Some of the displaced Nigerians in the front yard of the Don Peter Dabale Memorial United Methodist Church in Nigeria.
A United Methodist congregation in Nigeria is providing refuge for some of the thousands escaping the Boko Haram war in northern Nigeria.
That assistance is happening despite the scarce resources of the Don Peter Dabale Memorial United Methodist Church in Abuja, which has been trying to complete a church building project since 2009.
According to the Rev. Matthew Daniel Dangombe, superintendent of the Abuja District, the refugees were living around the church in makeshift structures in desperate conditions, so the church decided to help them. “We considered helping these people as part of our Christian duty in this district,” he said.
The displaced Nigerians come from various religious backgrounds. The church is using its different ministries, such as teaching how to recycle waste papers, sewing skills and arts and crafts, to lower their fear and prepare them for career opportunities when they return to their home states.
