Our daughter Anna and I were blessed with the awesome opportunity of taking a trip to Africa on July 19th! "Excited" cannot begin to describe the way I felt, as we took off from the DFW airport. In route to Nigeria, and after a long 2-day turned 4-day journey, due to one flight delay after another, we stopped over in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. It was that town that we made our home for a year. It was during that time, we fell in love with Africa and its people. As we flew over the island of Bioko, my heart was filled with emotion. I struggled to see familiar landmarks through the low-lying clouds outside the window. When there appeared a break in the clouds, I could see the beautiful jungle as well as the people, living out their daily routines below us. Four years had passed since we had stepped foot on African soil. The island had changed so much in appearance. The area that we had lived in previously was not even recognizable.
What was once a jungle almost at our doorstep, was now an area of huge houses, small hotels and a brand new stadium! We were blessed to have the opportunity to see many of the people that we had grown to love while we lived there.
We were welcomed with open arms by the members of the church congregation. To my disappointment however, some of our church family that I had looked forward to seeing, had moved on to other countries, others had died, even some of the children that I had looked forward to seeing had gone on to heaven. It had been 4 years. A lot can happen anywhere in a 4 year period of time, but especially in Africa. Things change very quickly. The church was doing well. During the week that we were in Malabo, we enjoyed a great time of fellowship, memories, story-telling, reaffirming of friendships and good ole’ African food, need I say more?
We visited three villages and ministered to the kids there. They absolutely loved the blow up beach balls and Frisbees! We shared with them that Jesus loved them through Bible stories and songs. Several children asked if they could trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Our time in Equatorial Guinea was short lived. The week that we had enjoyed, passed so quickly, but it came time to say our goodbyes. It had been an awesome visit.
It was time then, to move on to Nigeria, the main reason for our visit to Africa. Anna and I were headed there to represent “A Place of Hope-Africa”, and receive the land that had been donated for our project. I was so anxious to see the cultural resemblances and differences between the two places and meet the people. I had never been anywhere else in Africa, but E.G (Equatorial Guinea).
We traveled from Malabo, E.G. to Calabar, Nigeria, then on to Lagos to catch a plane to Enugu. At the airport in Enugu, we were met by Williams, the pastor in the village where we will have our orphanage. He has been our constant contact in Nigeria. He lived in E.G. when we lived there. He had traveled by boat illegally to find work there. He worked as a cinder block maker. It was there on the job that Joey met him and shared his faith with Williams. He was a very committed believer and studied in our video institute. He had told us that he felt called to be a pastor. One year after we left E.G., he was deported back to Nigeria with only the clothes on his back. God opened doors for him to start a church in his village.
I was so excited to see him. After Anna and I made our way through the small airport, we exited the main doors that led straight onto a landing atop a flight of stairs. Because of where we stood in relation to the people, it felt as if we were making some sort of grand entry. We stood there gazing out over a sea of black faces; most were waiting for the arriving passengers. We were absolutely the only two white women there and we obviously had many curious eyes on us. I could feel the stares and whispers as we passed through the doors. Williams was nowhere in sight. We slowly made our way down the stairs and worked our way through the crowd, keeping our eyes peeled for a familiar face. That was when I heard a voice from behind me say, “Momi”…Momi? Is it you? I recognized his voice right away. He, Anna and I exchanged numerous, very sweaty hugs and made our way to the car. He couldn’t believe we were actually there. As we loaded our things into the taxi, all he could say was, “momi”, “momi”….”chai”(a word they say when they are amazed), and then would repeat, “momi” again and again and just smile.
The almost 2 hour ride to Nsukka, where we stayed, proved to me that there are worse places than Tegucigalpa, Honduras, when it comes to driving. Until that trip, Tegucigalpa had topped my list of the world’s worst places to drive. Traffic consistently in places it was not supposed to be (like in the oncoming lane), car-sized potholes, motorcycle taxis whose passengers would knock knees with the passengers on other motorcycle taxis, absolute traffic chaos mixed with multitudes of pedestrians carrying everything from bananas on their heads to goats, was what welcomed us to the small city. I thought, “Those people on the motorcycles are crazy!” The next day, our mode of transportation was…yep, a motorcycle taxi! Our guardian angels worked overtime while we were there.
Monday and Tuesday, daytime hours were spent visiting with our host family, getting used to new foods, meeting new friends, exchanging money, getting fitted for our African dresses, and exploring the market (that is one place that never ceases to amaze me) for items that can and cannot be purchased there.
I had been anxious to see the orphans and get some pictures and video of them. I didn’t know what I was looking for until Williams began to point them out to me. He had told me that they were visible everywhere we looked in the market area. After he showed them to us, we began to see them lining the streets with their wheel barrows. They are paid a few cents to haul heavy items around for others. Many were also selling water or some other small items. They work from sun up to sun down and then most will go to a house in the evening to be a servant there, just for a place to sleep. These children are uneducated, without a place to call home, and without a chance in the world to ever be anything else in life.
Anna and I began to point out one after another to each other. We tried to take pictures, but they would just turn their heads every time. I asked Williams why they didn’t want us to take their pictures and he told us it was because they were afraid. I told him to try and get their attention so we could talk to them. He walked over and began to tell them what we were there to do. I told them that Anna would get in the picture as well and they loosened up a bit. She began to joke around with them and try and get them to make funny faces. They didn’t know what to do. She would show them and they would just laugh. As I spoke to them, she began clicking away at the camera and shooting video. The images of those children will be our motivation to continue passionately raising funds for our orphanage project. They are waiting for us. They need us.
On Monday and Tuesday nights, I had the opportunity to speak at open air services that were translated to Igbo for those older and younger people that didn’t speak English. My messages were well received and many people accepted Christ those nights.
Wednesday, the day began with a trip to the 10 acres or so of land, which the traditional leaders and some members of the church in the village of Ogbozalla-Opi had donated to “A Place of Hope-Africa”. I was so excited to see the land that would someday host the orphanage, school and clinic that God has put on our hearts to build. It was a beautiful piece of property atop a hill, overlooking a valley and multitudes of cashew trees.
After a brief tour of the area and explanation of how the land was laid out, we returned to the house where we were staying, to change clothes for the “land donation ceremonies.” Both ceremonies were very similar. One was held at the church and the other at home of one of the traditional leaders. Upon arriving at the church, we entered into the small room which had been decorated for the special occasion. Anna and I greeted the people and Williams called them to attention. They had prayer and then started singing, clapping, and dancing. The celebration had begun. When all of that ceased, I thanked them so much for their donation, then began formally explaining what our intentions for the land were and that we would need more land. I told them that the orphanage would be an outreach opportunity for their church and that the donation of land could be the way that they could help us in these efforts. The village does not have running water, school, or medical care. The water well and school that will be needed for the orphanage will serve the village community as well. The clinic will be a tremendous blessing to those who live in misery because of such a lack of medical care. As I shared each aspect of the project, there was an outburst of applause and affirmative shouting after each one. Several people stood up when I finished, expressing their heartfelt gratitude and excitement, and exclaimed, “In Jesus name it will be done”! The people all agreed then and there that lack of land would never be a problem. They offered all the land that we would need for our project. The ceremony was closed in prayer and then someone came through the back door with a huge white chicken and a bag of 2 dozen eggs or so. As a gift from the church, they presented it to us in gratitude. We were honored at their kind gesture, although, when I reached down to pick up the chicken it went crazy on me and I dropped it. Everyone laughed at my lack of “animal skills”, a lady picked it up and tied its legs and gave it back to me. I held it up and everyone clapped. What a way to end a fantastic celebration of what we are all trusting God to do!
We headed over to the traditional ceremony at one of the leader’s houses. Much of the same explanation was given to them as was given to the church. They were equally as happy. One of the elders told us that he too, had been an orphan. He knew what it felt like and was filled with gratitude for what we are planning to do there.
As we were leaving, Williams told us that his mother (the wife of one of the traditional leaders) was very upset. When I asked him why, he said it was because she too, was going to give us a chicken but the children had cut the string that had its legs tied up and it had run away. She was very angry at the children and was worried because she didn’t have anything to present us. I didn’t want to tell her that it was ok, that we already had one in the trunk from the other ceremony. But I assured her that it was no problem, thanked everyone once again and we left to our host home (William’s brother’s house). Our hearts were filled. We were leaving the next morning for the states. So, upon arriving to the house, we presented William’s brother’s family with the chicken and eggs as a thank you for their hospitality. They were grateful and presented us with a cola nut. That is the greatest honor that an Igbo man can give to someone. As one can see, it is a cultural norm for a lot of exchanging of gifts to go on. A westerner may not think of all of this as any big deal, but for a Nigerian and anyone that might have any dealings with them, it is a very big deal. You might as well be giving diamonds, sports club memberships or hunting rifles, whatever is closest to your heart. So, I think we did really well. During our stay, we received a warm welcome, 2 cola nuts, 2 chickens, a bag of fresh eggs, and a fresh, passionate vision for what God has called us to do. What more could I ask for? I guess the only thing would be that more people catch the vision and see the need. Someone told me one time in a mission’s emphasis conference as he placed his hand on our photo album that the pictures were so sterile. He had been to Malowi, Africa. What truth he spoke. No smells, taste, touch, emotion….just pictures. If only all of those missing elements could be conveyed to everyone looking in from the outside, the funds for the orphanage project would not be an issue. Please pray that God will pour out His blessings in ways that we cannot even imagine. God bless you all. Thank you for caring and praying for our family.
Til next time,
Bev
No comments:
Post a Comment