Do you like to wait? What if you had been doing it for 20 years? The people in Nigeria had waited 20 years for a Work & Witness building team to come to their country. The 11-member team from Tennessee District fulfilled that need, and we shall never forget our days in Lagos.
The largest city in Africa, Lagos is a chaos of 18 million people all trying to get somewhere! The streets are flooded with cars, buses, three-wheeled taxis, motorbikes by the hundreds, with a few carts and horses thrown in and goats wandering on the side. Street vendors weaving in and out of the traffic selling sunglasses, peanuts, towels, phone cards, and more add to the frenzied activity.
How peaceful it was for us to turn onto the little road that led to the district center and be set apart for a while from the busyness of the city. It was great to be greeted at the gate each morning by Grandmother Abigail and her grandkids, Love and Favor. Favor, who wasn't as big as the bags he grabbed to carry, had a million-dollar smile.
Becky Hancock worked alongside a local church member to paint the guesthouse.
Photo courtesy Carol Anne Eby.
It was remarkable all that God accomplished through the team. They worked what seemed like day and night, as Nigerian partners worked side-by-side with the team; each learning from the other, and each contributing in one way or another. The guesthouse was upgraded with completed kitchen, painted walls, and tiled floors. The kitchen had new cabinets installed as well as a ceiling fan.
Roy Pigg helps to build a classroom in the worship center. Photo courtesy
Carol Anne Eby.
This house will be used to host more Work & Witness teams in the future as the main training center is built. It is presently used to house students and teachers who attend classes and conferences at the district center. The building was extended to include a new classroom. Lighting was installed, and a shower block was completed with bathrooms and showers. The worship center had columns poured and walls built to complete the outdoor chapel. The foundation of the new training center is beginning to take shape. Missionary Tim Eby said that what we together accomplished in eight days would take most crews three weeks.
Sharon Paskewitz spent time with children during the Work & Witness trip
to Nigeria. Photo courtesy Carol Anne Eby.
During the week leaders were trained, children's meetings held, and pastors' wives learned baking skills in a cooking class. More importantly, relationships were established that will last throughout eternity. Pastor Friday Udofia and his wife Gloria, Pastor Friday Jackson, Pastor Bernice and many others so blessed us with their outpouring of love and selfless service. We enjoyed Nigerian meals, wonderful worship services and the sharing of testimonies and stories. Pastor Friday Udophia presented the team with a beautiful plaque that will be on display at the July Tennessee District Convention.
We were so grateful to God for His watchcare and protection. We were able to spend a few days in Dakar, Senegal as well. The passion of missionaries like Mark Louw and Tim Eby and the devotion of national leaders such as Friday Udofia and Danny Gomis are lighting the darkness. For that we say, "Praise God!"