Preparing Soup

Yesterday I went to a party for Mollie and her baby where we showered her with gifts, ate deliciously rich pumpkin cheesecake, and played Pin a Kiss on the Baby (like Pin the Tail on the Donkey). Mollie’s been to Faith Alive; actually this baby was conceived in March after she got back and is due to make his debut in about a month. Anyway, today I talked on the phone with her Save-A-Life patient who told me what they do for Nigerian baby showers – prepare soup. Sounds much more practical, really.

(Mollie is about the same height as Dr. Chris, so I'm bending down quite a bit. Reminds me of the Nigerian song 'Bend low, bend low, bend low, and see what the Lord can do.')

Nigeria is Going to the World Cup!!!!

It’s true!!!!! And just when we thought all hopes were lost for the Nigerian Super Eagles to play in the first World Cup on African soil. It was a long shot, but we’re thrilled that both things that HAD to happen DID! We beat Kenya 3-2 today and watched as Mozambique handed highly ranked Tunisia a loss.

Nigeria qualified for the World Cup in 1994, 1998, and 2002, but what makes this win so sweet is that it’ll be in "nearby" Capetown, South Africa. It's only fitting the the most populated African country will be there to represent. You can keep up-to-date at http://www.fifa.com/worldcup.

(Read my blog post, Soccer--The Unifier, on September 7 when Mark and I watched a game from the Faith Alive guesthouse.)

Warning: It'll Change Your Life

I just got back from coffee with Kristen Draskovic, who's visiting Fort Collins so her husband Jon can do some 'seminary business.' Almost two years ago she and I visited a Nigerian village where children had bulging stomachs, stick thin arms and legs, and brittle, red hair. Being a nutritionist, she was moved to tears. Later that year she went back to Nigeria with her husband; it was during those three months that Jon felt called to change his career path and apply to seminary.

They're just one example that you can't go to Faith Alive and come back the same. It could be your profession, your bank account, or your living habits, but be assured that your perspective will change after seeing God in action.

(Read my September 3 posting 'Fine, Thank You' to see photos of the village children this fall.)

Musa at the Market

This morning I called my friend Musa, who’s a maintenance worker at Faith Alive. It sounded like he was in the midst of a crowd all talking over each other, so I asked if he was at Faith Alive. I’m glad I was in the privacy of my home because I had to repeat “WHERE ARE YOU? “. “I’m in the market,” he said. Immediately I could envision the commotion of people snaking their way along dirt paths around the stalls and beggars, bargaining for the best prices of gigantic yams and multicolored fabric, and breathing exhaust fumes from motorbikes and roadside trash fires. It was nearly impossible to continue the phone conversation, so we said our saanjumas (see you laters). Thinking of Musa at the market will help me today while I’m writing my book at a quiet, cozy coffee shop.

(Photo courtesy of Cathy McDermott)

Fly the Friendly Skies -- Finally

In January 2010, the United States will officially lift the ban on HIV positive people traveling to the United States without a special waiver. The ban began 22 years ago in the Reagan-era, a decision that President Obama describes as “rooted in fear rather than fact.” It’s a great step (although long overdue) to remove stigma and discrimination against people with HIV. However, UNAIDS reports that 59 countries still impose some form of travel restrictions on people living with HIV.

(Photo of an Air India plane in honor of World AIDS Day 2007)

Games

Only 48 shopping days until Christmas, a day intended to celebrate Christ’s birth but usually spent ripping wrapping paper, untying ribbons, and removing bows from the mountain of gifts under the tree. If you have small children, you watch them open the latest and greatest must-have toys you bought them -- sometimes at great sacrifice to your bank account. Then while you're busy refilling Grandma’s eggnog, the kids are ignoring their presents and playing with the recycling pile!

I asked my Nigerian friend Maria what she played with as a child, and she had to think. Did she have a doll? No. Games? No. She and her siblings didn’t HAVE them, but they PLAYED them. They dug small holes in the ground, got handfuls of tree seeds, and played a version of Mancala (or Ncho) – what I know as a wooden board with deep spaces to drop marbles or stones. Part of me felt bad they didn’t have toys, but an even stronger part is in awe of their resourcefulness and imagination.

Turns out children (and adults!) in any country don’t need a lot of fancy schmancy store-bought things to have fun. (Check out my September 26 post: Plastic Chairs and Checkers.)

Going to Prison

Pastor Esther, a counselor at Faith Alive who just earned her chaplaincy, is going to prison – as a visitor. On December 27 she and the Faith Alive Praise Team will preach and sing there based on Isaiah 61:1-2 (…proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners). I wouldn’t be surprised if the walls themselves come tumblin’ down from the power of their voices! That would be a sight to see, because when Pastor Esther speaks (and sings), people listen.

To learn about a specific prison experience, see my August 31 post 'Good Cops, Bad Cops.'