A big thank you to those who gave to help the poor widow who was robbed of all her funds last week. We took what you gave and sent it to our National Director, Lucas Ulo, and he promptly gave it to Sister Amadi Charity. To be sure you knew that what you gave arrived as intended, he snapped this photo of himself giving the funds to her. In addition, he attached a note saying that she has received your funds with great appreciation. You can see it is a bundle of money. But, as usual, and like our Father, you gave “exceeding and abundantly above” what was asked for. In fact, you exceeded the amount by about 10%. Isn’t it great to be used by the Lord to help a fellow Believer on the other side of the world? One who will not be able to thank you personally until you meet in Heaven. The Word says that God sees those who bless the poor and considers what they give as a personal loan to HIM; and assures us that He will pay us back, WITH INTEREST.
Now, as my dad always said, don’t spend it all in one place! Jon
0 Comments
Today I received an email from Lucas Ulo, one of our directors in Nigeria, regarding the widow of our deceased pastor, Amadi Polycarp. We gave her a lumpsum bonus upon his death, based on his time with us and his amount of support. This funding is given to our widows to cover burial expenses and care for the family's pressing needs. She has also been receiving the continuation of her husband's support by which she has been able to survive and open a small business in her home to meet their needs.
However, last Sunday, while at church, burglars broke into her little house, ransacking it and stealing all her funds and food, leaving her with no help for her two children in the university and the three young ones still at home. (From here, I quote his email with minimal editing for clarification.) Lucas wrote, "She was broken-hearted and confessed that without your support given through me, she doesn't know what else she could have done. The church's financial strength is too small to take care of her". Several of her brothers-in-law had been secretly helping her, as the radical neighbors and family members would not permit it. They testify that she has kept herself from other men since his death and has lived a Godly life, in a manner different from worldly widows. He continued by explaining, "She makes her living by selling foodstuffs like rice, beans, vegetable oil, condiments, sachets of salt, tomatoes, etc. Since she is a trusted customer, after her payment for the previous week's goods, the wholesaler then gives her additional foodstuffs on a credit basis. These thieves took the insecurity opportunity to commit the crime. They stole all her market money, ransacking all her rooms, bags, and remaining cartons of goods. Last week, she visited her debtors and collected payment from them, which she had stored in her house, together with her profit and small personal capital. On Monday, she planned to go to the Owerri City market, pay her bill, and acquire more items to sell. This is how she provides for her family apart from the funds Final Frontiers sends each month. As a result of the theft, she doesn't know what to do. She has reported the theft to the Police just for formality because, as we know, they will demand some money to investigate, and in the end, nothing might be achieved". After hearing this news, I asked Lucas to break down the value of cash and stolen goods. He replied that the total of goods she had on credit was $1,700 and another $165, which was her household savings, making a total loss of $1,865. Lucas did inform me that the church has helped her some, but as poor subsistence farmers with virtually no cash and having to take care of the pastor, they gave according to their ability, but it was not enough. I want to state that Lucas did not ask us or you for help. I know the attitude of our partners and believe you would want to know and pray about her situation and that some of you would desire to help her as well. You can give online, or mail in a check and designate it to "Amadi Polycarp Widow" |
Details
Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
|