Dogs

I’m thinking about dogs, mostly because my beloved 12 year old cockapoo is in her final days. Of course it’s VERY sad, but comforting to know that soon she won’t be in any pain.

Americans have the luxury of treating our pets like children: taking them to the vet regularly, buying healthy food and snacks, brushing their teeth (if we remember!), grooming them, and giving them cozy beds (which might be our own!). Our dogs are no exception – they even give and receive gifts at Christmas!

Dogs in Nigeria have different purposes. While some (mostly people in or from villages) prefer to eat them (including my Save-A-Life patient), dogs are usually most useful as guards. A large one named King lives in the guesthouse compound. His owner lets him out at night to roam the compound and shred everything that might be inadvertently left on the ground. During the day King circles the inside of his dog cage out back and our cook Baba says “He wants out.”

(Photos taken by Cindy Frost. You have to look closely for the dogs.)

Support Group Elections

Faith Alive’s support group provides hope and encouragement for hundreds of HIV+ people. They meet each Sunday afternoon from 3-5 pm and sing, share testimonies, study the bible, and learn how to live positively. Their children are invited to come for kids’ activities and learning as well.

As with any organization, there are people who ‘make it happen.’ Every year they hold elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Public Relations. My friend Florence is running for Treasurer and the results will be revealed next Sunday. She says one of the Save-A-Life patients is also running for a position.

I hope the most God-centered people win, and that there aren’t any hanging chads.

Little Chris Update

Thanks to all who continue to pray for little Chris to get the lifesaving heart surgery he so desperately needs. His dad Daniel sent me a copy of the echocardiogram that I’ve sent to Rob, the Executive Director of Gift of Life International (GOLI) in New York. Praise God, Rob promises to personally ensure that the echo gets in the hands of a surgeon who will decide whether or not to take on the case.

GOLI just helped another Nigerian boy. His name is Austin, and he’s ready to return home after a successful heart surgery.

Please pray that doors continue to open.

Kidnapping Insurance, Anyone?

Yes, there really IS such a thing. I read about it in yesterday’s New York Times Magazine. Apparently kidnapping is one business that’s very lucrative during the recession, bringing in millions of dollars over the last few years. There are even K&R (kidnapping and ransom) brokers who work with governments, kidnappers, and others to negotiate deals.

Of all the countries to highlight, guess which one they chose? Their focus was on the oil-rich Niger Delta in Nigeria, which isn’t close to Jos, but it’s still disconcerting. Some random tidbits from the article:

Apparently Nigerian kidnappers are in it for the money and not the violence. They tend to treat their hostages decently (that is, after they kill the hostages’ bodyguards). Some kidnappers reportedly even provide their prisoners takeout from Mr. Biggs (kind of like an American Kentucky Fried Chicken).

A well known Nigerian film star (and ironically the chairman of a national rebranding committee that’s assigned the task of improving Nigeria’s image) was kidnapped in August. He was freed after someone paid the ransom price of just $64,700.

Between 2006 and 2008 the total amount of ransoms paid in Nigeria exceeded $100 million. Over that time, “Nigeria emerged as one of the world’s kidnapping hot spots…and shows no sign of relinquishing that dubious distinction.”

Christmas in Nigeria

Oh, how I wish I could experience a Christmas in Nigeria and then tell you all about it. My friend Kate says that many of them travel back to their villages to be with family, which is especially important for the children growing up in the city to learn more about their rich, cultural roots. However, not everybody has enough money for transport fees to get to the village.

They sing Christmas carols (yes, the ones we know, like Silent Night and Joy to the World), exchange gifts (mostly new clothes and shoes for the kids), go to church, and eat together. I asked if they ‘do’ Santa Claus, and she said they don’t (but they HAVE heard about him from the movies). Also, only the wealthiest people decorate their homes. When it comes to protein or ornaments, they choose the one that’s going to sustain them.

Baby Names

Yesterday was a great day for babies! In Colorado, baby boy Grayson was born to mom Mollie, dad Rob, and big sister Kelty (see blog post 'Preparing Soup' on November 16). In Nigeria, little Chris’s mom had a sonogram and learned that the baby they’re having in January or February is a healthy little girl.

I asked dad Daniel what they’ll name the baby and he said it’s not Nigerian custom to talk about it before the birth. After the baby’s born, the new mom and dad pray over the baby and decide the name. Then eight days later they have a naming ceremony at the church. Before the ceremony, friends and family come over for small celebrations so the parents need to have Coke and other special things on hand to offer their guests.

Anyone want to go to Mollie's with me for a Coke?

World AIDS Day

I’m ashamed to say that it took me 20 years to care about AIDS. This shows my age, but I remember first hearing about it when I was in high school and the fear of catching it was enough to keep me (mostly) on the straight and narrow. Initially it was something other people had, and then later what was infecting a lot of people across the ocean. I was overwhelmed by the number of people infected, so it was easier to concentrate on my own problems.

Today is the 21st annual World AIDS Day and I finally care. What used to be an ‘it’ is now a ‘who’ for me because I’ve met some pretty incredible people living positively with the virus. I’m honored to know dozens of them in Jos, Nigeria who model positive living as doctors, pastors, parents, teachers, and businesspeople.

Please let me know if you want to add meaning to your life and be part of the solution to the problem of AIDS. You can literally save a patient’s life through the Save-A-Life Personal Sponsorship Program (be a sponsor or general donor), or travel with me to Nigeria and see how God might want to rock your world.