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.