To those of you asking, ", “So you are back in North Carolina, what are you going to do next?”:

> Friends bidding me farewell. :)

I am sorry for not being more faithful on updating on what is happening. It has already been a month since I left Nigeria. That blows my mind! My first two weeks were consumed with my beloved sister’s wedding that took place on June 12th. Then a few friends from Nigeria and I took a road trip—passing through Virginia, DC, and NY— to Canada to see another friend we met in Nigeria get married. It was a great reunion, reminiscent of our group travels in West Africa but without all the wahala (problems). Then I spent some time with family in Ohio for a few days. It was so great to see them after over 2 years! ;)
Cousins and Grandparents.

In addition to continuing long-missed conversations and real hugs with friends and family from all over, I will be working on a plan for a ministry that I will keep nameless for now. Suffice it to say that I’m super excited about it and would GREATLY appreciate your prayers for guidance and blessing concerning it and/or any other opportunity the Lord brings my way. The Lord has provided a catering job for me that practically fell in my lap. This job also allows me to look for a second means of income. Lord willing, I’ll work for a year and then start my Masters of Education at UNCG by August 2011.

Last Week in Nigeria

I sit here, with exactly one week left in Nigeria. And I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it.

A few days ago, I had an epiphany about my purpose as an English teacher here in Jos, Nigeria. I realized that my focus had come full-circle from last year. I concerned myself about the lack of depth and soundness that I saw in many of the churches here and concluded upon questioning a range of knowledgeable people that a main reason is low reading comprehension in English and lack of study resources in Hausa (many of the theological students’ first language). I thus considered teaching English to the seminary students this year, but realized that was not God’s purpose for me to be here.

Since then, I’ve talked more with my students and found that several of them don’t like to read because they find it difficult to understand the sentences on the page. For many of them, English is their primary language. In talking with them about their spiritual lives, I also found that they don’t like to read the Bible because they don’t understand it either. Suddenly, my role holds much more applicable value than passing tests and getting kids through school—I’m teaching them to understand what they read so they can better understand when they read the Bible!

Great time to be fused with energetic purpose, uh? I’m not even teaching anymore because the kids are taking exams all week. Still, it is witness to the fact that God knows what He is doing in placing a burden in my heart and in placing me in my specific area of ministry.

My last days will be occupied with dinners and making the most of what little time I have left. Please pray for good, meaningful goodbyes and wisdom as I say my last words to my students. I do feel like it is important that I tell them the truth and let them know I love them—regardless of the number of collective punishments. 

I spent the afternoon on Saturday to greet my market friends and let them know I’m traveling. They welcomed me back with warm smiles, wondering where I’ve been since it’s been several months since I’ve made it out to them (we have someone to shop for us now—a normal thing). Unfortunately, Mama Favor (also known as Mama Jesus due to her constant evangelizing) and Hasan were not there. I especially wanted to see them.

Yes, one week. I’m ready for school to be finished, but I’m not fully ready for Nigerian to be finished. Yes, I’m bursting at the seams to see my family and friends in NC, but I’m sad to leave my family and friends in Jos. This will be an emotional week! Watch out!

Again Late in Publishing

As I lay in bed, I realized that I haven’t updated my blog in the passed month and a half. I could hear the question, “So, what have you been up to lately?” I don’t think I have any wonderful stories this time. However, there always seems to be an on-going redemptive pattern in my classroom: I blow it, I beg for an extra measure of love and all the other goods, and then—by God’s grace—I successfully meet an opportunity to be/share Christ. I might have said this before, but I’m learning how to be a parent as I learn to be a better teacher.

In the meantime, I continue to carry out life:
1. Learning how to gut a chicken
2. Training for a 10k race to raise money for an orphanage
3. Making arrangements to go to a teacher’s conference over spring break
4. Sweating at night. Yes, the “cold” season has ended and it is your stereotypical steamy Africa…ALL the time. We are waiting for the rains to come and clear the air of all the dust.
5. Picking up piano again
6. Having the hostel girls over for movie nights
7. Hanging out with the compound guards, practicing my Hausa
8. Walking 20 min. to and from church.
9. Exploring abandoned buildings.



For a certain period of time, I questioned whether I could teach the rest of my life because it seemed to devour all of my time and energy quite literally. I am happy to announce that I believe that I actually can do this! People weren’t lying to me: the second year really is easier than the first! I do things quicker and certain things come more natural. I imagine it continues to get easier. Although, I have seen that even the most esteemed experience teachers still struggle with “those students.” Still, it’s different for them.


I’m looking for things to report to you people, but I’m running out of ideas. Feel free to post a comment or a question on this thing, or you can even email me! I’d love to hear from you!!

Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned more about what it means to be “American” or “Western.” It’s nice to know that I do have a culture that is uniquely “American” that’s neither good nor bad. A couple differences you might find interesting:
1. Here, there’s not much thought about “postmodernism” or how the church ought to respond to it. I’ve even forgotten that took up any of my grey matter only 2 years ago.
2. As one might guess, we don’t typically call before we show up. We just come and hope you have something for us to eat or drink…something other than water, thank you.
3. To honor one’s guest, they’ll serve you food and let you eat it alone. Sometimes they’ll even leave the room!
4. All transactions ought to be made with the right hand, no matter how inconvenient.
5. You want to buy something? Well, get yourself in front of the shop owner and dictate what you want. And be big so that you are served before another person squeezes before you. I’m still not good at that.



6. If you have a T.V., blare it. If you have light, all switches are on. Period.
7. A “greeting” is not just a card. It is a conversation that can last 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
8. Smiling doesn’t mean you’re weird here. You smile and you simply get more attention.

A possible letter in response to recent events in Nigeria

Paul and Martin Luther, servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, called from the difficult to the hard for the glory of God to spread His gospel of freedom and peace. Greetings to the church in Nigeria, to those who are being sanctified by the sufferings of the faith and by the hand of God. We have heard of your situation and rejoice with our fellow brethren at the endurance you have demonstrated as a testimony of the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

And we pray that you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. For He does not will that any should perish.

Our Lord Jesus warned us that the world will hate us as it hated Him and put Him to death. Yet He still commanded us to love and not fear what man can do to us and our family but rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body. And though this world, filled with devils, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness is grim, but we tremble not for him—his rage can endure ‘cause his doom is sure! Likewise, many precious things of this life—though good—can be shaken and taken and will not remain. But we have received and therefore must live for a kingdom which cannot be shaken, for it is eternal.

As you offer yourselves as a living sacrifice unto God, which is an acceptable service of gratitude with reverence and awe, pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled.

Finally brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might…for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.

One little word which is above all earthly powers will fell the prince of this darkness. The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who sides with us! Let goods and kindred go. And this mortal life also. The body they may kill, but God’s truth abides still—and His kingdom is FOREVER!

May the grace and peace of God be with you as the Comforter fills you in this time of sorrow.

Heb 11: 13b, 16 “…They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth…But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city.”

As these faithful ones, so am I a “stranger and exile on the earth.” The reality of this had hit me before, but I’m stunned by the blow again. Can I then compare my lifetime on Earth to my two-to-four-ish years in a given place (for that is how I see me living my life)? Yes, it seems to be a sufficient—if not complete—analogy.

I’ve made myself comfortable here with the understanding that I could be asked to move. In spite of the lack of permanence, I make relationships, develop love for others, and enjoy my time here.

Also, my focus is defined: I am a teacher and a missionary. Thus, with a faint sense of urgency that sometimes becomes more acute, I seek out opportunities to influence lives and eternities for the glory of God. As time nears the end, my heart hurts for these people. I hate to leave them, but we never really leave each other.

NC is my home, but so was SC when I schooled there. Nigeria is also my home. Wherever I live is home. But none of these places are really HOME. Maybe I’m fine with being so transitional because God travels with me and my spirit is at Home with Him.

How wonderful it will be when I have complete permanence with Him in heaven!

Nepali Nights

If I’m having such a hard time recapping on a 2-week adventure to Nepal, I’m a bit nervous about how I’ll handle the requests to explain my 2-year stay in Nigeria. To make sure I give you a fair “heads up,” I might just send you to read my blog! Don’t worry; I’ll say it with my sweetest southern charm. ;) As I’ve learned, it’s easier sooner rather than later, so here we go…

On my way to Nepal, I had a 14 hour layover in Doha, Qatar which is a tiny country on the inner vertex of the Arabian Peninsula (kinda geometric for an English teacher, uh?). A Nigerian friend connected me with a friend of his who would take me around the city. Since I have to get out of the airport to be considered to have visited the country, I figured I would take advantage of such a ridiculous layover. Not to knock the country, but there just isn’t a ton to see and do. With all its “black gold” it did a nice job turning the desert into a city of creative architecture. Truly, wherever there wasn’t pavement, there was sand. Besides its oil, I suppose Qatar is best known for its Khalifa Stadium which held the 2006 Asian Games.

Here is the Museum of Islamic Art which just opened in 2009.



The first thing I have to remind you all—as I was reminded myself—is that whatever you assume about the demographics of a country based on pictures and media is WRONG. I found this to be overtly true as I rode through Kathmandu , the capitol, to the apartment I stayed in for a couple nights. The trash-littered roads, tall buildings, billboard signs, buzzing and honking cars, and streams of pedestrians almost brought me back to any given big city in the States. The roadside markets, chaotic driving, makeshift driving machines, and lack of bright lights (or streetlights, for that matter) reminded me that I was still not in First World America. The incredibly narrow and bumpy dirt alleys were likewise reminiscent of the Nigerian roads to residents off the main road.

That said, I did see enough saris and traditional wear—complete with the red tiki on the forehead and nose piercings—to call it common place culture. In fact, we stayed so close to a Stupa, the Buddhist place of prayer and worship, that we passed by it on a daily basis to see the devout march around the building, spinning the prayer wheels and periodically prostrating themselves. It was heart-wrenching to see such hopeless sincerity Even more saddening is when I saw a Westerner with a shaven head and red tunic, displaying a life committed to the search of the truth through following Buddha when they have access to the real Life-giving Truth in their country.

Christmas without a single member of my family was an interesting experience that reinforced both the focus of the season and the truth that all believers make up the family of God. I'm surprised how attached I got to them. I was welcomed to a Christmas Eve dinner as well as a Christmas morning family worship and gift exchange. We even had stockings filled with the things that whisper of home: an orange, chocolate, a toothbrush, a lighter, and nuts. I’m still amazed at how quickly I began an attachment with those folks in Kathmandu . Oh, we also sang real carols on Christmas Eve in a tiny restaurant owned by a Hindu lady. A couple Western monks came in for food and clearly enjoyed our music—and I can’t help but think it was because of the light of truth they saw in them. One of our guys couldn’t help but bring in the Santa suit also.


That afternoon, Kav and I left our temporary stay with her friends in Kathmandu to go to her own place in Pokhara. On the flight over I had my first glimpse of the Himalayas.



The next day we had a picnic with several Nepali families for the purpose to share the Christmas story with them—most were not believers. We sat everyone down on mats after a silent war to get each mat to touch. There were different casts present and it was important to enforce equality. There I met a lady whom will always be imprinted in my memory: Goodday. I played and danced with her daughters and took time to talk with her. This won me the privilege to be invited over later to spend time with her and tell her more about Jesus and how He is not just a god but the One True God.



We were invited over to Sidduh's house for dinner and to share the gospel story with his family. Kav told the story from creation to resurrection and Hom, another new believer, translated. Siddhu’s mother listened intently, which gave us much encouragement.

One day Hom, Saomi (random Japanese girl we picked up), and I crossed Fewa Lake to the World Peace Stupa—a Buddhist monument and place of worship.


From that point, we could see almost all of Pokhara.



As we walked around, we ran into a couple of bison. I HAD to get the photo, but it was also pretty scary being so close to such a big and unpredictable animal. This is what Nepalese eat instead of beef because they treat cows as sacred. Likewise, they make milk and cheese from yaks.



I got to trek up Sarangkot, but those pictures will be coming later. Sorry.

I’ll close for now. As much as I loved Nepal and my time there, I was affirmed that Nigeria in my home. This is undoubtedly where God has me for a season. I am so glad to be back! I’m totally enjoying my time with Tara, my roommate, again and her sister, Jena, who is visiting for the month. 