Happy Birthday, Mattie Grace

Our sweet middle child is now 12 years old! We celebrated in Abuja! We took the girls' grandmama down to the airport (a 4 hour drive) and decided to stay an extra day and rest a bit.

Merry Christmas from the Parkers

Merry Christmas and Happy MOO Year!

This morning we woke to an invitation from our neighbors. We were able to watch the slaughtering of a cow. The girls learned quite a bit of biology and even a few butchering methods. (They also learned to stand back when the machete comes down!)
-Yep, we've been hurting for entertainment around here!-



Later, we went to Gidan Bege (House of Hope in Hausa) to visit with a deaf ministry. Although many were traveling to villages for the holidays, there were about 40 people there to greet us. They humbly asked for Bibles, Christian books, and a few other things to help their ministry. For many, I was the first bature/baturia (white person) they had ever seen using sign language. I pray for funds, energies, and others to help this under reached group of believers who want to spread the Good News with fellow deaf people.



Tomorrow will be spent quietly (HA!) in the morning at home and then to our friend's village to celebrate. We will post more photos and an update on how Grandmama is holding up.

Holiday Decor

Grandmama brought out Christmas crafts. We have all enjoyed making things for our tree and to give to friends. Our tree is borrowed from a fellow missionary who is in the states welcoming a new grandchild into the world. (Thank you, Aunt Beaj!) Actually, the tree is just top of an old tree stuck in a bucket of sand. But, we love our little tree and the lights (thanks for all who sent lights!) create a special atmosphere. We think we'll keep lights up year round!

More Birthday Party Photos

See the post below.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

On Wednesday, Mattie and Naomi swept through the house like little whirlwinds. We couldn't figure out what they were up to as they gathered indomie (ramen noodles), koolaid, and cups. They made ornaments and sorted out crayons. They plucked and squeezed about 40 oranges. Finally we were told that we were invited to a birthday party---for Jesus. All the Nigerian kids went home and changed into their finest.

We have been to many parties. We have hosted many parties. We have created top of the line decorations, the most fun games, and had the best of times while in the states...however.....I don't think there has been a more meaningful, better celebrated one than the one we had yesterday.

Gradually about twenty kids gathered for the Birthday Party for Jesus. Mattie played "Good King Wenceslas" on her trumpet (joyful noise)!
Naomi organized games.
Jennifer sang "Mary's Boy Child" and read the nativity story.
She also explained the true meaning of Christmas. This was so precious. She said, "Christmas isn't about going to Mr. Biggs, wearing new clothes or eating chicken and don't you forget that! It is about celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior." The children agreed with a strong "Amen"=simple, pure and glorious.
Then came the food! Indomie cake is what the girls said everyone would share.
Indomie Cake is made with about 10 packets of ramen noodies (called indomie in Nigeria) with seasoning and a bit of water. Voila...there you have it. It was eaten with joy and thanksgiving along with the fresh squeezed orange juice and green koolaid. (For a real treat, some kids chose to mix their drinks!) They ate with their hands, but didn't seem to mind.
The girls gave each kid three crayons and a foam ornament they made. If you could have seen the faces of the kids as they held their new gifts-sheer delight.

As I watched the children humbly celebrate the birth of our King, I saw such pure adoration and sincerity. They didn't wait until everything was perfect. They did their best in their own way. And a child shall lead them.......

We're Moving!

Immediately after Christmas, we will be moving to a different house, different compound. This house will be only a mile or so from school, so we will be able to walk if we need to.

The house where we have been staying was one of a long term family on furlough. We have been able to enjoy their furniture and decor. We're on our own from here on, tho. These photos show some of our new furniture. Oh, and that bucket---it is a hot water heater. If we have electricity, we can just plug it in and have (fairly instant) hot water!

Home Sweet Home

(Our mailing address stays the same.)

Grandmama is in the Country!

Wonder where we've been? Grandmama is in the country (Julie's mom) and we have been showing her around Nigeria and getting some work out of her! She'll need a good nap when she returns home.

She arrived safely last week. We've had a full schedule already, but the busiest time is still to come.

Wednesday-Four hour drive up from airport in Abuja. Straight to the school to see us for the first time in almost 4 months. Quick suya meal at school, grading of papers and clean up finished our school day. We returned for the elementary Christmas concert.

Thursday-Day of rest for Mom and Mattie (who was finished with exams)-the rest of us took and gave exams. We went through half of the things Mom brought out. It was too overwhelming, so we had to wait until later to see the rest of it. (We have spent the last week organizing it and sorting out things to give as Christmas gifts!!) The girls began making some of the crafts she brought. What a joy!

Friday-Day at school-filled with class parties (I got a crate of eggs from my students!), closing chapel and many prayers for safe travel for my students. Each student was able to get three pieces of candy from what Mom brought-they were thrilled!
Dinner with fellow missionaries.

Saturday-Shopping in the market for some fabric. Visit to new house where we hauled furniture and giggled at the various "fabrics" we were combining. I think Mom was appauled and shocked at our humble furnishings and we were thrilled. LOL

Sunday-Began with a 2.5 hour worship service at a Nigerian church. We came home to rest a bit (HA!) and spent some time with the neighborhood kids. Spent a few hours at the Jos zoo.

Monday-Wrapped up school obligations as we cleaned out my storage closet ALL morning. It will be so much easier to find things now. Typed in final semester grades and finished up necessary paper work. We headed out to pick up some fruit. Spent some time with kids outside and did quite a few craft projects.

Tuesday-Spent the day shopping around for plastic containers for store our food safely from the rats. We went down to a new market area...very crowded. Crazy and hectic, but we got what we needed. Went to a few places around town for Mom to meet some of our friends. Had a treat of ice cream around 2! YUM.

Wednesday-A good portion of the day was spent at home since Jon had meetings at the office. Mattie and Naomi organized a "Birthday Party for Jesus" with the neighborhood kids. (This party deserves a post of its own!-coming soon) We went to a progressive dinner with three other missionary families and had a blast-great food, lots of laughs, and kids all played pretty hard!

Today we plan on heading to Mashiah Foundation (http://www.mashiahfoundation.org/mashiah/index.html). This is a wonderful ministry to the victims of AIDS.

We plan on moving on the 26th. Please pray that we will be able to get stablizers, mattresses, and other items we would like to have before moving in. Also, please remember Jon in your prayers. He has been suffering from something in his gut since we got here and it is getting worse, even though he has gone through a few rounds of different meds.

Photos:
Naomi dancing in the elementary Christmas concert-kinda blurry, but she is in pink and black.
Girls at the zoo.
Little Nigerian girl.

Office Christmas Party

Since Jon works in the SIM NIgeria office, we attended the office Christmas party today. We had a blast playing with the staff's kids....about 25 of them! They were dressed in their finest and enjoyed their presents. We enjoyed getting to meet the entire family of the office staff.

Lauren is spending the night with a friend and attending her a Nigerian wedding tomorrow-all decked out in appropriate Nigerian attire!

Muffy (Julie's Mom) will leave on Monday for her trip to Nigeria. She'll arrive at 5:25 AM on Wednesday! We are SO very excited to see a familiar face. While she is here, we expect to move to a compound closer to the school....if we get stablizers, a few appliances, beds, cooking supplies, etc. in time. Never a dull moment!

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

With Thanksgiving recently behind us and Christmas just around the corner, we thought we would express our thanks to the Lord, and to you, for our blessings while we anticipate the celebration of our Savior’s birth. As we sat down to count our many blessings, naming them one by one, we were filled with gratitude and praise! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Health –Living on a hospital compound and working in a third-world country, we have seen much suffering and grief. We have mourned with mothers who have lost their children and rejoiced with ladies who have had successful VVF operations. Other than a few amoebas swimming around in our gut, our family has been relatively healthy and we are ever so grateful. Father God, you are the Perfect Healer-please work in the bodies and souls of our Nigerian friends. Thank you for protecting our family with good health.

Food – Nigeria offers an extensive variety of fruits and vegetables. Naomi plucks passion fruit, guavas, oranges and limes off our trees for daily snacks. We have extra to share and don’t take any morsel for granted. Since we haven’t had rain for over a month, and won’t have it for about five more months, water will soon become scarce. Thank you, God Almighty, for creating variety in food, and adequate supply of food and water.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Families – By the grace of God, we were born into families who taught us Scripture and discipline. The older we become, the less we take this for granted. As hard as it might be for our families to be so far from us and rarely hear our voices, they are each very supportive. Thank you, families, for staying in touch, praying for us, and showing your love for us in so many tangible ways! Lord, we are so grateful for our precious families in the states.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Fellow Missionaries – We do have frustrating days: a water pump breaks the same day as cooking gas runs out; neighborhood children steal our clothes off the clothesline; free time is almost nil; and we wonder where energy for the next day will come. We are often lonely: we are in the beginning stages of ALL of our friendships here; internet may be down for weeks which cuts us off from communication to our family; phones very rarely work and we miss our friends. HOWEVER, we are so thankful for fellow missionaries. Each Friday night we meet together for a meal, fellowship, and prayer. Fellow missionaries come from many denominations and countries, all with a heart for ministry. They have become a network of emotional, spiritual and physical support we desperately needed. Thank you, Father, for the sweet gift of fellowship, instant bonds, and a common calling found through fellow missionaries.


When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Heart for ministry – As children, we both remember thinking that the “worst thing” God could ask us to do was to become missionaries to Africa. We now can’t think of anything farther from the truth. Our daughters are also developing a heart for ministry. They enjoy leading a Bible Study/prayer time each afternoon with the children in our neighborhood. They share candy, Kool-aid, and small toys that some of you have sent. Thank you, Father, for calling us to Africa and giving us a love of sharing the Hope that is within us.


So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Supporters – Each day, we are reminded of your sacrifice, support and prayers that allow us to be serving here. When we are all in heaven, we hope you will be able to see the dividends of your gifts. So many times, I pause during the day thinking, “I wish our supporters could see the faces of these children as they hear the Word.” (Hey, we would love for any of you to come!) Please pray that our support level would increase as we struggle to adequately meet the needs of our family and ministries. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for each person and family who sacrifices so Your Name can be taken to each end of the Earth. May You be given all the praise, honor and glory in all we do!

Bulletin Boards

I threw together a few bulletin boards for my classroom a couple weeks ago.


After a study on worship, I created this poster. Students enjoy trying to read and figure out what everything means.



Jon teaches 11th Bible and has been doing an overview of Romans this semester. This verse brings up debate in class sometimes as we discuss salvation in Christ alone.


My sixth grade English class has been studying injustice. We have just finished The Hiding Place (about Corrie ten Boom and her family) and a study on Christian African martyrs. This quote hasn't left my mind since I read it right before we left the states. I though it would be appropriate for the unit we have been studying.

Around Hillcrest School

Middle school building



Suya-our source of protein during school-beef cooked on an open fire, served with chopped onions every day.



Our school "cafeteria" where potatoes and suya are cooked.

No Greater Joy

So many of you have emailed, asking about an update on the girls. As I was praying for them this morning, this verse came to mind. They are doing well: active in discipleship, learning to play the trumpet, busy with homework every day, learning Hausa, and very excited about their grandmother's upcoming visit. Thank you for your many prayers. We are seeing the answers as they are crying less, laughing more, and making a life here.

NASB: I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

GWT: Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

KJV: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

ASV: Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4

No matter how it is said, there really is NO greater joy than to see your own children living according to His truth-filled with compassion, obedience, and faith. These last three months could not have been much more difficult for our children. We sold the house that we all loved and moved across the world-so far from their friends and family. They came to this unknown place, only with two boxes of personal items and the security of their family and God.

Over the last few months, they have developed new friendships, adjusted to a new school, learned to communicate in a different language, depended on email for news from 'home', learned to be content with much less and grabbed opportunities to share the hope that is within them. Each of our girls had a very difficult time with this transition. It didn't come miraculously or with little effort. They have struggled to make the transition-and each has gone through very unique trials that we can label spiritual warfare, without a doubt! However, with much prayer from close friends and family (both in the states and on the field), counseling, and perseverence, they are seeing the fruits of obeying the Lord and striving to be right where He wants them to be. Please continue to pray for our daughters: Lauren, Mattie Grace, and Naomi. May the Lord be glorified as they continually surrender their lives to Him.



Mattie with the prayer group she leads each afternoon

I love my kids....

A few of my seventh grade girls.


Some of my eighth grade boys...along with Naomi... up in a tree.

....all 82 of them! My primary ministry in Africa is to teach at Hillcrest School. About 40% of our school's population are missionary children. We have children from the States, Nigerian, Korea, New Zealand, Canada, Lebanon, South Africa, UK, etc. When I first arrived, I wondered if I would ever memorize names and put them with faces....but it didn't take too long at all. I have enjoyed getting to know each kid's personality, likes, dislikes, struggles and joys. We pray together, laugh together, and (hopefully) learn together. Each day is full of surprises (performing security drills, discussing politics, putting out a desk that had been lit on fire, hunting creative discipline methods, finding braids left in my classroom, etc) ...and I have never once thought, "I am bored" -what middle school teacher has?! I am usually ready for a weekend by Friday and am looking forward to a new week on Sunday nights. What a joy it is to be able to talk to my students about Jesus Christ. Some of my kids are Christians, some are Muslim, others claim a tribal religion. Please pray for the hearts of my unbelieving students to be softened and drawn to the Lord. Each child carries such heavy burdens as many are far from home, have relatives in unsafe conditions, are living in hostels, living in an uncertain time and place, struggling with being a 'tween' and finding out what they personally believe and needs so much prayer. Thank you for lifting up these that I have quickly grown to love. We only have two weeks until our Christmas break.....may we finish this semester well.