Snippets: My Experience in Nigeria, Africa

The Place: Nigeria, Africa

Several years ago I traveled to Nigeria in order to teach the Nigerian's how to instruct children. While there, I heard a story that occurred several months prior.

The Story:

"We were in an attic, hiding to save our lives. We heard voices outside and wondered how long we would be safe." For fear of their lives, they stayed in that attic for days. Outside of the compound, Muslims determined to kill as many Christians as they could. The only thing that separated the group was a barb wire fence.

I thought of that story each time our vehicle stopped at the compound's gate. After guards unlocked it, we were allowed to go into the compound. Hearing the gate close after entering, reminded me that all wasn't peaceful. The lady who told me the story said they left the attic after the uprising. I sensed that it could happen again at any time.

Each day, we'd take turns teaching a few hundred Nigerians. We taught them how to make balloon animals. How to conduct children's lesson. And anything to do with children's ministry.

On day, a disturbance occurred, one that scared me. I explained how I fostered and adopted children. The Nigerians became very agitated. I looked back at the Nigerian leaders. They immediately came to the platform and tried to calm the people. The Nigerians were shouting questions at me like: "How can you bring strange children into your home?" "Weren't you concerned about your own children?" I later discovered that the Nigerians considered homeless children demon possessed. They were afraid of them.

After that occurrence, I paid attention. There were children in fields, by themselves. I asked my Nigerian leader to explain it. He said no one would help the children because they were afraid of them. We were advised not to give anything to the homeless children in a certain part of town because it would cause a riot. One guy didn't follow directions, and we soon found out that our leader's words of advice were true.

The guy bought some apples and gave them to a few homeless children. Kids came out in dozens and started fighting. As a group, we were ushered out of that part of the city. When we were back in our vehicle, people were shouting at us to leave.

We did have some positive response from the Nigerians. There were places we could give treats. My daughter had brought several pounds of candy with her from the United States. When given permission, she handed the kids pieces of candy. Truth be told, the adults were right there with hands extended. They liked the candy as well, and she was happy to give it to them.

Overall, the experience changed me. It made me appreciate the freedoms of America. I saw the Department of Social Services in a whole different light.

As a side note, the man who escorted us throughout Nigeria, (Sayto) was killed several months after we had departed Nigeria. His hands and feet were cut off, and he was tortured before they killed him. The gentle man left behind a wife and many children. Why? Because he was a Christian.

Randy Tramp

Amazon Review:

It's a military thriller with a heart. Commander Mark Steele has an exciting job in Special Forces. Though it's dangerous, he knows his work is critically important. But that job separates him from his wife and child. When an injury brings him home, his wife is glad to have him back. But other issues cause struggles within the family, leading to distrust and hurt. Steele takes dangerous risks in his new work. The thriller plot thickens, as he seeks to save a life. But can he save his family?

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