Crisis 2010

This is day six of the most recent crisis in Jos. This is my second time around so I don't feel the stress quite as much and yet our life has been turned upside down a bit.

This was our second day at a new residence. My husband is concerned that we live so far away from the school where all the kids attend and where I teach so we have moved to a different Lutheran compound and may be here awhile. When we drove here yesterday the drive that usually takes under 25 minutes took about three times that.

There were many security checks as we passed through the areas where the crisis began. As we drove through the check points most passengers had to get out of their cars and walk, with their hands above their heads, until the got to the other side of the check point. Our police escort and the military we passed allowed us to stay in our car.

This new compound is just across the street from the school so I feel like Amson is quite relieved that we are here but the kids miss their friends and it's an adjustment to be uprooted. One nice thing is that my sisters-in-law came with us and the two other families on the compound have kids the similar ages to our kids so they can connect.

The other changes we're dealing with are that is that the flat we are staying in doesn't have light so by 7:00 pm it's dark. We are fortunate that the upstairs' neighbors are open to us charging laptops, cell phones and hanging out at their house.

There is still no news about when school will start. The first few days there was a 24 hour curfew and now it's from 5:00 pm to 10:00 am so it's a little hard to start school between those hours, though I suppose we could get creative if the curfew doesn't change soon!

Even though it's not easy on our family to be spread out between two compounds, our main concern is that peace can be maintained and that those who have been completely displaced and are left with only the clothes on their back, literally, can have their needs met and can heal from the terror they experienced.

I also reiterate what I said in my previous blog, in spite of all the craziness in the world I still believe that God is in control. I think it was during the second day of the crisis when one colleague called to see how we were and asked if I felt safe. I replied, "I feel safe in God's hand, but not man's." Perhaps those who have lived through a natural disaster have another impression, but I pray that they too can look to God for hope.

A Good beginning

We started our second semester at school and one thought that has often been on my mind is how God provides what we need, when we need it...

As I was preparing for the semester one of the things on my mind was how I could improve my course on government. I've taught the course a couple of times, but never made it a high priority since I was struggling with other courses; but the time finally came.

For the past several months I've been reading a book titled Steppingstones to Curriculum by Harro Van Brummelen (I ponder a lot when I read so sometimes I can only digest a few pages as I go) and as I read a few more pages during the break they really helped as I planned for the new term. I pray that the insights will make class content more real and meaningful to my students.

I'm the kind of teacher who is very comfortable lecturing the whole classtime, unfortunately students often get bored with that approach so I am TRYING to be creative, but it can be really hard. The government course will require more student involvement in presentations of activities and current events. I hope they enjoy it. They can also take the chapter quizzes anytime during the week so I hope they enjoy that freedom. Essay tests will be over a unit so that should also be easier on me, plus, by then they should have more to say!

This idea that God provides what we need, when we need it is something that has become more real to me as I get older and the African setting has probably intensified it too. As a missionary and an expatriot it can be really easy to isolate oneself or become insular. At times I think it is necessary, but other times it becomes a dangerous temptation as one might develop a superior attitude. Often I find that God provides a needed opportunity or interruption just when I need it so that I can grow more and be stretched in ways that deepen my relationship with Him and those around me.

May you too be stretched and challenged to deepen your relationship with God and those around you. Remember, God calls most of us to live in a community.

A New Year

I'm feeling melancholy tonight; usually I try not to write when I feel this way so that I don't come across depressing. But here I am...

The break has been good. I did wear myself out some with baking before Christmas and managed to make a nice meal for Christmas Eve...then I crashed for a few days. Then I baked, packed, and cleaned for about thirteen hours straight before getting a few hours of sleep. The next morning we headed off to Adamawa, our home state, for New Years.

Our time in Jimeta and Bilachi was very restful. We love our house in Jimeta. It is so spacious and comfortable that we immediately feel at home. Our time in the village was good too. Amson was busy visiting friends and family while I took it easy.

Nat and Annette were out a lot with friends, new and old, and Daniel was in and out too as uncles went around with him a little. I had a little time with my mother-in-law, but since it's a challenge to communicate, we don't try much. She's a very hard worker, especially as my two sisters-in-law that live with us had to head back for classes before we left and Mama was left without all her helpers.

One afternoon I spent a little time with her washing a few dishes and watching her clean and smoke fish. It was amazing to realize how quickly the fresh fish dries up in her smoker; the fish caught that morning was dried before evening.

We came back yesterday and now I am trying to think about what I want to do before school starts. I don't want to stress myself too much, but we do have to celebrate Daniel's birthday.

His sixth birthday is actually today, but we will celebrate it two days late. I'm glad I have tomorrow to do the baking. Today I had a few brainstorms about what to do and what to make so I'll bake tomorrow. Amson promised to look for the remote control car he's been asking for; I couldn't find one before Christmas and the car I did find only lasted a few hours before starting to break apart after the first time it was dropped on the floor.

Nat was happy with the games he got to play on his PlayStation and Annette could hardly believe she got the phone. (Let's hope it lasts, it's already on its second life since it was dropped in the latrine in Adamawa, but somehow continues to work.) I'm enjoying the wall clocks my husband bought me. (Not very romantic, but I did ask him to buy one as our bedroom clock that had been a wedding present finally got hit once too often by a bouncing ball and couldn't be taped up again.)

This mood I'm in has been hanging around for several days, I started thinking about my Dad and sister Mary when the kids and I were playing Monopoly. (Mary and I often played board games when cousins came for a holiday.) Later I realized that the day we were playing was actually the same day my Dad had died two years earlier. Mary died in 2001, just after Thanksgiving. I know one thing that is hitting me more this year is how important it is to not stress so much that I forget to enjoy the moment.

With school starting up again I hope I can remember that. I always get so busy when school is in session and the pace seems more draining this year...I guess that's why I have allowed myself to work less at home.

Well, it's after midnight here in Nigeria and I still plan to get up before the kids to have devotions and get my baking started. I'm always in a better mood when I get up before anyone else and can have some quiet time before the TV comes on and everyone starts waking up.

One thing I have been very thankful for is a peaceful holiday season. After rumors of unrest in Jos, and some problems in a neighboring state it has been a relief to have calm where we are. I truly believe God is in control of our lives and even if He allows trouble to occur, I also believe He provides us with the fortitude to withstand life's challenges. May this year be a year where you turn more fully toward God and trust his control.

Christmas is coming....!

It's December 21st and Christmas preparations are upon us.

I was out doing my last shopping (I hope!). Found a few gifts for the boys and Amson promised to get Annette's request (she really wants a phone and doesn't think she's getting one because last night he said no...don't tell her!)

Yesterday I did some baking and soon will continue. Tomorrow I have some friends with their kids to do some cookie decorating . I just heard one family is down with the flu that is going around. It stopped briefly at our house, but our kids just had minor cases.

I was playing some Christmas music yesterday to "catch the spirit" but even after all these years it's hard to believe Christmas is coming until it's upon us. I guess I still kind of remove myself emotionally so that I don't miss family that is far away.

One thing I have realized more and more since I've been in Nigeria; especially since I've had kids is how commercial Christmas in the USA is. Here I have to remind myself that the kids might want something fun, besided their Christmas clothes. I always wear myself out by baking cookies etc. Nigeria certainly has it's share of Christmas rush, but I don't sense the pushy-ness behind it.

One thing we started this year that we haven't done before is to share Advent devotions together in the evening. The kids seem to enjoy it and notice when we forgot or were busy with school activities (some nights we've had to read two or three readings to catch up). Nat, Annette and Daniel have all taken turns with our opening and closing prayers and Nat and Annette have helped with the readings. We all seem to enjoy the time as a family and it makes me realize how rarely we do something together. We try to pray in the morning, but it's hard to get the kids up so it's usually Amson, his sisters, and me.

A few weeks the five of us went out for Sunday lunch and a drive in our new van. It was nice to just have time together.

We'll be spending Christmas here in Jos. Christmas Eve we have an early church service and the kids can open their gifts in the morning. (not sure what else we'll do Christmas Eve) Christmas Day we have church and then will share a Love Feast with other church members. (Like a potluck.) On the 28th we'll head to Adamawa to stay in our house and spend at least two nights in the village over the 1st. I think we'll be back in Jos on the 6th, just in time for Daniel's 6th birthday on the 7th.

I pray that this season offers you time to share as a family so that together you can ponder on what Christmas means to you.

Merry Christmas!

Dorthea

Maintaining a Vision

This morning I was reading a student's report about the development of the transcontinental railroad in the United States in the 1860's. He shared the information that it was in 1862 that President Abraham Lincoln signed an act to support the railroad's development. As I read this I was struck by the implications of such an act.

First of all, this was during the American Civil War and secondly it was only a few years before Lincoln was assassinated. As I pondered on this I couldn't help wonder how many of us allow ourselves to make important decisions about tomorrow when our today might be filled with havoc.

Granted, Lincoln had no idea his life would be cut short, but he certainly had no guarantees that a railroad could be built during a war or that the US would still be a nation when the railroad would finally be finished, and yet he did have Hope.

He had hope in the nation, hope that there would be people to benefit from such a decision. He did have a vision for a better tomorrow. No matter the wars, literal or figurative, that rage around us we should have hope for tomorrow.

We can plan for a better future for our children, ourselves, our church, our community, our nation, etc.

Advent begins November 29th. Advent is a time of preparing for Christ's coming. I guess you could say God was a visionary. He had stopped talking to His people for hundreds of years but planned for a better future by sending Jesus. During Advent Christians are encouraged to prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for when we remember Jesus' birth.

The weeks before Christmas are often busy with shopping, decorating, baking, extra cleaning, etc but if you want to truly maintain a clear vision for tomorrow then the best thing to do is to remember the meaning of Christmas and make sure Christ Jesus is the center of your preparations.

Yes, I would say God had a vision for us all and continues to maintain that vision; let us claim it for ourselves as well.

Annette's Birthday

Annette too had a birthday this month. We had planned to have a party at the house, but another classmate had one the same day so instead we made cake and cupcakes and sent minerals, that's pop or soda to the rest of you.

The cake was a team effort, Kauna made them and I decorated them. Her smile of appreciation made it worth the while. It is fun to see children grow up, especially when they share such wonderful smiles!

Nat and Boys Birgade

Not long ago I wrote about Nat (Pwanekam Nathaniel that is). This picture was taken soon after his 13th birthday ealier this month.
Nat joined Boys Birgade last year and this was one of the few times he wore it to church. When they wear their uniform it is usually to act as ushers during a special service. They also have a band, mostly trumpet and drums so Nat is now taking trumpet lessons at school and his teacher says he's doing very well. It's the first time he's shown interest in playing a musical instruement, so it's easy to encourage him and after a few months I can already recognize the songs he's learning.

It's easy to be a proud Momma!