Several years ago, I chose to begin to honor the memory of my parents by giving
yearly awards to people in Nigeria that were demonstrating exemplary lives of
service – just as my parents had done when they were alive. In 2008, the
selection team in Nigeria notified me that there was no better person to receive the award
that year than a young missionary named Joshua Addah. That year, I wrote that he
was receiving the award because of his “unwavering commitment to the spread of
the gospel” and for “setting a remarkable example for our society”. Last night, I received word from Nigeria that Joshua was killed yesterday by Boko Haram, Nigeria’s terrorist organization about which I have written over the last few weeks. By the time of his murder yesterday, Joshua was caring for over 200 children, not including his own biological children, all of whom have now lost a shepherd.
yearly awards to people in Nigeria that were demonstrating exemplary lives of
service – just as my parents had done when they were alive. In 2008, the
selection team in Nigeria notified me that there was no better person to receive the award
that year than a young missionary named Joshua Addah. That year, I wrote that he
was receiving the award because of his “unwavering commitment to the spread of
the gospel” and for “setting a remarkable example for our society”. Last night, I received word from Nigeria that Joshua was killed yesterday by Boko Haram, Nigeria’s terrorist organization about which I have written over the last few weeks. By the time of his murder yesterday, Joshua was caring for over 200 children, not including his own biological children, all of whom have now lost a shepherd.
To all those who spend time demonizing the opposition candidate in Nigeria’s
upcoming elections, I say this: Please come with me to Nigeria and tell the families of the victims of Boko Haram that their spouses, children, parents and friends deserved to die or be kidnapped and that a failed President who does not seem to consider it his responsibility to protect the citizens of his country (including Christians) must be re-elected just because he is a Christian, supposedly has a PhD, and is from your part of the country. A few years ago, I had to place an unforgettable phone call to the brother of a medical doctor and pastor that was beheaded also in Northern Nigeria. Then just over 2 years ago, I had to place a call to the spouse of my childhood friend to inform her that her husband had been kidnapped. Thank God, my friend came through the ordeal unharmed physically, but not before a heavy ransom was paid. If you have never been in that situation where you had to place any such call as I expect to place soon to Joshua Addah’s family, please pray that you never have to. I also pray that you never have to.
For me, this is not about politics and anyone who construes anything here as such would be wrong – since I have no nuts roasting in Nigeria’s political fire. This is about life, truth and wisdom; and it is about my God’s commandment that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Joshua, may your gentle soul rest in peace and may God’s perpetual light forever shine on you, your family and all others that you have left behind. May your life and death teach us crucial lessons that we so badly need. May your death be as meaningful as your life was.
upcoming elections, I say this: Please come with me to Nigeria and tell the families of the victims of Boko Haram that their spouses, children, parents and friends deserved to die or be kidnapped and that a failed President who does not seem to consider it his responsibility to protect the citizens of his country (including Christians) must be re-elected just because he is a Christian, supposedly has a PhD, and is from your part of the country. A few years ago, I had to place an unforgettable phone call to the brother of a medical doctor and pastor that was beheaded also in Northern Nigeria. Then just over 2 years ago, I had to place a call to the spouse of my childhood friend to inform her that her husband had been kidnapped. Thank God, my friend came through the ordeal unharmed physically, but not before a heavy ransom was paid. If you have never been in that situation where you had to place any such call as I expect to place soon to Joshua Addah’s family, please pray that you never have to. I also pray that you never have to.
For me, this is not about politics and anyone who construes anything here as such would be wrong – since I have no nuts roasting in Nigeria’s political fire. This is about life, truth and wisdom; and it is about my God’s commandment that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Joshua, may your gentle soul rest in peace and may God’s perpetual light forever shine on you, your family and all others that you have left behind. May your life and death teach us crucial lessons that we so badly need. May your death be as meaningful as your life was.