Hello to all!

Today is our last full day/night in Nigeria.  Tomorrow morning we leave to go to Lagos and wait in the airport until our late night flight.  Every time we see the Chaplian he says, "I'm already missing you!"  It is going to be very hard to say goodbye to all of the friends we've made here.  Today the VC was talking about how on his recent trip to the US (the past 3 weeks), he ate at a steak house in Washington.  He had juicy steak, mashed potatoes, salad, and "chips" (fries).  We were drooling, and he was laughing.  We told this means payback when we get home. 

Yesterday in church at the end of the service, we sang "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms", which was the first hymn we sang when we were here.  We also sang "God be with you", which is the hymn next to the previous.  The chorus goes "'Til we meet again, 'til we meet again, 'till we meet at Jesus' feet, 'til we meet again, 'til we meet again, God be with you 'til we meet again".  I had never heard it before I came here.  We sang it on the majority of the students' last Sunday, and yesterday we sang it because Connie and I are leaving.  As we all sang, they all waved to us, and of course Connie and I cried.  Coming home is so bitter sweet.  I have fallen in love with the Nigerian people, and it's going to be very hard to leave them all.

We have been eating Indomie every day for lunch since the cafeterias have closed, which is Nigeria's version of Ramen Noodles.  It's not bad.  Today we weighed ourselves and our bags to make sure they weighed within the airlines limits (it took an hour and a half to rearrange it to work)...  I weighed myself before and after the Indomie, and it made me gain 2 pounds.  We laughed very hard.  Pray that the bag I bought here with a lot of my stuff in it doesn't bust.  Its like a sturdy rice bag, and weighs about 35 pounds.  My suitcase weighs about 50, and my backpack about 15.  eek.  fun times.  If you ever go to Nigeria, take an extra suitcase for the way home. 

I am excited to get to eat chips when I get home.  I am craving Cheetos and orange Muchies.  For those of you who do not know what Muchies are (Julia), they are chips from heaven.  The orange brand is a trail-mix-esque of cheetos, cheezy doritos, pretzels, and sun chips.  ummm... amazing!  There's also a blue mix, but I prefer the orange.  The past week has been hard with regards to craving food.  Yesterday, Connie and I were watching NUMB3RS, and the people on it had fudgesicles (sp?).  We both drooled.  I've craved so much junk including pizza, chips, hot dogs, ice cream, and more.  I have also been craving CHEESE!!!!!!--cheddar and brick, and salad with ranch.  mmm... lindley we need to go get a chik-fil-a salad.  yumm. 

The past few days have been slow because everyone is gone from campus except staff, Bimpe, Tima, a few straggling students, and children of the staff.  God is still using us to show our love and fruit, but it seems that the ministry is slow and almsot gone.  I guess it should be slowing down because we are leaving tomorrow.  Yesterday we played soccer with the Chaplain's boys, Japheth and Peace, and I discovered why I never desired to play soccer.  I am horrible at it.  My basketball instincts kept coming out, and I kept trying to catch the ball.  haha.  PJ, the little one, is still scared of us sometimes and happy to see us sometimes.  Go figure.  I think he thinks we are ghosts, which makes me laugh.  Pray for the Chaplains because both of their wives are preparing to leave for classes for 6 weeks.  Its happened before, but I think it would be funny to see the kids and the men surviving without their mummies...too bad we'll be gone.

Tonight we are going to the Vice Chancellor's house for dinner.  It will be exciting and good to be able to fellowship with everyone one last night.  Tima is going to finish teaching me some of the worship songs tonight, and I'm excited.  Connie and I are already packed for the most part.  Pray for our safety tomorrow to and inside the airport while we wait to leave.  Pray for journey mercies during the flights.  I am really excited to be coming home, but like I said, it's very bitter sweet.

Funny animal stories of the week:  (There are two this week)  Story #1--Yesterday after church, Tima went into the kitchen to prepare her lunch.  There was a huge lizard in the sink and she screamed.  Big, tough, roach-hunting Tima screamed at a lizard.  We went in, and Connie got a picture.  The poor lizard was stuck in the sink because it had no traction and finally jumped out.  It then jumped onto the floor and scurried out of the door, Tima yelling at it to get out the whole time.  I guess maybe you had to be there.  It was funny, I promise.  Story #2--Today, we almost got charged by one of the campus cows.  The herd was on the pathway to our house as we were walking back.  The main cow with the rope on it was headbutting another cow.  As we approached them on the path, the main cow stopped and looked at us.  I think it remembered me from the other day when I was frollicking with the cows in the field.  It didn't like me the other day either.  It stopped and stared at us, and we stopped and stared at it.  I stomped my foot to scare it off the path, but stomping did not at all intimidate this cow today.  It stomped at us right back and looked as if it were about to charge us.  Connie actually started freaking out a little, which is a rarity, and it made me start to freak out because she grew up on a cattle farm and knows cows well.  So, we hightailed it back to the cow herder who was, by this time, laughing pretty hard at us.  We followed him down the path, and the main cow ran into the grass.  Thank you Mr. Cow Herder.  This paragraph is dedicated to you.

I guess I will sum up my final email.  I want to sincerely thank you all for being a part of this trip and God's plan here.  I want to thank you all so much for praying.  God truly used me and changed me for the better.  This experience was one that I with everyone could experience.  It has impacted my life for the better.  I have truly fallen in love with the people here.  They are so warm, kind, generous, and beautiful.  The believers truly encouraged me in my faith, and they claim that we encouraged them as well.  I am glad that we mutually encouraged one another's faith as Paul talks about doing.  It is so sad to leave, yet so good to be coming home.  I know that this season in life is ending in a few days, and God's plan is yet to continue.  I thank Him so much for this beautiful opportunity.  Thank you so much for experiencing it with me.  Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated, and I pray God will bless you all tremendously as you have blessed me.

Your sister in Christ,
Kimberly   

The past week...

Well since the last update, all of our friends from Bowen have gone home...well most of them anyway.  We headed out on Sunday morning for our week long adventure.  Abuja was nice.  It is the national capital of Nigeria.  We got to see a lot of buildings and banks and such.  We also got to see a few of our friends from Bowen who are from there!  YAY!  We even got to go to the Children's Zoo and park, which is supposedly the nicest zoo in Nigeria.  I haven't been to others, so I can't compare really.  We saw lots of cool animals, and I saw a monkey with a broken bleeding tail.  I took a picture, and it looked so sad.  *sigh*  There were some HUGE turtles, and a camel!  I pretty much had a good time in Abuja.  Aso and Zuma rocks are cool.  We stayed in Abuja for a couple days and then headed to Jos, the capital of Niger State. 

Jos is the tourism center of Nigeria, if Nigeria really attracts many tourists.  It has recently gone downhill though becuase the new Head Police Commissioner is corrupt.  We arrived and checked into our hotel and then headed out for some fast food at about 8 pm.  We got back around 8:45 and entered the open gate.  We interrupted an armed hold up of the hotel, and the guys doing the hold up held us up as well.  No serious harm was done to anyone.  I got slapped around a little, but I am okay.  Connie and I were with Mr. Ishola (our driver), the Chaplain, Bimpe, and Tima.  We were wearing our money belts, so they didn't get Connie or my money or passports, but they did get away with about 30,000 Naira from our group (a little less than $300.)  They also got away with all of our cell phones minus one, and my iPod.  I really don't care about the iPod though.  I still have my life, my virginity, my pictures, and my journal.  God was truly watching out for us.  We praise His name for letting it happen the way it did. 

Nigeria, other than that experience, has been an amazing journey in my life.  I have met so many wonderful people and had some of the most memorable occurances of my life.  In no way would I discourage future missionaries from coming here.  I would just tell them to be careful and alert.  In all honesty, armed robberies happen all the time in Houston; I have just been fortunate enough not to been in one first hand.  God has truly blessed me through this jouney in my life.  He has drawn me closer to Him than I have ever been.  I have a deeper understanding of His love and provision for my life.  May His name be glorified.  Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and concern.  We are safely back in Iwo at Bowen University.  We will be leaving to come home to Dallas on the 1st.  I will be home in Houston on the 5th.  I love you all so much, and we are in the best of care here.  God has truly taken care of us. 

Romans 12:9-21

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.  On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'  DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD."

Please be in prayer for the men who robbed us.  Please pray for their salvation.  Thank you so much.  Also pray for my dad and our family as my uncle passed away on Monday.  Thank you all.  I love you and will see you soon.

In Him,

Kimberly

Hello all. 

The internet here is frustrating.  I just had half of an email written, and my computer froze and had to be rebooted.  The joys of Nigerian computers...  haha.  It's good to hear everyone back home is doing well.  That makes me smile.

We have had a good past week.  The time here has gone by sooo quickly!  While many of our friends left, we've made many new ones.  It is good to build friendships and show people love.  Pray for our friend Ope.  I met her last week, and I'm not sure where she stands with Christ.  Monday, she said she needed to talk to me and decided that she would come find me today.  Pray that God leads the discussion.  Bimpe and Tima send their greetings.  I am going to miss them sooo much when we leave.  They never fail to make us laugh and smile.

Funny animal story of the week:  Last Monday after I sent the email, Connie and I decided to clean the Chaplain's office.  There were papers everywhere, and we happened upon a rat's nest.  Luckily they were normal rats and not Asi, the huge scary rats here that are deathly poisonous.  Connie and I assumed our positions on the chairs while screaming, and Ayo, Myowa, and Rev. Popoola assumed theirs, ready for battle.  Two rats escaped, while the third was less fortunate.  It tried to hide behind the fridge, up the curtains, behind the desk, and eventually to the hole.  However Ayo was waiting at the hole and stomped it to its doom into rat hell.  We decided it went to rat hell because it was trying to destroy the Chaplaincy.  Ha. 

Last Tuesday we went to Ogbomoso.  We got to visit the Baptist Hospital, the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary (and eat homemade hamburgers made by one of the student's moms who used to live in Tennessee), a leper colony, and an orphanage.  The leper colony was amazing and very touching.  It was very poverty stricken, and a pastor and his wife lived among the lepers.  We got to talk to a few of the lepers, and when I reached out my hand to greet them they shook it surprised.  Not many people have the guts to talk to them let alone touch them.  We prayed with them and just talked for a while.  It touched my heart.  Maybe I'll come back one day and work among them, putting my Physical Therapy knowledge to use.  God only knows.  The orphanage was also very touching.  There were 6 children.  One was a two month old baby boy named David.  His mother had died during childbirth.  He was so precious.  Two of the children were special, and just desired our love.  Another two were sisters.  I picked one little girl up, and she cried up until the moment that Bimpe started praying.  She suddenly stopped at that moment, and afterwards took kindly to me.  Many of the children here are very scared of us because they've never seen an Oyibo before.  I think they think we are ghosts.  It's actually quite amusing to us.

Wednesday, Connie, Bimpe, Tima and Larry went to Sister Kemi's house to visit.  I was home sick with stomach issues, which I believe were due to the delicious hamburger the previous day.  Mom--remind me to take it easy with food when I get home.  Saturday, we went to Seun Lola's wedding.  It was only 3 hours compared with the previous one which was four and a half.  We saw many Bowen students there, and it was a joyous occasion.  We sang "Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts, and they liked it.  It was good.  Afterwards, they fed us in a back room b/c we were special guests.  They gave us each enough jollof rice for 3 Americans, and two pieces of "beef", mine was mainly cow skin.  I ate one piece that was mostly beef, and the other piece I tried to eat but ended up burying it in the remaining rice... ha.  They also gave us VitaMalt.  Don't ever drink that if you have a choice.  I'm not a fan of malt to begin with, but this had many vitamins in it which made it even more interesting.  For the past week, I've eaten cereal for dinner every night and I've enjoyed every bite of it.

The mosquitos here are psycho.  I've been wearing several layers of Deep Woods Off and one just bit me on the knee.  They stop at nothing for my blood.  Luckily they have been biting much less since mom sent the deep woods, though. 

Sunday, we went into a village (Bode-Osi) which is primarily Muslim.  There were a few churches however, and we attended one.  There were about 25 kids and only about 12 adults there.  It was a very small, humble church, but they worshipped the same Majestic God.  It was a humbling experience.  The children were all very cute and excited to see us.

Yesterday, we went into Ibadan for a shopping day.  Yes, we as girls still need to shop.  I got many fun things, and I am very excited to bring them home for everyone.  I got some Nigerian praise and worship CD's that will hopefully play when we get home.  I am excited to teach people some of the songs we have been singing.  I have also been collecting "crowns", what we call bottle caps from glass bottles, and my friends make fun of me because the children here collect them to learn how to count.  They are fun, and I am going to do something fun with them when I get home. 

I miss everyone, but the time is going by quickly and I will be back in the states in two weeks... how bizarre.  We leave on Sunday and head to Abuja, the national capital, and Jos, another large city.  Pray that God still uses us and that we don't lose focus of why we're here.  Larry is going to take us to a zoo, the Baptist High School, and the Missionary Kid school.  That is all I know about for now.  Pray that we will still seek opportunities to share God's love.  Pray also for our journeying mercies.  God has been so faithful with our safety and health thus far.  What a Mighty God we serve.  Pray for my conversation with Ope that will probably be occurring soon.  Pray that we will seek God's will and that He will lead us a direct us with His Spirit. 

I look forward to hearing from you all and seeing you all soon.  I will not be able to email while I am traveling to Abuja and Jos for the week.  I love you all and thank you all for your prayers. 

In Christ,
Kimberly