Spiritual Theme: Nothing Be Wasted

My apologies to Pastor Ben at Faith Alive for not posting the last few months’ spiritual themes. He’s been faithful to send me pages of explanations about each theme, but I’ve fallen behind condensing them into one or two paragraphs for this blog. Apologies aside, here is June’s theme based on John 6:12: “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, ‘Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.’”

You’ve probably heard of the story of Jesus taking a little boy’s few loaves and fish and multiplying them into enough food for thousands of people. But did you ever think about the value of the leftovers? Pastor Ben says, “I know of many loaves and fish elsewhere that got eaten by goats and dogs or destroyed by fungi. But why are these so special that even their pieces are not to be wasted but preserved? It was because they were surrendered to Jesus to be used by him in meeting the needs of people. They were used to demonstrate the power of God. They were used to give life to the dying people, and they were used to bring glory to God. Thanks went to God on their account and they were blessed by Jesus. So they were no more ordinary bread and fish. They were made sanctified and consecrated and so could not be treated any how…these were preserved for future generations.

“So it is with our life’s resources. If we surrender them to God to serve and be used by Him for His glory, we will not be wasted, as he will use us to serve his purposes and still preserve our leftovers for future use. It is then we receive protection, get more useful and our work can outlive us. Anything less is a wasted life…So gather your leftovers; someone out there may need them to survive.”

Nigerian Physicians in the Americas

What does a white American woman writer in the non-profit world do at a conference for Nigerian physicians in the Americas (ANPA)? She listens attentively to a few lectures, but mostly meets and talks about Faith Alive with medical professionals in the hallways and during breaks.

One of ANPA’s missions is: “To encourage the development of practical solutions to Nigerian health care problems through strategic initiative and field activities inside Nigeria.” What a wonderful match with Faith Alive--a successful model of holistic healthcare delivery in Nigeria, started by a Nigerian, run by Nigerians and serving Nigerians. By God’s grace, this networking is the beginning of some meaningful relationships that will benefit Faith Alive and the Nigerian physicians living on this continent who want to support the people in their ancestral homeland.

Faith Alive's 15th Anniversary Picnic--Photos

If a picture says a thousand words, then these photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

Independence Day

Did you realize that both the United States of America (July 4, 1776) and Nigeria (October 1, 1960) celebrate their independence from Great Britain? Both countries mark the anniversary with parades, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies. I’m guessing that Nigerians don’t share our tradition of baseball (they much prefer football, or what we call soccer) and shy away from fireworks with loud explosions and smoke (too reminiscent of recent crises).

In my post this time last year, I listed the lyrics for the Nigerian National Anthem. It’s only fair that this year I share the American version. While most Americans at least recognize the words at sporting events with caps and hands over their hearts, very few realize that this is the first of many verses or that the tune is from a popular British drinking song. If they did, perhaps they’d raise their Buds to the good ol’ red, white and blue.

O! say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Click here to watch and listen to Marvin Gaye or Whitney Houston, two African-Americans, sing the anthem.

15th Anniversary Celebration Part 3: Honoring Nurses

I know, this is unprecedented--three blog posts in one day--but there's so much great news from Faith Alive! In addition to announcing the Faith Alive Institute to address the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and honoring Super Sally, Dr. Chris enjoyed "Nurses' Week." Activities included:

Monday--the nurses gave free physicals to the staff

Tuesday--the nurses handed out small gifts to the patients (things like soaps and toiletries)

Wednesday--the nurses showed a documentary on nursing and enjoyed songs, dancing, games and prayers with the staff

Thursday--the nurses enjoyed a special program with the staff in conjunction with Faith Alive's 15th anniversary

Friday-- the nurses hosted a guest speaker addressing HIV management

Saturday--the nurses enjoyed a staff picnic

Let's join Dr. Chris, Faith Alive and all of us who have benefited from great nurses to offer prayers of thanksgiving!

(Photo of Dr. Chris with the nurses.)

15th Anniversary Celebration Part 2: Honoring Sally

Bosas (Praise God!) for Sally, Faith Alive Foundation-Nigeria’s founding U.S. Coordinator, who recently retired from this position after a decade of faithful service. Read Dr. Chris’s words of thanks and honor:

"Our dear Sally, on behalf of my family, Faith Alive Family in Nigeria and worldwide, we sincerely wish you a happy birthday. As part of the nurse's week at Faith Alive and our 15th Anniversary we celebrated you and your accomplishments. The nurses' week began on Monday and it has been wonderful--Faith Alive has one of the best set of nurses in the world and I am proud of them. The patients had gifts this morning and celebrated with us. This afternoon it will (be with) staff. We now have SALLY BARLOW M&E/SI ROOM , named after you. (Sally Barlow Monitoring & Evaluation/Strategic Information Room). We are very proud of you and your accomplishments. I told the board/EXCO how your computer room was always "fixed" for FAF and how you always fixed things for FAF."

Way to go, Super Sally!

(Photos of her home office, new sign at Faith Alive.)

15th Anniversary Celebration Part 1: Faith Alive Institute

June 23, 2011 marked a special day—15 years since Dr. Christian Isichei optimistically hung a shingle saying “Faith Alive Counseling” outside a four-room apartment in Jos, Nigeria. Now he announces from the three-story Faith Alive Hospital that employs over 150 people and serves over 10,000 patients:

"As part of my sabbatical and things I have worked for, we will be dedicating attached-Faith Alive Institute Millennium Development Goals that has the 8 goals as "departments" and houses an office for myself and wife-two different rooms with a reception. For the first time since establishment of FAF, I now have an office and will commence its use tomorrow. I plan to spend time one-on-one with staff and do a lot with the office."

Those goals, as listed at the United Nations website, are:

1. End poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Create a global partnership for development

I can’t wait to learn more about the institute when I’m (God-willing) in Nigeria later this summer!

(Photos of the sign outside the Institute building in Jos, Nigeria and the UN MDG logo.)