A 'Shocking' Email From Nigeria
Christian Reformed World Missions volunteer missionary Dirk Vander Steen had been back home for a few days from his most recent trip to Nigeria when he received a shocking and deeply troubling email message.
It was from the general secretary of the Christian Reformed Church (NKST) in Nigeria.
The general secretary informed him that 10 people were killed and 31 NKST members were injured, some severely, in a traffic accident as they were traveling to a Bible school graduation ceremony. Only two weeks before, Vander Steen had travelled the same roads near Harga in Benue State.
(The photo accompanying this story reflects the type of traffic on Nigerian roads, not the accident.)
As he thought about those who had been killed or injured, the tragic traffic accident reminded Vander Steen of how fragile life can be, especially in countries such as Nigeria, where the needs are many and, unfortunately, accidents such as the one that occurred are not uncommon.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America has been at work in Nigeria for many years. Through its agencies, the denomination continues to work with its Nigerian partners by serving as teachers, offering leadership training and faith formation and by participating in development projects.
Vander Steen and his wife live in Hudsonville, Mich. They have been involved in Nigeria in a variety of ways for 45 years. Most recently, they have supported CRWM efforts in Nigeria, finding ways to assist the CRC of Nigeria (NKST) and other educational institutions. Vander Steen was invited by the NKST to make the most recent trip.
"It is difficult for me to put into words the many different challenges . . . There are so many different needs. I want to help our African friends and colleagues in my visits …," Vander Steen writes in a prayer letter to his supporters.
During this trip, Vander Steen traveled to the University of Mkar in the Benue Valley, an area in which he and his wife served as missionaries. Now a volunteer consultant for Christian Reformed World Missions, Vander Steen made the journey to Mkar to attend the University of Mkar’s Board of Trustees meeting.
"It is a privilege to serve as one of five of their appointed trustees," says Vander Steen, who as a trustee helps to guide and promote the growth and success of the university.
"I arrived in at the University of Mkar in the early afternoon," he writes. "It was good to be 'home' visiting former students, now professors and administrators at this Christian university."
As a CRWM missionary, Vander Steen helped the University of Mkar begin its work in 1993. After the recent Board of Trustee's meeting was over, he was asked to lead what turned out to be a well-attended Sunday chapel service for students. Later that day he went with 35 students to visit a local orphanage. "It was good to see the university students take time to read, sing and play with the children."
Another important stop during his trip was to visit Takum, where the former Wukari Combined Secondary School was destroyed in the 1990s by ethnic disturbances. CRWM had helped in construction and support of the school. Before it was destroyed, the school educated and housed more than 1,000 primary and secondary students.
The CRCNA played a role in helping to broker a peace agreement that led to a halt to the violence.
Following the peace accord and after much negotiation, the Nigerian government returned the land on which the school had been built to the Takum community and to two Reformed denominations which represent two tribes in the area. A 10-year plan has been launched to complete construction of the school, now named Reformed Combined Secondary School, on that site.
Vander Steen was asked to visit Takum and help the Reformed churches there to sort through how to best continue the project to build the new school.
"The rebuilding of the school . . . has become a tangible symbol of unity in that area . . . The two denominations are making determined efforts to express unity in diversity," Vander Steen writes.
At their request, Vander Steen met, along with another CRCNA representative, with leadership councils of both denominations to discuss the future plans for the school. The organizing committee for the school committed themselves to raising two-thirds of the capital campaign funds that are needed. The balance will be the goal of CRWM.
Although a peace walk to commemorate the peace accord in the area has raised funds for the school, the facility still "needs our assistance in their rehabilitation," says Vander Steen.
The school is also supported in North America by Worldwide Christian Schools, CRWM, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, and the Christian Reformed Church's Office of Social Justice.
"I thank all of you for your prayers for my safety and for my effectiveness in mission that brings me to Nigeria," Vander Steen wrote to his supporters.
