Oasis International

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.

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.

Why Jos is Different

Click here to read an article from Vanguard News on an analysis of the Jos crisis.

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

Message from Archbishop Kwashi of Jos

Click here to read a message from the Archbishop of Jos on the recent violence.  Archbishop Kwashi was a guest speaker at the dedication of our African Headquarters in April, 2009.

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.

Report on Jos Violence from EPRT

Below is an Interim Report from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team (EPRT). Mennonite Central Committee is one of the ten member-organizations of this inter-faith, inter-agency of the Justice Development Peace Caritas (JDPC) of the Jos Catholic Diocese. MCC plans to contribute funds toward the distribution of material aid by EPRT to people, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation, displaced by this crisis.

Beginning today, Friday, members of EPRT (which include EPRT-member Red Cross) will begin the important, but arduous task of registering the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Careful and thorough registration is the only way to insure safe and effective distribution of material aid.

REPORT:

DISPLACED PEOPLE
According to Red Cross officials there are about 25,000 displaced people now in 15 camps within Jos North and Jos South; NDLA compounds in Lamingo and Rikkos, St. Michael Nassarawa Gwong and State Police Command Jos, Bukuru Police Station, COCIN Church Angulu Jos, Air force Girls School Jos and many more are living with relatives or host families.  The casualty figures are reported to be between 300 – 500 people killed and over a thousand injured.

S/N    LOCATION/SITE    TOTAL POPULATION
01    NDLA school Lamingo Jos    660
02    NDLA State Command Rikkos    600
03    St. Michael Nass. Gwong    300
04    B. Division Bukuru     5,000
05    Masallacin Juma’a Bukuru    7,000 estimated
06    COCIN Jos Jarawa    100
07    Police Staff College    2,500
08    Mounted Troops Bukuru    250
09    Mounted Troops Training Centre Bukuru    1,200
10    GOC Guest House Bauchi Road    200
11    Angwan Rogo Primary Health Centre    29
12    Baptist Academy Nasarawa Gwong    100
13    Nigerian Airfore Primary School     6,000 estimated
14    Fatima Cathedral Jos    200
15    Angwan Rukuba     1500 estimated
       
    Total    25,639

RESPONSE BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT

The Governor of Plateau State on Tuesday 19th January announced the setting up of a search and rescue team to look after the displaced people. Judging from the way government officials handled the distribution of relief materials during the past conflicts in Plateau State, it is very doubtful that most of those displaced will benefit from government relief distribution. The government officials lack the basic capacity to coordinate the distribution in such a way and manner that every displace person gets a share.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE
With the curfew and the cold weather most displaced people will be in great need of food, water, mats and blankets. Below is the budget for 2000 displaced people (400 families).  The food ration of only Garri and sugar is calculated for one week per family. We have budgeted for only 2000 people as an interim measure (budget available upon request).

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

Update on Jos Violence: Part 1

The below journal entries are from Danny McCain, a close friend to Oasis.  Please continue to keep the people of Jos in your prayers. 

18 January 2010

Dear Friends,

 

Greetings from Jos.
We know that you all have been praying about all the suffering people in Haiti.  Few of us can comprehend the things those people have and are continuing to experience. However, we want to add to your prayer list another request.
Unfortunately, we have another Christian-Muslim conflict that started here in Jos yesterday. Fortunately, it has not degenerated into as serious a problem as we had 14 months ago. It is difficult to get accurate information. However, sorting through all of the rumors, we are reasonably certain that at least 20 people have died, at least two churches have been burned or destroyed and at least one pastor has been killed. Though I do not know if there were mosques that were burned, I am reasonably sure that there were Muslims killed through retaliation by Christians.
There are several rumors about what started this crisis. However, it was almost certainly a minor issue that sparked off the killing and burning which illustrates the simmering tension that is just barely under the surface most of the time here in northern Nigeria.  Fortunately, this crisis appears to be restricted to one area, a place about five miles from us. For those who know Jos, it is in the Nasarawa - Ricosse area, one of the areas that was affected by the previous crisis.
It is sad that Amos, the young man who has worked for us for 18 years and lives right in our compound, lost his cousin this morning.  He was a school teacher and was going to work when he was attacked and killed in this troubled area. In addition, Martha who helps Mary cook and clean lost one of her church members and another neighbor in her community. Therefore, these things hit pretty close home some time.
Fortunately, we had a relatively quiet night last night though there was a lot of heavy automamtic weapon fire that sounded to be about a mile from us between 7:20 and 7:30 this morning. However, I made two trips to the other side of town today and everything was peaceful and calm all the way over there and back.
During the last week, I taught a course at the West Africa Theological Seminary in Lagos. While there, I met a British couple. They were here exploring possible areas of ministry in Nigeria so I agreed to bring them up to Jos and introduce them to various missionaries and missionary agencies in Jos. Interestingly, I learned about this crisis when I got off the plane in Jos and turned on my phone and had a text message advising us not to go through the Nasarawa area. So this couple has had a rather violent introduction to Jos though they have had wonderful attitudes about the whole thing.
Unlike some of our past crises, we have reasonably good police and military people protecting us. However, our greatest protection is from the Lord. We thank you for your prayers on our behalf in the past and we continue to ask you to pray for our safety here in Jos.
We will keep you informed of developments if and as they happen.

Grace and Peace!
Danny McCain

 

19 January 2010

Dear Friends

Greetings from Jos.
Unfortunately, the security situation here in Jos deteriorated seriously this morning. We do not yet know the cause but from 6:30 this morning until about 12:00 noon, we had the heaviest shooting I have ever heard in my life. The shooting started in the part of town where all of the trouble began but over the next three or so hours, it spread to all parts of town. Fortunately, there has not been as much burning as in the previous crisis. However, we can still see smoke on two sides of us. There apparently is one filling station burning in Farin Gada which is about a mile from us. I just talked to Andrew, my driver and technical person who lives on the other side of town. He says there is still a lot of fighting and burning going on there right now.
Although there have been killings right outside the university gate, about a half mile from us and a pretty serious battle between the soldiers and militants in that same area, the fighting has not entered the university compound this time, for which we are grateful.
We just learned about an hour ago that a man who has been my next door neighbor for the past 18 years was killed about three hours ago. He worked in my department at one time. He was friendly and helpful person. We called him Baba Antonia (the father of Antonia).  Just before Christmas, he moved away from our campus into his own house that he was building in Russo, just behind the student village. I mentioned earlier that at least three other people connected to our staff have been killed. And we do not know who else.
Fortunately, this disaster has not really touched the areas where the last two did so we have not had any refugees yet. We hope this area will be spared. Many people have fled over into our area but we think that they will probably be able to go back to their houses tonight.
Haiti was a natural disaster. However, ours is a man-made disaster, a disaster inspired by the one who loves to kill and steal and destroy. These kinds of crises demonstrate that we have a whole lot of work to do here in Nigeria—pointing Muslims to the God of peace and trying to teach “Christians” that followers of Jesus do not kill and destroy or retaliate. Pray for us that we will have an effective ministry during this time of crisis.
We are safe right now and do not feel overly vulnerable. However, it is only God who is our protector. We are certainly grateful when we hear that you continue to pray for safety.

Grace and Peace!
Danny McCain