We are back safe and sound as many of you have heard. I thought I would fill in some of the details of our week for you:
On Wednesday, Michael, Emily and I left with our driver and 2 other Nigerian doctors for an ENT conference about 9 hours away. The bad news is that it turned out to be really 12-13 hours away. Ever traveled cross country on a two lane highway with huge potholes, no roadmap, and few road signs? We had some good laughs because we had to stop and ask for directions so many times. By the way, there were no roadmaps because there are none to buy!
The conference was worthwhile for Michael to attend. Several Nigerian residents are now eager to come observe him for a month or so to further their training. Michael is excited about training more doctors to do surgeries that he alone is doing in Nigeria right now.
While in Ife, we got the message that rioting had broken out and that Sterling, along with all the other missionaries, was being evacuated from our compound. There was really not anything we could do so far away, except pray. And that was the very thing to do! That is when we first made our family and friends aware of what was going on. We thank you for your prayers and ask for your continued prayers as things are still not back to normal here in Jos.
We finished out the conference and then Saturday morning headed for home. I am amazed at how the Lord provided in advance for us personally: our Nigerian travel mates went through the 2001 Jos crisis and were a wealth of knowledge and advice to get us home safely reunited with our children. They also had families they had left behind in Jos during the conference and understood our eagerness to be with our family. They very wisely suggested, however, that we delay our return and overnight in Miango (see previous blog for Miango Rest Home.) They even suggested routes that they felt were safer. The Lord knew our need and made provision for it even before the fighting ever broke out. And we just thought we were giving friends a ride!
We are all in our house now. The kids and Michael are even unwinding in front of a movie.
I would have to say the highs of this week so far for me would be: in Ife, seeing unusual lizards and a massive bat population flying around, having a bonding experience with our Nigerian acquaintances who are now friends . . .witnessing our driver Alphonsus eat his first American hamburger at Miango and spending a significant amount of time with him (as he is a newer Christian) . . .seeing God’s faithfulness firsthand in our time of need amidst the rioting . . .reuniting with our kids and having a special time of prayer and worship with all of the other displaced missionaries before heading back home.
One low: realizing that our hotel in Ife that had inconsistent water and electricity was the best hotel in town and the one that all the other conference attendees were trying to switch to! Oh well, we will get a real vacation one day!
LIsa
On Wednesday, Michael, Emily and I left with our driver and 2 other Nigerian doctors for an ENT conference about 9 hours away. The bad news is that it turned out to be really 12-13 hours away. Ever traveled cross country on a two lane highway with huge potholes, no roadmap, and few road signs? We had some good laughs because we had to stop and ask for directions so many times. By the way, there were no roadmaps because there are none to buy!
The conference was worthwhile for Michael to attend. Several Nigerian residents are now eager to come observe him for a month or so to further their training. Michael is excited about training more doctors to do surgeries that he alone is doing in Nigeria right now.
While in Ife, we got the message that rioting had broken out and that Sterling, along with all the other missionaries, was being evacuated from our compound. There was really not anything we could do so far away, except pray. And that was the very thing to do! That is when we first made our family and friends aware of what was going on. We thank you for your prayers and ask for your continued prayers as things are still not back to normal here in Jos.
We finished out the conference and then Saturday morning headed for home. I am amazed at how the Lord provided in advance for us personally: our Nigerian travel mates went through the 2001 Jos crisis and were a wealth of knowledge and advice to get us home safely reunited with our children. They also had families they had left behind in Jos during the conference and understood our eagerness to be with our family. They very wisely suggested, however, that we delay our return and overnight in Miango (see previous blog for Miango Rest Home.) They even suggested routes that they felt were safer. The Lord knew our need and made provision for it even before the fighting ever broke out. And we just thought we were giving friends a ride!
We are all in our house now. The kids and Michael are even unwinding in front of a movie.
I would have to say the highs of this week so far for me would be: in Ife, seeing unusual lizards and a massive bat population flying around, having a bonding experience with our Nigerian acquaintances who are now friends . . .witnessing our driver Alphonsus eat his first American hamburger at Miango and spending a significant amount of time with him (as he is a newer Christian) . . .seeing God’s faithfulness firsthand in our time of need amidst the rioting . . .reuniting with our kids and having a special time of prayer and worship with all of the other displaced missionaries before heading back home.
One low: realizing that our hotel in Ife that had inconsistent water and electricity was the best hotel in town and the one that all the other conference attendees were trying to switch to! Oh well, we will get a real vacation one day!
LIsa
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