Mazeme, one of the three congregations of CRCN RCC Niger

We arrived at Mazeme about 9;30; it is about an hour and a half drive through mostly bush.  We saw a few farms but not many people. The road is rough; 1^st and 2^nd gear mostly but it is preferred over the main road which is mostly broken up black top. We meet Pastor Ben Likita on the way pushing his motorcycle. He had left the meeting early that morning to bring a sick child for treatment at Gulbin Boka but had a flat on the way back.  We loaded up the bike in the pickup and he joined us on our way.    The service was in full swing when we arrived but I still had time to video some of the KYK groups (Youth for Christ) and the special numbers. The church building here is small, adequate for regular Sundays services but this day there were more people outside than in the building.  Fortunately,  there are several shade trees near the church because the sun is brutal this time of the year.  However this year is the coolest we have experienced so far, it still climbs up to over a hundred degrees F. during the day but it cools off at night to good sleeping temperature; about 80 F, cool is relevant here. The service continued with the pastoral prayer which I was asked to do. Given the situation in the country I started by reading Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians chapter  1: 17-18. Nigeria needs God’s strength and protection; We need to know Him and to know the hope to which he has called the church. The pastor, Pastor Markus, a recent graduate from Venstra Seminary, read his passage; Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 and that he  coupled with Acts 13:47. “Remember your creator in all that you do and remember you are the light to those around you.” The last thing before the closing blessing was the collection. They are always a lot of fun with music and dancing. In comparison our services in the CRCNA are subdued.  We could learn from our Nigerian sisters and brothers. We praise God for His church the world over.  Bill and Alie Hart spent 9 years here. The result of God’s work through them and the other missionaries here at the time is a vibrant church and a primary school in Mazeme built by Christian Schools International.  Our trip home was uneventful except we did take Ayuba (Job) and his bicycle (a flat tire)  and several other students and their children back to the Bible School. I got back in time to skype with our kids, all in all, it was a blessed Sunday. Praise be to God!