SOLD to the highest bidder!

     So today, we will start with an amusing anecdote! I went to church today with Erin at the church where all the boys from the Transition House (TH) attend. Again, the visitors were asked to stand up and introduce themselves. I was one of three. I was last. “Good morning. I’m Lauren from America…Texas, and I am here with Gidan Bege for 10 weeks.” As I sat down, I was asked from the pulpit if I was married…then he continued on with how someone here might just marry me, and how they can go to Gidan Bege and ask about the girl from Texas, and something about going to Texas, and something else that seemed to last forever…normally when one says that it only lasted 30 seconds…nope! This one really did last several minutes. Then you start noticing certain men glance over…AWKWARD!! Erin and I had just watched the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, and I wasn’t quite sure if the bidding was going to start any moment. Then at the end of the service which was about prayer, we first prayed for everyone who was looking for a mate, “especially the ladies at Gidan Bege”, and they were to stand up(as our heads were bowed)…I didn’t dare move.
     As regards to the rumor, I was not able to come. However, had I come it would have made no difference. I don’t know if there has been any news about Nigeria, but this is the situation. The government has raised the taxes and the gasoline prices have doubled. The people are fed up. On Thursday, the people led a national strike. Schools were closed (but thats nothing new), banks were closed, taxis put leaves on their car to symbolize they were not going to give rides (which left the roads very bare), stores were closed, and then apparently on Friday night NEPA (the power company) also decided to shut down. I believe the strike is over now, but we are still waiting to see what the government is going to do. Please continue to keep the leadership of this country in your prayers…especially for protection against corruption and conviction to act on the people’s behalf.
     I want to thank you for your prayers. God seems to be giving me more direction and focus for my ministry here. With 150 kids in the city ministry plus maybe 60 more at the EMS school, it is hard not to feel like you are abandoning or rejecting some for the sake of others. There will be more on this as I know more in the next couple of days. PS The little four-year-old in the picture to the right is Faith.
     Lastly, I will be traveling this week to two other Gidan Beges. The four of us who are going hope to accomplish compiling a quarterly report, making health assessments, and interviewing all 45 boys there. These interviews is what I will be helping with. The hope is that eventually they will all be sponsored, and their stories can be sent to their sponsors. Please pray for safety while traveling and strength.