Arriving in Nigeria...

Arriving in Nigeria is still, and probably always will be, a supremely hectic experience.

We landed in Port Harcourt after dark with seven people and 30 suitcases to process through customs. Nerve-racking, to say the least. Customs officers were asking questions in English – but not a dialect of the English language very easy for southerners to decipher. There were forms to fill out, an officer asking to see proof of our yellow fever vaccinations, porters desperately seeking to carry luggage for a price, and “the man in charge” wanting me to come and sit with him on a bench. (I suspect he wanted a "gift" but I handed him a letter of reference for Right Steps and asked him to allow us to get all of our suitcases of clothes and supplies safely and freely through customs. It felt a bit like I imagine a good hazing would feel.)  But, even navigating this maze of outstretched hands brought amazing blessings from God. One Nigerian lady on our flight from Frankfurt inquired about our purpose for travel, and when she learned of our mission she opened her wallet and gave one of our members $100 for the cause. Two Nigerian engineers returning from a conference in Houston became so interested in our mission and the purpose of Susana Homes that, even with their families waiting for them at the airport, they stayed with us throughout the customs process, paid the necessary bribes from their own pockets, and shepherded us safely through the onslaught of “helpers” to the smiles and waving flags of Chi and her bus load of children waiting just outside the gate.

After a restful night in Port Harcourt to help us adjust to the jet lag and the heat and humidity, we left for Susana Homes around noon on Saturday. Our arrival at Susana Homes was just as glorious as I had remembered. As we turned off the highway and made our way through the village of Umuahala – it actually seemed like things were improved from five years ago. Just after 1 p.m. we turned right onto the new road the government is building – just for Susana Homes – and saw the children in the distance, dressed in their red and white school uniforms and lining both sides of the road. As we got closer we could hear – first the welcoming drum beats, and then the singing and cheering of the children of Susana Homes and the students of Right Steps Christian School.

A Royal Welcome to Susana Homes

There have been so many new additions to the project since I was here in 2008. Additional acreage has been added to the property. A fence surrounds the compound. And, numerous new buildings have been built. But Susana Homes still has the peaceful feel and, as Sarah Oats said, “You feel immediately at home.”

Worship at Susana Homes

Sunday was a busy day. We worshiped with the church at Susana Homes. Steve Watson, minister from the Campus View church in Athens, GA did an outstanding job preaching and several of us assisted with the worship or classes in various ways.

With the Widows Served by SH Church

Brother Friday Adima - Our Friend and "Chief Protocol Officer"

The afternoon brought with it the opportunity to meet with church leaders from eleven different congregations from the region around Susana Homes. Six of these churches have actually been planted or assisted by the church at Susana Homes. Several of them have had ministers serve them who were also supported as teachers or workers at Susana Homes and Right Steps Christian School. We heard reports from all of the churches and tried our best to advise and instruct and support these leaders in their needs and challenges.

Today got to spend the day with Junior High and Senior High students of Right Steps Christian School. We did an overview of the Bible and led them in creative learning experiences so that they are better equipped to go to their home churches and teach Bible classes for the children. Many of these students are boarding students and come from various religious backgrounds – but over forty were baptized during the last year and we wanted them to have some training to make the Bible come to life so that they can go home and teach in their own families and churches.

The highlight of my day, personally, was the privilege of sitting on a cement wall for about 45 minutes with children gathered around – and reading stories to them. I read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Stellaluna, and The Sneetches, along with a few other famous children’s stories. (I actually found this compilation book of 44 stories at Goodwill for $7, and I’ve gotten my money’s worth already!)

Thank you for reading about our trip and for praying for us. We are all well and enjoying serving. Sondra Alexander spent the day today working with Wanda Spiers (our nurse from Sarnia) at the medical clinic. Alan Moore was our videographer. Steve Watson taught two sessions of an overview of the Bible as a story. Kendra Smith and Sarah Oats and I taught two sessions with the students helping them to think creatively about ways to teach the Bible to children in their home churches.

Scenes from the Beginning of the School Day at Right Steps Christian School

We will try to write more as we can get Internet connection. Till then – because of the cross,

Ken – for the Susana Homes Team.