Part of our strategic goal in Africa is to continue to build capacity in our relief and development programs. Motivated by this, Relief Network Ministries collaborated with several organizations to orchestrate this mission trip.

Engr. Moses Aende by the Chinese Rig during our dedication & inventory visit in April, 2009.

Dr. A. Sunny Okorie & Dominic walking to the pump & truck at 9th Mile Corner, near Enugu Nigeria

Photo Above: HGY 200 Rig parts, and drill pipes; and Air Compressor

We are back again from Africa with lots of good report and challenging stories to tell you more about later, perhaps in person than over another email.

 Briefly, we report some highlights below and thank you for supporting us in prayers or with your money and other gifts-in-kind to the ministry. May the Lord continue to richly bless & reward you.

1. Water Well Projects in Partnership with Finishers Project in Connecticut

In collaboration with Finishers Project (another Non-Profit Christian organization based in Connecticut, USA, www.finishers.org), we drilled 2 new in less than 1 week by using 2 different teams.  Led by its President, brother Nelson Malwitz of the Finishers Project and Frank Juvino (also representing a Brazilian Church in New Jersey), were joined by their 3 Nigerian partners (Moses, David, and Chima – all based in Ibadan, Western Nigeria), joined  us in Imo State on March 31 to execute the 2 well projects and glean from our drilling operations & best practices in the Eastern / Northern parts of Nigeria.

The two projects were done in Abia and Imo States, respectively.

The beneficiaries were:

l  a) Jesus Brethren Christian School II at Umuodu, Aba in Abia State Nigeria (168 feet deep, producing over 65 liters of water per minute). Population of the school is about 350 young children with about 20 teachers and staff. In addition, the Umuode community of about 3400 persons at the immediate vicinity of the school will benefit from the well.

l  b) Okwu Community in Ikeduru, Imo State Nigeria (300 feet deep, and producing about 85 liters of water per minute). This project is also partly sponsored by Living Water Intl. (www.water.cc).

2. Move of the large Indian PRD 6 Mud Pump for deep wells

We were able to visit Agbaduma where this mud pump was located since its purchase from India, yet has not been able to perform due to some unknown reasons despite the cumulative high investment on it at nearly $20K USD now. The issues with pump might include the fact that it had an accident on its way to the drill site or may not have had the right sleeves in the pump assembly from the manufacturer who may have sold us a refurbished pump as new. The pump has never been able to pump adequate water at required pressure / psi since its deployment in July 2008.

Garry Basinger was very instrumental in helping teach our Ebenezer rig crew how to use the Utility Trailer and its tow hitch coupled to the Dodge truck to bring the mud pump back to our base in Owerri – and this turned out to a 2 day journey due to bad roads, and the weight of the mud pump on trailer.

Several road obstacles, unruly Local Government tax vehicle collectors or taunts, and hazards notwithstanding, we drove across 5 States to bring the pump & trailer safely back to Owerri from Agbaduma in Kogi State.

The goal is to find a good mud pump mechanic within close proximity of Owerri – Aba or Port Harcourt, or a volunteer from abroad who would simply come into Owerri and restore the pump without having to travel further to remote locations such as Agbaduma. 

3. Dedication of New Chinese HGY-200 Model C Rig

The team was able to travel to Gboko in Benue State both to commission rig and take inventory of rig / parts that was purchased last year and cleared through Nigerian Customs this January.

We also checked out a dozen different pump models we purchased from about 4 leading submersible pump manufacturers for trial use and to determine the best brand for our Nigerian situation.

Following the inventories, we dedicated rig to the Lord by laying hands on it & praying over equipment with brother Moses  Aende, former Chief Mechanical Engineer & Technical General Manager at Benue Cement Company in Gboko, who will manage this rig for us over the next 1 year.

Since he also has a  rural evangelism ministry, he plans to actively work with rig drill team by first attending a 2 weeks training programme in China a HGY-200 Operator and Trainer in order to help develop and train other local operators. A Memo of Agreement & Understanding is in process of being executed with brother Moses Aendes ministry.

4. Transition of the Ebenezer Rig & Crew to a new management model

At our first board meeting of the year, it was agreed that the Ebenezer rig crew and equipment should be managed under a lease agreement with any of the independent drilling contractors that have had some experience working with Relief Network Ministries (RNM Inc.) over the past few years.

Mr. Stanley Madu of Stallion (Nigeria) Drilling Ltd was selected based on several factors including how to manage the equipment for best sustainability of the programme and the maintenance of drilling equipment & cost-effective use of crew with little support from RNM.

In the new arrangement, on a per project basis, a percentage of the project cost allocated to equipment lease plus some percentage of project margin will be designated for water well projects that benefit very poor communities. Under the new model, rig and equipment will return for inspection / garaging at Uzzi – the given space by the Anglican Bishops Foundation in Owerri with general custodial oversight from our Nigerian National Director & Board of Trustee member, Engr. Chinyere Anyile.

However, routine and details of field operations and payment of crew salaries will rest with the leasee (Mr. Stanley Madu). RNM, Relief & Water Well Ministry International (based in Nigeria), and Mr. Stanley Madu are in the process of executing the Memo of Agreement for this operation to commence in the next 2 months. 

Overall, both the RNM & Finishers Project teams were able to share the gospel with people, pass out tracts, give out gifts, especially to children as we went along. We also had some one-one opportunity to teach basic bible truths for salvation and to establish some young Christians in faith by learning how to study the bible and be rooted & grounded in the word. Praise the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercies endures for  ever,,, and who can utter His mighty acts? (Psa. 106:1-2).

Important Dates to Note

In closing, and as a reminder & prayer request – please mark your calendars today to be a part of 2009 Annual Gala / Fundraiser to hold on Saturday June 28^th, 2009.

The Medical Mission trip is set for the weekend of May 29-June 19^th, 2009.

Our 3^rd Mission trip is set for the 2 weeks in October (2nd and 3rd week), 2009.

 Blessings to you & yours.

Dr. A.  Sunny & Ogechi Florence Ikeji-Duru Okorie

(for Relief Network Ministries, Inc.)

Photo Top Left: Dedicating the

Team Nigeria
More trip highlights and photos will be posted Online at this website, and the VSPC blog soon...
To be included in the Trip Highlights email - simply hit reply to acknowledge interest.

Successes in Nigeria - 2 New Wells Completed in April 2009

Since...  as follows:

1. Okwu Village, Ikeduru, Imo State Nigeria
2. Jesus Brethren Academy, Umuode, Aba in Abia State

Other Project sites visited

 www.relief-networks.org . Praise the Lord!