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.

Ibrahim’s Interest in the Village

Last Thursday, our family took off from Maiduguri at 5AM on a 9 hour+ journey to reach the US embassy in Abuja before 3PM.  The northern states campaign team was also meeting in southern Kaduna state last week.  Therefore, we decided to maximize our trip by visiting the embassy and joining the campaign at the same time.  Fortunately, we reached the embassy just before it closed at 3PM last Thursday to renew Ibrahim’s passport.  While there, the consular general also requested that our family consider serving as the volunteer warden for northeastern Nigeria.

From the moment we entered the federal capitol territory of Abuja last Thursday, Ibrahim was really in awe.  Well-constructed roads, skyscrapers, air-conditioned buildings, safe drinking water, and clean restrooms could be found everywhere.  After we renewed his passport at the embassy, he asked if our family would move from Maiduguri to Abuja.  Jen and I tried to explain to him that the poorest Nigerian people are located in the north which is why we are living there.  He seemed to understand but still had his reservations as to why we wouldn’t relocate to a city with an easier life.

Nevertheless, on Friday morning when we left the comfort of Abuja for the scenic beauty of southern Kaduna state, Ibrahim’s attitude changed.  He now began to contrast the urban asphalt of Abuja with the natural landscape of Kaduna.  When we left the blacktop to ride on the bush road, he grew really excited to see wild animals in their natural habitat.  Providentially, we arrived in Kudiri village on market day which allowed us meet with a large crowd of indigenous people.  However, Ibrahim’s greatest joy became the opportunity to play with the village children throughout the day.

On Friday night, all of these village children surrounded the white bed sheet hung on 2 tall sticks to watch the artistic biblical pictures in the filmstrips used to share the good news.  The next day Ibrahim woke up early to rejoin the village children in playing the simplest games in the sand that one can imagine.  That morning, I shared a message on “Who is a Follower?” designed to convict the hearts of both believer and unbeliever on the new covenant implications of discipleship. Later in the day, I was opportune to meet with some of the new saints who had decided to follow the Messiah. Furthermore, we engaged in serious discussions with the entire team concerning the inclusion of a drip irrigation workshop into the itinerary of the campaign.

All glory goes to the Almighty for the 9 new births that resulted from the week’s proclamation.  As we were leaving the village yesterday, Ibrahim was sad because he was leaving behind many new friends.  He was also disappointed that we were departing from a village nestled in the Kaduna hills.  Ultimately, INTERCEP will become most effective in humanitarian outreach in the villages of northern Nigeria.  It is these rural areas that hold the most promise for our news to be perceived as good.

Brad with Two Kaudiri Followers

Brad with Kudiri Village Chief

Jen among northern evangelists wifes