Mr. Moody and I arrived safely in Lagos at 3:40PM local time yesterday afternoon, after a relatively uneventful series of flights. No delays and no issues with connecting flights, which we are incredibly thankful for. There were some concerns with regards to the Harmattan here in Lagos, which may have impacted flights. There is still that potential next week as we fly to Benin City, and Owerri – that those flights may be grounded by this year’s above average Harmattan.

The Harmattan is a hot, dry wind that carries fine particles of dust with it from the Sahara Desert. The dust is red and basically – everything in West Africa right now is covered in a millimeter-thick or more layer of fine red dust. Air quality is rated at a 4 out of 5 with 5 being the worst. North of us in Abuja—the country’s capital—their air quality was a 5. When it gets really bad – when people spend any length of time outside, they can develop serious coughs and breathing trouble as the dust permeates their airways. Some with breathing issues can die. Combine it with the smoke from the cooking fires and the exhaust – it can be a real air quality challenge.

Temperatures are hovering between 95 and 98 degrees Fahrenheit, 85% humidity, so it was a pretty stark shift from the weather we’ve been having in Oregon.

We connected up with Paul Ogundipe who took us from the airport to grab dinner—traditional Nigerian: Jollof with Chicken pepper stew, Asun (Fried goat meat, onions and peppers), and dodo (fried plantain)—then it was off to connect with the Akinbo’s, where we’ll be staying for the next few days while we’re here in Lagos.

Mr. Moody and I were thankful to have the opportunity to sleep in this morning and catch up on some rest, and after the flights and the more than 24 hours in transit – we both needed it desperately.

Today was built-in to our schedule as a rest day so we could recuperate and prep for the Sabbath here in Lagos tomorrow. There is a large activity planned with the Lagos brethren, that will go well into the night. Sunday through Wednesday we’ll be visiting brethren here locally and preparing for travel to Benin City, God willing.

It’s wonderful to have been able to visit Nigeria now for the past 5 years. Individuals I got to know on that first trip are having children and families are growing. They’re marrying and getting their careers started, all within the hardships that occur as a result of the locale. It is incredible to see God blessing their obedience and caring for them as they lean into Him. The blessings of good solid jobs, healthy families, greater financial well being… all within the backdrop of challenging circumstances, and God’s care for His people is beautiful to see.

The work that God is doing in all of us – not just here in Nigeria, but in the United States, and around the world is an incredible miracle – that He has called us, given us this incredible opportunity to become a part of His family – provided for us, cared for us, and blessed us – while we were still enemies, giving His Son for our sins that we might live is amazing.

It is that blessing that shortly we will be coming together, all around the world to commemorate on the Passover.

As we enter into this season – it provides us with a time of introspection and enables us to look back over the years and consider where we are. How are we yielding to God in our lives? How are we enabling Him to live in us? Are we running? Are we pushing back? Or are we humbly submitting ourselves to Him in all circumstances?

As the Passover approaches, we must all ask these sorts of questions. 1st Corinthians 11:27-29 speaks to this:

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

That we must examine ourselves—test or prove ourselves—to determine where we stand. The goal of course not being that we conclude that we are somehow too sinful that we cannot take of the Passover, that’s the point of Passover, that we need the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf – but to recognize the magnitude of that sacrifice. To appreciate and be thankful for it – and to encourage repentance because of the magnitude of what was done on our behalf.

That’s the goal, whether you live in the U.S. or in West Africa, or wherever – that blood was shed for you and me, and everyone.

Examine yourselves! Take the time to consider where you are with regards to your relationship with God. Take the time to ask God to help you to see yourself as He sees you--to understand what needs to shift to improve and strengthen that relationship.

I hope you have a wonderful Sabbath and a valuable examination period.