Our Rig & Water Service Trucks Finally Arrives Destination

We finally got the rig and water truck out of the Nigerian Ports Authorities' hands on Oct. 18th, 2006 . Our Schramm T-64 Rig and Codia GMC Water Truck arrived Nigeria early July 2006. The Nigerian Customs clearing process (for duty assessment / small waiver, VAT Tax, and related charges) took almost 60 days to resolve and cost us nearly $7,500 USD. Thereafter, we were slapped with an additional $10,500 for port handling and storage charges. On further review of the invoice we found the Port Authority Agency - Intels Services Nigeria Ltd. (a monopoly contractor for the Government) tripled the weight and size (cubic volume) of the cargo compared to what it was on the Shipping documents, to assess those charges. We appealed for a revision of the Invoices per the dispute process which took another 3-4 weeks (The appeal case is still pending). Meanwhile, we called on a few ministry friends to help us raise the needed funds to clear these equipment at their asking price. We praise God for a few that came to our assistance ("...For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”- 1 Samuel 14:5-7). The funds receive from a brother - with a great mission mind in Houston, came by him sending a response to me the next day and went like this..."I think we can free up some funds to help, how much will you need?" The next day, he wired the exact amount we named into the ministry's account to help us secure the release of those cargo at Intel Services price (ballooning by an additional $4000 USD), demonstrating that the "...the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Which means it cost us about $22,000 USD to clear the rig and truck.

Photo Above: Shows our Abia State Zonal Director - Dr. Linus Ihetuge with rig at the Jesus Brethren Ministries, H.Q. at Aba, Nigeria.

As for the folks that perpetuate this type of corrupt practices in Nigeria, we know that the good hand of God will judge them accordingly except they repent and restitute for this type of reap-off of God's money (close to a difference of $8,000 USD in over-priced invoices). 

From Summer Mission Trip Journals

This Summer, we were able to reach out to three communities in 2 States of Nigeria following the burial ceremonies of my late mother-in-law (Ma Felicia Ikeji) in late July. We used the opportunity to minister the gospel to the more than 1000 people attending the events of the burial ceremonies, including at the night before (called Night of Songs). <Photo Right - shows Oge' and I with our Drilling contractor, Stanley Madu at the Holy Trinity Secondary School well at Umungasi during pump testing following well drilling completion. >

Following a few days of rest, we proceeded to Abia State / Aba to cater to our programme plans. We drilled two new water wells and repaired a third one done earlier in the year that had iron bacteria and needed treatment / filtration. The first new well was done in Lagos State for Saving Word Church at Shango-Tedo, near Ajeh / Victoria Island; while the second was drilled in Abia State for Holy Trinity Secondary School, Umungasi - Aba. People in these areas were reached out to with the gospel, and with one known new convert while over 30 had the opportunity to hear the gospel presented in while we were there visiting and dedicating the wells.

We also reached out to many needy families and widows in Orlu, Amaigbo, Aba, and Port Harcourt. From our supplies shipped in last November, we distributed several medical supplies, school books, gave away some equipment and computers to some organizations and micro-producers to help them thrive in their business endeavours.

We had to opportunity to touch our former base while living in Nigeria to re-connect with our friends at Living Seed, a global outreach ministry run by Brother Gbile and Sister Sade Akani, whom God have placed in the North Central Nigeria - in Gboko, Benue State.

Their lives and dedication to ministering to the body of Christ, especially to leaders and preachers has indeed thrived and commands great inspiration and admiration.

We plan to help them with their water well projects, both at the Bethany Resort and their Secondary Schools for minister's children.

Photo above (Left-Standing): Brother Gbile Akani, Dr. A. S. Okorie, Ogechi F. Ochi-Okorie, Dr. Ben Mbata, and staff at Living Seed Press in Gboko.

Photo above (Right): Brother Gbile, Sister (Dr.) Sade, their youngest son, Dr. Ben Mbata (Total Care Medical Clinic, Owerri - an RNM outreach ministry), Oge Ochi-Okorie & A. Sunny Okorie.

Additional photos under Mission #3 of 2006 (this trip - Dr. A. Sunny & Oge' Florence Ochi-Okorie's trip); Mission #1 (Dr. Samson Otuwa's Medical Outreach), and Mission #2 of 2006 for us: (Dr. Stuart Quartemont's Medical Mission) or find it from: www.relief-networks.org . Praise the Lord!

Spring-Summer Mission 2007 Plan / Call for Volunteers

We now about 8 people interested in our next Mission trip in Spring (mid-May to early June) of 2007. It will be both a medical mission with at least 2 doctors / specialists on the team (possibly more), a drilling and vocational training outreach to several communities in Nigeria, and potentially Sierra Leone (not yet finalized).

If you are interested in going, or know someone who would like to join us, please contact us as soon as possible - we may limit the number to 12. To volunteer to go with us, you will need about $2200 for your round-triip air tickets into West Africa, and an additional $300 to $500 spending money for part of your living and incidental expense. For those who plan to cover a second country, please plan to spend an extra $350 for the round-trip fare between countries in West Africa and a couple of nights of hotel stay. Details will be available soon and published on our website as well.

The Rig / Water Truck Deployment

Our current plan was to deploy the Schramm T-64 by October had it been cleared two months earlier with enough time to train new crew. However, upon the advise of our sister ministry, LWI and the need to properly train Operators, November - December would now be used for training and we plan to contract or engaged a more experienced Operator to lead the new crew over several months - perhaps to middle of 2007. To that effect, we still need your support to help deploy and transition to our own crew after the planned period. We would continue to constantly monitor their development and ensure equipment is well managed in all their field outing.  The photo of the rig sitting opposite Jesus Brethren Ministry's church property in Aba is here: <Link 1>. The dedication ceremony of rig in Houston is here:

http://www.relief2k1.accountsupport.com/SchrammRigProject.htm#Water%20Service%20Truck

How you can help... donate to help sustain our new Operators ($100 each per month for 3 crew members for about 6 months when we hope they would be self-sustaining from some of the commercial projects they execute to supplement our relief / charitable work). You may also donate towards a large capacity deep well (250 feet to 500 feet), or you may co-sponsor part of the cost. Typical cost of a deep well will run from $7,000 to about $25,000.

To donate Online, please use our Donation page, or simply send us a check for your desired level of contribution. May the Lord bless and reward you for you gift and labor of love.

Be a Relief Ambassador - Join our Volunteer Corps