Greetings from the Nossokoffs

Happy new year in advance from my American family to my global Faith Alive family. Mark, Jenny, James, Austin, Toby and I send our greetings, gratitude for God's blessings, and great hope for a glorious new year. May God richly bless all of you who support Faith Alive's many ministries (health, skills-acquisition, counseling, education and training, emergency fund, counseling, prayer, support group, soccer, etc.) with your thoughts, prayers, money, and/or time/skills.

News About Nigeria

Want to get the latest news about Nigeria? Sure, you can go to your favorite western sources. But to hear what Nigerians themselves are saying, I also go to gamji.com or allafrica.com. They're clearinghouses for local news and editorials. Browse to your heart's content.

Dancin' in Church

If anyone thinks that church is boring, then they haven't worshipped in Nigeria. Sure, some church services there spill into hours, but there's always singing and dancing. Full body participation. What an uplifting experience to come into God's presence with joy.

My prayer is that Christians in Jos return to their churches to celebrate God's victory. They were denied that this Christmas day (due to the Christmas eve bombings), but will soon gather together to lift hands and sway.

(2009 photos courtesy of Frank Lozano)

Good News

Who among us doesn't need good news? That's Faith Alive Hospital's spiritual theme for December, based on Luke 2:10. May you be encouraged (especially those of you in Jos who are experiencing some reprisal violence)as you read Pastor Ben's interpretation.

"The angel that announced the birth of Jesus, declaring, 'I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.' Why was the birth of Jesus a good news to the world? This is the question we shall try to consider.

“The news about the appearance of Jesus became ultimately good news worthy of acceptance and spreading because of the good it came with to mankind. The summary of the goody goodies that accompanied the appearance of Jesus is found in Isaiah 61.

“To the poor, the good news is, he was anointed to preach to them.
To the broken hearted, he was sent to bind their broken heart.
To the captives, he came to announce freedom for them.
To the prisoners, he came to set them free.
To unmerited and unqualified, he came to show them favor.
To those who mourn, he came to comfort them.
To those who lack and grieve, he came to provide for them.
To those in ashes, he works to give them beauty.
He replaces mourning with oil of gladness.
He places garment of praises on those who are depressed.
To the sick he is the healer.
To those in darkness he is the light.
The poor he made rich.
To the sinners he came to save.
He is advocate to the offenders.
To the hungry he is the bread of life.
To the thirsty he is living water.
The list may continue inexhaustible.
Who will say he does not need him, as he is everything to all and a solution to all mankind’s problems.
The good news that was announced by the angels has become the gospel we preach today. Therefore, Christmas will not be complete, if eat, drink and sending gifts but fail to spread the gospel.
Angels announced and spread it to the shepherds; the Magi announced and spread it in Jerusalem; now it is our turn to spread it in our environment.

“PREACH THE GOSPEL TODAY!!..........CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN CERTAIN, GREAT AND BETTER WAYS!! LET’S SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS!!!"

Staying Indoors

I've talked with a few friends in Jos, Nigeria and am glad that they're safe. Instead of their normal Christmas-time festivities, they've all pretty much stayed indoors. No church services. No traveling to and from their home villages. No reason to gather where their enemies might want to cause harm.

I imagine that about the only people moving about are the police and medical workers. With so many injuries, doctors are working overtime. Surely Drs. Chris and Mercy have been part of the selfless, hardworking army of physicians.

Whoever bombed parts of the city might've taken away this Christmas's celebrations, but they can't take away the lasting joy of knowing Jesus Christ. God in all His glory has the final victory.

Please Pray for Jos

On this day of joy and celebration as we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we stop to pray for Jos, Nigeria. Just last night, Christmas eve, CNN reports that five separate blasts occurred in and around the city. Dr. Chris asks for our prayers.

I'll keep you posted with any news that's appropriate to share. Wherever you are, whenever you're reading this, would you please take some time to pray for lasting peace in Jos? Nagode (thank you).

Christmas Blessings From...Blessing

I think everybody who visits the Faith Alive Hospital in Nigeria knows Blessing. She's the beautiful, friendly young woman whose sewing shop is between the hospital and guesthouse. Smiles, hugs, and encouraging words are her trademarks. With her, every guest is special.

She doesn't use a computer much, but readily talks on her handset (phone). Here's her off-the-cuff greeting:

"Happy Christmas to all of you! It's not about eating, but it's about sharing love. The boys are doing well. May the Lord bless everybody."

Amen. Blessings from Blessing for us all.

(Photo taken by Frank Lozano last year.)