Culture, Gratefulness, and REAL Power

Na gode Allah!

Hausa for “I thank God!”

For a while, I was thinking that this “culture shock” thing was highly overrated for I haven’t experienced any yet. This may, in part, be due to having a knack for adapting easily, for outside of the distinct madness of driving and lack of many conveniences, I was beginning to think Nigeria will be easy. However, given just a little more time here, I’ve been able to witness that some ideas deeply ingrained in Nigerian culture are hard for me to fully understand.

For instance: titles. In the States, we have a loose system of corresponding positions, respect, and authority, but we are also heavily indoctrinated on the equality of man. Not quite so here. Professors are not friends outside of class with students, and high-ranking businessmen do not associate with lower-ranking businessmen as equal colleagues. What affects me is how this mindset applies to my house-help, Briska. At first, I thought she was simply extremely polite. This may be true, but what runs deeper is what she believes to be proper. She is older than me, yet completely submits herself and only upon my request, ventures to teach me anything. What a model to follow in my walk with Christ!

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Though, it will take me yet a bit longer to truly understand how she views me and our relationship, I gained insight into her mind the day after she went with me and another baturi (white girl) to the market. Briska said she was “privileged” to walk with me and hoped that her classmates saw us together. She continued to flow with gratitude for working for me and staying in the compound on occasion. May the Lord teach me such gratitude and humility

I also have also noticed the idea of marriage and children here. Last Sunday, I joined a group of first-time visitors at Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Plateau Church. The women who served us drinks and cookies introduced themselves with all the important info: their name, marital status, and how many children they have. Other talk since I’ve been here suggests the importance for women to be married and fruitful. I met two ladies who married at 13 and 15 years old; they both admitted that they were young. One woman explained to me that if a man foresees that a girl will be sought-after, he will pick her early to marry before anyone else gets the chance. Already cultural stuff from the Bible makes more sense.

I suppose I should wrap this entry up, but how about another plug for the Lord? My time here is as busy as I make it, and I keep bustling around in preparation for school. However, the alone time has been wonderful in allowing the Lord to teach and speak to me. I’ve been able to rethink mission work--how it should be thought of and done. Recently, I had a breakthrough in my lesson plans after a week of arduous, mind-reeling work. It was as if God was letting me know that anything good that comes out of me, even the talents and gifts I have, actually come from Him. How often do we rattle off these elementary truths, but rarely live them out practically? I have a feeling Nigeria’s going to make me put into practice some of the things I’ve always said.

Well, sai an’jima! (“Until Later”)

Looking to the Lord,

Kari

Arrival

Sanu! (Greetings)

Praise God for so many things, starting with a safe, problem-free trip to Nigeria—including all of my bags! I brought several books in my carry-on, figuring I would have nearly two days of sitting, so I would catch up on my reading. I barely opened one of them because I found myself caught in conversations with some interesting people. All were pleasant and unique…I decided to spare the details…

My long layovers were also pleasant because I was able to meet up with a couple friends from College in Chicago and a travel buddy in Frankfurt who is staying in Jos for a month.

My arrival in Abuja, Nigeria was not nearly as chaotic or loud as I imagined it to be. Everyone remained in an orderly and quiet line to pass through customs. Few Nigerians wore their typical light-weight robs and loose pants; most had on western casual or business clothes. My interaction with the customs officers was particularly amusing. Apart from not knowing my exact address in Jos, the major issue the man had with me was my occupation. After asking in about 4 different ways where, what and whom I will be teaching, the officer was extremely irritated that I am in fact coming to teach NIGERIANS to speak English! After all, I clearly do not even speak English, but American. He explained that HE speaks English, not I. Up until this point, I was sure to keep a stern look and tone in my voice so as to present myself strong and unmovable in my intentions, but I was so amused that I couldn’t stop the smirk grow on my face. I assured the man that I would learn English and then teach it to the students. This seemed to appease him, so he let me go through!

I was informed several times that Abuja does not accurately characterize Nigeria. Of what I’ve seen of the country so far (I had a 3.5 hr drive from Abuja to Jos and a short walk around the area), it is comparable to most other third-world countries I’ve been. There are areas of lush, green, barely-touched forest, grass and clay huts, communities of small homes with tin roofs and clay or plaster walls really close together and near very large European homes with columns, venders on the side of the road that sell fruit and everything else in what looks like a kiosk we’d find in the mall, well-paved roads (so far), and CRAZY driving.

I had supper with the Headmaster of Hillcrest School last night and he has set me up with a different family every night this week to get acquainted. What a blessing!

Rene took me around the neighborhood to buy some groceries and explained to everyone we met that I am her sister and they all welcomed me with warm, smiling faces. Yes, I’m a bit overwhelmed, but full of anticipation. This is my new home.
“Everything incomprehensible does not cease to exist” Pascal Pensees (fragment # 230)