Road Scenes

While driving down the road the other day, I snapped a few photos of scenes we see every day.


A truckload of yams.


A que for petrol. This is usually quite long.


Women carrying firewood, water and more.


Veggies being sold on the side of the road. Roasted corn in the middle! YUM


Fresh, very fresh meat market.

in Memory of Daniel Yakubu

The day after Christmas we were driving near the zoo...little did we know that in a few hours it would be the scene of a brutal murder. Daniel, a man from the church we attend, was walking home from helping at a concert when his throat was slashed by a guy on a motorbike. Please pray for his family (he has three children) as they grieve their loss. At church today the pastor reminded us all that vengence is the Lord's.

Merry Christmas

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. "
~Dr. Seuss




"...and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

A Christmas Tradition

Often times it is hard to make (or keep) traditions when you move...and even more so when you move without many of your belongings to a place far, far from where you have called home. For the last two years, we have shared Christmas meal with the Andrews family. Today we had pounded yam, red stew, beans (black-eyed peas), rice, and chin chin. YUM. This family has gone through so many hard times this year (emergency c-section-the little girl Lauren is holding, loss of a baby, kidnapping of little boy, and more) and yet they continually praise the Lord for his goodness. We enjoy being with them so very much and we call them family!


Pray for Sarah (pictured with Naomi) as she prepares for her upcoming wedding. Sarah is like a sister to me. Together we shop, cook, pray and continually talk. Sarah has taught me so much about cheerfulness and fulfillment. She has such a servant's heart. Truly a joy to be around!

Joy

We were able to go down to our friend's (David) village earlier this week. David has six children, three boys and three girls. He works so very hard and helps our family in many ways. His children are beautiful, as are all the other children in the village. Joy and contentment are the two words I think of when this family comes to my mind.

Yankari Park

Almost four hours away there is a wildlife park we love! While Jon was in the bush, we took my (Julie's) mom there for the day. Leaving out at the crack of dawn, we arrived in time to go on a safari and to swim before having to head back so we could be home before (or at least close to) dark.

We were very disappointed to not see elephants this time, but blessed by the sightings of monkeys, baboons (MANY we could touch!), warthogs, waterbuck, and so much more. The swimming is my favorite! We love to relax in the warm springs. I think we could have stayed in the ater for many more hours. Next time, we must spend the night.

A few updates

Just wanted to update on previous posts---

But first, photo above - This is a good snake because it is a DEAD bad snake.

Bush travel - As the team traveled into the bush, they had so much van trouble, but they pressed on. Over 250 people made commitments. To help encourage these new believers, please pray for churches to be established in the areas where there are none. And yes, Jon was VERY ready for a shower by Sunday.

Baby bird - We buried the little thing under the orange tree in the front yard.

Christmas 'tree' - The orginal 'tree' was replaced by a real fake tree, delivered by a sweet friend of Lauren's. We have so enjoyed our little tree this season.

Our table - Our table has seemed a bit lonely without the students (on break) who so often gather here. We do miss their smiling faces and constant chatter.

Bush Travel

Jon has traveled out into the bush with friends to show the Jesus Film. I asked him exactly where was going....he wasn't able to tell me because he didn't really know. However, today we got a phone call from him and he said he had climbed to the top of a mountain to get a *weak* phone signal to check in. Please pray with us for those who will be watching the film in their own language. I am sure when Jon returns he will have stories to share....right after a good shower.

Tweet New Pet

Since saying goodbye to our bushrat babies, Naomi has been wanting a new pet. Today while playing with a friend outside, she found an injured baby bird who had fallen out of its nest. The bird looked as if it wouldn't last the hour. However, with much love and some nourishment (minced meat with egg), it is still alive and much more alert. Never a dull moment in this house! Never. Ever.

Art from the Heart

The art show this year showed off some gorgeous pieces. Each as different as the artists. I love art. I especially love the pieces that I know came deep from within the heart of the artist. I loved hearing the reasoning behind the pieces. And I could tell there was often more than the artists wanted to reveal, which makes the piece much more interesting. I am so thankful for a wonderful art teacher who allows the students to create what their hearts are feeling---not to just reproduce what is in a book or on someone else's canvas.


Beautiful!


Are the bricks being torn down by the love, or are they building up a wall?


I wish you could all see the details in this piece of art.


Just one of many by this very talented artist. The stencil below was used to dye cloth. He is extremely talented in the more detailed drawings...an architect in the raw.



I wish I could explain all of the details in this fabulous piece of work titled "Love + Hate = Chaos" Both love (rose) and hate (skeleton) can produce fire (both in a flame) and have consequences (smoke).... See the chains. Notice the veiled women. Can you find the windows...stained glass and the one in the eye? Eyes are the window to the soul. There are thorns on the rose (love) becuase sometimes it hurts. Find the bottle...pouring out the word "love"....yes, so much in this piece.

Like Family

During the last week of school we had exams-which produced a very stressful time for both students and teachers. But, on the last day...after all exams were taken....the pressure was off and we had a great time of celebrating the end of a great semester---casually hanging out with friends, and tearfully saying goodbye to those who will not return next semester due to moving or going on furlough. There is a bond between these students that is similar to that of brother/sister. SO fun to work with these kids...many of them have become like sons/daughters to us.

Goodbye, Beautiful One

One of my dear eighth graders is leaving us! She will be going to another school very, very far away. So, of course, we had to have a party! The eighth grade girls all piled into our house. They quickly turned our front room into a pretty cool dance floor. The music blared, the girls "exercised" and I hope we helped provide a wonderful memory.




Dearest J-
I remember when I first met you. I thought to myself, "Self, that is one beautiful girl!" Your smile has often brightened my day when I would see you first thing in the morning beside the science room. Your laughter is contagious and sometimes I had a difficult time staying in control when I would hear you laugh in class. I appreciate your honestly. Now when I think of you, I not only see your outward beauty, but also your beautiful heart. Thank you, my sweet J for loving your friends and your English teacher so very much! I love dearly and will miss you (and your dance moves) like crazy! When you are so far away and wondering what your Hillcrest family is doing, be assured that we are missing you. Godspeed to you.
With much love-Mrs. P

Backed Baby

Mom is in town and brought a baby doll for our friend, Rejoice. Rejoice loved the baby, especially the silky blonde hair. After checking out the baby, combing her hair, and loving on her, she backed her! We found her a strip of fabric to help out. Rejoice is still often backed by her mom, grandmom, etc. but she is now backing her baby and loves it!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas....

Ahhhhhhhh.....exams have been taken and marked. Grades are in. Our long awaited, much needed break has begun. Since we have been super busy with the end of school, Christmas decorating has been put on hold. However, Naomi decided to go ahead and put up her own tree in her room...made from trash bins, Indomie (like ramen noodles) box, and other odds and ends. She has threatened to move it into the living room if we don't get something up soon! Now that is motivation!

The Table

My favorite table ever was purchased as we were moving into our century-old farm house five years ago. The table was large but not formal-a distressed farm table. Often many friends and/or family would gather around it. When we sold our house to move to Nigeria, the table stayed.

We now have an old hand-me down table with a piece of cloth over it to cover the chipped formica. Our chairs are mismatched wooden school ones. Not a scene you'd find in a furniture catalog!

However, it is here, around the table, where many relationships are formed, strengthened and sorted-out while memories are made. At this table we play games-all sorts of games!, do homework, decorate cookies, write lesson plans, carve pumpkins, build puzzles, eat meals, and share many-oh so many-stories. The conversations around our table always amuse me...especially when we have extra kids over. If you were here the other night when a bunch of students ate with us, you might have heard:

-Oh-that stinks! Who just stepped on the stink ant?
-After killing the rat, he ate it. (along with the details of the process of preparing the rat)
-Was that gunfire we heard during lunch at school?
-Can I have another sloppy joe?
-You've NEVER had a Christmas present?
-Can I have your dessert?
-Are you white? (not as easy to answer as you might think)
-They just rip the head right off with their hands. (This wasn't referring to the rat!)
-What are you having tomorrow night for dinner?
-Let's play a game.

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”
 Frederick Keonig

My Other Girls

My 8th Grade Girls.
Love them.
Lots and Lots.

They are silly.
They are LOUD!
They are moody.
They are precious.

Thursday afternoons after school we gather for an hour and a half to eat, chat, try to help others figure out life issues, pray for and encourage each other. They will talk about most anything! They are rarely quiet or still. Coming from all over the world, they have a bond that goes beyond race, religion, likes and dislikes. Last week I watched them divide into small groups to pray together, I was amazed at the tenderness I heard in their voices. They are so very precious to me.

I love you Jeneba, Layal, Samantha, Anna, Jessica, Michelle, Funmi, Heather, Francine, Esesua, Nubwa, Ashley, Anica, Janel, Karita, Amelie, Manyil, Chinelo, Sarya and Anulika.

New Pets (?)

You know you are a MK in Africa when....

....you beg to raise baby bushrats.

While fellow missionaries were cleaning out a storage room beside our house, a batch of bushrats were discovered. Three large adult ones were killed, leaving four baby bushrats. They were so young their eyes had not yet opened. Of course, nature-girl Naomi rushed to their rescue. She fixed a little box for them and prepared some milk in a dropper bottle. She has loved on them all day. However, news got around and we were informed that we are not allowed to keep them. (Something about rats carrying diseases-who knew? HA! ) They will be given to a friend who raises snakes! Since Naomi loves snakes, she didn't seem too troubled by this news. However, she has just moved them inside so they don't get cold tonight...before we can get them to the snake man.