| REC Mission Trip to Nigeria July 3 - 19, 2007 The Diocese of Okigwe-North in the Ecclesiastical Province of Owerri Imo State, Nigeria The Rt. Rev. Alfred Nwaizuzu, Bishop Ordinary |
| We were very gracious met at the airport in Owerri by Bishop Nwaizuzu and his entourage of archdeacons and canons, all from the Okigwe area - a treacherous drive of about an hour-and-a-half |
Some of the members of our team (from far left to right):
Erin Camerer, The Ven. Dr. Paul Ekezie (team-leader),
Nichole Dunmier, Shedrick Barrow III, Elizabeth Barrow,
and Shedrick Barrow IV, with Venerable Godson and
Bishop Nwaizuzu.
Erin Camerer, The Ven. Dr. Paul Ekezie (team-leader),
Nichole Dunmier, Shedrick Barrow III, Elizabeth Barrow,
and Shedrick Barrow IV, with Venerable Godson and
Bishop Nwaizuzu.
On our way into Owerri airport to retrieve our bags with
Venerables Justus and Kenneth taking up the rear, among
others.
Venerables Justus and Kenneth taking up the rear, among
others.
Here I am, honored to stand among such wonderful men of God: (from left
to right) The Rev. Eleazar Okereke, The Ven. Justus Ndukwu, The Ven. ?
Bishop Nwaizuzu, The Ven. Justus Anumaka, The Ven. Kenneth, The Ven.
Godson Ukanwa; (crouching in front): The Ven. Dr. Paul Ekezie, and The
Rev. Canon Joseph Nwachukwu, inside the walls of Dr. Ekezie's Owerri
home.
to right) The Rev. Eleazar Okereke, The Ven. Justus Ndukwu, The Ven. ?
Bishop Nwaizuzu, The Ven. Justus Anumaka, The Ven. Kenneth, The Ven.
Godson Ukanwa; (crouching in front): The Ven. Dr. Paul Ekezie, and The
Rev. Canon Joseph Nwachukwu, inside the walls of Dr. Ekezie's Owerri
home.
| Our gracious host during our stay in Nigeria, Bishop Alfred Nwaizuzu. |
| The Cathedral Church of St. Barnabas, Okigwe Headquarters of the Diocese of Okigwe-North, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) |
The Cathedral has been under construction since 1999.
Most of Nigeria is a cash economy. Consequently,
construction on the cathedral proceeds when cash is
available. The whole time we were there the only
construction I witnessed was two windows installed.
Most window openings have no glass. And after 8
years, there is still no flooring other than rough concrete
Most of Nigeria is a cash economy. Consequently,
construction on the cathedral proceeds when cash is
available. The whole time we were there the only
construction I witnessed was two windows installed.
Most window openings have no glass. And after 8
years, there is still no flooring other than rough concrete
As you might be able to tell, construction standards are
slightly different than here in the U.S. The walls are
unreinforced masonry blocks, and the scaffolding is
made of bamboo.
slightly different than here in the U.S. The walls are
unreinforced masonry blocks, and the scaffolding is
made of bamboo.
| Please prayerfully consider contributing towards the construction St. Barnabas' Cathedral Make your checks payable to "St. Stephen's REC", and note on the memo line "St. Barnabas' Cathedral." All of the funds you contribute will go directly to the school, minus the transfer fee charged by Western Union. You will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. |
| The Anglican Secondary School, Okigwe |
| Bishop Nwaizuzu's goal is to have the construction of the cathedral completed by the time he retires in 2009. The is much to be done if that goal is to be achieved. Tile must be purchased and installed for the flooring. Windows must be bought and installed. The ceiling still needs to be constructed. |
| This is where you can help! |
| Every dollar you contribute translates into about 127.25 Naira. In other words, $100.00 = 12,725.00 Naira. And please remember, because of the state of broken fellowship between the Church of Nigeria and the Episcopal Church USA, the Church of Nigeria is no longer receiving any funds from ECUSA. |
| We were received in the cathedral with a special eucharist service in which each of the twelve members of our team were paired with one of the twelve archdeacons of the diocese. Here were are being formerly welcomed by the bishop as missionaries to the Diocese of Okigwe-North. |
The Rev.Emmanuel Anyiam, Principle of the Anglican Secondary School
| Some of the students and teachers |
| Our project at the Anglican Secondary School, Okigwe, was to support the construction of the second floor of the science building above. |
| Here team member Virginia Taylor and team leader Ven. Paul Ekezie deliver 59,000 Naira (approx. $470, part of the funds donated by the Reformed Episcopal Women of the Church) to Rev. Emmanuel for the construction of the science building. |
""The school's infrastructure so far is not enough for the teaming population.
The population is about four hundred. We need more buildings. The perimeter
fence is moving up. However, we need help. Again, we are in a computer age
so we need computers. Our science equipment in our laboratories is far below
expectations... 'The school,' they say, 'is the teacher, students and books.' We
have teachers and students, we need books to complete the tripod stand of the
IDEAL school." - The Rev. Emmanuel Anyiam, Principal
The population is about four hundred. We need more buildings. The perimeter
fence is moving up. However, we need help. Again, we are in a computer age
so we need computers. Our science equipment in our laboratories is far below
expectations... 'The school,' they say, 'is the teacher, students and books.' We
have teachers and students, we need books to complete the tripod stand of the
IDEAL school." - The Rev. Emmanuel Anyiam, Principal
Many of the children gathered to proudly welcome us to their school. The
school is run by the diocese and has experience explosive growth. This is due
to the fact that the best education children can receive is from the church
schools. Government run schools are atrocious. However, the Anglican
secondary school has now grown beyond its current capacity.
school is run by the diocese and has experience explosive growth. This is due
to the fact that the best education children can receive is from the church
schools. Government run schools are atrocious. However, the Anglican
secondary school has now grown beyond its current capacity.
| Please prayfully consider supporting the ongoing development of the Anglican Secondary School, Okigwe Make your checks payable to "St. Stephen's REC", and note on the memo line "Okigwe Secondary School." All of the funds you contribute will go directly to the school, minus the transfer fee charged by Western Union. You will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. |
| The Science & Computer Studies Seminary, Ezihe |
The Science and Computer Studies Seminary is located on the campus
of Christ Church. Here some of the boys are walking past the beautiful
Christ Church building during their afternoon break.
of Christ Church. Here some of the boys are walking past the beautiful
Christ Church building during their afternoon break.
The Rector of Christ Church and adminstrator of the school is The Ven.
Christopher C. Onyemerakam (pictured here second from the right, along
with the Chemistry and Physics professor, and team members Nichole and
Elizabeth). Venerable Christ, as we called him, also serves as the
Archdeacon over the Osu Archdeaconry.
Christopher C. Onyemerakam (pictured here second from the right, along
with the Chemistry and Physics professor, and team members Nichole and
Elizabeth). Venerable Christ, as we called him, also serves as the
Archdeacon over the Osu Archdeaconry.
This is the laboratory.
Venerable Chris gives us a
tour of the school's facilities.
tour of the school's facilities.
Inside the Lab with some of the school's teachers.
The is the "new" building. It has been under construction for several
years, again due to the fact that this part of Nigeria has a cash economy.
years, again due to the fact that this part of Nigeria has a cash economy.
| Eager students learning their lessons |
| The Science and Computer Studies Seminary is a boarding school. These are the students' living quarters. |
| Venerable Chris shows us that some of the students have to sleep directly on the bed springs due to a lack of mattresses. |
As the name suggests, one of the emphases of the
school is computer science. Pictured here is the
computer lab.
school is computer science. Pictured here is the
computer lab.
Team member, Shedrick Barrow, spent much of his
time in Izihe working on bring several of the
computers back to life.
time in Izihe working on bring several of the
computers back to life.
| Shedrick takes advantage of a teaching moment. |
| Please prayerfully consider supporting the ongoing development of the Science and Computer Studies Seminary, Izihe Make your checks payable to "St. Stephen's REC", and note on the memo line "Izihe School." All of the funds you contribute will go directly to the school, minus the transfer fee charged by Western Union. You will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. |
| About half of the funds raised by the Reformed Episcopal Women of the Church went the boring of a well for the Izihe school to have good potable drinking water. |
| As you can see, there is still many ways we can help Venerable Chris and his dedicated staff provide their students with an science focused education that will help them get good jobs and become leaders in their community in the future. |
| St. Stephen's Secondary School, Oka |
St. Stephen's headmaster, The Ven. Godson, along
with Bp. Nwaizuzu, the Eze (or traditional ruler) of Oka,
and member of the school board, stand in front of what
will be the school's new laboratory.
with Bp. Nwaizuzu, the Eze (or traditional ruler) of Oka,
and member of the school board, stand in front of what
will be the school's new laboratory.
Tom Bauer didn't like the idea that guests don't work in
this culture. But the local labor wasn't quite sure what to
make of it.
this culture. But the local labor wasn't quite sure what to
make of it.
I had the honor of delivering to Ven. Godson the funds
raised here in the States for the construction of the new
facility.
raised here in the States for the construction of the new
facility.
The money went to the purchase of block, mortar, and
the lumber seen here for the construction of the roof.
the lumber seen here for the construction of the roof.
| Please prayerfully consider supporting theongoing development of St. Stephen's Secondary School, Oka Make your checks payable to "St. Stephen's REC", and note on the memo line "Oka School." All of the funds you contribute will go directly to the school, minus the transfer fee charged by Western Union. You will be sent a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. |
| A Fond Farewell |
On our last day in Okigwe we gathered in St. Barnabas Cathedral
for a farewell Eucharist service. After the sermon, all of our team
members were given seats in front of the chancel, and our
Archdeacons came to stand behind us. Then Bishop Nwaizuza
read a letter of appreciation for our mission. It was a very moving
moment.
for a farewell Eucharist service. After the sermon, all of our team
members were given seats in front of the chancel, and our
Archdeacons came to stand behind us. Then Bishop Nwaizuza
read a letter of appreciation for our mission. It was a very moving
moment.
| Read Bishop Nwaizuzu's letter by clicking on eiither page below |