A Pleasing Arrival

     In light of yesterday’s talk about plagiarism in the school staff meeting, I feel obligated to credit the following thought to my housemate, Gretchen.

“We’ve now been here a week, but it kinda feels like we never left.” (perhaps if it was a more profound thought I would have secretly claimed it…). Actually, Gretchen was quite right. It has been a wonderfully easy transition back into my Nigerian life—the hectic traffic, sleeping under the mosquitoes net, tupperware hunts in the market with vendors shouting to you, “Maria! I know you! You are from Switzerland!”, etc. It’s great to be back. Of course, school doesn’t start until this coming week, so I cannot yet say that I’ve figured out my routine for the year.

     

     We arrived in Lagos last Saturday evening where I got some much needed sleep—it seems I’ve lost my ability to sleep on planes. I traveled with Katie and our new staff-member and housemate, who happens to be from Knoxville, Meghan Francis. After meeting up with Gretchen and Kyle and spending the night at the Baptist Guest House, we headed to our home in Ibadan. After about an hour of driving, it started to rain, which is not ideal in a bus with poor windshield wipers, on a pot-hole ridden expressway, with no semblance of order amongst the automobiles. So… we had a small wreck. In America we might try to call it a three car pile up, but here, it’s no big deal. Our driver, Augustine, got out, did a bit of yelling with the other drivers, and—as our car was still in okay driving condition—we were on our way. NBD. Really. It happens all the time.

            

     Upon arriving at our compound, we were warmly greeted by our fellow-compound-dwellers. That was the start of some great re-unions with fellow staff and friends. To be quite honest, I think because my summer was so full of wonderful people and experiences, I had forgotten about just how much I love the people in my life here in Nigeria. I am so blessed to be working with warm, gracious, and delightful people. It’s been fun to have a staff week of praising, bonding, and preparing together…without students. For me, It’s been fairly relaxed, quite productive, and an overall blast. After this past week, I remember that I had mixed feelings about coming back, but I can’t figure out for the life of me why I would have felt anything but excitement! Perhaps it’s just the grace of God, again giving me transcendent joy and contentment. No, not perhaps. Definitely.

    School starts on Monday. First time teaching English on Tuesday. First time teaching Literature and spelling on Wednesday. First online Stats exam on Wednesday. First time teaching 12th grade essay writing on Thursday. Other “firsts” will follow next week. Sufficed to say, prayers would be greatly appreciated. I do not have the ability to successfully meet the challenges of the next week or the next year, but I rejoice in the truth that His grace is sufficient for me, for his power is made perfect in my weakness. Oh, and that wasn’t my original thought either (2 Cor 12:9).