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Nigerian Church Charity Touches American Homeless

  1. Posted on Thursday 29 December 2011 - 23:38
    Chukwu Njoku
    On Wednesday 28th December at the Lord’s Ranch for homeless men in Washington, USA, thousands of dollars were being cherished thousands of miles away from where they originated: The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria led by Prophet T.B. Joshua.

    Ian Cull of the American news outlet ABC News reported that a local church in the Washington area facilitated the donation of $2250 from The SCOAN to the shelter for over 30 men who are recovering drug addicts or homeless. The money was used to purchase quality weather resistant clothing, plenty of food, and new snow tires for the ranches van.

    "This is something quality that will last with the guys and something good they've never had in their life," one of the overwhelmed residents Joseph Boenick said. "We'll be warm out in the woods while we're out cutting wood and doing our job and we won't be cold. Our feet won't be freezing," he asserted, explaining that many of the men were regularly working outside in torrid conditions with barely any protection against the elements.

    The head of Lord's Ranch, Adrian Simila, was astounded at the generosity meted out by an organisation they had no prior contact with. "It's amazing this church in Lagos, Nigeria said they want to do something to help the poor in America because we're having a financial crisis here.” He said the gift helped him appreciate that the negative connotations attached to Nigeria through various media outlets are not always true. “This is a real tangible gift. It's not a scam from Nigeria; this is the real deal," he acknowledged.

    Grateful volunteers at the Lord's Ranch said the donations will further help them farm their vegetables and take care of their cattle. Boenick encouraged other ministries to emulate The SCOAN’s charitable acts. "When churches band together, stuff like this is possible. This is so good; this is a big blessing," he said.

    Aside from the global charitable activities, Prophet T.B. Joshua, who is a known philanthropist and also runs a Christian television station Emmanuel TV, sent teams with trailer loads of provisions to less privileged areas in the far reaches of Northern Nigeria. Thousands of bags of rice were sent to Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Niger and Abuja alongside substantial cash gifts, a bold message that love is the best means of dousing the political and religious tensions in the area.

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