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"

Jon Nelms' recent book, Great Commission Conundrums is now available on Amazon both as a paperback and on Kindle in Spanish! You can find links to them over in our book section, along with several other books!

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