I Leave Tomorrow

On No! I leave tomorrow. I am not even close to being ready. Why am I writing on the Blog?

Communications with Nigeria have improved the last few years. I have confirmation now that someone will meet me at the airport in Abuja and I have purchased a USB modem off the internet that should work with MTN cell phone to get very slow internet in Nigeria. It did not come with any software loaded so I have to spend a few hours on the internet getting updates to make it talk to Windows Vista and then add a new Dashboard. I cannot test it until I get there and buy a SIM card from MTN.

The trip to Bali is not firm yet. The pastor that runs the program is in Denmark. We hope to get the LCCN director of missions to take me out to Bali if his schedule is such that he can do it. I will find out that detail when I get there.

I will be staying primarily at the LCCN facility adjacent to the Jimeta Cathedral. They are finding me a spot in one of the houses. Elisabeth said I could use her generator for power so I can cook a little rice and oatmeal for meals. I am taking along some plans for solar cooking ovens and will find some cardboard and aluminum foil and make a solar oven to cook rice and make hot water for tea.

Nigeria 2009 - The Plan

This is my first note in my Blog of my Spring 2009 trip to work with the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria. I will be leaving on Tax Day. The great national holiday for liars. My planned return is June 19th. My general trip plan is as follows:

1. Fly from Minneapolis to Abuja via Amsterdam on Delta/KLM.
2. Arrive next evening & spend night in Abuja.
   
3. Exchange money, buy cell phone and data card for computer in Abuja and, if time, visit geological society office for geological maps of Adamawa. Fly to Yola.
4. Meet with Jimeta Church Bali Committee and then travel to Bali for a few days of visits.
5. Return to Jimeta and prepare videos and pictures and stories for Mt. Calvary and Zion Lutheran Church presentations by the Mt. Calvary Bali Committee.
6. Work with LCCN Water Department and Project Manager to develop a pump repair training class. This will be the main work for the next month. Each week I hope to spend one day in the field and each weekend visit a different Diocese.
7. Help with presenting the pump class.
   
8. After the pump class I hope to spend time looking at future projects and work on some specific projects. The main project being the water system for the Gongola Diocese and if we can utilize a non-flowing spring that is 600 meters from the building.
9. Stop at Jos on way back to visit Women of Hope and restock with their merchandise.
   

That is the plan. It will probably start changing when I land in Abuja or maybe even before that.
Thank goodness that I am AADD and not Type A.