Updates from Jos & Abuja (updated 8/2/11 2:10 PM EST):
Faith Alive Hospital Team:
The team was up around 7AM for a hearty oatmeal breakfast today. Overall the food here has been very good (pizza, fries, spaghetti, and chicken). The day started with a Faith Alive Hospital prayer meeting at 8AM, followed by a health talk. The talk focused on preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child. Throughout the next two weeks, the team will be leading these prayer meetings each morning. The spiritual theme for August at Faith Alive Hospital is "look upon Jesus."
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent volunteering at the hospital. Jonathan assisted and shadowed doctors with Emma, while Bill worked in IT and Brian in the pharmacy lab. The rest of the afternoon was spent touring and meeting those at the Faith Alive Hospital Skills Acquisition Centers. The hospital sponsors a variety of these centers to provide a venue for current or past patients to obtain new job skills. Some of these centers include a wood working shop, a sewing center, and a computer school. The afternoon was cut short by a torrential downpour which sent everyone scattering around 3PM. The rain and wind blew the roof off the shop of a neighbor and friend of Dr. Chris. The team hustled through the rain to help bring all of their belongings to a dry location. Everyone was soaked, but thankfully no one was injured.
Anawim Home Team:
The team has had a great first two days. Mass yesterday was an awesome experience as the sun went up. The priest shared kind words at the end of mass to welcome us in front of the community, and expressed his hope that our visit would show the spirit and safety of Nigeria.
Tyler and Uncle Joseph have been playing soccer with the boys at Anawim in the front yard - ages 8-15, while Kathi has been mentoring the young mothers. Joey has also been spending some time fixing computers for the Sisters. Jess, Adrienne, and Gin Gin have been spending time playing with all of the young girls. This was a chance to each spend quality time with a niche of the Anawim community. Yesterday was highlighted by teaching the hokie pokie and macarena to about 200 school kids for their upcoming graduation. Can't wait to show off pictures of that.
The team's first taste of Nigeria food was yesterday at lunch when they were served "agusi" stew - a thick, melon-based Nigerian soup with bold spices. Along with that was "pounded yam" - covered in peanut butter of course, a new staple of food for us here. There was a prayer session in the evening and then dinner.
Today, Tuesday, the team had pancakes for breakfast - which were delicious and welcomed. Sister Julie has been generously and joyfully preparing each meal for us here. In the morning we went to the school again and divided amongst the classes. They are having exams this week, so some of us ran lessons and games while the teacher did one-on-one testing with each kid.
Afterwards, we visited a nomad family of "fulani" (farmers). They grow okra and corn, and gave some of both to take back to Anawim. The team also served at a nearby leper community of nearly 200 families, distributing toilet paper and food supplies.
This afternoon we took an eventful trip to the Abuja market. Sister Oresoa, Sister Dorothy and a few of the older children were able to help us navigate the crowded streets and locate the best items. Sister has asked some of the ladies here in the skill training classes to make African clothing for all of us.
This weekend we are traveling to Sister's hometown for the funeral of a friend, and will stay with her family there. We are also looking forward to the school's graduation next week. Tonight there was a downpour, so Joey, Adrienne & Jess took the opportunity to take an outdoor shower. It's the cleanest we have been in three days. All six of the team are doing well and loving our time at Anawim.
Photo:
1 & 2. Afternoon rain at Faith Alive Hospital
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent volunteering at the hospital. Jonathan assisted and shadowed doctors with Emma, while Bill worked in IT and Brian in the pharmacy lab. The rest of the afternoon was spent touring and meeting those at the Faith Alive Hospital Skills Acquisition Centers. The hospital sponsors a variety of these centers to provide a venue for current or past patients to obtain new job skills. Some of these centers include a wood working shop, a sewing center, and a computer school. The afternoon was cut short by a torrential downpour which sent everyone scattering around 3PM. The rain and wind blew the roof off the shop of a neighbor and friend of Dr. Chris. The team hustled through the rain to help bring all of their belongings to a dry location. Everyone was soaked, but thankfully no one was injured.
Anawim Home Team:
The team has had a great first two days. Mass yesterday was an awesome experience as the sun went up. The priest shared kind words at the end of mass to welcome us in front of the community, and expressed his hope that our visit would show the spirit and safety of Nigeria.
Tyler and Uncle Joseph have been playing soccer with the boys at Anawim in the front yard - ages 8-15, while Kathi has been mentoring the young mothers. Joey has also been spending some time fixing computers for the Sisters. Jess, Adrienne, and Gin Gin have been spending time playing with all of the young girls. This was a chance to each spend quality time with a niche of the Anawim community. Yesterday was highlighted by teaching the hokie pokie and macarena to about 200 school kids for their upcoming graduation. Can't wait to show off pictures of that.
The team's first taste of Nigeria food was yesterday at lunch when they were served "agusi" stew - a thick, melon-based Nigerian soup with bold spices. Along with that was "pounded yam" - covered in peanut butter of course, a new staple of food for us here. There was a prayer session in the evening and then dinner.
Today, Tuesday, the team had pancakes for breakfast - which were delicious and welcomed. Sister Julie has been generously and joyfully preparing each meal for us here. In the morning we went to the school again and divided amongst the classes. They are having exams this week, so some of us ran lessons and games while the teacher did one-on-one testing with each kid.
Afterwards, we visited a nomad family of "fulani" (farmers). They grow okra and corn, and gave some of both to take back to Anawim. The team also served at a nearby leper community of nearly 200 families, distributing toilet paper and food supplies.
This afternoon we took an eventful trip to the Abuja market. Sister Oresoa, Sister Dorothy and a few of the older children were able to help us navigate the crowded streets and locate the best items. Sister has asked some of the ladies here in the skill training classes to make African clothing for all of us.
This weekend we are traveling to Sister's hometown for the funeral of a friend, and will stay with her family there. We are also looking forward to the school's graduation next week. Tonight there was a downpour, so Joey, Adrienne & Jess took the opportunity to take an outdoor shower. It's the cleanest we have been in three days. All six of the team are doing well and loving our time at Anawim.
Photo:
1 & 2. Afternoon rain at Faith Alive Hospital
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