Trip Report PFC Nigeria 2024

Declaring the Wonders of God Acts 2:11 Nigeria 2024

Flag of Nigeria

From Left: Bob Jordan, Pastor Umo (Regional Director), Don (Team Leader) & Dee Szolomayer, Bright & Pastor Matthew (National Director), Ron Rech, Don Chase

From March 13 – 24, 2024 , Prisoners For Christ Outreach Ministries returned for the third time to the great nation of Nigeria. We began active ministry in Nigeria in 2017, returned in 2019, and now the first time since the pandemic we are again in Nigeria, the most populated of all African countries and the sixth most populated country in the world. Presently Prisoners For Christ has its International Bible Institute in place, or nearly in place, in many countries. Nigeria was the first

ever to have this program, and they now have two, and a third almost in place. In many ways Nigeria is a trailblazing country with PFC regarding ministry to the inmate community!

Our National Director is Pastor Matthew Ndifreke along with his wife, Evangelist Bright Matthew. Together they work tirelessly attending to the multiple responsibilities of a National Director, including Leadership, Management, Communications, Finances, Gathering, Training, Evangelism, Discipleship, Relationships with Institution Leaders, Relationship with Government Leaders, Strong

Marriage and Well-Behaved Children, while having a good testimony among those within and without the Christian community. They are a 5-Star couple and we at PFC are fortunate to be working with them!

Jill Payne-Holman, Sr. VP, organized the trip, along with Don Szolomayer, Director of International Affairs, and Pastor Matthew in Nigeria. The campaign included two cities, two all-day conferences, two half-day conferences, six prisons, government visits, seven flights, armed security, encouragement sessions, and a budget of over $20,000 that was met with over 98% accuracy. Not a trivial matter, thanks Jill, Don, and Pastor Matthew! Veteran leaders Don Szolomayer and Bob Jordan rated this missionary campaign as an A+++. We accoplished all we set out to do, and saw on-the-field growth with the newer campaigners. GROWTH is the word for this trip!

Our itinerary at a glance…

Acts 2: 11 "…Declaring the Wonders of God…"

# of Days

Weekday Wed

Thu 3/14

Fri

Sat

Sun 3/17

Mon 3/18

Date

3/13

3/15

3/16

Arr 9:10am Frankfurt Dep 11:15pm

Basic All Day Conference - Abuja

Keffi Prison Crusade

Morning

Rest

Leadership Conference - Abuja

Basic All Day Conference - Abuja

Basic All Day Conference - Ikot Ekpene

Dep Sea 2:50 pm

Fly to Uyo (1 hour)

Afternoon

Travel

Mtg with Pastor Godwin Ekpo

Basic All Day Conference - Ikot Ekpene

Arr 5:20 pm Abuja

Ikot Abasi Prison Crusade

Evening

Travel

Rest

Hotel- City Devotions

Abuja

Uyo

Uyo Ron

Don

Bob

Dee

Chase

Acts 2: 11 "…Declaring the Wonders of God…"

# of Days

Weekday

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Date

3/19

3/20

3/21

3/22

3/23

3/24

Mtg with Controller for Prisons, Eket State

Arochukwu Prison Crusade

Cultural Events / Shopping

Arr 5:25 am Frankfurt Dep 10:10am

Uyo Prison Crusade

Morning

Rest

Women's Conf. IBI Teachers Session

Ikot Expene Prison Crusade

Pack and Goodbye Luncheon

Eket Prison Crusade

Fly to Abuja (1 hour)

Arr Sea 12:50pm

Afternoon

Women's

Leadership Conference - Ikot Ekpene

Full Team Dinner

Depart Abuja 11:05 pm

Evening

Rest

Audits

Hotel- City Devotions

Uyo Don

Uyo Bob

Uyo Dee

Abuja Chase

Abuja

Sea

Ron

Our statistics at a glance…

Nigeria Prison Services March 2024

Keffi

Don Don Chase Don Bob Bob Dee Don Chase Don Bob Bob Ron Bob Don Don Chase Bob Dee Bob Dee Dee Bob Dee Chase Chase Bob Dee Don Dee Chase Chase Ron Chase Dee Dee Don Ron Bob Chase Ron Ron Chase Ron Don Don Ron Chase Dee Ron Don Don Dee Chase Bob Bob Chase Bob Ron Don

Ikot Ababi

Eket Uyo

Ikot Ekpene Arochukwu

Nigeria Prisons Humanitarian Aid March 2024

Keffi

240 336

86 82

0 0

100 1400 100 1436 80 1446 90 1446

1 1 2 1 1 1 7

Essential Medicines Purchased

Ikot Ababi

60 60 60

126 244 144

Eket Uyo

336 240 336 240 432 240 240 162

844 840

0 0 0 0

48 48 36

Ikot Ekpene Arochukwu

840 120 1446 560 120 1446

120 144

144

TOTAL

1920 1050 144

60 3120 610 8620

350 802

Nigeria Prisons Attendance Stats March 2023

Keffi

222 222 123 123 131 110 235 219 222 212

0 0

24 80 24 30 42 22

44 44 44 94 88

Ikot Ababi

7 9

Humanitarian Aid Budget Per Prison:

Eket Uyo

21 16 10

31 45 26 11

12 10 11

52 61 23

Ikot Ekpene Arochukwu

$235 USD

TOTAL

973 926

164 166

222 314

Additional Humanitarian Aid

Nigeria Volunteer Conferences March 2022

Keffi Prison - Large bags of clothes, one for men, one for women.

Uyo Prison - Rega Soup (60 pcs.), Sol Soup (82 pcs.), Viva Soup (90 pcs.), Slippers (100 pair)

Abuja - Basic 8 hrs 53 Abuja - Leadership 3 hrs 25 Uyo - Basic 8 hrs 75 Uyo - Leadership 3 hrs 26 IBI Teachers 10 Women's Conference 7

Ikot Ekpene Prison - Garri (one vegetable bag per International Bible Institute Student, delivered individually), Viva Soup (90 pcs.), Conguate (82 pcs.), Rega Soup (60 pcs.), Slippers (100 pair). Also, six desktop computers and six

Wednesday, March 13

The team of five – Don (team leader) and Dee Szolomayer, Bob Jordan, Don Chase (we call him Chase on this trip and Don Szolomayer we call Don), and Ron Rech all met at SeaTac Airport at 12:00 Noon for the 3pm flight. We checked 5 personal bags and 5 PFC bags. All TSA prechecks were in place, but the line was backed up and most of us were rerouted to another station, and walked a few miles (it seemed) to eventually get to the gate, where Bob already was (he had Clear and breezed through check in separate from the rest).

Don had a devotional on Unity in the Spirit and Real Life, point of which was to work together no matter what and further the mission. We shared Communion there at the gate. Surprise: Chase’s buddy Michael was on the same flight headed to the Balkans. We boarded for the 10-hour flight, landing in Frankfurt with a short layover and then on to Abuja, Nigeria, a six-hour flight.

Thursday, March 14

Arrived at Abuja, Nigeria, after stop-over at Port Harcourt, which is right near Uyo, the city where we’re headed in a couple days. All 10 bags found quickly and passed through baggage check, but substantial delay at Money Exchange Agency while they found more Nigerian Naira bills. $7,000 USD bought 10,800,000 Naira, at 1554 NGN to 1 USD. Bob’s excited about being a millionaire until he has to count the bills! Bob and Ron counted bills until 1:15AM. The picture shows the stacks of bills (1000 and 500 denominations) exchanged at the airport. Whew!

We stayed at the La Grandees Suites & Apartment hotel and restaurant. Electricity was out upon arrival; and we repacked a couple PFC bags in the dark by phone flashlight and headlights so newly acquired bricks of Naira could be localized in one bag. Electricity came on literally at bedtime and went back off around 3am. Room temp rose above 80F. Opening the bathroom and main room windows and the room door allowed a small breeze, which lowered the room temperature somewhat. The hallway outside was totally dark so who cares if the door is open!

Friday March 15

Breakfast in hotel restaurant with Pastor Matthew and wife Bright. Egg sandwiches (moist toasted bread with maybe ¼ cup scrambled egg), and powder mix – “White Coffee” (tastes pretty good). Bob’s devotion was on The Heartbeat of God, which is the souls of mankind. PFC’s heartbeat is the souls of inmates worldwide.

Immediately left for Keffi Prison (Nigerian Keffi tribe is from this area, predominant historic tribal culture) about 2 hours away. Each car has one member of the Nigerian Police

and his AK-47 automatic weapon, with emergency

blinkers on and driving as fast as humanly possible taking all priority regardless of which car has wheel in front, would cause huge crashes in India, everybody leans the other way and we slip forward. Trucks, buses, vans, cars, motorcycles, tuk-tuks and pedestrians battle for passage on 1 or two-lane paved roads, but the roads towards Keffi are over-used and very potholed. Arrived at Keffi Prison about 20 mins early, stacked

humanitarian aid for obligatory picture, about 6 volunteers went in with us, guys that run the International Chaplaincy School, the Certified Prison Worker School, and the “regular” Bible studies and Chapel Services. Budget this trip is $235/prison for Humanitarian Aid and for 6 prisons is $1,410, which goes a long way in Africa, and more than $2,245 raised separate for Bibles, when we needed $1,750. What’s not spent on this trip will be during the next trip. For all prisons, we are not allowed to bring in cameras/phones. Any photos are taken by the authorities, and sometimes we got them later, and sometime we did not. Before we go into the Keffi Prison Chapel, we have our National Associate, in this

case Pastor Matthew, prearrange a “meet and greet” with the Officer-In-Charge of the Prison. This allows us a chance to meet him or her (women OIC’s run the female prisons), to give them a chance to meet us and hear about how we serve their inmate populations. The OIC at Keffi Prison was out, so we met with the Deputy Controller of Corrections, a dedicated Christian man, seeing his job and those of his staff as serving his inmate population. We offer to pray for them and their success, that they’d have wisdom, etc., and this gentleman readily agreed and immediately knelt to be prayed over. He spoke at length about his work attitude and reliance on God for help and leading in his role. He is probably the most dedicated DCC we have met or heard; his staff seemed to mirror his ideals.

Speaking/leadership roles for the first event on our service schedule, a Chapel Service at Keffi Prison, was:

Prison OIC Gifts Emcee Testimony 1st Sermon 2nd Sermon Altar Call Healing Leader Prayer Inmate Gifts Keffi Don Don Chase Don Bob Bob Dee Don Chase

Attendance: 222 Chapel Worshipers, 12 first- time salvations, 53 healing prayer, prayer over 24 church leaders. We also distributed much humanitarian aid (see page 4). Left Keffi Prison and drove directly to Grace Jesus Chapel (Church) on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway (still one and two lane road with 2.5 lanes worth of tuk-tuks, motorcycles,

cars, trucks, freight trucks hauling equally large trucks, no discernable speed limits, and same “whoever’s in the space first wins it, determined by attitude, not front wheels”, and OBTW, many pedestrians shopping right beside the Expressway, walking to a bus stop or shop, running across traffic, etc.) in Ada Sector Junction, for Advanced/Leadership Conference, which concluded at 5:40pm (2.5 hours).

Leadership Conference Topics/Roles:

Welcome/Introductions

Chase

Intl. Chaplaincy Training School Don Preparing a Sermon for a Prison Setting Bob Biblical Leadership Principles Don Lessons from Good Biblical Leaders Dee Lessons from Bad Biblical Leaders Chase Delegation Ron Closing and Diplomas Bob

Supper in the hotel restaurant was fried rice & moderate-spicey fried local chicken. AC stayed on almost all night, everyone slept solid, for which we were most grateful! (We learned much later that the generator, diesel powered, was intentionally shut

down. Inflation causes business owners to economize however they can and diesel is not inexpensive.)

Saturday, March 16

Dee shared the morning devotional during breakfast, and we then drove back to Grace Jesus Chapel for our all-day Basic Training Conference. At both conferences so far, the delegates sang the Nigerian National Anthem, which includes a prayer for Nigeria. Impressive and touching. Would to God one day we can do this in America. This is the first trip where we used no interpreters, be it in any of the prisons, and all conferences, and all government officials meetings. We were able to speak in English with everyone. Most of Nigeria in the Western urban areas we’re visiting speak English, so we don’t have interpreters. Chase does need to avoid slang however! Basic Conference Topics/Roles: Introductions / About Prisoners For Christ

Don Dee Bob Don

Why Do Prison Ministry

The Four Divisions of Prison Ministry Strategic Expansion (w/ Breakout Session)

Certified Prison Worker Program

Chase

Recall and Reward

Bob

Recruiting Volunteers (w/ Breakout Session) Bob Fund Raising For Your Ministry (w/ Breakout Session) Dee Developing and Advisory Council Ron Understanding the Code of Conduct Chase Closing / Setting Apart Don Flag Presentation Bob Global Prayer with Beachball Chase

These were the topics, with the presenter. Sometime the order changes, as it did on this day. Lunch was delayed and we shifted some items to accommodate the time situation, but all topics were taught in full. We consider the conference to be a smashing success, with great participation in the breakout sessions, and copious note

taking, and much enthusiasm. This is a testament again to Pastor Matthew and Bright Matthew, gathering people, organizing, and leading. A job well done!

Chase said this is the best all-day PFC conference he’s attended, and this was his sixth trip! Attendance: 53. We had good discussion at the end during the Q&A session, and a great “Vote of Thanks” by Pastor Godwin Ekpo, a Pastor at Grace Jesus and the PFC Administrator for this district. As in all of our conferences, be it the half-day Leadership, or all-day Basic, there is much singing by the men’s and women’s choirs. Bob is convinced that, after ten trips to the African continent, the choir in heaven will be African! Voices from heaven!

After umpteen pictures (always a delight!) outside, we departed for the hotel, had supper, and headed for our rooms. Early day tomorrow so we try to rest, though room temp is still high!

Sunday, March 17

Breakfast at 7:30 because flight to Uyo delayed to the afternoon. Shifted stuff around in ministry bags to balance those checked ministry bags for slightly lower weight limit/bag to avoid fee, making sure the blocks of Naira are distributed among four carry-ons, 750,000 Nigerian Niara (less than $500.00 USD) is about 10” wide x 3” deep x 8” high with the bills on end, wrapped in a small plastic bag, weighs about 5 pounds. Of the four people carrying blocks of stacked cash, the two Dons were the only ones to have their bags inspected by the airport-front-door scanner/Officer, who knew what the scanner showed, and then confirmed it. Don S. was first, he explained that we provide Humanitarian Aid to Inmates in Prisons through the Prison Chaplain, as PFC, to which the Officer expressed the usual surprise and eventually some understanding of that as a good thing. Chase’s bag was inspected and confirmed, and then the Officer didn’t ask any questions, after he checked Don’s face and it was not the face of a drug runner (?). Our best joke in some of the conferences and prison visits: “can you tell who the visiting missions team is?” The audiences all seem to enjoy it, and we were very eager and able to serve, such that all of us enjoyed each other’s “brother-and sisterhood”. The flight from Abuja to Akwa Ibom Airport in Port Harcourt was very quick, less than 45 minutes, but the flight crew had time to distribute a “snack bag” of Malt drink and bags of both fried plantain chips and boiled plantain chips, (you guessed correctly, similar texture, same taste) and then (first time ever) supervise an orderly

exit from a flight, even collecting the trash. The Ibom Airways flight crew would open the baggage compartments and step backwards, standing in the aisle at the back of the opened compartments, blocking people exiting from the rear until the seat rows in front of him/her were free. We had to clear out of the Airport quickly, as the bags were released, to get to Ikot Abasi Prison. Ron’s notes on the drive are: “driving in Nigeria is a cross between interesting, terrifying and wondering why I don’t have my seat belt on”; Chase suggests that larger bodies in the front seat will keep us in the car upon impact, sort of like air bags. After today, Pastor Edem (the

“usual” tall and slim Nigerian), does us the favor of giving up his front seat to Bob Jordan, who unknowingly assumes the role of protective lead air bag, which also allows better breathing room in the back seat.

The vehicles are very sturdy SUVs, with large tires, that can go very fast, occasionally not stopping quite enough to avoid a good bump in a pothole. Have now figured out that there is no speed limit, especially in the rural areas where prisons are located, speed is controlled where it really needs to be, in crowded urban or populated areas, sometimes but not always near schools, with very stout “speed bumps” at least 6” high, enough to break the back end of a loaded SUV, so we slow down for each of these, taking time to slowly drive over the biggest of them.

New Security arrangement: in talking with Pastor Umo Edem, our Associate in Edo State, the threat to anyone that looks like they have money is being kidnapped, by a variety of “bad guys”, doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with religion, race, tribe, whatever, it’s currently a large-cash generator for criminal gangs, 1-2 million Naira minimum, occasional murders when ransom not paid. So he and Pastor Matthew, our Nigerian Director, arranged for security from the Division of Correction, Special Forces unit, which was created to protect prison guards. Thus we follow, still at as high a speed as possible, at as close a distance as possible, flashers on in all three vehicles, a pickup truck with 4 AK-47-armed Soldiers in “Special Forces” uniforms, body armor, helmets, face masks, and gloves, very professional soldiers, on benches that allow them to jump from the side of the truck if/as needed, with a pro driver and officer in the cab. Everybody has loaded guns,

and anytime one of us steps aside from the group, 1 or 2 of them trail along, and don’t allow us to separate much from the group, only about as far away as a photo “snap” requires. The Nigerians have a very robust faith in God’s protection, knowing that soldiers alone will not necessarily save a life (maybe based on the way they drive?), but we’re grateful for their intention and planning and provision.

The Chapel at the Ikot Abasi Prison was packed and already well into their worship service when we arrived, an awesome worship service, hopefully someone has video of the dancing and joy, it’s definitely a “release” for inmates. Here we met with Mr. Momo Boniface, the ACC, a Christian, has been there for more than 2 years, supports PFC and the IBI School which meets once/week.

Service Roles at Ikot Abasi Prison:

Prison OIC Gifts Emcee Testimony 1st Sermon 2nd Sermon Altar Call Healing Leader Prayer Inmate Gifts Ikot Abasi Bob Bob Ron Bob Don Don Chase Bob Dee

Attendance: 123, Salvations: 7. Much Humanitarian Aid (pics above; page 4).

The 1.5 hour ride to the Gladmann Hotel in the dark was another version of “terror”, as people walk alongside the road in the dark, apparently able to see by the lights of cars flashing by at above whatever the speed seems adequate, and the car Chase rode in, driven by a very competent driver, thoroughly able to make his horn say “watch out!” in a variety of honks, tremolos, and blares, had his speedometer disconnected, surely to save on mileage (?). Good news for hot & sweaty mission bears: The Gladmann has dependable electricity and AC in every room, Chase’s was set to 16 degrees C, about 66 degrees F, and the hot water heaters were all switched “on” before our arrival. Chase and Ron were the only two more hungry than tired. Ron wanted authentic Nigerian food and enjoyed the chicken pepper soup. Ron’s take on this amazing soup: “Awesome !!” despite getting to his room at 10:30pm. Relatively good night of sleep with AC, but time zone change is catching up…

Monday, March 18

Ron brought an excellent devotional, and we were off for our second all-day Basic Conference, in Iket Expene state. We met at the Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Ikot Otu. Another grand slam!

Service Roles again for this conference were:

Introductions / About Prisoners For Christ

Don Dee Bob Don

Why Do Prison Ministry

The Four Divisions of Prison Ministry Strategic Expansion (w/ Breakout Session)

Certified Prison Worker Program

Chase

Recall and Reward

Bob

Tuesday, March 19

Today started early with a bit of a commute to meet and greet the Controller of all the Prisons in the Eket (State) Prison system. Mr. Julius Ezezu, the Controller of Corrections, whose office is in the Federal Secretariat of Akwa Ibom State, is a Christian, and appreciated our work and approach to the “reformation” (transformation to us) of all his inmates. He was very “savvy” and had a staff of

four junior officers as well as a Press Representative that emceed the meeting. Nigeria mirrors what Chase saw in Ethiopia, in that the prison environment, while being “hard” prison, has the goal of reforming the inmates, and while prison is the hard punishment part, the attitude of the officials and correction staff is to rehabilitate the individual inmate. It does not include the “punishment” attitude in American prisons, and Chase views it as more effective.

Next was a Chapel service at Eket Prison, a ways further into Akwa Ibom State. The DCC here, Mr. Njuko was also Christian, with a servant attitude, as much as “commander” stripes allow. This prison has a current population of 268 inmates, with the facility built for a capacity of 123. Assignments as follows:

Prison OIC Gifts Emcee Testimony 1st Sermon 2nd Sermon Altar Call Healing Leader Prayer Inmate Gifts Eket Dee Dee Bob Dee Chase Chase Bob Dee Don

Again we distributed humanitarian aid.

For the first time ever, our Humanitarian Aid also included paying off the fine still owed by one of the Christian prisoners that had served his sentence but didn’t have any way or people to work to earn his fine, and the administrative fee that accompanies paying it. That US $45 fine and $15 fee payoff was a surprise to him, to a state of grateful shock. He had completed the term of his sentence, but without payment of the fine that accompanied the sentence, he would have to stay in prison regardless of how long it takes to earn or find the funds to pay it off. There are

apparently other inmates in that same position, they’ve served the term of their jail sentence but don’t have the funds to pay the penalty part of their sentence, and they’re stuck in prison until they/someone pays the fines. He was so shocked at the surprise of his qualifying for release that he was literally “frozen” in place, unable to speak. We mentioned to the OIC before we went into the service what we were able to do, and he was quite pleased for

“his” inmate. This truly was a special moment as the inmate fell to his knees in thanks to God.

From the prison we headed back to the conference venue and presented our Leadership Conference to the local leaders, and as was typical we had more in attendance than scheduled, but it’s all good! This was our last formal conference, and the 3-hour leadership conference was a great hit! We are running on fumes, due to the heat, lack of sleep, irregular eating, long daily driving sessions, and then front- line ministry. But we’d have it no other way. This is what we prepare for, and the prayers of the saints around the world undergird us. We kept healthy and put one foot in front of the other every day and followed the leading of the Spirit of God!

Again, our assignments were as follows for the Leadership Conference:

Welcome/Introductions

Chase

Today was the second of what turned out to be four 12-hour days, starting at 7am and then back to the hotel after dark at 7pm. We enjoyed supper together then off to bed, a very satisfying day!

Wednesday, March 20

Today is our only prison “double header” of the trip. We started at Uyo Prison, in the Ikot district of Ekpene State, and is the largest of the prisons we visited, with 1,614 inmates in a facility built for capacity of 613 inmates. The OIC here is a seasoned Corrections Officer, Christian, and has a large staff working to keep all their inmates on a track to “graduate” into productive society when their sentences are up. One of the small gift items we give the OIC, during our meet-and-greet/presentation, is a soccer ball and pump/needles, and this Officer is 1.5 years away from retirement, but with Grandkids that will play soccer. Nonetheless, he not only joined us on the platform for the campaign/service, but gifted his soccer ball back to us for the inmates. This Prison also hosts a PFC International Bible Institute of about 38 students in advanced, intermediate and basic units.

The service roles for this double-header day are as follows:

Prison OIC Gifts Emcee Testimony 1st Sermon 2nd Sermon Altar Call Healing Leader Prayer Inmate Gifts Uyo Chase Chase Ron Chase Dee Dee Don Ron Bob Ikot Ekpene Ron Ron Chase Ron Don Don Ron Chase Dee

In both prisons we distributed much well-received humanitarian aid (see page 4).

And here again, we were able to pay the fine and fee for an Inmate that had served his time and had no source that could earn/pay his fine. This guy was a little more joyful in realizing how his life would change pretty quickly, but also shocked at the surprise of the gift. About $65.00USD changed a life significantly!

We conducted another Prison Chapel Campaign in the nearby Ikot Ekpene State Prison, driving quickly from Uyo to Ikot.

The OIC here was an older Officer from the Catholic background, but very unified with our

evangelistic approach. This Prison had a large chapel, with wings on both sides of a center “altar” section, a high open ceiling above the altar, and one of our largest crowds. They also had three choirs, two men’s and one women’s, and the choirs each sang a song for us and the service, which were more formal than the Praise “Chants” or Songs we’ve grown accustomed to. Here we brought much humanitarian aid, including six computers and monitors for the International Bible Institute classrooms.

One of the things that makes these Prison Services special was that we were following the preference of our Nigerian Director, and his Regionals, in going to Prisons that they and their Volunteers are in routinely. The PFC “brand” is well known and well-regarded, here. Our service to these Chaplains and Prisons is helpful and appreciated. We need to keep going strong here!

After the service we were introduced to the International Bible Institute Students (this is a PFC training curriculum for discipleship with about 3 years of classes that lead to the Student able to start a house church, in or outside the Prison) currently 28 students. Chaplain Matthew has raised a “staff” of 6 teachers for this initiative, more on them tomorrow! One more teacher is currently being mentored by Dee Peterson in the PFC Woodinville Office. Africans really like education, it’s seen as their best chance of advancement, and these men and a couple women are robust disciples.

Thursday, March 21

Today everyone wore our newly created African dress outfits. Ladies had dresses, men had pants and overshirts. Hats and shoes also! We drove an hour-and-a-half, one way, to get to this prison.

This prison was just north over the border into Abia State, at Arochukwu Prison. It may have been our best service of them all this trip! Lot of energy, lot of enthusiasm, much prayer, cheering, singing, praise, a truly most-excellent campaign! Roles for this service were: Prison OIC Gifts Emcee Testimony 1st Sermon 2nd Sermon Altar Call Healing Leader Prayer Inmate Gifts Arochukwu Don Don Dee Chase Bob Bob Chase Bob Ron This final prison was the smallest so far, not used to attracting a missions team, and the OIC was surprised but appreciative of the gift bags (one for him, his wife, his kids and a Study Bible and small gifts for his Chaplain as well). Chase commented, “I’ve not seen the value of this ‘gifting’ prior to this occasion.” This young OIC, not used to receiving gifts and support to his Chaplain and Inmates, was quite touched by our little presentation. He repeated himself a couple times in a brief “thank you” speech, and was visibly

touched by our willingness to help his inmates. Chase reflected, “I’ve been a little critical of the gifting routine, and the small value of some of the items, but have to repent on our line: ‘Everywhere we go, we like to bring gifts’ as we made a wonderful first impression on this OIC. Okay, we need to keep doing this!” This was a classic prison service: under the limbs of a large Mango tree, about 40 inmates, a couple trustees and prison officials. This was our only outdoor prison service of the entire campaign.

Dee and Bright Matthews conducted a Women’s Leadership Conference for some women that Bright has raised up to pray for PFC in Nigeria, in one section of the Nigerian PFC Offices, with Dee being impressed at the support these ladies give the ministry.

On the men’s side of the office, the last “business” for this trip was the “Audits and Evaluations” of two of the Nigerian leadership team by Don and Bob, everyone came out of those sessions “happy”, so we’re calling that good!

Back to the very comfortable Gladmann Hotel for our last supper and then breakfast and then an airplane ride back to Abuja to catch the international return flight (through Frankfurt) to home, starting late Saturday night.

Friday, March 22

Our return flight to Abuja was rescheduled a little later in the morning, but everyone was still up early, looking for some elusive NW time zone. Our security team showed up for pictures (“snaps”) and a 45-min ride from downtown Uyo to the Airport. We condensed the bags into themselves as much as possible, left a dead bag behind, for a total of 7 bags out from 10 incoming. The flight was the exact quick 45-min return back to Abuja, then the 45min drive to the hotel. Travel days are a little long but easy, relative to ministry days, this hotel did have its electricity on when we arrived, and while it seems to go out about every 2-3 hours, the heat is almost oppressive and the AC comes back on. May it last all night! (It didn’t…)

Saturday, March 23:

Breakfast isn’t until 8:30am for those who want it, 1.5 hours later than usual! By 9:30 we gather to have a cultural day, observing natural wonders in Nigeria, and even visiting a zoo! Our most excellent driver knows the region well and efficiently gets us to some nice sites! After three hours we then we head to a nice restaurant (same one we were at yesterday) and have another delightful meal with our hosts. We head back to the hotel, but Ron and Chase decide to go shopping and they depart with Pastor Matthew and our driver for another two hours on the town! The picture

shows Ron’s haul! We all finish packing, shower up and clean up, and just after dark we get in the van to head to the airport.

Cultural Events…

98-Year-Old Tortoise

Zuma Rock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuma_Rock

Aso Rock: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aso_Rock

For the first time on our trip it starts to rain, and does it ever! It rains most of the way to the airport, and subsides allowing us to liftoff in time with no delays. We say our goodbyes and navigate the airport and get to the gate in plenty of time. Shortly we board and we are off to Frankfurt. This is a short trip and since we’re leaving at 11:30pm local time many on the team get some good rest on this first leg.

Sunday, March 24

We have a five-hour layover in Frankfurt, grab a snack, and board for Seattle. For the first time we’re on a packed plane, all seats taken. But the 10-hour trip goes well and we deplane in Seattle and gather our bags and head for home, with a full and grateful heart for all the Lord has done on this trip!

Your turn? There are three ways to get involved:

1. Those Who Go…(missionaries)

2. Those Who Send Those Who Go…(financial supporters – individuals and businesses)

3. Those Who Pray… (intercessors, prayer warriors)

To get involved, contact me. You too can participate in the last frontier of missions – the jails and prisons of developing countries worldwide. God bless you!

Photo Album

777,000 Naira = $500 USD

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