Changing gears

I never learned to drive a manual transmission car, but it looks like I need to start learning.

I'm back in the U.S. of A., and that in itself is changing gears for this blog. Obviously, for the next few weeks I won't have any touching stories from the hospital in Nigeria.

But the reason I need to learn to drive a stick shift is in preparation for returning to Nigeria permanently - and soon. (Automatics are hard to find in Nigeria.) God has placed in me a passion for Nigeria and its people, and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that He's called me to live there full-time. I always expected this would come in the form of some sort of work opportunity, but God works in mysterious - and surprising! - ways. God brought into my life a wonderful young doctor who's asked me to be his wife, and I've agreed.

Dr. David Dennis Nege is a first-year resident in family practice (yes, he is a full-fledged doctor!) at our hospital and is from Taraba State in east-central Nigeria. He's been a family friend for two years, and I've known him since last summer, when he was finishing as an intern. We plan to marry in November in Nigeria. Only three months away!

So for now I'm here in California, packing and sorting. There are so many uncertainties and questions. But I'm trying to let God work out the things I can't solve myself. I'm terrified and excited about all that's in store for me, for us. And I really miss Nigeria. But there it is. Anyone have wedding ideas?

Today's farewells

This summer has been a summer of farewells, and today is no exception.

Today, Baby Elizabeth is going home! She's been on admission for two months, and yesterday weighed 1.85 kg (4.1 lbs)! Baby Elizabeth is shown here with Dr. Dennis. She's roly poly and has finally been weaned off oxygen. We're all terribly excited that she's ready to go home, but I personally will miss her.

Of course, I would miss her anyway because I'm leaving today. My heart breaks, as usual, to be leaving this land I love. But sometimes farewells are necessary, and this is only for a little while.

So I'll shake hands - hugs aren't the cultural norm - and say, "Sai na dawo" (Until I come back). For I will be back and soon. This is home.

The Road Not Taken

I could give you a whole literary analysis of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." Even the title itself is a statement. But if you know the poem you'll understand why I really like it just now.

My life came to a crossroads this summer, and I shocked myself and everyone I know by the road I chose. I had planned to go to medical school, to become a missionary doctor and return to Nigeria. Everyone was excited for me. But the road was long: going to medical school would mean not returning to Nigeria full-time for at least another ten years.

I fought the battle of indecision that I so often face (as an extremely indecisive person) and finally came out on top. I decided not to go to medical school. Instead, I decided to return to Nigeria as soon as possible and make a life here.

Within days of making this decision, it was confirmed by certain relationship developments regarding a young Nigerian doctor. I'm reluctant to jump the gun, but my hopes for our future are extremely high, and I believe we can face and overcome many challenges together. Nigeria is my home, and I rejoice that God has led me to be here permanently.

My current plans? I leave Nigeria on August 13, spend several days with my sister and her family in Scotland, and then return to the U.S. to find closure. I'll be packing up, selling my belongings, and saying my goodbyes to familiar people and places (and food!). I hope to return here by mid- to late-October. I have no income and no prospective job yet, but I'm trusting that God will make a way for us.

It's scary! And I'm sure that some days I'll regret it. But I am convinced this is my future, and I accept it with joy.

Returning

There are reasons I haven't written... not good ones, perhaps, but they are reasons. I was sick for several days – not malaria, thank God! - and have been away from the hospital since then. Why? Good question!

This week I became a substitute Middle School English teacher! Our full-time teacher hasn't arrived in the country yet, so I'm teaching her classes for two weeks.

I have to admit I never saw myself as a middle school teacher. I finished middle school only ten years ago myself, and I still remember it vividly. My days were full of cat fights and bitter backstabbing. (Maybe that's why I became friends with the guys instead.) It's different as a teacher, I expect, and my first three days have been super!

I'm cheating, though. Because I'm only here for two weeks, I'm not following the curriculum but trying to get the kids interested in learning first. We're doing a lot of creative writing (my specialty and passion) and reading aloud. Yeah! I have just about 85 kids total, in grades 6 to 8, and they've been good to me so far. We'll see how the next five days turn out.

The cool thing about my school is that I've got kids from all over: U.S., Canada, Nigeria, Korea, Syria, Lebanon, India, New Zealand, Australia, to name a few. And the funniest part is they almost all sound American!

Find out more about the school at www.hillcrestschool.net.