I needed some exercise, so I went to the hotel gym to walk on the treadmill and lift a few weights. About the time I was finished Mr. Horchak came in to do the same. He normally walks outside, but we are in Nigeria, and that might not always be the best idea. So he opted for the treadmill too.

He had work to do and was going to skip breakfast, so after I showered and changed I went down to get a little something to eat, then went back to my room to work. Hakeem and another member, Samson Oguntayo, are newly added to the ILP program. They were both available to come in the afternoon to meet with us, so we arranged to meet them at 2 pm. The conference manager now knows me by name, and I was able to arrange to use one of their conference rooms at a greatly discounted rate.

After a little good conversation, we started. Mr. Horchak started by giving them both an overview of the program, and then playing a video of a short 20-minute introduction Mr. Franks had given 5 or 6 years ago when the program first began. And then Mr. Horchak gave his presentation on Christian Priorities.

Both men had their laptop computers with them, so they were able to download the presentations from a flash drive so they and their wives (who were unable to make it this afternoon) to watch later.

Mr. Horchak had a conference call with Mr. Franks in Texas after that, because late afternoon here is mid-morning there. So he left to take care of that, and we talked a little more.

Hakeem had asked if I was going to change money, and if so, would I be willing to do so with him. Because of the ever-changing exchange rates, he has been trying to collect what he can in US dollars. He can store them, and then when he needs to change them, or when the rate is most favorable, he can pull them out and use them then. He gave me the same rate as a Forex Bureau rate (1, 575 naira to the dollar), and I’d always rather benefit a member rather than the government Forex people, so he brought the cash with him and we exchanged it in the room. Since most naira notes are either 1,000 or 500 naira, I’m glad I didn’t have to change a lot, because it becomes quite a large bundle of bills rather quickly!   

Sabbath services tomorrow will begin at 11 am, and Hakeem wants to come pick us up at 10:30, since the hall is only a few minutes from the hotel. So we said goodbye until tomorrow morning, and I went back to get a little more done before dinner.

As it is Friday night, the hotel hired a keyboard player and singer to entertain diners as they ate. That would be fine so far as it goes, but in typical African fashion, they played and sang at a volume that would make conversation very difficult. There are tables outside beside the pool, and it is pleasant enough with a slight breeze, so we sat out there to eat.

They had a beefsteak on the menu AND they actually have it, so we both ordered one! It was done well and quite good – by far the best meal I’ve had since the one my lovely bride prepared just before I began this trip!

For a day without traveling, actually without even leaving the hotel, I am much more tired than I think I ought to be. So after sending off my weekly Sabbath Note to my congregations, and talking with my wife for a few minutes, it was lights out – for both the room lights and for me!