Fact or Fiction...

Over the past few weeks we have received a multitude questions, comments, and queries. We are going to try to clear up some common myths and misconceptions as well as provide some more information to our readers about what exactly we will be doing.

Fiction: We won't be able to actually post on the blog while we are in Nigeria because they don't have internet over there.
Fact: While internet and electricity (you need one for the other) are both extremely scarce and unreliable, there is some to be had. Internet is more readily available in Jos, therefore more of the posts will likely be from that location.

Fiction: I can't comment on the blog posts.
Fact: Simply click on the comment part under each post to comment on a specific item. We can see the comments for each post and this is actually the best way to get in touch with us. It is much easier to check one page of blog comments than eleven email addresses. The blog will be our primary method of communication. We wholeheartedly encourage comments, questions, and insights.

Fiction: We need to watch out for elephants and lions roaming the streets who might stomp on your car.
Fact: Contrary to some belief, we are not entering a real life set of the Lion King. While there are certainly different animals running wild and landscape which is foreign, we wont need to carry any peanuts to get the elephants out of the road.

Fiction: We are going to the desert.
Fact: While we are geographically just south of the Sahara and we actually fly over it on the way there, there is a fair amount of vegetation and wildlife. However, do not misinterpret this to say that it is not hot. It is hot. It usually rains during the afternoon so there is a brief cooling period, but it is still hot.

Fiction: We won't be able to eat the food or drink the water.
Fact: This should be answered in two parts. First, we are able to eat the food as it is prepared very well, but it is indeed different in look, smell, and taste. The combination of different types of food with fatigue and the heat may cause some stomach ailments but they usually pass quickly. It is also important to note that the vast majority of the meals are hot (in temperature). Even when you wake up in the morning and it is over 90 degrees, oatmeal or something else hot is usually for breakfast. This is due to the need to boil the water as well as the lack of refrigeration due to the scarcity of electricity. Secondly, we cannot drink the water out of the taps as the people who live there do not even drink it. However, we have the proper supplies shipped in and clean, bottled water is readily available for drinking.

Fiction: We won't be able to shower while we are there.
Fact: Water is quite scarce (it must either be pumped from a well which requires electricity to operate or be collected in large bins). Running water is even more scarce. It is commonplace to find a barrel of about 50 gallons of water next to a shower. This water is used in a bucket to substitute for the lack of running water required to shower and flush a toilet. However, we also try to use these sparingly as a way to conserve water.

Fiction: We will be in danger.
Fact: We are only traveling to stable communities with people who have already been there before. We have our own driver who is a native Nigerian and we do not ever drive at night. All of the proper precautions are taken to ensure the group's complete safety.

Fiction: Paul does not like ice cream.
Fact: Paul is allergic to dairy so it doesn't really matter whether or not he likes ice cream.

Fiction: There is not anything on the blog about the people who are going.
Fact: If you click on "Older Posts" at the bottom of the page you will be directed to our previous blog posts. As you go backwards through our posts you will see that there is a picture and small comment from each participant.

Fiction: Only young people can go on a trip like this.
Fact: We have a broad age range of people going with us to Nigeria this time. We think that having a diverse group will bring forth different perspectives and insights.

Fiction: We will be working with blood.
Fact: We actually will not be working with blood or any other bodily fluids that may contain HIV / AIDS. When in the hospital we will mostly be doing counseling, medicine and food distribution, and home based care. When at the orphanage, we will be working with street boys, helping prostitutes, distributing food and clothing to lepers, and organizing AIDS testing in extremely rural villages. We will not be in any situations which will compromise our health or safety. Additionally, precautions have also been taken to ensure that proper medical care is available if necessary.

Fiction: This is cool but I can't do anything to help.
Fact: Well, that was kind of a lie, this is cool. But, you can do things to help. Keep reading our blog and checking out our updates. Please keep us in your prayers as we venture to another part of the world. When we get back we will have tons of things going on where you can get involved and learn about what we did while we were there.

Again, we completely encourage questions via the comment section so please feel free to post anything else that keeps you up at night or that you might just be a little bit curious about as we prepare to leave in a few days.