Dearest Andrew:

Calvary greetings to you and the entire family. Please, find attached some photos as per the HFTC-N Helping Hands Ministry Christmas gift to some widows. Indeed, the gift was well received by the widows. They were filled with utmost joy.

For us, there is no other way of touching the lives of these women that this. Truly, Christmas, is an opportunity for us a God's children to put smiles into the hearts of His children. This is called AGAPE LOVE! God did more than this for all humanity (John 3:16).Remain blessed.
Chris

An Experience in Boston, MA, USA.

By
Chris Kwaja

“Be the change you want to see the world be”- Mahatma Ghandi.

The three weeks exchange program 7th -27th July 2008, featured visits to Churches, Mosques, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as lectures from several individuals from the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Boston. All these were aimed at exposing us to several conflict resolution styles in the US that can be useful for us in Nigeria as agents of change in our various communities. There is no doubt that the program was a celebration of our being members of a human community.

At the end of the exchange program, participants were expected to develop an action plan that they hope to implement in their respective communities, in terms of creating platforms for faith communities (Christians and Muslims) to work and live together harmoniously. In this light, my proposed project is aimed at building the skills and competence of the youth across religious divide to become Community Peace Advocate (COPA), which will enable them, function and contribute to conflict resolution and peace-building.

The Boston experiences something that should be internalised and should manifest in our activities and attitudes such as respect, love, care, tolerance, empathy, sharing and responsibility for one another. This is due to the centrality of the other in my own experience on the basis of our acceptance of one another as belonging to the community of the living. This is premised on the philosophy of the union of opposites in terms of our religious and ethnic diversities.

The philosophy behind the exchange program is rooted on the notion that as people of faith, we have a responsibility to each and one another with respect to love. This is a divine message that both religions (Christianity and Islam) preach, as shown in the teachings of both Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Jesus Christ said; “In everything, do to other as you would want them to do to you; for this is the law…” (Mathew 7:12). Likewise, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said in the Hadith; “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself”.

In all, the exchange program was an opportunity for a deeper reflection about my mission in this world as a believer of Christ. I strongly believe that I was saved by Jesus Christ in order to rescue others through the show of agape and unconditional love for all humanity. There is no doubt that my work in Hope for the Children-Nigeria is a reflection of that kind of love as I continue to put smiles of hope and love into the hearts of the Youth and the Children in particular.

Indeed, the Boston experience was truly a rich one! I really want to be the change I want to see the world be!

An Update on Hope

“It has been quite heart touching,” reported Chris, who, with the financial help of Global NIM and a matching gift from Samaritan’s Purse (http://www.samaritan.org/), conducted HIV/AIDS awareness and intervention programs in April/May for 110 children in Naraguta and Tuwan, both rural villages in central Nigeria. Chris and his wife, Grace, also provided basic school supplies and fees for 40 children who are either orphans of AIDS or are suffering from it.




In Chris' words, "HFTC-N extends heartfelt appreciation for the partnership and contributions of Global NIM and Samaritan’s Purse as they continue to instil hope into the lives of some precious children in Nigeria."

Objective of the Project:

The community awareness / intervention project was premised on the following:

1. 1. to reduce the stigmatisation of children living with HIV/AIDS;

2. to educate children living with HIV/AIDS on the importance of healthy living;

3. to educate and train children who will in turn be peer educators on HIV/AIDS;

4. to give hope to children who are currently distressed either as orphans or living with the HIV/AIDS virus;

5. to assist children living with HIV/AIDS and orphans with school supplies as well as the payment of their school fees.

The Challenge and Focus for Future Intervention:
In Naraguta village, the major problem currently faced by the pupils lies in the fact that some of them have no class to stay during the raining season. The class is half way towards collapse, as part of it has fallen, thus, exposing them to rain and storm. The photograph of the building is included in this report. The situation discussed above, is an area of need or assistance, which HFTC-N wants to focus on in the future in order to continually impact on the lives of the children.

Conclusion:
HFTC-N heart-fully appreciates the partnership and contributions of Global NIM and Samaritans Purse as they continue to put smiles of hope into the lives of children. We sincerely pray that such collaboration will be sustained in other area of partnership and collaboration.

Flying on Eagle's Wings

Regarding the HIV/AIDS awareness and education project co-sponsored with Samaritan's Purse, Chris wrote this week, "We are about rounding up the project. It has been quite heart
touching. I will soon send the preliminary report to you.
Remain blessed."

Flying on Eagle's Wings!!!

Grace, Chris' wife, wrote a testimony of God's grace through the difficult delivery of Baby Grace last Fall. After hours and hours of labor, the doctors told her surgery was needed. She wrote:

"The doctor walked out while the nurses held my hands and prayed with me. They told me there was very little they could do, everything else was in God’s hands. They then asked if I believed in God. When I said yes, the matron said if my faith was strong I could safely deliver my baby without having to go through surgery.

"I was encouraged! My strength was renewed and I felt a powerful urge to push. Before the doctor could finish preparing the theatre, I had pushed my beautiful baby into the world. Her cries echoing through the hospital walls to the amazement of friends and relations who had already formed a prayer team in the waiting room.

"Meanwhile, my husband who had long rushed to the bank to get more funds in preparation for the surgery, was given a call; 'congratulations, you have a baby girl.'

"Of course, I soon forgot all the pain I had gone through as my strength was renewed just as the eagle. Indeed, 'tough times never last but tough people do.'"

Dearest Friends,

To God be the Glory!

It is with great joy that we send you this mail informing you that the roofing project for orphaned Hussaina's house is complete as you can see in the photos.

Also, you can see little hussaina who is really looking strong compared to years back when she was sick. Thank you for your generosity in helping this family in their time of need.


Remain blessed, Chris and Grace

Baby Grace is born!

Compliments of the week to you and your families. We are all doing fine here. Our little baby is fine too. We took time to thank God for his favour and extravagant grace upon our lives as a family. Yesterday was also the day we gave our little baby a name. Her name is GRACE! What a coincidence because that's her mothers name too. We could not think of any other name in light of what God has done for us. All we saw was his extravagant grace in our lives; that's why we gave her the name as a reflection of our gratitude.

In the next few months, we shall be dedicating our baby in the church. Remain blessed and may God continue to bless you all.

Dearest friends,

Once more, thank you all for your best wishes to us as a family. We are really grateful. Attached is the photo of our little baby girl. The naming will be on Wednesday (28-Nov-07), one week after her birth. I will send you her name soonest.

Warmest regards to all, Chris