Oasis International

How You Can Pray for Nigeria and Our Ministry

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 1:9 NIV

Dear friends,

Kano, a predominately Muslim city about 4 hours north of Jos suffered serious attacks on government facilities this past Friday. More than 200 people are reported dead. We must ask why? Boko Haram, an Islamic sect, believes that we are made right with God by keeping the law. Because of this, it is their goal to implement sharia law throughout northern Nigeria. But in doing so, they are bringing only death, deception, destruction and despair. The Bible tells usthat no one can be made righteous by keeping the law—it only shows our sinfulness (Romans 3:20)!

What—who—is the answer? Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus and his sacrificial death on the cross that we are made right with God (Romans 5:9). The Living Word, Jesus, as revealed through God’s Written Word, is the answer. Through Christ, the Prince of Peace, come life, light, liberty and love. What a contrast—who said theology doesn’t matter?

That is why Beth and I are serving in Nigeria with Oasis, to bring this Good New of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. Beth does this daily as she teaches fifth graders at Hillcrest. Her ministry goes even farther. As she teaches students from missionary families, their parents are able to focus on their assignments which also bring the Gospel to Nigeria—Bible translation, theological education, evangelism and church planting.

Daily, I serve along with our 30 colleagues at Oasis through Bibles and Christian literature. It is as the Church gets its theology right and comes to know the Living Word that Nigerians will experience the peace of God in their hearts and lives.

How is Oasis doing that, and how can you pray with us? Let me share three ways:


1. The Preacher’s Outline and Study Bible-New Testament is a beautiful and helpful three volume set that helps Bible teachers and preachers to “get the Gospel right” and give well balanced spiritual meals to their listeners. We are able to distribute this in partnership with Leadership Ministries Worldwide because you have given generously. We have 1400 sets currently in the port and a few in stock. Please pray that these will quickly be cleared and released.

2. We also distribute affordable Bibles that are even more afforable. Many of these are used by students who are taught the Bible in government and private schools; others are used by the people in the pew. Last year, 2011, we distributed record numbers of Bibles. But at the present, we have none, and we are unaware of any basic Bibles that are currently available anywhere in Nigeria. We expect to receive 45,000 pocket Bibles around May. Please pray with us for the quick availability of basic Bibles in Nigeria.

3. We distribute The Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation in partnership with Tyndale House Publishers. These are made available to Christian workers—Pastors, those teaching Bible in schools, theological students—for less than $10. Another 5280 are also on the way. These are tremendous resources to help these Christian leaders to communicate the Gospel clearly. There are documentation problems that need to be resolved. Please pray for quick clearing and release of these Bibles.

Please also pray for the peace of Nigeria, coming through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and our ministry.

Serving together with you,

Craig and Beth Ewoldt

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.

What’s Going on in Nigeria?

As you know, our African headquarters are in Nigeria. The country’s central region experienced episodes of violence over the past few months, with targeted attacks taking place on Christmas Eve.    We receive weekly reports from our team in Nigeria and we follow news reports from the BBC, New York Times, CNN, and the U.S. State Department. The violence comes in waves, leaving our team to deal with a rollercoaster of emotions. The Lord continually provides wisdom and discernment about when to keep shop doors open. Fortunately, this ethnic, religious violence has not brought physical harm to any of our staff. However, each of them has been personally touched, having lost friends or relatives as a result of the growing violence.   These tension and trials challenge all of us to increase our faith in our sovereign God.

We are grateful that so many of you are praying, and we ask that you remain on your knees, asking God for peace in Nigeria. We periodically post updates to our blog from Craig Ewoldt, our Managing Director in Jos.  We specifically ask you to pray for Craig and his wife, Beth. You can find their latest personal report HERE.

Our Nigerian team is in need of your prayer support, and they are also in need some updates to technology. They are looking for gently-used laptops to supply to their support staff. Please keep this need in mind as you or a friend moves to new technology. You can contact our main office with any inquiry or contribution.

Enjoy some pictures of our Jos Bookshop and Staff

 

 

 

Jos Violence Erupts Again

Dear Friends,

 

   We recently received the following update from Craig Ewoldt, Managing Director for Oasis in Nigeria, regarding the latest uprising in Jos. We know you share our concern so we are asking you to join us in urgent prayer for them and the nation of Nigeria.

 

    Please continue to pray with us for Jos. We are thankful for you and for your continued prayer for Beth and me, and for our Oasis staff, and for the ministries of Oasis and Hillcrest School. Throughout the period of crisis in Jos, God has sustained and encouraged us, and allowed us to continue ministering. The bookshop and school have remained physically untouched, although all of us have been severely distressed by the magnitude of the destruction and bloodshed around us.

 

Please pray:

• God would be glorified and the light of the Gospel would shine through clearly
• For wisdom and strength during this difficult time for Governor Jonah Jang, a fellow Christian and a pastor
• Consolation and healing for those who have lost loved ones and homes
• Stability of the Nigerian government. President Yar ‘Adua, a Muslim, is very ill, and Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, has tentatively assumed power under significant opposition
• Pray for Hillcrest School, as this has been particularly disruptive for the teachers, students and families
• Please pray specifically for the security of the staff and ministry of Oasis in Jos--the renewed violence has been particularly unsettling to everyone

Bibles and Christian literature continue to go out
    Despite this, or perhaps because of this, several thousand books and Bibles were distributed throughout northern Nigeria from our Jos location last week. Throughout the crisis, truckloads of military men have come to our shop to purchase Bibles. Pray that these will have an impact in the lives of people throughout Nigeria.
 
You can help our Christian brothers and sisters in Jos
    The Christians in Jos and surrounding area have been severely affected. For example, our good friend, David Laje, pastors the ECWA Church here in Rayfield. Twenty-three homes of believers were destroyed, and 67 of them lost their businesses in nearby Bukuru. This can be repeated from church to church. From earlier gifts you have given, we have been able to help the families at ECWA Rayfield Church replace their Bibles, hymnals and daily devotionals. We have also assisted Lydia Baleri, the widow of our late manager, who lost everything, and two other families closely related to our ministry and staff. The needs are tremendous, and who will help our brothers and sisters in Christ in Jos if we do not?

    If you can help, you may send gifts through Oasis International. Indicate that your gifts are for the ministry account of Craig and Beth Ewoldt, and are to aid the victims of the crisis in Jos. 100% of every gift will reach those affected. We will channel the gifts through the local assemblies, churches, and pastors that we know to help those that need it most.
 
Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us and for Jos.
 
Serving together,
 
Craig and Beth Ewoldt
 

 

We also want to share this beautiful prayer from our staff meeting in Jos soon after the crisis began:

 

 Lord, where are you?

If you do not protect us, who can we turn to?

Our thoughts are unworthy of you. Your ways are not our ways.

But we do not understand why you have allowed this.

Ultimately, we know the source. It is the Prince of Darkness.

He desires death, destruction, despair, deception and bondage.

Fear is a potent weapon in his arsenal.

As we read, when he lies—and those abound—he is speaking his native language.

It matters not if you are a child of the light or of the darkness.

He will destroy both without regard to his victim’s loyalty.

We appeal to the creator of all, Lord of life, love, liberty and truth.

Perfect love overcomes fear.

Light overcomes the darkness. Truth overpowers lies.

Come and protect us.

Who do we have besides you in heaven and on earth?

Where else can we go to find life and strength?

By your power, honor and glorify your name in Jos and in our lives.

Help us to love good and hate evil, even as you do.

Strengthen men and women of good will.

Confuse and frustrate the plans of the wicked.

Amen.

Jos Violence

Dear Friends,

Please be praying for the people in Jos, Nigeria as more violence broke out this weekend. We are thankful that our staff is well.  

To read about the violence please visit the following:

Yahoo News

Reuters

Thank you,

Oasis International Ltd. Staff

Update from Ewoldt's on Jos Violence

News and Prayer requests for the Jos crisis from Craig and Beth
January 2010

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:9,10 NIV

Dear friends,
 
Our hearts are broken this week as we have again seen Jos erupt into violence, death and destruction. This is certainly a spiritual battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, between life and death, love and hate, goodness and evil, truth and deceit. Many have lost their homes, their loved ones, and need God’s peace and comfort.
 
Last Sunday, Beth and I awoke to a beautiful, quiet morning. We drove to the early service as the sun was coming over the horizon. We visited with friends afterwards, and on returning home enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. Early in the afternoon, we heard of a localized disturbance on the other side of town, along with the assurance that security forces had brought it under control. A precautionary 12 hour curfew was imposed.
 
Monday morning Jos seemed quiet. But by afternoon, we were receiving reports that of rising tensions and incidents throughout Jos. Mercy, our staff heard that her sister had received a call on her husband’s cell phone—“We just killed your husband.” At that point, we closed the shop, and everyone went home.
 
Tuesday morning the crisis was escalating, and a 24 hour curfew was announced. We received news that the home of our late manager, Andrew Baleri was burning, and that his widow Lydia and her family were homeless. Throughout Wednesday, we could see smoke rising in several directions, and received reports of increasing destruction, and that the crisis was spreading outside of Jos.
 
Thursday was much calmer, and the curfew was lifted from 10 AM to 5 PM, so we went out to see what little good we could do. We first visited our friend Mohammed Chami, who was arranging for pure water at the refugee camps.  He was clearly troubled about what had happened. But he was encouraged that in Tuden Wada, a neighborhood next to our former home, Muslim and Christian leaders agreed that there would be no violence and had successfully worked together to maintain peace. Mr. Chami concluded, “I hope this can be a model for the other communities around Jos. We all need to work together to see that this doesn’t happen again.”
 
We next went to view the Baleri home. Standing on the side of the expressway in front of their compound was a nicely dressed young lady, one of their neighbors. Anna was smiling. She looked down at what she was wearing with a sweep of her hands.  “This is all I have.” She pointed to the neighborhood behind her. “Many of the homes are burned, and some of the churches. But don’t go back there. There are still many angry people inside.  We gave her some money, and a Bible we had with us, before viewing the Baleri home. The metal roof was melted and had collapsed into the house. Only the stove was recognizable; everything else was ashes.
 

Standing on the sides of the road were small crowds of people holding suitcases, looking for a ride out of town. Taxis have been packed, even by Nigerian standards.
 
Friday we learned more about the extent of what happened. The destruction was massive. How did the crisis start? There are different accounts, some more credible than others. Perhaps it is hardly important. The spark, or sparks, merely set fire to the pile of anger and frustration that had been gathering for some time. Who start or sponsored it? That needs to be answered. But ultimately, many joined the fight, with reprisals and counter reprisals. The familiar quote says: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. Soon everyone will be blind and toothless.”
 
One of our close friends is ECWA pastor David Laje. The youths of his church were able to keep it from being burned, but the windows were broken. Many of the members’ houses were destroyed. I asked one of them, “Who did this? Was it people from outside the community coming in, or people you know?” The answer—“It was our neighbors, who we have greeted every morning for years, and whose shops we buy our provisions at.” In other communities, Muslim homes were destroyed by their neighbors. Hate and violence have been spread by all “sides” in this crisis. And there are both Muslims and Christians that love peace and want to see it restored.
 
How can you pray with us? There is much to pray for:
 

• With thankfulness that God has preserved the lives of our staff and families, that our shop is intact, and for our homes that are safe.
• Pray for those who have lost their homes, family members and friends—that they would find peace and that their physical needs will be met. Pray for Lydia Baleri and her family that has lost everything.
• Pray for us and our staff that we will have renewed strength to face the work in front of us.
• Pray for healing of this state—for this there must be truth, reconciliation and justice.
• Pray for the leaders in Plateau State, for wisdom in ending this crisis and preventing another.
• Pray that Oasis will know how to respond with compassion, and also with needed literature for those who have lost everything—Bibles, devotional books, hymnals, resources for pastors.
• Pray that we will know what books we should distribute and publish to help build peacemaking.
• Pray for spiritual power for the church in Jos, to respond with God’s love to the crisis.

Thanks for your continued prayer for us and our fellow workers,
 
Craig and Beth Ewoldt
 
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15, 16.

Update on Jos Violence: Part 2

Jos, Nigeria     Tuesday 19 January 2010   12 Noon

 

Dear family and friends,

 

In the early afternoon on Sunday, we heard that there was some violence in a distant community in Jos, Nasarawa Gwong, along with reports that security forces had it under control. The governor instituted a 6PM to 6 AM curfew. Let me add at the front of this message that the shop, and our residence in particular are in even more secure areas than our previous location. The shop is a five minute drive from our home. Specifically, Beth and I have little concern for our personal safety.

 

Monday we opened the shop for a few hours and served a few customers, but then closed after hearing reports of sporadic violence is different areas. This morning, Tuesday, reports were that Jos was generally quiet, and upon consultation with our managers, we decided again to open the shop. But then reports started coming in about trouble in several areas. I commented that it seemed the governor should extend the curfew. The four of us who had arrived at the shop determined that we would not open. Rather we should return home. As we left the shop traffic quickly increased and there seemed to be a general panic. We learned it was announced that the curfew was extended to 24 hours, and that people should return home.

 

Beth, Tom, Sunday and I all safely at home, praying for the peace of Jos. It is very quiet, the sun is out, and it is a bit chilly and windy. Beth is baking some bread, and—well, as you can tell, I am doing email. As far as we know, our staff and the entire mission community are safe, but there have been numerous casualties.

 

There are conflicting reports as to how it all started. There will be time to sort that out later, if indeed that is possible.

 

Thanks for your prayers for us and Jos.

 

Craig and Beth

Prayer for Jos, Nigeria

Report from the SIM Nigeria Director

It’s Monday morning and I know many have heard of the trouble of yesterday here in Jos and are wondering what happened and what is now happening. There was trouble in the Nasarawa and Dogon Dutse areas of Jos, along the Bauchi and Bauchi Ring Roads. Some casualties were brought to JUTH and BUTH. There was some loss of life. A 6 to 6 curfew is in place. We hear gunshots now, but they may be security forces letting people know they are around. I did get a call from JETS Provost a few minutes ago saying that things are not yet quiet this morning in Nasarawa area. Hillcrest School is closed today, hoping to reopen tomorrow. Traffic is moving but lighter than normal. People are probably wanting to make sure things are normal before going to work.

 

E-mail from Craig Ewoldt, Managing Director of Oasis Distributions Limited in Jos

The brother-in-law of Mercy, one of our shop staff, was murdered on his way to work this morning. He is the headmaster of a boarding school in the troubled area, and likely felt he should go there to assure the safety of the students in his care. We may just shut the shop and go home, although for now, our areas of town seem to be okay.

 

We, Oasis-Nigeria and USA, grieve the loss of this brother in Christ and extend our deepest sympathies to Mercy and her family.  Please pray for God to quiet the “storm” in Jos and protect all those who serve Him.

 

Read an article from the BBC here.

Ewoldt November 2009 Prayer Letter

November 2009
 
 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Galatians 6: 9,10
 
Dear friends and family,
 
We thank God for your continued prayers on our behalf, and for the ministries that we are involved in here in Jos, Nigeria. We value your partnership in spreading God’s Word to Africa and Nigeria. We are busy with many projects between now and the end of the year.
 
Projects in November
 

• We have over 5000 New Living Translation Life Application Bibles to distribute to low income pastors—with Tyndale House Publishers as ministry partners. Pray that these Bibles will get to the pastors that need them most.
• We are hosting SIM missionaries from Ghana, Alan and Donna Goerz who are training counselors in Pre-Marriage Counseling with the goal of Christ centered marriages. This training will use their resource manuals that Oasis publishes. Please pray that this training will impact marriages throughout Nigeria.
• We are distributing 29,500 commentaries to seminaries throughout Nigeria. These are gifts for the libraries of graduates from these seminaries. We are partnering with Cook Ministries in this project. Pray that these books will help as they go into ministry.
• Our staff continues to visit seminaries and Bible colleges with resources, often selling hundreds of books each day to students. Please pray that these books will strengthen these students’ training and ministry.
• We have supplied a team from NIFES (Nigerian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) who will be selling Bibles and books for several weeks in four northern states where there are no Christian bookshops. They will be going to the area where at least three Christian pastors were martyred for their faith in August, and where 30 or more churches were burned. Please pray for their effective ministry and personal safety.
• 500 Pastors will receive sets of 12 books—in partnership with Training Pastors International.
• Through our core ministry, selling to booksellers, we continue to distribute thousands of Bibles and books each week. Please continue to pray that these books will be read and impact thousands in Nigeria.

Tens of thousands of free tracts and gospels have been distributed in recent months. We thank God for the partners who have been faithful in supplying these for this purpose.

Teaching fifth grade at Hillcrest
Beth continues to enjoy teaching her fifth graders at Hillcrest. The first semester is drawing to a close! This summer she trained in a phonics reading program, and is working through this with her students. We are hoping to see a few grade levels of reading improvement in her class this year. Please pray for Beth as she teaches, that these students would grow spiritually, academically, and socially through her ministry.
 
Craig’s quick medical trip to the US  
I mentioned a possible health issue for me in our last prayer email. I traveled to Chicago to have a heart stress test, and stayed there for 6 days before returning to Nigeria. I was able to see a cardiologist the day after I arrived. The following day I took the stress test and had some nuclear imaging done of my circulatory system. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. What was it? Well, we don’t know. Either the problem went away, or there was no serious problem in the first place. Either way, we thank God for answering prayer.
 
On a sadder note, Ben Fabunmi, a faithful board member of Oasis Distributions in Nigeria for almost 15 years, was called to be with the Lord late last month. Please remember his family in prayer at this time.
 
Are you discouraged about your investments and concerned about the future?
In many respects, the future seems more uncertain than many of us can ever remember. The opportunities for ministry here in Nigeria and Africa remain very strong, but we don’t know how long these doors will remain open. Jesus told his disciples –“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4, 5.

If you are looking for a good place to invest, don’t be discouraged. The distribution of Bibles and Christian literature in Nigeria is an excellent investment opportunity in the growth of the Kingdom of God. And the long range (eternal) return is excellent. Regardless of what happens, the books and the Bibles that have been distributed will remain in hundreds of thousands of Christian homes and pastor’s studies across Africa. The sale of books sustains the ministry, but your gifts help it to grow.
 
Thank you again for your concern and support for our ministry.
 
Serving together,
 
Craig and Beth Ewoldt
To give to our ministry:
Oasis International Ltd.

1770 S. Randall Road Suite A188
Geneva, IL 60134 USA