Heavenhigh

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”

Leaving Niger State was a whirlwind, packing, tie up loose ends, and the difficulty of saying good by. We needed a little time in Jos to recover and people were gracious, inviting us over for meals and fellowship. The mission community was just great and we thank them. This trip was a study in contrasts and highlighted God’s wonderful diverse creation. It is indeed very good.

Gremar and I have started to read “The Story” together. The creation story is beautiful in its simplicity and tells us all we need to know. It is also a sad story and explains why life is as we know it today and we may only speculate on what could have been. When reading the first section of the story it seems like there is creation and immediately following, like a day or two, the fall. I speculate that is not the case and believe there were many years between creation and the fall. However the fall is a reality very much with us and will be for as long as Jesus is on the way. Even so God has promised us seasons, summer and winter and seed time and harvest up to the time Jesus comes again.

Are we still responsible for working and dressing the garden? Yes I believe we are to take care of the earth by being responsible with what God gives us now because what we do in the name of Jesus now are the building blocks for the New Heaven and the New Earth. We can only imagine what that will be like but if it is as beautiful as our present world we are in for a fantastic adventure lasting for eternity. It is a concept hard to come to grips with but the evidence is in God’s creation around us every day.

You have seen the dry season so I include a little rain taken by Jim Trezenberg and some nature shots.

boganvilya — Bougainvillea on the Jos compound

tulups red purplr — Tulips Red and Purple The Netherlands

A thunder storm in Jos — A Thunder storm in Jos

The shore at Hoorn, The Netherlans — The shore at Hoorn, The Netherlands

tulups orange — Orange tulips the Netherlands

tulups purple — A field of many colors the Netherlands

tulups verity — A variety of color the netherlands

Letting Go!

Letting Go! Life is full of change and most of us have to let go of things; jobs, houses we have lived in, people we have known, and favorite things we have hung onto for too long.

It seems like missionaries have to let go more than the average person. We let go of our life in our home country, we let go of people we work with every home service and then the process begins all over again. We change jobs, mission stations, people groups and turn over in mission staff. We seem to be letting go much of the time. That is what we are facing right now; letting go of the people we have come close to at Mahula, letting go of Bible school students, evangelists, pastors and their wives we have had the privilege to teach and letting go of Matt, Laura and David. I think we forgot how difficult letting go is when people get into your life like the people we have spent the last three months with. I think a good solution is what we have had to do so many times before; that is to be thankful for the past and look forward to what God has in store for us next. What we leave behind will always be in our hearts, and always prepares us for the future. It is good practice for Christians, ultimately we have to let go of this life but are prepared for the life to come; the New Heaven and the New Earth built with all the things we have had to let go of. Eph. 4:11-13, Rev. 14:13

The womens fellowship, Idaci — The women's fellowship, Idaci

Hesron, Christy and Joshua 2 — Hezron, Christy and Joshua

The Importance of Willingness

Not long ago, after we retired someone asked me: how does one in ministry finish well? My answer: Be willing! Be willing in ministry and be willing in retirement, ministry does not stop. Last week we were looking forward to have our Pastoral Care course in Momo when we became aware of the continued health problems of John and Grace’s 2 week old baby, they both attend the course. When we saw the child it was obvious that he needed immediate care. Nothing to do but skip the course and take them to the hospital at Tuden Magagia 2 1/2 hrs away. We arrived at the hospital but they did not do what we thought needed to be done; hospitalize the child, administer fluids, and treat Grace to increase her breast milk. What they got was multivites, we suspect they did not give this very sick child much chance of recovery. What to do? Take them home to Maratu? Give them travel money to get home? We decided that we would invite them to come to Mahula with us and do what we could for this child. Gremar and Grace worked hard for three days; Similac spoon fed, antibiotics by mouth, children’s motrin and antimalarias. Gremar was able to get medication from Laura to increase Grace’s milk flow. The baby continued to have a fever but he was starting to nurse a little. Things were touch and go for a while but by Friday he was starting to turn the corner. John and I looked for medication and we were able to get a vial of antibiotics, needles and syringes because his temperature was still higher than normal. We brought them home on Saturday and the local health worker continued with treatment. We thank God, Habila is still improving everyday and we thank God for the opportunity to serve him in this very important way. God is good all of the time!

John and Grace's newborn recovering from malaria and malnourishment

With God's help John and Grace were able to return home with a healty child

Volumo

Before going to the launching at Volumo on Sunday I was asked to preach at Mahula in Hausa so I need to reflect in English on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the lost son, and/or of the compassionate father. We have come to know this parable as the parable of the Prodigal Son because of the two parables that go before it; the Lost Sheep, and the Lost Coin. These parables are about praise; praises that go on in heaven and the praises of the angels of God because what was lost is found, what was broken is restored. The third parable is what we will concentrate on. There are three major players; the younger son, the father, and the older son. It is a parable that includes; sinfulness, self-righteousness, repentance, forgiveness, compassion, and restoration. In a word this is a story of God’s love extended freely to his broken and fallen creation.

The story is about us! Where are we? As Christians we are restored to God’s fellowship.

We have come home. Before we knew Jesus we wandered aimlessly in a place far away. We came to our senses and accepted the way back to God by believing in and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Yet, we can again find ourselves in a far away place. Sin, drives us back to that awful place. Like the son in the parable we don’t stop being God’s child, like the father, God is on the lookout for us every day. Like the father, God is ready to receive us back, not as a worker or a slave but as a son and daughter with the full privileges of a child of God. Better yet, Lets stay home!

Maybe that is the case, we stayed home like the older brother, yet things are not right. He is angry about the younger sons return and that his father has accepted him unconditionally. Has not the father also accepted him unconditionally? “You are always with me and all I have is yours” the father tells him. The older son is not able to forgive, he is self-righteous, and he is condemning. Today, many Christians find themselves with the older son’s attitude. According to the parable it is a very bad place to be and he is in danger of being excluded from the reconciliation celebration.

The attitude of the father is the attitude of Christ. Before the prodigal could say one word, before we can do one thing or say one thing God has us in his arms and has already restored us because restoration is accomplished by God’s act in Jesus Christ. God’s compassion is for us difficult to comprehend and impossible to duplicate but that is what this parable is trying to teach us; the un-reconcilable difference between the older son’s and the father’s attitude. If we are to be like Jesus and I believe we are to be insofar as we are able, it is the attitude of the father that we must cultivate and hold onto. The angels will rejoice!

That afternoon a launching was held for the church building at Volumo

Getting ready to start the launching for the church building at Volmo — Getting ready to start the launching for the church building at Volumo

A Lot of people turned out for the launching

Our neighbors, Mary and Rosie at the church launching

The heat was relentless but shade and a breeze helped

Moworo

On Sunday I was asked to officiate at the communion service being held at Moworo where Obadia and Briskila are stationed. They participate in the Mahula pastor’s course. Rev. Likita was scheduled to preach and he brought an extra pastor’s robe for me. The church building is small so we had the worship service outside under the mango tree near the church. There was a nice breeze to go with it as a bonus because the temperature is about as high as it gets here this time of the year; 105- 110 degrees F, cooling to 90 on some nights. I was glad I did not have to put the pastor’s robe on until the communion service later held in the church building. We had 28 people at the communion service but only 20 cups so we did that part twice. I noticed that the church did not have benches, people sat on boards on the ground; we hope we will be able to change that. It was however a meaningful service; I gave up trying to read the form and its difficult Hausa and opted to explain the intent of the form in simpler Hausa, simpler for me. All in all both services were meaningful and uplifting. We were very glad to participate and I was glad to take that robe off but using it for the service was important to the people present. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

Pastor Likita installing the new elder couple in this church

Zuru

Saturday we went to a wedding at Zuru about 1 hr.1/2 North of Mahula. We were invited but we were also asked to drive the groom and bride back to the groom’s place in Uva’di which is near Mahula. The wedding ceremony was to be held at the ECWC (Evengelical Church of West Africa) in Zuru. We were surprised at all the different churches in this average sized city. I was told that that most people in Zuru are Christians. Nothing starts on time in Nigeria but the first thing we heard from the ECWA pastor was that we were late and he had assumed we were no longer coming. Normally, one hour is not late. I think I got used to NCCN not starting on time. I was to go to the father of bride’s house to pick her up and bring her to church. The location of the house was not clear to anyone as far as I could see and if you have ever driven in the neighborhoods off the main road in Nigerian cities with narrow, partially blocked, and unmarked streets you know that I am talking about frustration. Finally, a couple of little kids eating mangoes showed us the way. The way was blocked by the vehicle that was to pick up her stuff. I parked off to the side only to be told by John and Obadiah the Evangelists accompanying me that we were being fined for being late, not us but the groom and that needed to be paid. Apparently, the bride refused to come out of her room. I made a comment about paying the driver. I wonder if that was not a ploy for cash by an enterprising family member. However, when they pulled the other vehicle out of the way and I backed into that spot to pick up the bride, the father came out and declared my vehicle unfit to take his daughter to the church. I thought I had seen it all! Somehow this was all resolved in short order by John and Obadiah and we were off to the church; bride, attendants, and a whole lot of other people. The wedding was typically Nigerian; a procession by the bride, attendants, and father into the church. The groom and bride sit in front of the pulpit facing the congregation while every group in the church is given a chance to sing a special number. If people like the song they come up and drop money at the feet of those singing and I assume this for the couple. Then there was a very appropriate sermon by the ECWA pastor (the bride’s pastor) on Proverbs 18:22. I was asked to pray for the couple; I had a hard time with it but not because of the Hausa language. Then it was Rev. Jolly Tonko’s turn, the Principle of the Bible School, to begin the official ceremony. He began with prayer, a declaration by the father, vows, exchange of rings, a demonstration of depending on each other, gave them the church’s certificate and a blessing. After the service we loaded up the bride, groom, and attendants for the hr.+1/2 ride to Uva’di. Matt. Lancer had also agreed to help out and he took all the Pastor’s, Evangelists, and wives back to Uva’di. What was amazing about that trip was that there was very little conversation but the maid of honor sang Christians songs for every bit of the hr.+1/2; We were impressed she knew so many songs from memory. Uva’di is about 10 miles from the main road and consists of many family compounds separated by each other’s fields. Compounds are far apart when compared to the city where they are right on top of each other. There will be a lot to get used to for this new wife but they both are Christians and the groom is a friend of Samson the Evangelist placed there. The bride is from a Christian family. The groom was a Muslim and married before with two kids but when he contracted polio and ended up with a severe limp his wife left him and took the kids with her. That difficult time opened up for him the way to become Christian Now that he is married we wonder if he will try to get his children back since they are being raised as Muslims. After I heard the whole story Gremar and I were glad to be part of this very important event. Gremar is the one taking most of the pictures.

Acceptance — The older women of the compound throw dust on themselves to proclaim the bride acceptable

Water Wins

We have been talking about the need for water and for the need for wells and pumps. The organization that supplies clean water, spiritual water and other development is: http://www.waterwins.com The pictures you have seen about that work and the pictures with this post are people from that organization at work. Check out their webpage. The need for clean water and readily assessable water is acute as is the need to repair the pumps that are down. Not every village has the resources to keep the pumps maintained. We are thankful for the pump at Mahula it is now repaired so that I can pump directly into our overhead tanks at the same time everyone has free use. In this dry hot environment you learn to appreciate simply water; it is physical life as the Spirit is life for the soul. With out one or the other we die!

Pump crew2 — Getting the Mahula pump back togather

: Taking a break on the rig

Mahula Course

Two weeks a ago the course at Mahula raised the question: How do new Christian converts interact with their relatives who are Tradition African believers? The issue comes up because when there is a death certain sacrifices are carried out. Sometimes the ceremony is postponed until an opportune time or until it involves more than one person. There was a ceremony held near here that was a huge affair because it involved seven people who had died in that family group. Many people spent two or three days in that compound. The issue for the new believer is involvement; not only in the ceremony but eating the food that is prepared. Some people thought that the food should be accepted but not eaten so as not to alienate the family. Others thought that all food should be refused upfront. After we pondered the question for a week and studied the pertinent passages we came back for further discussion. The two passages that stand out are I Cor. 8:1-13 and I Cor. 10: 14-32. In I Cor. 8 Paul gives no credit to idols in terms of defiling food but as is the case with new believers that is not yet understood. Therefore, in this passage Paul’s main concern is offending your fellow believer by not being careful about what you eat. In I Cor. 10 however Paul is concerned about food sacrificed to Satan. That is the main concern here as well. The animal is killed at the grave site; sacrificed in order to release the spirit of the relative. Food sacrificed to Satan we are not free to eat as Paul points out: Christians cannot eat and drink at the Lord’s Supper and participate in what is offered to Satan. The answer that we struggled with is as follows: We are to ask no questions if food is given to us by a traditional believing relative; if one is not told this food has been sacrificed at the grave site we are free to eat. But the new Christian and Christians in general must not participate in this spirit release ceremony and if they are told that the food brought to them was sacrificed at the grave site they must refuse it. This could also be an issue for Christians who buy meat in the market in this part of Nigeria because 99 percent of the time a Moslem Cleric prays over the animal before butchered. If we take Paul’s advice we ask no questions of conscience about the meat.

mahula six of seven — Hard at work at Mahula

Idaci

This week Sunday we are going to Idaci, we have been there only once but it is a growing place with a large church and a school. There is also a school in Maretu and Mazame where Bill and Alie Hart lived and worked. Dave and Jan Dykgraaf spent many years living and working in Idaci.

Today I am working on an Easter sermon for Idaci, of course the sermon is to be in Hausa but I need to reflect on it in English. Ps.118 is a prayer and a hymn of thanksgiving for salvation from the kings and the people’s enemies. I assume it to be a prayer of David but it could also be a liturgical hymn for one of the feasts. What is significant is that there are messianic elements proclaimed by the author under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I am only applying verses 21 – 26; certainly the cornerstone is God’s salvation; Jesus Christ confirmed in both the Old Test. Isa.28:16 and the New Test. I Pet 2:4-8. The Lord our God has done this and it is marvelous. In anticipation of Easter the Psalmist rejoices in the day of the Lord; “This is the day that Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. Indeed, today is a day for rejoicing. Here also is echoed the cries of the worshipers at Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem proclaiming him King; the same people a day or two later scream “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Fast forward Easter Morning. Matt. 28:1-10. Two women, both named Mary, followers of Jesus, head for the tomb but there is an earthquake at about the time they arrive. The soldiers sent to guard the tomb are lying on the ground as dead men. A powerful angel as bright as lightning had moved the stone and is sitting on it. The women stare in amazement. They are afraid but know they have no reason to be, God is good, merciful, compassionate, and is our salvation. “You are looking for Jesus, he is not here, and he has risen as he told you. Now go and tell his disciples” the angel commands them. Before they go very far Jesus meets them, when they realize it is Jesus they worship in awe. Are we in awe this Easter morning? Does our worship reflect our awe and joy? Jesus gives them a command as well: “Go and tell my brothers” He tells them to meet him in Galilee. When Jesus meets them he gives us all a command: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Are we listening?

Idaci church and primary school dormitories

Women's group Idaci 2 — Women's group Idaci

The Youth Group,Idaci — The Youth Group, Idaci

Maretu

Friday, 3/26 Case and I with a carload full of happy women and children drove to Maretu for the Women’s Revival Meeting. Can you picture this, one man, thirteen women and 6 babies all loaded up in the pickup to drive for 2 1/2 hr over bumpy ,dusty, hot roads to a little village in the middle of no where. We arrived about 3:30 plenty of time for Case to drive back home since no one drives here in the dark. Women came from all the churches in this classis, and filled the local school of two classrooms with sleeping mats, rice, guinea corn, oil, cooking pots and personal belongings. I had fully expected to sleep with the women on the cement floor and had even bought a sleeping mat, but was brought to the evangelists home to sleep in their guest room, on a water bed mind you that was left by the former missionaries there. (Larry/ Rose Van Zee lived here for 23 years, quite an achievement.) Grace, the evangelists wife mentioned that at night I would see ????? but not to worry, so I didn’t ask what the ???? was since she had said I wouldn’t have to worry about it. The first meeting was to start at 8 PM but by the time supper was cooked for about 100 women and children, the meeting started at 10PM. One of the pastors spoke a great message of encouragement for all of us and then drums, dancing and singing. By midnight I decided to turn in. Sleep wouldn’t come, the strangeness, the drums, and then I heard some scratching and running across the rafters and tops of the mud block walls and I saw the ?????, with beady little eyes looking back at me, yes rats, not just one or two, but families of them busy scurrying here and there, jumping down onto my bag hanging on a nail on the wall, and scooting out of a large hole in the screen. Since it was about 95 degrees with not a breeze I couldn’t even hide under the blankets, but pray I did! I woke up with the roosters crowing with not a rat in sight, and told everyone I had a great night.

Saturday, first meeting at 9AM, lots of singing and another speaker, food was cooked at 11, and yours truly spoke at 3 PM. There are 3 local congregations in this regional church area with many preaching centers in each center. There was a singing contest that afternoon of the 3 congregations, and it was great to see the dancing along with the singing. Another meeting after supper at night starting a 9PM followed with more drumming, dancing and singing. I joined for about an hour, it was wonderful to see everyone praising God, many of these women being first generation Christians. I slept a little better that night knowing that our friendly rats were really not interested in me. Sunday morning the church was packed to many standing by the windows, Case had also come to pick us up. It was a great time of worship and fellowship!

the womens revival meeting — The women's revival meeting

Dancers 2 maretu Drumer at Maretu Dancers 3 Maratu