Armed Robbery!

No. It did not occur to Anita and me. But it did happen two nights ago to eight friends of ours, some of whom were our hosts for the Ministry and Marriage seminars we gave in the city of Abuja.

The group of eight were in a hotel having a debrief meeting after a regional gathering for the MANI network. (MANI stands for Movement of Africa National Initiatives.) Several armed men came into their room and forced them to give up money, laptops, iPads, wristwatches and other valuables. Thankfully, none of them were physically harmed, apart from the emotional trauma that such an event produces.

One of our friends, Reuben Ezemadu, was able to slip his cell phone under a sofa and that is how he was able to call for the police afterwards plus send us an email note telling of this tragic incident.

Having been robbed in our home years ago when we lived in Kinshasa, DRC, Anita and I know how abused and violated one feels when something like this occurs. It also has made us realize this country of Nigeria continues to offer huge challenges to anyone wanting to be engaged in active ministry here.

The good news part of this story is that one of the folks had their iPad security system alive and therefore was able to trace exactly where it was a few hours later. The police were able to make a raid on that house and found one of the men with some of the stolen property.

Thanks for all of you who have been praying for our own safety during these two weeks.  We have a day to go before we fly out for Europe and then home.

Under His wings,

Jon