Global News

Solar Ovens and Laptop Sent to Nigeria

Four solar ovens, a laptop computer, and greetings and messages from members of First Lutheran are on their way to Nigeria. Traveling are 18 people from the Minneapolis Area Synod representing churches that are meeting their new partners in the Lutheran Church in Nigeria for the first time.

While First Lutheran is not sending any representatives on the Nigeria trip this time, we are sending the solar ovens purchased through recent donations from the congregation and others. Two ovens are going to our partners in Mubi, one to Fiyayina Bartimawus at the Bronnem Seminary, and one to Pastor Joseph and Hauwa Umar. The ovens are sent with a request to have as many women as possible use them for cooking. We also want feedback from them on how the solar ovens work in Nigeria so we can determine whether they would like more.

The laptop computer is going to our friend Pastor Joseph Umar’s son Stanley Gamen. Gamen is a medical student in Nigeria. He recently presented a paper at a medical conference in Ghana. When he becomes a Doctor, his goal is to work with the church’s medical and health team, although he is not sure he will be able to do that financially. Nigerian doctors earn more money by working for the state-operated medical system. His parents, Pastor Joseph and Hauwa, are helping him pay for his schooling, but during our last phone conversation, Pastor Joseph said that a laptop computer would be very helpful to Gamen as he is starting to move away from the university setting into clinical settings.

God works in mysterious and wonderful ways! Several laptop computers had recently been donated to First Lutheran by a business, and one of them was available for Gamen’s use! Lynn and Dan Hatcher donated the necessary software, accessories and technical expertise to get the laptop up and running. The synod travel group is able to provide reliable transport to get the laptop to Nigeria in a timely fashion.

e-mail from Gamen
“Am happy to read from you about the good news. I believe this is an answered prayer. I just talked with my Dad telling him about the good news. He is harvesting his groundnut and maize farm, he was also happy. My studies have been going well, a.m. now in my fifth year and am hoping to graduate in the next two years. I must say thanks to you and FLCC for your love and care. Am happy some of you will be coming to Nigeria again, though we are no longer in Mubi, but all the same God’s work continues wherever we found ourselves. My regards to all friends and the whole congregations. Thank you. Stanley Gaman Joseph.”

Thank you to all the members of First Lutheran for your help and support.

Sheryl Larsen and the Global Missions Task Force

solar ovens sent to Nigeria