October 2009 Dear Friends and Family, We trust and pray all is well with everyone, that the Halloween costumes are safely tucked away, and that the final candies have been enjoyed. I am afraid there would be major panic if “trick or treaters” were to show up here. Witches and goblins are very much a part of people’s beliefs, and are to be avoided at all cost. We continue to rejoice and be strengthened by your love and concern for us and others. We often are reminded of your prayers and well wishes. We thank you for your continued steadfastness, even in the face of difficult economic times. God will continue to bless you. We are also comforted by well wishers here, who let us know they regularly pray for us. It strengthens us to know that folks labour in prayer on our behalf. We know that we are not alone in this struggle, and we treasure everyone’s fellowship. I am thankful to be able to report that my father is much improved and has been able to leave the convalescence home to head back to the farm. Our daughter Jessica is staying with him till her visa expires, and learning more about farm life. Thank you for your prayers on his behalf. We also rejoice that we have more electricity than ever before. Just next to us is a small hotel, which was recently bought by a political figure. He has breathed new life into the place, and generously shared his electrical connection with us. The current is often too strong, and we replace burnt light bulbs regularly, but it is definitely a help. We had to buy fuel everyday to run our generator, and our fuel bill is now much less. And it sure helps to have fans at night to chase away the heat and mosquitoes. We were called upon to assist in a small way with a major problem facing a congregation in the neighboring state of Akwa Ibom. This congregation has been in litigation over the title of their church property for 22 years. Recently the case was settled in favor of the church, and they began a much needed expansion. However, their enemies have not relented, especially since this property is now of prime commercial value. A mother came to ask of her 18 year old son, who was a labourer on the construction site. She later returned with police claiming her son had been murdered and buried in the foundation of the new building. People are still killed here as spiritual sacrifices to gain favour of the gods. Sure enough, his body was found buried on site. The police arrested the minister and more than 20 men of the congregation, holding them now for over one month. We were able to go to the area command in Calabar to plead the case with the AIG, the top police officer for this region. He knows of the reputation of the church, and promised to look into the matter. To date, most remain in custody and two have collapsed and have been hospitalized. Your prayers are needed for this congregation and the jailed men. Police here do their work differently than in the US. These men can be jailed for months without being charged, while investigations are being held. One of our child care worker’s mother was also jailed this month, beaten and tortured, in an effort to get her to produce her son. His unnamed crime is a village matter, which usually means a land dispute. A near neighbor was shot in the leg by police, along with every other passenger, when a pistol was found in the bus he was traveling in. Only he and the driver survived. These things defy believe at times, and yet they are part and parcel of everyday life here. We are constantly reminded of the Grace of God which has protected us from so many dangers, known and unknown. I took an overnight trip to Abuja to address a training session of the Nigerian Prison Service High Command. My brief remarks were intended to encourage them to greater levels of professionalism in their important service. I keep making such efforts on behalf of a company that trains folks in how to handle medical emergencies. There is a lack of education in basic emergency management, and I feel the little I do is a contribution that can possibly save a life. We did lose another life of someone close to us this month. Victoria, one of our baby workers, went home to her village some weeks ago. She had not felt well, and confided that she felt someone had placed a curse on her. The actual cause of death will never be known to us, but the effects of this belief system is as real as any other disease. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he… Our 5 year old Jael is struggling to understand death, as this is the first time someone close to her has died. We all struggle with the meaning of death, and its eventuality for all of us. It is made all the harder when the person is young and the cause unknown. We thank God that we know what we must do to prepare for that journey that we all must make. We told you of a friend from Holland who took a sabbatical from Shell to volunteer with Doctors without Borders. Fenna Snater has been a good friend to us all, and her volunteering to work with AIDs patients in Zimbabwe is typical of her concern for others. Our prayers are with her as she settles in one of the most difficult works in one of the most difficult countries in the world. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all the evil in the world, and it is an encouragement to me to be reminded that there are still many good folks in the world doing many good things. We all continue to look in hope to better times and circumstances. I know that things are unsettled in the US economically. A friend in Florida recently had a stroke, lost his job, and has now been evicted. His family is going through severe stress. His case made me more aware of how difficult things can be even in a developed country. The fact that you continue to faithfully support us, in spite of your challenges, means more to us than you can know. We will survive this together. Things will get better. After the winter comes spring, by God’s grace. May the Lord continue to strengthen you as you continue to serve Him by serving us and others. We love you, Cliff & Co ----------------------------------------------------------- March 2009 Dear Friends and Family, We’re thankful to be able to once again share a moment with you, and trust this note finds you all well. I’m here on the balcony, with sweat dripping off my nose. My sister just told me that it is forecast to snow in Ms. tonight, and I’m thinking of how different our worlds are. Yet I’m glad we share a common tie in our efforts to serve others. No matter the differences of race and nationality, of gender and geography, of class and denomination, we stand united in an eternal purpose. And for that I will always be thankful. The fact that so many folks from so many different walks of life share in and with us, remains one of my greatest sources of comfort and encouragement. The second Sunday in Feb. was a good example of this diversity being united. After morning worship service usually comes on of the highlights of my week, the Sunday afternoon nap. But before I could get settled on my favorite couch, an unexpected group from the Covenant Baptist Church came by with gifts and well wishes. Before this group could leave, an even larger group from St. Vincent Catholic church came by, also bearing gifts of rice, beans and other foodstuffs. We had almost 100 people in our living/ dining room, sharing a common prayer for the future well being of our children. As I looked at the many smiling faces, I was stuck by a sense of history, both past and present. In this time and place God worked His wonders, and it was marvelous in our sight. Here in the crowded room of a house rented from a Northern Nigerian Muslim, a group known for persecuting Southern Nigerian Christians, was a group of orphaned children of different tribes, being fathered by a white red-neck from the Deep South. Gathered around them in solid, tangible support were two religious groups whose pasts history included open persecution and distrust. For a brief moment, without human planning or forethought, I saw in the eyes of those gathered, a glimmer of hope for a better future. By His Grace, sworn enemies can lay down the weight of past problems and prejudices, and unite on the common ground of concern for those most innocent and disadvantaged. The day was made complete by and evening visit from an Anglican church group. There has been some unity and closure in Ukpom as well. I reported that threats hade been made, discouraging us from moving forward. Yet the Chiefs and clan heads, the youth and various community leaders have come together to condemn this action and have committed to working with us. We are praying for wisdom and the means to move forward with this opportunity. We are thankful, that in the midst of threats and confusion, there could grow a sense of community and common purpose. I did travel a bit this month. I made an overnight trip to Bonny Island to talk with officials about their pledge to help us. They suggested they combine efforts with monies given by Dr. Fred Massey and Family to buy and repair our home which has been rented the past 11 years. Any left over funds could be used to invest in the campus in Ukpom. It is a consensus that this is a wise course of action, allowing us to maintain a presence and ministry in two places. Please help join us in prayer over the matter, that we be led in the right way. I would welcome your comments and advise. I also traveled to Lagos to welcome our friend Mike Bruno for a brief visit. He has a great personal interest in children, having been orphaned himself. Please pray for the success of various business projects he is trying to develop here, as this can give an increased level of needed financial support. I finished the month in an overnight trip to Abuja, the capitol of Nigeria. I was invited to help in a small training exercise on CPR to the Senate President and principal officers in the Senate. They recently had a member collapse and die during a heated debate, so they were receptive to the need for preparing for emergencies. I am happy to report that baby Precious is still with us, along with his mother Mercy. He was over one week in the hospital. At one point, they called us in, fearing he would not live much longer. Yet a unit of blood, several of glucose, plus other attentions, helped to turn the tide. Today, he is one of three babies sharing our home, and quickly filling out. We have met family members and are trying to work on some reconciliation. We were saddened to hear of the passing of my wife’s Aunt Wanda Stolzenburg. She was a quiet, gentle woman whose last year was marked by painful kidney disease. We are thankful she rests from her struggle in a place of sure salvation. Thank you for your continued loyalty and concern. A dear sister in California restored the money stolen from Tessy. This was in spite of the fact that she and her husband are retirees, with significant health challenges of their own. Many of you are on fixed incomes. Yet in the midst of the global financial uncertainties, you continue to reach out in love. The Nigerian currency has lost 50% of its value since December, so there is a lot of worry and concern on this side as well. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but remain confident that God will work all things out to His glory. Thank you again for being a part of the solution and not the problem. May God continue to richly bless you. Love, Cliff & Crew | 
