Oasis International

TESTIMONY: Books given to Zalanga Bible College Library in honor of Rev. Zachariah

Just days ago, this encouraging story landed in our InBoxes from Craig Ewoldt, our Managing Director in Nigeria. We couldn't help but share it with you.

Dear Oasis International ~ 

Earlier this year, Rev. Zachariah, the principal of Zalanga Bible College near Bauchi, came into Oasis to select books for the school library. Building the library has been one of his passions, and a few weeks later, he travelled to Kaduna to raise funds to buy the books he had selected. On his trip, he was killed in a senseless traffic accident.

When the Oasis staff heard of his death, they determined to raise the funds themselves to buy the books Rev. Zachariah had selected, and present them in his memory to the college library. Today, Dan, Tom and Tony travelled to Zalanga and presented the books. In an emotional ceremony of joy mingled with sorrow, his widow accepted the presentation, and a prayer of dedication was made for the books.  We pray that these commentaries and theological books will serve the students of the Bible College well, to the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

 ~ Craig, on behalf of the entire Oasis Staff.

 P.S. At this time we are experiencing an abundance of these stories. For the moment, it is “harvest time.”

See what we mean! Craig, thanks for sharing.

Report from Evangelical Church of West Africa

Post Election Violence

Thank you for your prayers for Nigeria. We are grateful that it appears to have been peaceful over the last week and indeed since the last election on 26th April. There has been little of the violence we heard about after the presidential election on 16th April. However details continue to emerge of what happened at that time. In Nigeria, as a whole, hundreds of people have been killed. We know of at least 194 churchesthat have been burnt or otherwise destroyed, over 1200 houses destroyed and15,000 people displaced.

As far as ECWA is concerned, to the best of our knowledge so far, 3 ECWA pastors have been killed and at least 32 church members have lost their lives, with 62 members, including pastors, injured. 48 churches, mission stations or pastoriums have been destroyed and 106 private houses have been lost. Just think about what this means for those affected around the country.

In the light of this suffering in the North, we [Serving in Mission] continue to allocate funds in various directions. Early this week SIM Nigeria helped with some aid to many affected people in Southern Kaduna State area. Today we arranged for some funds to go to ECWA Bauchi district. We continue to look for other avenues to channel funds. Once again if you know of any organisation or individual who wants to contribute please ask them to donate to our Nigeria Relief Fund 96038 through the nearest SIM office. Let's keep praying for those who have been affected.

Update from Nigeria in the Time of Election

Well, the Nigerian elections are nearly over. There are still scattered ones here and there to be completed. Tomorrow they will vote in Kaduna and Bauchi States. I presume these were delayed in part to move security forces in from places like Jos before the elections took place. The security forces have done very well, and international election observers say that the voting was fair and well done, with significantly fewer problems. And it rather blunts the protests as the results were overwhelming for the current President. 

Here in Jos, the Governor was reelected. Results were given this morning—Thursday—and were met with large throngs of jubilant followers of Governor Jang. Some of our staff was delayed in getting to work as some of the streets were blocked by the numbers of people celebrating.

We are thankful that Jos was peaceful and that our staff and shop are again unscathed. Our shop was closed several days as required, and on our open days, the sales were reduced. But we are thankful for how peacefully it has turned out in Jos.

Thanks for continuing to pray.
Craig

Craig is our Managining Director of Oasis Distributions Limited - the headquarters of which is located in Jos.