18th April 2008
Dear Friends
Piet and Margriet arrived safely in Abuja on Monday evening and we were pleased to see them both in good health. Piet has been many times of course, but this is Margriet’s first visit to Nigeria. They did live with their family in Northern Ghana some years ago, but I think Africa has moved on since then. From Abuja they have travelled to Kwara, and I think today to Kebbi State. I am expecting them back in Minna tomorrow to stay with us for a couple of days and then we shall all go to Jos on Monday for the TLM annual retreat.
Bassey and his team are busy making last minute arrangements for that.
The electricity supply is usually at its worst at this time of year, and this year seems as bad as ever. Some places have not had power for over a week. We have not had power for the last 24 hours. We thank God for the little generator that allows the office to still function for a few hours each day. (I am watching my freezer full of fish with great interest – fish stew all round today I think!!!!)
I spoke to mum this week, my auntie Linda (mum’s sister) gave everyone a scare when she had an allergic reaction to dust while she was decorating her house (she was sanding the woodwork). She couldn’t breath and her legs all swelled up – an ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital! It has never happened before. She has been staying with Grandma since then to keep away from the dust.
Grandma has had a plastic stent (tube) put in her food pipe to aid swallowing. It was uncomfortable the first couple of days, but she is used to it now.
Chapel of Grace had a ‘Couples and Singles Weekend’ last weekend. All about relationships. It was very good. The speaker rounded up on Sunday at the morning service. He spoke very well and challenged us a lot. B and I learnt a lot. J
The local university made a lot of folk redundant (or compulsory early retirement) last year, including some of our friends. They have not been paid their money up til now. They should now be on pension, but not yet. We heard that they have been asked to report today for an update. Please pray that all is sorted and they will be paid – many are struggling to feed and pay school fees etc. for their children.
Yesterday we had our 3rd rain of the year. It is lovely and cool this morning and the garden is looking fresh with all the dust washed away. We have done severe pruning of the bushes as they will now go into ‘express growing mode’ with the rains. Watching out for the buds on the roses. J
Thank God for intervening in a terrible accident last Friday involving one of the mission cars. A person was killed, leaving a widow and small children. We will go on the same road on Monday as we go to Jos. Pray for journeying mercies.
There will be no update next Friday as I will be away in Jos.
Jannine
Jannine Ebenso
The Leprosy Mission International
Africa Regional Office, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, NIGERIA
Mobile: +234 8035962001
Email: janninee@tlmaro.org
7th April 2008
Bassey has asked me to write to a few of you to ask you to lift up in prayer his desire to go back to school this autumn.
He has gained admission to Leeds University to study for a PHD – a follow up of his masters study – looking at reducing stigma and poverty in people affected by leprosy.
The fees are very high but he has been encouraged to apply for a scholarship. The scholarship board meet this month, so we wait for their decision. If successful he will be studying for 3 years.
He will be very disappointed if he does not receive funding to go. Please pray that he finds favour and receives the scholarship.
Thanks so much.
Jannine
Jannine Ebenso
The Leprosy Mission International
Africa Regional Office, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, NIGERIA
Mobile: +234 8035962001
Email: janninee@tlmaro.org
4th April 2008
Dear friends
The rainy season has started. We woke up this morning to the sound of rain on the roof. Not a lot, but a start. The clouds started gathering since Monday and have been thicker everyday, but no rain until early this morning. This weekend will be a frantic farming weekend for many Minna residents As they prepare the ground for their yams, maize etc.
Yesterday I went to observe a ladies’ meeting in Tunga, a part of Minna. There were 14 women in the group. They have 2 parts to their meeting – self care and then some cooperative activities. I was very impressed with them. These are a group of people I have known for some time (since 1999). Before now, they had been very dependent and had always begged for things when I come. Now, they are operating in a more developmental way. Next week the leader will join 10 other leaders to receive training in group leadership that Lawrence and the Niger State team are running. I will go along for support too.
The group members each contribute just less than a pound a week which they take it in turns to collect (the cooperative bit). I asked them what they sue the money for – some for trading, some for other things, but all to better themselves). Their plan is to learn to make soap which they can sell, so in addition to the pound they also bring 30p each to put in the group kitty to save up for the costs of learning the soap-making. I have asked them to check out all the costs and then write to the Leprosy Programme to see if they can help them out – maybe with a grant or a loan. I think it is good to encourage their good efforts.
Bassey had an interesting meeting with some other organisations – some missions and some NGOs who work in the field of disability in Nigeria. They hope to be more collaborative and assist one another to do better. Please pray for this collaboration.
We were not able to choose a rehab officer for FCT from the folk who came for interview, so need to start again. They were all good, but not right for the work expected we felt. We would value your prayers as we wait for God to send the right person.
Our weekend in Abuja was great. We were able to catch up with some friends and meet up with some development folk that Bassey has worked with in the past. We all went out for ice-cream – a real treat! J It rained at the weekend in Abuja (Their rain always starts earlier than ours).
This week – pray for the self care groups leaders’ and facilitators’ training that Lawrence (physiotherapist) is running. We are hoping to make it as practical as possible.
Pray for Bassey who travels down to near Ibadan on Monday for meetings with a Catholic Hospital there, to discuss Samson Akinyemi’s eye work.
Pray for Piet and Margriet Both (Director for TLM Africa) as they prepare to come for a visit to Nigeria from 14th April.
Emeka has had real problems getting a visa for India for an important meeting of all financial folk in TLM. He was due to fly on Wednesday but still has no visa. He has been asked to check again this morning and if he gets the visa will run straight to the airport to catch a flight. Pray it works out!
Ask God to intervene in all our visa applications. I still need to get to Niger Republic and no news of the visa yet. (I am assuming Piet and Margriet have theirs for Nigeria?)
Until next week…….
Jannine
Jannine Ebenso
The Leprosy Mission International
Africa Regional Office, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, NIGERIA
Mobile: +234 8035962001
Email: janninee@tlmaro.org
20th March 2008
Dear Praying Friends
Firstly, as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I wish you all a Blessed Easter! From all the believers at Chapel of Grace, FUT, Minna and all in TLM Nigeria, we pray that the Risen Lord will be close to you and very real in your lives.
For some folk, Holy Week is a week of special observance, which in some traditions includes a vow of silence. Well the Ebenso household has not made a vow, but silence reigns. Since Sunday Jannine has had no voice! My cold developed into laryngitis and I progressed from a little squeak to nothing at all. Little Seun, Beatrice’s son thought it was a game and started whispering back. I could not convince him that I really could not speak! (Beatrice is Bassey’s secretary). I am back to a little voice again today, so hopefully am on the mend. It was quite funny having to use sign language and write notes to communicate. It made me appreciate more the difficulties some people have with communication because of one impairment or the other. It would stop being funny after a few days!
Tosin phoned yesterday to say that the physio students have arrived and that the attachment is going well. I hope to join him for the second batch that will arrive at the end of March. Please pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we teach these students.
Yesterday was a public holiday for Mohammed’s birthday. There were parades on the streets of Minna as the children carried banners with Koranic verses on and sang songs.
The interview went well, but we have to do another one today, so no decision yet on the new physiotherapist.
Bassey was in Abuja all week Monday to Wednesday at meetings with the Ministry of Health. Some big issues were discussed, but he says the meetings went well.
Today is the last day of work until Tuesday as we have Friday and Monday off for Easter. It is probably the same for most of you reading this. We wish you all a blessed weekend.
Please pray for peace and stability, especially in Moslem states – the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, and also the release of a Dutch film insulting Mohammed has brought tumours of trouble. We are all being sensible about where we travel and what we say.
I have started posting these updates on my blog www.janninesafricanjournal.blogspot.com – there you can see some pictures if you wish. I am still learning how to blog, so hopefully it will improve with time J
For those who usually contact me through Facebook, I have deactivated my account as I was receiving unwelcome messages.
Finally, a thought from Selwyn Hughes:
Apart from the cross I would never realise the enormity of my sin
Apart from the cross I would have no clear focus for my faith
Apart from the cross I would not have a Saviour
Father thank you for the mercy that streams towards me from Calvary.
You do not love me because Christ died, but Christ died because You love me.
Yours in the Risen, Victorious Jesus
Jannine
Jannine Ebenso
The Leprosy Mission International
Africa Regional Office, PMB 179 Minna, Niger State, NIGERIA
Mobile: +234 8035962001
Email: janninee@tlmaro.org