Rikkos

A couple weeks ago, I got to be involved with a tangible outpouring of love towards some of the victims of the Jos Crisis (nov last year). It’s always difficult to decide how to allocate funds when the needs abound. Should you give everyone a little something, or give a select group of people a significant something that might actually make a difference? Do you meet the immediate felt need or the crucial long-lasting needs? More than anything, I wanted to communicate love, support, and solidarity with the victims. To come alongside and say, “I’m achingly sorry for how evil has been manifested in your life, causing you to suffer, but know that this is the antithesis of God.” Unfortunately, my Hausa isn’t quite advanced enough to translate that fully:) What I COULD do, is help organize an event where we could give out wrappers (African tops and skirts) to the women of a church that experienced vast destruction and affliction.

The ECWA Rikkos Church building, pastorium, and health clinic were burnt, their pastor was killed, 80 members’ homes burnt, and several members killed. It would be a gross understatement to say they’ve felt the effects of this crisis.

The women of the Gidan Bege (= “House of Hope”) widow ministry wanted to help, so we let them pick out the fabrics and sew over 80 wrappers. Then I picked them up in a large van and we went over to ECWA Rikkos, where they still hold services in the roofless, charred-wall building. The number of women there at the church continued to increase for the new pastor to arrive and sang choruses. To present the wrappers, the widows of Gidan Bege paraded into the church carrying the gifts on their heads, dancing, and singing in true Nigerian fashion. (Yes, they made me join the parade.)

After handing out all the wrappers, we allowed a time for a few of the women to share their story. Here are a couple of them(as translated by my friend Sulmane Maigadi):

Titi Adi

Early that Friday morning, Titi and her children were sifting the chaff from the corn she had grinded the day before when a neighbor came into her house with the news that would change her life; there was fighting in the city. One of the M boys in the area begged Titi to follow him to their house so that she and the family would be safe. Because she knew the boy, Titi had no reservations about sending her children along with him. Titi and her husband remained behind to make sure that all electrical appliances were turned off and valuables protected from the threat of fire. But this delay nearly cost them their lives.

Titi left her husband upstairs and headed for the door, confident that he would be along soon. But when she opened the door, she was met with a crippling sight. The M’s had already reached her doorstep and had surrounded the house. She was speechless. Titi was told to remain where she was and she knew at that point that they intended to kill her and burn the house. Her husband, hearing the commotion, didn’t show himself to the mob, but Titi could see the concern in his eyes.

Then, one of the mobsters did an incredible thing. Without consultation, he took her aside and told her to find a place to hide. Titi whispered that nowhere was safe and that her husband was still in the house; she wasn’t leaving without him. He prevailed upon her to run to his house, promising to save her husband. Titi, trusting God, complied.

From within the M’s house, she could hear him trying to convince the others to head into the city and join other M brothers. Amazingly, the mob agreed. Titi and her husband found shelter in the home of the enemy and were later able to verify their children’s safety.

Lydia Yakubu

Lydia lived in a compound with other family members. When the crisis began and she became aware of the danger, M’s in the nearby area begged her and her family to hide in their houses. She refused, saying if death would come, it would come, whether in her house or in the house of an M friend. But she agreed to send her children to safety.

The compound was attacked and a husband and wife were killed in the ensuing violence. But before they could get to Lydia, soldiers arrived and rescued them. Lydia and others retrieved their children and followed the soldiers to safety.

Here’s the story of what happened to the pastor:

Elder Danladi Chozhi

Danladi received a call on Friday at 6am from a concerned friend who had heard that there was a riot in town. That was the first he heard that there may be a problem. Around 7am, Danladi went to the church where he served as the Treasurer, to see if the Reverend in charge, Ephraim Masok, was still there. He found no one, but on his way back to home, he met up with Ephraim who was going back to the church to take something he had forgotten.

The two went back to the church together, then went to Danladi’s house. After a while, concerned individuals informed Ephraim and Danladi that their church was on fire. Since the rioters had not yet reached the surrounding area, the pastor and the treasurer of Rikkos church decided to warn others to seek safety before it was too late. This errand of charity proved to fatal to Ephraim Masok.

House to house they went when they were attacked by M’s with machetes, cutlasses, homemade guns and stones. In an effort to run, Ephraim fell to the ground was immediately surrounded by the mob; they sent him to his Final Home. Danladi used both his forearms to protect himself from machetes and cutlasses. When the opportunity presented itself, he ran and God’s grace prevented the mob from following him. Danladi was taken to the hospital where he stayed for two weeks. He sustained fractures on both arms, but Doctors are hopeful that he will heal completely.

Words on paper can never adequately convey the reality of a situation. The horror of the Jos crisis will be truly understood only by those who experienced it first-hand. Hearing these testimonies shook me to the core and made the whole crisis hit closer to home. After all, most of the atrocities happened within a mile radius of where I was sitting. The marvel of our God is that He can still show His grace within the wickedness that strives to suppress His truth. I don’t know if I can comment much more on these testimonies. I only know I’m glad I could be a part of God’s restoration and comfort in their lives. Please continue to pray for Jos. Rumors continue to go around warning that the strife is far from over.If you are inclined to help in the ongoing relief efforts, SIM has set up a project to give to. Go to here and for project number, enter 96037. If you want to know more about where the money is going exactly feel free to email me and I can fill you in. Thanks!

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You, O Lord." --King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:12.

(Not only did he have an awesome name, but he defeated his enemies by marching out to battle with singing only (and God of course). )