We're home!

Twenty-nine hours after leaving Jos, Nigeria we arrived in Lansing to the warm hugs of our families-spouses plus Nancy and Brian's daughter Amanda. We're travel-weary, but not exhausted. In many ways, we're energized by our experience and remember warmly our Nigerian friends who we treated us to warm African hospitality.

In important part of the few days we spend in Jos before leaving for home was debriefing. We met with CRWRC, Beacon of Hope, and Christian Reformed World Missions leaders to discuss the partnership and put our experiences in perspective and align them to the broader mission in Nigeria. All of us shared excitement about the work and the part that RTC can play in it.

Travel day: Mkar to Jos

Today we traveled from Mkar in Benue state to Jos in Plateau state--a drive of about 6 hours. At sunset, we ferried across the Benue River. We call the trip on the river "exciting" --there was room on the wooden ferry boat for our vehicle and us, not much else.

As we left Benue state, we carried with us memories of those whose lives have been ravage

d by HIV/AIDS. The photo nearby is of 4 orphans from NKST churches in the Zaki-Biam ar

ea.

These are several of many orphans who have lost both parents to the AIDS epidemic. They have been taken in by relatives (sometimes distant) and are receiving support from the

congregation's women's fellowship to be able to have adequate care. It is orphans like these that our EmbraceAIDS gift catalog's school fees

go toward.