Came and Went

Just a snapshot of the material damages of the riots...

Isn't that the way it is sometimes: you just begin something and the experience is over before you know it. Whether it is a survival mechanism or naivete, I have to remind myself of the happenings of the past couple weeks and that they were real. But these pictures allow the unsettling memory to rest in my mind. These "Tiger Patrol" officials were part of the convoy that escorted the hostel students from my compound to Abuja.

Many families are still experiencing the repercussions of such violence, yet it still feels so far away. School has since resumed, students crammed for semester exams, and now we are out again. School also "came and went." This semester "came and went."

I've been here in Nigeria for 5 1/2 months. Time is flying!

If it is possible that some of you have not received an e-mail update on the goings-on here in Jos, I'm alive, safe, and unharmed. Unfortunately, many people cannot say this. We had tens of thousands internally displaced peoples (IDPs), many of whom lost everything they owned (including their income of crops) due to fires set ablaze by irrational hate. Relief is organized for these people, but only the Lord can heal the deep wounds of fear, trauma, hate, sin, and godlessness. Pray for spiritual, emotional, relational, and financial recovery for the people here.

Pardon my COMPLETE gear-change...
...but as I said, things come and go. As I was grading exams for 6th-8th grade, I humoured myself with their comments at the end. I left some space on the exam for the students to share anything with me (the good, bad, ugly, random, requests, etc). I thought I'd share just a couple:

1. A 6th grade student: Miss Marshall, do you ever think about getting married? I hope you get a god-honoring, humble, nice, gentle husband. But please don't leave us if you get married!
2. 8th grade student: You're a cheerful person. Yelling doesn't suit you.
3. 8th grade student: You're a cool teacher with a sense of humor. Even though I'm not the best student ever, I still like your teaching. (A complete surprise to me)
4. 8th grade student: I DON'T LIKE WARNING SLIPS!!! (not a surprise at all)

Others that I kept to myself remind me that you just never know what is REALLY going on with other people. You don't know what kind of impact you have. A personal challenge to take advantage of every opportunity (Eph 5:16).

Trusting the Prince of Peace,
Kari