Sewing with Stanley

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

As I sat with four Nigerians at dinner tonight, Stanley, Sunda, Oliver and Emmanuel I learned that they are all employees for the church working under Oliver, the Nigerian temple engineer.  He said when he was asked to find local members to do the painting in the temple, he said he would rather choose from his own people (as in those who work under him).  So of 42 employees, he chose 7 of his “own” and one additional member that is a painter by trade (Sunda) because Sunda has done regular painting in the temple and Oliver knew he did quality work.

Stanley:  31 years old, Nigerian, married, one child.  Wife is named Ester, little girl Eunice.  He is a member of the church for 14 years.  His older brother introduced him to the church.  His parents are not members and his mother is deceased. His brother is a tailor and Stanley rocks at working a needle and thread.

Stanley asked me yesterday how we fix the sponge rollers we’ve been using when they come apart. When I explained, he said he would like to learn how to mend them.  I told him he would get his chance.  Tonight I brought a huge bag of sponge rollers to dinner and stayed afterwards to mend.  Almost everyone else had left and gone back to their room, but Stanley immediately came over and wanted to learn.  He is eager, a fast learner and an amazing person.  We talked about our families and he had lots of questions about the painting.  He is a security guard for the Nigerian temple.

As Mark Tycksen (Kim’s husband) left the dining room tonight he said, “Good-night my Nigerian friends.”  I told Stanley that is exactly how I feel.  We only met them 3 days ago and I feel like we are fast friends.  We are getting to know each one of them more each day as we talk about family and life while we work side by side at the temple.  I asked how he met his wife.  He saw her before the mission and then again after and arranged to meet her.  We talked how God has a plan for us and how we can do anything with God, but often we don’t trust enough.

As I was asking Stanley about his family and if his parents are members, he said “no”, not his dad and his mother is “late.”  I wasn’t exactly sure what “late” meant since so much of their words or terminology is so different from ours.  As we talked it was suddenly clear because his older sister was also “late” dying in childbirth.  It was her second baby and was a shock to everyone.  Her baby also died.  He talked in detail about how it was very hard at first when she died but now it is all good.  I started to tell him that I was sure she is one of the angels watching over us as we work in the temple.  We both got teary and he said he knew this was true.

Our conversation was probably only 30 minutes or so while I showed him how to sew the rollers and then he proceeded to thread a needle and work it like magic, but I felt we are kindred spirits and I feel privileged to get to know one more amazing person that much more.  I asked if he had ever been to the USA and he had not.  He said it is not so easy for them being from Nigeria to get a visa (which is also understandable), but it’s sad that the world judges other nations and their people simply because of wicked rulers and such.  All I have seen is that our new Nigerian friends are humble, hardworking and amazing.  I’m sure the temple in Nigeria is a huge blessing to those who are the pure in heart.

Camron told me that one of the Nigerians keeps telling him he needs to come to Nigeria and he can be Camron’s guide.  This man (I’ll have to find out who he is later since Camron can’t remember his name) served as a missionary there in his own country and said it is safe, but then proceeded to tell him how he got robbed several times while on his mission.  So Camron, of course, said, “You are telling me it is safe and then you tell me you got robbed?”  And the man replies, “You should come to Nigeria and I”ll be your guide, but I can’t promise I can keep you safe.”  Pretty funny actually.

Oliver and the others keep telling me that I need to come to Nigerian to work with them on the temple so they get it “right” when they do our finishes there.  They keep telling me they need me and seem a little nervous about having to remember so much information (you’d be amazed how much I’ve taught and they’ve learned the past three days.) I explained that the purpose of this trip was to teach them enough that they can do it themselves because I was told it wasn’t safe enough to send me there. Oliver said to me, “Do you live in Nigeria? I live in Nigeria, it is safe.”  I promised them it was only day 3 and we have several more days (about 12 -15) before we are done so I won’t leave until they have it down.  Besides, I’m leaving them with a video training and a written manual. Then I went on to explain that next week I will give them their own room to do without me there and see how they do.  Somehow they felt better about the “practice job” (the recorders office) without me there, but really with me there.  I have no doubt the will “rock it!”

We finished all the main halls in the temple today…wow is all I can say!  We un-taped and they are unbelievably beautiful!  All the people can’t believe how great they are.  Even the older man who works at the temple (sorry too many names to remember) who has seemed quite concerned that we were ruining his walls and was pointing out all the spots he didn’t like yesterday, was pleasantly surprised.  He said the walls are “mysterious and beautiful like a woman.”  Yep…his exact words. J  Now he is on board and excited for the rest of what we are doing.  I have to admit, with all the paper and tape up and all the mess that spills over onto the paper and tape, things look a little sketchy if you aren’t familiar with our process.

I stand back amazed at the sheer amount of work that has been accomplishes in 3 days.  But then again, we do have 28 people who are working all day every day (about 10 hours a day) with speed, enthusiasm and endurance.  I still am in awe at this unique experience and that we have been able to keep consistency with so many hands on the walls. And these incredible people in both Ghana and Nigeria…I can’t express in words a fraction of what I feel.  Geoffrey (a worker from Nigeria) said it most beautifully this morning when he gave us the spiritual thought and prayer.  He said it doesn’t matter whether we are black or white, male or female, we are all children of God and working towards a common goal.  And if we keep our focus on working as a group we can accomplish what the Lord has asked us to.

Hanna also told me today that as she was thinking about this work we are doing last night she realized that it doesn’t really matter that we beautify our temples since they will be houses of worship no matter whether our finishes are there or not, but that it is important to the Lord that we find joy in creating beauty in life, so it is important for us and for the Lord.  I couldn’t have said it better.

Alicyn :)

PS:  Almost forgot…found this email that came in this morning at 7:01am. He must be resourceful since I didn’t give him my email (he even spelled my name correctly)

“Good morning Sister Alicyn, 
This is to Say thank you for the training so far. It been a wonderful time working with you and your group. 
May God bless you. 

Thanks. 

Stanley