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In Hausa proverb, " Ba a yin rawa ba juyi."

Literally means, " You cannot dance without turning round."

I.e. 'you cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs'.

" I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honour the one who serves me." John 12:24-26

A warm greetings to every one of you, and may the blessings of our Lord be furnished upon you this New Year!

Traffic Accident –

　　The Korean single missionary in Kano had got traffic accident on her way to visit her former student in mid September 2004. She has back problem and could not drive after her first traffic accident in 1996 in Nigeria. This time she was going with her driver. According to the driver said that he was trying to avoid a goat which was crossing the highway suddenly (commonly happens here). But unfortunately he probably made a quick movement and the whole car was rolling down to the bridge.

　　As you see her car from the picture taken after the accident. We were all amazed how God lay His hand upon two lives – our missionary – Jinhee could survive and the driver could walk out from the car! Jinhee got fracture on her right upper arm. She had operation done and is now under physiotherapy.

Armed Robbery –

A group of 5 robberies with guns went in one missionary family's house in Jos two days before our annual spiritual conference in the beginning of Jan. They were not happy with the amount of money led to the shooting of 19 year- old boy (Elias) and another missionary doctor (Dr Ardill) who met the gang on the way after he heard the noise and walked towards to the site of robbery. Both got injuries on one shoulder and operated immediately on that night. I was staying and helping to dress Elias's wound in the hospital on the 2^nd day (I went down to Jos for the conference). And I was encouraged by his testimony – 'I really thank God because none of his brothers and sisters nor parents got injury.' He is the first born among 5. His mouth always thanks God for His protection in the midst of the terrible pain. In fact he was shot in a distance of just 2 yards. Surely it is God whom saved this neat boy!

On the other hand Dr Ardill's pain was severe. The bullet caused a non-displaced fracture in his arm that didn't show up in the first x-rays. He is our SIM surgeon and he couldn't operate on himself. So he was evacuated to England for further consultation eventually. On that Sunday morning we experienced how God wonderfully settled the harmattan enough for the jet to land in Jos. Because it had been heavily blowing from the Sahara Desert throughout that week.

A crisis counselor also came to counsel those most directly affected by this robbery and the previous (there have been total about 5-6 armed robbery happened to our SIM family for last year)

Missionaries answer God's calling to leave their home countries, cultures, friends, and comfort zones…to a new unknown place to serve Him and to bring the Gospel to the people with love. How many have ever thought that they may get hurt or even loss their lives by the same people?      

"All things work together for good" to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28). From Elias's testimony, I could see how God transformed his pain, using it to teach me and strengthen me. If we allow pain to turn us toward God, we should see His comfort hands and works!

Ministry in New Year Plan

Gidan Bege (House of Hope) –

Apart from medical outreach, we will start health talk, street outreach and spiritual visitation in those 4 blind towns. We may face lots of challenges since their Islamic culture likes accepting free gifts. But we want to give them basic medical knowledge as well as the greatest gift of the Gospel instead of mere material gift.

On the other hand, we will also do medical outreach and show Jesus film every two months in different villages.

Please support us with lots of prayers that God will win more souls this New Year!!

Counselling Service –

As I mentioned in last newsletter about a new ministry for chronic mental problems as well as AIDS related problem. The consultant psychiatrist and I will have work division – he will focus on those patients who need primary treatment for epileptics and chronic psychotics, whereas I will focus on AIDS awareness ministry.

This ministry includes setting up PMTCT program in ECWA community health clinic (Prevention of Mother-to- Child Transmission of HIV), pre- and post- test counseling for pregnant mother and pre-marital couples.

It is a new ministry and a big challenge. Please support me with your prayers that God will enable me to fulfill His work.

Serving in Mission Together

Praise

1)      Thank God for opportunity to serve Him in different ways – house of hope and AIDS awareness

2)      Thank God for his protection and guidance day by day.

3)      Always thank God for all your prayers and support, cards, small parcels and visiting my parents … 

Please be persevere in praying for your missionary no matter there is news or not!

Prayer

1)      Pray for those orphans, widows, widowers and broken families affected from the Indonesian tsunami.

2)      Pray for one blind town where is still rejecting us to do outreach that God will open His door for us and that we'll be able to help their physical needs as well as sharing the faith.

3)      Pray for wisdom and guidance that we can have deeper spiritual talk with the people in blind towns.

4)      Pray for my on-going language study and protection in driving in such chaotic place.

5)      Pray for my parents that they will experience God's love, peace and blessing upon them.

6)      I will need to purchase a new computer for ministry since my own has been almost 5 years and giving me lots of problems. (You may contribute to ministry support with specification of "ministry computer" through SIM.)

Serina