May 23rd - Going to Church, Nigerian Style

I bet as all of you were going to church this morning, you saw the Comfort Inn on your way, or perhaps some of the fast food restaurants; and, of course, all the lovely homes to your left and your right. The picture on your left of the cattle was what WE saw on our way to church in the village. There they were just grazing and lazing by the side of the road. Amazing!

The picture (upper right) is of the village school and it's also on the church grounds so it is used for when they have Sunday School. The rooms are bare, except for a few benches and a blackboard. But I imagine they are very thankful for the school. It was very hot in church this morning and it was crowded. Remember, when Grace Church started their building program almost five years ago; well, the village ECWA Church is also beginning a building program. Our son-in-law, John, is an "advisor" for them and their new church building will be still very simple but with many more windows and many more seats. God is adding new believers all over the world - how exciting is that!

The picture below is of Pastor Dauda and Crist holding our "welcoming gift". It's a LIVE chicken and is from his own chicken coop. How gracious he was to bless us this way and we felt very honored. Pastor Dauda came to visit us this past week too - a pastoral call. How humbling it is to know that Pastor Dauda gave out of his essentials while we so much of the time give out of our excess. This coming Saturday we will be attending a "planting celebration" by the ECWA village church for Pastor Dauda. Everyone will come together and help till and plant his field with the crops he will need to live on. (no roto-tiller either - just manual tools and labor).

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare fearlessly as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20

In-joy,

Crist and Eileen