Relocating to Nigeria (Part 1)

Hello Friend,

Trust you are doing great today. It's already past midnight, so it's a new day.

Okay let's rewind back to 2008. I woke up one day and my hubby says 'what do you think about moving back to Nigeria?'. I was like whattttt (happyyy) (in my mind lol)... didn't say it out cos I felt he might panic and change the conversation. But I kept calm and said 'what do you mean?', And he says he thinks it'd be a great time to move back to Nigeria since we're both done with our masters degrees. Yayyy... Needless to say I never thought that day would come. I was brought up with the whole notion that living abroad was best for holidays; and living in Nigeria and being part of change and development was much better. Getting married and having to move to MN was great, but I just felt I could do more in Nigeria (even though the standard of living in the US is better), plus the cons for me far outweigh the pros. So... I was excited! We started planning... Hmmn!

It was a herculean task! And I can tell you 'DO NoT Try This At Home!' lolll... Just kidding.

There were different parts; and we did it how we knew how to (then). Of course after getting here, they're a couple of things I would change but thank God, we prayed and God really guided us.

We had to pack (and decide what items would go with us to Nigeria). It took about a month to pack. We were both working, and one of us had to stop work first. Can I remember? (was so long ago). I believe it was moi first and then hubby stopped work two wks later... something like that. So I started the daily packing process and then he joined in.

We bought items we thought we'd need in an apartment in Lagos; and tried to have a yard sale for left over items (didn't work). We ended up just giving all the stuff away. And what we couldn't give away, we just left in the house. We sold our Ford and Chrysler vehicles and got two cars we felt would work well on Nigerian roads. Also don't bother bringing hefty items that do not match Nigerian voltage e.g. washing machines, TVs etc. Not worth it. best to get items that will match the voltage.

We had decided we'd get a full container (shipping); which cost an arm and a leg of course. So we got U-haul boxes, a U-haul van etc. Did all the packing, all the loading on the truck, the long driveeee to where the container was, and the off loading of the truck. Trust me ALL the above was hectic and went by so fast.

Before we could say Jack Robinson; the flight date had come. We had about ten days left and then had to drive all the way to Maryland for my Aunt's birthday event (which was like a mini family re-union). By the time we got back, we only had a short period (2 days or so) to say bye in church and have a mini send forth done for us at service... (towards the end went by really fast).

Here's the breakdown of tasks:

- Ensure you have informed family etc of your decision and pending arrival to Nigeria
- Shop and pack up all relevant items (furniture, electronics, kids stuff, clothes, books etc). Items must be able to withstand the shipping duration - up to 3/4 months)
- If getting a shipping container (vehicles etc - vehicles need to have complete papers and documentation etc. All items including furniture should have complete documentation/receipts etc)
- Ensure you have your tickets purchased, up-to-date passports, visas etc
- Ensure you have all your school original certificates (i.e. if you studied any program, courses etc)
- Ensure you have all your banking documents up-to-date
- Ensure you disconnect/discontinue all bills you've been paying
- Ensure you have all hospitals records/information you might need
- Back up ALL your data from all your hard drives
- Ensure all items going into container are packed and labeled properly (e.g. glass should be packed well and labelled fragile etc. Label all your boxes)
- Ensure you sort out your accommodation issues before proceeding to Nigeria (where will you stay? For how long?)
- Remember and consider that in Nigeria things move a LOT more slowly (we're hoping the wind of change 2015 will change this)
- Ensure you have pre-registered a business, have a job offer, or several job interviews lined up
- Ensure you have all essentials packed with you to take via air; because the shipped items may not get to Nigeria on time (3-4 months). Meaning whatever you need in 3-4 months should arrive with you.
- Also ensure once you have your vehicles containerized you have a rental or borrowed vehicle to move around with.

As we go along if I remember any more, I will update :)

Isn't God wonderful? Sometimes I look back on this relocation move and I know 'It was just God'

WOTD: Deut 11;22-25

22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; 

23 Then will the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. 

24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. 

25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the Lord your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.


L8r