Our Mission Partners in Nigeria

Marybeth and Bayo Oyebade, leaders of the Mashiah Foundation for PEOPLE WITH HIV/Aids, and the people of Jos, Nigeria, are recovering from recent violence in Jos and surrounding areas. For a personal look at how it has affected them, you can read Maybeth’s personal story at www.marybetho.blogspot.com

Fire Destroys Nigerian Church in Jos

We have recently learned that as a part of the violence, the LCCN Dogon Karfe Church, partner of St. John Lutheran Church, Zimmerman, was burned to the ground along with the home of its pastor. Two of the congregation’s young people were injured in the riots and another is missing. Mary Beth and Bayo Oyebade and the people of Jos, Nigeria have been in our ‘Prayer and Care List’ since the violence erupted there in November 2008.

December 2
Today was the 3rd day of calm. However, we are still very alert and watchful. The kids and I have not left the compound for 6 days now. That doesn't bother me at all at this point. I have plenty of things to do in the house.

I heard that people fled to 13 areas within Jos which have become refugee camps. An estimated 30,000 people are at those camps. This is mind-boggling to me. The places they ran to do not have bags of rice, toilets, running water, and blankets. No one was expecting them. I have not heard how they are faring, but I can only imagine it's pretty rough.

There is a group of organizations in place to handle relief measures. They appear to be well-organized. If a refugee could at least make it to a friend's home, he had a greater chance of eating something. Even if the supply were meager, it would certainly be shared.

I can't stress enough that the little bit of mental stress we have gone through is nothing compared to what thousands of Nigerians have experienced. So far, we know of four of our women in the sewing program whose homes were torched.

One of our HIV+ widows is trying to raise four children by herself, and now her house and belongings are gone. Think of the hardships she has gone through: HIV diagnosis, widowhood, and now total destruction of all personal property. How do you pick yourself up after that?

For the most part, I have found the Nigerian population to be very resilient when faced with near impossible obstacles. Nigerians are also extremely generous. I have learned so much from watching how easily they give to one another. Many, many people will give sacrificially during this time.