Dogon Dutse News

20 October 2010

Following thunderstorms and rain all afternoon Tuesday, it looks to be another partly cloudy day ahead, though one can never tell in the Plateau State of Nigeria. Fortunately, we were in Partnership meetings all day and evening on Tuesday, so the cooler temperatures that accompanied the rain felt refreshing and nice. And it made our tea and biscuit breaks all the more fun.

Traveling has its ups and downs and this trip I ended up with fairly swollen ankles which seemed to be getting worse. So I phoned my good friend, Mary Beth Oyebade at the Mashiah Foundation inquiring if she perhaps had a diuretic I might get. She immediately put out an email to all her missionary friends. No one had any, so she headed to the local pharmacist first thing Tuesday morning. Following a few questions on the phone (e.g. my age, did I have high blood pressure, and was a dimple left when I pressed on the ankles), the pharmacist sent along several little pills for me to take. They worked. This morning all is well. Of course, a few brisk walks would have also helped, but the thunderstorms (literally pouring cats and dogs) prevented that. Live and learn: drink more water on the airplane and get up and walk around (that is, if the flight attendants would get those carts out of the aisle!).

As always, the meals at the Dogon Dutse are a special treat. We had a delicious beef stew, unlike any I had had before, for Monday lunch and fabulous spaghetti for Tuesday lunch. The chicken for supper last night was probably the plumpest I’ve ever had while in Nigeria. Our group has also enjoyed conversing with a young newlywed couple who is honeymooning here at the Dogon Dutse. They did not have a camera, so I have taken some photos of them and will send them via email upon my return to the States.

Awoke this morning to no electricity, so had the pleasure of showering in the dark via battery-operated torches. Thankfully this laptop still had some battery life so I’m crafting this entry in hopes of posting it once the electricity returns.

Today we will have our final morning meeting with the leaders of the LCCN. Yesterday’s meetings were long with very lively conversation, but many mis-communications were solved and we are all excited about the future of our partnership.

We will then depart to spend the afternoon with our friends at the Mashiah Foundation. Mary Beth and Bayo will prepare a Taco salad lunch while we visit and catch up on news. Then we will spend time with Amson and Dorthea Hamman (managers of the Dogon Dutse) and their family. Supper will be with Andy and Linda Horlings. We came to know the Horlings in 2008 when we began hiring them for our transportation needs while traveling in Nigeria. They graciously invited us to supper and we are looking forward to learning more about their ministry. I do know that Linda is a Bible translator and is now working on Lamentations. They have lived here in Jos for well over 30 years.

On our way to the Oyebade’s later this morning, we will stop at the new shop that the Women of Hope opened recently in downtown Jos. With any luck, I may be able to post a photo next time around.

I am looking forward to returning to Abuja tomorrow and visiting Bishop Ben’s new home, visiting with his family and waiting for the next group of travelers to arrive Saturday evening. I trust all is well in the States. Blessings on your day!