NIGERIA – Although people are hurting and many suffer injustice around the world, we still see that God’s goodness and faithfulness continue through generations. God’s loving-kindness is evident in the communities where World Renew has opportunities to work. The following true story testifies to God’s enduring love.

Jamila Abdulahi, a peasant farmer in Nasarawa State gives thanks to God for His kindness in giving her and her husband a baby girl. In their first five years of marriage, Jamila and her husband Abdulahi suffered three still births and the death of a six-day-old baby, terrible losses that have brought great pain and sadness to the couple.

During Jamila’s first four pregnancies, she and Abdulahi never visited a clinic for prenatal care or sought any medical advice at all. They thought going to the hospital for medical care was unimportant and believed in traditional remedies.

However, with the introduction of a maternal, newborn, and child health project in her community, Jamila had the opportunity to join one of the program’s cluster groups. Her husband and mother-in-law initially protested her participation in the project, regarding it as a waste of time. But with the intercession of program staff and village development committee members in her area, Jamila’s husband and mother-in-law eventually relented and allowed Jamila to participate in the peer education meetings.

Two months into the program, Jamila became pregnant for the fifth time. She listened keenly to lessons on prenatal care, pregnancy danger signs, and baby care and she participated actively in group discussions. As expected of program participants, Jamila also shared what she was learning with her husband, who listened carefully and eventually understood the need for his wife to receive prenatal care. So Abdulahi accompanied Jamila to the health facility for her first prenatal care appointment and Jamila faithfully attended all following prenatal appointments until she safely delivered a baby girl in June 2017!

After their daughter’s birth, Jamila and her husband followed the program and clinic’s advice on exclusive breastfeeding and baby care. Staff and village development committee volunteers visited Jamila to encourage and support Jamila in her efforts.

Jamila’s fifth pregnancy, safe delivery, and the survival of the baby (who is now ten months old and healthy) have changed Jamila and Abdulahi’s thoughts about medical care, especially prenatal care. Jamila now encourages family members, friends, and community women on the importance of prenatal care, breastfeeding, and general hygiene.

As a result of Jamila’s story and the stories of other project participants, more women in her community and neighboring villages attend prenatal care appointments and more deliveries are happening in healthcare facilities. Parents increasingly see the need to have their children immunized. In one village in the Idevi community, development committee members even contributed money to enable three pregnant women to attend prenatal clinics regularly.

Jamila and her husband Abdulahi sincerely appreciate everyone behind this project. Jamila says she cannot thank God enough for the fact that she is now a proud mother.

Praise and Prayer Items

• We thank God for successful healing sessions with individuals who have been deeply hurt by life-threatening events recently. One of them says, “The teaching touched the core of my being and I now understand why I have been behaving the way I did in the past. The program has emptied the bitterness inside of me. I have decided to forgive the assailants that have caused my family so much pain.” Pray for an end to terrorism and violence in Nigeria. Pray for peace and reconciliation in communities where people are hurting.
• World Renew sincerely appreciates our supporters. We very much appreciate your generous financial backing, fervent prayers, and the inspiring letters of encouragement from friends and members of our supporting churches. We give thanks to God for these healthy relationships. Pray for God’s blessings on the churches, organizations, and individuals involved in supporting the work of World Renew.
• Thank God for the release of 104 of the 110 girls kidnapped from the Government Girls Science and Technical School in northern Nigeria. The girls were kidnapped on February 19, 2018 and 104 of them were released on March 21, 2018. Pray for the release of Leah Sharibu, a student who refused to denounce Christianity and is still being held. Pray for trauma healing of all the girls and their families.

Blessings,

David Tyokighir

Country Consultant
World Renew Nigeria