What you may or may not have heard...

Yes, Jos experienced her second crisis in 14 months.

The uprising began in Jos North Local Government Area (my area of
residence is Jos Central).

After the mayhem broke out in Nasarawa area on Sunday, January 17th,
the battle raged on for an addition 3days with Muslim youths
pillaging, looting, and burning the homes, businesses, and churches of
Christians, as well as, murdering anyone who crossed their path. To
add fuel to the fire, not only were the Muslim youths instigating
chaos and purely sadistic maneuvers against the Christians, but Muslim
soldiers sympathizing with their brethren also opened fire on
defenseless civilians.

Unfortunately for the Muslims, the Christians who had so recently
experienced the loss of lives and properties just a few months ago
would not sit by and watch any longer. They had to stand and fight,
however, the unprepared Christians didn't find it easy being taken
unaware and having little to zero support or protection by the those
who had been sent to serve and preserve.

Myself, the staff, and the students of St. John's College physically
were perfectly fine all throughout the crisis. The struggle many
faced was having peace of mind. Thankfully, the battle has ended, but
we remember that the war still rages on. Just because we aren't
hearing artillery firing throughout the day and night or seeing smoke
rise from the roof tops turning the blue sky black doesn't mean we are
out of the woods yet.

I believe that this year in particular needs to be one spent on our
knees in continuous prayer for peace on the plateau. God wants to
move from this city in a mighty way through mission and ministry, and
it begins with us on our knees seeking the face of God, standing in
the way of corruption, speaking the truth, exercising the fruit of the
Spirit, and claiming the land for the one true God, his kingdom and
his purposes.

--
He will cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you will find refuge.
Psalm 91:4

Your prayer for me...

Your prayer for me for this Christmas season and for the new year.

1Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.

Thank you and God bless you and yours this and every season.

Kampala aka Kampish

I think Kampala, my cat, ran away to have kittens...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!I

I get turkey today...that is all.

Haha, just kidding. The reason I get turkey today is because another missionary here (a traveling missionary who makes frequent visits) came by my school today and gave me an ENTIRE TURKEY.

If you don't know--that is a HUGE deal.

God is so cool.

Enjoy; I will.

(pictures coming soon--I hope.)

So...

So I was unable to keep up with a blog throughout the last year, however, our internet seems to be better and stronger.

The last 14 months have been a whirlwind with plenty of ups and downs--I had no idea that God was so faithful. I mean we say, "God is always faithful (which, by the way, is quite redundant)." But when you are taken to places you've never been, doing things and TEACHING other people to do things that you've never or barely ever done yourself, stepping into roles and jobs that are so much bigger than yourself, being brought low (depths you didn't know existed), being taken up high--then you will really know whether or not your just saying words or experiencing truth.

My students still think I'm crazy for preferring Nigeria to the USA...but I try to explain that living in a card board box in the middle of rainy season if it's God's will can't be compared to anything else.

Next time you are hesitating on which direction to take...just ask. For "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" as we..."cling to (His) testimonies, O LORD; (we will) not be put to shame!"

My travels through Boston...

My travels...

Well, I made things harder on myself, but I wouldn't skip my stops for anything. I got to see one of my best friends from college in Boston. We talked, laughed a bunch, saw the city, ate good food, and were blessed by each other's presences.

Thursday morning, I woke up to reorganize my belongings...they were in disarray, and of course a few things had exploded along the way. After doing the necessary, I walked from her apartment to Fenway Park where Amanda works for the Red Sox. I took a tour of the oldest ball park in the US (built in 1912) compliments of Amanda's boss. By the time is it was over, I not only had a head full of Red Sox trivia, but Amanda was able to take off from work.

We then made our way to Cambridge (which is just on the other side of the river) home of Harvard University. We walked through the main center of the campus, and then proceeded on to dinner.

Food and conversation can you find a better combination--it certainly is difficult.

We then made our way to Crema Cafe where we enjoyed a good cup of joe, and then headed back towards the subway after a detour into a shop or two.

We got off in the theatre district to find a desserts only place, however, we were coming up short and decided to ask a bellhop for some direction (good thing neither of us are a guy, right? Asking for directions...). He gingerly directed us to (turn on thick Boston accent here) Fin-all-ees. When we found the place, we discovered it was simply called Finale, you know, like the end of a theatre production.

Anyway, it was incredible. We split the Dessert Sampler, nine different miniature desserts-so delicious.

As I lay in bed, excited about what the next morning would hold, I was reflecting just how good God is. I know it is easy to be in love with Him when everything is going so well, your having a great time, and the best reunion with a friend you haven't seen in over a year, but I asked for the gift of love to be unconditional. I asked that He would gift me with a love that when things were going south in a flash flood sort of way that I not only would have that same love for Him but I would be able to recognize it even when the same blissful "feeling" wasn't there.

The Journey

The journey begins in 3 weeks. I depart for Boston, then New York all with Amanda, then Paris with AMY, Lagos to meet Frasier and Marc, and finally Jos to see my Nigerian family. There are mixed emotions as I make preparations to leave. Here I am traipsing half-way around the world away from family, friends, all that is familiar, and while it can be overwhelming, even terrifying...there is so much awaiting me. I am so thrilled God has prepared this journey for me. The mere idea that I would even consider saying yes to such a move is evidence that He is in control and has His hand in my life.

Please pray with me...