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AREWA AID IS NOW HOPE SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL

A few months ago I met with Dr. Randy Steger, President of Healing Hands Int., to get his advice about growing Arewa Aid. His first suggestion was a name change. This suggestion had been discussed recently by our board and this was the nudge we needed to follow through. Arewa is a hard name to pronounce and if you can’t pronounce a name, you can’t remember it. Being remembered is vital to a growing organization.

 Following that meeting with Dr. Steger a board resolution to change the name was passed and the process begun to seek a suitable name that broadly pictures what we are about. Under the capable direction of Brent Baldwin, former board member and a professional at this very process, we went through a six-week process of compiling and eliminating potential names. The process ended with Hope Springs International as the new name for Arewa Aid. So, effective immediately, our official name is HOPE SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL.

 Our mission will continue to be helping people help themselves. We will continue to undertake projects that teach people how to fish, not just give them a fish. Our goal remains to establish works that will function and live on beyond ourselves, works that will not need continuous financial support, thus allowing your gifts today to meet the needs of tomorrow as well.

 We now have a NEW BLOG SITE that reflects our name change. Click on this link: HOPE SPRINGS BLOG to be taken to the new site. When you arrive be sure to bookmark this new location for news and events relating to all the projects we are involved in. This will be the last post at this Blog Site.

 You may also follow us on Twitter.  We have a Facebook site for those of you on Facebook. We also have a new website under construction. When that is complete we will post the link on the new Hope Springs Blog.

 If you are a supporter of Arewa Aid, now Hope Springs, your gifts are saving and changing lives. If you are not a supporter we invite you to become one. Donations and requests for information may be sent to Hope Spring, 118 Wessington Place, Hendersonville, TN 37075.

SEEDS FOR AREWA AID

Children have an honest idealism that causes them to often see problems and challenges as having very simple solutions. They often challenge us adults with their spontaneous compassion to do something about the needs of the suffering and hurting in our world. Nathaniel Hamm is one such young man. He is the 10 year old son of Darin Hamm, Teaching Pastor for the New Heights Church in Owasso, Oklahoma. Nathaniel heard about the street children that we are working with through our farm in Maiduguri, Nigeria, and how we train these young people, much the same age as Nathaniel, in the skills of drip irrigation that enable them to return to their families and help provide food year round in this aired desert region of Northern Nigeria. He also learned of our constant need for seed for our farm and to send home with these trainees to begin their own farming efforts. What follows is Nathaniel’s story in his own words. Read and be blessed as you see what a 10 year old can do for the cause of Christ.

Seeds for Arewa Aid by Nathaniel Hamm,

I came to dad and complained that people should do more. I wanted him to get something done. He asked me why I didn’t do something.

He told me about Arewa Aid and said they could use seeds to help people in Africa. He explained about irrigation and what was happening and we agreed that I could do something to help.

So I asked my school principle if I could try to get other kids to raise seeds. She told me that I needed to talk to the Superintendent so my dad helped me send them an email.

Oh, I also emailed the man from Arewa Aid, Lee, to seed if this would help and be a good idea. He said yes and gave me a list of seeds.

So the school said I could set up a table for a week at my school. The week came and I set up a table and made poster signs with information about the seeds and what they would be used for. I had bags that my dad gave me and they each had a flyer with the information.

I also had my dad tell people at church and he put something in our church bulletin.

In the end I collected seeds from people at my school and from people in my church. I boxed up the seeds and after finding the right address my dad took me to the post office where we mailed the seeds.

I hope it helps those kids on the street find a way to stay with their family. I hope they know it is because of Jesus that this was done.

Thanks for letting me help.

Nathaniel Hamm

Through Nathaniel’s efforts we are shipping a box of 234 packets of seeds to Nigeria. Great job Nathaniel and thanks for letting God use you to help the young people of Nigeria.

If you are encouraged and challenged by Nathaniel’s example and would like to learn how you can help drop me a note at rabboniblog@yahoo.com. There are many ways to help, both large and small all of which allow you to make a difference in the lives of people today.

Support For Abu Is Restored

During the Blake’s stay in Maiduguri they accepted the foster care of a young boy because his father could not take care of him. Abubakar (Abu) for short was cared for through the generosity of Richard and Donna Macon, members of the College Hills Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN.

 Due to the confusion caused by the untimely recall of the Blake family in May of last year, Abu was placed in the care of one of the Godly Shepherds of the Wulari Jerusalem Church of Christ in Maiduguri. While it was a struggle financially for this Shepherd of the sheep to take on this responsibility, Abu needed someone and he answered the call.

 We are excited to let you know that Richard and Donna Macon (brother and sister) have stepped up to the challenge and have volunteered once again to provide funds for the care of Abu. We are so thankful for Richard and Donna and their love for Abu. In a day when there are so many children in need of someone it is easy to just turn away because we can help them all. I commend the spirit of Richard and Donna to do what they can do and not be discouraged by what they can not do. There support will make a huge difference in this one little life.

The Weak say “I’m Strong”

I was reminded the week through an email from Ebenezer of one of the behind the scenes works that Arewa Aid has been doing for some time. Prior to the recall of the Blakes a Bible Class at the College Hills Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN was providing some assistance for one of the handicapped members of the Wulari Jerusalem Church in Maiduguri. In May of 2008 Arewa Aid took over this responsibility. Everybody has a story, some more compelling than others because of their need. Ayuba Kwagui Alamson is that kind of story. The following article was written by Brad Blake back in September of 2007.

 

The Weak say “I’m Strong”

 

I first met Ayuba in December 2004 at Chibok in southern Borno State (our home state in northern Nigeria). He was tall, strong, and a great communicator especially with little kids in his local elementary school where he taught. His Kibaku (local tribe) parents were so proud that one of their sons, against all odds, in the village had made it. He was an active believer, successful primary school teacher, and renting his own apartment in the capital city of Maiduguri. He was my translator when I first visited Chibok and he could interpret my words from Hausa into Kibaku with ease.

In July of 2005 when our family first moved to Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria from Jos in central Nigeria, we always asked about Ayuba. He was conspicuously absent at local assemblies and we began to inquire from the local leaders on his whereabouts. One day at a congregational meeting, the subject of Ayuba came up and my best friend, Dr. Eni, began to cry. Ayuba had gone from being this strong, vibrant, and competent elementary school teacher to a crippled beggar. Dr. Eni thought that a local unqualified “quack” doctor might have prescribed unnecessary medicine but it was unfortunately worse than that.

There are so many mysterious sicknesses in Africa that have no explanation and even qualified doctors are giving “their best guess.” In Hausa, the word for sickness is “ciwo” and no one ever qualifies the type of “ciwo” because in the local worldview to specify the “ciwo” gives it more power. Therefore, all we knew is that Ayuba was slowly becoming blind, his spine was weakening, and his legs were so incapacitated that he could barely walk. He went to an eye hospital in Cameroon (neighboring eastern country to Nigeria) but they could do little. He even went to his hometown of Chibok to announce to his parents that he didn’t know what was going to happen to him now.

However, through all of Ayuba’s severe pain, his faith has been a powerful testimony to the rest of the believers. Ayuba in Hausa is actually the name for the most awe-inspiring Old Testament character of suffering: Job. Whenever, I meet Ayuba at assembly, in the office, or at his house, I always ask him: “Yaya jiki?” (How is your body?). His response forever remains the same resilient answer from a man of deeply-held faith in the Almighty: “Alhamdu lillahi!” (Praise be to God!). Ayuba will never let on to how much pain that he is really experiencing with his degenerating eyesight, weakening spine, and shriveling legs but he will tell you: “Mun gode wa Allah saboda alherinsa” (We give thanks to God for his grace).”

 

(Picture above right is where Ayuba lives)

 

I share Ayuba story with you again in hopes there might be an individual, Bible Class or Church that might be willing to help Ayuba. Arewa Aid presently gives him a meager 70.00 a month. This hardly meets the needs of this faithful child of the King. If you would like to help drop me a personal note at rabboniblog@yahoo.com. This is a true “cup of water in the name of Jesus” opportunity.

Exciting New Appointment For Ebenezer

One of the major goals of our farm operation in Maiduguri from its beginning was to train street children and their families in the skills of drip irrigation to enable these young people to provide for their families and get them off the streets. Some of the first to attend our drip irrigation workshops were members of the Borno State Youth Empowerment Forum. This Islamic organization’s leaders not only saw first hand how drip irrigation works, but witnessed the actual training of a few street children and their family members. Leaders of the BSYEF were very impressed and Ebenezer was granted a special pass that enables him to go to any government building in Maiduguri without first securing special permission. This unprecedented access to government offices and cooperation with the BSYEF has now opened even more opportunities.

 

Here is a letter received this week from Ebenezer with some very exciting news. “Yesterday the Borno State Youth Empowerment Forum carried out a one day sensitization seminar for the Borno state and its environment. All the Stakeholders were present, including Legislators, all the Service Chiefs and all those that matters in the State…I have been nominated as the Vice President of the Forum which is a Coalition of all major NGOs in Borno State. Our organization is actively involved in enlightenment and empowerment of the economically stricken society.”

 

Ebenezer also shared a picture of the new fish pond that the BSYEF members are digging on their own property under Ebenezer’s capable direction. Other BSYEF members have already developed their own personal drip irrigation gardens, and are spreading the word about the value of drip irrigation.

 

As a supporter of Arewa Aid and the training you enable us to provide, lives are being changed and saved.

Ebenezer and Regina’s New Little Girl

We now have pictures of the newest addition to our team in Maiduguri. Her name is Grace.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

We just received word that Ebenezer and Regina are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl. She was born on Sunday January 11, 2009 at 10:42 am local time in Maiduguri.

PRAY FOR NIGERIA: Rival mobs kill 400 people in brutal clashes

Residents delivered bodies to the mosque in the central Nigerian city of Jos on Sunday, bringing the death toll from two days of clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs to around 400 people. Rival ethnic and religious mobs have burned homes, shops, mosques and churches in fighting triggered by a disputed local election.

Ebenezer And The Staff Of The Pompomari Farm Hold Their First Solo Drip Irrigation Workshop

 

Ebenezer and the Pompomari Farm staff recently conducted their first solo (Without U.S.  Onsite assistance) Drip Irrigation Workshop. This is of course the independence we hoped to see from such a quality group of Christians.

 

Here is a portion of Ebenezer’s letter about the workshop.

 

“Our drip irrigation started on Monday, Nov. 17th through Friday, Nov. 21st 2008.For the Community around Pompomari Farm in Maiduguri. It was quite successful to the glory of God.

The participants were very appreciative as they put-in their effort in carrying out all the directives given to them which yielded to us a 2 meter square well constructed compost heap.

They were awarded a certificate of attendance and promise of Drip -Kit in a forth-night.”

 

How exciting it is to see this work moving toward total self sustaining status.