Snaps

Dear Aunty Carisa, God Bless You, Thank You! From Suleman, Musa, Chumo,
Dule and Dabune. Thank you Carisa for sending your package when you did. The
Lord knew we needed some love around here. Everyone is a little sad, missing
the Myers and asking after Ben but there were shouts of delight and surprise
when they got gifts of new cars and photos! And I mean everybody was happy,
Primary 5, Halima, Bature's clan, Gemma, Agaida, Boarding children, Pastor's
kids, security, and even those who didn't get their own photo but just
looked on in excitement. Man, you really know how to bless us. I'm so
thankful for the joy your gift brought to our day!

Monkey

It seems George may have taken up classes in the absence of Jack and Ben.
Primary 2 with Mr. Chukwuma is where I spotted him today. He was quiet about
what he learned but then so are most of our boarding students. Did I tell
you George is also a boarder? He has moved down the hill with his new
friends and has made buddy, buddy with Nenne and Magari.

FYI

I’m doing fine. Staying in Abuja until Tuesday when Phyllis and our driver Clement can collect me, our vehicle and the trunks that were packed for the Myers return to America. Thankful I could be here during this time with the Myers and am looking forward to seeing our friends in Emi-woro again.

Our one and only girl

All of our boy boarding students got new football clothes but for Aisha it
was a little different. See our city girl, don't worry her shirt has a
number too. Isn't she just the cutest!

For Updates on Ben

See the Myers Blog at……http://urchins4.blogspot.com/

Celebrate

Thank you donors!

Thank You

We loaded all the boarding students (17) plus Bridge and I and Clement the
driver and his daughter (always room for one more) and headed to Lokoja. So
21 in total. I had told them we were going to town, always a treat to get
off campus. But on the way there I told them how my mother donor had seen
their picture and loved them and wanted to give them a gift, wanted to buy
them new clothes. The van erupted in clapping and cheering.
Many of our students, okay most, don't have any reason to ride around in
cars except for going to and from school in between breaks so car sickness
happens easily. It's a 30 minute drive and 3 were vomiting. We tried to not
let it spoil our trip as we set out for our new football clothes.
I think maybe 2 or 3 of them have had the pleasure of choosing their own
clothes-ever. So this was big. Choosing their color and style was like
Christmas. This outfit had never been worn by anyone else and wasn't held
together by dental floss. They were so cute to watch as they chose the
'better ones'. The best style and highest quality. They were thrilled. It
was such a privilege to bless them because of our donors. Does that make
sense? It wasn't my doing but to hand out the gift is a blessing all its
own.
Because Fulani have the reputation they do it was interesting to see the
reaction from people at the market, I don't think they've seen many displays
of kindness. We loaded them back in the car and there was more clapping as
they all shouted "Thank you". So cute! After more vomiting on the way home
we reached our place to let them eat and rest and then very soon-less than
an hour- they were back at our door ready for pictures in their new clothes.
So proud. Salihu says it is his first time to ever wear Nigerian Football
clothes-he is 19 years old.
You made a lot of people happy today. Thank you!
This morning they are out on the football field again, this time their
boarding master and his whistle is there with them and they are all in their
new clothes playing a very exciting game of football. I wish you could see
it!

New Uniforms

My Students looking so fine in their new uniforms. I am so proud of them.

When it rains

It rained yesterday, then it was cool out. I guess that means cool enough
from a cap but not for pants? Too cute.

My love just grows and grows

See everybody happy!

Some of my favorite people

Taking a walk to the dry river bed. Pray for rain!

Thank You WFMC

For Library Money. Hope Academy was able to purchase some new
books-culturally appropriate, and age appropriate. Kids here just don't
appreciate Cat in the Hat and Curious George the same way we do- really why
would a cat where a hat? But these new books are a big hit with pictures and
stories they can relate to and can't seem to get enough of. We love them
too!

What do you do for fun in the bush?

We go exploring of course. Well maybe it's exploring to me and leading a
tour for the rest of them. They've been there, done that-followed cows, been
to the river, climbed the tree and discovered all the new trails but for me
and now for us it's an adventure, a break in the routine and a little bit of
FUN.

Meet my new friend Ayuba

I can't help but be happy when I see this face!

When I see

When I see the pile of Highlight magazines I think about The Ward Family who donated them years ago. We continue to use them in my transition class, hunting for colors and numbers.  I think of Heidi Lowen and Shelly Henry when I browse through the books, they knew just what to send. I think of The Briggs Family and their small group each time I get out the beads, learning about Jesus with my students and school kids. I think about Donna Payne each time I go to use the colored string. It lived past it’s time for kites and is now hanging up posters throughout our classrooms.

Each time I open up the Library I am blessed to see the resources we have and I think about all my WFMC friends who have cared and invested in this place for long!

See my fine class

Meet my ten students. They are really doing well. Some can even identify
numbers and letters out of order and write their own name. A big step on the
road to learning a new language. We celebrate every victory. Learning color
purple, knowing the name of your school and walking in a quiet straight
line.

Health

Meet some of our Boarding Students. As you can imagine 16 boys and one
girl sharing the same living quarters doesn't always mean perfection. They
do a pretty good job of living with one another but germs spread fast and
usually a common cold can spread from one to ten before you have a chance to
medicate. Today all is well among my friends but prayer is always
appreciated for for protection, for health, for training on best practices.