Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Our Plans/His Direction

Hi Everyone,
Last Thursday morning, the entire B2B staff caravanned to Miango Rest Home/Retreat Center which is about an hour away. This retreat center was founded by missionaries in 1919 and many of its buildings we still used. It's not fancy but it's a wonderful place to get away - have someone else do the cooking (yippee!!), have good quiet times with the Lord and get some ministry planning accomplished. Where we live in Jos, there truly is no grass (or at least we haven't seen any) so to enter behind it's walls and see all the lovely trees, flowers and GREEN GRASS was wonderful!! In the early years of the retreat center, foreign missionaries did the day-to-day running of it but now it is completely directed and facilitated by Nigerian Christians. The town/village of Miango is right outside the gates and many of its people work now at and for the rest home.

Our first night there we had a Murder Mystery Party for the staff and what fun we had. We each had been given a "character" that we were to portray and we had to find clothes to support that character. The theme of the mystery night was a group of people in Las Vegas at one of the casinos when a murder takes place and someone in the room "did it." We each had to, within our character role, try to find the person who was the murderer.
My character was Jamie the Journalist and Crist was Sam the Security Guard. Corrie (daughter) was Lucy Legs (a showgirl) and John was an Elvis Impersonator. I had never been to one of these mystery parties before and Emilee and Jason had put alot of work behind getting things ready and I think everyone had a fun evening. Both Crist and I didn't figure out the murder (for your info - Ace the High Roller was the one murdered and his wife of one day, Hustling Hailey, "did it.").

Each morning we went up a hill where a gazebo was situated overlooking a wide terrain of a beautiful landscape of Nigeria. In the picture below, you can see the little village tucked there in amongst the trees. You could see people coming and going as we sat there worshipping God and His beautiful creation right in front of us.
We had planning sessions throughout each day and times to rest and relax. One of the meals we even had meatloaf - and for those of you who know Crist well - you can imagine how excited he was (he LOVES meatloaf!!).
It was great to get away, but for us of the older generation - it was nice to get back to our firmer bed. A church in Ohio was generous enough to provide the funds so that the retreat could happen - Jehovah Jireh - our Provider!! PTL!
Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
We made some plans during the retreat - but ultimately God's plans will prevail!!
Chat with you again soon!
In-joy,
Eileen and Crist



2 comments:

  1. Hello and God's peace to you and your family.
    ISAIAH 45 VERSE 1-2-3
    ISAIAH 55 VERSE 5 VERSE AND 12
    LUKE 1 VERSE 37
    REVELATION 3 VERSE 8
    Jesus is the way the truth and the life
    Greetings from
    Jan Samuel from Norway.

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  2. I wonder how many people read your blog (many of them I have never heard of) and think that they can do what you and your children are doing? I know I can not and probably wouldn't have the strength to accomplish what your family is doing. I also wonder if those who read this know that you are all truly instruments of God. People he is using to "pave the way" just like He used John. I don't know if those reading really do understand the impact that you (all of you) have on the rest of the world. I know He does that was His plan for your steps. I hope each of you know the impact you have had on our lives. With Love, Theresa

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