Four years growth In Nigeria

In just four years a cashew tree called “Erik” grew from less than a metre to a tree 5 metres tall in my friend’s garden. For the first two years it was faithfully watered by my small friend Rose. She is in the second picture with her Daddy by the tree. It has already yielded two good crops and is covered in flowers some branches have been trimmed after bearing fruit.

When people take the trouble, this place can be so fertile. I wonder why more people do not chop down their relatively useless Neem trees and grow fruit trees instead?

Pure water and a severe haircut

The commonest way to get drinkable water in Nigeria is to buy a polythene sachet of “pure water” (50 or 60cl). You bite off a corner and gain refreshment by a mixture of sucking and squeezing. For added refinement pour into cup or beaker. As you can see from the picture I am a novice to this process.

In 1999 many people were selling “pure” water which was not properly filtered or sterile. I had to stick with bottled water (SWAN brand). Quality control has improved and there are now many reliable brands of “pure water”. The University of Maiduguri food science dept produces one of them. My picture shows another.

This is another of those small improvements which make me hope for better days for this great country.

The haircut may not be quite such an improvement. Nigerian traders like to give value for money – this is one barber’s interpretation of a “light trim”.

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.

Holding back the flood at End Time Harvest Church

There is a river by the “End Time Harvest Church” which was once a ditch when they bought this plot. As you can see, it is now a river which has burst its banks. There is a partial wall round the compound which, with a slight rise in the land, is just holding back the flood

The river is now a tributary of the Alo. The number of lives lost in the waters this season is rumoured to be thirteen. Mainly children who are attracted to the waters but get caught in the strength of the stream.

The Rev. Danja has some doctrines very different from mine but he graciously allowed me his pulpit during a 40 day fasting (dawn til dusk) and prayer time. I am due back for a third visit on Friday.

Churches divide into three classes in Nigeria: Roman Catholic, “Orthodox” (Lutheran to Baptist), and Pentecostal. Although my theology is closest to orthodox I often seem to get on best with the Pentecostals.

Rev Danja is unusual in having chosen to minister and build a congregation in a poor – mainly moslem – area. We had a blessed time and a good dance last Monday.

Chapel of Grace, University of Maiduguri

I have now had two Sundays at the Chapel of Grace. The congregation is growing as the Semester gets under way. Around 900 on 2nd Sept and 1700 on 9th. It can get up to 2500 when all the students are back. I am going through the 9 blessings anounced by Christ in Matt 5. Last Sunday was “Blessed are those who mourn”.

My reception has been very generous and they cope with my strange accent quite well although some of the younger students have trouble understanding me. I cannot log all the friendships renewed and the kindnesses I have received.

The new committee are vigorous and there is a spirit of unity and progress around the place.

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.

A wet, wet rainy season

This picture was taken over Niger and shows thick cloud cover at sunset. Even on the Niger/Algeria border in the deep desert there were scattered columns of storm clouds. On the ground in Nigeria there has been some flooding. We drove through a flooded village near Maiduguri. It was only 15 cms on the road but that was raised and people and homes were under a metre and half of water.

Part of the new made Bauchi-Potiskum road had been washed away but the place was well marked. The season started a little late but the rain has been consistent and heavy. The river Alo is in full spate and flooding somewhat. At least the retreat of Lake Chad might be held up or reversed a little.

Photos from 2003

If you like photo’s then check these out (click here) from my visit in 2003.

The bature says hello

10,9,8…… counting down to my next trip to Nigeria. The name of this blog is “Bature” (ba_t0ur_ey) which just means “european man” and is what the children sometimes shout at me when I wander around.