I grew up in the Tin City— Jos—on a gorgeous plateau in central Nigeria with delicious rain storms and red Sahara dust. After high school I moved to the United States to attend college, and soon found myself living long term amongst patchwork fields and rolling hills of winter wheat and edamame. I’m now the mother of four beautifully gifted and equally crazy children, and the wife of a peace-making, hard-working, never-giving-up guy. Our old, drafty farmhouse catches the brunt of the winter wind that tears across the dry cornfields of Central Pennsylvania, but we still call it home. While wading through both the hardships and blessings of raising a family, I often still attempt to make sense of my past life as an MK. And writing, I’ve found, is a very dear friend.
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Drinking The Air 
Martha I grew up in Niger and vacationed in Miango as a child. Everything you wrote in your last post is so familiar. I now live in Central PA too. Can I meet you sometime? 🙂
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Your writing is so beautiful. My husband is a preacher of the Word and has taken several missionary trip. He has helped build in Chihuahua, Mexico and in Equatorial Guinea. Our son has led many trips to both of these places also. May God continue to bless you and your family. I started with a company that helps the little guy. Do you know of anyone that would like to make some income from home? -Linda
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Hi Martha,
I was your father’s across the street neighbor, growing up in Haddon Twp., NJ. Your Aunt Linda and I were the same age and close friends through elementary and high school. Your father sent me to your lovely piece via Facebook. Coincidentally, I was just having one of my occasional bouts of sadness/regret that I haven’t experienced more adventure in my life. I always thought i might use the freedom of retirement to go somewhere/do something very different, but i find myself clinging to what is safe, and the friends it took years to gather. Your perspective was interesting and a reminder that “the grass is always greener…” and the importance of appreciating what is right in front of us, which I generally do, even while yearning for more. I think getting older and knowing that options are being limited by time (it’s now or never) plays a role. I’m about to go out and rake the beautiful fall leaves. I love the crunch and smell. I used to have a cat who liked to chase and play in them, like we did as kids. Sha iska.
Deena Steinberg
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Thank you so much, Deena, for sharing this!
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Hi Martha,
This is Kefas from UFM Jos, keep in touch
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Hi…I, too, grew up in Nigeria, my heart’s home, the daughter of missionary parents and grandparents. My name is Lisa Jester. Nigeria was home from 1957-1970. I came as a baby, and left a teenager. I am truly “out of Africa”. I miss my true home. I tell people that, yes, my citizenship is American, but my heart and soul are African. It’s as if you read my soul, when writing about Nigeria. I’m so glad to have found you!
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How lovely to find a kindred spirit! Yes, being a part of this Third Culture of not-quite-belonging can be difficult to navigate, but how sweet are our childhood memories. 🙂 Glad to meet you, Lisa.
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