Heavenhigh

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

This lady looks very muslem but is Christian — This lady looks very muslem but is a Christian

Travel

This week we returned from Taraba State. 2475 Kl. is a long way in this country. But we are thankful to God for a safe trip and for meeting many of the people we know in the places we worked in the past. We did not meet everyone we wanted to but time was not on our side. It was very hot when we left Niger State about 108 degrees daily and 90 at night. But as we went south things started to cool off to around 80 degrees, we are blessed with air in the vehicle so that was a help, and all the hotel accommodation were air conditioned. Besides that harmattan blew in so thick it reminded me of times in the past when we grounded the airplanes due to lack of visibility. Harmattan also keeps things a lot cooler. Over all it was a very good trip. The one goal we had was to see Pastor Nahum and Maryamu at Akwabe. He has a phone but no reception there so we tried to contact Pastor Ishaya Nahum, their son, but to no avail. We staopped at Mina, Mukurdi, Wukari, Takum, Kungana, Marrarba, Tatin Ndoro (where Ishaya is the pastor) Baissa, Sabon Gida Akwanwe, and Akwabe. As it turned out a two track was just completed to Akwabe because a team of engineers went to check out a dam site. Unexpectedly we could drive right to the river and walk across to Akwabe. On top of that the Regional Church Council was having a revival meeting there so we got to see people we did not expect to see. God is good. Good in more ways than one as it turned out because a couple of hours after arriving I came down with an intense fever, vomiting and diarrhea that gave us a good scare thinking it would be awhile before we would be able to travel again. We could not go to the service that night but thanks to God and Gremar who always packs medicine wherever she goes; I recovered during the night, nothing short of a miracle, and was able to bring greetings at the morning worship service on Saturday. We had to leave again at noon so as to make it back to Niger State by Monday afternoon. The way back was uneventful but we were not looking forward to the heat; harmattan had blown in at Mahula as well and it was about 97 degrees when we arrived home, almost cool. The dust is still here and it is much cooler now at night. The following pictures are of our trip.

Cocoa the main cash crop in Sobon Gida Akwanwe and the surrounding area

It has started rain in Sobon gida — It has started rain in Sobon Gida.

The rain forest Baissa Akwanwe — The rain forest at Baissa / Akwanwe

TR bringing greetings to people at the revival meeting — Bringing greetings to people at the revival meeting

Akwabe The band is at the ready — Akwabe, The band is at the ready

tr Using a traditional stringed instrument — Using a traditional stringed instrument for the service

Tr No more grinding by hand — No more grinding by hand

Towns streets are busy, — The towns we traveled through the streets are busy

tr Solar powered street lights, Makurdi — Solar powered Street light, Makurdi

TS Family on Bike — Why not the whole family?

tr The local restaurant — The local restaurant

TR Dried bush meat and fish ready for the soup — Dried bush meat and fish ready for the soup

Harmatan dust after six days — Harmatan dust in the house after six days of travel

Dry Season

TS K. A. river not all are dried up — Not all the rivers dry up

We have been in the dry season for 5 months and do not expect rain until the end of march This area is rolling savanna scattered with 1500 ft rocky out cropping like they were pushed up out of level ground. (see photos and Map) It is extremely dry right now but I am told that by the end of march the rains will begin with an annual rain fall of about forty inches. This is the time when people rebuild their grain storage binds, repair their corn stalk fences, get grass to repair their roofs, gather firewood and make mud block to build with. People also have cassava plots in the dry season. But it is not always dry I include a picture of the rains.

Fog no harmatan dust — Fog? No, Harmatan dust

DR S More clouds these days — A lot more clouds now days

Dr S Dry at the river James and Tabitha — The river at Komfoni (see map) is completely dry

A dry season casava patch proteced from goats — A dry season casava patch proteced fron cattle and goats

Dry Season Frogs at Pump — Everyone is looking for water at the pump

Dry season Grass — Dry season is a time to gather grass for the roof repair

Dry season Making blocks — And a time to make building block

Dry Season A time for courses and gatherings.

Whatever these ants were after they cleared a trail to get to it

dry s Rainy season View — A preview of the rainy season God willing

DR S No lack of water at the Hotel along the Benue river. — No lack of water at the hotel along the Benue river

Honu

Yesterday we traveled to Honu where Yusufu Joseph and Saratu (Sarah) work it is a long ways away, see map (upper left) but it is off the map. I have revised the map to reflect the reality of the work. Now there are 11 more churches and more workers. There has , been much progress in spreading the Gospel. Honu is one of those new places. A bore hole was dug there three years ago and now a small church has started. The first thing that happened when the evangelist arrived is that his wife lost their new baby. After that a violent storm took off the roof of the church and knocked down most of the walls. The church is rebuilt but no roof yet and that is why we came with other church members from RCC (Reginal Church Council) Niger. It took us three hours to get there due to the bush road, then being directed to the wrong church, and then not being able to climb the far back of the river so that we had to walk a 1/2 a mile. I forgot my hat and got properly burned. The sun was brutal. The service was outside (see pictures) but it was a success, we raised enough to get the roof put on, about 50,000 Niara. After a meal of rice and goat meat we headed back. On the way back we picked up people from Idaci who were on the way to Honu but their vehicle had broken down. We got home just before dark, all in all it was a good day but we hope we do not have many more days this long and this hot.