bush!
Even at a dime per rider, it could be big!

ministry??

2011-06-09T23:54:00.002-07:00

Can I call it ministry when my little friends (this is Dule) do my dishes?
It's pretty fun most of the time. I get to let them taste things for the
first time while I'm cooking, like corn in a can, cherries in a can,
carrots, green peppers...

Two years in a row

2011-06-09T23:54:00.001-07:00

We've been able to celebrate with Stephanie on her birthday. This year the
cake wasn't even burned - AND it had icing! And we had ice cream. We love
a good cause for a celebration - and Stephanie is definitely worth
celebrating!

our new fundraising scheme

2011-06-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

Of course George is not nearly as cute or as talented as any of our
students...

grinding stone

2011-06-05T01:45:00.001-07:00

Flexibility

2011-06-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

Phyllis told us that there are 3 requirements for being a missionary.
Number one: flexibility. Number 2: flexibility. Number 3: flexibility.
Stephanie surely has what it takes to be a missionary! Imagine the Primary
4 teacher is sick and can't come to school. There is no substitute program
here in Nigeria, so the children were just going to - what, read books all
day? But Stephanie was working all week with the children who were still
waiting for a transition teacher, so she had a wonderful idea. She
partnered the Primary 4 kids with these very beginning students.
Revolutionary idea for our school! Guess what - the kids all loved it. I
think Steph had a lot of fun too. It's fun to see God stretching her. We
sense His pleasure.

Clement's finishing touch

2011-06-03T14:47:00.000-07:00

Clement is such a great guy. Always going the extra mile, or in this case,
5 miles. He went on his motorcycle at 6 am to chop up a tree to beautify
our wheelchair giveaway.

Roseline in the new hat from her sponsor

2011-06-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Some of our favorite people

2011-06-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

God really blessed us in Pastor Jacob and his wife Janet. They always seem
to show up at the right time with encouraging prayers - and pineapple. God
showed Pastor Jacob a vision of whites coming and doing a mighty work for
Him years before this mission began. When Jim an Phyllis started here, he
was like "oh, yeah, God showed me in a vision that there would be a mighty
work here." They are well connected, generous, gracious, and their timing
is amazing (comes from lots of practice listening to the Lord). We have
many testimonies about God's faithfulness through them.

Awesome guest Sunday school teachers

2011-06-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Salihu says

2011-06-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

"If something is true, people are running from it. But if you find
something not true, not good, people are flocking that way."

Emi-woro's footballers' cheerleaders

2011-05-28T14:07:00.001-07:00

Stephanie rocks

Rushing the rainy field to celebrate the victory!

2011-05-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Emi-woro's footballers

2011-05-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

What an awesome day!

2011-05-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

First the Emi-woro football team had a friendly match with the Elaite school and won! We carried a truck full (and I mean FULL) of kids rhythmically shouting “three-zero” (the score) while Devin did a honk interlude for the whole two miles home from Elaite and Baruwa sat in the back seat laughing every time Devin honked.

Then Stephanie told us God is calling her to extend her time here with us!! Which led to apple pie announcement of such awesome news. MMM – we love it when teams bring goodies!

Then we drove inside inside and showed a video Devin made from the team’s recent visit and lots of pictures of our friends in their camp. They giggled and laughed hard and ooooohed and ahhhed the whole time. We showed a tiny bit of a nature film, which got lots of comments as well. As we were leaving they were all standing along the road as they always do, but in the dark this time.

Suleimon, who was a real challenge when we first arrived, came along to interpret for us, and he did a great job. The mission’s impact on his life is very evident.

Then a drive home down a long bumpy road in the bush in the dark in the back of the truck with Jack, who said “It was nice talking with you” to me.

Life is good. God is great. These sweet people need Jesus.

Masquerade

2011-05-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

A Masquerade is kind of like the boogie man - he's what Nigerians fear in
the night. You can also dress Masquerade and collect money for your
football team or what have you. We weren't sure this Masquerade's purpose
(we gave him just under a buck) but we were certain he had to be close to
passing out from the heat!

The Kids Love The Team

2011-05-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

God Answers Another One

2011-05-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Today at church the congregation prayed for rain. Two hours later RAIN! Now
if the missionaries just had enough sense to stay out of it.

Blessing had a baby

2011-05-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

Babies are always a celebration, but we are especially happy about this one, since last year just after we arrived Sister Blessing’s newborn baby died on its first day. Her tears are turned to laughter, and ours too! Our church walked over when services closed to sing and pray for this healthy little one who doesn’t yet have a name. It is common for mother and baby to wait about a month before going out or giving a name, and then it is announced during a church service.

HAPPY HAPPY PRAY PRAY

2011-05-02T13:03:00.001-07:00

Our friends from Wenatchee will soon begin their mission journey here to Nigeria, visiting Kano and Emi-woro. Please pray for them as they travel beginning tomorrow, May 3^rd, through the 20^th. Pray for them at least two extra weeks so that no joy and no lessons from God will be lost! May angels surround us, may the Holy Spirit teach and comfort us and their families at home, may many Christians and pre-Christians feel the love of God, and may God receive all the glory!!

One great thing about Nigeria

2011-05-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

If you are losing on Wii party, you just may lose power. Then you can go play a round of Phase 10, and come back and try Wii again when power returns. But then you lose power and go back to Phase 10. It makes for a fun couple games of chance!

p.s. it’s no easy thing ignoring the 30 or so visitors. But we pretty much managed.