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 2nd 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
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