Day 102 (Sunday 15th May)
I went to Jets Church with Will and the Mission Africa Girls, it was a bit different because it was a baby dedication, but the teaching was really good. The worship is best described as interesting. It was a bit like watching the early stages of X-Factor and I was waiting for Simon Cowell to pass judgement. The sermon was an intro to Ephesians and all about following God’s call for the right and not wrong reasons, ie for his rather than our benefit.

I had a nap in the afternoon, updated my blog and spoke to Mum on the phone which was really nice. For dinner I made chip butties with gravy and home made tomato something for Will and I which went down well.

Day 103 (Monday 16th May)
I got a bike to Gyero which was good fun, if a little crazy this morning. It’s so surreal being on a bike down a dirt road in rural Nigeria, yet still close to Jos. I was expecting two new teachers, but I only had one, which was better than none! I planned the new teachers lessons for him, to show him how I expect them to be planned etc.

After work I went to town and met Will and the girls and did some shopping etc.

When we got back the toilet roll competition between Will and I officially ended because his had been blown into the toilet by the wind. I was impressed that we managed to make our rolls last two weeks though. I made him fish it out with his hand, this wasn’t the first time he’s removed something from the toilet with his hand, but that’s one of his embarrassing stories I shouldn’t talk about publically or he may never forgive me!

Day 104 (Tuesday 17th May)
Today I had a bit of a crazy experience involving a non-Christian taxi which is good to talk about, but not write about publicly! It reminded me that life’s an adventure and I arrived at Gyero eventually safe and sound. I took the teacher meeting which went much better than last week, and was productive and positive. There were no motorbikes around to take me back, so one of the Nigerians had to convince a local to give me a lift which avoided me getting stranded. I should probably get used to the idea though because they refuse to run in the rain and it’s rainy season! I got a taxi again on the main road, and ended up in the dreaded handbrake position next to a pie eating Mr Plod. I think I’ve previously explained the seating plan in a taxi. So the taxi was once a road going vehicle, but now would be refused by a UK scrap yard based on quality and components remaining. They will sit about five people on the back seat, and three in the front. The handbrake position is in the middle at the front which is never good (sitting on the handbrake isn’t particularly comfortable). It was made worse by the armed gentleman next to me, who was at least double my size and taking up the whole seat. It gave new meaning to the phrase, your gun is digging in to me!

I spoke to Ali Mac on fb chat which was cool, was good to hear the latest goss from KCC.

Will and I spent the evening at Hillcrest with Phil and Chris attempting to play Rock Band Hero which was good fun.

Day 105 (Wednesday 18th May)
Today is my day of working at Gidan Bege, and I went to take the teachers meeting which got cancelled last week. When I arrived I was told they had cancelled my meeting, but forgotten to tell me, so I embraced the relaxed Nigerian way, and left again. It’s a bit frustrating, but I think it’s good for me to get used to a more relaxed way of doing things.

I spent the afternoon marking lesson plans, and chatted to Ben Rowe which was good.

Will and I spent the evening playing pool at Barcardi, and got chatting to some military guys. I really wanted to ask if I could hold their gun, but restrained myself!

Day 106 (Thursday 19th May)
Today is working from home day, which isn’t as relaxing as it may sound, especially when electricity can come and go at any time when you’re in the middle of printing etc. I got my first post from home which was very exciting, it was from Steve and Maresah Haines . They sent me Chris’s new album which I love, and will now unashamedly plug, so if you haven’t heard it go to http://www.butgod.co.uk

I went to town to do the shopping for Gyero, and came home late afternoon to cook for Ricky and Angie who will and I were having over for dinner. The girls babysat for their son Noah which meant we could have them to ourselves. We had a nice evening, and they enjoyed the classic English dish of spag bowl. Later in the evening I chatted to Jon caws and Lizzie Eyes, it was lovely to hear from them. I should probably stop mentioning everyone from home I speak to, but started doing it then didn’t want anyone to think I forgot them!

Day 107 (Friday 20th May)
I went to Gyero for what I thought was the Gyero management meeting to be told it had been cancelled (I’m starting to get used to this pattern), but it meant I could do other things I needed to at the school. I had a bit of a clumsy day which involved burning my leg on the exhaust of a bike, and walking into a low hanging plank of wood at the school. Walking into the plank I thought “someone should fix that, oh yeah, it’s probably my responsibility to get it sorted”. So I now have a lump on my head, and burnt leg, ouch!

In the evening it was the Fretheim’s with a difference. All the Nigerian staff from Gyero and Transition House were invited, and we were asked to dress Nigerian. The girls and I dressed up, and when we arrived Peter Fretheim and his wife hadn’t, we were like grrrr! But I love dressing up so didn’t mind, and the Nigerians appreciated it. It was good to see the people I work with socially.

Day 108 (Saturday 21st May)
I was very ready for my weekend and loved my lay in this morning! I spent the little remaining chilling out doing my quiet time etc, and then made the most amazing home-made burger and chips for Will and I. The burgers were big, fat, juicy, and we agreed the best thing since leaving the UK. After lunch Will and I went to Barcardi to play some pool, after winning four games in a row Will announced that the reason he kept just loosing was that there was no wager on the game. We agreed for game five that the loser would have to be the other ones slave for the night with the twist that the girls who we were having wouldn’t know. Will lost again, which meant I spent the evening getting him to do everything for me, and the girls who we had over for dinner being very confused. We had another game which was we each came up with a funny word without telling Bethan. We had to use it as many times as possible without her realising, it was very funny, a particular highlight was Ali asking Bethan whether she had ever been to Viagra Falls.

Day 109 (Sunday 22nd May)
I went to Jets again with Will and the girls. It was possibly the strangest service I’ve been to here, possibly a close second to the one in Ogugu. It was a family service, but the kids ran everything, including the sermon. None of us were comfortable with it, and the whole thing was bizarre. I came home and listened to a Joel Virgo sermon on Titus which was really good, and spent the afternoon chilling with God, and had a little nap (I’m getting so old!)

In the evening our power died, like completely. Everyone else has it except for our place, Will and I being men and capable of fixing all things decided to give it a shot. We went for the Nigerian method of flicking switches and pulling wires, but no luck, something is fried somewhere. We decided to call someone from the compound but realised everyone with any authority is out of Jos, so we’re having a candlelit evening. All we’re lacking is a couple of girls!