On Mission in Nigeria

By Shannon Callan - October 2007

I just got back from an amazing two months, Sept. – Oct., 2007, serving the Lord as a missionary in Nigeria . I went with an organization called SIM, Serving in Mission , which has been serving for many years in Nigeria . I was working mostly as the librarian/reading tutor at a home for boys who formerly lived on the street, and also helping tutor a Nigerian woman in English so that she could serve the mission in an administrative capacity. Throughout my time overseas, I sent a number of e-mails home to keep friends, family, and intercessors updated on what I was doing. This is a copy of my final e-mail, my “swan song,” so to speak, my final reflection on and summation of my experience. Hope you enjoy this little taste of my experience!

Well, friends, I am afraid that the time has come for us to part. But, because of this tragic but monumental occasion, I have cooked up something special with which to say goodbye.  So today I present to you, completely free of charge, the all-new, never before seen, and exclusive interview with Shannon Callan, conducted by none other than the brilliant and insightful Shannon Callan! (Hey, I don't have a lot of options. Barbara Walters isn't exactly pounding down the door to do this kind of thing.) And now for our feature presentation:

Shannon: So, Shannon , thanks for taking the time to meet with me today and answer some questions. I know you must have a lot on your plate. And can I say that your time in Nigeria seems to have made you more attractive than ever?

Shannon : [laughs] Oh, you are too kind! But I'm always happy to set aside some time to talk to my biggest fan.

Shannon : Absolutely! Well, let's get down to business. One question that many long-time readers have been asking is the perennial favorite: What was the best part about your time in Nigeria ?

Shannon : Naturally it's difficult for me to boil it down to just one thing, except for maybe that achaba (motorcycle) ride I wrote about! But seriously, if I had to say what the best thing was, it was relationships. That is such a huge focus of Nigerian life and when you are willing to give yourself to it, it really blesses you in return. Even in the acquaintances that you form with vendors in the market or neighbors across the street, it's amazing how willing other people are to share their lives with you and how enthusiastic they are to know about yours. People in Nigeria really understand the lasting value of a good conversation. I was also amazed that I was able to get as close to the other missionaries as I did in only two months. I was blessed to really form some friendships even in that short time, and I was sad to have to leave those friends behind. And of course, the relationships that I was able to form with the former street kids I was working with was amazing. They are full of so much promise and so many hopes and dreams for the future and so many of them already know that whatever they plan to do, they want to serve God for the rest of their lives. It is such a privilege to have been able to spend the time with them that I did. And I expect to hear great things from them in the future.

Shannon: So, Shannon, how do you think that your time in Nigeria has changed you personally?

Shannon : That's a difficult question and I don't think I'll fully know the answer for another few months. But I think one of the things that's changed is that I'm at least able to be slightly more outgoing than I was in the past. I think that's just what's demanded of you in an extroverted culture, so I think I may have changed to become more like that in just trying so hard to adapt. That's my hope at least. On the more negative side, I think one of the most difficult "reverse culture shock" kinds of things I've been dealing with since coming back to the States is trying to accept how demanding and downright rude Americans can be. So many people seem to be walking through life with this strange delusion that they are the most important person around and what they want is of paramount concern to everybody else. Why is that? I want to be able to be gracious, but sometimes I just feel like smacking someone!

Shannon : Wow, okay, well, let's forge ahead. Here's a hard-hitter: What do you think God was teaching you during your time in Nigeria ?

Shannon : I think that signing up for missions service is kind of like being enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks. Because of the situation you find yourself in, it's kind of like everything God's been saying to you suddenly has exclamation points on the end. One of the things I've always struggled with is coming to terms with my own weakness. I've always wanted to be the independent one, the one who didn't need any help, who was never sick or tired or incapable, no matter what the situation. During my time in Nigeria , God was showing me that that kind of attitude isn't only unrealistic and unhealthy, it's sinful. I'm still reeling from that one. And I've discovered that that kind of pride is crippling, because in self-sufficiency we not only cut ourselves from the strength we get from other people's support, but we cut ourselves off from the support of God himself. We also cultivate contempt for other people who are willing to admit that they are weak, which isn't healthy or loving. So far I've just started to realize the implications of this, and have not yet had a chance to walk it out, so hopefully I'll eventually get to the point where this actually bears some kind of fruit in my life. The big unfinished lesson is something about trusting God, and why it is that we trust God and what it means for God to be trustworthy, because I think a lot of what I thought about those questions was shaken up by the robbery, but I am very much in the middle of that one right now.

(A little over halfway through my time in Nigeria, I was eating dinner with a couple of friends when two armed men broke into the apartment where we were eating and stole some of my friend’s belongings before one of my friends was able to sound the alarm and scare them away.)

Shannon : So, if you don't mind my asking, how are you doing with processing the whole robbery incident? I know you just did a lot of debriefing with SIM member-care personnel at their headquarters in Charlotte when you first got back to the States, but where are you with that now?

Shannon : Mmmm, I can't hide anything from that famous piercing insight of yours, can I? Well, debriefing was really good, really thorough. I pretty much spent 4 solid days straight talking about different issues in my processing of the event. I'm going to be really honest with you. I still struggle with feeling fearful. I feel like a lot of people's sense of security is based on the belief that nothing really bad could ever happen to them. That illusion is stripped away when something like that happens and you can't really rebuild on that same foundation. That's probably a good thing, because it's the wrong foundation to build your security on in the first place, but it's still very difficult. But I know that time will also help to repair that sense of security. And I also know that God never guarantees anyone’s safety, whether they’re pastors or missionaries or no matter who they are. In fact, it’s the opposite. Jesus warns us that we ARE going to face persecution and danger in doing his work. That doesn’t change the fact that we are called, and I think the consequences for disobeying the call of God are even greater. Look what happened to Jonah.

Shannon: Well thanks for your honesty. So, besides seeing your family and friends, what is the best thing about being back in the States?

Shannon : I don't think it's possible to overestimate the simple joys of brushing your teeth with water straight from the tap. For me that just embodies a lot of what's nice about the States: sanitation, convenience, not having to worry about upsetting your stomach at every meal. And, I haven't really had a chance yet, but I'm very much looking forward to being able to go to the grocery store. It's going to be nice not to have to negotiate the price of every bunch of carrots and bag of sugar.

Shannon : Time-saving, at the very least. So, now you're kind of back to square one in terms of the age old "You've just graduated from college, what are you going to do now?" question. What's in store for you in the future?

Shannon : Have I ever mentioned how obnoxious that question becomes after a while? But in the short term, the plan for the immediate future is to live at home for a while and work on finding myself a job. For long term plans, I need to become a celebrity in the next few years so that I'll be able to compete on Dancing with the Stars. I'm not sure what kind of notoriety I would like to achieve, but it doesn't really matter, as it's just a means to an end. But after that, I think I will go on to do some seminary studies to prepare me for a future in some kind of Christian service, or to give me another shiny degree to hang on the wall of my office when I make manager at the local McDonald's.

Shannon : Okay, I realize that I've already taken up a great deal of your valuable time, but I have just one more question: What would you say to someone who's contemplating missions work?

Shannon : Well, to borrow the words of the Roman goddess Nike, I would say, "Just do it!" A lot of people hold themselves back from taking advantage of the opportunities that come their way because they're scared or they have a myriad of excuses, like finances, work, opportunities, getting sick on local food, all kinds of things. I think a lot of people psych themselves out of it by allowing themselves to see only obstacles, instead of asking "Is there some way

I could get around this?" before giving up. And as for being afraid, well, I guess I know as well as anybody that there are good reasons to be afraid of going on the field. But there are also good reasons to be afraid to go to downtown, or to go out your door, for that matter. If you look for a reason to be afraid, you will always find it. And as I said before, we are promised danger and tribulation and that holds true no matter where we are. So, seriously, I would say that if international missions are something you feel called to, or even if it's only something you feel like you might be called to, pursue it.

Shannon: Well, again, Shannon , thank you for your time. You know, I heard that you were an intelligent woman, but talking to you has just revealed a depth to your perspicacity that I didn't even know existed. It is such an honor to be able to spend this time with you.

Shannon : Really, it was nothing. As I said, I'm always willing to talk with someone who appreciates the honor.

Well, that's about it for me. Again, I cannot say enough thanks to all of you for all of your support and your prayers and your e-mails and words of encouragement. I have so much enjoyed bringing you all on this journey with me, and I know that God goes with you on your journey, no matter where it takes you.

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