On American Soil Tuesday

12:10 AM / 6:10 PM
Eastern

Not quite on American soil but I will be by the time I finish this post. Right now I am somewhere over Africa on my way to Atlanta.

Yesterday's trip to the airport in Lagos went fine. It only took a little while to process through customs and to check-in. The last time we left Nigeria it was at least two hours before we even approached the security line.

That time the airport was so hot that I nearly melted into a "little" puddle while we were waiting to be processed. This time it was much cooler, much faster and much easier.

After we had our boarding passes it was time for security and time to say goodbye to Bro. Shobanke, my dear friend.

That was hard. I love that man so much. I appreciate him more every time I am with him. We spent at least a couple of hours together each day in addition to the time in church. I hated to leave him.

I can not believe how good this trip was. God was working at every turn. Kelly Jo had some allergy problems and we did not sleep much but watching God change people's lives was definitely worth a little inconvenience.

It seems humanly impossible but we are hoping to rest some on this flight. The man across the aisle was asleep before we left the ground.

Good night all.

8:00 AM Eastern
We have arrived in Atlanta after a long flight from Lagos, Nigeria and we are glad to be on the ground. It is good to be on American soil. We love Nigeria but there is no place like home. (To quote my friend Dorothy)

We did sleep some on the flight. Kelly Jo let me sit next to the window for a while and we slept fitfully, sporadically and uncomfortably for about 5 hours. That is much better than normal.

We still have to fly to Dayton today but if all goes well we should be home shortly after noon.

Later today or tomorrow I hope to start posting updates as I wrote them each day. They will be numbered 1-12 in the title and will have the date they were written in the title too.

Kelly Jo and I also have lots of pictures between us. We should be able to post them with the update from the day they were taken. The pictures in this post are random pictures from throughout the trip.

Not everything we saw and experienced was included in those daily updates so I will have other news from Nigeria also. I may post more than once a day so be sure to scroll down and look at the posts below.

I can not stress enough how much God helped us. I know you prayed for us and God answered us those prayers. Thank you and thank God.

God bless you and thanks again for praying.

Davy

On the Way Home from Nigeria

We are in the airport at Lagos getting ready to fly home and we found some Wifi!! I am going to try to post an update. If you are reading this, it worked!

As you already know we were not able to post updates this year from Nigeria. Not only did the hotel not have Wifi but none of the employees had ever heard of Wifi. That's OK, a few years ago I did not know what it was myself.

A man in Bro. Shobanke's church brought his laptop and cell phone modem for me to use and I appreciate his kindness. The plan was to email updates to the blog with his computer.

That would not work because Google locked me out of my email since I was in a strange place. I thought that was the whole idea of web based email that could be accessed ANYwhere.

I know many of you were praying and anxious to hear from us. I wanted to do post but could not get it done. Thank you so much for praying. You will read in the next several days how those prayers were answered.

I did type an update every day while the thoughts and experiences were fresh in my mind. I also have pictures to go along with each daily post. I hope to post the daily updates one or two a day now that we are back.

Thank you for praying for our safety and for the meetings. Everything went very well. God saved many souls and the saints were encouraged too.

The Gospel Crusade was so good. It was held at the future site of the new branch church. The building is not finished and they had not planned to have church there for quite a while.

However the Crusade changed their plans. Enough people were saved that they had to start services in the unfinished building the next Sunday. Praise God. You will read more about that in the updates.

The Ministers Conference was especially good too. I had an awesome time preaching to and fellowshipping with these brothers. God blessed us all each day of the meeting.

I will post updates about the conference and lots of pictures too.

We preached in both of the other branch churches in Abeokuta and a special service for Bro. Kuye in Ibadan. All of these services were wonderful and we have lots of pictures.

Bro. Gary Lockwood had a good time and the folks there loved him. The humidity was rough on his Montana blood but thankfully it was not too hot. I am pretty sure this will not be his last trip to Nigeria.

Bro. Shobanke and all of the saints seem to be doing well. It was good to spend a few days will all of these blessed people.

It was also good to see folks that were converted in our last meetings here. That is always a blessing.

There is one that was saved in 2009 that is really special. Her name is Dorcas. I can not wait to tell you about Dorcas.

It has been a super great trip and I am sure you will have to slap me to get me to shut up. We should be home tomorrow and after about 30 hours of sleep I will try to start posting some of the updates.

God bless you and thanks again for praying.

Davy

The Hunt

Nigeria update: Dad, Mom & Bro. Gary will be flying today. They will arrive back tomorrow. Please pray for safe travels.

Dad will be giving you full trip updates when they get back. I am excited to hear everything.

I did go deer hunting while in Hillsboro I had a blast!!!! Thank you sooooo much to Uncle Danny and Papaw for working so hard to make it possible!!!!!! I love you both!!

Due to several factors the deer didn't come to there normal spots. So I am still a hunter and not a slayer. The deer were really liking my grandparent back yard.

Papaw was going to let me kill from their deck. But the deer were stay too close to the neighbors house.

I am really hoping I get to fill a deer tag this year. The season is not over so I am not giving up hope.

Here are a few pictures of our hunt. I did not get any of our hunting from the back deck of my grandparents house.

Odie

Dryden Road Christmas Dinner and Play

Last night I attended the Christmas diner and play at our home church. It was so good to be home. It is always good to see everyone!!

The dinner was great. The play was really good. It was written by Sis. Lana Rank. All the cast did outstanding. I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking


Odie

Second Post For Saturday

I know I already posted today but Dad just called. It was great to hear from him!!! The are doing well.

Today the finished the minister conference in Abeokuta. Dad said everything was really good.

Sunday they will have the final service of the trip. Pray for a wonderful move of God to cap things off.

Also I forgot to update you on Kari. Praise the Lord she is much better!!! They have found a couple things she is suffering from. They are treatable over time.

They are hoping to go home from the hospital this week. God is moving!!! I pray He completely smites this Leukemia "dragon" as Kari calls it. Please keep praying for her.

Odie

Food

It has been a while since we have had any food pictures on the blog. I'm getting lots of yummy food. I just keep forgetting to take any pictures.

I have made it to Frisch's twice since being in Ohio. My Big Boy and Chili Spaghetti were very good.

Thursday Papaw and Mamaw made breakfast. My grandparents are awesome cooks!!!

Please keep praying for my parents and Bro. Gary Lockwood while they are away. I have not heard from them recently. We are in the home stretch the will be home midweek.

Odie

"Mary Did You Know"

I love music!!! Christmas music is one my favorites. In our house it is legal to listen to Christmas music on June 1st.

I thought I might showcase some of my favorite songs of the season. I love songs that put me right there for the birth of our Savior. That day changed all of our lives.

"Mary Did You Know" is an amazing song. I have loved it since first hearing Michael English sing it in the mid 90's.

Last Friday I heard Bill Gaither say over 300 artist have recorded "Mary Did You Know". I would say it may be the most recorded song of my generation. The message still rings clear today.

According to Wikipedia:
Mark Lowry wrote the words in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write the program for the living Christmas tree choir presentation. The music was written by Buddy Greene.

Michael English was the first recording artist to record and release 'Mary, Did You Know?" on his debut album titled Michael English which was released on January 1, 1992.

Last week I heard Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene sing it live. At the end they were joined by the rest of the Homecoming artist of the night. I never tire of hearing the song.

Of course Mark said Mary Did You Know" worked so well. He is now working on "Joseph Did You Know", "Moses Did You Know" and Jesus We Know You Knew". Leave it took Mark to put humor in the moment.

I have included the words. I do not know how to embed a video. If you have never heard the song, or have not really listened to it in a long time look it up. My personal favorite recording is The Isaacs.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day walk on water
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will calm a storm with his hand
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod
And when you kiss your little baby
You have kissed the face of God

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak the praises of the lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am

Odie

Special Friend Jessica Edwards

Hello!! I hope you are doing well. I am doing very good. Please continue to pray for my parents and Bro. Lockwood while they are in Nigeria.


Due to technical difficulties I can only blog from my phone app. I am unable to log into Blogger to moderate comments.

Recently I have been focusing some on the awesome friends I have in my life. My path first crossed with Jessica in August of 1993. We were around 7 and 4 years old.

Many of you recognize her as Jessica Webster. Yes she is the daughter of Bro. Kevin and Sis Teresa Webster. In December 1998 the Webster family came to Dryden Road for revival. The revival came right when our family needed it. That was the beginning of Webster/Boggs families crazy adventures.

Our adventures continued when we moved to Wichita, Kansas and beyond. We have had lots of fun times.

Over the years I have learned to appreciate Jessica as a close friend!! She will never know how privileged I feel to call her my friend. Jess is so beautiful and talented. I love to hear her sing!!

Sometime we go weeks without texting or calling, but we always pick up right where we left off. The times when we get to see each other are few and far between. I am thankful to have her as a part of my life.

In March 2012 Jessica married Matthew Edwards. They live in Blair, Oklahoma and attend House of Prayer. We are looking forward to being together there in January.

Matt is also very talented. He is a good preacher. And together they make a great team!!

I must say I am proud of my friends when the marry Godly companions and work for God. Matt and Jessica are working in the ministry at the church.

I pray God blesses them. I know He has great plans for them.

Odie

Greetings From Nigeria

Odie hear again, but Dad just called. He wanted me to let everyone know they are doing good.

Several we're saved at the three night Gospel Crusade in Abeokuta. Dad said it was wonderful. I know he will have lots to tell when they return.

They still do not have wifi. Dad did get to go online to read the blog. He was not able to post anything.

Dad also said Bro. Lockwood is doing very good. They are glad to have Bro. Gary with them this time.

Please keep them in your prayers. They still have several services.

Here is the weather in Abeokuta.

Odie

Pray For Kari

Our sweet friend Kari is having a rough time. She has been in the hospital for over a week.

I don't understand all that's going on with her. I think even the family and doctors don't know what to do for her.

Ashlee just text me as I am typing this. They had a rough night. Thankfully Kari's ANC count it up right now. They have only had 2 fevers in the last 24hrs. Kari has 3 different things working against her at this point.

We serve a God that can heal her sound and well. This little girl and her family are special to us. I want to see a miracle!!!! Please join me in prayer for the Noe family!!!

Odie