TRAVEL RECOMENDATIONS FOR NIGERIA
1. Be absolutely certain that God is leading you to go, and, not just a personal whim. The sons of God are led by the Holy Spirit. Rom.8.
2. Among the Yoruba, bow as an indication of respect.
3. Whatever the culture, try to learn the language. They will be pleased and honoured by every attempt. At the same time, believe it or not, it is very important for you to try as hard as possible, to speak Nigerian English so that you can be understood a much greater percentage of the time. ("Gdaytah pahsentaj o' de tahm")
4. Drink ONLY bottled or well boiled water, or you can get very ill. This includes Lagos, good hotels, and nice hostesses. You can drink the local water by faith and get very sick, or, you can drink bottled water by faith, and stay well.
5. Carry with you some toilet paper at all times.
6. Carry 3 sets of identification, 1 in your luggage, one on your person, and one in your personal bag. This I.D. should include copies of your passport, your plane ticket, your driver's license, your itinerary, etc.
This way, if one set is stolen, lost, or destroyed, you will be ahead of the game. Leave showy items of value at home: rings, watches, jewelry, unless you want to give them. (You may be asked unashamedly by a brother or sister or thief, could they have it?)
7. From before you arrive at Lagos, make sure that you have some Nigerian currency, in small amounts and values, so as to be able to give at a moment's notice. This can save a lot of hassle. Begging is respectable.
8. Be led by the Holy Spirit always, and especially as to how to relate to those who confront you, such as soldiers, robbers, intimidators, etc.
9. Learn proper protocol when greeting dignitaries, etc.
10. Carry ear plugs to blot out the sounds of the church loudspeakers.
11. Take care to not eat or drink things containing or rinsed by contaminated water, viz., salad, fruit, ice, etc. Wipe out utensils.
12. When hungry for a snack, eat fruit, (their bananas are the best we've tasted.) and ground-nuts (peanuts), etc.
13. Stay away from raw street-venders food, such as eggs, fish, except smoked or dried fish.
14. Be prepared to be very, very hot.
15. The driving is the worst in the world. Do not go unless you are ready to die. If you are ready to die, then their driving does not make any difference, and you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
16. Take mosquito lotion along, and sun-screen.
17. Take a hand-held tape recorder along, and do not give it away until you have recorded all of the songs and sounds you want to keep.
18. Bring a Camera. You may offend someone if they know you are taking their picture without their permission. Be discrete.
19. Grab bits of rest whenever possible, to avoid burn-out. Pace yourself.
20. Go prepared to minister. Because you are white and American, you will be asked to minister, to teach.
21. Take as many things as you can to give away, including luggage, Bible, jewelry, reading glasses, books, toys, etc.
22. Do not give a stranger, even in uniform, your tickets or your passport, unless you are really certain that it will be returned. Note who takes it, where they take it, etc. INSIST on keeping them in sight.
23. Wear a money belt or pouch, next to your skin, that is not easily detectable to a pat search, or steal, etc.
24. The only way you will be able to let your host/ess really know that you do not want any more food put on your plate, is, if you leave some leftovers. Keep in mind that they have served you first, and the ladies and children will be probably be eating after you,
25. Travel light
26. Have fun.
27. Always keep a right spirit.
P.S.: Here are some recommendations I am going to add to the others, for travel to Africa.
* Keep in mind that nearly every African wants to come to America, not realizing that America will soon have worse living conditions than Africa. God may not, and probably does not want them to come to America. They think that if they can come to this land of promise, that all their problems will be solved, not realizing that crime happens here too, that money is not easily come by, that it is difficult to make a living here, that the dangers of materialism and backsliding are greater here than at home, etc.
* It is best to NEVER make any promise, or to give hope beyond reality. The reality is that you may NOT be able to help any African come over here, because the red tape can be prohibitive, and, aside from a great creative miracle, and the will of God, impossible. The state department of USA is trying very earnestly to keep people out of America who may not measure up. Nigeria has a well deserved reputation for drug smuggling, staying on illegally, contraband, and crime. Many thousands have come here, promising to remain only long enough to attend a Christian conference, or go to school, come to minister for a short season, then disappear into the population as illegal immigrants. The state department tries really hard to stop this flood.
* Practically every trip to Africa will be followed by pen pals, writing and begging for money. Many times, people will be friendly, as bait for a hook that demands friendship expressions that are beyond your leading or capability. We must always remember to never minister to people on their terms, never on our own terms, but only, ever, always on God's terms. Amen.
GOD KNOWS THE SPARROW'S FALL!
March 12, 2003
Dear One,
Glory be to God, I am home safely from the far country of Nigeria.
On the take off from Amsterdam, a bird or birds were sucked into the jet motor, damaging the motor and putting it out of commission so we had to dump about $40,000 worth of fuel and stay in the hotel overnight until they could get us an extra plane. Then we came home safely!
We had a glorious reception here at home, a lovely party in the barn on Saturday night, with 70 people present and about 40 plus people staying over on Friday and Saturday nights! Fun!
Joshua and Tara’s wedding plans continue for April 19 in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is moving away from home one week from today. Joey and Michelle and the 6 children made it home safely from a 7 week ministry trip to the West Coast, and parts in between.
Karen and I, Lord willing, are planning to fly to Los Angeles in a week or so, to help my brother Michael and Sandy celebrate his retirement from the LAPD police force. Then we plan to fly to Portland, Oregon, to help my folks celebrate my Mother’s 88th birthday!
Joey and Michelle are still planning to move away to Bismarck within the next few months, before the birth of their new baby boy, in late May or early June.
Karen and I and all of us want to take this opportunity to say a sincere and special thank you for all of your love and friendship, prayers, giving, and kindness, Thank you!!!!!!!! Our e-mail is
With love, deep appreciation and respect,
john roy bohlen and for Karen and the family