Well, the bags are almost packed and I am ready to start the journey, that is until I remember that we're leaving people behind. It will be hard for the kids and I to say goodbye to Amson, the rest of the family here, and the guesthouse friends.
But on the other end, it will be great to see the family there and to share the kids with them, and at least Amson will join us in a month.
I must confess, I am a little anxious about travelling without Amson. (I never have told him about the time I came back after him and left the passports in my parents' home! We just barely had time to turn around, get them and still make the flight! That is not a drive I'd like to repeat!)
I pray that all will go well, but I find myselft thinking extra hard today and checking my lists to make sure I/we have what we will need and a few wants, but not more than we either want to return with or are willing to toss before we come back.
Looking back over the past year and a half when I was in the US with Daniel for my dad's funeral I feel like it's been an extra long time, and the past six months were the longest!
Well, I guess there's not much to write, just to ask for your prayers for "journey mercies" as we say here. One custom that I adopted on my first mission trip and is also followed here is that whenever we travel anywhere, we always pray first that God will be with, "the driver, other people on the road, and (Daniel insists) for the tires on the car!" This time we'll add, "for the pilots of the plane and others that might be in the air."
According to African time, we fly out at 9:25 pm, that's about noon NW, US time. The journey from our door to my mom's door will be about about 40 hours! Wow, I was thinking about 30 before, but 40 is a loonnngg time for the kids and I. Please do keep us in your prayers!
Dorthea
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer is around the corner!
Yea! Classes are finished for the year, just exams remain. There is still plenty to do next week and this weekend will be busy, but it is good to see the end in sight.
It has been a very long year, full of ups and downs and challenges with classes, students, and life in general. It will be good to have a break so that I can gain some perspective.
Tonight I asked my son Nat what he thought about when he thought of us going to US soon and was actually relieved to hear he didn't have any expectations. Oh, I know he hopes to buy some air soft guns and would be totally amazed if he could somehow buy some kind of computer game that is the rage now. But nonetheless, it was good to know that he didn't have some expectations I might have to try to live up to. I've often thought it's better to go into a new situation without any preconceived ideas about what will happen. I think it's best to just go and enjoy whatever happens.
I was reading a student's paper on American consumerism and could so identify with US being seen as one big shopping mall. I must confess, I have a long list of purchases I hope to make. We tend to try to buy clothes for the next few years since most things purchased in Nigeria are not qualitative and never last very long.
When I think about what kind of memories I want to create for the kids, I think of going to the public library, hanging out with my mom and hopefully other members of my family, being there for Vacation Bible School, hiking and playing at the lake, and yes, shopping is on the list.
But most of all, I look forward to having a break from school responsibilities and being able to focus on the kids and being an American in America for a little while. As I reread that I realize that I do need some other projects to keep me going so it's good that I have to read a book for renewing my teaching certificate and revise my curriculum for one class I'll teach in the fall. Apart from that, I need to encourage Nat and Annette to be reading more, that's why the library is on the list.
So I guess that means that the next time I write I may be in the US! I might have time next week, time will tell. One thing is for sure, it will be a very, very busy next week!
Dorthea
It has been a very long year, full of ups and downs and challenges with classes, students, and life in general. It will be good to have a break so that I can gain some perspective.
Tonight I asked my son Nat what he thought about when he thought of us going to US soon and was actually relieved to hear he didn't have any expectations. Oh, I know he hopes to buy some air soft guns and would be totally amazed if he could somehow buy some kind of computer game that is the rage now. But nonetheless, it was good to know that he didn't have some expectations I might have to try to live up to. I've often thought it's better to go into a new situation without any preconceived ideas about what will happen. I think it's best to just go and enjoy whatever happens.
I was reading a student's paper on American consumerism and could so identify with US being seen as one big shopping mall. I must confess, I have a long list of purchases I hope to make. We tend to try to buy clothes for the next few years since most things purchased in Nigeria are not qualitative and never last very long.
When I think about what kind of memories I want to create for the kids, I think of going to the public library, hanging out with my mom and hopefully other members of my family, being there for Vacation Bible School, hiking and playing at the lake, and yes, shopping is on the list.
But most of all, I look forward to having a break from school responsibilities and being able to focus on the kids and being an American in America for a little while. As I reread that I realize that I do need some other projects to keep me going so it's good that I have to read a book for renewing my teaching certificate and revise my curriculum for one class I'll teach in the fall. Apart from that, I need to encourage Nat and Annette to be reading more, that's why the library is on the list.
So I guess that means that the next time I write I may be in the US! I might have time next week, time will tell. One thing is for sure, it will be a very, very busy next week!
Dorthea
Saturday, May 16, 2009
A Rainy Saturday
It's a rainy afternoon and I don't really know what I am going to write, but I've been enjoying reading some other blogs and feel it's time to write again.
This was the first Saturday morning I haven't had to rush to Women's Fellowship at church because we shifted it to Sunday after service. Many women have a hard time getting there Saturday because they either work, have classes or struggle to find childcare. Since I am leaving for the US soon, I think tomorrow will be the last time I lead. I hope attendance becomes more regular so it works to make a schedule; if I continue to lead when I get back from the US I think I'll lose some of the joy of getting to know the other women.
Tomorrow I plan to talk about the importance of daily devotions; not just reading the Word, but actually pondering on it and if possible, studying with a commentary or Bible Study.
These past few years I have gone through four of Beth Moore Bible Studies and have really appreciated both the depth and the frequent delving into the Word that the studies require. The ways the studies have impacted me are sometimes difficult to pinpoint, but the need to read almost daily has been a discipline that has impacted me on a holistic level. What I mean by the use of that word is that as I read and ponder on a regular basis, more regularly than I have for some years, I find that my mind and spirit are more in tune with God and in the process he is transforming my whole being and my whole worldview to be more one with Him.
When I was teaching English in at Bronnum Lutheran Seminary and then Lutheran Junior Seminary in Adamawa State of Nigeria I used to tell my students that studying English is a process and each time you look at it from a higher grade and a more mature/deeper level you in turn gain a deeper understanding of it. Now I feel the same way about my faith. I have been a Christian for many years, but I love that my faith too is an ongoing process in which I continue to take my relationship with God at a deeper level. I still find that I learn some lessons over and over and often gain different perspectives about how God is revealed in my life but when I hit those low and difficult times the depth of my relationship enables me to turn that much faster to God's wisdom, grace, and unending love and forgiveness.
I hope that as I share some of these insights with the women tomorrow, I can do so without sounding too perfect, like I think I'm better than anyone else because of my discoveries, but rather that my excitement, joy, and appreciation for my relationship with God will challenge them to also seek a deeper level of their own relationship with God. That is my prayer for you too. Quality relationships take a commitment of time, and that includes a relationship with God. May you too seek a deeper relationship with the one true God.
Dorthea
This was the first Saturday morning I haven't had to rush to Women's Fellowship at church because we shifted it to Sunday after service. Many women have a hard time getting there Saturday because they either work, have classes or struggle to find childcare. Since I am leaving for the US soon, I think tomorrow will be the last time I lead. I hope attendance becomes more regular so it works to make a schedule; if I continue to lead when I get back from the US I think I'll lose some of the joy of getting to know the other women.
Tomorrow I plan to talk about the importance of daily devotions; not just reading the Word, but actually pondering on it and if possible, studying with a commentary or Bible Study.
These past few years I have gone through four of Beth Moore Bible Studies and have really appreciated both the depth and the frequent delving into the Word that the studies require. The ways the studies have impacted me are sometimes difficult to pinpoint, but the need to read almost daily has been a discipline that has impacted me on a holistic level. What I mean by the use of that word is that as I read and ponder on a regular basis, more regularly than I have for some years, I find that my mind and spirit are more in tune with God and in the process he is transforming my whole being and my whole worldview to be more one with Him.
When I was teaching English in at Bronnum Lutheran Seminary and then Lutheran Junior Seminary in Adamawa State of Nigeria I used to tell my students that studying English is a process and each time you look at it from a higher grade and a more mature/deeper level you in turn gain a deeper understanding of it. Now I feel the same way about my faith. I have been a Christian for many years, but I love that my faith too is an ongoing process in which I continue to take my relationship with God at a deeper level. I still find that I learn some lessons over and over and often gain different perspectives about how God is revealed in my life but when I hit those low and difficult times the depth of my relationship enables me to turn that much faster to God's wisdom, grace, and unending love and forgiveness.
I hope that as I share some of these insights with the women tomorrow, I can do so without sounding too perfect, like I think I'm better than anyone else because of my discoveries, but rather that my excitement, joy, and appreciation for my relationship with God will challenge them to also seek a deeper level of their own relationship with God. That is my prayer for you too. Quality relationships take a commitment of time, and that includes a relationship with God. May you too seek a deeper relationship with the one true God.
Dorthea
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Religious Freedom in Nigeria
These past days I have been reading a Randy Alcorn novel about religious persecution in China over the years. It was an intense book to read and often made me to pause and thank God for the religious freedom in Nigeria.
That may sound odd to some, especially if you read my blogs since December, but it is true. In spite of the lack of religious toleration in Nigeria, people are, for the most part, free to worship in any manner they wish.
In fact, I would say that religious worship is one area of life that most Nigerians place at the top of their list. Granted, there are several different forms of religious practice; Christianity, Islam, sects, cults, traditional worship, etc but nonetheless, one or the other is important to most Nigerians. As a result, we have a lot of public holidays here. Most are holy days; Christian or Islamic, and the rest are considered important by the government.
When one considers Nigeria's many other challenges, religious freedom is often over looked, but after reading how Chinese Christians have been persecuted for generations, I have to give thanks for this part of Nigeria.
That may sound odd to some, especially if you read my blogs since December, but it is true. In spite of the lack of religious toleration in Nigeria, people are, for the most part, free to worship in any manner they wish.
In fact, I would say that religious worship is one area of life that most Nigerians place at the top of their list. Granted, there are several different forms of religious practice; Christianity, Islam, sects, cults, traditional worship, etc but nonetheless, one or the other is important to most Nigerians. As a result, we have a lot of public holidays here. Most are holy days; Christian or Islamic, and the rest are considered important by the government.
When one considers Nigeria's many other challenges, religious freedom is often over looked, but after reading how Chinese Christians have been persecuted for generations, I have to give thanks for this part of Nigeria.
God's Presence in the Midst of Chaos
Today is Saturday, but last Monday was a really tough day at school. I think I spent too much time over the long weekend looking forward to having two months in the US and not having to spend so much time marking papers and doing other teacher stuff.
As a result, Monday's classes did not go well, I hate to admit it, but there were moments that could only be described as chaotic! At one point I mentally stood back and asked myself, "How did this happen?!?"
At the end of the day I shared my struggles with the high school principal and asked for his prayers. He gave me some good, practical advice and assured me that he would pray for me. At home that night I had more time to reflect and pray. Thankfully, the rest of the week went much better and felt I regained focus. In some ways it had been a case of "teacher-itus", which I am thankful hit me like a 24 -hour bug and has not returned.
I am still looking forward to travelling to the US in only three weeks, but in the meantime we have two weeks of classes, exams, marking to finish, several end-of-the-year events, grades to enter, graduation and then a couple of days to pack. I guess chaos is still a word that describes the next weeks, but the anxiety that had started to crowd in seems to have passed. Please keep me in your prayers, not only me, but my students and the rest of the staff too.
At a school like Hillcrest the end of the year means saying a lot of good byes and it can be tough knowing that some may never even return to Nigeria and many will be scattered around the world in a matter of days. At least there is Facebook and emails to connect!
Dorthea
As a result, Monday's classes did not go well, I hate to admit it, but there were moments that could only be described as chaotic! At one point I mentally stood back and asked myself, "How did this happen?!?"
At the end of the day I shared my struggles with the high school principal and asked for his prayers. He gave me some good, practical advice and assured me that he would pray for me. At home that night I had more time to reflect and pray. Thankfully, the rest of the week went much better and felt I regained focus. In some ways it had been a case of "teacher-itus", which I am thankful hit me like a 24 -hour bug and has not returned.
I am still looking forward to travelling to the US in only three weeks, but in the meantime we have two weeks of classes, exams, marking to finish, several end-of-the-year events, grades to enter, graduation and then a couple of days to pack. I guess chaos is still a word that describes the next weeks, but the anxiety that had started to crowd in seems to have passed. Please keep me in your prayers, not only me, but my students and the rest of the staff too.
At a school like Hillcrest the end of the year means saying a lot of good byes and it can be tough knowing that some may never even return to Nigeria and many will be scattered around the world in a matter of days. At least there is Facebook and emails to connect!
Dorthea
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Nigerian Traditions
These pictures were taken on February 14th, 2009. My son Daniel was the page boy and the groom is my husband's cousin. Annette was the oldest flower girl. The first picture includes my mother-in-law in the center and other women in the village.Marrying in Nigeria gave me a large extended family and I am so fortunate that my husband's family is very welcoming and is made up of some great people.
Since my husband is the oldest child we have always had extended family living with us. They help me with the kids, especially when they were young, and help with the cleaning and cooking. At present there are two sisters living with us, one brother eats with us and the youngest brother heads back to boarding school tomorrow. We have helped educate most of them and now the oldest sister is helping us out with some of the youngest brother's needs and helps us by living in our new house in Adamawa State so that it doesn't stand empty.
As you read this, you may think it is a lot to ask of an American wife, but more often than not, I feel far more on the receiving end. They give so much and without all their help I could never do the work I do at Hillcrest and work the long hours at school and with marking etc at home.
Pwakavi, the groom in the picture, is Nat's baptismal sponsor and has been a good uncle to the kids. Last December Nat spent several nights with him when we were in Adamawa. He also lived with us for a time and now continues to teach in the same Lutheran school I used to work at. He often says that, traditionally, he should be the one to provide for a lot of Nat's needs. I am so glad the kids feel comfortable with their Nigerian uncles and aunts and thank God for my in-laws. May 4th is our wedding anniversary, I guess that's why I am sharing my thankfulness for all of them.
Dorthea
P.S. I'll try to remember to take a picture of the two of us soon so you can see us together.
Dorthea
Friday, May 1, 2009
Happy May Day!
We have today off in Nigeria, but I was thinking about May Day when I grew up and putting flowers on neighbors' porches and then running off after ringing the bell. One man really shouted at us until he saw the flowers. I still think of that whenever I pass his house!
Funny how those memories stick in our brains! As we prepare for about two months in the US I have started to think about memories I want to stick in my kids' brains! I was so glad this morning when I read that Vacation Bible School at my home church is while we will be in town. Nat and Annette have gone at least twice in the past so it will be fun for them I suppose this will be Nat's last since he is 12 while it will be Daniel's first.
I've been telling my mom about foods I want us to have and thinking about little short jaunts we can make to show the kids the area.
Well, I don't really have much to write. We have today off so no real plans. Annette is out washing her sneakers, we call them canvass, I guess tennie runners is what I also called them when I was young. I've been trying to write more often here, but wonder if anyone is reading it. It would be fun to get some comments.
I was trying to add titles and labels, but they all end up in some asian script so make no sense to most of us, hey, maybe that would be a way to draw attention to my blog in another part of the world. I guess I'll try!
Have a great day and if you're a parent, think about how you can give great memories to your kids today. This morning Daniel needed A LOT of tickles, even before breakfast and now he's asking for me to read a Curious George book so bye for now! I thank God I have a little extra time for him today.
Dorthea
We have today off in Nigeria, but I was thinking about May Day when I grew up and putting flowers on neighbors' porches and then running off after ringing the bell. One man really shouted at us until he saw the flowers. I still think of that whenever I pass his house!
Funny how those memories stick in our brains! As we prepare for about two months in the US I have started to think about memories I want to stick in my kids' brains! I was so glad this morning when I read that Vacation Bible School at my home church is while we will be in town. Nat and Annette have gone at least twice in the past so it will be fun for them I suppose this will be Nat's last since he is 12 while it will be Daniel's first.
I've been telling my mom about foods I want us to have and thinking about little short jaunts we can make to show the kids the area.
Well, I don't really have much to write. We have today off so no real plans. Annette is out washing her sneakers, we call them canvass, I guess tennie runners is what I also called them when I was young. I've been trying to write more often here, but wonder if anyone is reading it. It would be fun to get some comments.
I was trying to add titles and labels, but they all end up in some asian script so make no sense to most of us, hey, maybe that would be a way to draw attention to my blog in another part of the world. I guess I'll try!
Have a great day and if you're a parent, think about how you can give great memories to your kids today. This morning Daniel needed A LOT of tickles, even before breakfast and now he's asking for me to read a Curious George book so bye for now! I thank God I have a little extra time for him today.
Dorthea
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