I was hungry
I returned from my recent mission trip to Abuja, Nigeria humbled and subdued. It was both exhilarating and sobering as I embarked on a journey that was not planned by me. On an adventure that was not recommended by man. It was a clear experience of God working out his purpose one day at a time. In the course of planning, only one thing was clear, God was leading me to go to Nigeria to teach teachers.
So, I went. Thanks to the support of my husband and St. John’s women. As well as the prayers of the saints. I can’t thank you all enough. I went to collaborate with the Cafrillasia Educational Foundation, Jos and Association of Christian Schools of Nigeria. These groups provided the audience and did the local organizing in readiness for the event.
The outreach was thrilling, and the outcry of the educators was, “Do it again and again!” I had the best audience ever. I got reintegrated into the culture and we started the much-needed conversation about how education will help our society in these times of peril. The participating educators and school leaders were passionate men and women of great faith. Their verbal and written responses show that they have imbibed the growth mindset and are committed to implementation of their learning in their different realms of influence. Indeed, we started to develop lifelong learners who are ready to think critically.
Nonetheless, the most strategic feature of the mission was our visit to the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp, New Kuchingoro in the heart of Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. It is unbelievable that a short stone throw from the center of affluence in Abuja, lies a shanty town of displaced people, refugees who are “fellow Nigerians.” It was three days after my arrival as we drove around the city, Uchenna pointed towards the camp, “Auntie, there is an IDP camp.” I was startled. I’ve heard of IDP camps but never seen one. “Please, could you take me there now?” I pleaded. It was completely outside of my planned mission. Instantly, it became the first event on my program.
We drove into the deplorable community to see for myself. On that first visit, we spoke with some leaders of the community and got an insight into how they live. I cannot describe the level of poverty and deprivation that stared me in the eye. Talk of subhuman conditions for no choice of theirs.
The residents were people of all works of life, mostly Christians and a few Muslims whose homes have been destroyed and their communities overtaken by the religious extremist insurgence in Borno State. They became refugees and relocated, having lost everything, including many of their family members to the murderous hands of those miscreants. These Nigerian citizens traveled over 400 miles to settle in the heart of Abuja. They live less than ten miles from the presidential lodge, Aso Rock. Yet they are unnoticed by the so-called government.
In New Kuchingoro, the IDPs live in makeshift batchers, built with worn out corrugated iron sheets. Some non-governmental organizations have provided them a school house for their teeming population of children and a medical center in a trailer. Yet, to say the least, they live below human standards. It bled my heart that they do not have basic necessities, such as water, food and of course shelter. In the past month, nine of the children died of cholera. Why not? Any communicable disease would thrive in a place where children are malnourished and hygiene rules cannot hold. The camp is a picture of Nigeria, the new poverty capital of the world.
I noticed that some NGOs and churches are helping. Members of the community are well-dressed but not well-nourished. We visited again on the next Sunday. We had food for one hundred people. The kids lined up; hunger was palpable. We prayed and started to distribute food. When we ran out, I was in tears. We should have prayed for the miracle of the feeding of 5,000. But too late.
We invited three of their teachers to attend the educational mission and get some support for their school but it was not enough. We need to save lives. I want to return there again and again. I want to help one child at a time. Can you go with me? We want to send them food, can you contribute? We want to save some, perhaps a genius, a leader of tomorrow, a pastor, a missionary. Will you be part of this outreach?
The Lord will say on that day,
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [a] you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 35 – 40
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