Official Language: English...

So, the official national language of Nigeria is English, yes, the official language is English. What do I hear all the time, everywhere? Hausa. (Angie definitely warned me about this!) Most people do speak some English and school is taught in English, but Hausa is definitely the predominant tribal language here. Once you know a second language, it is supposed to make learning a third easier. I don’t think this applies if the third language is an African language as opposed to a Romantic language! I’m working really hard to learn some key phrases, but what I really need is a Hausa dictionary that has some basic grammar in it too. It makes things difficult when I am trying to write down a new phrase in my handy dandy notebook that never leaves me (best packing suggestion EVER!) and I can only hear it and never see it. I have officially mastered counting from 1-10, hello, good bye, how are you, and where’s the bathroom. It definitely provides a source of entertainment!

Dinner with the Governor!

Everyone I have met here has been so warm and welcoming which has helped to make the realizations that I’ve been having that I’m going to be spending a year in a foreign country by myself easier. I don’t think I fully grasped that fact prior to leaving. Here is an example of the extravagant hospitality that has been shown to us in our first few days here: Next we went to the Faith Business Men’s meeting with the Bishop and the governor was also there. After a church service, we were invited to dinner at the Governor’s house! Wow! His Excellency Dababa de Sutu, the governor of Taraba state was so kind, generous, genuine and gracious. When we described the steep costs of renewing my visa each month for 11 months with hopes that he would waive the fee, he offered to pay for my visa renewal monthly. I was really surprised and grateful not only for the financial advantage but also for his support and blessing of my work. The Lord is showing me on a regular basis that I am meant to be here and doing this work. After discussing business, we had a political conversation which was a lot of fun. I love talking about American politics and it is so eye opening to realize that two men from Liberia, three men from Nigeria and three people from the US are able to discuss American politics. Despite the fact that everyone at the table seemed more conservative than me, I was able to speak up on behalf of Obama and not offend people, so that was a success.

Jalingo

The city of Jalingo itself is interesting. It is the capitol of Taraba State and supposedly has a population of 100,000. I think my experience at the bank epitomizes some of the dichotomies. We went to the bank to exchange money and withdraw some for the various projects that we were going to visit. Inside the bank seemed “normal” by American banking standards: flat screened computers, air-conditioned offices, everyone dressed in suits with cell phones, but outside is so strikingly different that it is shocking. Outside, people are selling everything from grilled corn to pineapple, yams, shoes, dresses on muddy, trash-lined streets with generators running much of the electricity due to the erractic “NEPA” or city electricity. Wow! How can there be such discrepancy? Is there such a difference in the US and I just don’t see it so easily? I would like to hope that I’m not that desensitized, but maybe I am.

JSS

Things overall have been going well. We have spent the past week visiting all sorts of projects and villages around Jalingo, which I found out is the center of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, greeting them as well as delivering gifts and assessing needed work. We visited the Junior Secondary School (JSS) and I was really excited to meet the principal, Jarama. He seems as kind, knowledgeable and helpful as had been promised. The science rooms seem really well stocked. They had a decent amount of glassware and some chemicals. It will be interesting to meet the science teachers to get a better idea of how much it is used. When I mentioned to Jarama that I had brought a laptop and the internet in a box, he was pleased, but reserved full enthusiasm due to the fact that he and some of the staff are not that comfortable with computers. Beverly told me that we are going to be putting on a little computer training for the staff as well as others in the area who have received laptops but are not well-versed in their usage. I had to laugh thinking that I was going to be on the other side of professional development! I hope that these teachers aren’t as bitter against it as I tend to be!!!

We made it!

Hello!!! I've arrived safely in Jalingo!!! Thanks to all the prayers, we arrived safely and even more miraculously with all of our luggage after about 40 hours of travel Monday night at 10pm. Things here are going really well…I’ve already met many kind, friendly and helpful people!!! I am hopeful about what the next year holds! More later!

Leaving!

Thanks so much to all of you who left helpful packing suggestions! I believe they were all utilized! :) As I leave this morning, I feel so blessed to know that I have an amazing group of friends and family back home supporting me and praying for me. Thanks for all the encouragement and I'll try to post as soon as I can to let you know that I have arrived safely. Thanks again!!!

Packing

With four days left before I leave, I have been contemplating about what is important enough to include in the 3 large bags and 2 carry-on's that I am able to bring with me for a year. I tend to be a last minute packer, but I know that packing for a year the night before isn't the best idea! If anyone has any great ideas about small and necessary items that might be easily overlooked, please let me know! My mom has already has the vitamins and sunscreen covered...so don't worry about those! :)