Dear Friends and Family,
The Apostle Paul often greeted brethren he wrote to with these words, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ”. Hard to find two greater blessings to pray for, for ourselves and others. We pray the same prayer for all reading this short note.
I began our last letter by telling you of our plans to travel to Obudu to help with the prison ministry. We were blessed to make the trip as planned, 18 of us in our bus and car. The anonymous donor who gave the money we used to buy the bus would be glad to know that the bus was such a blessing, though we had problems on the way and had to replace tires and shocks upon our return. It took us 12 hours to drive 300 miles, so that tells you a bit about the roads.
Even though we arrived after 8 at night, Brother and Sister Ugbe warmly received us, fed us and none of us felt like staying up late to talk. I don’t handle 12 hour drives like I used to. The next morning my crew headed to the prison while Nkiru’s crew went to shop and prepare food for the rest of us. Both crews were in for a shock.
Our primary invite was to help repair a chapel building that was built in 1919 and help turn it into a skill center, much like the three we have established on our block. We wanted to be a part of helping prisoners learn some type of skill so that they might have a chance at a better life upon their release. We had to replace rafters and add new metal roofing sheets on part of the roof. We had to repair parts of crumbling walls, add a new section, build and replace new bars on the windows, lots of cleaning and demolition, etc. It was a week of hard but rewarding work.
But the greater short term impact was probably the repair of their water system. Near the finish of the first long day of work a guard told me they needed clean water even more than a skill center. A shallow open well that produced muddy water was the single source of water for the entire facility. A homemade bucket and a rope were dropped down into the brown water and manually hauled up. Provided plenty of work for the inmates, but a terrible choice of beverage.
It seems that there is a proper well in place, with even a solar powered pump, but the pump had spoiled and there were no funds to replace it. We were able to find a conventional pump for 25% of the solar one, and with a little hard work and good fortune, we were able to see the prison, the nearby police station, and the local community enjoy the first crystal clear water in a long time. By providing them with clean water we were able to talk to them about the One who provides Living Water.
When the invitation was offered, 13 men stepped forward to be baptized. Sunny, one of our family and work crew members, overheard two young men discussing the issue of baptism and being part of a new congregation. “Why are you going? ” asked one of the young men. “Don’t you see what these folks are doing?” was the reply. “All these other churches just come to tell us to repent. But these folks have done something to help us.” The other young man later also joined.
While we were working in the prison, Nkiru, Boma, Levete, Ani, Ayo, Sis. Regina and her staff worked hard to see we were all well fed. The shock Nkiru got was the high price of things and the scarcity of many common items. We thought that being more rural prices would be less. That was not the case. A single chicken was more than many of the local preachers have as monthly salaries. Yet the cooking crew did a fantastic job and the highlight of the day was eating together out in the open courtyard.
We did have an overnight trip up the mountain to Obudu Cattle Ranch as a reward for all the hard work. This resort was built on the summit of a mountain on the site of an original working cattle ranch. The air was crisp and cool, and everyone got to enjoy a definite change of scenery. Wish it wasn’t such a long and difficult drive to get there.
Let me share a little more after our return. One afternoon last week a young lady came saying one of our sisters was really sick and needed our help. She has diabetes and the young neighbor had been trying to help change the dressing for a diabetic ulcer. It had worsened and had turned gangrenous. Chris drove her to the hospital right away were the doctor called to say she needed to amputate her big toe. We were happy to pay the 200 dollars to save her life. One of her family members was heard saying he did not know what to think about a church that would help its members this way. He was only used to churches demanding tithes, no matter the level of poverty, and that he would definitely be coming to visit.
Similarly, a young father whose wife left him with three small children needed our help getting back on his feet. We helped pay rent on a small apartment. Last week he brought his sister to us, whose own husband had deserted his post, leaving her with five children. So our young member asked his sister to come and live with him so that she can care for the eight children and he can go and work. He sells used clothes. We had a good Bible study with them both and they had a clear understanding of what it meant to give your life to Christ. The young man, with excitement in his eyes, declared he was going to win more souls, and invite his friends to come and study with us. What a blessing to hear this determination to introduce others to Jesus. Nkiru asked how they managed a small apartment with 10 people. The man says he goes and sleeps at a friend’s house and comes very early in the morning to help get the kids up. Somehow they make the best of a difficult situation.
And that sums up our joint work together. You sacrifice from what God has blessed you with. We happen to be the point of the spear, on the ground laboring together with you to see God’s work be done. Thank you for each and every gift you share with us. A special thank you to our nephew Walker and his lovely wife Audrey whose extra gift made this trip to Obudu possible.
We appreciate every prayer, every wonderful gift which keeps us enabled. May the good Lord continue to hold you in the palm of His Hands.
Love,
Cliff, Nkiru and Family
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