Police Encounter

For the past few weeks there's often been a police vehicle waiting at a quiet spot on the road from TCNN to Jos.  The armed Nigerian police do not have a good reputation amongst their countrymen.  The conversation I had with the officer who stopped me this afternoon could give you a clue why, although I've never before encountered one as blatant.

Me: Good afternoon.
Policeman: I'm going to chop your money.
Me: Are you?
P: Give me lots of money.
Me: No.
(Incredulous look from policeman)
P: I'm going to chop your money.
Me: No you're not. That's not your job.
(Second incredulous look)
P: What's my job?
Me: To protect and serve.

At this point I think he gave up as he smiled and asked after my family before waving me on to black looks from his comrades who, with guns slung over their shoulders, were busy requesting money from the other vehicles they'd stopped.

"Do your job well," was my parting shot. "Honour God."

I await my next encounter with interest.

BRICC Retreat

Some people called it a retreat, others a day away, to some it was a picnic but whatever you want to call it, yesterday we took BRICC (Building Relationships In City Centre: www.briccjos.com) teachers and co-ordinators off to a beautiful spot some miles from Jos for a time of fun and re-visioning.  It didn't start too auspiciously for me as I sat outside the BRICC office wondering why the place was deserted and muttering about how people who live miles away in Bukuru could arrive on time whilst those who live in Jos were late.  It was only when one of the teachers knocked on my car window and said he thought we were meeting in the Plaza building (where the ladies' skills programme and most classes take place) that I realised that I hadn't actually paid much attention to the letter of instructions.  Together we drove off to the right meeting place (yet another argument in favour of a single building for the BRIC family) where there were at least a few others waiting. 
By 10am we'd packed (literally) everyone into cars and set off.
The aims of the day were to have fun, get to know one another better and consider our identity in BRICC.  All three aims were achieved with games, a very amusing time of 60 second speeches on random topics (if you want to know how doughnuts are connected to peace just ask), good food and time together.  We are a family in BRICC and that's what makes a difference in so many lives.

Take away food Nigerian style - it arrives in large insulated containers on women's heads and then is served out in situ.  Here it's jollof  (spicy fried with vegetables) rice, two large lumps of beef and coleslaw.

Toby explaining how to play "Corn Holes"

 There was a lot of fun.  Veronica declared she enjoyed herself so much that she forgot she was a wife and mother and was just herself.  Alhaji displayed grace and accuracy, unhampered by his flowing white outfit.

InReach

One of my favourite times of the week is Thursday at 4pm when I go to the InReach group at ECWA Bishara 2 church.  Joshua, the junior pastor, attended the first InReach sessions for ECWA pastors and since then has been a great supporter.  He lets us use his church and has put together lively and thoughtful groups for subsequent Inreach meetings.  These meetings have added excitement as the church where we meet is still very much under construction.
Previously we've given thanks that even in the rainy season we've never got wet.  Yesterday we were thankful that we didn't have huge metal roof supports dropping on our heads.  In the UK no one would be allowed near the building, all the workers would have hard hats and the scaffolding wouldn't be made of wood. In Nigeria it's perfectly acceptable to hold meetings on the first floor whilst large pieces of metal are being manoeuvred above (there was another floor in between). The whole breezeblock-built building did shake a few times but only one girder can crashing down near us.
It was an eventful session. Not only was there the excitement of the roof but the Boys Brigade were having a marching practice on the football pitch by the church.  You can't march alone so soon they (and we) were accompanied by a marching band - those trumpets and drums that I appriciate so much some Saturday mornings between 5am and 6am at TCNN but in far greater numbers.
Despite all these distractions we had a great discussion though we might have to show the dvd again next week when people can hear it.