Nigeria Outreach Account

NIGERIA OUTREACH ACCOUNT

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

B. GENESIS OF THIS STORY

1. God opened the door for Angela and I to go to Benin City, Nigeria from July 16-24, 2018. During that time, I preached in 5 services, including a youth service and a service dedicated to area ministers.

2. We also went to the Christian Pentecostal Mission’s district camp, to the city zoo, and to a dinner in our honor put on by the local Christian leaders at an international restaurant.

3. It all started when Stephen Akin-Olatunde started attending our church. He started hanging around and we became friends. After about 6 months he approached me and said, “I think the Lord would like you to go preach in Africa.” I replied, “No, I don’t think so” (because I had asked the Lord earlier if I could be a missionary and He said “No.”)

4. A few months later Stephen mentioned it again and I said I didn’t think so. One Sunday Stephen said, “I think Momma Gaston would like to go to Africa.” I laughed inside, knowing that I couldn’t get het to fly ANYWHERE. “Ok,” I said, “let’s go ask her.”

5. ANGELA. He did, and to my astonishment she replied, “Oh! I would LOVE to go to Africa!” I rolled my eyes and said, “God hasn’t sent me to Africa.”

6. About a month later, I was sitting in my office when the room was suddenly illuminated with extra light and I heard the Lord say, “You’re going to Africa!” “Ok, Lord!” I called the pastor there who’d asked if I would come preach, got the dates, and bought our plane tickets.

7. Our host Pastor, Rev. Isaac Itobiye. He gave us an Americanized Nigerian experience.

8. ANGELA. Pastor Itobiye was called by the government and asked how he was going to safeguard us. He deserves the highest praise for his incredible diligence to safeguard us and to care for our every need. He, his wife, and a large entourage met us at the airport with flowers, a videographer, and photographer.

9. They wisked us in 3 SUVs to a fine hotel with high walls, gates and armed guards who routinely check under cars for explosives. The hotel had air conditioning (a rarity) and its own generator to combat the frequent power outages. Our host saw that we had every comfort and we could eat at the restaurant in the hotel whenever we were hungry. He frequently called to see if we needed anything.

I. THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

A. BOOMING POPULATION

1. Nigeria is in a crucial position both in Africa and the world. It currently has over 190 million people and by 2050 it will be the third largest country in the world, just after India and China.

2. The population is doubling every few years. In 1972, it was 79 million. Today it has tripled to 192 million! Lagos is already the fourth largest city in the world with 20 million people.

3. Another disturbing trend is urbanization – the movement of people from the countryside to the cities. In 1952 10% of the population lived in cities; now 68% live in the cities. This explains the 100,000’s of people living on the streets.

B. POVERTY

1. On arriving, one of the first things you notice is the large number of people – both walking and driving. And every where are hawkers selling every conceivable product, walking between traffic.

2. Stephen explained that the hawkers are people who have chosen not to become involved with crime, but to make an honest living selling phone chargers, chickens, guinea fowls eggs, windshield wipers, shoes, canned milk, you name it.

3. Most of the streets are mud streets; only the main arteries are paved and there are few stop lights (we only saw 4 or 5 in a city of 1.4 million).

4. Driving is a nail-biting experience, because there are little or no rules enforced on the roads. Everyone muscles their way through, blowing their horns and trying to bluff the other drivers into stopping. Our driver was Juliet, a most intimidating driver. She usually out-bluffed everyone else.

5. ANGELA (Juliet). Another difficulty is the bathroom facilities. We’ll not discuss the particulars, but it’s a challenge!

C. THE FOOD OF NIGERIA

1. Pounded yam and soup are said to be staples. Yams are like potatoes. You eat with your hands at almost all meals.

2. Dried fish is a key meat source for all living near the coast. Plantains – small bananas that must be cooked, are found in abundance throughout the country.

3. One of our favorite dishes was fried rice and jollof rice, with chicken if possible.

4. Nigerians also eat a lot of fruits and they have many types of fruit that we’re not familiar with.