St. Augustine famously said that when you sing you pray twice. In my travels to Nigeria, I’ve found that Augustine’s theology of song is vindicated abundantly. In the midst of life’s hardships in the rural villages, God’s people in Nigeria have a way through song to make the burdens of life a little easier to carry. And, these “holy sounds” of Nigeria continue to lift my spirit and encourage me to press on in spite of the highs and lows of mission work.
I’ve written recently about the recent tragic passing of Fr. Ambrose Osuagwu, a great friend of Rev. Leo and of HEAL. This was a great blow to HEAL and all our missionary collaborators in Nigeria, who loved and respected Fr. Ambrose for his sincere commitment and active support of our mission programs. During my recent Spring trip to Nigeria, I was fortunate to attend a memorial Mass for Fr. Ambrose at his home parish of Holy Trinity.
What unfolded next was an amazing welcoming ceremony replete with song, dance, prayer, and even a performance showcasing the works of mercy in response to the hardships of rural village life. A few students dramatized the healing of a crippled man by three good Samaritans, who come and pray for him and help him off the ground after he dropped his cane and fell.
Such dramas, in the context of welcoming visitors, are part and parcel of the extreme hospitality which distinguishes the Igbo tribe. But, there is a method to the madness. “We Igbo people imitate Abraham and Sarah, who offered hospitality to their Angelic visitor (c.f. Gen 19) and, as a result, Isaac was conceived”, explains Deacon Leo, HEAL Founder. So, for the Igbos and indeed for any Christian culture, showing hospitality to visitors is a key to receiving Divine blessing!
Students perform dramas not only to show hospitality to visitors but also to exhibit the self-emptying (c.f. Phil 2:6-11) spirituality at the heart of their character formation. “The children learn and practice self-emptying every day in the apostolic work of the Messengers of Justice, which includes visiting the sick, farming, and common prayers”, says Rev. Leo.
My reception by the BOMCA students was truly a “soft landing” after a long flight journey from Chicago. The experience inspires me to empty myself more in the work of forming them into Servant Leaders in their homeland and beyond. Join me in the fight for their future!