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!