SSE featured in Our Town, August - September 2011.

See full article here.

 

 

Doing Small Things with Great Love

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."  Prov. 17:17

I can't begin to list the number of things that Back2Back Ministries does to help, not only here in Jos, Nigeria, but around the world. Their selfless staff members have turned away from the comforts of home, said goodbye to family and friends and left the familiar for places unfamiliar...and they do it all with great love. Mother Theresa said it best, and forgive me if I don't get this perfectly right, when she said,"We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love."

It doesn't take long before they attract other good-hearted individuals, like Daniel. I'm not exactly sure what his official title is around here, but we rely heavily on him for many things:  interpretation, travel guide, protection, etc. The list is endless. He is the kind of man, who given the same opportunities in the U.S., would rise to the top. I pray that very soon, Daniel, and many like him will see a new Nigeria emerge and he will be blessed with a doorway opened to many opportunities.

Last night we were treated to an extraordinary event. The team, the B2B staff (American) and the Nigerian staff members and families all gathered at a local hotel for dinner, fellowship and music. And oh, the music! Native dancers left us in awe as they performed and celebrated with acrobatics and traditional dance. I had to wipe away tears of gratitude as I sat there watching, realizing how God had blessed me with the gift of this trip. The tears soon turned to laughter as one of the dancers grabbed my hands and led me and another team member to the center of the circle to show off "our" dance skills.

Okay, I'm not 25 anymore, but this ol' gal did a pretty good job at shaking her groove thing African style! In a short amount of time I have seen, done and experienced some wonderful things. I got to be part of "the guys" who built a one-of-a kind aquaponic system. I didn't add any brain power to that project, but I did some measuring, cutting and painting and kept myself from falling off ladders! I was happy to be of any help. Most of my day was spent using my camera, documenting every step in pictures. I understand that most of my work will be laboring alongside my talented husband, Stacy, as we work on our own projects to tell this amazing story once we get home.
 
Home.

My children....my grandchildren...comfort.

This goodbye will be bittersweet.

--Heidi Doose, March 24