Here I am in Nigeria...

Friends and family members,
Here I am in Nigeria, Africa. I never thought I that would be but that is what I had wished for as a child to be a missionary in Africa.  When Everett died, I missed him so much I didn't know how I could live without him.  I thought I could never be happy again.  But then I knew God was calling me to Nigeria.  My work at Mashia has been  a real blessing. The ladies with HIV have taught me, they have so much joy in the Lord.  They talk and laugh and sing as they sew. They are happy because of the hope WE have in sharing God's Glory.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5, ESV)
They are beautiful young women with a terminal illness.  They make beautiful quilted things with joy and want to learn more and more. Going to the Lutheran Church LCMS has been a real experience for me. The congregation harmonizes on the hymns they sing with drums and other instruments and with the liturgy.  The pastors are dynamic speakers and LOUD.  They preach for an hour.  It is in British English so I really have to listen but I am getting better at that. Their prayers are long but so spiritual with so much adoration for Jesus.  The Nigerians are the friendliest people I have ever met. good.. They greet me and call me MAMA and bow. They have beautiful African dress.  The Nigerian fabrics are gorgeous.
I was worried about the spicy foods in Nigeria but I have not had any problem and I have felt very good.  I think Betty's healthy drinks helped to build me up.  in TX before I left. We do eat American foods also.  The fruits are sooo good. The weather is wonderful.  It is pleasantly cool.  It must be about 72-75 everyday.  I have never gotten too hot or too cold.  I have worn a sweater only a few mornings. , We are in the rainy season and I know it will be very different in the HARMATAN or dry season. It rains almost everyday sometimes 2 or3 times a day.  The clouds come up and it thunders and rains torrential down pours but then the sun comes out and it is nice.  We don't close any windows because the rain doesn’t rain in.  It comes down straight and they have very wide eaves on all the tin roofs. and drainage ditches everywhere.  We all sleep under mosquito nets.
Teri and I went help with VBS at the Ottomueller Lutheran Memorial Hospital Compound.  We had planned for 75 kids 8-12 yrs. old. Over 200 came with 50 below 5 years old.  Needless to say we had to improvise.  Teri was the Bible story lesson teacher.  She had those kids sitting there and looking at her with bright shiny faces listening to her every word.  I helped with the crafts.  They don't have any scissors and no paper so we used scrap paper from Nathaniel's computer lab. We had them tear out little fish and buns and put on the plate we cut at home. They had a large box of used crayons which was great.
I am enjoying all the sights, sound, and inconveniences in Africa.  It definitely is not America but we work with a wonderful bunch of missionaries with hearts for the Lord and a deep care for each other.
God be with you, bless you and keep you.  Love Lois.