A Village Outreach

Hi Everyone,

Crist and I have talked alot about doing a village outreach, but usually it's at the Education Center or the Viewing Center or at the Doctor's compound. I don't think we've actually shown you "the village". Well, yesterday, several of us went into Kisayhip B Village to follow-up with the widows from when we took all of their pictures a month ago. We went late afternoon, knowing that we would be leaving no later than 6 p.m. because it's very dangerous to be driving when it gets dark. We saw maybe half of the widows and we'll continue next Tuesday. We handed to each widow their individual picture that was taken. They all LOVED that. Having their picture taken is a wonderful treat and in the Nigerian culture it also is a "hand of friendship" extended.

We walked from hut to hut, calling on the widows and praying with them. We also invited them to a "Forum" that we're having at the Education Center for them on Nov. 28th. It will be a time of getting to know them better and to hear from them what some of their immediate needs might be. It was a sweet time and, of course, we had oodles of children hanging onto our arms and wanting to accompany us on our way. You can see in the pictures a little bit of what the village is like. There are chickens walking all over the place, as well as pigs and dogs. Corn is in the process of being harvested so in the various compounds you could see ears of corn drying on the ground. Some were already beginning to pound the corn (see the two boys). In a way it's like going back in time. Everything is done by hand here, so there is a real sense of how it probably was in the United States back in the 1800's.

All the children were so excited to just be with us. They fight over who's holding our hands and each wants to be the one with that honor. They have so little yet they seem quite content. In the village it is very common to see the littlest ones walking around with no clothes on or at least with no bottoms on. I'm guessing that they're being "potty trained" and it's so much easier without having any pants on to worry about.

We're excited about what the Lord is beginning to prepare for us as we reach out to the widows and orphans in the village. But more important than just meeting immediate needs, we want to establish a long-term relationship with them that will have eternal benefits. It's fun being a part of God's long-term plans.

Well, we'll chat with you again soon.

In-joy,

Eileen and Crist