Bature - Nigeria 2007 news

Susan and I said goodbye to the congregation of the Chapel in Maiduguri University last Sunday.  I preached on the last Beatitude (”persecuted for Christ”) and took this photo of the congregation.

I also snapped the Choir with their smart uniforms but unfortunately the picture was blurred.

The Choir had done a brilliant performance of Handel’s Messiah the week before. (the 1st by a church choir in Northern Nigeria).

I shall miss these people.

Paul-Mark will be pleased to meet you at the internet and computer shop I am now using in Maiduguri. They are handily placed and the connection speed is better than many places. They have been helpful with reloading Windows when a couple of computers I have been helping with have been wrecked by virus infections.

It is possible to use the staff room at Unimaid computer centre but when all the students are in the connection speed is very slow.

Last Sunday Morning I had two sermons in two churches and a mad dash between the two places. The reason was that I wanted to squeeze in a visit to the COCIN(Church Of Christ In Nigeria) church which is at Gamboru district of Maiduguri. This was burned down in the shameful Moslem riot of Feb 18, 2006 during which over 20 churches were destroyed or damaged and many people were murdered in cowardly fashion. It was supposedly a “response” to those mild Danish cartoons which neither rioters not victims had even seen. The whole story of that day has not been told and the authorities are doing their best to keep it secret.

The people of the church have been meeting continuously in the ruins and they are in the process of rebuilding it to three times the former capacity. I wanted to meet and encourage such faithful brothers and sisters. It seemed appropriate to speak on the hope of resurrection.

There is a river by the “End Time Harvest Church” which was once a ditch when they bought this plot. As you can see, it is now a river which has burst its banks. There is a partial wall round the compound which, with a slight rise in the land, is just holding back the flood

The river is now a tributary of the Alo. The number of lives lost in the waters this season is rumoured to be thirteen. Mainly children who are attracted to the waters but get caught in the strength of the stream.

The Rev. Danja has some doctrines very different from mine but he graciously allowed me his pulpit during a 40 day fasting (dawn til dusk) and prayer time. I am due back for a third visit on Friday.

Churches divide into three classes in Nigeria: Roman Catholic, “Orthodox” (Lutheran to Baptist), and Pentecostal. Although my theology is closest to orthodox I often seem to get on best with the Pentecostals.

Rev Danja is unusual in having chosen to minister and build a congregation in a poor - mainly moslem - area. We had a blessed time and a good dance last Monday.

I have now had two Sundays at the Chapel of Grace. The congregation is growing as the Semester gets under way. Around 900 on 2nd Sept and 1700 on 9th. It can get up to 2500 when all the students are back. I am going through the 9 blessings anounced by Christ in Matt 5. Last Sunday was “Blessed are those who mourn”.

My reception has been very generous and they cope with my strange accent quite well although some of the younger students have trouble understanding me. I cannot log all the friendships renewed and the kindnesses I have received.

The new committee are vigorous and there is a spirit of unity and progress around the place.

As a result of a damaged tyre needing attention Michael and I left Abuja in a friend’s Mercedes about 5 hours late at around 11.30. Instead of a relaxed day driving and photographed we dashed across country at 120-140 kph.

At twilight between Potiskum and Damaturu we had a big birdstrike which cracked the windscreen in front of my face. Thank God for safety glass.