It was a short trip and a sudden trip. Preparations for the missions festival at church and the trip to Nigeria tied me up heavily for the few weeks leading in, and then I was out of the country for 11 days. Now that I’ve been back for a bit, I’m still looking through notes and photos and planning stories.
Here’s a quick summary of things:
- The main purpose was to attend the 20th anniversary of a computer school founded by my companion, an American computer scientist who served as a missionary in Nigeria at the time (and in other countries later; he still serves with SIM). He had been invited to speak at the celebrations, and I was there to cover the events and learn about the ministry.
- I interviewed school staff and graduates, as well as other Nigerians and missionaries.
- I made friends, filled two and a half notebooks, took about 1,000 photos, and recorded many interviews, speeches, and songs.
- I met many people working hard to make things better despite terrorists making things worse.
- I got reminded to appreciate cold water by its absence, Coca-Cola by its presence, and security by the clear signs that it was hard to maintain.
- Quadcopters are officially everywhere.
- The state is named “Plateau” for good reason. Walking on level ground seems normal, but climbing a hill reveals that there’s less air in the air at 4,000 feet elevation.
- The peanuts there are amazing! And bananas are up there, too.
- Kids are always kids. In Ireland, Senegal, Mongolia, Zambia, and home, kids will never let you take an unposed picture. “Camera! Stop playing! Converge and stare!” Nigeria, too.
- Taking Doxycycline, an antibiotic, to prevent malaria apparently has the added benefit of armor-plating your GI tract.
I’m hoping to have some finished pieces this week. Please check back.
The Heffron Family 