Hard Work

sunrise in africa

Me with most of the teachers at Gyero + Nancy

It’s been interesting for me to see the culture of Nigeria and the culture of Italy. One component that really stands out to me is hard-work. In this post I’m going to talk about hard-work I saw in Nigeria and in Italy.

Almost every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while I was in Jos, Amos picked me up on his way to work. Amos is a Nigerian who has been working for the Fretheims for many years. He works at the same compound that Nancy lives at. It was good to get to know Amos a little bit during our drives. Most Nigerians I met are so hard-working. Amos picked me up whether it was on his way or not. If he was running late, he picked me up anyway. There  were only two times when he couldn’t pick me up - one when he was in Abuja and one when his car was at the shop. He never asked for any money but willingly picked me up three days a week. During my time in Nigeria, he had a bunch of family staying at his house. I found out through Peter that there was way more people than there was space in the house. But instead of telling his visiting family that he didn’t have room, they shared beds and made do. Amos has been a good example to me and displayed some character qualities that I hope to take back with me to the U.S. He is a servant and he is self-less in that he is willing to pick me up whether it is convenient for him or not. Most people I know only do favors for others if it is convenient. He is also hospitable and loving. Before most americans are willing to host company, they have to make sure their house and everything is just right. God knows that we don’t have everything together, but He does call us to be hospitable. 

I’m not sure if I ever told you the names of the teachers out at Gyero. In Nigeria they call a lot of people “auntie” and “uncle”. I was called auntie amy. Anyway, auntie Mercy teaches class 1. Uncle Julius teaches class 2. Uncle Lonz teaches class 3. Uncle Felix teaches class 4. Auntie Margaret teaches class 5. Auntie Rahab teaches the boosting class. These teachers are truly amazing. They are so hard-working. 

Auntie Mercy is married, has children, is a house parent, and is a teacher. As a house parent, in addition to her own family, she is also responsible for a certain amount of the orphans. She teaches Monday-Friday from 8am until 1pm. Then at 1 she goes to her compound and takes care of several orphans. If her husband is not home she has to bring her children with her to school. 

Uncle Julius has been coming to Gyero for about three years now but this is his first full year teaching. He is married and has a baby. His family lives in Kagoro and the most he gets to see them is on the weekends. Kagoro is about a two hour drive from Jos. Some weekends he doesn’t get to go home. During the week he lives in Gyero with Uncle Lonz and the orphans. I can’t imagine only seeing my family on certain weekends. 

Uncle Lonz came to city ministries when he was 16 years old. He has actually gone through the system somewhat. I’m not entirely sure how long he has been working at Gyero. I do remember him being there when I came in 2012. He is a house parent and a teacher. He told me that he is a scientist and he really wants to sell his inventions to the public. Right now he is trying to get registered with the government. Uncle Lonz is a thinker and is always coming up with new ideas. He wants me to help him write a book titled, The Power of Thinking. 

Uncle Felix is married to Auntie Rahab and they have a baby named Cherish. I’m not sure how long he has been teaching. Auntie Rahab just started teaching in February. The boosting class teacher left and God provided Auntie Rahab to take over. It was such an answer to prayer! 

Auntie Margaret has children of her own and also lives in Gyero.

These teachers are truly amazing. They never get a break. It’s not like they can leave and take a vacation. Then who would watch over the orphans? But they do it all so joyfully always praising and thanking God. It really makes me appreciate my life. I have it so easy. 

Please continue to pray for Nigeria! 

• Pray for the teachers at Gyero. Right now they are on Easter break. Pray that they would get good rest.
• Continue to pray for safety in Gyero. Pray that the POLICE would be involved there.

on the farm

I have also gotten a chance to get to know hard-working people in Italy too. Giacomo and Helena are both very hard-working. It’s not easy running a farm. There are always things to be done. On top of running a farm and taking care of a family, both Helena and Giacomo are also translators. Helena usually works on the farm in the morning and translates in the afternoon. Giacomo is always doing something around the farm or translating. It’s been fun to see what it’s like to run a farm and I’ve enjoyed the past two weeks!