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

Ok, picture this. A couple of weeks ago, our neighbor opened a drawer in his kitchen and low and behold there was a snake skin, minus the snake. Well this was a concern since it meant the snake was still around some where. It was of even greater concern when he pulled it out and it was longer than he was tall. Anyway he called an exterminator and he sprayed this stuff all around and they thought that was the end of it. Well two nights ago his wife was sitting in the living room, look up and saw the snake coming out of the kitchen. Well it saw her and it dashed back into the kitchen, she went the other way. So they look all over the kitchen the next day and found a hole that they thought the snake might be using and filled it full of concrete. They were convinced they would not see that snake again.

Last night Professor Kore (the husband) walked into the kitchen and there it was. I came straight for him and wrapped around his feet and spit. (turns out it was a spitting cobra). Well he fell down and got away and went to get some help, thankfully he did not come to my house. So four or five men went hunting this snake and finally killed it. Turned out to be a six foot black cobra. Everyone was fine, except the snake.

The other thing was Ruth and I were driving down the street yesterday, looked to the side of the road and there was two guys walking two HUGE hyenas on leashes. Now I have also thought that hyenas were like dogs. But NO WAY! These things were at least the height of Great Danes but had three times the bulk. They had muzzles on them and here they are just walking down the street with people all over not really even noticing. I have since found out that it is not really uncommon. There is some guy that walks a crocodile around town sometimes.

Well I just thought you might want to share in some of the more exciting part of mission life. If this sounds interesting to you we can sign you up today. Really we have been seeing the Lord at work in so many places and the spiritual warfare around here is like none I have ever seen. Please keep us in your prayers, lately it seems I just keep saying we battle not against flesh and blood.

In His Service,

Deane, Ruth, and Eric Valkenaar

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

15/06/05

Well it has been almost a month now since we have arrived in Jos. There have been a few challenges and the Lord has brought about some real solutions. Our transportation problems have been solved, at least ubtil January. we are all doing well and starting to get involved in different ministries. I am helping get a new crisis pregnancy center going and getting involved at the seminary and with the ECWA church relations dept. Ruth is busy cleaning the Hillcrest dorm for a new batch of kids coming next month that can’t be with their parents. There have been some very tough days and we thank you all for your prayers.

As soon as I figure out how to get my video camera to load still pictures to my computer I will be posting some.

Oh my, one more week and we are so busy. Loose ends everywher you look and more keep popping up. Life is getting very interesting. Lord, please help us to make the distinctions between what HAS to be done and everything else.

3/1/05
Well we sold our business today. I must admit I am kind of sad to see it go. I guess I was getting used to being a respected business owner around town. Lord, give me grace to be the man you would have me be. Also recieved an update from Nigeria. Our area of ministry is listed as critical need. Kind of puts things in perspective.