ABA, NIGERIA Sabbath, November 29
By Marti Schneider, On location

Our last day in Nigeria . . . Sabbath. My work was done. I went off
duty after my feature last night. . . . Don preached at church. We're
excited at the thought of returning home. We're sad to leave the people
here.

I got a note from the young woman at the reception desk of the hotel.
She is the one who asked with fiery eyes, "Who changed Sabbath to
Sunday?" one day as I stood in the little lobby waiting to go on a
trip. I explained only briefly that the Ten Commandments specified the
seventh day as Sabbath, that Jesus kept the seventh day, that he
encouraged the believers to pray that they wouldn't have to flee on
Sabbath, and that Isaiah says we will keep the Sabbath in the New Earth.
When I asked her if she understood what I had said, she replied that
she did follow, but that she would like to argue a little except that
she was working. We just received a letter from her, "Mummy & Daddy, I
learnt you people will go by Sunday. I will miss you because of the way
you treated us, especially by the way you paid attention to my prayer
request. It really proved you are a practicing Christian. I love and
appreciate the way at (?) your company. It is worthy of emulation and
pray God to grant you journey mercy. Thanks, your daughter, Glory
Keke"

We are just sitting in the room. It's evening. I don't think Don is
wishing he could stand up and preach again. We just saw Bob Folkenberg
off. He is leaving from Port Harcourt tonight.

There are three wedding parties taking place just outside our window
that looks over the courtyard and swimming pools. The parties are
magnificent with women's headwear. The grandeur increases from level to
level. At the main level it is just a small party with only one canopy.
Just below on the terrace level, is a three-canopy party. They have
"trashed" their section literally. They are just finishing and it looks
as filthy as a football stadium after a game, but the hotel is already
busy cleaning it up. Then down by the pool is a beautifully decorated
party. The seven canopies have lavender and mint green to match the
young women's dresses. The bride has a lovely white dress with a long
train. The groom is wearing a white tuxedo. They are using the space
on all sides of the pool . . . one canopy for the bride and groom and a
few
attendants. A band marched several times around the pool. Then many
women did a slow shuffle dance around the pool. Everything is tidy as
can be! As I finish writing this part, the upper section and terrace
have already been turned back into a seating area for the bar . . . and
the band is playing, "The Old Rugged Cross."

We leave here at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to drive to Port Harcourt.
It will take two to three hours. We don't know when we leave Port
Harcourt. They tell us we do not have a reservation. We will simply
buy a ticket on whichever plane goes to Lagos next. At Lagos we will
transfer to the international terminal. The difficulty is that we don't
know if the international terminal will be open when we arrive because
our flight is at midnight, and Lufthansa will let us check in only a
certain number of hours ahead. Luka Daniel and his wife are
accompanying us to Lagos. They want to see us safely on the plane, she
told me. The Heralds fly on the same plane from Lagos to Frankfurt.

Don says he will be glad to get inside the security at the Lagos
airport, and I add that I will be glad to be seated on the plane . . .
taking off! It will give us a sense of completion.

Don preached his sermon about "relationship with Jesus being the most
important thing." Yes Sabbath is important . . . baptism is important .
. . all is important, but without Jesus none of it has meaning. And
even when we disappoint Jesus, He still wants to be our Saviour. He
told the story of his mountain climbing with Don Jr. . . . snow . . .
most have not seen it, sleeping bags
became "lots of blankets." With just a little adjustment it made a
fine illustration. Even though father insisted that they take food that
son knew was not needed, their relationship was not broken . . . and Don
Jr. carried his Dad's entire load when he could not carry it any more.
They followed and enjoyed. This was the only sermon that was not
prescribed in the schedule. It's like putting on your on clothes after
borrowing someone else's for two weeks.

A large group of people came forward . . . people who were ready to go
down to the river to be baptized. The conference president led them
through the "Statement of Beliefs" and they raised their hands for
each belief. It was special to see them covenanting with God and the
church. On the far right I saw one of the black uniformed guards that
was at the stadium each night guarding the evangelistic equipment. I
didn't get to talk to him, but I believe he was coming forward for
baptism. There was nothing that he should have been there to guard,
because everything was dismantled Friday night and taken over to the
grounds at the conference office.

There were canopies all over the place and 10,000 plastic chairs were
rented to accommodate the crowd.

I wore a comfortable cotton outfit that was given to me last night by
the Women's Ministries -- a skirt, embroidered top, and headwear -- a
complete outfit. I simply brought the headwear and invited a couple of
the ladies to put it on me. We went behind the stage . . . I gave them
instructions to make it tall and wide. Even though we shouldn't pay
attention to clothes at church, I'm afraid it got more attention than it
ought.

Then, shortly before Don was to speak, a youth person came to escort me
to the platform. They gave us matching outfits. Don's is a long robe
with several pieces. He put on the over-robe and wore it while he
preached. I didn't think I could get my tunic over my headwear, so I
just held it up. But Sister Joseph Ola (union president's wife), Sister
Gideon Nwaogwugwu (conference president's wife), and I decided to go to
an office, kick out the one guy, and change clothes. So out I came with
my second outfit of the day. Quite a fashion show . . . and much
appreciated! Keep in mind I will be expecting such attention upon my
return to the US! <grin>

After the call and prayer, we were going to go immediately to the
river. We had promised Chimezie Oyenwere that Don would pray for him
just before he entered the river for his baptism. We said, "Wait for
us at the river." But everyone wanted just a quick snap with us.
Then the Women's Ministry choir needed a picture. By the time we had
gotten everyone posed and snapped, we started to rush off . . . but
there was the National Choir that had sung every night. They implored,
they pleaded . . . and we relented. Quickly! Then we dashed for our
red 4x4 that was waiting. But the driver had to get through the
pedestrians all over the conference grounds. Then he went to two wrong
places. Finally he took us back to the river where last week's baptism
was . . . and there we found it. There were buses lined up. Baptismal
candidates were coming dripping up the road as we walked toward the
site. The pastors were dipping people as fast as they arrived. A
number of the eight outlying meeting locations had brought candidates
into Aba for baptism. We hurried as fast as the handshakes would allow
. . . a sizeable group of pastors requested a picture. We explained
that we needed to get to the river . . . more people joined. Then I
said, I'm counting to ten. At ten we are going to the river. It
worked! We hurried to avoid more snaps. Just as we got to the bottom
of the hill by the river we found Chimezie and walked with him to the
river where Don prayed. Then we snapped and snapped as he was baptized,
as he came out, and after he was dressed in a very nice white African
suit. Beaming beside his already-Adventist wife, he said, "This will be
like a new marriage," just like I had said when I had featured them in
one of my specials. We exchanged addresses and I got him connected to
the conference evangelist who will introduce him to Dr. Frank. Chimezie
wants to start a church and place a church building in his home village.
It may be possible for a chapel to be built for about $1,000-$2,000.
They were beautiful! Such a joy when two are serving God together.

It is time to go to supper. Our cooks should be down in the room by
the pool almost any time now. Don has gone to settle our bills . . .
the ones for the hotel, the food, the computer line that worked only a
day or two in our room.

He will also settle up with Dr. Frank for a young girl who needs funds
to take her exam to enter her final year of secondary school. She was
sent away from home by her parents because of being an Adventist, I
believe. She is living in the home of a local elder. Dr. Frank is very
careful to discover if each request is a worthy case. We agreed, upon
his recommendation, that we will cover the approximately $70 for her
entrance exam.

A second young woman is needing funds to enter the university. Dr.
Frank and I met with her and her aunt with whom she lives while I was
eating breakfast this morning. The girl was just baptized two days ago.
Her aunt has also been baptized during these meetings . . . her husband
was already an Adventist. Dr. Frank learned that the aunt cares for two
HIV-AIDS patients in her home and funds two other young people to
school.

A young man I met on our first day here, a literature evangelist, wants
to attend Babcock University to become a pastor. His mother wrote a
letter explaining that she is a widow and has several children in
school. This son does not have the funds to go to Babcock. He was a
really nice young man and very nice appearing. I may ask Dr. Frank to
check him out to see if he should be sponsored. One of my cameramen is
from Babcock. He said theology costs are greatly reduced.

I sat at breakfast just reading letters of people in need. Dr. Frank
is willing to look into any or all and make recommendations.

A quick bite to eat and it will be time to pack. Six o'clock in the
morning will come too soon.

Thanks for joining us on this trip! It was great sharing it with you.

God bless you all,

Marti (and Don)