Shegun & The Angels

On the days and weeks after my trip to Nigeria; people were constantly asking “What did you do?” Puzzled and overwhelmed at the thought of such inquiry my response would always be “Not Enough”

This statement still holds true today. I could never do enough, because when you find love in the truest and most pure sense, you can never do enough…

From the moment we landed in Nigeria until the day we left I was completely surprised by love.

In the poorest of nations, where people are suffering and dying from lack of food, clean water, and disease; one would think that you would be met with despair and heart break, but is stead we were met with love…the unconditional kind.

Nothing was ever asked of us, all they wanted to do is just give.

Never in my life have I experienced such an outpouring of generosity; it was quite stunning. Yet what surprised me all the more was the abundance of faith. Our friends were joyful, alive and thirsty to know how God transform lives, of their own and of those who have traveled so far to meet them.

They wanted to know “our stories”, who we were, where we came from, and how we came to know Christ. This longing to know us was critical to them; and as the days passed on our visit to Jos, we found ourselves facilitating their desire by leading worships services and prayer meetings. As the requests for us to do more of this type of Evangelization grew, the more we became transparent. For some of us, this came quite naturally and for others, opening up in such a fashion was different. Yet everyone managed to rise to the occasion and again, we were surprised by love. For not only were we sharing about our faith and our lives; we were creating relationships and building intimacy through our love for Jesus.

After the prayer meetings, the staff and many of the patients would come up to chat. I cherished those moments because it was in those moments that bonds of friendship were formed. We will never truly realize what kind of impact we had in those moments. It is a secret that only our Creator will know for sure, yet I am blessed for the glimpses He reveals, as they are a gift of knowing how His love works though us.

A gift…

His name is Segun [ Shegwin] Adeyanju, and in a crowd of small children, you’d never recognize him. He is a tiny little man, with a big heart and a humble spirit. Segun works at the Faith Alive Hospital in the Administration Department as an advisor of Children’s Services. He is the kind of person who gets lost in a crowd, small, quiet and shy. Segun accompanied us on visits to the Hwol Yarje School and the orphanage. On those first trips I didn’t even know who he was…he never said a word until after a prayer meeting at the hospital one rainy afternoon.

He came up to me and said “Are you Marina?” Surprised that he knew my name I said “yes”. He replied and said” I need your help.” Feeling as though I could never do enough, I fervently agreed to help. We set up a meeting for the next morning to discuss the details of a project he was working on.

Segun was working on a children’s outreach program that would provide support and counseling services to children who are affected by HIV and AIDS. The Faith Alive Hospital had received a donation of materials and supplies from AIDS RELIEF to launch the program but it lacked structure. The resources allocated to them for this program were very scarce and limited. Through quick thinking and organization, together we were able to develop a program that would increase the demographic to include teens and utilize the small resources that were given to be sustainable and renewable.

Dr. Chris named the project” The Faith Alive Angels” The program launched August 30^th and on September 3^rd I received an email from Segun. The program was a huge success with over 300 hundred families enrolled in and around Jos. He mentioned that other hospitals were coming to Faith Alive to learn and received training about the program so that they can implement the curriculum in their locations.

His message to me was filled with enthusiasm and gratitude and as I read and download the photos he attached, I was filled with so much joy and so much love. I had no idea what an impact this program would have and that he thought of me to share the success was humbling.

I often felt like the “Little Drummer Boy” in Nigeria….repeating the mantra in my head, “What can I bring to them? …What can I give?” and always feeling that it was never enough.

Upon returning all I could think of is how much I was blessed by the people I met. My friends in Nigeria changed me and they changed the way I look at life and living. They poured mortar on my foundation of faith and changed the structure of my path, narrowing the road towards home.

They never asked for anything only friendship and what we received in return was nothing but love. A love that was reciprocal.

And when you love unconditionally, you feel responsible to support and nurture that love and in doing so you can never give enough…..

Daniel

Free to Dance

It was our first day in Nigeria and we were absolutely overwhelmed by all the love we were already receiving from everyone we met. We spent a good amount of time just exploring that day; taking it all in. One person who really stood out to us was Daniel, one of the calmest two-year-olds any of us had ever seen, who just stared up at us from his stroller with his beautiful brown eyes.

Daniel has spent his entire life at Anawim- his mother came to the Missionary Sisters of the Poorest of the Poor when she was pregnant with him. In a moment of desperation she had tried to end the pregnancy on her own, and when she was unsuccessful came to Anawim as a last hope. After Daniel was born, his mother went back out into the world to move on with her life, leaving her son in the care of Sister Oresoa and the others at the Anawim Home.

Because of his mother’s attempt to end the pregnancy, Daniel was born with a deformity in his legs that will prevent him from ever being able to walk. We didn’t even realize this at first- it didn’t occur to five Americans who had only been in Nigeria for a few hours that seeing a kid in a stroller was out of the ordinary. But while all the other kids at Anawim spend their time moving freely and running around together, Daniel will never know what that is like.

That doesn’t stop him from being playful and even from dancing, though. We all derived so much joy from watching him during times when the group would meet as a whole to sing and pray- often someone would lift him out of his stroller and put him on the floor so he could show off his dance moves, moving himself around the floor with this arms. The other young boys, Kasimir and Generouse, even mimicked his dancing at times, demonstrating what can only be described as a sort of heartwarming solidarity between them.

The entire experience in Nigeria was absolutely humbling, but seeing Daniel dance was really something. I got pretty emotional watching a toddler who had something that we all take for granted every single day taken away from him before he ever knew he had it- I couldn’t help but wonder what would lie in the future for him. But then I reminded myself that sometimes all you can do is just be in the present. For now, Daniel is dancing, and that is something we could all take a lesson from.

Hwol Yarje Children

A patient of Faith Alive named Dada Ezekiel Azi donated a plot of land to Faith Alive a few years ago to show his appreciation for the Staff and the care he received at the clinic. The land is on the outskirts of west Jos, in a large agricultural community.

Dr. Chris, along with key staff and a few visitors from the U.S., went to inspect the land given. Upon arrival, they were greeted by over 100 young children ages 2-12, who were not in school. When Dr. Chris made inquiries about the children attending school, he learned that the closest school was well beyond walking distance for the small children, upwards of 8 kilometers or 5 miles.

Dr. Chris and his staff, along with the support of the Americans, were able to coordinate the use of a local church (close to the plot of land donated) as a temporary school for these children. But as word spread and more children came, the church proved to be inadequate for over 200 children. The staff of Faith Alive understood that they needed a more permanent site.

The local community allowed Faith Alive to use a small piece of land for a temporary school structure. The structure was built and funded by parishioners of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins,Colorado, that has sent numerous a small church missionaries to Faith Alive, and generous labor from Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy, who poured the concrete floors last Summer. The current temporary structure includes three small classrooms, into each of which about 75 children pack in to learn everything from math and English, to religious education, social studies, and science, five days a week, and at no charge to the families. Two years ago, none of the children spoke any English. When we visited, they welcomed us with songs, and answered our questions, happily speaking with all of us.

The community has shown generosity and pride in donating the land right next to temporary school for a permanent school site. They see the value of this school in helping these children build a better life for themselves while growing in their faith of Jesus Christ. Dr. Chris hopes to build a 13 room school, supported by walls to keep cattle out, and a faculty "lounge", and a well for the children, teachers, and community in general.

The community itself , some 500 people in all and growing, is in dire need of a clean source of water. The only source is a shared stream that runs through the land. It is about a kilometer walk to and from the stream for the villagers. Everyone carries as much as they need for the day back and forth from the stream that is also used to water their livestock. The stream is used for all daily living needs, so someone might get drinking water downstream from another villager washing clothes, or bathing.

John Bosco

John Bosco is a tough little boy who lives at the Anawim home in Nigeria. He is built like a little linebacker for American football. I didn’t realize how tough he was until Sister Orsoea told us his story. John Bosco’s mother is one of the mentally ill at Anawim. His mother was at the orphanage when she gave birth to him. When he was born, John Bosco’s mother wouldn’t let anyone touch him or get near him. His mother is also a very strong woman. As an infant, his mother would take John Bosco down to the river to wash him. In freezing cold water. The sisters at the Anawim home feared for John Bosco’s life, but could do nothing physically to stop her from doing this. She apparently didn’t let anyone else touch John Bosco until he was old enough to walk. Now when the other children at Anawim get sick, which happens to children from time to time, John Bosco doesn’t. Sister Orsoea claims that he never gets sick. She thinks his immunity was built up as an infant. He is so full of energy, one day while playing soccer he was playing goalie. He did cartwheels to pass the time when the ball was on the other side of the field. He is a very kind little boy that doesn’t say too much at times, but is chocked-full of life. John Bosco has lived at Anawim his entire life.

Ashom

A former HIV patient himself, Ashom is a Home-Based Care Team member who brings Faith Alive services to families and communities, who otherwise will not have access to this medical care and spiritual support



"Lotti" has tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS, and lives with her brother and sister and their families. Her sister first took her to Faith Alive Hospital when she was so sick she couldn’t even walk. She is now able to stand up, and is getting better. But she cannot come in to the clinic so the Home-Based Care team brings the clinic to her, providing medication and spiritual support. To get to her house, it was a bumpy unpaved but scenic road and probably very muddy during the rainy season. We had an opportunity to pray with her for healing, comfort and strength and the health of her family.

The other patient we visited was an older gentleman. We passed through a Muslim community and there was a herd of kids just excited to see us, following wherever we were going and just hovering around. This man was sitting on a concrete ledge just outside his room. He seemed to be pleased to see us and shook our hands as Ashom, a HBC Team member, introduced the group. The patient was quite thin for a tall man and I noticed that his feet were swollen. Ashom tells us that he is much improved from his previous status. He has been able to take his anti-tuberculosis drugs, has a room by himself (which he needed being inflicted with TB), and someone helps bring him cooked food. He proudly reported that he has been able to walk and move around much better. That was reassuring since he still looked pretty frail and sickly. After the group said a short prayer, we said our good-byes and he expressed his gratitude for the care he has been given. Even the kids were cheering “Nagode, nagode, nagode!!” which means “Thank you!” It was heart-warming to see that even they appreciate what it means when there’s a Faith Alive jeep pulling in their street.

We were all moved. We are seeing God and so many miracles. If it weren’t for the Home Based Care Program, these two patients would not have been able to get the continuing care they needed. It would also be a huge burden to the family members to bring them to Faith Alive Hospital. These home visits allow team members to reinforce the good progress they have made and to encourage the family members in the care for their sick loved ones. In the spirit of FA’s mission, it also gives them spiritual support as they pray together with the visiting team.

Ashom is one of this team members who has been diligent in his work and took us for a ride for these home visits. Thirteen years ago, he himself was seriously sick and being treated for ulcer, typhoid fever and malaria when he found out he was HIV positive. Like other patients, he could not afford the N40,000 ($275) to pay for his drugs. How can they when the minimum wage is N5000? He also has a family of 5 kids to support. It was then that Dr. Chris visited him and encouraged him to come to Faith Alive. As he was being treated for tuberculosis, he was placed on the waiting list for the anti-HIV medications. This was also the time that his HIV-positive wife passed away and he became a single Dad. Despite this overwhelming grief, he found strength to help others in a similar situation. Under the wing of another HBC Team member named Ezekiel, Dr. Chris offered him a job, realizing his need and knowing the huge responsibilities of a single parent of five.

Ashom is also a member of the Faith Alive Support group and is a living example of what it is like to “live positively” despite the HIV diagnosis. He and the other staff members remind patients that this is not a death sentence. This is quite difficult to do in a culture where people with AIDS are sometimes still treated inhumanely and left to their deathbeds. He is literally a face of this program and you can see him on the HBC posters and pamphlets. He is very grateful what this hospital has done for him and proud to share his story so that others can find hope the way he did when he was given a chance go to Faith Alive. This is his own way of giving back and helping carry out their mission of “investing in and infecting lives for Jesus Christ our savior.”

Francis

Francis is a smiling boy of 15 years with a heart of absolute gold. Francis is one of the original Anawim kids; he has been living there for almost his entire life. From when Francis was born to when he was about a year old, he was living in a small group-living hut with about 20 other people. Sister Oresoa, founder of Anawim, came to this group home and saw the boy lying on the ground, emaciated, sick, and in desperate need of help. Sister took Francis from these terrible conditions and has given him a new home and a new life. Over the course of 14 years, Francis has grown into the happy, caring boy he is today. When he grows up, Francis hopes to enter the military and defend his country. He is funny, loving, and very energetic, and he always puts a smile on our faces whenever we see him!

Amos Toye

Amos Toye. You’ll see his name inscribed on a concrete plaque as you enter Faith Alive Hospital describing the hospital as a temple. He was instrumental in re-designing the architecture of the three-story building after the big fire in 2006 which gutted it all. Recovering and rebuilding from such devastation is always daunting, and even more so for this organization, considering they rely purely on donations. On the other hand, they are also blessed with people like Amos who offers his services for free without expecting anything in return.

Amos is an architect by trade. He also teaches at the local university in Jos, although during the time we were there, the professors were on strike which apparently is a common occurrence due to undercompensation of their work. He lives in the faculty compound where Dr. Chris and his family live too – very humble and simple housing facilities.

Our team first heard about him when we visited the farming community in Hwol Yarje. We learned about the school site where they were planning on building a permanent structure for the children who live there. When we asked who we should talk to about the physical plans, the staff said, “Ask Amos, ask Amos. He’ll give you a better vision.” As we come back to the Faith Alive premises, who do we bump into at the front gate but this tall friendly man with a distinct deep voice… it’s Amos! We were introduced by Erika, one of the American missionaries who have been there before. He graciously accepted our invitation to join us for lunch at the guest house and before we know it, he was sharing his story with us.

Several years ago, Amos was involved in an accident that left him with more than half of his body burnt. You can still see the scars and contractures in his hands. But he survived. Not just physically but spiritually. After miraculously coming out of another horrible accident as the lone survivor, he has since offered his life to God. He has surrendered himself to praise God and work for his glory. He has offered his architectural expertise to different churches as they build their own temples of worship. He is very grateful that he has been blessed with life and talent and he is able to continue God’s work through his hands, albeit scarred. As he shared his past, he showed his passion in what he does and for whom he does it. We are all humbled by the commitment he has to his work and to God and were inspired by the vision they have for the Hwol Yarje School – 13 classrooms to house primary to secondary levels, a courtyard as a center of activities, a teachers’ communal room, or perhaps even a dormitory for the kids. They envision a ten-year plan of building a temple of learning where the youth are afforded a good Christian education for a better Nigeria. It’s great to be able to dream big and be blessed with people to help them pursue it. With God’s grace, as they say, it can be done.

Blessing

A Faith Alive Success Story “Blessing” her name says it all…

During the planning stages of our mission’s trip to Jos, I got to know Blessing through stories others have shared with me. Before our departure; I would often go the Faith Alive website and submerge myself with knowledge of the hospital and people who were affected by the hospital’s services. Blessing’s story intrigued me; so of course, I could not wait to meet her.

It was our first full day at Faith Alive hospital and for most of that day, we traveled as a group touring the facility and getting to know the staff. As our day came to an end, we all looked forward relaxing and sharing a meal together.

Tired, dirty and jet lagged, we headed down Zik Avenue toward our flat for supper. As we traveled along this trash infested route, my heart sank, for in every direction we turned; we could not help but notice the poverty and the desperation of the town’s people trying to support themselves by selling anything and everything they could.

The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well along Zik Avenue and every block had a small business of one kind or another.

In the midst of all this commerce, there was one small business that stood out in particular. It was the Faith Alive Sewing School Annex and this is where I first met Blessing.

Her name says it all….

She has a smile that lights up a room and wherever she goes; her radiant light goes with her. From leading discipleship classes to mentoring young women at the Faith Alive Sewing School; Blessing’s faith and joy for living has inspired those who follow in her footsteps. Her spirit is infectious and her willingness to give and change the lives of women and children at Faith Alive is nothing more than beautiful. It is truly an example of God at work.

Her past is tragic, but her come-back is triumphant. After losing her husband to AIDS, Blessing became an example of the stigmatization of AIDS in Nigeria. Alone with two baby boys, she was exiled from her family and was left for dead on the streets to survive without means of support.

Blessing traveled to Jos which was about 4 hours away by car, to seek the help of Faith Live and Dr. Chris.

Upon meeting Blessing, Dr.Chris knew there was something special about her. After several weeks of treatment, Blessing was enrolled in the social services sewing school program.

Faith Alive’s approach to treatment and healing is holistic; it embodies the whole person, mentally, physically and spiritually. From before and after faith-based counseling for HIV testing; to job training and transitional housing, every need of the patient is addressed. The life change for the patients at Faith Alive is overwhelming. And the gratitude they express as a result of spiritual change is evident from the moment anyone steps foot on the hospital floor.

Blessing is a shining example of that kind of gratitude. Her faith, her appreciation and her strong desire to give back was noticed. After several months of treatment and job training; Blessing was chosen to be the first Faith Alive patient to participate in transitional housing program. After one year of living in transitional housing center, Blessing graduated from the Faith Alive Sewing School and now runs her own shop where she employees other graduates of the Faith Alive School.

During my visit at Faith Alive, I got to know Blessing in a very special way. There wasn’t a day that passed that we did not see each other. I would walk down Zik every afternoon, and would pass her shop. I can still hear her voice calling my name in “pigeon English” …”Hello, Marina” come and see what I have made for you”….I would stop in promising myself to only stay for a moment, but those moments always ended in hours. We talked about our lives, our children and about our faith in Christ.

As the days got closer to my departure back home, I could see the sadness looming in her eyes, she would say to me” If I came to America, you would be my best friend and if you moved to Jos, you would be my best friend.”

On our last day, she and her two boys made a special trip to our flat to say good bye. While she was there, she had given me a small gift, a necklace…she had said to wear it and always remember her love and friendship.

Tears filled my eyes as I write and for many reasons. Easily, I could conclude this little story with a litany of things that I taught and educated the women of the sewing school on, but to me, what happened with building a relationship was much more profound.

I traveled to Jos, with the most sincere desire to give and what I got in return was so much more than I could have imagined. I have a friend named Blessing, who I pray for every day and who in turn, prays for me. Knowing that I have inspired hope and touched a life in friendship is just a taste of the joy my savior has for me.

It goes without saying, Blessing is a blessing and the joy that I have received as a result of our friendship will be with me for always.

My prayer is that this simple little message will inspire others to support the Nativity Nigeria mission and all its efforts to improve the quality of life for the women and children of West Africa.

Give and rejoice.

Christianna

Christianna came to the Anawim home in Gwagwalada in the spring of 2009 when she was pregnant with her baby, Joseph. She is one of triplets, and it was her two brothers who helped her to make the decision to come to Anawim. Christianna’s faith and spirituality are truly remarkable. Watching her during Mass, daily prayer, and simple daily activities can be described in no other way but moving. She does everything with God, for God, and by God, and she does it with conviction.

At age 19, Christianna is a single mother who sees much hope for the future, for both her and Joseph. Her thirst for knowledge about anything and everything is apparent after only a short conversation with her. She aspires to go to school and finish her education, and she also has hopes for her son to become a priest.

Her numerous remarkable qualities do not end there. She is also a source of strength to the other young mothers and all who meet her- she is intelligent, well spoken, and incredibly loving. She has a way about her that makes all who come in contact with her feel welcomed and appreciated. Her presence in this world and in our lives is a truly gift from God.

Sister Oresoa Selo Ojeme

It all started in the year 1994 when Rev. Sr. Oresola Selo Ojeme, or as we called her Sister Oresoa, saw the need to attend to the hopeless and helpless. She saw a need to help the poor, the elderly, the orphans, and the homeless in her local community. She helped people regardless of their sex, class, race, color or religion. The Anawim homes that she leads, aim to restore the human dignity of the poorest of the poor in their society. Sister also helps the destitute and young women with unwanted pregnancies. This process includes clothing them, feeding them, sheltering them, nursing them and rehabilitating them to be productive work force in the society and reconciling them with their families and with God. They also try to settle orphans and abandoned children in homes that can foster them, with the goal of adoption. These people are driven to the street not only by the economic situation of the country that is getting harsher and harsher but also by other factors which includes disabilities, death of their families, and frustration of many to educate themselves. Sister is quite a firecracker, which helps her to get a lot accomplished. She was extremely kind and welcoming to us during our visit and left quite an impression on those that went. She has a vision to help as many people as possible, and now leads three Anawim homes in Nigeria. She gives, and gives and gives all in the name of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Chris Isichei

His Nigerian name is Ogoegbunem Isichei. His first name means “my kindness will not destroy me”. But we all know him as Dr. Chris. Dr. Chris is the founder of Faith Alive Hospital and the Faith Alive Foundation. The meaning of his name does describe him. He is very kind and he believes his kindness in serving has made him stronger by bringing him closer to God.

Dr. Chris is a small wiry man, who would not be noticed in a crowd. But once you get to know Dr. Chris, you will never forget him. He has a huge heart and a smile to match. Our whole team fell in love with him. Dr. Chris is married to a wonderful woman named Mercy. She is not only his marriage partner; she herself is a surgeon and serves at Faith Alive Hospital. They have three children – Emily (9), Prince (7) and Joseph (5). They live in a simple house just like their neighbors. They do not ask for comfort for themselves.

Dr. Chris’s story is a powerful one. He was born into extreme poverty. His father was a carpenter and his mother a housekeeper. When he was a young man, Dr. Chris made a vow to God to help his people out of poverty. He believed that by being a doctor, he would be able to reach the most people. From the poorest of the poor to the President of his country – all of his people at some time would need medical care. He thought this would be the best way to accomplish the mission he knew he was called to do, and that was to tell people the good news of Jesus Christ. “There are people who never go to church,” he says, “but most people need a health care institution even if it is where they will die.”

He struggled through medical school and upon graduation; he decided to give free counseling and medical care to his people. He visited the U.S. and was very inspired to follow through on his plan. He tried fundraising and only raised $330. He thought what would this do? He says he heard God answer him, “I have given you all the resources you need.” So Dr. Chris obeyed. In June 1996, he literally put a table and chair in the middle of an empty space – he sat down – and people started coming. At first they came to him for any problems they had and he did everything he could to help them. Mostly, he believes he told them about Jesus Christ and prayed for them. Eventually his dream of a hospital grew. He inspired many of those he helped to become volunteers and help build his dream. Hope had been given to those who previously had none.

The Faith Alive Foundation uses scripture (NEH 2:20) to help explain what happened: “The God of heaven will give us success, therefore we His servants will rise and build”.

Faith Alive Foundation funds the Hospital (now a three story structure) and a Social Services building for counseling and job training. There is also a home-based care unit that reaches out to those who can’t get to the hospital. And now there are three satellite clinics that also reach out to the more rural areas. HIV has now become the most common disease of his patients. Dr. Chris says that these patients are usually the poorest and most vulnerable in that society – women and children. All of these services are provided free of charge and are funded completely by donations. Their motto is “Investing in and infecting lives for Jesus Christ our Savior”.

Dr. Chris believes in treating the whole person with compassion and loving care, both physically and spiritually. He is amazed himself at how fast Faith Alive has grown. He says he is humbled before such an awesome God, for how could any man do this? For him, to see Faith Alive is to see God at work.

Showcase

Starting this weekend, at Church of the Nativity, we will be sharing parts of the stories of some of the people we have met and formed relationships with during our time in Abuja & Jos. Small pieces of their stories will be shared at Mass, but we will be presenting their full stories here for you all to read and share. Also, we will be including pictures and stories from other people who we weren't able to showcase. These will start this weekend and continue at least through the end of October! Also, all of the current and previous profiles will be able to be seen in the bar on the right entitled "Showcases" as they are posted.