“Team safe and sound in Germany. Will depart for Houston around 3am CST!”
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Fresh As A Daisy...
From Julie 11:52AM CST
"Just left the Hilton and everyone is now fresh as a daisy! Lots of praises being lifted up for water pressure and heat. Awesome!!! Heading now for the airport. Let the adventure begin! ;)"
"Just left the Hilton and everyone is now fresh as a daisy! Lots of praises being lifted up for water pressure and heat. Awesome!!! Heading now for the airport. Let the adventure begin! ;)"
On The Road Again
From Julie 1:52AM
"Team left Otutulu around 7am. Now we are on the road heading to Lokoja new sight. Many tears shed when saying goodbye. Much love shared all around!"
Friday, July 22, 2011
what a DAY......
Well,for all of you who are saying my blogs are to short, that is because they are from text messages I have been sending to kristin everytime I am in an area with service. Tonight everyone is pooped so I won the opportunity to blog. :-)
Soooooo.....Yes the cow is DEAD, much to lauras dismay. Laura quote..."poor cow" x 100. Should be interesting to see her eating it tomorrow night. The trip picking up the cow was quite interesting. Lots of giggles and a few nervous moments. Our cow was a fiesty one, so much movement, a bit of thrashing, and vocalization. We all had our plan of how we would escape the car if he broke loose and we agreed on "every man for himself". We were in a small station wagon with a huge cow, one driver, one three week old baby boy and 5 enefu (white peeps).
Dr. Kyla spent her day walking miles. She was taking care of people with albinism and was so sweet. She would walk soooo far to see them , then walk all the way back to get just the right size hat, then back again becaasue they asked to take a photo and she had to retrieve her camera. She just laughs through it all, never complains. The girls have all been bonding so well and we are all starting to feel sad thinking of leaving. Mom's of teen girls you are doing a terrrific job and you should be proud.
Our mighty men, who by the way were to wimpy, oh I mean tired, to write ;-) are doing great. They are working very hard at the school doing the playground. Tools are minimal, wood super hard and much rain. Even with all the hurdles they have maintain a super outlook and just keep plugging along. They have a bout 10 young boy groupies who look up to them like rock stars. RENEE, Leanard was a poo head becuz he made me sit under a light at dinner and bugs were dropping on my food and in my hair. I would suggest a stern talking to sister when he returns!!!!!
Tomorrow is a very busy day. Men to report to school at 6:30, girls to Mama gross's for breakfast, then back to MoM to take top students to the river, cow eating send off for dinner, etc etc.
Much love to our families ans friends for your love and support. We have felt surrounded by your love and prayers!!!! Please pray for journey mercies for all of our travel on Sunday. Please pray for the beautiful children and staff of MoM!!!!!! agba....nafedowe julie
Soooooo.....Yes the cow is DEAD, much to lauras dismay. Laura quote..."poor cow" x 100. Should be interesting to see her eating it tomorrow night. The trip picking up the cow was quite interesting. Lots of giggles and a few nervous moments. Our cow was a fiesty one, so much movement, a bit of thrashing, and vocalization. We all had our plan of how we would escape the car if he broke loose and we agreed on "every man for himself". We were in a small station wagon with a huge cow, one driver, one three week old baby boy and 5 enefu (white peeps).
Dr. Kyla spent her day walking miles. She was taking care of people with albinism and was so sweet. She would walk soooo far to see them , then walk all the way back to get just the right size hat, then back again becaasue they asked to take a photo and she had to retrieve her camera. She just laughs through it all, never complains. The girls have all been bonding so well and we are all starting to feel sad thinking of leaving. Mom's of teen girls you are doing a terrrific job and you should be proud.
Our mighty men, who by the way were to wimpy, oh I mean tired, to write ;-) are doing great. They are working very hard at the school doing the playground. Tools are minimal, wood super hard and much rain. Even with all the hurdles they have maintain a super outlook and just keep plugging along. They have a bout 10 young boy groupies who look up to them like rock stars. RENEE, Leanard was a poo head becuz he made me sit under a light at dinner and bugs were dropping on my food and in my hair. I would suggest a stern talking to sister when he returns!!!!!
Tomorrow is a very busy day. Men to report to school at 6:30, girls to Mama gross's for breakfast, then back to MoM to take top students to the river, cow eating send off for dinner, etc etc.
Much love to our families ans friends for your love and support. We have felt surrounded by your love and prayers!!!! Please pray for journey mercies for all of our travel on Sunday. Please pray for the beautiful children and staff of MoM!!!!!! agba....nafedowe julie
Cow Adventure in Otutulu
From Julie at 5:30am CST:
"Some of the girls and Eric heading for purchasing the cow, some girls are coloring and the men are working on the swing set. All are excited about the cow slaughter later today! Icky.
Cow adventure was a success! Big cow crammed in the car with 5 peeps from the team and a driver. The cow keeps mooing loudly and shifting around. Girls are giggling and nervous. Too funny!"
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Ika Experience
Tom and Lois Wheeler have a hospital, bible school, wood shop, welding tree, and other services in a village called Ika. This morning we all loaded into the MOM van and headed there to help Tom dig a water well. Oh did I mention the well drilling capabilities?
The trip was uneventfull although Daniel seemed to stop and talk with ever passing vehicle on the Otutulu road. After we arrived Tom gave us a quick tour of the grounds while Lois prepared our lunch. On the tour Leonard, TJ, and I marveled at Tom's cool tools, generators, and diesel engines, while Chloe, Maddie, and Kendal admired pretty flowers and the baby goats. Might be a difference between boys and girls.
After our lunch we began loading up the truck for the trip to the villiage of Ojotu. The trip from Ika is only 7 miles or so but it took us over 2 hours. It had a whole lot to do with the downpour. I lost track of the number times we were stuck and had to be pulled out by the tractor. Leonard, Eric, Chloe, and Kendal spent this time rubbing orange clay on their faces and each other. Except for Julie, Kyla, and Laura we were all wet before we started and with all of the stops we were soaked.
By the time we got to Ojotu the rain had stopped but with everyong wet it was a little cold. Tom fixed that pretty quickly by having us dig a couple of pits for the drilling water tanks. From my perspective I think the group is worthless with a Nigerian spade, and poor at best with a shovel! One of Tom's crew dug more and faster than all of us combined.
It was pretty late in the day so we had to stop and head back after the drilling rig was set up. The ride back was better but there were still some sloppy spots whereTom's guys had to use the tractor to pull the truck. Leonard spent most of the return trip lounging on the crumpled up tarp until Ben (Tom's son) had a break down on his motorbike. That meant we had one more thing to jam into the back of the truck to join Eric, Kendal, Greg, and 3 of Tom's crew.
Well it is late and we get to do this again tomorrow. I better sleep. Pray there is no rain tomorrow in Ika, Nigeria!
Greg
The trip was uneventfull although Daniel seemed to stop and talk with ever passing vehicle on the Otutulu road. After we arrived Tom gave us a quick tour of the grounds while Lois prepared our lunch. On the tour Leonard, TJ, and I marveled at Tom's cool tools, generators, and diesel engines, while Chloe, Maddie, and Kendal admired pretty flowers and the baby goats. Might be a difference between boys and girls.
After our lunch we began loading up the truck for the trip to the villiage of Ojotu. The trip from Ika is only 7 miles or so but it took us over 2 hours. It had a whole lot to do with the downpour. I lost track of the number times we were stuck and had to be pulled out by the tractor. Leonard, Eric, Chloe, and Kendal spent this time rubbing orange clay on their faces and each other. Except for Julie, Kyla, and Laura we were all wet before we started and with all of the stops we were soaked.
By the time we got to Ojotu the rain had stopped but with everyong wet it was a little cold. Tom fixed that pretty quickly by having us dig a couple of pits for the drilling water tanks. From my perspective I think the group is worthless with a Nigerian spade, and poor at best with a shovel! One of Tom's crew dug more and faster than all of us combined.
It was pretty late in the day so we had to stop and head back after the drilling rig was set up. The ride back was better but there were still some sloppy spots whereTom's guys had to use the tractor to pull the truck. Leonard spent most of the return trip lounging on the crumpled up tarp until Ben (Tom's son) had a break down on his motorbike. That meant we had one more thing to jam into the back of the truck to join Eric, Kendal, Greg, and 3 of Tom's crew.
Well it is late and we get to do this again tomorrow. I better sleep. Pray there is no rain tomorrow in Ika, Nigeria!
Greg
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Nigeria is hot, hot, hot!
Wow, so much has happened and we just haven't been able to get to you. Jessie declined a marriage proposal yesterday, Kendall had a guy want to come to America with her.....well now that I think about it, all the teen girls have been proposed to!
After 2 hours in the car we made it to Iman and Julie was able to greet the wife of Aiden's grandfather. Going to the village was a great experience. The people were very respectful and kind to us and listened to Julie with great respect. It did get a little chaotic when Lenord and Kyla passed out the goodies (medical stuff, sun glasses, etc.)and when we let some of the local men pass the candy out to the children. it was so cool to see the expression on the faces of the Iman people. For most it was the first time they had ever seen a white person. it was a neat experience for all of us.
Yesterday and today it has been crazy hot! Those cold showers aren't so bad after all!
I love walking on the compound here and hearing the children shout with joy when they see me....they run and jump in my arms. It is so wonderful.
I took the teen girls over to help the aunties and we offered to do anything....wash dishes, sweep, wash clothes, anything. They had us sit down on a bench and all of the sudden we were all hand babies to take care of. That was a treat for us but they appreciated it so much. It gave them time to do other things they wanted to do. Chloe was able to get to bathe a child, but we didn't get that opportunity yet.
Kyla and Julie spent a lot of time today helping a very sick man from the village. The men worked very hard in the hot sun getting the playground started. Kendall got her hair braided, I have learned how to walk with a bucket of water on my head and Maddie has gotten great at "backing a baby".
We passed out the pillow dresses today. The girls loved them. Chloe is working on her second scotch (it is amazing) and Jessie ate a catfish liver tonight....yes it was cooked and she did it on a dare!
There is just so much to tell. This place is beautiful beyond belief. Not just the scenery but especially the people. I am in love with otutulu. What a blessing!
Ok, it is very hot and I am very tired so I am heading back to our home to take a nice cold shower. Just know that everyone is healthy, happy, having a great time serving. We are also missing our family back home. We love you all. I know L-man has hard a hard time getting to talk with Renee but he misses her and the girls very much.
Cho du du (good night), love and blessings,
laura
After 2 hours in the car we made it to Iman and Julie was able to greet the wife of Aiden's grandfather. Going to the village was a great experience. The people were very respectful and kind to us and listened to Julie with great respect. It did get a little chaotic when Lenord and Kyla passed out the goodies (medical stuff, sun glasses, etc.)and when we let some of the local men pass the candy out to the children. it was so cool to see the expression on the faces of the Iman people. For most it was the first time they had ever seen a white person. it was a neat experience for all of us.
Yesterday and today it has been crazy hot! Those cold showers aren't so bad after all!
I love walking on the compound here and hearing the children shout with joy when they see me....they run and jump in my arms. It is so wonderful.
I took the teen girls over to help the aunties and we offered to do anything....wash dishes, sweep, wash clothes, anything. They had us sit down on a bench and all of the sudden we were all hand babies to take care of. That was a treat for us but they appreciated it so much. It gave them time to do other things they wanted to do. Chloe was able to get to bathe a child, but we didn't get that opportunity yet.
Kyla and Julie spent a lot of time today helping a very sick man from the village. The men worked very hard in the hot sun getting the playground started. Kendall got her hair braided, I have learned how to walk with a bucket of water on my head and Maddie has gotten great at "backing a baby".
We passed out the pillow dresses today. The girls loved them. Chloe is working on her second scotch (it is amazing) and Jessie ate a catfish liver tonight....yes it was cooked and she did it on a dare!
There is just so much to tell. This place is beautiful beyond belief. Not just the scenery but especially the people. I am in love with otutulu. What a blessing!
Ok, it is very hot and I am very tired so I am heading back to our home to take a nice cold shower. Just know that everyone is healthy, happy, having a great time serving. We are also missing our family back home. We love you all. I know L-man has hard a hard time getting to talk with Renee but he misses her and the girls very much.
Cho du du (good night), love and blessings,
laura
Monday, July 18, 2011
Team is doing great!
From Julie at 6:30am CST –
“Everyone is doing fine! Very crazy with plans changing all the time, but the team is staying very flexible. Teens are doing amazing! Women out traveling to muslim village and men working at Otutulu.”
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Agba, live from Otutulu, Nigeria
Cibilo Creek Community brings you todays news.....stay tuned! Ok today we had church service and half the team went to the adult service, in which TJ addressed the congregation, while the other half went to the children's service held under a gian tree, delightful. A very moving communion service followed in which there were many verses sung of Amazing Grace, which became a beautiful blend of Igala and English. After that we enjoyed lunch (thank you again St. Crystal), of rice and red sauce plus a chopped diced salad that might remind you of pico de guilo, minus the cilantro.
Afternoon was filled with friendship- girls handed out the sponsor letters and went to the childrens bible study, the guys worked on broken wheelchairs, which for me was simply removing the old broken part that must be replaced in the USA. TJ and Greg worked harder, bless their hearts, with the same results, parts needed. Good news is that we will now have UPS service to LaKojia. HUGE! The team is back at full force with the return of Chloe- thank you Lord! She was down with a 24 hr. bug. Yesterday was quite the day with half the team going to a funeral and the other half attending an Albino meeting where hats, sunglasses and sunscreen were handed out!! The Albinos were quite the crowd, so sad seeing life long challenges that await them with the limited resources here in Nigeria.
Tomorrow is another split with the girls headed off to the Iman's village (family tribe of Aiden Styskal). The men will be doing their best to create a playground for the children of the school that C4 has been involved with. Well folks the sun is setting, the stomachs are on empty, soon the generators will be turned on so that this will be uploaded.
Till the next time, the Lord is truly blessing this trip.......I miss my family- home and C4. May the Lord continue to bless our days here in the central bush of Nigeria.
L-Man out
Afternoon was filled with friendship- girls handed out the sponsor letters and went to the childrens bible study, the guys worked on broken wheelchairs, which for me was simply removing the old broken part that must be replaced in the USA. TJ and Greg worked harder, bless their hearts, with the same results, parts needed. Good news is that we will now have UPS service to LaKojia. HUGE! The team is back at full force with the return of Chloe- thank you Lord! She was down with a 24 hr. bug. Yesterday was quite the day with half the team going to a funeral and the other half attending an Albino meeting where hats, sunglasses and sunscreen were handed out!! The Albinos were quite the crowd, so sad seeing life long challenges that await them with the limited resources here in Nigeria.
Tomorrow is another split with the girls headed off to the Iman's village (family tribe of Aiden Styskal). The men will be doing their best to create a playground for the children of the school that C4 has been involved with. Well folks the sun is setting, the stomachs are on empty, soon the generators will be turned on so that this will be uploaded.
Till the next time, the Lord is truly blessing this trip.......I miss my family- home and C4. May the Lord continue to bless our days here in the central bush of Nigeria.
L-Man out
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Albinisim Clinic
From Julie: "Today 1/2 the team taught a seminar on Albinism and 1/2 the team went to a funeral. All is well and we are heading for home."
Friday, July 15, 2011
FIRST BLOG AHHHHH!!!! :)
Hey all, this is Chloe! First blog! We all experienced our first full day at ministry of mercy orphanage in otutulu. Needless to say, we all agree it was AMAZING. Yesterday we made a stop in lakoja to the baby orphanage for a few hours where we met Daniel for the first time. Anyways, otutulu has been such a blessing so far. We've had all day to play with the kids, kill some snakes and centipedes, and enjoy every second. Maddie, Jessie, Laura, Julie, Kyla, and I had the opportunity to run the medical clinic today and aside from the stress of diapers, it was quite an experience! Eric and kendall got the chance to play a game of soccer with the kids (lost of course), tj and Greg worked on the routers and computers, and then our very own L-man helped out quite a bit on the 'MOM' well! Looking forward to the albino seminar tomorrow, pray for great success! We miss you guys back in B-town! More updates to come.
-Chlo Dawg
-Chlo Dawg
Nigeria Climate Info via Susan B.'s Brother
Looking at the yearly temps, their hottest months are generally March-May. It has to do with the ocean currents in the Gulf of Guinea, it seems. Similar to the way San Francisco is in the 60's-70's in the Summer but gets hot in the Fall, especially October, because of the Humboldt current off the coast there.
The rainy season, which starts in central Nigeria in May-June and lasts until the end of the year. According to what I've learned now, the almost constant cloudiness of the rainy season keeps temperatures mild throughout that period. In the dry season, a dry wind from the north off of the Sahara, called a Harmattan wind, brings somewhat warmer temperatures but also dust which causes a haze. The haze also moderates the heat from the Sun, just like the clouds in the rainy season. For a short 2-3 month period in the spring, inbetween the Harmattan winds and the rains, the temperatures climb into the 90-110 range.
With the rainy season in full swing in central Nigeria, there is plenty of ground moisture to soak up the Sun's energy (and consequently really boost the humidity).
Humidity will be a bit of an adjustment though. With the river and the ocean so close, the average humidity is about twice what ours is - around 60-70% this time of year for them when it isn't raining and up to 90%+ when it is raining, which is almost every day.
Learn something new every day. I expected that being between the Equator and the Sahara would make them hotter. I was wrong. Abuja is in the central savannah climate area with just two seasons, dry and rainy. The coastal south is tropical rainforest and in northern Nigeria it is a different story, with a Sahel or semi-arid climate near the southern Sahara.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Team has arrived in Otutulu!
The team has arrived safely in Otutulu! AMEN! Julie says they are all doing well, just a little tired. All the girls have picked out babies to bring home! :)
Team leaving for Otutulu
The Nigeria team in now leaving the city of Lokoja and headed to Otutulu. Please pray for them as they make this journey, and as they arrive to meet the children and staff at M.O.M.
Lokoja
From Julie, Lamplight leader -
Day 1: Everyone is so excited and love the place where we slept. Deep bush and beautiful landscape. Waiting to depart from Lokoja. All teen girls were a huge hit with a school we visited!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Team is in Nigeria!
The team made it to Nigeria safe and sound - and in great spirits! They are in cars and headed to a place to rest a bit.
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