From NGA Before We Travel

This is probably the last moment I'll have to write before we leave Nigeria for 4 weeks. The blog may be silent during that stretch. We'll see ...

So, we leave in about 56 hours ... or so. Not counting, of course, cuz not excited in the least! :-)

Updates will be brief for our To-Do lists are long!

Job: It's now official. It's truly unlike anything I've ever done before. I'm working for Jim's company, which feels really weird -- fortunately for them it's not a job relating to computers or science or oil or anything like that because in those areas I'm totally clueless. It's in Personnel -- official title: Family Liaison Officer or Logistics Coordinator. In a nutshell, I'm responsible for creating the best possible experience for each person's time in Nigeria with Jim's company, whether they are an expat or a Nigerian. It's working with all employees and families, beginning before they arrive, to prepare them for the adjustments, arrange housing, schooling, etc. I will work with the remodeling on the 3 camps, assign houses, meet the people when they arrive on the bus from the airport, take them around town, help with culture shock, and then "keep everyone happy" -- which is, of course, impossible and I hope the company knows that.

We (Personnel folks) just worked on a welcome booklet yesterday and I inserted a statement "Your experience will be as positive as you choose to make it. Attitude is everything!" Right now, the whole thing is a logistical nightmare with people fighting over housing, etc. Hence, the need to hire someone. Strangely, my first official day on the job is my first day back in the US --- so, thanks to email I'll be able to do a lot of tasks but obviously not all. And, that's why I'm scrambling now for these last few days we have here, trying to get things in place and some processes begun.

It's a very flexible job, which is wonderful. It's a very huge job, which is not so wonderful. I'm quite excited, though, because it pulls from a lot of my previous experiences in working with people. A particular experience with some power-hungry and dishonest individuals has actually prepared me quite well. I know God is grinning, because He truly does cause alllllll things to work together for good ... (Romans 8:28 and on) The whole thing requires patience, discernment, tactfulness, strength of resolve, and the love of people! It's very collaborative, which I love. And it's making sense out of a mess, which I also love! Of course, there's no formal teaching but there is a lot of influencing and developing of systems and of individuals. OK. You can see that I am excited even in the midst of being overwhelmed.

Jim: needs your prayer. Our bed has been terrible for each of our backs. The toll has been greatest on Jim. He now has seen a few Docs, had a few tests, and has many Dr. visits scheduled for Colorado. He's got a slipped disc and a pinched sciatic (sp?) nerve. He's on 5 different meds and while traveling he will wear a "corset" -- picture muslim with 39 hooks and laces. Just kidding! It's a very modern, black, manly sort of thing! Anyway, he's finally gotten ahead of the pain but a few nights ago he was hurting so much that I had to call the camp Dr. at 3 a.m. God did give him a great sleep the rest of that night and, of course, I didn't sleep much at all. But, all is under control for now. The great thing is that we get to fly business class and, even when his back is great, for a guy Jim's size that's really good news! This means we'll have to hire movers to get our boxes into storage, but that's not all bad.

Schedule: Colorado Aug. 1 through 11 and Alaska Aug. 11 through 24. Then 24 - 26, but really just the 25th, in CO before we head back to NGA. I REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY want to hook up with you. Our home phone still works -- 303 663-8207. To the Denverites, let's get together. It may have to be in "clumps!" of women if that's ok?? I know that Jim plans on getting into the Denver office for a visit. (Between all of those Dr. visits -- not quite the visiting he had hoped for!) In Alaska, it's all family and friends all of the time. Brad and Karissa's wedding is Aug. 19. Oh boy!!! Joey will arrive from Aussieland and Jeri will arrive from Thailand. Can you see my smile from where you are?