26 October, 2006

Photos around Jos




Just a few photos.

Houses seen near our house.
Naomi at Independence Day at Hiilcrest School.
Photo of the top of a mosque in Jos as seen from our compound. During Ramadan, prayers were chanted through loud speakers every day from this mosque....some chanting began as early as 3 AM....some as late as midnight. All day, every day, for a month. Tuesday marked the end of Ramadan.

May we continually be in prayer for the salvation of our dear neighbors and friends. In class the other day, my students brought up the topic of "what happens after you die." Although the discussion was lively and I was bombarded with more questions than I had answers for, I was very thankful for the open door. Please pray for doors to continue to open and many eyes to be opened.

Sweet, Sweet Faces




Just a few more photos of our neighbors. Aren't they just the sweetest faces?

Walking Buddies




Each afternoon the girls and I like to talk walks. By the time we are about 10 feet from our house, there are many children who join us. The other day I happened to have my camera and grabbed these photos. Thought you might like to see a few of our walking buddies.

20 October, 2006

Packing List


We have had so many people email us about what we packed and what we wish we had brought to Africa. (Many are missionaries about to come out for the first time.) If you are one of them, here is the list I promised to post. I hope it helps you as you are packing for your journey. God speed.

Items I am SO glad we brought:
*ziplock bags
*pillows
*lotion
*lots of ibuprophen (and Tylenol PM)
*toothpaste and other personal items (VERY expensive here)
*some seasonings (we use LOTS of Ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning)
*a camera
*flip flops
*a pink spatula (it makes cooking FUN!)
*a computer
*lip balm (but we should have brought more!)

Items I wish we had brought:
>Ground coffee
> Koolaid
> Music CDs
> DVDs
> Standard pillowcases and queen size sheets
> Blankets
> Seasoning packets
>Photo paper
>duffle/sports bags to carry items to and from gym classes
> Any "quick prep" packets (blueberry muffin mix, mix
> for soups, etc.)
> Velveeta or any cheese that can be brought over
without being kept cold
> Pepperoni
> Pens
>dryer sheets
> Sleeveless blouses
>candy to give out to the kids
> US Stamps
>fun folders for the girls for school
> Bacon Bits
>SureJel (to can some jam)
> Parm. Cheese
> Books/magazines
> Jolly Ranchers (my students beg for these-and I can
bribe them!)
> Photos of Friends and Family
> Choc. Chips
> A few basic art supplies (whomever took these from our
luggage, I hope they are enjoying them!)
> Family Size tea bags
> Extra Backpacks for the girls (theirs have ripped already)
>Lunch packs-we take our lunch to school as there is no cafeteria
> A couple of Christmas ornaments
>Potholders

19 October, 2006

Six Grade Choir



A photo of Mattie's sixth grade class' choir concert. Mattie is smack in the middle with a light turquoise shirt. Julie teaches all of these children, plus about 50 more each day.

Lovely. NOT!



Naomi has been quite disappointed up until this week when she was able to see her first snake in Nigeria. Here is a document of Naomi's first sighting. Fortunately, she had a camera and was able to zoom in to take this photo. She is SO unlike her Mother when it comes to snakes. When her Mother saw a snake right outside the kitchen door yesterday, she squeeled like a little girl and ran inside, never thinking about taking a photo! And her nerves weren't calmed when someone told her that it was a "3 Step Snake." Apparently, the name explains how many steps someone who is bitten can expect to take before dying! (Guess it isn't as dangerous as the "2 Step Snake," the black mamba.) Lovely. Very comforting. NOT!

11 October, 2006

I Don't Want to be Normal, I Just Want to be Adjusted!






At very odd times, I just tear up. No reason. Sometimes I even bawl like a baby.
I feel overwhelmed when the well is dry, electricity is off and we are completely isolated.
I struggle when my daughters are crying and want me to hold them, but I have to send them to class because I must teach.
When the police stop my husband and demand money, I am upset.
I am sensitive to each and every word spoken.
Money is a concern beyond measure (or lack of it)…raising rabbits is looking like a good option!
I feel as if I can’t catch up-not on housework, sleep, laundry, lesson plans, studying, etc.
Fatigue is real and debilitating.

I am told this is “normal”-a part of culture shock, a process most go through until they are adjusted…and it takes time.

However, all of this cannot shake what I believe. I cannot measure God’s love and character by circumstances. He is faithful, loving, good, holy, sovereign, and wise. He is more interested in what is happening in me than to me. He is faithful to finish the work He has begun. As He strips away all that I have ever known, and puts me in circumstances I think are impossible, He receives the glory. Instead of asking God, ”What are you trying to tell me in all of this?” I must ask myself, “How will I respond?”

Perhaps this is part of the adjustment, the process…adjusting my view, my attitude and my response. After all, 1 Peter 4:12,13,19 says: “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it.” –The Message

08 October, 2006

Sweet 16!


6 October 2006
Happy Birthday, Sweet Daughter
We love you!

Family Fun Weekend




On Friday we left for Miango-about a 45 minute drive from Jos-for a weekend of fun. The staff at Miango Rest Home created a weekend wonderland for missionaries and their families. We enjoyed movies on the tennis courts (like a drive in theatre!) in the evenings. The kids got glow in the dark necklaces, Bass Pro Shop hats, tattoos (the kind that wash off, eventually), popcorn, snow cones, cotton candy, and SO much fun! On Saturday, a carnival was held. I am not sure if the little kids, teens or adults (AKA "big kids") had the most fun! The food was terrific and the fellowship sweet. The kids sure slept well at night, too! A team from Texas had been in Jos for almost two weeks. One of the ladies cut hair ALL day on Saturday. We all stood in line and were blessed with a fresh cut. The team also helped run the carnival so the parents could enjoy being with their own kids. This was a much needed stress-reliever weekend. (Photos: Carnival; Mattie and Sarah; Naomi, Colin and Elizabeth during a heated dodgeball game)

Gifts from Tennessee!


(Photo: A poinsettia bush growing on our compound. These poinsettia bushes are all around Jos and we find it quite amusing to find them so plentiful and very large!)

Almost seven weeks ago we left the states and today we got our first mail!

Muffy (Julie's Mom) sent us a package with Hawaiian Punch, news for Naomi about The Crocodile Hunter's death, some seasoning packet, and a few other odds and ends. THEN...we got packages from the Browns and Lekics!! Ah....we opened them slowly, savoring every note and treat. It was very much like Christmas. We put everything out on the table and just oohhed and ahhhhhed over it all night long-except for the slippers...we all put those on immediately. Thanks to all of you who sent something. We are rationing out the chocolate, sucking down the koolaid, memorizing the photos, and enjoying every piece of parcel from home. I don't think you'll ever know how much it meant to us. A few of us fell asleep crying...with tears of joy...not because of koolaid, but because of the love that the packages contained. It was so obvious that you knew us and chose things that were so personal and precious. May your gifts come back to you abundantly.

04 October, 2006

A Long Weekend


On Monday we had a day off of school while the country celebrated its Indepence Day. (Nigeria has been independent since 1966.) We needed this day off to just catch up from a busy week and weekend. On Saturday, one of my 7th grade classes came over to our home for a get together. Jon popped up a HUGE bowl of popcorn and we watched the new Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe DVD (and talked all the way through it-heeheee). It was such a blessing to be able to spend time outside of the classroom with the kids.

Sometimes I Wonder




Sometimes I Wonder....


* Did that mosquito that bit me carry malaria?

* Will I ever feel caught up on my sleep? (Can I still call it jet lag after 8 weeks?)

* Are grades really necessary?

* Why do I love ranch dressing so much more here than in the states?

* Why didn't I bring out more music? (Rebecca, THANKS for the itunes gc-it's getting us some MUCH needed tunes!)

* When will homesickness go away?

* How did I fall in love with my students so quickly-even before I could spell their names? They are so precious to me! I truly weep when they weep and rejoice when they rejoice (and when you are with middleschoolers, you ride that rollercoaster often!)

* Will I ever be able to throw out a ziplock bag again?

* How can I feel lonely in the most populated country in all of Africa?

* What did we do without our precious cook, Sarah? (Oh, I know, we lost weight!!!)

* How many children will be in our yard waiting for us when we get home from school? They anxiously wait for us to tell Bible stories, play ball, and give out cookies. (See photo for some of the 'regulars')

* How do Lauren and Naomi look so cute in a headwraps? (We wear these to all Nigerian churches we attend.)

* How long the Lord will wait until He comes back? I can hardly wait! But, until then...back to work.