Nanfa’s Telephone
Nanfa is a young man we’ve known for the last 13 years or so, originally as a friend of Lisa but later in his own right. Over the years he has become like an adopted son to us and calls us Aunt and Uncle. We and my father helped him through some computer training in the early years, and it’s been a joy to see his progress in that area as well as his spiritual growth.
Nanfa’s wife Sahmacit had her second baby yesterday, a girl. The first child, Paul, is a year old now. Nanfa had been away in Lagos the past six weeks, trying to get some business leads for his website consultancy work, and arrived back here in Jos just hours before the baby was born. Great timing! He dropped by the house this afternoon to greet us and mentioned that they plan to name the baby after me, Michelle. What an honor!
He was telling us this afternoon how God has been working in him, partly through trials. It has been hard to find paying work, they’re in debt, it was hard being away from home for so long. But he told how he has become more patient, less irritable, and readier to wait with his plans before God rather than jump into this and that new scheme.
One little story, though, captures God’s grace working in Nanfa. He said, “Oh yes, and my mobile phone was stolen while I was in Lagos. But I’m not upset, I learned from it! You see, I was sitting on the bus, riding through Lagos, and I had such an uncomfortable feeling about the man sitting next to me. At the back of my mind, I sensed something was not right. I got off the bus in central Lagos. As soon as I got off, I realized my phone was missing from my pocket. I rushed back to the bus, but the man had just gotten off also, I’d missed him.”
So far, so good, I was expecting to hear just that he had learned some patience, or not to be attached to his things, or to be more vigilant, but then he added, “Actually, I could have caught up with the guy–I could see him–and gotten the phone back. But then I thought, if I catch him and demand my phone back, the crowd will see that he has it, that he stole it, and will kill him right there. [It's true, the jungle justice of Lagos.] I thought, ‘which is more important, the phone or this man’s life?’ So I just let it go.”
Nanfa, we’re proud of you for many things, and this is one of the best!
June 8th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
[...] missionary in Jos, Nigeria shared this story on his blog - I believe it’s a real life example of grace - trading a cell phone for a man’s life. [...]
June 8th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Impressive. I doubt whether anybody else can do that. Though sometimes, an act of weakness might be interpreted as strength.
June 9th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I just recently got involved in missionary research and God led my finger tips to use my mouse and click on your blog to read first, among the others to read. It is very interesting how God works because you said something that hit me right on the head with a hammer. “He was telling us this afternoon how God has been working in him, partly through trials. It has been hard to find paying work, they’re in debt, it was hard being away from home for so long. But he told how he has become more patient, less irritable, and readier to wait with his plans before God rather than jump into this and that new scheme.” God intended for me to visit this site and read those words. Without probably even realizing it, when you started typing up your blog…I have a slight feeling that God was working through you to give you your words just so that I would eventually read them and use them to my benefit and the glory goes to God. God is directing me into the missionary field but there are things he wants me to learn before I go and I believe He used you to establish that. Thank you!
June 12th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Its a godly thing to do. But, I wonder how many of us can do that given the same situation.
I believe the more patient we are, the more we are able to do the rational thing. Most times we act without thinking.
God help us!
June 17th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Wow! What an encouragement to see a man you’ve invested time in walk with God in such a practical and real way. I’m not sure I would have had that attitude! Glory to God!
August 10th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Dear Mike and Barbara,
I’m just checking in. This is definitely a random visit. Thanks for your faithfulness to our Lord. I love the grapefruit hat, Mike. Very becoming! I need to collect some meds from Rite-Aid Pharmacy in a few minutes.
I’m going to wear a grapefruit hat. If anyone asks me, “What’s going on?” I’m going to say, “I’m following Mike’s lead.”
Marcia and I have never blogged before. After reading your email, I want to start blogging.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Hi,
Thanks for all you guys have been doing. My name is Joshua and I a christian leaving in North America. I want to relocate to Jos in Nigeria . Can you please tell me the price range of a 2 bedroom house for rent in Jos and how difficult it is to get one. Also how is the Armed Robbery situation in Jos .. etc.. any info will be appreciated.
My email address is zuggo84@yahoo.com
God bless and keep up the good work. Also I will like to meet Nanfa when I come down since I am also into computers perhaps we can do something God willing when I get down there.