Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

On Thursday May 9th, I left Greensboro for Detroit, Michigan.  Upon arrival, I met David Powell and after lunch in the airport Chili’s; we boarded a Northwest flight for Amsterdam.  There we met up with seven other Americans headed for the First Annual Lectureship at the School of Biblical Studies in Jos.  Five of these men were speakers along with two men from the Foot Street church of Christ in Corinth, Mississippi.  The Foot Street congregation is considering assuming the oversight of the school.

After a couple of hours layover in Amsterdam, we boarded a KLM flight for Nigeria.  Part of the flight involved our flying over the Sahara Desert.  Even at 30,000 feet the sand and dunes of the desert were clearly visible.  About twenty-four hours after leaving Greensboro we landed in Abuja, Nigeria, about 10:30 P. M. local Nigeria time.  After clearing customs, we met Steve Worley who took us to a local hotel where we spent the night before making the 3-4 hour trip to Jos. The motel had an elevator that was big enough for two Americans with luggage.  The rooms were equipped with a working shower and air conditioning.  Friday night was the last time we had air or running water until we landed in Amsterdam on the return trip.

Once in Jos we were taken to the Bishop’s Quarters where we were for the rest of the time in Jos.  The rooms were equipped with a single bed, a mosquito net, dresser, and wardrobe.  A bathroom was provided with a shower (without running water) toilet (also without running water), a sink (which had running water long enough every couple of days to fill a 25-30 gallon barrel) and the barrel of water for washing and flushing the toilet.

The cost of the room included breakfast each morning.  Breakfast usually included an omelet, chips (home fries), porridge (oatmeal), bread, jam, and instant coffee or tea. Some mornings there was also a gravy with peas, carrots, and ??? in it.

Friday evening we attended a special service for the graduation ceremonies the next day.  Saturday we all went to the school for the graduation ceremonies where 8 men received their diplomas.  All of these men left school with places to preach and a desire to seek and save the lost with the message of the gospel.  Lord willing, next week’s bulletin will detail the rest of the week.

—Denny