Monday, February 27, 2006

Village Outreach




Recently a team from Jos went on an outreach to a village a few hours away. It was an amazing experience. Hundreds of people anxiously awaited our arrival and were lined up for hours to get medicine. It was the perfect time to talk with them about AIDS since I had a captive audience. I stood on a table in front of hundreds who gathered and shared basic information about HIV/AIDS. I also shared about the hope that can be found in Jesus. It was incredible and really cool to see so many there. We had two clinics over the weekend and saw over 600 people total. It was crazy!!! We showed the Jesus film late one evening and many came to saving faith that night. We pray for this village that many who professed Christ will grow in their faith and become passionate followers of Jesus!

ARV clinic

Many people have come for ARV clinic to get free drugs. Before we started this new program we were seeing only 8-10 people at wednesday clinic. Last week we had over 80 people total for the three clinic days. I pray for boldness to share the gospel with those who are desperate to hear it!!

Thursday, February 23, 2006

BLINDTOWN




Every week city ministries goes to the slums of Blindtown where a majority of people here are blind. They bring a mobile clinic with Community health workers and doctors who give basic medicine that saves many lives. I will never forget one woman I met that day in Blindtown. She lay dying in fetal position on a cement floor; the smell of her own feces permeated the air. I fell to my knees and prayed over her that she would come to know Christ. I heard she died later that night. Sometimes when I think about the despair and hopelessness of people here I am overhelmed. I am so thankful to know the Love and peace of the one and only true God. May that always spur me on to have compassion for those who have yet to discover the riches and pleasure of knowing Jesus Christ!



"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. HE saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having hope of eternal life!"


Titus 3:4-7

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

LONDON IN 8 HOURS






On my way to Nigeria I had a 12 hour layover in London and was able to tour the city seeing everything from Big Ben to Parliament and the London Eye. We ended up at All Souls church where the pastor preached on Psalm 91. How perfect that he mentioned Nigeria and not fearing "the lion or the cobra!" I know God ordained me to hear that message, and I praise Him for encouraging my heart with the truth of His powerful word. God knew exactly what I needed to prepare me for the rough road ahead. I will never forget how His peace poured over me that night.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Mighty to Save

Father,
Thank you for sending your son that I may have life in you—you have died so that I may be here in Nigeria to share my life and your love with these people. May I live for you in all things and for your glory----to make you known among Nigerians.
MAY YOU SAVE MANY NIGERIANS THROUGH MY WITNESS AND LIFE HERE IN THESE NEXT 2 YEARS………I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU FIRST LOVED ME
.

This picture is Ladi with her children Jerry and Kyauta (means gift) taken a few months ago. The children are now orphans, and Ladi's sister Ruth is caring for them.


Above is a journal entry from September 8, 2005. As I consider Ladi's salvation within the last few weeks of her life I am thankful to have been a part of her life. Loving and caring for Ladi has been one of the most rewarding and amazing experiences in all my life. The vision of Ladi's face and the music that she sang from the depths of her soul will be etched in my mind forever! She also cried out for everyone to hear, "Jesus Saves, He is power!" One night I stayed at the hospital until 1 a.m. with Ladi and we sang together. But after singing awhile I stopped for a moment as I pondered her condition and the appearance of her badly burned body. I couldn't help but burst into tears. When Ladi saw me gazing at her and crying she looked right into my eyes and said, "aunty Susan don't cry, don't cry!" Even in the midst of her suffering she was worried about me. It was precious! That's how Jesus was moving in her to love others and comfort them with the comfort God had given her. The last time I saw Ladi I told her to cling to the cross; that only Jesus knew what she was going through and even though her family had rejected her that nothing could separate her from God's love! Then I kissed her hand and forehead, and with our hands clasped together tightly I said goodbye for the last time. I will never forget her and the impact she had on my life. Words aren't enough to describe the mighty power of Jesus to save her and how He brought Ladi and I together in spirit. If God called me back home today I would be satisfied because being a part of Ladi's life was enough! But I know He is not calling me home now and so I press on toward the goal and continue to strive to make Jesus known! When things are difficult and I feel I can't say goodbye to one more person from AIDS I will remember this moment and persevere. God is my strength of my heart always!!

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!"

Psalm 73:25-26

The Valley of Vision

"LORD, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory."