Day 87 - 95

Day 87 (Saturday 30th April)

We got up at 5am to leave at 5.30am because the drivers wanted to make good time back to Jos. We were quite tired and grumpy, Will was especially grumpy because he was leaving everything he misses in Ogugu to come back to Jos with us. We were back in Jos by 2.30pm which was record time considering we had to queue for petrol for half an hour. There is a massive fuel shortage here which is a nightmare.

Will is staying with me for the next three weeks so we set some important ground rules, the most significant being the toilet roll. Where I stay they provide me with two toilet rolls per week, and these aren’t EU quality, they are school toilet quality but half the size. Even though we are paying double for him to stay here, you get the same ration of toilet roll. So the rule we have is that we have one each, we have written our names on them and have a competition going to see who can make their own last the longest. (I think I went a bit pigeon English then). Will was tired and grumpy so in the evening I went to Kingsbite with Lynsay and the girls and had a burger and chips, it was amazing!

We found out some sad news today that the Fulani Muslim village Mission Africa works at (where I went early on and took pictures of) was destroyed in the election violence. The school is still there, but that’s the only thing. Mission Africa and SIM are providing aid and support to those affected.

Day 88 (Sunday 1st May)

I went back to Jets church today which was amazing, it feels like so long since I’ve been to a decent church service. It was all about sowing in the spirit and not the world, and based on Galatians 6v7-10.

After Will and I went to the Net Cafe and had a meat pie which was yum, and then went to Ricky and Angie’s to watch Arsenal beat Man UTD.

I cooked spaghetti bolognaise for dinner which was an amazing taste from home, and Will and I chilled out with music and the guitar etc.

Day 89 (Monday 2nd May)

Today was 1st working day back in Jos, although it was a public holiday which didn’t make much difference. I was nervous because I had a meeting with Peter Fretheim to discuss car arrangements. I had been worried for a long time about how I was going to get to work, and praying that it would be resolved. The meeting went really well, and I have been offered an SIM mini bus to rent. It has seen better days, and there are a couple of minor issues such as the lack of handbrake, and the tendency to cut out whenever it’s in neutral which add to its character.

For dinner Will and I had hot dogs and chips, I know I’m talking loads about food, but when you’ve had only Nigerian food for six weeks it’s pretty exciting!

After dinner we went to Hillcrest (the missionary school) to see their production Aida. It was really good, and really well done. Phil was doing the sound for him, and it was great to see him after what feels like ages. After the show mum and dad phoned, it was great to hear from them.

Day 90 (Tuesday 3rd May)

I got up early and had the minibus delivered by one of the SIM drivers called Amos. I drove Katie to Gyero which involves driving down a really off road track which is fun in a 4x4, and more fun in a minibus, I was thinking how am I ever going to do this every day! On the way we got a flat tire from a big nail so I jumped out to show my manly ability to change a tire off only to be stopped by a passing Nigerian who insisted on changing it for me. When I got to Gyero I took the teachers meeting which went really well, school will go back tomorrow so it was all about discussing the next term and any ways in which I can help etc. One of the teachers had not returned to school but I was told he would be back tomorrow for the start of school.

While in the meeting a storm came and it began to rain really hard, it turned everything to mud, and we decided to leave knowing the road would get worse and worse. The drive home was interesting in pouring rain, parts of the road become a river and bits are really hard to drive through, it’s all good fun though. The minibus broke down half way home, so I called Amos who drove out to rescue us, he got it started the Nigerian way which seemed to involve opening the bonnet and revving it as hard as he could. The rest of the drive was horrible in really heavy rain, when back on the main road nobody slows down for the conditions so you have to be alert the whole time and second guessing people who are liable to pull out in front of you at any moment.

In the evening Will and I went to Ricky and Angie’s for dinner, which was lovely and great fun, after dinner we played Wii Sports which got very competitive! I like the fact Will is English (although northern so only just counts), because I have someone to gang up on the Irish with!

Day 91 (Wednesday 4th May)

Today the school returned after the Easter and election break, I would usually spend today at Gidan Bege with the other teachers but wanted to be around for the first day of school. I managed the drive ok and without incident which was a relief! The teacher didn’t turn up today and nobody could get hold of him. I phoned him and managed to get him to pick up, and I did my manager Neil bit. He apparently will be back on Monday so I have the head teacher taking his classes for this week. Next week the head teacher is going on holiday so I will cover for him. Today I realised that my role involves medical person when Katie isn’t here and there was a sick girl for me to deal with. I spent a fair amount of the day phoning different medical people but managed to resolve the situation.

After school Will, the girls and I went to Lynsey’s for dinner, we had a fun evening and ended up playing Cranium which is always a favourite.

Day 92 (Thursday 5th May)

Today is my working from home day which doesn’t mean a lay in! I went to the money guy for 9am because we have been waiting ages for them to get money and are skint. We were told it had already all gone and to come back later which was annoying. I went to town to do the shopping for the school which took ages to trek round and barter for everything. I had a long list ranging from white board pens to toilet roll, it’s not like shopping in the uk and find the shop which sells what you want can take a while.

I had lunch and a City Ministries meeting at the Fretheim’s which took a while, before planning and working from home in the afternoon.

In the evening the girls came round. Will and I cooked (will stirred stuff) chilli with rice and chips which went down really well which was a relief because it was a complete blag using Nigerian ingredients and not being able to get stuff you would use at home. We had a really nice evening and watched Good Will Hunting which we projected on the wall. I have the projector from the school which is really useful.

Day 93 (Friday 6th May)

I woke up really tired which wasn’t a great start to the day, and drove to Gyero. There is a massive fuel shortage in Jos and you can’t get it anywhere, people are queuing for hours. I managed to find somewhere on the way where I only had to wait for 30 minutes which was a relief. I had an issue with the lack of hand break in the minibus because the petrol station is on a slope so you need three feet. Its harder when there is a car really close behind you, I ended up using people who work at the petrol station as my hand break, they stood behind and pushed while I revved it and moved forwards. I love the Nigerian way of improvising! At the school I marked the teachers lesson plans which took all morning, and drove home in more tropical rain which was less eventful than last time.

In the evening we went to the Fretheims for their Friday shindig. I met a new Missionary from Australia who’s a physio with SIM. It was good to have a new guy to chat to in this female dominated world! While I was there I got a text from the teacher that didn’t turn up at Gyero. He told me that he’s not coming back to the school which leaves me in a challenging position because I don’t have a spare teacher to cover him and the head teacher is on holiday next week. I found out quite quickly that I was the only one he told so I had to contact all the relevant people and make a plan.

After the Fretheim’s Will and I went to Barcardi Lounge to play pool and hang out with the Hillcrest teachers Phil and Chris. We had a really good night, it was like being back at home again.

Day 94 (Saturday 7th May)

I had a lay in which was amazing, and then ‘played’ tennis with Will. We decided we didn’t want to look too serious so wore flip flops which seemed like a good idea until I developed a probable scar on my right foot to rival the one I have on my left from a tile at the swimming pool in Abuja. I am trying not to be a complete girl but my foot REALLY hurts, and it takes ages to heal cuts on your feet here.

In the afternoon Will and I decided to do what any guy would want to do on a Saturday afternoon and go clothes shopping. Will bought a new t-shirt which we both think is really nice, but according to the girls makes him look like a chav. We have both agreed that we base our choice of clothes, hair, and aftershave on the feedback we receive from girls so I’m guessing he won’t be wearing it too much!

In the evening I attempted to make my first proper Nigerian dish, potato porridge. Considering I didn’t really know what I was doing and threw it together it turned out pretty nice. I don’t know if I’d dare make it for anyone in the UK because I’m getting used to Nigerian food, and it would probably be minging at home.

Day 95 (Sunday 8th May)

I went to Jets church on my own because Will wanted to try the church the girls go to. It was really good, although every Sunday I’m reminded how much I miss KCC at home. The preaching was good and on Galatians 6 – Boasting in the cross.

After church Will and I went to Ricky and Angie’s to watch the Man UTD v Chelsea game. There was a tropical storm which meant the first half was barely recognisable because of the signal. Will is from Manchester so was very happy, and Ricky supports Liverpool because they don’t have any decent football teams in Ireland meaning he wanted Chelsea to win.

Angie fed us with pizza and chips which was lovely and we spent the evening chatting and chilling.