Borehole Project - Update

Construction of the two boreholes located at satellite facilities for our partners Faith Alive Hospital is progressing well. At the Fobur site, the well was drilled last week and construction of the tank stand is almost complete, as the pictures here depict. Next the pipe casing will be installed so that the borehole can begin extracting water, and the permanent well figure will be erected. Meanwhile, surveying has commenced at the Andaha site and the construction team expects to begin drilling there this week. Both projects should be completed in the next few weeks, and we expect the wells to be operational by the end of the month. We are thrilled to be part of such a meaningful project, and share in the joys, nourishment, and improved-health that this project will provide to our Nigerian partner communities. To read more about NATIVITY:NIGERIA's support of water projects, check out some recent posts here. We will continue to post updates as the borehole project moves towards completion, and ask that you continue to pray for our partners' steadfast resolve to rise above the unrest in their region and seek God's peaceful blessing over the communities of Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home.

Construction of the Fobur Borehole Begins

Construction of the Tank Stand at Fobur

Drilling the Well at Fobur

Easter Wishes from Anawim

Last week we received the following Easter message from Sister Oresoa and the community of Anawim Home in Gwagwalada, Nigeria. We continue to pray for our strategic partners, seeking God's protection and provision for their communities during the Easter holiday. Please join us tomorrow in participating in our monthly water fast. All day tomorrow, join us in drinking only water, in support and remembrance of our Nigerian partners.                

Happy Easter! Happy Easter!! Happy Easter!!!

The kids and everyone at Anawim Home wish you all 
the best that Easter blessings have to offer. May God's 
light and hope continue to lead you all in the right paths 
of fulfillment. You are all in our prayers, as we know 
that we are in yours. Take care and remain blessed.

Love,

Sister Oresoa, on behalf of The Anawim Children

Members of the Anawim Home Community, March 2013

Borehole Project

NATIVITY:NIGERIA is blessed to be supporting a project with our partners at Faith Alive Hospital to construct two new boreholes. These boreholes will enable the communities of Andaha and Fobur, Nigeria to readily have access to a supply of water, and specifically enable the staff of Faith Alive Hospital at these two satellite locations to better provide for the areas' medical needs. The boreholes will be constructed by installing a vertical pipe casing and well screen to extract water from the ground and prevent contaminants such as sand and sediment from entering the water when pumped. Although readily accessing water is a convenient and simple process for us here, it often requires Nigerians to walk several hours to a well or river which is miles away. These boreholes will make a huge impact in the lives of hundreds of people within the communities of Andaha and Fobur.

The borehole project began this week, and is already making great strides. The team at Faith Alive Hospital plans to finish the project in the next few weeks, completing both the construction and dedication of the two boreholes before the rainy season begins in Nigeria next month. Stay tuned to the blog here for updates and pictures as the project progresses.

To hear more about boreholes we have sponsored at our partner communities of Faith Alive and Anawim Home in 2009 and 2010, check out the videos and posts linked below.

Clean Water in Hwol Yarje, a water well constructed in 2009 in Hwol Yarje, a village outside of Jos, Nigeria where Faith Alive directs a school for the community's children

Clean Water in Abuja, a water well constructed for the Anawim Home community in 2010

N:N team member Adrienne Brooks using the borehole at Anawim Home

Shagali: A Night of Worship & Prayer

In death, In life, 
I'm confident and covered by the power 
of Your great love.
My debt is paid, 
there's nothing that can separate my heart 
from Your great love.

These are the words that rang out in song last night, as members of the NATIVITY:NIGERIA mission team joined together in worship and prayer in support of our Nigerian partners.  As we lifted up our brothers and sisters there, and humbly asked God to protect them during this time of widespread strife and conflict, we were encouraged and reminded of God's great love. In times of turmoil, unrest, pain, and suffering, God's love never fails us, it never gives up, it never runs out. Whether here in the States, or oceans away in Jos/Abuja Nigeria, God's love meets us in our needs. He abundantly and faithfully provides for our physical well-being, protection, and sustenance. It is that same love which connects us to our partners, joins us to their needs, and unites us through the universal providence of Christ.

"Shagali: Partners in Prayer" - March 2013

 

 As we closed our gathering last night, we joined in praying through God's own words. We share those words with you here, to continue your own remembrance, prayer, and solidarity for our Nigerian partners.

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

- Numbers 6:24-26

Partners in Prayer

NATIVITY:NIGERIA will be gathering together next Wednesday, March 6th, to remember our partners in Nigeria. Join us for a night of uplifting worship and nourishing prayer, as we continue our season of solidarity. All are welcome!

When: Wednesday, March 6th

            6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Church of the Nativity, Theater

Fast With Us: February

This week, we continue our commitment to fasting on the first Thursday of the month. Join the NATIVITY:NIGERIA community in a water-only fast this Thursday. (Water only means you still eat whatever you want, but refrain from drinking beverages other than water for the day.) The fast provides an opportunity for us to prayerfully reflect on God's goodness, and seek His protection over our Nigerian brothers and sisters, while they experience continued violence and strife in their country. Similar to the past few months, our strategic partners at Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home will be fasting along with us this Thursday too.

Please join us on Thursday (February 7th) in a water-only fast, as we prayerfully seek peace for our partners in Nigeria.

To read more about our fasting efforts, and hear why we are fasting - check out other blog posts here.

Prayer Night

NATIVITY:NIGERIA will be hosting a brief prayer gathering next Wednesday, January 30th, from 6:00pm - 6:30pm in the Nativity Sanctuary. Please join us as we pray for peace in Jos and Abuja, and celebrate all that God has done through our ongoing partnership with Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home. All are welcome!

 

Fast With Us: January

Tomorrow marks the first Thursday of the month. Join the NATIVITY:NIGERIA community in a water-only fast tomorrow. (Water only means you still eat whatever you want, but refrain from drinking beverages other than water for the day.) The fast provides an opportunity for us to prayerfully reflect on God's goodness, and seek His protection over our Nigerian brothers and sisters, while they experience continued violence and strife in their country. This month's fast is especially important, as Nigerian churches once again suffered from two attacks during Christmas services last week. As in the past few months, our strategic partners at Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home will be fasting along with us tomorrow too.


Please join us tomorrow (January 3rd) in a water-only fast, as we prayerfully seek peace for our partners in Nigeria for this new year.

 

To read more about our fasting efforts, and hear why we are fasting - check out other blog posts here.

Merry Christmas From Anawim

Dear NATIVITY:NIGERIA and Friends of Anawim Home,

With so much love and gratitude, we the Missionary Sisters for the Poorest of the Poor and the entire Anawim Family wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  You have brought tremendous joy to our hearts over the last year, and shared in our sorrows.  We strongly believe that the good Lord will continue to strengthen our love for each other in 2013.

From all the children and the entire Anawim family, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Love,
Sister Oresoa, the Missionary Sisters, & the Anawim Family

The True Meaning of Christmas

Members of the NATIVITY:NIGERIA mission team joined together in prayer tonight. The team gathered to pray for peace in Nigeria, and ask for God blessing over our partners there. He has faithfully guided our partnership with Faith Alive and Anawim, and especially protected and shepherded our partners during this difficult time of political and religious turmoil. As a church community, we are so grateful for God's continued provision through this partnership.

NATIVITY:NIGERIA Gathering In Prayer

In remembering our partners during this Christmas season, our team prayed through a passage of scripture which is particularly relevant to our partnerships in Nigeria.
And there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manager.' And suddenly there was with the angle, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.' - Luke 2:8-14

As Linus reminds Charlie Brown after reading this scripture passage in the 1965 classic holiday movie, "This, Charlie Brown, is the true meaning of Christmas." The passage serves as a reminder that we live in a world not governed by our wealth, possessions, or lavish gifts under the tree, but instead, defined by and globally united through the Savior's unwavering love for each of us. 

We pray in anticipation of a miracle this Christmas season, and in praise and gratitude for continued peace in Nigeria. May God shepherd our brothers and sisters at Faith Alive Hospital and Anawim Home, and bless their communities this Christmas.