Nigeria 2024

We've just returned from Jos, Nigeria having been on a short recce to investigate whether there is a ministry which the Lord wants us to undertake to the War Survivors in Northern Nigeria.  They have been traumatised by the Fulani Herdsmen who come and threaten the villagers, they have then returned and killed some, frightened the rest off the land and then let their cattle eat the fertile land.

On arrival we each heard 10 tragic stories of death and loss and pain and prayed with individuals. We then taught on seven of our core subjects and prayed for them. On the same day we heard 9 testimonies mostly of forgiveness and freedom resulting in Joy. Our hosts were overjoyed with the results and even our interpreter said he had been blessed because he thought he had forgiven someone and found through the teaching he held a bitter root judgment and chose to forgive.

From this we had a number of testimonies:

• A lady thought the forgiveness was hard from the beginning but asked God to help her and not live in the sin of unforgiveness. She didn't know the land was cursed by bloodshed.
• A lady said "my heart is healed".
• A lady said she realised she hadn't forgiven the Fulani Herdsmen even though she taught forgiveness at school. She said that at her market stall she charged a high price for people she did not like and has now repented!
• Another lady said we now have JOY we can hardly express. You removed poison out of us!
• A man said he thought he had forgiven the Fulani Herdsmen but because they keep repeating their attacks he was confused. He learned that forgiveness is about helping ourselves. He had been keeping the pain inside but he learned how to pray to be healed!

We then moved to the Stefanos Foundation who have a number of projects including Humanitarian Relief after Fulani Attacks, a Safe House, Rehabilitation Centre and 500 trained trauma councillors. We had 20 of their HQ staff for two days and we built on their efforts to give them extra tools in their tool bag! The teaching was well received indeed they expressed from the top down we made the teaching accessible to them to be able to teach themselves. They loved our dramas and they have notes and they can incorporate them into some of their teachings.

Some of the testimonies which came out of the 2 incredible days are:

• A lady received deliverance for Jezebel from her father's second wife! Also Michael who you specifically prayed for on Mission Team Prayer Group came up for a hug and received prayer.
• A guy - who always put on a brave face at work said he had pain which affected him but after the teaching it had lifted!
• Another man said - information he'd received at work had upset him, he was irritated with his family even when they said "welcome". He said he was struggling with it and did not know what to do but after 2 days teaching, he cannot remember the pain and feels peace.
• A lady - she had a series of challenges at work and personally and she felt the Lord was not hearing her prayers and for the first time last night she slept without fear. She feels peace and she believes the teaching was especially for her!
• A young man said he was in pain but he forgave and feels better.
• A man said – "I often feel things in my body but in the teaching I learned that being healed in Soul and Spirit can bring healing to the body. Now I know what to do!
• Another man said the teaching was broken down and did not gloss over anything. "It challenged my thinking and gave me clarity and revelation."

We were hugely impacted by the pain, shock, trauma and fear in this very vulnerable community in the Plateau State. We have been invited back by both the hosts we worked with who would be very enthusiastic to have us return. We have asked the Lord for His plans for the future. Please pray for wisdom and discernment to hear His voice on this matter!