For World Aid's Day a couple years ago, we supported an ELCA effort in Nigeria called The Mashiah Foundation/Women of Hope for women and children with HIV/AIDS through a sale of their quilted items. They also spoke at the ELCA Global Mission Event and created the magnificent gigantic quilt (in this photo above) that they gave to the ELCA. Here is the link if you would like to learn more them:
http://www.mashiahfoundation.org/
I recently emailed them to find out how they are doing with the recent violence in Nigeria and received this update from the parents of the missionaries:
Hi--
Thanks for your concern. We've talked to Mary Beth a couple times since the violence began Sunday morning. They haven't experienced anything or heard any fighting where they are. In fact, on Sunday Mary Beth spent the afternoon at a nearby pool with the kids. Today Hillcrest notified all parents to pick up their kids at noon. Other activities around the community and ministry ground to a halt too because so many people just chose to go home and not be out on the streets. She doesn't know if anything more is happening or if people are being super cautious. It's interesting that this violence is receiving so much news coverage while the violence in January, which was much worse, didn't make the news at all. That was probably due to the fact that the Haiti earthquake happened about the same time.
Rick and I just returned Saturday from our month-long visit to Nigeria. We were originally scheduled to go over there right as the January riots took place. The result was that we delayed our trip for two weeks. We felt safe while we were there, and even went about most of our usual in-town excursions. There are military personnel at various spots throughout the city to stop rioting as it happens. Yesterday's violence occurred in small villages on the outskirts of Jos.
Thanks for your prayers.
Sandi
