Another Driving Adventure!

The road to Femi and Esther's wedding a few weeks ago was an adventure to say the least!  We went on our own and even Mark was sweating a little when we got there because of the road conditions on the way--the huge potholes filled with water everywhere!  So, at the persuasion of our friends at the wedding we made a 5 car cavalcade and were led a different way home--faster and better (or so they said!!)

Starting out it wasn't too bad--2 cars in front of us and 2 behind.  Does that make us wonder if they think we are the least capable??

It soon became every man for himself as we tried to figure out which way was the best--and all hoped and prayed we didn't disappear out of sight.  The white fan was a mission vehicle that was traveling with us ( and was behind us to bring up the rear but decided to try a different route)

Here in Nigeria everyone decides on their own where they want to drive...right or left lane...doesn't make any difference.  We were just trying to stay right behind the 4 wheel drive truck of our friend Marcus, who started out behind us but at this big hole decided to move in front in case they had to pull our poor little Toyota Corolla out.  Little did they know the wicked driving skills of Elder Baker---never even a slip or a slide...even in the deepest holes! 

And it did get deeper!

Almost through one of the deepest....water up on the hood at one point but that dear little Toyota just kept on going--maybe it was the prayers??

We did this for about 45 minutes, gently easing ourselves in and out of holes--wondering if we were really driving or boating at times.  Then, after that adventure we were led through another hour and a half of winding, crowded streets (you don't know the meaning of crowded unless you have been on some Nigerian streets--not sure the word street is really appropriate here, more like trails!)

So, after two and a half hours of driving, we finally arrived home--in the dark--tired and exhausted but another unique journal entry!! 

How Many??

A few weeks ago when we traveled to Ijebu-Ode Elder Baker spent some time between meetings trying out the local transportation. The question is...how many people fit on a motorcyle?

Two??

 How about three??

 

 Add a few more, then you've got five!!

(the other white guy is a Michael who is here from SLC working on the translation of the D&C into Yuraba, one of the prevalent languages here)

That is all great for a photo op.  But after the meeting we saw the real thing!

Dad and the boys on the front.......

And the rest of the family behind.......and.......Mom has a baby on her back that didn't make it in the picture!

So--the answer to our question, "How many people can you fit on a motorcycle?"  SIX!!!! (at least in Nigeria!)

Wedding of Esther and Femi!

On Sept. 17, the day of Femi and Esther's wedding was finally here! Femi is the president's driver and we have been anticipating this day since our arrival.  We were excited to be part of a traditional Yuraba wedding.  Mark and I made a practice run to the location--Bamfort Hotel--on Friday with one of our PEF students as the guide so we would be able to make it on our own on Friday.  (To say the road is an adventure is a bit of an understatement--and only could be understood by someone who has been here. Another post will document our adventures on those roads.)

Here is the bride arriving at the hotel after the legal ceremony at the Registry Office

And here comes the groom

Here's a few of the guests--dressed in the wedding color of green--waiting for the ceremony to begin

The parents of the bride

 

 The groom and his friends must beg the bride's parents for her hand in marriage

Happily accepted into the family

Seated and waiting for the bride to arrive

And here comes the bride--modestly covered to enter

Dancing before the groom to "entice" him.  The women at the right with the gold hat is the "mouthpiece" who did most of the talking (in Yuraba) for both the bride's family and the groom's

The Happy Couple after presentation of the groom's required gifts and dowry

Celebrating together

With Femi's parents

Cutting the cake

A wonderful day to celebrate with our friends! Congratulations Esther and Femi--love, luck and laughter!

Happy Birthday Mark!

Last Friday Mark celebrated his one and only birthday here in Nigeria!  They certainly know how to celebrate here in the church office building.  Just before noon our small little office was filled with well wishers singing their version of "Happy Birthday to You".  What a wonderful day to celebrate with all our new friends!

 

Of course, to celebrate Mark wore his "Hausa" hat--one of the many tribes here in Nigeria.  He has a traditional outfit as well but we haven't taken pictures of that yet!

We topped off the day with brownies and ice cream in the Meier's apartment after a good American meal of KFC (yes, they have one here--within walking distance!) and pasta salad!

One Stop Shopping!

Just a little pic for all the ladies out there--here is how we do one stop shopping in Nigeria!  Just take a little walk down the street to the heart of the crowded market and in between the open meat shop and the "barbing salon" you find the perfect boutique--bras, purses and shoes!  What more can a girl ask?

The Amazing Human Spirit!

A few weeks ago I met an amazing woman!  I don't know her name and I only spent a few minutes with her but I think she changed my life forever.  I am not sure I had ever really realized the strength of the human spirit like I did that day.

Here she is--and this is how she gets around--walking on feet and hands!

And this was her face when we presented her with a brand new wheelchair! 

This is another woman I met that day--another grateful recipient of a new chair and some new mobility!

What a lesson that day--no words can really express what I felt!  I can't imagine having that much determination to go forward and make the best of a bad situation.  Most of us would have laid down and waited to be taken care of but these two women were extreme examples of making lemonade out of lemons.  They both work for LAWMA (Lagos Waste Management Association) sweeping pedestrian overpasses with hand brooms--proud to have a job and earn their own living. 
These are amazing women!!

Jello Jigglers!

So--for "Cookie Friday" this week we decided to try something different--something really different for most Nigerians!  We made those yummy, layered, creamy Jello Jigglers!  We had quite the reactions from some of our friends!

President Karkari--down the hatch!

Richard loved them!

Cletus--not a fan!

Felicia--not sure!

Lyndia-had a hard time "catching" them!

 

Sunday--a little unsure!

Effiong--a smile no matter what!

Idika (who smiles just like Matt Godfrey)-looks it over!

Elder Oboh and Elder Brown--a new (and not really likeable) experience!

Just a little bit of color and fun to our friends in Nigeria!