This is Nigeria. Strange food, mad Muslims, cross-cultural encounters, and spiritual demands. And health concerns. So...
1. Staying close to the Lord, to listen well, to take in what I need to, to pick up what He is bringing my way.
2. Good preparation for my talks and sermon. Especially the sermon. A major event there, ordination, and me a quasi-outsider.
3. Fulani. A large unreached group. Anglican have high involvement. I want to bring them back as a viable mission for congregations. Very difficult, given the distance, unfamiliarity, etc. Still, we are called and expected to connect even with such as they. I need insights.
4. Health. I did get really sick last time. Bad food and the consequences. That can easily happen. Also I travel with a case of lymphoma that has recently showed mild stirrings. Nothing much, no treatment necessary. But no symptoms there would be good.
5. For Constance at home. Lots of painting to do and prints to prepare, roses to winterize, and good reading. Still, prayer for her and her peace and her fun, please.
Monday, November 28, 2011
And in my bag I have...
Remember that game? The next person has to remember all that was mentioned before and then add one thing.
In my bag I have --- many gifts - two wall calendars, bangles, funny balloons, pot holders, pens, a couple of flashlights, scarves, and a few other things that are 1) flat, and 2) light.
And ----- pills (anti-malaria, anti-histamines, aspirin, epipen, several other types), bandages, hand sanitizer, stuff like that.
And ---- books. Tolkein. I feel that I ought to like his trilogy. Haven't gotten into it in previous tries. If not this time, the book stays there. The Nigerian Book of Common Prayer. Wired - want to read the current issue and interview with Steve Bezos and then leave it in JFK. E. J. Young's Commentary on Isaiah, volume three. This is my treat. I've worked through the first two volumes. This one covers chapter 40 on.
And ---- movies. DVDs - they hardly take up any space. And I will need the diversion, at some point. Two. True Grit. A gift from Constance. The original. John Wayne. Might try to show it over there to some guys. An interesting cross-cultural effort.
And "Christmas Vacation". That qualifies as Advent preparation, doesn't it? Also the funniest movie ever.
And a few clothes.
In my bag I have --- many gifts - two wall calendars, bangles, funny balloons, pot holders, pens, a couple of flashlights, scarves, and a few other things that are 1) flat, and 2) light.
And ----- pills (anti-malaria, anti-histamines, aspirin, epipen, several other types), bandages, hand sanitizer, stuff like that.
And ---- books. Tolkein. I feel that I ought to like his trilogy. Haven't gotten into it in previous tries. If not this time, the book stays there. The Nigerian Book of Common Prayer. Wired - want to read the current issue and interview with Steve Bezos and then leave it in JFK. E. J. Young's Commentary on Isaiah, volume three. This is my treat. I've worked through the first two volumes. This one covers chapter 40 on.
And ---- movies. DVDs - they hardly take up any space. And I will need the diversion, at some point. Two. True Grit. A gift from Constance. The original. John Wayne. Might try to show it over there to some guys. An interesting cross-cultural effort.
And "Christmas Vacation". That qualifies as Advent preparation, doesn't it? Also the funniest movie ever.
And a few clothes.
You gotta love the adventure!
Off to Nigeria. That would be after four hours in the Richmond airport and four in JFK. I land in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. A priest from my diocese, the Diocese of Makurdi, will meet me and drive me to Makurdi and Bishop Inyom.
Time was, in Nigeria, one didn't travel at night. Not too safe. Things have changed.
My preaching isn't until December 11th. That gives me about 12 days there. Bishop Inyom said he would have an itinerary for me when I get there. One way of looking at it - that does take the pressure off. All I have to do is show up at the car at the appointed time, get in, ask where we are going, how long we will be there, and chill.
My hunch is two other stops besides time in Makurdi.
One stop will be Fulani territory. Actually Fulani territory is vast, across West Africa. This place will be the territory where Fulani converts can live for a while before finding a new home. This is where I walked into a wall. (See earlier post of September, 2010.)
Second guess will be the Bishop Crowther Seminary in Okene. I was there a year ago, taught some, mixed some, got pretty sick, and otherwise had a good time.
Then days in the Diocese of Makurdi, my diocese. The bishop would probably like me to get around some before I get up in the cathedral to preach at their ordination service.
We'll see.
Time was, in Nigeria, one didn't travel at night. Not too safe. Things have changed.
My preaching isn't until December 11th. That gives me about 12 days there. Bishop Inyom said he would have an itinerary for me when I get there. One way of looking at it - that does take the pressure off. All I have to do is show up at the car at the appointed time, get in, ask where we are going, how long we will be there, and chill.
My hunch is two other stops besides time in Makurdi.
One stop will be Fulani territory. Actually Fulani territory is vast, across West Africa. This place will be the territory where Fulani converts can live for a while before finding a new home. This is where I walked into a wall. (See earlier post of September, 2010.)
Second guess will be the Bishop Crowther Seminary in Okene. I was there a year ago, taught some, mixed some, got pretty sick, and otherwise had a good time.
Then days in the Diocese of Makurdi, my diocese. The bishop would probably like me to get around some before I get up in the cathedral to preach at their ordination service.
We'll see.
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