Today we slept in due to our long day yesterday, and returned to SIL Nigeria to observe Rachel and her team. They were studying 11 different stories in the Waci language to look for similar words/phrases in them that mark certain points in a narrative (I.e in English we use words like “Next” or “Additionally” to show we are starting a new thought or paragraph). Rachel’s team had a breakthrough today and was able to find common markers in a handful of the stories- corroborating evidence, of sorts- that shows that those words or phrases would be reliable to use in translation of the Waci language going forward. Rachel was really excited about this, and even more joyful that those on her team were understanding this as well. We praise God for their clear and discerning minds to be able to understand a new language for His glory!

Jimmy and I had the chance to network over lunch with John Sacson, who leads the recruiting efforts at SIL Nigeria. He took us to a cafe in Jos that closely resembled an American coffee shop! We all enjoyed the “Good Ole American Burger,” as the menu called it. John is connected with The Masters Seminary, as well as one of Bethany’s current partners, Kwacha Simwaka! What a cool ‘God’ moment connecting us all! John is passionate about both the growth of SIL Nigeria but also the Word of God and sound, reformed doctrine. He has long term goals of raising up a reformed ECWA (The denomination of Rachel’s church here) seminary to turn Nigeria into a country that disciples and sends out missionaries, instead of mainly receiving them. Even though we were just getting to know John this week, we appeared to align closely on many ecclesiological and doctrinal matters, and Jimmy hopes to continue to connect with him in the future. I plan to stay in touch with John as well while I discern my own call to ministry, possibly here in Nigeria.

John also took us to meet with a woman named Mandy, who started a care ministry for pregnant women close to labor and those who recently gave birth but are unable to properly nurse their newborns. Mandy began lactation training in her home a few years ago, and since baby formula can be so expensive for mothers in Nigeria, the infant mortality rate is sadly very high here, as well as for mothers at birth. Through simple word of mouth, Mandy’s ministry has grown to care for hundreds of women, and over 500 babies have been saved as a direct result of their ministry- Carry Them. We rejoice at this! Let us pray for more babies to be saved through this ministry. Let us also pray for America to be a repentant country and turn from the evil of abortion. These children would be so easily written off, BUT GOD, rich in mercy, has saved these little ones. Let us persist and pray for the unborn and those in need of care as infants.

After work, we drove to the neighborhood where we enjoyed dinner with the Yoder and Rowbory families the previous two nights this week. Tonight it was with Gareth, Katherine, and their son and daughter (we regret forgetting their last name). They are English, and with the Rowbory’s (Julie being Northern Irish and David being Scottish) also joining us here for dinner, things became very British very fast! We learned all about how to play Cricket and Julie gave us a rundown of some British history, but things got the most entertaining when Jimmy asked the British/Irish/Scottish dinner table about their perception on King Charles and the Royal Family drama… listening to a friendly debate in those three accents lived up to expectations! Some good fun and clearly mixed feelings on this from them. Jimmy and I might return with a little bit of an accent after all the time with these families! We love them, and praise God for this community Rachel has that loves the Lord and her!

-Evan