It’s been quite an interesting week in northern Nigeria as I’ve traveled to Kaduna, the solar equipment for our bore hole (well) arrived from the United Kingdom, and the March heat of Maiduguri is boiling. The week began with an airline flight from Maiduguri to nd serve humanity.Abuja (Nigerian capitol) followed by a 2-hour car ride to Kaduna. Kaduna is the former northern Nigerian capitol during British colonial rule from the early 20th century until 1960. Through Barrister Clement’s (INTERCEP director) intervention, UNICEF invited me to critique a lengthy document on the “almajiri” child phenomenon. It was quite an experience as I gained more insight into the patronage system that continues to encourage this army of Muslim beggar boys (almajirai).
On Monday night, I received a phone call in Kaduna that our solar panels and submersible pump had arrived in Maiduguri. This was exciting because this is the apparatus that will pump water from the bore hole (well) to the surface. Our solar engineer, Kunduli Mustapha (from the University of Maiduguri), has been creating the structure this week that will support this new setup. It was thrilling to visit the farm today and see the 5 boxes of “Sharp” solar panels and the long tube with the “Grundfos” submersible pump therein. We look forward to the connection between bore hole (well) and solar devices being arranged next week.
Jen has also been privileged over the past 3 days to participate in a conference for indigenous Borno non-government organizations (NGO’s) sponsored by the German embassy in Maiduguri. This is the type of training that we needed way back in July of 2005 when we first began this work. However, we have learned “on the fly” and the Lord has blessed our efforts. Nevertheless, this was special because Jen is beginning to be recognized as a capable humanitarian servant in the Maiduguri NGO community. It is these kinds of gatherings that remind us that we are not alone in our struggle to honor God and serve humanity.
Yet, the overwhelming life change lately has been the intense March heat of Maiduguri. This has really affected INTERCEP’s Pompomari drip irrigation farm as our vegetable crops are struggling. Therefore, efforts have been made to create some local shade structures with thatch and tree branches. The crops under these local shade canopies are experiencing some relief but the seedlings exposed to the scorching sun are struggling to survive. I don’t know if one ever really acclimates to this kind of weather as all plants in the ground are quickly suffocated.
As one of the Wulari believers visited me yesterday in the office, I had an opportunity to publish him a copy of the new WBS 2007 study on “God’s Prophets.” All of these experiences reminded me of how diverse our work really is in northern Nigeria. It would be such a blessing to simple be able to “go with the good news” but God has guided us in other directions. Our experiences with UNICEF, solar engineering, the German embassy, INTERCEP’s Pompomari farm, and WBS remind us that the Almighty demands a vast array of tools to accomplish His mission. Our prayer is that we will comprehend the scope behind the vision of the Most Compassionate.
Harvest From March 15, 2008
Harvest From March 22, 2008
Musa With Some Harvest Fruit
Lizard Prevention With Chicken Wire
