The Browns in Africa: November in Lagos

Went shopping with our driver for Christmas gifts for the missionaries in our mission to a shopping district called Balogun. Many people wanted to discuss the election and were excited that a black man had been elected. The shopping area consists of block after block of "shops" stacked on top of each other very precariously and jammed together side by side. The walkway is very narrow; in some places allowing only one person to squeeze through and in other places a little wider. Amazingly cars and kaykays drive through, honking loudly. And you had better get out of the way or you would be bumped.

We were busy this week receiving 14 new missionaries - 13 from Nigeria and one from Ghana. They were interviewed; received a short training; fed and sent on their way. Many of them did not have necessities. We gave them sheets, socks, pants, toiletries, a mosquito net, malaria pills, etc. While all this was going on, another group of missionaries were being transferred to a new location. This group was fed and then moved. None of them have cars so the mission vans pick them up at their apartments, drive them to the mission home and then take them to their new location. The living conditions are quite basic (as you may have seen on our blog).

We get together frequently in the evening with 2 other senior missionary couples for dinner and games. We are not able to go out at night because of mosquitoes carrying malaria and the unsafe environment. We attended a devotional where a member of the African West Area Presidency told us that our area will be piloting a new teaching program using General Conference talks instead of manuals for the youth. Another program he announced is to help find members who have moved and cannot be located.

An African woman