SIM Nigeria

Okpra fixing a roof

This is the story about a young man in Miango nicknamed "Okpra." He grew up as a normal person but at a point became mentally ill. His problem was compounded when he took to hard drugs and other vices.

Nobody can explain how it all happened or the cause. Meanwhile he has lost both of his parents and none of his relatives was willing to take care of him.

Somehow Okpra is able to carry out basic carpentry work. People often use him to do carpentry repairs and then pay him a little lower than the prevailing rates. When asked where he learnt carpentry, he would make some funny comment that would send his listeners rolling on the ground with laughter.

[Ed. note: If you're on the home page, click to read the rest of the story . We published it incorrectly at first, without the ending, but that's been fixed as of 30 Oct.]

One day Gastor Barne engaged ‘Okpra’ in discussion. Gastor is the Manager of SYRA (Skills for Youth in Rural Areas). He is an indigene of Miango who has a heart of compassion for the people of his area. Gastor found Okpra fixing a roof that had been blown off by wind and started talking to him. Okpra said, “Gastor you know my madness is not like that of other mad people because I work to earn my living. Other mad people are lazy.”

Having made that statement he burst into laughter, but for Gastor it was a serious matter. Gastor did not miss out on the message from that teachable moment.

Several weeks later, Gastor told his experience with Okpra while teaching a group of young people. At the end he reminded his listeners that Okpra’s philosophy should challenge any right thinking, idle Christian youth today. He asked what sane, normal Christian youths would say to God on the Last Day to explain why they had been idle and not doing something with their hands to help themselves. Gastor ended by reminding the young people that God would surely use Okpra to judge them. Several of the youths rededicated their lives and promised God that they would never be idle again. Praise God! Amen.

Prayer Requests

• Pray that more youth would appreciate the gravity of Okpra’s message
• Pray that God would heal Okpra so that he would come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Pray that God would open a door for SYRA to be able to assist Okpra with basic carpentry tools, to further encourage him.
  
• Finances to enable the ministry to progress.
  

See more about the SYRA Project