Not long after arriving in Jos, our team met a wonderful woman named Blessing. It is common in Jos to be named after virtues - Comfort, Mercy, Joy, etc. Imagine having this kind of name being given to us. I know it would be inspiring to me to be reminded by others everyday of the love God has for me.
Blessing is a tall, statuesque, beautiful woman. She walked into the Faith Alive Hospital guest house where we would have our meals everyday. You could not help but notice Blessing right away. She wore an American outfit of jeans and a t-shirt. She had stylish hair, make-up and nails. We would find out later that the job training program at Faith Alive included a salon. The women who worked at the salon helped Blessing and other women in the town with their pretty hair and nails. You could tell she was excited to meet us, but also a little anxious. There was something about her. She seems to have a light around her. She was sweet and caring. She wanted so much to be our friend. She would ask us ladies for "girlfriend time" after most of the work was finished in the late afternoon. This usually would mean a trip to the salon to have your nails painted.
Blessing is a gifted seamstress who has her own shop. She makes most of the gorgeous traditional African dresses as well as the traditional male outfit. She gets much of her business from the Americans who come to Jos to help at Faith Alive. First you pick out the fabric that you want from the town market. Then you just tell her what you want. She takes a couple of measurements, even guesses for your spouses or children. Then she does her unbelievable work. I myself bought a dress, two wrap skirts, two outfits for my daughter and shirts for my husband and son!
Blessing's husband died of AIDS. He was a man of reputation in the Nigerian government. Because of this, she had a fairly good life materially by Nigerian standards. While he was being treated at Faith Alive the staff befriended her. Her sons stayed well but she contracted the disease. She became very ill and she watched her husband die. After her husband died she was left with two sons and no way to support themselves. Her in-laws wrongly accused her of causing her husband's illness. They came and took everything out of her house claiming it was their right to do so. She came to not only know financial desperation but horrible persecution. She was isolated, lonely, scared and depressed. She does not know what she would have done without Faith Alive Hospital. The staff and other patients helped her find hope. After the good medical care she received, she became well again - not cured - of course there is no cure.
Faith Alive Hospital is called the Faith Alive Family. This is a big part of Dr. Chris' vision. He believes in the importance of befriending people, all people. Faith and love is shared with one and all. Blessing will testify to anyone how her life has been saved without even being cured. The faith, love and hope she received was every bit as important as the medical care.
On my last day there, I took a picture of her with her younger son. We embraced and exchanged email addresses. If you visit Jos you will be sure to meet her. She will be waiting for you to make you lovely clothes, but most of all to be your friend.
Teresa Pompa
