Firsty, I have some bad news to report about Lafiya Gidan Bege centre....A few weeks ago they were having a series of unexplained fires. The centre has now been completely burnt down. This is the work of the enemy but praise God that nobody was injured! Please pray for Uncle Bulus, his wife (Auntie Esther), their 3 children and the 14 boys from the centre. Uncle Bulus and family are safe, they are living in a rented house in Lafiya and all of the boys have been taken to either Makurdi Gidan Bege, or the Gyero Care centre in Jos.
I'm always inspired by Uncle Bulus's faith. Churches in Lafiya and some people from the community have given quite a lot of money already towards rebuilding the centre. Uncle Bulus says that they will rebuild the centre in the same place and that they have nothing to be afraid of because God is on their side. Amen to that!
I visited Kagoro Gidan Bege yesterday. It was great to see all the boys and Uncle Sunday and family. Unfortunately Auntie Jummai and some of the boys are not so well. Please pray that God will strenghten them. This coming Monday, the 6 boys who had been getting taught at the centre will be starting Primary school. Please pray that they will settle well. This will be a big change for them.
Rosie, our latest volunteer arrived a couple of weeks ago. We just have the 1 short-termer here at the minute. Rosie is from London and she is here to work with the kids at the Gidan Bege centre in Jos and to possibly get involved with some of the womens ministries that are run by City Ministries. She has been staying with a Nigerian family this week, as part of her in country orientation, to learn about the culture and to get to know a family in the community. This is my friend Afa's family, it's also the family that gave me a little pet kitten yesterday :-) Rosie gets back today and starts at Gidan Bege tomorrow.
The title of this post translates to "I learnt Hausa at school". I just started Hausa language classes last Monday. I'm really enjoying learning this beautiful language and it will help me to communicate more effectively in various areas of ministry. This a a good time for me to learn, while things are a bit quieter. The classes are mon-fri, from 8.30am to 12.30pm. The course will run for 6 weeks, with a few days break in the middle. It does feel like I am back at school and we have a test tomorrow to revise everything from out first week! Our teachers are great and very patient, though they do seem to like picking on me and giving me long sentences to translate!
I briefly mentioned in one of my last posts, about Emma, from the Gidan Bege in Lafiya. Emma was rescued from the bush last year, after spending 13 years of his life, most likely being raised by animals, possibly monkeys. Emma is about the size of a 5 year old, but is around 16 or 17. He hasn't developed and he can't speak, he only utters a variety of sounds that sound a bit like bird crys. I'm working with Emma on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, to help him develop his receptive language. He is tongue tied, so unless there is a miracle or someone comes to operate on him, he may not ever speak, but he can certainly learn receptive language and ways of communicating. He is already making some progress. He is now living in Jos with an american family, the Blyths. Please pray for them and thank God for their willingness to take Emma into their home and for all that they are doing for him. You can read Emmas full story here - http://www.sim.org/index.php/content/emmanuel-boy-saved-after-13-years-in-bush
On a Wednesday afternoon, I am now taking a kids choir at Foundation Academy, which is the school under the Mashiah Foundation (an HIV/Aids ministry). Some of the kids come from the surrounding community, but most of them are there through the ministry. Rosie and my friend Beth who is also Rosies housemate are helping me. So far, it is going really well and the kids are really trying.
I will post some photos soon!
There are lots of things that are happening and lots that you could pray about. Thank you for your continued prayers and support :-)
