Today was a “sleep in” morning. Being from New York City I can fall asleep to the sound of buses, garbage trucks, jack hammers, even sirens; but the gentle chirping of the cricket that was in our bedroom last night provided a challenge. After much tossing and turning, though, I did finally drift off to dreamland – cricket be damned!!
The day started with a very nice breakfast buffet – chips (French fries), omelet, sautéed beef liver, baked beans, and oats (oatmeal). And, of course, coffee and tea.
After a satisfying breakfast, and some more lulling around the room, we left the hotel at 11 am to make our way to the LCCN National Headquarters in Numan. There we were served a very delicious stew for lunch at the Numan Guest House.
After lunch we met with the Administrative Secretary of the LCCN, Mr. Parisa and the Archbisoph’s personal secretary, the Rev. Dan Elkanah. During this visit Mr. Parisa expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the partnership that has been growing between the Minneapolis Area Synod congregations and the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. It was a moving moment for all in the room, as a reciprocal declaration was made by those from the partnering congregations.
Gifts were presented to Mr. Parisa and Rev. Elkanah of pastor stoles, several Book of Concord, and tons of eye glasses. When asked how long it will take for the eye glasses to be distributed to those in need, Mr. Parisa replied, “The word will get out, the lines will form, and the glasses will be gone in two days!!”
The question was posed to Mr. Parisa as to what the members of the Minneapolis Synod could do to assist in the ministry of the LCCN. We met the medical director of the LCCN medical dispensary, who provided a tour of the medications provided to patients who come to the dispensary for care – antibiotics, hypertensive, vitamins, malarial, etc.. A list of necessary medication was generated by the team to bring back to the states to see if assistance can be obtained to acquire these medications.
From the LCCN Headquarters we traveled to Numan General Hospital, originally an LCCN facility. Serving the sick and needy in the Numan area efficiently and with the love of Christ, the LCCN lost control of the hospital when the government decided to usurp the control of the hospital. Since that time, the quality and efficiency of health care to those in need has declined. The hospital administrator graciously provided a tour of selected wards. We were taken to the maternity, pediatrics, and women’s surgical wards. The nursing staff provides excellent care with very limited resources. Imagine what kind of care the patients could be receiving if LCCN had not lost control and been allowed to continue the Christ centered care that started the hospital.
From Numan General Hospital we drove to the Demsa Hospital. Once a thriving LCCN health care facility, providing primary health care, surgery, and health care education for both health care professionals and patients and their families, it is now sitting empty. Financial difficulties prevented health care staff to continue working there – salaries could be paid, medications and medical supplies could not be obtained in the necessary quantities. It was very sad to see such a promising facility abandoned. However, a team from the Global Health Ministries is working to find a way to reopen this critically needed health care facility.
Arriving back at the hotel, hot and sweaty, we took a short respite and climbed once again into our van in search of dinner. Instructed to follow Bulama, our van driver, Anari, did as he was told, only to discover that Bulama, in taking a short cut to the main road, forced us to drive against the traffic until we could cross the road. Those of us in the van were oblivious to this, thinking only . . .Ok, he’s a Nigerian, driving like a Nigerian.
We wound up at a restaurant that was once the palatial home of a wealthy Nigerian businessman, complete with swimming pool and tennis court. When the businessman died, it was passed on to his family who converted it into a guest house, known as Friendship Cottages. The place is lovely – to say the least. The swimming pool is empty, and no one plays tennis, but the area is used as the guest house’s restaurant. We ordered many new and different foods of Nigerian origin. As for me, the pounded yam and beef (with greens) was extremely filling and piquant. The meal was completed with fresh fruit – yes, it was safe to eat it. At least that’s what Kris told us. We’ll see in the morning. It was a lovely evening, with lots of time for conversation. Preparing a large meal is quite challenging for a Nigerian restaurant, requiring great patience on our part. However, the joy and pride expressed in the smiling faces of our servers and hosts made it all
worthwhile.
We entertained ourselves on the ride back to the hotel by trying to estimate the temperature today. The estimates ranged from about 94 to 98 degrees, but the humidity was the killer. However, the temperature and humidity experience today was beyond the comprehension of most Minnesotans.
Tired but sated, we returned to the hotel for another good night’s sleep. If only that cricket would stop it’s chirping!!! But then . . . . I’m in Nigeria.
Sr. Melinda Lando
ELCA Deaconess
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