Meet Another of 'His Rivers'
Chude & Faith Menkiti
I first met Chude in the summer of 2012 while visiting West Africa Theological Seminary. He was just beginning his Masters program at WATS, My wife and I learned that he was a candidate for a Scholarship, and we immediately responded. The past five plus years have been filled with many trials, as well as victories for Chude and his family. God is doing a great work through them.
Here is some of their story.
Rev. Chude Menkiti is a graduate of West Africa Theological Seminary in Lagos, Nigeria. Chude, along with his wife Faith, and newborn son Daniel stepped out in obedience more than five years ago to move to a very depressed area of Lagos to start a Church AND a School.
They found a house. With no windows, power, water or toilet. Basically it was a few walls and a roof. They started slowly - very slowly 'fixing' it up. The first thing to do was to set up a toilet. In Chude's words - "we set up a VERY BAD one". (And that toilet is still the one they use today). Over the past five years they have added windows, plastered the walls, painted etc. Only last year (2013) was power installed. Even then, the power goes off much of the time - particularly at night. Without a generator, there is no light. Only within the past week have they begun to dig a borehole (like a well to get water - which is NOT pure).
All of this time Chude was completing his studies - finally graduating with a Masters degree from WATS, and entering the priesthood in the Anglican Church. In time, Faith had left her job as a teacher, and they literally have trusted God as their Jehovah Jireh - 'God their provider'
Chude had long ago had a burden for the Children. He told me on several occasions about his dream to start a school. God had even given him the name - Humble Light. I must admit that my faith was not a strong as Chude's. 'How could you ever start a school, when you have no facility, no structure, no teachers, no funding? ... well you get the idea. Of course I didn't share my skepticism with Chude (probably, because I didn't want to admit to him or God my own lack of faith).
Chude's wife Faith didn't share Chude's dream or vision at first, either. Not because she didn't believe in the need, but more... how could this ever happen? God continued to work in both of their lives. They persistently faced each day working as hard as they could and praying even harder.
Fast forward to August 2013
I visited WATS along with a friend of mine in early August of 2013, Chude invited us to visit them on a Sunday. We traveled for about an hour the 15 or so miles through 'light' Sunday traffic to arrive at their home. it was still rainy season, and the last mile or so was through sandy soil and GIANT 'lakes'. (Well, it might be a bit of an exaggeration - but not much)
We were - to use an expression - 'Blown Away.' Here we found a simple house - In front of the house was a roofed area about 25' x 50' with a dirt floor, that served as the Church. There were approx. 35 people and children gathered for Sunday worship and Sunday School.
Chude and Faith had started an Anglican Church AND a School (Humble Light School).
Fast forward to March 2014
Again at WATS, I made a special point of visiting Chude and Faith and Humble Light School. The traffic was not light this time, and the roads getting there were just as bad. Yet, as we arrived at this 'Oasis of God's Grace', we were just as blown away as before.
Humble Light School has grown to approximately 70 children - From Babies 2 months and older through what we would call 4th grade. These children are from extremely poor families. The school 'charges' a nominal fee, but even then does not automatically turn them away if the family cannot pay.
The teachers and staff are mostly volunteer - answering the call of God themselves. Chude and Faith do try to pay them some. The school is Chude and Faith's home. There are five rooms. By day they they are filled with children - by night the chairs are stacked, the mats are laid out on the floor - the mosquito nets hung and they go to sleep. The next day it starts all over again.
Come Sunday, the home becomes the classrooms for the children's Sunday School. The covered patio is transformed from an additional classroom to the 'Sanctuary' and church begins.
Words just do not tell this story. This is NOT a story of one man's obsession. This is NOT a story of one couple's determination. This is NOT a story of persistence in the face of extreme circumstances.
But this is a story of absolute obedience to God.
Certainly, God has given them extreme focus, determination and persistence. But there is humanly no way that ANY of this would have happened without God's grace, strength, vision, provision, courage, hope and love.
Humble Light School. How appropriate. I am absolutely humbled by the obedience, focus, determination, persistence and love of Chude and Faith.
There is NO 'reservoir' in their lives. They ARE indeed HIS RIVERS.
Humble Light School was not started to just have a school.
It was started and continues to exist to reach and teach others about Jesus.
In a pagan, M*slim, lost world, Chude and Faith ARE bringing THE LIGHT to many.
The needs are many:
Tanks and Water purification system
(They just completed the Bore Hole)
Generator
Cinderblocks for addition to House/School
Daily Provisions
Used Computers or Laptops
Transportation (Chude and Faith have NO vehicle)
Funds for the operation of the School
And many more
If God lays it on your heart to be His River to Chude and Faith in ANY way,
please contact me at his.rivers@gmail.com and I will assist with the 'flow'.
You can also 'friend' Chude on Facebook @ Menkiti Chude Edward
PHOTO GALLERY
August 2013 & April 2014
August 2013 & April 2014
RIVERS NOT RESERVOIRS
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
ARTICLES, RESOURCES, WEB/BLOG PAGE
CLICK HERE
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
ARTICLES, RESOURCES, WEB/BLOG PAGE
CLICK HERE
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