Tag Archives: prayer

Nigeria

Devotions (EYN Daily Link) June 21-27, 2015

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DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from the
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted a week at a time on this blog, appearing mid-week for the following week. More information about the crisis can be found at www.nigeriacrisis.org.

Click on this link for Devotions-June-21st-27th-2015

Nigeria

Devotions (EYN Daily Link) June 21 – 27, 2015

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DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from the
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted a week at a time on this blog, appearing mid-week for the following week. More information about the crisis can be found at www.nigeriacrisis.org.

Click on this link for Devotions June 21 – 27

Nigeria

A story of Courage

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A Story of Courage by Donna Parcell

Monica - Picture by Donna Parcell

Monica – Picture by Donna Parcell

Her name is Monica.  She is 29 years old, and she is a widow.  Her life changed forever in 2009.

She lived in Michika village in Borno State, Nigeria.  She had three sons, Godwin (age 12), David (age 11), and Joseph (age 6).  The schools had just been closed, and she had taken David to her mother’s house.  Even though grandmothers do not have favorites, her mother and David have a special bond so he was going to spend some time with her.  Then she returned home to her husband and other two sons.

Three days later, in the middle of the night while they were sleeping, Boko Haran attacked their village.  Monica’s husband yelled for them all to lie down on the floor.  But the attackers entered their house.  Monica witnessed them beheading her husband, and cutting the throats of her other two sons and killing them.   They also brutally cut Monica’s left arm as she had her arms raised in defense.  Then they cut her throat, leaving her for dead.  But she lived.

A neighbor found her and took her to the hospital.  For the next year and five months she was in the hospital several times for surgeries to repair her arm and throat.  Three years later another series of surgeries had her in the hospital over the course of nine months.  And there are still more surgeries scheduled.DSC_1034 sized

She has had to cope with the loss of her husband and two sons, plus the trauma of her own attack and recovery.  She has been reunited with David, and is living is Jos.  Monica finds comfort and strength in her Lord Jesus Christ, and has found support from other widows and friends.  She receives food and supplies from organizations such as CCEPI, run by Rebecca Dali.

Monica is thankful for our prayers, and leans heavily into Jesus for comfort and strength.

Nigeria

Devotions (EYN Daily Link) June 7-13 2015

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DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from the
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted a week at a time on this blog, appearing mid-week for the following week. More information about the crisis can be found at www.nigeriacrisis.org.

Click on this link for June 7th – 13, 2015

Nigeria

Though the fig tree does not bud…yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

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Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The tragedy that many Nigerians have lived through would have crushed most of us but like the above passage in Habakkuk, they continue to praise their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Naomi and her 1-year old daughter, Hope

Naomi and her 1-year old daughter, Hope

Naomi’s story by Peggy Faw Gish

One-year-old “Hope” crawled around on the floor of the reception area at the EYN Headquarters Annex in Jos.  She had a quick smile and inquisitive face.  Every time she headed toward the door to the outside steps, her mother, Naomi, got up and caught her just in time.  Many EYN staff members enjoyed playing around with Hope on their way through the room.

Naomi had worked as a secretary to the Director of Education for EYN, at the former headquarters near Mubi. She and her daughters, Blessing (18) and Hope (1) fled on October 29, 2014, when Boko Haram attacked there, and they found their way to Jos. Now they live in Jos and she works at the  EYN headquarters annex.

Behind her welcoming smile, her face showed her deep pain as she told about her husband, Bello Philip Mwada, a member of the Nigerian Police Force, and her three sons, Moses, Emmanuel, and Haruna, who had been killed by Boko Haram fighters. “My husband, was a man of God,” Naomi said, but he was targeted because several times he found out that militant fighters were coming to a particular community, and he warned the residents to flee.

Blessing will soon be finishing secondary school, and hopes to be able to go to a university, but does not know how she will do that financially.  Naomi, who now works at the headquarters and has the full care of her daughters, doesn’t expect she will return to  Mubi, but will try to resettle in Jos. In spite of her losses and grief, she expressed her gratitude for the EYN community which has helped her during these difficult times, and to God who gives her strength.

Let us continue to lift up in prayer our brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

 

Nigeria

EYN Pastor’s Wives’ Conference, A Joyful Reunion

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EYN Pastor’s Wives’ Conference, A Joyful Reunion

EYN Pastor's Wives Conference

EYN Pastor’s Wives Conference

by Peggy Faw Gish

The Jos church sanctuary was packed once again, this time with women all in similar yellow-patterned clothing, with “EYN Pastors’ Wives” written on it in Hausa and English, for the annual Pastors’ Wives Annual Conference. Lively chatter filled the hallways and the churchyard during the breaks as hundreds of women milled around reuniting with each other.

“How to Overcome Crisis,” was the theme of the conference and of the bible studies and discussions led by Sister Rebecca Dali.  She looked at many scripture passages that focus on the inevitability of suffering and ways of dealing with it.  Then she applied what was reading to the threat of Boko Haram, with even some practical advice about things a person should take with them if they need to flee immediate threat. When women asked questions about whether we are expected to forgive and try to live again aside of people who wronged them, her answer was an emphatic, “Yes!”

One sister gave an emotional prayer, crying, and calling on God to help us not just focus on the evils of Boko Haram, but to change our own hearts and root out the envy, selfishness, greed, hatred, and other seeds of violence in our lives.

Another woman I greeted told me that she saw friends here she hadn’t seen for a long time. “Because of the disastrous times we’ve been through,” she said, “I didn’t know if some of these friends were still alive or not until we met again here. And that makes this reunion a particularly joyful one!”

 

Nigeria

Devotions May 31 – June 6, 2015

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DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from the
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted a week at a time on this blog, appearing mid-week for the following week. More information about the crisis can be found at www.nigeriacrisis.org.

Click on this link for May 31th -June 6, 2015

Nigeria

Devotions May 24 – 30, 2014

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DAILY LINK WITH GOD 2015EYN Devotions graphic
A Daily Devotional Guide from the
EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria)

EYN leaders in Nigeria believe prayer is one of the most important ways to support the Nigerian people and the Church.  These daily devotions were written by EYN members and published by the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. Reading them daily is a powerful way we can be in solidarity and connect with our brothers and sisters caught in this crisis.  EYN’s daily devotional for 2015 will be posted a week at a time on this blog, appearing mid-week for the following week. More information about the crisis can be found at www.nigeriacrisis.org.

Click on this link for Devotions May 24th – May 30th 2015

Nigeria

Abel’s Daughter – A success story

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Written by Rhoda (secretary for the Nigeria Disaster Team)IMG_0308

Abel was a staff member of EYN Headquarters. He worked in Mubi before the Boko haram attacked that community. In November he was assigned a new position as Medical Officer with the Relief Team. He has a 14 year old daughter named Sarah. In October she was at school with other children when the attack in Mubi started. She was kidnapped with other children and kept in Mubi under the supervision of the Boko Haram people.

Sarah was injured as a result of bombings by the Nigerian Air force on the buildings occupied by Boko Haram and the kidnapped children. Many children lost their lives while Sarah was wounded in the leg. According to Sarah, she was attended by Doctors and her leg was amputated from the knee down without any form of pain relief. She said she was well taken care of by the Boko Haram. It is believed that the Doctors and other workers serving Boko Haram are citizens kidnapped either in their homes or on the roads.

However, Abel was devastated and distraught. He had come to Jos with all the staff of EYN headquarters but he couldn’t think of anything or concentrate on anything because of his missing daughter. His wife was so sick and heartbroken, the situation was very pathetic. The church kept praying for God to strengthen Abel and at least show him a sign that his daughter was dead or alive. I was so concerned because of how Abel looked at our Relief team meetings. In December, Abel received a call that his daughter has been rescued and was in Cameroun with other children. What an unbelievable relief to Abel.

Sarah was brought to Jos and received all the necessary medical attention. The team visited Abel at home with his wife and Sarah. I broke down in tears when I saw Sarah and I am hoping the Boko Haram did not molested her sexually, because she is young and very beautiful.

Abel has accepted the state of his daughter in good faith and is strengthened by the help of EYN and Church of the Brethren.  He was assisted with money from the relief funds to be able to take his daughter to a big hospital where she could get very good medical care. She is fast recovering and hoping to go back to school by next year.  “I want her to continue with her education” said Abel. They are also hoping Sarah will be fitted with an artificial limb.

Sarah - Abel's Daughter

Sarah – Abel’s Daughter

Nigeria

Drawing strength from Jesus and each other

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by Donna Parcell (Volunteer just returned from Nigeria)

I am overcome by the strength and resilience of the people of Ekklesiar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN-Church of the Brethren-Nigeria).  Everyone has a story.  There is not one who has not been affected.

There is Zakariya, who hasn’t seen his mother in two years and doesn’t know if she is alive or dead.  And Ibraham who heard from a former neighbor that his father was killed by Boko Haram.  There are those who saw their parents or children killed.  Pastors tell of witnessing people in their congregation killed or tortured.  People fled in different directions, and many have not seen or heard from family members in months or even years.  Everyone we meet has lost someone.  Everyone.  I can’t imagine this happening to my own church.

Most have spent time in Internally Displaced Persons camps (IDP), living in tents with scarce food and water and crowded conditions.  But the children still laugh and play.  They make up games and fashion toys out of discarded water containers or broken tires.  They all have many mothers as the entire village looks out for each other.  They often cook together as a community and fellowship together.

The EYN members in Jos have taken in and cared for displaced persons into their homes.  It is common for a family in a 2 bedroom house to be caring for 50 additional people.  They are not discouraged by this, they are finding ways to take in even more people.

They firmly believe that this persecution will result in spreading the word of God and growing the church, just as it did in the early church.

Despite a burned church - EYN still meets

Despite a burned church – EYN still meets

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.  And yet, they are not poor in spirit.  Yes, they grieve and struggle deeply with their loss.  But they rely heavily on each other for encouragement, support, and guidance.  They turn always to our Heavenly Father, and trust Him in all things.  They are confident in the love of Jesus, and have incredible faith that He will sustain them and bring peace to their country.

They are so appreciative of the concern of the global Church of the Brethren.  They feel covered by the prayers that are placed before the Throne daily on their behalf.  They are humbled that they are remembered and prayed for.  They are strengthened by our concern and prayers.  And through all of the horrific events of their everyday lives, they continue to pray for us.