Time Warp

Ever have the feeling that time has both stopped and sped up? I’m sitting here, looking back on the past month and amazed at how I lack a sense of time! I can assure that life has been eventful, but how could I possibly relate that to you?

My dearest sister has already recorded the pleasant camping/hiking trip we took with a group of singles. We trekked around Sheri Hills, a mountainous range that contains the highest point on the plateau. For those of you who won’t check out Rene’s blog (although, you would be missing out on a true treat), suffice it to say that we got lost several times, camped next to a 100ft waterfall, and had wonderful chats beside the campfire at night. We picked out trail names for each other, which, according to Rene, is a tradition for seasoned trail hikers. Since then, God has been teaching me plenty, plenty!

Among the more profound things, I discovered that I could—against popular belief—possibly play basketball! Who knew? I always assumed I was horribly inept at the sport. About a week ago, I was asked if I play basketball. Upon my firm, “Never a game in my life,” I was then asked if I could be an able body to scrimmage against our high school varsity team. “If you really are that desperate, then maybe you won’t be worse off having me on the court.” Consequently, I found myself on the court on Halloween night, still wondering how exactly I got myself in this position. I purposefully avoided conversation with my students about the upcoming event, hoping they would all have something better to do than watch the game. Who was I kidding? Half the school was there to witness my pending humiliation! I made the best of the night by pulling knowledge from every other sport that I can claim adequate skill in as well as a measure of lunacy that prompted me to make an absolutely ridiculous attempt at a goal at the last second of the first half. Picture a move that resembles something of a discus toss and a ballerina. I’m sure my students are stunned at how Miss Marshal can be two completely different people!

In other news, I attended my first Nigerian wedding. Four of us girls bought the same fabric so that we would all match—polar opposite idea from the American girls whose entire evening would be destroyed if they were caught wearing the same dress as another! I even got a headdress made to fit in with the Nigerians—right, like I blend in! The procession started in the church around 10:00am and I left the reception before it got started at 3:30. I was hot, tired, and mentally occupied with my responsibility to the classroom. I sincerely wanted to stay through it all (okay, I really wanted in on the dancing), the work I had to do was looming over my head. Besides being extremely long and in Hausa, the ceremony was characterized by special groups singing, a few congregational songs, a skit, sermon, and an offering during which the congregation dances down in front of the couple to give their financial gift. Other things that weren’t so familiar: EVERYONE got a scheduled picture with the newly weds; though the bridesmaids were listed, I couldn’t pick them out; the couple didn’t kiss for us; and reception was almost just as programmed as the ceremony—we had to sit down in rows of chairs. In spite of all that, the whole deal seemed familiar: we were in a church, most people had special attire, the bride wore white and the groom had a suit, there were flower girls, a preacher, and a cake-cutting at the reception.

This is Briska, me, and Dana entering the church...yes, we are dancing!

On the school front, all I can say is that it sure feels good when I’m doing something right! It’s been a Sherlock Holms game, at times, to figure out just what will trigger each student to desire and be able to learn. As I explore techniques, I’ve been clinging to 1 Cor 1:17-3:16. The main focus of the passage is to highlight God’s power rather than man’s wisdom or cleverness. It is my constant request that the Lord’s power is known, whether through my abilities or inabilities. I am constantly reminded that I’m not only teaching English, but also Christ and life with Him. So is EVERY believer’s profession.
Through “Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24),
Kari