Nativity in Nigeria

A story from Lisa Hobbs, an Anawim Home Team Member:

When we stayed at St. Benedict's Monastery in Ewu and attended Mass, I had to laugh. Here we were in a room of monks celebrating Mass. Although the songs were different (mostly in tribal languages), the people certainly did not look like us, and it did not smell like what we knew (the room was overwhelmed with incense) the brick walls behind the altar made me think of Nativity and I had to laugh.

What a comfort to know each day when we went to Mass we had the same readings and some of the same prayers as our family and friends at home. It was such an unbelievable tie to know our Catholic faith has no boundaries. We are all with God and that makes us feels so close.

This country was populated with Catholics. We joined over 100 people everyday at 6AM Mass at Sacred Heart in Gwagwalada - and this was in the dark. These parishoners said prayers and read their bibles with flashlights.

Just when you think you are worlds away and things are so different... you realize the Catholic Church is universal!

A Place for Lorenta

A story from Lisa Hobbs, an Anawim Home Team Member:

Lorenta was one of the orphans we met while staying in Anawim. She was a very tall beautiful teenage girl with a soft quiet voice. Lorenta had an incredible work ethic, sweeping up every day (they use a tiny bundle of sticks and are completely bent over - I just wish I could tell them about a broomstick!), she was a great student and she was a nurturer to the little boys.

She had a very bad open wound on the top of her foot so throughout the day she was limping. It was more upsetting to our team that she had to suffer and hobble around, because there was no money for the medical visit to the doctor to get the glass out of her foot. We gave her some of our first aid ointments and bandages and she said in time the glass would come out. How brave!

While we were at Awawim, Lorenta was told she would be leaving to be fostered by a family! She would be helping with a family around the house and with their small children and I hoped she would become part of their family. She seemed a bit nervous and also scared to be leaving - but the next day her bag was packed.

I spent some time with her to see how she was feeling. She was hopeful the woman she would live with was not wicked (I assured her Sister would certainly make sure it was a loving woman). I asked Lorenta to remember to do well in school and continue to study as she is a very smart girl. She seemed less concerned about school and instead said she wanted to make sure she went to mass, said the rosary and was committed to prayer.

Lorenta showed me a letter she had written to Sister Oresoa and the others in the orphanage. It was a love letter to Anawim. She thanked them for all that they did for her and she said how she was going to do her best to do what is asked of her with the new family. She was feeling the loss of leaving Anawim, but she was thankful - knowing she was given a great opportunity.

I was hoping to visit Lorenta at her new house, to make sure she was taken care of and loved, but we never had the chance. I wanted my relationship with this girl all tied up neatly before I went home so I knew she was happy. But that didn't happen. I will just have faith that she is well just as I have faith all the other children in Anawim are doing well with bright futures ahead. Faith is the confident belief or trust in the truth. I know Lorenta had faith in God - that is the truth!

Anawim was Home

A story from Lisa Hobbs, an Anawim Home Team Member:

Well I have been back home in the States for 1 week and the reentry has hit full force. At my office there are lots of emails to check and clients to call, then making time for the conversations with friends & family, throwing a 7th b-day party for my twin boys, finishing summer reading & math book with my daughter, buying back to school supplies & organizing their uniforms by next week. Uggh! I am so nervous this mayhem will take over and wash away my experience in Nigeria.

But if I take a quiet moment and think about all that I saw and all that I did - I am really missing the days at Anawim when we had time to just be present. I loved the days when I could walk out of my room and make my way through the compound. Maybe visit the young mothers who have their hands full with the babies but are so interested in us too "does everyone speak English in the US?", "Do your parents kick you out at 16 years old", "Was Michael Jackson troubled ?". Then maybe see some of the young boys who just loved to snap pictures with our cameras, share a smile (twins Paul and Peter no matter how cool they tried to be - once we saw them they were ALWAYS cracking a smile !!) and playing football - such great athletes! I was naturally drawn to the little girls and small boys - hoping they were out of siesta so we could skip rope, do hand claps, sing songs, and I loved the impromptu dance parties! I was always hugging and holding them - rubbing their cool skin (it is 90 degrees - how are they cool ?? ), loving their smiles, and knowing they are just waiting for us when we get "home" to Anawim. Brian is so right - you could feel it - they LOVED us!

We had many new adventures outside of Anawim either teaching, taking babies to the "hospital", outreach with prostitutes, lepers, bush people, etc. But when we got back we were always glad to be "home". Especially after the road trips. When were gone for a day or so we kept saying we could not wait to get "home" - which confused some of those on our team , but what we meant was that Anawim was our home.

At our Anawim "home" and it felt so different than it does now . We did not feel like we had work to do, errands to run, racing from one event to the next , with a to-do list etc. I guess when you are doing God's work it does not seem like a job . I know for Sister Oresoa it is a calling. I am so grateful I could spend those days with her, to see someone who had been chosen for divine service, and I thank her for inviting me to her home.

Love

"From the moment we stepped out of the car at Anawim, we were loved. The boys and girls ran to us, hugging, touching, holding, loving us. They braided Lisa's and Christy's hair. They sat on my lap asking why my skin and hair were different from theirs. (One boy, Jude, went back to his room and came out a minute later with a small packet of shampoo -- he told me to have it so I could use it to keep my hair clean and beautiful.) They asked us to read them stories and play games with them. They begged us to stay out of the sun so we wouldn't get too hot. They offered us their seats when we came to see them. They danced and they sang. These children, these beautiful, happy little boys and girls -- they knew love; they loved love! And they loved us, people who looked strange and talked differently, people who couldn't understand their situations, people who came from far away and were leaving soon enough, they loved us all the same, they loved us as themselves."

Above is an excerpt of a new blog post from Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions, Brian Crook. Brian will be sharing his thoughts on Church of the Nativity's work in Nigeria and Haiti this summer on his blog. You can also find the link to this blog on the left side under "Partners."

Baby Harry

A story from Christy Oberst, an Anawim Home Team Member:

Since I have been back, I have tried to get back on a normal schedule, the jet lag was pretty bad. I have had more energy the past few days, but I think what’s getting me down is trying to figure out what to do with myself. In Nigeria, as soon as you wake up at 5am to whenever you are able to fall asleep at night, you are constantly moving and it got pretty exhausting. We would all push through the times we were exhausted, to be able to spend the little time left with everyone. As tired as I was in those moments, I am so glad I continued on my day. I now realize even more, how happy I was there. Yes, we were constantly busy with not much time to ourselves but we had a purpose that day and were with the best most loving people ever created. This brought me back to one morning…

I was sick when I woke up and not feeling school that day, mainly because I didn’t want to deal with the toilets there. Sister Oreosa told Lisa and me, we could stay back with the Mom’s that day instead of going off to school. My immediate thought was of relief and that I could go back to sleep for an hour before I started my day. Instead of going right back to bed, I went outside to see the kids off. All of a sudden the mother, Happiness, runs by upset and hops into the van with her 3 week old son Harry. Lisa and I run after her and hop into the van and go on our way to the hospital.

Harry’s shaking hand was stuck next to his face and had apparently not moved it since the night before. We reach the hospital (a tiny building, with 2 rooms and 2 beds in each, no real equipment..basically nothing). Becky had given birth to her son the night before (who did not breathe for the first 10 minutes of life) and was still in the room along with another mother, Blessing, and her son Joseph. The room was extremely cramped so I pick up Joseph, who is about 16 months old, because he was trying to walk around everywhere. He starts to choke on bread, and in Blessings and mine efforts to get the food out of his mouth, he throws up all over me about 4 times. I honestly have no idea how all of that came out of a little boy. I threw off my shirt and the doctor used it to clean up the room, but that was all he used to clean up the mess. As I am out back cleaning myself off , I start to laugh and I was not sure why but I couldn’t stop. I was thinking I couldn’t believe that had just happened, but why did the doctor still have a newborn baby who almost died the night before, a sick 3 week old baby with a high fever and an infection, with 5 other people all together in an un-disinfected room? We were confused as to why the doctor did not at least move the newborn and Becky into the next room so he did not catch anything.

Then Harry starts to have seizures and goes limp while Happiness is holding him crying. I held back my tears to try and stay strong for Happiness, which was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The nurse stands over the baby, says his infection has gone to the brain, and then walks away. Lisa and I try to give them more space and we sat in the waiting area with Joseph. As we are waiting, Harry starts to convulse again and someone runs after the nurse to tell her to come back and help, she refused and just kept walking down the street. I try to not judge others, but I was so confused as to why she would not come back and not able to comprehend it. So I was now livid in addition to being terrified and upset. Lisa had to act as the nurse, put on the gloves, and help the doctor give shots to Harry.

I am still trying to wrap my head around all those events and I may never understand but what’s important is after three days in the hospital, Harry came back to Anawim. His infection was now only on his arms instead of all over his body. It was in that moment that I saw God’s power and presence, because without it Harry and Becky’s newborn boy would not have been here.

I am so glad that I did not waste time sleeping that morning, and decided to go outside. Since I have been home, I realized that as scared, angry, and sad I was in those moments, I would have rather been there than anywhere else.

God Give Us Strength

Over the next few days and weeks, team members will be sharing reflections and relationships that they built during their time at Anawim Home. This one is from Christy Oberst:

Well for the past two days I have been a zombie, I was so exhausted. All I could do is rest; meanwhile everyone is asking me to tell them all about the trip. I could only think “Where do I start?” So the past days my mind has been constantly churning about everything to the point where I would get migraines. One second I am laughing about some memories, the next second I am crying. Today feels good. I am still thinking about everything but in a nice calm fashion now. I want the trip, the people, and the experiences to be something I think about every day for the rest of my life. So where do I start? I first want to pray this for our group:

“Please God give us the strength and wisdom to not let our experiences intimidate our minds. To let this, open up our minds and invade our thoughts, feelings, and prayers. To making our minds turn our bodies into action for you and your people. And to enrapture our souls to change us, make us closer to you, and to let it lead us down whatever path you want us to take.”

The Pastor on Missions

"It seems to me that one of the important ways our parish church can best serve our parishoners is by making service and mission opportunities accessible and readily available to individuals, couples, families, Small Groups and groups of friends. Even for those who are new to faith or just giving our church a try, service projects can be a great way to get involved and go deeper. We don't have to devote our whole lives to it, like the missionaries of old, today modern transportation means we can witness and serve for an afternoon, a weekend, or during summer vacation. But it does no good for me to preach about service, if it is not practically available and accessible to you. That is what Brian and I and our volunteer leaders will be working on in the months ahead."

Above is an excerpt of a new blog post from Church of the Nativity Pastor, Fr. White. Fr. White traveled to Haiti this summer and has been a driving force behind NATIVITY:NIGERIA from its beginning four years ago. The full post can be found on his blog. You can also find the link to this blog on the left side under "Partners."

Reflecting on Prayer

"Reflecting back on our discussion that night and the faith of the community in Gwagwalada, one thought comes to mind. I get caught up so much in the feelings of prayer and worship that I forget that its purpose is to give praise and honor to God. I'm guessing we weren't the only ones who didn't feel anything significant during those prayers, but you know what... everyone keeps praying! Every time they gather, they worship God. Every time 3 o'clock rolls around, they pray. Everyone at Anawim pauses to profess their faith, acknowledge their dependence on God, and lift up their needs and the needs of others in prayer. All feelings aside (good, bad, or indifferent), they pray."

Above is an excerpt of a new blog post from Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions, Brian Crook. Brian will be sharing his thoughts on Church of the Nativity's work in Nigeria and Haiti this summer on his blog. You can also find the link to this blog on the left side under "Partners."

A Missional Summer

"It was awesome to have Sr. Oresoa, the founder of Anawim Home, paint such a clear picture of the relational aspect of Nativity's mission work. Anawim Home gets a number of visitors throughout the year, but Sr. Oreosa, at a board meeting we attended, pointed out the dedication Nativity:Nigeria has to "eat, sleep, and live among the poorest of the poor." This is what it's all about, loving our neighbors! Sure, we are also committed to supporting their efforts to carry out God's work among the poor, but the reason for the trip is to walk in their shoes for two weeks."

Above is an excerpt of a blog post from Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions, Brian Crook. Over the next few days and weeks, Brian will be sharing his thoughts on Church of the Nativity's work in Nigeria and Haiti this summer on his blog. We encourage you to check it out for some great stories and insights from this ministry. You can always find the link to this blog on the left side under "Partners."

Return to Baltimore

The team flew into Washington Dulles Airport late last night and has made it safely back to Baltimore. There were lots of hugs and a few surprise appearances at the airport as everyone reunited with their families. The heat and humidity of the Mid-Atlantic were a quick reminder of the weather in Abuja. All of the luggage made it back and the everyone was home with their families just after 1AM.

Where You Send Me

One of the most important parts of NATIVITY:NIGERIA is reflection. The team joins in reflection nightly in Abuja and frequently in the days and weeks following their return to Timonium. Below is a reflection by Kristin Costanza, Director of Creative Live Presentations at Church of the Nativity. Kristin was part of the first team that Church of the Nativity sent to Nigeria during the summer of 2007.

I spent my teenage years at Nativity serving in every ministry possible, attending work camps, meeting new people and discovering my love for Christian music. A lot of songs we sang, came complete with hand motions, which everyone pretended to hate by secretly loved. One song in particular was called "Hands and Feet" by a fantastic, now dispersed group called Audio Adrenaline. At the end of the chorus it says, "I'll go where you send me." I remember singing that line loudly, waving my arms back and forth, with confidence that I would willingly go wherever God wanted to send me. This theme comes up a lot in Scripture, most familiar in Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Then God told me to go to Africa in 2007. No really, He did. Through conversations with people, through articles I read, through prayer and through the prodding I felt in my soul. My response looked kind of like this:

"No, no, God you must have misunderstood me. I didn't mean ANYWHERE in the world. I meant I'll talk to different people, and bring up Jesus... you know, stuff like that. You can't seriously want me to go to Africa. You KNOW I hate to travel, you know I don't like to be away from home. You KNOW I don't have any money."

It disappointed me that this was my reaction. I WANTED to be willing to go wherever. I WANTED to jump at the chance to serve God in another country. I WANTED to be a part of the foundation of Nativity’s mission to Nigeria. But wanting to have a certain attitude about something isn’t enough. I was forced to come to grips with the fact that God saw all of me all the time. The good, the bad, the ugly and the unwilling.

Somewhere in all of my fighting and begging and ignoring and complaining, the papers were signed, the visa was approved and the plane ticket was purchased. There was no way out now. (And believe me, if there was a way out I would have found it). Turns out, if God wants you to do something, you can’t really get around it.

The trip ended up changing my life. It changed my perspective on things. My relationship with God became different. I learned more about trust than I ever have. Even though many, many times I would comment to one of my three guy friends who went with me “Are we really in Africa? Are there really no adults with us?” (We were all about 21-22 at the time). I met the most amazing people, with the most incredible faith life, doing some unbelievable things. Some of the purpose God had for me in Nigeria has been revealed, and some has not. I’m sure throughout my life God is going to show me more and more about why He wanted me to go to Nigeria.

God has so much purpose for every single life. Sometimes He prods us towards things we aren’t thrilled about, or downright DON’T want to do. Sometimes He leads us slowly step by step, and sometimes He asks us to jump right off the building, and trust that He’ll catch us.

I’d like to say that these days I’m way more willing to go where God sends me. But the truth is, I still have the same attitude sometimes. But what I am better at is learning that God has such a bigger view of everything. And He will not steer me wrong no matter what. And He brings amazing things out of what we’re scared of.

And that thinking we’re incompetent doesn’t make you unusable. In fact it’s very old school. All throughout the Bible people thought they weren’t good enough or weren’t psyched about doing what God asked. They thought they weren’t good enough.

But God combats that by saying, “I made You good enough. You’re mine and I send you because I believe in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself.”

Leaving Abuja

The team got to the airport on time (Nigeria time), made it through customs and immigration with no trouble at all. It is a full flight from Abuja to JFK (a change from the flight over during which everyone had their own row to lay down and sleep). It was sad to say goodbye to all of the boys and Sisters after Mass this morning but we are happy to come home to our families and some comfort food! There have been some awesome takeaways from our experiences that we're excited to share with Nativity in a few weeks. Also, we are immensely thankful for all of the support and prayers - during reflection last night the team noted that there wasn't one day that went by without at least one great thing happening. The team is all sitting next to each other on the return voyage (not sure anybody else would want to sit with our fragrant team anyway) and planning to watch as many movies as possible.

- Compiled from information provided by Brian Crook, Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions.

Last Day at Anawim

Today was the team's last full day at Anawim as they head to the airport and depart for the United States tomorrow morning. It was bittersweet for everyone as the did outreach around Gwagwalada and visited with a few more priests in Abuja. They were given a very heartfelt send off by everyone at Anawim upon their return for dinner this evening. "We will miss everyone dearly but are looking forward to seeing everyone at home."

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

That Our Hearts May Be Broken

The team did very well together today. It was a tough day to process, as the team learned in our nightly reflection. The team visited several places that are home to many of the destitute of Benin. From what the team learned from Sister Oresoa, these places exist because the government has nothing in place for the mentally ill. The team witnessed people chained up to many different things and this is how most of the mentally ill are treated in Nigeria: but not the people that Sister cares for. The team gave them food, clothing, and soap. "We realize that many people will never witness what we saw today: so reflection tonight was crucial for us." The team went to the place that sister found Francis, a young boy at Anawim, some 16 years ago. He has been at Anawim ever since. Before we left Nativity for the airport last week, we joined in prayer. We asked that our hearts would be broken in Nigeria: but we didn't quite understand what that meant. Now we do. God has a plan for everyone, and ours today was to visit those places and let the community back home know what we saw so that we can help those who are helping here: - people like Sister Oresoa. Tomorrow morning the team travels back to Abuja for a few days before heading back to the States. Pray for those the team served today, and for a safe journey back.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Off to Edo State

Today the team traveled to Church at the normal time of 6AM. They headed back to Anawim, ate breakfast, and packed up the van for the trek down to Benin in Edo state. First, they visited the leper village outside Abuja and dropped off clothes for the residents. It was an experience that we will not soon forget. The team made it to Benin in just about seven hours. After meeting Sister Oresoa's mother and other family members for dinner, the team arrived at the monastery where they will be staying until Sunday. The monastery is very peaceful and a few of us are going to try to wake up at 3:30AM to participate in morning prayer with the monks. We are looking forward to seeing what the God has in store as we continue our journey.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Spotlight: Rob Devereux

The fifth installment in our series to help you get to know our team members is with Rob Devereux. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

As I travel back to Nigeria again this year, there are many different things going through my mind. I am excited to go back and see all of the people I met last year, and see how they are doing. I have prayed for these people everyday from then until now, and it will be great to see their faces again. I can't wait to form new relationships as well. I am excited to spend time with the new team, and to grow in a better connection with my Creator. I am looking forward to the food, the work, the dancing, and spending time with the children. God has placed me in a position to travel back to see my friends in Nigeria, and it is almost surreal that I get to go back.

I am nervous this year about leaving my dog with my mother. Last year, when I went, my dog was very ill, and almost died while I was gone. This year he has blown out both of his back legs and can barely walk. I am nervous about how he will make it while I am gone since we have been carrying him everywhere for the past few days. It seems like the timing is terrible, but I guess bad news never has good timing. My mother has ordered a doggie wheelchair for him so he should be okay. God has a plan for him - as well as for me, and I trust that in the end everything will work out according to His will.

Recharging at Anawim

Today was a low key day for the NATIVITY:NIGERIA team. After a few packed days with tons and tons of excitement the team and the Sisters had some much needed rest and relaxation today. They took the day to recharge their batteries for the last half week with the Sisters. Tonight, the team had dinner with the local parish priest, Fr. Tumba, who invited them into his home. Tomorrow, the team will head South for a few days in Benin City, where Sister Oresoa's family is originally from. They are leaving first thing in the morning to make the long drive through the Nigerian countryside.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

New Baby at Anawim

This post contains some additional details on yesterdays work as well as today's travel into Abuja. Yesterday, while the guys were teaching Christy and Lisa went with Sister Oresoa to the "hotel" to meet with the "ladies" prostitutes. They were very receptive to Sister and thanked her for reaching out. Two of the girls are planing to come by tomorrow and learn more about Anawim. Christy and Lisa also cooked lunch for everyone (spaghetti, tomato sauce, pounded beef, and salad). It was a ton of work and we really appreciate everyone that cooks for us - we were just hoping for a taste of home.

Also yesterday, one of the young mothers gave birth to a baby boy! Wow to see God's work! This is the second time that a baby has been born at Anawim while a NATIVITY:NIGERIA team has been there. We continue to keep the young mother as well as her newborn baby boy in our prayers.

Today, the team visited a small boy that had been at staying at Anawim and who is now placed with a great family. So wonderful to see this happy ending! The team also traveled into Abuja to work with Dr. Dakum from Institute for Human Virology (IHV), who educated them on the efforts to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS and how Anawim can partner in these efforts. Dr. Dakum works closely with Dr. Blattner from the Institute for Human Virology, based at University of Maryland Medical Center.

On the way back to Gwagwalada, the van got caught in some INSANE traffic headed home from Abuja. Picture 6 lanes going 1 way and 1 lane going the other way on what is originally a road with one lane in each direction! Yikes! "We are excited at what our next days will bring we are so blessed for this opportunity to be messengers of God and let you know of his great work!!!!!!"

- Compiled from information provided by Lisa Hobbs, Anawim Team Member & Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Clean Water in Jos & Bakin Kogi

Today NATIVITY:NIGERIA made the final arrangements to begin the drilling of a new borehole for clean water at Faith Alive Hospital in Jos and a satellite clinic of Faith Alive Hospital in Bakin Kogi. The team is still working to finalize plans to provide clean water to the town of Hwol Yarje, where Faith Alive Hospital also directs a school. These boreholes will be completed in the next few weeks and will provide clean, drinkable water to the patients and residents in both locations. This is a continuation of NATIVITY:NIGERIA's ongoing commitment to provide clean water to Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home and will be the fourth and fifth borehole completed by the team this summer. Find more information on these projects on the Water page. Thank you for your continued support!

Spotlight: Brian Crook

The fourth installment in our series to help you get to know our team members is with Brian Crook. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

NATIVITY:NIGERIA groupies! I'm Brian Crook, native Baltimoron, 25 years old, and currently employed by Church of the Nativity as Missions Director. I've grown up at Nativity and seen a lot of amazing things through the years - one of which was to see my friends travel to Nigeria four years ago and meet Dr. Chris and Sister Oresoa.

I am thrilled now to have an opportunity to serve there myself. Meeting Sister Oresoa, the boys at Anawim, and seeing the newly repaired well at the orphanage top the list of things I'm excited to see. I've also really enjoyed getting to know my teammates over the past few months, and I'm genuinely excited to see how we learn and grow together on the trip.

The team and past participants have done a great job at preparing us all, but still, there are some things that make me nervous. The long flights won't be my favorite, nor will the early mornings (especially without Starbucks). I also know that I need some time alone to decompress - I'm hoping there will be some chances to do this in Abuja. All in all, just letter go of the idea that, as is the case at home, I can't just get in car and do whatever I want will be challenging. I'll have to be flexible, humble, and courteous (a real task for me!).

M own life has led me through a number of twists and turns. I've been praying that this experience can provide a sort of jumping off point for me, one where I can allow myself to be open and vulnerable to God's voice and then follow up on it with action. Thanks again for all of your support - I can't wait to share it all with you!

Football and Working with Young Mothers

The team is pretty wiped after a long day at Anawim. As in the past few days, they taught in the school for the morning and early afternoon. Also, they worked with the young mothers in the newly built hostel. This is designed to help the young mothers with their newborns as well as teach them skills so that they may re-enter the community. The boys spent hours of the afternoon playing football (soccer) with the children and the girls spent some more time helping out the young mothers. Sister has been an inspiration to the team as they continue in their second week of work at Anawim. Tomorrow the team is headed into Abuja to work with some other outreach services of the Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Join in Prayer

Please join us at 6PM tonight, August 10th, at Church of the Nativity to pray for our team in Nigeria. The prayer service will be led by Gregg DeHoff. All are welcome. If you cannot join us at Church of the Nativity tonight, wherever you are in the world, we encourage you pray on your own during that time.

Just What I Needed

Today the team took on some more responsibilities since most of the Sisters have left for retreat. After teaching in the school during the morning, Rob, Brian, and Nick played with the boys in the afternoon, while Lisa and Christy worked with the young mothers. After a meal of fish stew, okra soup, and pounded yams, Sister Oresoa offered to take everyone to the market. She wanted to find some food that was a little more normal for the team and they succeeded in finding the equivalent of Ramen noodles. Needless to say, they stocked up for the next week. In the early afternoon, Sister Oresoa and the team called and spoke to the staff at Nativity. She exclaimed "let them stay two more weeks!"

After dinner, the team received letters that friends and family had written them in the weeks leading up to their trip. The team was overwhelmed by the letters of support and Christy described it as "just what I needed." They wanted to express how much it meant to them and how much energy it is giving them heading into the second week. Rob said that "to know everyone is behind us is amazing and it gives us all the more strength we need right now." The relationships that are building are incredible and God continues to unfold his plan for this trip. The team has great chemistry, and we all have each others backs. There have been some great laughs and with these letters - now some tears. The second week is off to a strong start and the journey continues tomorrow. "God bless everyone at home."

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Leader & Brian Crook, Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions.

Spotlight: Lisa Hobbs

The third installment in our series to help you get to know our team members is with Lisa Hobbs. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

I am so thrilled to be part of the mission trip to Nigeria! I am excited for the experience and all that I will learn from everything I do and each person I meet. I am equally excited to share my experience with my family, my friends and Nativity. I am so thankful that I have such an incredible support system from the NATIVITY:NIGERIA Home Team, my family and amazing husband, and my co-workers - everyone is doing my job while I am away so that I can take on a new role for these 2 weeks.

As a mother of 3 small children, I am nervous that I will miss enjoying our summer vacation trip and all of the memories they will create. But I know that all of my love and energy will be put to use as I help I any way I can to be present in the lives of those I meet in Nigeria. I am most excited not to have to juggle my sales job with my home job and always trying to find a perfect balance - which is a struggle especially during the summertime. Everyday in Abuja I am completely committed 100% to the task at hand and whatever Sister Oresoa needs us to do. I know that through the power of God all things are possible!

Sunday at Anawim

Today the team had Mass at Anawim in the morning with a visiting priest and then had a feast of the food prepared yesterday. This included goat and the bread that Christy and Lisa prepared, which is "delicious." They played soccer with the young boys and distributed all of the toys and games which the team brought for the kids. This included soccer balls, jump ropes, and frisbees. Also, the team distributed the blankets and cups decorated by the kids at this years Whobilation and Vacation Bible School. Christy and Lisa are giving pedicures to all of the young mothers, one at a time. Most of the Sisters left for retreat this afternoon so lunch (the goat feast) was shared as a large group, which was great. Sister Oresoa loved the Blessed Mother statue which the team brought for the Chapel and even did an impromptu song and dance. The team is in high spirits and getting ready to teach and serve in place of the the absent Sisters this week. "To God be the Glory."

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Photos:
1 & 2: Children at Church of the Nativity's Whobilation during Advent 2010 decorating cups.

Cooking with the Sisters

Today the team attended the ordination of 11 new priests for the local Archdiocese which consisted of a 5 hour Mass and reception. Then they headed back to Anawim to help out the Sisters with the daily activities around the compound. Most of the Sisters are preparing to depart for their annual week-long retreat so more of the responsibilities around Anawim Home will fall on the team members. Lisa and Christy helped the Sisters bake bread and prepare other foods for dinners this weekend. The Sisters will also cook food which will then be delivered to poor of Gwagwalada as well as a leper community. Rob, Brian and Nick helped capture and prepare a goat, which will be part of tomorrow night's dinner. Everybody is feeling well and is finally feeling completely adjusted and settled in.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Back from Kaduna

This morning the team slept in just a little bit (7:30 AM) in Kaduna and then went to Adoration and Mass with the Sisters. Some of the vitamins and medicine was left with the Sisters in Kaduna for the young children there. They took some time and went through the markets of the town and met with the Bishop of Kaduna. He was the first to sponsor Sister Oresoa and her work 15 years ago. This afternoon the team heads back to Gwagwalada as some of the Sisters will be leaving for retreat this evening. Along the way, Sister Oresoa pointed out some sites on which she is building as well as potential future sites for other arms of her ministry.

- Compiled from information provided by Brian Crook, Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions.

Spotlight: Christy Oberst

The second installment in our series to help you get to know our team members is with Christy Oberst. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

One of the things that makes me most excited about this trip to Nigeria is the culture and community we will be immersed in. I know the culture shock could make some nervous, but I want to feel all of those emotions associated with it. I have neither been out of the country nor experienced anything remotely close to what I am about to in these two weeks. The people I will meet, and the connections that will be made are some of the most thrilling prospects of the trip for me. I would be lying if I said I was not excited for all of the cool fabrics and other presents I will be bringing home for my family and friends. I recently also got a really nice camera so hopefully I will have a ton of beautiful pictures to bring back.

My parents have been very supportive but they are also nervous about a lot of things, especially the crime. For some reason, that is not what I am most nervous about. I am concerned about the food and getting sick. I am taking a ton of medicine with me so hopefully that will be kept to a minimum. My girly side comes out when I say I am scared about the bugs, but hopefully it will be a type of systematic desensitization experience if there are a lot. When I tell people that we may be going to a facility for the mentally ill, they tend to get scared for me. I am very anxious, both the good and the uneasy definition of the word, to go there. Maybe it is the Psych major in me that wants to actually experience another culture's take on mental illness. I cannot believe the trip is less than a week away. I am truly blessed to even be able to go on such a journey and be staying with such wonderful people.

Kids in Kaduna

We had a wonderful morning at Mass and then with the children at school. Today we traveled north to Kaduna to visit the mentally ill and we were amazed to see the protective wall and borehole completed. The wall was built by Nativity this spring and now the location is completely safe and secure. It provides freedom and protection for all of those at the Anawim satellite site. We arrived at the Anawim site in Kaduna and were greeted by all of the small children. After dinner we had all of the little children (there are 6 kids under 4 years old) on our laps and in our arms laughing and smiling. What a GREAT way to end the day!

- Compiled from information provided by Lisa Hobbs, Anawim Team Member.

Silly Bandz and Turtles

The team is almost completely adjusted to the early mornings and late nights at Anawim. Getting up at 4:30 AM to pray with the Sisters, the team then walks the 15-20 min. to Mass with the young boys. Today, they spent another day teaching in the school and were preparing to drive up to Kaduna this afternoon. During recess today, they gave out silly bandz to all of the kids at the school, which were a huge hit! Each team member spent some time this afternoon getting to know the young mothers at Anawim as well. One of the very young girls was playing with one of the stuffed green turtles that says "God loves you" on its back. These were was brought by last year's team and made by the kids at Nativity's Vacation Bible School. This afternoon the will travel north, will stay in Kaduna tonight and work at the Sisters satellite location and school there tomorrow.

The team has been joining together for reflection and fellowship each evening after dinner. That dinner has been consisting of some mix of Nigerian food and American food. They have had some pounded yams (similar to mashed potatoes) as well as french fries. Everyone seems to feel that after tomorrow their bodies will be completely adjusted to the time and climate changes; however, 4:30 AM always comes early.

- Compiled from information provided by Brian Crook, Anawim Team Member and Church of the Nativity Director of Missions.

Photo:
1. Stuffed turtle made by children at Church of the Nativity's Vacation Bible School 2009.

Early Mornings & Teaching with the Sisters

Today was a good day overall as we are all still getting adjusted to the time change. This morning we walked to church, and saw a lot of people awake at 5:30 in the morning. It still amazes me how many people go to Mass daily here in Nigeria. After Mass we went to school and helped teach the children for most of the day. The schools here are much different from ours back home. Here the children are placed in the same classes, but are at very different learning levels. We were very grateful to be able to help the Sisters. They had a small ceremony to open the new hostel for the young mothers at Anawim this afternoon. Later, we took some time to travel around Gwagwalada and visit a local seminary. "We are grateful for all of your prayers, and love you all very much. Glory be to God."

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Spotlight: Nick Shearman

The first installment in our series to insert you into the lives and minds of our team members is with Nick Shearman. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about:

"You have got to be crazy" was my mom's reply when I told her I was thinking about getting involved with the NATIVITY:NIGERIA team. "Why in the world would you want to go to Africa?" she asked lovingly. There's really no easy way to answer that question, even today I have trouble expressing my motivation to go. I know if I want to help people, I don't have to look much further than my own backyard, and there are plenty of ways to send my support to those less fortunate abroad, but, I honestly feel called to serve.

I'm Nick Shearman, and I'm a 22 year old sociology and geography student planning to transfer to, and complete my degrees at Towson University. I tutor reading and math in the Baltimore City Public Schools, I am an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Baltimore County Police Department, and until the recent closing of our shop, you may have seen me at Hudson Trail Outfitters in Towson, outfitting people for their own adventures. Now I'm read to have mine.

I will admit that I am not a regular churchgoer, in fact I was probably guilted into going that fall afternoon when I first heard about Nativity's clean water efforts in Nigeria. It was at that Mass that I watched the Advent Conspiracy video, calling us to consider what we spend and waste during Christmas. It truly had an impact on me and I considered how I could give more fully without the constraints and expectations holiday consumerism. Through the winter I kept thinking about the message and the parish's outreach efforts in Africa. I decided to apply to the team, and was accepted.

So here I stand, packed and prepared; my checklist double and triple checked. Camera, toothbrush, bug spray all stowed away, but most importantly I have the support and love of my family, my friends and my team members with me. I am grateful for this extraordinary opportunity, and although anxious, I am excited to be part of the incredible work Nativity is doing in Nigeria.

As we mentioned in a blog post a few days ago (Here We Go) as the team is serving in Nigeria, we will also be posting some other special features, reflections, and showcases. These will be posted every few days and are intended to provide a glimpse into the lives and personalities of our team members. All of the showcases of team members were written by the team members themselves before their departure this week. Team members were asked to share what they are most excited about as well as what they are most nervous about. The first will be posted today and we will try to include some photos as well.

Teaching at Anawim

Today the team spent most of the day teaching in the school which is run by the Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor. It is about a 5 min drive from Anawim Home through some rugged terrain and provides elementary level schooling for the children of Anawim as well as Gwagwalada. The school has half a dozen, small, concrete block rooms with wooden desks and a chalk board. The building is walled in and has a courtyard in the middle where kids play soccer and tag during recess. As it is summer school, classes are only in session for half of the day. The team taught basic English and math, including spelling and grammar. This afternoon the team was also greeted by a visit from Sister Oresoa's brother, who had just returned from abroad. They will be teaching again tomorrow and then headed to Kaduna. Kaduna is about a two hour drive on small, beaten up roads to the north of Abuja. The Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor run a satellite home there which cares for the mentally ill.

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Getting Started at Anawim

As Day 1 comes to a close (5 hours ahead in Abuja), everyone is very tired, but doing great. All of the luggage and vitamins made it with the team this morning when we landed in Abuja. Dr. Chris got all of the vitamins for Faith Alive Hospital and will be coming to visit at Anawim on Saturday. Today, the team worked with children at Anawim, getting to know them and helping out with their homework. There was a good group reflection and after dinner the team was welcomed with very enthusiastic song and dance. Tomorrow we will be teaching in the school with the children of Gwagwalada and the children from Anawim. "God is good and so is the Anawim Home in Nigeria. We love and miss you all."

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

Join in Prayer

Please join us at 7PM tonight, August 3rd, at Church of the Nativity to pray for our team in Nigeria. The prayer service will be led by Maria Folsom-Kovarik, Director of Adult Ministry at Church of the Nativity. All are welcome. If you cannot join us at Church of the Nativity tonight, wherever you are in the world, we encourage you pray on your own during that time.

On the Ground

The team landed safely in Abuja around 4AM EST (9AM Abuja time) on a direct flight from New York - JFK. The flight was only about half full so everyone had their own row of a few seats and was able to get some sleep. They met Sister Oresoa and Dr. Chris in the airport and headed off to Anawim, about a 30 minute drive from the airport to the small town of Gwagwalada. Leaving the airport, the road is a small highway, which then gets even smaller when you reach the Lokoja Expressway to head out to Gwagwalada. At intersections there are Nigerians selling everything from bread and eggs to phone cards and flashlights. The van pulls off the main road, down an embankment, and off into the brush a few dozen yards to the walled compound that is Anawim Home. Everyone took some time and got settled into their new home for the next few weeks before having their first taste of Nigerian food with Sister Oresoa. Now off to see what God has in store for today...

The team has been in contact with our team in the States and appreciates all of the words, notes, and tweets. Thank you for your continued prayers and support

- Compiled from information provided by Rob Devereux, Anawim Home Team Leader.

And We're Off!

The last two days have been a whirlwind of final preparation, goodbyes, hugs, packing and checking and rechecking things. Yesterday, the team received a blessing from the parish at the end of 10:30 AM Mass and met briefly in the late morning.

This morning, the whole team woke up early and got over to Nativity by 6:30 AM. They had some bagels and coffee (artichoke parmesan cream cheese and strawberry cream cheese by request) and got themselves loaded into two vehicles to head down to DC. The team was joined by parents, friends, staff members, Home Team ministers, and a few past participants. After loading up over 300 lbs of vitamins, everyone's cargo, and some odds and ends, the team was ready to push off. As rain started to fall, all twenty(ish) people gathered in prayer: "we ask You for courage and guidance, that we may do Your will and that our hearts may be broken."

The team made it to Washington - Dulles airport safely and all of the luggage and boxes of vitamins checked through painlessly. They got to New York - JFK on time and are now on their way to Abuja. During the flight from Washington to New York, Sister Oresoa from Anawim Home called and express how excited she is that the team is on its way and that she will keep them in her prayers. Next time the sun rises, the team will be in Abuja.

Photos:
1. Anawim Team (L-R): Rob Devereux, Christy Oberst, Brian Crook, Lisa Hobbs, Nick Shearman
2. Lisa, Rob, Christy, and Nick boarding their flight to Abuja in New York.
3. Nick, Rob, Christy, and Lisa headed to their gate in Washington, DC.
4. Anawim Team and supporters gather in prayer before departure
5. Rob talks over travel plans with members of the Home Team
6. Nick loading up luggage
7. Gathering everyone together as the sun rises
8. Bagels and crazy cream cheeses team breakfast
9. Nick doing more of the heavy lifting
10. Rob gets boxes of vitamins ready for transport to DC

Here We Go

Over the next few weeks, this blog will be updated as frequently as possible with updates, photos, and stories from NATIVITY:NIGERIA's team in Abuja. Sometimes that might be daily, sometimes that might be hourly. This blog will also feature showcases on each team member, giving you a glimpse into their journey to become part of NATIVITY:NIGERIA. There will also be some reflections from previous team members, looking pack on their time in Nigeria in the past few years. Comments on posts and pictures are encouraged. Also, you can follow us on Twitter for small bites of the most up to date information. The team is participating in a daily reflection which you can also join by visiting the Reflections page. If you need to get in contact with the Director of NATIVITY:NIGERIA in the United States, please email nigeria@churchnativity.org

We ask for your continued prayers for the NATIVITY:NIGERIA team as they travel to Abuja and serve with the Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor at Anawim Home.