Pray for Rain!!
Hello again!
This post is all about the weather. And by weather, I mean intense heat without air conditioning or fans. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to fall asleep inside an oven!
I was listening to the radio while going with the children to school, and the host was apologizing for the intense heat Nigeria is experiencing. He said that usually it's not this bad.
And the other thing is there is a constant haze, which makes everything exponentially hotter. If you look at the picture below, it says 29 at night, but feels like 43. Which makes my room feel like death in a box.
So as you can see, we're breaking some records over here! I know Canada has been pretty warm as of late, but I think Ibadan takes the cake.
The only hope I have now is rain. And I mean a nice long, cool rain. For the first time in my life, I have been praying for rain constantly. I now understand why people make rain dances! (I've got to be honest with you: I have contemplated doing this many times).
And look what I've got coming my way! I just hope that it's enough to truly cool down the city. If we only get a little, it will evaporate and make it muggier (=hotter). Please pray that God will bless us with rain! (I want to be able to sleep again!)
In other news, the routine is getting better. At first I felt pretty useless, not understanding the language, and not knowing what was happening when. But now I realize that they intentionally left me to do not much for the first week to get accustomed to the temperature and the food.
Today, I received my first project, which was to clean out the toy corner in the play room, and throw out broken ones, bring in new ones and organize it all. We put all the toys in the cupboard (pictured above) and then locked it so the little ones couldn't rip everything out as soon as they came home from school. It's good to feel useful, and Mr. Idowu said that he is going to give me more projects and outings to go on as I stay here. What an answer to prayer!
Anyways, I'd like to end this with a happy list (inspired by Allie).
1. the international phone I have to call my mom at 2 in the morning here to ask her to pray for me and the heat
2. the internet I can use to Skype and email my parents every day (call me a mama's kid, but its' true)
3. the brief bout of electricity this afternoon while making a puzzle inside
4. the promise of rain
5. the dancing, singing, happy children around me all the time
6. the project I was given to do
7. the nutella my mom packed for me
8. the healing of the girls with chicken pox (they've had it since I arrived, and they've had a pretty rough time of it)
9. the food I've been eating (I thought I would be overwhelmed with the spicy taste, but it has been pretty awesome so far)
10. the continued support of my friends, family and people I haven't even met who are just contacting me now to share their excitement for what I am doing
For all of you back in Canada, I love you, I miss you, I would love to talk to you, and I envy your cool nights :)
Peace,
Sierra
P.S. Don't forget to pray for just the right amount RAIN!
"Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field."
Zechariah 10:1
God is good ALL the time....ALL the time God is good! We are delighted to hear that your days a filling up and that you are starting to feel more at home in your new surroundings. Praise the Lord for answered prayer.
ReplyDeleteLove you lots
M
Hi Sierra,
ReplyDeleteI would like you to sing this song with me unto the Most High God... and let's us leave the rest to the LORD.
"There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.
Chorus: Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php
ALL IS WELL... and pls note that Ibadan is known for devastating flooding reports. We need to pray against flooding also. God Bless Ibadan now and always in Jesus Name! Amen!
Pstr O (4rm Barrie)
Has it rained yet?
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Otorongongo
Nope! We're still sweating it out right now. :)
DeleteTomorrow. Be prepared.
DeleteShalom
Otorongongo
Ibadan is the capital of Oyo, Nigeria’s third biggest city by populace, and the biggest in geographical area.
DeleteLandmarks, monument, and other places:
In the Institute of African studies building, there is a museum which shows a lot of astonishing pre-historic statues and bone carvings. The Ibadan city has a number of well-stocked libraries and is the home of Africa’s very first television station.
Dugbe Market is the centre of trading and transport networks of Ibadan city. The most preferable means of moving about the city is by using notable landmarks and reference points. Ibadan city also possesses a botanical garden situated at Agodi, and a zoological garden situated inside the University of Ibadan.
The Bower Memorial Tower, which is visible from almost any place in the city, also gives an outstanding view of the entire city from above. Another famous landmark is the Cocoa House, which is Africa’s first skyscraper. It is among a number of skyscrapers in Ibadan city and is at the core of the commercial centre of Ibadan.
Other site attractions are:
* Mapo Hall – a city hall in colonial style that is perched on a hill called Mapo Hill
*Mokola – a cultural centre
* Liberty Stadium – the very first stadium built in Africa.
* The Trans Wonderland amusement park
The University College Hospital, which is Nigeria’s first teaching hospital, and the University of Ibadan, which is the first stronghold of higher learning, were both constructed in this ancient however, highly significant city.
You trying to impress me with all your head knowledge, Uncle Doo Doo? :)
DeleteHey girl! how did you figure that one out?? ah man, I wanted to stretch this one out as long as I could.
DeleteNow I will have to think of somthing else and no my head knowledge about Ibadan includes nothing more than a google search and a few mouse clicks. I was just curious if all those great "africa's very first" claims are true. Maybe you can confirm that in the three months you are there.
Hope you are having a blast with the kids and the culture. Sleeping in the heat is normal - as you already know - and a great experience you will have for a life time. Just extremely annoying right now, Eh? ;-)
Take care and may our Daddy in heaven keep you safe.
PS: Did it rain yet? Should get around 2-3mm today, is that enough?
PPS:
Never be afraid to try something new.
Amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.
Your Uncle Doo Doo (when exactly do you want to drop the Doo Doo?)
haha! My mom told me it was your nickname after she spoke about it with Nana and Paka. I guess it was the name they gave you when you went on your trip to Africa?
DeleteAnd i'm not sure about the "africa's firsts". I really haven't done too much sightseeing... and honestly, tourism doesn't seem to be a big thing here so I don't know half the time if i'm at an important place or not! i am going to some place where a hot stream meets a cold stream and is supposed to have "magical" powers... OOOH!! but it is actually pretty cool that God made something like that.
And as for sleeping in the heat, I am getting used to it, and the people here are kind to me and leave the generator on for just long enough so the fan lull me to sleep.
And no, it has not rained yet!! But I'm sure it will soon... there's something for me to learn in all this, I'm sure!
I am slowly trying out new things.. I am somewhat of a cautious person to begin with, but sometimes I just have to close my eyes and jump.
Sierra
P.S. I guess i can stop calling you uncle Doo Doo... i just thought it was nice and nostalgic :)