In the Land of Boko Haram: "An Ongoing Miracle for Orphans"

"Some of the seed multiplied 30 fold, others 60 and other 90."

Recently, Cathie and I had the chance to talk with two "saints of the land", and we came away from a four hour encounter with hearts a-glow.

Part of the responsibilities assumed by this African couple takes them back and forth from Nigeria. This specific story is taking place in the area where Boko Haram has declared the Northeastern Region to be an "Islamic State". This is only one of many stories we heard - (hint: you won't hear these stories on CBB, CBC or BBC.)

In one of the cities in that area (I cannot mention specifics) a kind hearted African looked around several years ago,  discovering that Christian parents had been killed in large numbers while attending worship services. (They were killed en masse while singing praises to the Lord.)

Children hid from danger and gradually more than 100 of them were gathered into a very small street.

Question Number 1: how to provide for these children when resources are so scarce, and the dangers so ever-present and compelling real?

Question Number 2: If large houses or school buildings would call too much attention to the children, then how to house the orphaned children?

A school in rural Sierra Leone, where needs are also great.

As the Lord provided through other kind-hearted persons, a number of buildings were built, providing small group homes with eight children in each house, and with an older "grandmother".

At the same time, one of the men who had been in the military in another region of Nigeria faced retirement and decided to give his life to help homeless children. He was impacted by the saying of Jesus Christ: "Do not forbid them - let the little children come to me."

How he became involved with these children and has protected them during the clashes that took place is a wonderful story - only the Lord knows all the details.

Boko Haram means (believe it or not) "Western Education is Evil".

This tiny light house in a large African city that sits in the middle of a conflict zone stands for (believe it or not) compassion extended to widows and orphans where the deepest conflict involves spiritual warfare.

This is not the place to tell more details. Suffice it to say, with the Psalmist who had many centuries earlier faced danger, " The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:7,8

Rejoice in your hearts for this, and many other stories from this troubled part of the world. The Lord has not abandoned his people.