I wanted to include you all in what simply started as a discussion between me, anonymous & a couple of my friends....It's getting pretty interesting, so I thought to include everyone. These comments orginally followed my sister's B'day post, but now I'm putting them up here so you can see--and so you can add your own 2 cents.....n-e-1?
The issue: Anyway, a few replies followed....
My friend, Curly Cel, said:
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Strange comment anonymous! A missionary is someone that goes where the need is and preaches the gospel to EVERY creature! Who is to choose whether someone is "worthy" or not? - If anything, those who haven't had a chance deserve a chance.
Regardless, no one is worthy, and I know for a certainty that every country has its tales of corruption. - Some more obvious than others.
God bless you, Brian, for doing your part to fulfill Jesus' commission to us all! (Yes, you too anonymous!) - said...
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Curly..nigeria is the no1 most corrupt country in the world!,christians rule the country,and steal the oil money from the poor!.
Brian paints a very one sided view of nigeria,that of a missionary wearing rose tinted glasses,whom dosent fill us in on the whole picture.
What im saying is,preach to the converted christians,and tell them its wrong to steal!.
Nothing gets done in nigeria without a palm being greased,a trip along the highway will cost you 200 ciggarettes at least.
One good man,can and will make a good difference amongst others... www.transparency.org - Brian Whyte said...
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Hi, again, Anonymous!
You're absolutely right! Nigeria is very corrupt, it's a known fact & it's (corruption's) effects are seen everywhere...but you'd be surprised at how many good & honest ppl there are here too...
I'm pretty new to Nigeria & you probably have seen a lot more than I have. But also, due to the nature of my work I get to see the good side of people, or in many cases bring that side out of them. Nigerians really do respect missionaries & most sincerely love to talk about God & hear God's Word...that's something that you don't find as much in the West & which is rather refreshing around here. My point by that being that because my job is helping people with their physical & spiritual needs, as well as preaching & teaching God's Word, my interactions with people are on a very different level & I'm sure that I see a different "side" to Nigeria, shall we say, then if I was in the construction, or oil business, for example. You know what I mean? I think that we're both right in our own way...you being right that Nigeria is very corrupt & something should be done about it...and me being right in the way that there is a different & more humble side to the Nigerians that is brought out when you just deal with their hearts (I can only tell you what I've seen, right?), & I'm possibly seeing that other side. Do you agree?
It also reminds me of the Bible verse that says "Where sin doth abound
grace doth much more abound"....in other words, God's spirit compensates for the evil that's in or around a certain place.
This doesn't mean that we should just accept the evil & wrong-doing we see around us, but it means that if you really look hard, there's usually a lot more good than there is bad.
But yes, do excuse the rosy picture. I really like this country & have a sort of soft spot for the people here.....Also, sort of like I was saying before, the nature of my work is sort of one-sided & that side is what I present. That's really all I can do, no?
But Have you been to the North of Nigeria? It's really different from the oil-country (Warri-side & that..) & the people are relatively simple & pretty sincere in their faith in God (Muslims, mostly). It's quite different from the Other areas....I'd actually confidently say that my postings about Zaria & that, aren't really one-sided (did ya' read my write-up @ VVF?).....
Anyways, this is a great debate & I'd love to hear more from the rest of the world what ppl have to say on this issue....I'll put this up as a post tomorrow & we'll see what other comments we get.
btw, I haven't forgotten & I'll still put up that post about my family.
Take care & God bless!
P.S. Do you have a name, or must we forever refer to you as 'anonymous'? - said...
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Hi son, I think you are doing a wonderful job. Despite the horror in today's world, a little bit of love, looking for one's heart and truly showing what God's love is like, goes a long long way, no matter where you are. God has no hands but ours and no face but ours, and Lord help us to use that for His glory. Besides that it is not what others think how you are doing or what you are doing, your life is between you and God. One day you are to give an account of your life to the One you love and that is enough!
Love you lots and pray for you always!
Mom XXX
(by the way folks I'm white; wait for our family's pic, eh!- a truly salt and pepper family!) - What say the rest of you???? I'm especially looking forward to ppl who've specifically lived & worked here in Nigeria (or in Africa for the broader debate contribution) to hear what they have to say.... What have your experiences of Nigeria been? Do I paint a one-sided picture of this place (I guess I already know that I do)? But am I justified in just showing this side? Is Nigeria really the number 1 corrupt country in the world?
- And for the rest of you, what specifics would you appreciate learning about Nigeria? Do you agree that I would see things the way I do in light of the nature of my work & the fact that I'm a missionary who deals with the heart? Tell all!
- P.S. pidgin comments most welcome....
I read your blog with interest,having worked in nigeria for 4 years,PH and warri,then you seem to paint a rosy picture of life there brian!.
We both know nigeria is the no1 corrupt country in the world,where the rich get richer...and the poor are piss poor.(4---1---9eeers!)
Worse still many of the goverment are christians who steal from the people at the drop of a hat...graft is endemic,how many palms have you had to grease brian?...
Point is,it only takes a few good men to change things,but no-one wants to see change in nigeria...apart from the very poor.
Your efforts would be better employed as a missionary preaching to the converted my son,telling christians that thieving from each other is wrong!....speak pidgin brian? mus love so please share what its really like in nigeria,and dont spare the finger pointing! god bless a wise moi!