A Brief trip back to Maiduguri

The Local Chapter of Bible Society of Nigeria invited me back to Maiduguri and very kindly paid my air fare London-Abuja. The engagement was for four days teaching and also a Sunday morning address to the host church (EYN Wulari congregation).

All the talks were on the theme of “commendable service” built from nine expositions from 2nd letter to the Corinthians. It was a flying visit so that I only missed one Sunday from Lighthouse and Woodbridge.

I had the pleasure of seeing many good friends briefly and I was delighted to see that the churches were prospering in grace.

I regret I shall probably not be back for quite a while. The picture is of testing the Msheliza swings (and, yes, they were strong enough).

That’s all for now.

Here is a photo of the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja which marks the end of our time here.

On the last Sunday I preached at Gwagwalada ECWA Good News (i.e. English language) church.  Gwagwalada is the temporary site of the University of Abuja.  I chose the little letter of 3 John with its emphasis on open hearted fellowship in the work of the Gospel.  It turned out to be a lot more relevant than I might have guessed.

Gwagwalada (say it how you like – I heard several pronunciations) has its own hot and steamy microclimate but the friendship was even warmer.  We parted with gifts and promises to pray for each other.

Below is a fun house seen in an eastern suburb.  It reputedly belongs to a retired pilot.

Out of touch for a few days

We are off to Andrew’s home village for a while so there will be no news for that time.  Then we go to Abuja but I do not know if I will get to an internet connection.

Four good days at TCNN

The Theological College of Northern Nigeria is an ecumenical college supported by around thirteen denominations which provides Bachelors and Masters degrees in theological subjects.

It is well respected and has a history going back around 50 years.  I was invited to give a series of three evening lectures (2 hrs each) and also preach on Sunday morning.  I spoke on Pastoral Ministry and preaching to around 100 students and the questions were relevant and challenging so it seems they were paying really close attention.  On Sunday I spoke on Psalm 46.

Over the weekend we also witnessed a believers’ baptism, a confirmation and an infant dedication (all done by the Chaplain).  I said it was ecumenical!

The grid effect on the photo is a result of photographing through the mosquito mesh of an upstairs window in the Library.  I thought it was cool enough to post.

Breaking Ground at Adamawa State Univ, Mubi

Rev. Bamaiyi, Chaplain of the Christian Chapel at Adamawa State University breaks the ground at the site of the new Chapel building.

The University is only five years old and the Christians have been meeting in the multi-purpose hall on campus.  This week they are launching a fund to build their own chapel.  The plans look ambitious and there will be an excellent suite of facilities once it is completed.

We prayed on the site and had fun taking photos with the pick-axe.  The ground is marked out and foundation digging is about to start….

I had a delightful meeting with the Chapel congregation and some of the other ministers in town after driving to Mubi from my morning engagement at Maiduguri.  There were lots of interesting (and challenging) questions after I preached on the “Beautiful Gospel” from Isaiah 52.

Mubi is more hilly (in the foothills of the Mandara mountains), a bit cooler and has a longer rainy season than Maiduguri.  The change of scenery was fascinating and I may post a couple of photos later.

My internet shop in Maiduguri

Paul-Mark will be pleased to meet you at the internet and computer shop I am now using in Maiduguri. They are handily placed and the connection speed is better than many places. They have been helpful with reloading Windows when a couple of computers I have been helping with have been wrecked by virus infections.

It is possible to use the staff room at Unimaid computer centre but when all the students are in the connection speed is very slow.

Mrs. Pattison invades Nigeria

Africa greeted the First Lady of the Lighthouse for the first time last week. She stepped off the internal flight to Maiduguri on Tuesday and received a hot welcome from both weather and friends. As the picture shows, she is really in the swing of things, relaxing under a mango tree.

Arrested!

“You did bring your passport, didn’t you?”, asks Rev Samaila halfway to Ngala. “Er, no. Should I have?”. “Oh, it will probably be alright.”

Well it wasn’t. Later in the day a middle aged man with a military bearing and very good English flagged us down. He was wearing a border guard’s uniform and wanted to see my passport. I don’t have it. Any other ID? No. So he gets in the car and we go to the border post by the bridge to Cameroon at Gamboru, Ngala. We are interviewed in a dark little room (power is off, as usual) by a middle ranking officer who decides to pass the case to his Superior. He is resting in his quarters waiting for sundown to break his Ramadan fast. He dresses and comes to interogate us a little more. Apparently, foreigners travelling need borders need their passports to show they have not crossed illegally.

He solves our impasse by confiscating Andrew’s ID card. We will have to report to Border HQ in Maiduguri in two days with my passport to get the ID card back. A good solution to small problem. I think this is part of the move from a seniority-based society to a law-based one and even quite heartening. We received proper respect and there was no hint that money or patronage would smooth the way.

Get your kicks…

Forget Route 66 try the road from Maiduguri to the border at Gamboru, Ngala.
It goes from bad to worse to impossible and then goes on deteriorating. Our old Land Rover passed bogged and broken down lorries and pickups by the dozen. The seasonal wetlands stretch for miles so sometimes the only route is along the slightly elevated road which has potholes big enough to drown a donkey. In the wet season it is like driving through a WW1 battlefield.

The previous governor gave the roadbuilding contract to a man who is the father of the present Governor. A recipe for lost millions and serious inaction.

On the way back the prop-shaft starts making a funny noise. It is hanging on to the rear universal joint by one loose bolt. This highway suffers predations by armed robbers coming over the nearby borders and it is no place to spend the night. God’s good providence steps in. There is a mechanic attending another casualty 200 metres away. We are able to continue on our way with three of the six bolts in place. One more than the naughty mechanic had fitted when he repaired the differential gear.

An eventful but safe trip Abuja-Maiduguri

As a result of a damaged tyre needing attention Michael and I left Abuja in a friend’s Mercedes about 5 hours late at around 11.30. Instead of a relaxed day driving and photographed we dashed across country at 120-140 kph.

At twilight between Potiskum and Damaturu we had a big birdstrike which cracked the windscreen in front of my face. Thank God for safety glass.