NIM Builds Ijaw Churches…
We also raise the money to build the church facilities in each of the villages where HICC plants a new church. Before we took on this responsibility the congregations met in stick churches with thatched roofs. The Pastors lived like beggars and the church had limited respect from the community leaders. After NIM joined the efforts of HICC the ministry in Ijaw Land exploded and joy broke out in every village. The Pastors have been lifted and encouraged and the communities are excited that God is visiting their land. Our church buildings include an attached parsonage and facilities to accommodate a retail store business for the support of the Pastor's family. These church facilities are being built for $6,000 each! The first church we will build in '04 will be in the village of Ogbudugbudu.
Fighting Between The Ijaw and Itshikiri…
CNN and the BBC have been covering the growing conflict between the Ijaw and the Itshikiri with reports of armed attacks, burned villages and murders. Until recently the fighting has been concentrated to our East in the Warri Kingdom with the city of Warri under heavy guard by the Nigerian military. However, the Egbema Ijaw have now entered the conflict and each village (including those we operate in) has sent young men to join the Ijaw fighters. Just before we arrived an Itshikiri raiding party attacked an Ijaw village in Warri district and threw the 4 children of a Christian Pastor into a fire while forcing the Pastor and his wife to watch as their children died. Vowing revenge, the Ijaw sought out an Itshikiri Pastor and slaughtered him as well. In response, Itshikiri fighters attacked a fishing village down the river from our location, and killed 9 members of one of our villages, Ogbudugbudu, leaving several others wounded. So when it came time for me to go to Ogbudugbudu to hold a crusade we were concerned for Wilson's safety, being that he is Itshikiri. After consulting w/ our Ijaw Pastors an hour before leaving for the village, we felt assured that we would be welcomed and safe, and Wilson accompanied us. Ogbudugbudu sent a boat manned by 2 of their Ijaw fighters. At first our Pastors were concerned but realized they were providing for our safe passage. We ended the Crusade early so we could return back to Ajakurama by boat and be off the river before 8pm. At night the river is dangerous, being patrolled by Ijaw fighters who would likely kill anyone unknown to them.
Shell and Exxon Oil Companies…
In the middle of this fray is the complex problem surrounding the oil drilling operations in Ijaw Land. Nigeria is the 4th largest oil producer in the world. All drilling is done in Ijaw territory on the Niger River Delta. Several years ago the Nigerian government federalized all Ijaw land and thus grabbed up all oil rights, leaving the Ijaw completely disenfranchised. This has created the situation we see today with mounting tensions between the Ijaw and the government. There have been several incidents where Ijaw raiding parties seize oil platforms in the river and ocean, kidnap western employees and hold them for ransom. This practice is a quick way to raise money for their fighters. Weapons are then purchased across the border in Cameroon and from arms dealers who come ashore along the Ijaw coastline. Involvement in the politics of this situation is not the business of NIM or HICC, but we must deal with the circumstances surrounding it, so we ask for prayers from God's people, that the Lord will guide the indigent people into a fair and peaceful resolution.