There isn’t a better feeling than waking up to a new day and being ready for it! After the stress that was finally realized and released yesterday I know that God is going to keep me moving forward. So I got out of bed ready to see what the day brought! This morning I spent back in the pharmacy after three full days of not stepping a foot inside. Isaiah and Peju said that they were all going crazy without me helping there and I admitted that I was going crazy without being there. It is nice to feel needed; not needed because pills weren’t being counted but needed because a piece was missing from a little group of friends. It was a pretty hectic day in there (as always) so instead of much conversation I had the time to think while I worked. I am already starting to realize how my perception of life has changed over the past 43 days...
Adrie came and got me right before 11 to head out to the van. Kristen needed to be driven out to Elim Primary School to speak with the principal there about sponsorship issues and said we could tag along. I am discovering on this trip just how much I love new experiences! It was quite a drive through Jos along the main city streets and ending on bumpy dirt roads heading up some rocky hills on the outskirts of the larger population. Greg stopped in front of a modest metal gate with “Elim School” painted across it so we got out and pushed it open. The minute we walked into the little courtyard we were surrounded by kids. I was immediately taken back to Timber Mountain and felt right at home with all the nine-year-old hugs. Francisca, a sixth-grader in a bright blue uniform with matching beret, transferred my giant purse from my shoulder to her own and took my hand to escort me around her school. We met with the lady who started this school three years ago, another Kate, and she shared with us her vision for this little place. She told us that this part of Jos, because it is far removed from the hustle and bustle, was neglected a public school because of lack of government funding. The parents in the neighborhood were told they would need to send their children to different parts of the city to learn. With the unreasonable cost of transportation, uniforms, and other school fees the children of this neighborhood were left uneducated. When Kate realized this problem so asked the nearby Baptist church for permission to use some of their unused small buildings and started Elim School. There are now close to one hundred children learning in the four pink buildings. We were able to visit with the kindergarteners, who sang us a lovely song, and some of the upper-level children who welcomed us to Jos. We were sad to need to leave after just a short amount of time but were invited to return whenever we have the chance. I have to get back to this school before I leave Nigeria.
Greg brought us back into town in time for lunch and Team D invited Adrie and I to head over to the museum shops where they needed to complete their final shopping needs. Adrie went the other day so opted to stay home, but I was up for another new and exciting adventure! It was a good walk, just under two kilometers, but crossing crazy motorbike traffic always stresses me out. The shops are in an area of Jos that includes history museums, the school, and more oyibo tourists than other parts of the city. It was nice to see some trees! We wandered around the little artisan shops for a good hour or so looking and bartering. There are so many beautiful paintings, wood carvings, funky pieces of jewelry, and odd trinkets. Jon and Kristen bought a really nice painting and I spent most of my time talking with Elizabeth, the owner of one of the shops, while we chose necklaces that would look good on each other. She talked me into buying the one she chose for me. Walking back to the flat was a little warmer than before but we were able to spot some lizards, rams, and two donkeys to add to our knowledge of Jos wildlife. Of course we also saw the dozens of motorbike drivers peeing on walls or into gutters. Some things are just not a huge issue here.
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