Nigeria Journal: Part 7

 After we received our gifts we were entertained by lady dancers who performed several outstanding numbers for us.  They even got us up and dancing with them!

   Ignatius preached a little and then Brett preached and was well received.  After that Darlene got up and declared the prophecy of Nigeria, Queen of Africa.  We didn’t leave the church until after 2:00!  We were there for 5 hours and they just flew by!

Darlene, thanking the church for such a warm welcome
and reminding them that Nigeria is the Queen of Africa

Pastor Brett preaching to the  congregation

  

Next we drove to Ignatius and Lozie's’ home, met their sons and ate food prepared by Lozie and ladies of the the church.  We ate rice (a staple of almost every meal), something called bean cake, which I had a hard time eating and not gagging on, and 2 little pieces of tough chicken thigh. The helpings were huge!  Mostly carbs and very little protein, I guess that why.    Their living room and dining room were lovely and air conditioned.

The beautiful home and wonderful hospitality of
Lozie and Ignatius Umunna

   After lunch Ignatius decided to take us on a ride to the wealthier part of Lagos.  We left his apartment around 5:00, in 2 vans.  We were trying to get to a section called “The Island” but it was beginning to get dark.  Suddenly we got a phone call from U C in the other van that he’d been stopped by the police for talking on his cell phone while driving.  By the time we located them it was totally dark.  U C had to pay a bribe to not have his car impounded.  Then we drove to Mega Chicken, where we were bought dinner.  I just had a little garden salad with hard boiled egg.  It was mostly cabbage.  We sure are going through the bottled water!  I bet I drank a gallon today!

   We finally got back to the hotel around 9:00 at night.  After being in those tight dresses all day we were so sticky and hot!  So, shower and bed.  Last night we slept with the AC on and poor Penny nearly froze.  So tonight we decided to cool the room off and sleep with with AC off.

This is the banner that was on the wall at the back of the church,
with all of our "mug shots"

The Hotel Demordent, our home base while in Lagos

This is Pastor Steven
(Doesn't he look just a wee bit like Elmer Fudd?)

Nigeria Journal Part 5: Dinner in Lagos and Dressing Like the Natives.

 I don’t remember how long we rode in the cars but by the time we got to the fast food joint where we ate dinner it was dark.  The place was called “Mega Chicken.”       

Ezekial, pastor Brett, and Pastors Ignatius and Lozie at
Mega Chicken

It was a 2 story building.  The bottom floor was split between a side where traditional foods could be bought and eaten.  The other side offered different kinds of rice dishes, pounded yam, chicken and beef dishes, some salads and refreshments.  I had some beef, joloff rice, which was white rice in a red spicy sauce, sticks of pounded yam and a coke.  Pounded yam is not like sweet potatoes that we think of as yams.  They are extremely large tubers that taste more like white potatoes.  They're very high in starch but not sweet at all.

piles of yams, at the market in Owerri

   Next we went to the DeMordent Hotel, where we would be staying while we were in Lagos.  By the time we got here it was around 10:30 at night.  It's quite an opulent hotel, with marble sided walls, deluxe bathrooms, a lovely dining room/lounge and lovely staff.

The Demordent Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria

We were met by Sister Esther, who had sewn outfits for each of us.  We each received 2 outfits. 

Susie, Rod and Darlene in the outfits made for us by Sister Esther

I'm all decked out in my Nigerian finery.

 The men’s were like pajamas; pull up pants with elastic waist lines and pullover tops with embroidery around the vented neckline.  One set was white with a blue design and the other was white with a pink and purple design.  We women each received a loose fitting muumuu kind of dress that was pink and white and grey and had elaborate appliqué at the neckline.   The other was a tight fitting two piece dress.  The top was tailored tight at the waist with short puffed sleeves and a square cut neckline.  It zippered up the back.  The skirt had elastic at the waist but also zippered up the back.  It was tight to right above the knees and then flared out like a mermaid skirt.  It was green with white and red lozenge shapes on it, with black trim at the neckline and sleeves.  I have to say, that although I don’t normally wear tight fitting clothes, it was the perfect size and looked good on me!  But, oh!  It was hard getting in and out of the SUV in it!

   Finally, around 11:30 we dropped into bed!