I made it!
From Global Lutheran Outreach missionarie Joshua Wareham (Serving in Jos, Nigeria)
I made it. I’m here! Here I am! I made it to Nigeria! It seemed like I would never make it to Hillcrest. I was thinking, “Well, I gave it a good shot. Maybe next year I’ll make it out there. It was a long trip. I flew 6,224 miles…Wow, this is the farthest from home I have ever been, but I could not be more ecstatic to be here to serve the community in Christ’s name.
So far since I have been here, I have been quarantined to my apartment and been teaching online. I have seen a little bit 
of Nigeria on the drive to Hillcrest and some of Jos when I went to get my COVID test. The country is beautiful, and I am ready to learn more about it once I am allowed to leave my apartment. I have been warmly welcomed by everyone here and am starting to settle into my new apartment here. The apartment Hillcrest has provided, and it is fantastic. It has no A/C or heater, but what is wonderful about it, is I don’t need them. The temperature here is terrific! I have been here for a week now, and I haven’t closed my windows. Its not too hot and not too cold. If I want to wear a hoodie, I turn on my fan.
This was my second Nigerian meal. I had this for lunch. This is pounded yam with beef and red sauce. It was absolutely delicious. The pounded yam was a playdough consistency and texture with a tomato and beef based sauce with various spices. That is the best way I can describe it. It was delicious.
Plans
“Is today the day that the embassies will open?” – I remember thinking this everyday for the past few months, checking the embassy’s website almost every day. I thought it would never open. I prayed and prayed. After feeling like I had exhausted myself with this prayer, I said, “God, this wanting the embassies to open is just making me miserable, please help me to focus on teaching and being with the people around me. Remind me that you are in control and you will send me when you know I am ready.”
My stress about going to Nigeria quickly faded, and I was able to focus on what was important. A few days later I got a call from Samson, he was helping me with the visa process, he said, “Josh, the embassy in Atlanta is taking visa application; submit yours.”
I did all of the paper work and set up a date to submit it to the embassy. I was the going to the office the following Monday. I went and submitted my paper work; everything went perfectly and then I was told, “You will get your visa in about three weeks.”
This meant that I had time to say goodbye and be with my family and friends for a little longer. It was great. I had plenty of time to do what I needed before leaving. Well, Friday of the same week came, and I get a call, “Your visa is ready for pickup.”
The Lord blessed me with many blessings before I left. He gave me extra time with my family, extra time to prepare, extra time to reflect on His word, extra time for many other things. With this extra time he gave me, I was able to come here in confidence knowing that Christ has a plan, and He will follow through with His plan when He is ready. One week to get a visa and then the next to fly out is nothing but a miracle. Thanks be to God.
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