The grace of God led our steps after a long time, to central Nigeria and specifically to Benue State. The area for more than two and a half years was severely tested by the descent, invasion of the Muslim nomads of the Fulani tribe of northern Nigeria. Seeking fertile land for their numerous herds, they headed for this area. Their herds caused immense damage to agricultural production resulting in bloody clashes. Hundreds of people lost their lives, villages were wiped out, populations moved to save themselves. Some of our parishes were severely damaged, mourned victims, had casualties.
With much self-sacrifice and in defiance of the dangers, the two priests who minister in the area and their assistant catechists continued the work of evangelization, serving, preaching and baptizing new members. Our tour lasted seven days and was a real revelation. The 5 parishes/church communities have grown to 19. The number of catechists to 20.
The first major stop was the new parish of St. Anthony. There several believers from neighbouring parishes gathered there. The church a brick building, low, warm and as always humble. Next to it stands an unfinished building, the new church, without a roof, with huge windows due to the heat of the area. An offering of the hysteria of literally these simple poor peasants. People of one of the poorest and least developed states in the country. Next door stands, unfinished, the parsonage and missionary center. The people are warm, enthusiastic. They were anxious, like the faithful of other new parishes, to meet their bishop for the first time. We prayed together, toured the grounds and land they intend to cede to us if there is a possibility of development on our part. Their main requests: school, drinking water, completion of the Church.
The second major milestone is the new parish of Agios Stefanos. Here too an old building, with many deficiencies, need for major repairs, need for a permanent pastor. Dozens of faithful gathered and waited patiently for the first archpriestly service in this new parish. They greeted us with displays of enthusiasm, with dancing, with shouting, with such relief that they were not alone. The Mass, under terrible heat was a surprise still. The church choirs, one in their tribal language (Tib) and a youth choir in English, performed the worship hymns in their own musical idiom. Great satisfaction to see the gospel of Christ and His Church clothe the cultural flesh of each congregation. Dozens of faithful came to the sacrament of the Eucharist in fear of God and emotion. After the service in the churchyard, again there was dancing, acclamations and counter acclamations. Present were the guardians, and the local government was present. And from them again requests for drinking water, for a school, for the repair of the temple, for icons, utensils, etc. And another request for peaceful coexistence with other churches and religions, for cooperation on humanitarian and social issues. On the way back we stopped at the neighboring parish of St. Andrew. An ancient building, the church, amidst huge orange groves in absolute silence. There some parishioners were waiting for us, showed us around, told us about their efforts, their plans and asked us to remember and support them.
The third major stop was the village of Karmem, the parish of Christ, where the first building of our school was built with the help of the Orthodox Foreign Missionary Brotherhood. Present were the 300 students, teachers, dozens of faithful, local rulers and a delegation of students from a high school of the Anglican Church. A great celebration had been prepared by the young students, traditional dances, poems, sketches, speeches. We admired the work done by the local vicar, the catechists and of course the teachers. As was the case at our other stations, we were offered local dress, which is the highest honour for a stranger. With this “clothing”, they officially recognize you as a member of their tribe. At the end of the celebration we prayed for the children and their teachers, for the donors of the school, for all those who support the missionary work in this region, there in the Benue mountains, behind which one can see Cameroon. We toured the school and saw the damage caused by the Muslim nomadic invasion and the clashes. Windows and doors were destroyed, even the flooring of several classrooms. The disappointment of the moment was followed by the certainty, the faith that the Lord will open ways not only to repair the damage, but also to expand the school.
From there we headed to the Church of St. Charalambos in Adikpo parish. There is a nice church there built by a couple from Heraklion, Crete. We met with the priest, the catechists and the people who were patiently waiting for us there. And here we prayed together, listened to their problems and their requests. Despite the late hour, we set out for the next stop which was the new parish of Archangel Michael, in a poor village in the middle of the farms. There we were met by several people waiting for us, next to the hut used as a temple. People tired, worn out, with obvious signs of deprivation on their faces, in their dress. Warm and cordial is the one-hour conversation and acquaintance with them. And here they expressed a plea for clean drinking water to stop the kilometre treks before securing some water, not so clean.
In between these visits, we had the opportunity to have long meetings with the parish councils, priests and catechists. We had to listen to their problems in their true dimensions, to address the catechists at length, to guide them, to strengthen them, but above all to become part of the challenges they face in their ministry.
After 18 hours of travel, through damaged roads, we returned to the headquarters of the Metropolis in Lagos. Feelings were mixed. Surprise and joy at what wonderful things the Lord is doing there with His Gospel workers. But also intense and reflection for the next day. How are we going to fix the Temples? How will we offer water to these people? How will we support our Catechists? How will we be able to sustain at least 3 more clergy we need to ordain? Where will these people live? How will they be moved? How will we be able to implement the catechist seminars? And how much more!
We lay all this at the feet of the Triune God, the one who is indeed “sending” with a deep prayer to bless these efforts and to support all those who work for the manifestation of His Kingdom in this neighbourhood of the earth.
†The Nigerian Alexander
