Valkenaars’s Blog

Now that I have some good email addresses ( I hope)

It is so hard to believe that it is now November and we have been here six months. I keep hearing of cold and snow from people back home and I have to remember what month it is. The rains have gone; the last rain was Oct. 15. We have clear skies and very warm sunshine EVERY DAY and temperatures in the 80’s. I guess this is the ideal vacation spot as far as weather goes. Things are very busy here. I, Deane am almost finished teaching at JETS and am trying to get ‘up to speed’ with the new position at TEAM (The ECWA Aids Ministry). There is quite a bit to get caught up on since there are three sections that I will be overseeing, plus getting into grant writing once again. By God’s grace things are going fairly smoothly.

Bitrus Cabongs brought a group from his church over here once again the end of October. Bitrus was the person I was here with two and a half years ago. I had opportunity to travel to 3 states to teach a seminar on “The Local Church’s Role in Social Issue’s”. I talked about the local church’s responsibility for crisis pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, poverty and other problems mankind finds itself in. The information was very well received and quite challenging especially to the presenter. I shared with the pastors that we are called to sacrifice; not an easy thing to do, but it is what we are called to do. Ruth and I are struggling with this issue everyday. One day one of Ruth’s widow’s was suffering with a fever and Malaria. Ruth gave her the sweatshirt she was wearing because the woman was obviously chilled and then took her to see the doctor. While waiting she asked Ruth if she had another coat at home? She said yes and the widow’s response was “I don’t have one” James 2:14-16

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Please keep this as a matter of prayer.

The TEAM (The ECWA Aids Ministry) has been quite challenging. I am having to wake up some old brain cells as far as fund raising goes. TEAM is trying to open two new clinics in order to do HIV testing and mother to child prevention so I am working on getting test kits and drugs from a donor.

Ruth will be finished teaching her counseling class in two weeks so will have more time to devote to the widow ministry. The widows learn how to make craft items to sell in the US to further the ministry so if you are interested in selling the items in your church group let us know. The funds raised help purchase sewing machines, sewing material, thread, and other necessary things. Because of the literacy class, many of the ladies can now read English at a 2^nd grade level! They have such a desire to learn. This week they are reading about the creation. Even though Hausa is the main spoken language in Jos, English is the main written language. So the ladies do place an importance on learning how to read and write.

Last weekend we had the joy of attending the wedding of Timothy and Rita, a young couple who we were privileged to do their premarital counseling. It was quite an interesting experience–Lots of dancing and singing! The bride did not just walk down the aisle-she danced and so did EVERYONE else, Ruth and I included. It was quite a fun time.

I, Ruth, have told my ladies in the widow’s program that I ask you, our supporters, to pray for them. I also share with them your requests. So please join us in prayer as we lift up to the Lord, Jim, Abby and their new baby, Tom, our daughter Therese, Tim and Rita, continued safety from armed robberies, (there have been two more incidents), Ruth’s trip to the US, our JETS students, Ladi’s sister-in-law, and Aisha.

Happy Birthday Eric!! (November 26)

I think that is all from here. Please continue to write and let us know how you are. There is an old Hausa proverb that I have come to find quite useful Rashin sani yasa kaza ta kwana damin dawa da yunwa

Because of a lack of knowledge a hungry chicken slept on a heap of corn.

In His Service,

Deane, Ruth, and Eric Valkenaar

On May 19, 2006 we celebrated our year anniversary being here in Nigeria. During that anniversary week we spent a lot of time in reflection on all the things we have learned about God and about ourselves. We know we are not the same people who came here last year. Eric has just finished the 5^th grade and we have seen great changes in him also. Of course he has grown taller ( and has actually put on some weight), he has also grown spiritually and emotionally. Deane has worked in an area that has great emotional stress but it also has great opportunities to see the grace and mercy of God. Ruth has been able to assist women to provide for the care of their children and to grow in esteem in the eyes of their communities and more importantly, themselves. In spite of some of the difficulties like not having reliable electric, phone or water, being away from family and friends, large bugs, lots of dust, no Pizza Hut, we feel we have been truly blessed in having these opportunities.

Eph 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV

I have such a hard time keeping this passage in mind when I am looking at a ten month old living skeleton whose body has been devoured by HIV. His father had abandoned him and his mother after infecting her and watching her die. Or watching the young woman who was raised in a good home and her mother taught her all the right things. Now she is trying to find the words to now tell her mother that the daughter, due to a moment of self pleasure with the young man that said he loved her, that said she was the only one for him, that was setting the date for their wedding, is now HIV positive.

Rom 5:20-21

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. NIV

However, over and over we see God’s gracious hand in the lives of the shattered. Families come together and find a grace that they have never known before. Grandmothers are caring for orphans when parents die of AIDS, families take in children of relatives to help them live in a very harsh environment. When they have so little to begin with they open their homes to children that would otherwise have no hope.

The ECWA AIDS ministry is expanding quickly. Since Evangel hospital has started passing out antiretroviral drugs the needs of people have grown incredibly. God has provided finances and people to increase every section of TEAM. We are doing testing outreaches on a regular basis giving people the knowledge of their status. Everyone says those who are positive need to know they are so they can get the help they need. But the greatest response has been from those that needed to know they are negative. In this atmosphere when there is HIV everywhere, it seems it is in the back of EVERYONE’S mind. Recently, we were able to go to a National Women’s Conference and do HIV testing. Among the 800 or so women that were tested, one came back after getting her result to say she was so happy she was negative, but it had taken her nine years to get up the courage to be tested. For nine years she wondered with each bout of malaria, or each fever … but no more. Praise God!

We are able to offer help with medical expenses in a place that without money there is no care. To be told to go home and die is not an unusual occurrence. We are able to give hope, not just hope for the next day, but hope for eternity in Jesus Christ. When one knows they are going to die the thoughts of “if I had only done things differently” are a constant. They are given the chance to make a difference with the rest of their life, however long that may be. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, many of these people will outlive some of the healthy ones. It is all in God’s hands.

Ruth continues to work with the Widow’s Sewing School. She just enrolled two more ladies so now the class has 12. They recently had a graduation ceremony for 4 of the widows who had completed the 10 month course and families came forward to express their thanks to Gidan Bege for the program. Please see our web page for pictures from the celebration.

Thank you again to all of you who are supporting us financially or by prayer. We could not be here if it was not for your help. We pray that during our remaining time in Nigeria, we will continue to have opportunities to grow in God’s grace and knowledge and be used to further the kingdom.

In His Service,

Deane, Ruth, and Eric Valkenaar