Ba abinci

In hausa it means "no food."I hear this phrase every single day no matter where I go. Whether walking down the street or in the market many people are going hungry. Muslim children roam the streets begging for money and with their hands to their mouths they repeat "ba abinci, ba abinci!". I see young children crawling on the street begging. Some of them intentionally mamed at birth so they can be permanent beggars for life. These children don't ever see the money except only to hold it in their hand for a while. At the end of the day they hand over what they have begged for to their master. I am constantly reminded of how I take for granted the simple basic necessities of life like food, clean water, and money. Everyday I see the faces of those in despair, and hear the cries of the desperate, destitute and needy. Words can't describe the hopelessness and poverty that permeates this city. How can I help those in need??? Should I just give them the gospel and walk away? I can't possibly walk away because I see Jesus' face and it is His example that leads me to love these people. Even when I don't want to give I remember that God has called me to serve and to share my life so that others might see HIM! Today one of our clients found out that her husband died from AIDS. She herself is positive and growing sicker by the minute. With little immune system left she is trying to fight this deadly disease and failing. Meanwhile she has shrunken down to a mere 90 pounds. She mentioned she had not eaten any food today and appeared hungry. I had some biscuits in my bag but hadn't eaten yet and wanted to save them for later when I was hungry. I gave her a soft banana that seemed unappealing to me but kept the biscuits hidden for myself. Over the next few minutes God kept pricking my heart to give the biscuits to her. I rebelled for the first minute then realized how selfish I was being. I gave her the biscuits but still felt like it was a sacrifice. I am thankful for how God shows me my sin and is slowly refining me so graciously. I am always amazed at my wicked heart and yet God still loves me and forgives me. I pray that next time I see someone who is hungry I will immediately give without thinking about myself. Oh that my hearts instinct would be to give selflessly. May God continue to scrape away my sin and make me more like HIM.


The Valley of Vision:

"THERE IS NO TREASURE SO WONDERFUL AS THAT CONTINUOUS EXPERIENCE OF THY GRACE TOWARD ME WHICH ALONE CAN SUBDUE THE RISINGS OF SIN WITHIN: GIVE ME MORE OF IT!"

Challenge Compound

Above are my neighbors-all single people working in various ministries in Jos. From the left: Susan, Gay Lynn, Niki, Brian, Kevin and George. We have a ton of fun together and they make me laugh all the time........That's key here.

Above is the Challenge compound. We all have single apartments that have been made so nice for us to live. I am thankful for all the preparation that went in to making this place feel like home.

There is a mouse in my house

After 2 hours of tearing my house apart, Heather, Kevin and I were successful in killing the pesty little mouse that made it's home in my kitchen cabinets. I had no idea it was there until last week when I saw it run across the floor and hide in the back of my stove. I am thankful for such good friends who have no problem creature killing with me.

Jesus loves the little children

I love spending time with the children during my home visits. They are precious in the sight of God.

O the deep, deep Love

"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore. How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore; How He watches o'er His loved ones, Died to call them all His own. How for them He intercedeth, Watcheth o'er them from the throne."


I reminded today of the brevity of life. As I ponder the reality of death in this life and the grief and pain that it can bring, my heart longs for a better country; a heavenly one. I am comforted that those who know Jesus and have departed from this life are more alive today than they have ever been. May God be the strength I need to comfort those who mourn and point them to the almighty cross.

The joy of my job as a home care nurse is to encourage, comfort, and point people to Jesus for HE alone offers hope and peace. This picture is from Christmas Eve with Ladi in the middle, her daughter Kelta (means gift) and her mother. Ladi's mom Rebekah is also living with HIV/AIDS. We praise God that Kelta remains negative.

POUND THAT YAM

The village children gather around to be in the picture

Pounded Yam is a staple in the Nigerian diet. The yams are pounded into small pieces and made into a round ball which is eaten with soup. I had fun watching my friends Hajara and Lami pound this yam and prepare a nice meal.