HEAL Blog
Welcome! Here we will post news and highlight the faces, needs, and services of HEAL.Help HEAL fight Malaria!
On my first trip to Nigeria in 2014, a security guard stopped me at the airport in Lagos and said, “I need your Yellow Fever card.” I replied I didn’t have one, knowing it wasn’t required. He proceeded to take my passport and not return it until Deacon Leo arrived at...
Chinonso making his mother proud!
Chinonso Uwalaka is Rev. Leo’s 10-year old nephew, whom I met during my visit to Nigeria two years ago. For fun, I taught him the popular “rock, paper, scissors” game which he immediately loved. When I visit this summer, I know he’ll be bugging me to play it over and...
Quiz competition fosters Servant Leadership!
Driving home into Chicago recently via the I-94 Expy, I noticed a building on the roadside with a large painting of abolitionist pioneer, Frederick Douglass. Next to his visage are the words, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free!” Indeed, there is no...
Inter-House Sports Day!
Back in primary school, we participated in an annual sports event called the “Loretto Olympics”, named after our school. I remember long jumping, high jumping, and sprinting in hope of winning a bronze, silver, or gold medal. It was the only exposure to track and...
Let the Children dance for You!!
In this short video, I introduce the new HEAL Performing Arts Club, which will bring all members into a new relationship and appreciation for our mission! https://youtu.be/031ZDkwmNOc
Halfway to our goal of repairing generator
“You see these people here?” asked Jude Okonkwo, as he pointed at the houses we drove by. “They live in darkness!” he exclaimed. Jude, brother of Deacon Leo, said this to me one evening in Nigeria in 2017 while driving me back into Akpim village after our excursion to...
HEAL Students begin clearing brush for planting
Scripture tells of “...a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted...”. In the rural village of Akpim in Nigeria, the BOMCA students and Messengers of Justice have begun clearing away brush for the planting of various crops including pumpkin, cassava,...
Servant Leadership in Action via Prayer
“You are healed!”, said Fortune, after he and his BOMCA schoolmates gathered around and prayed for me. Sure enough, the cold and flu symptoms I had experienced the last few days began to disappear! This prayer took place last July, just outside the BOMCA house...
Corruption Feeds Adverse Social Conditions
I recently attended a political event in Chicago, where former State Rep. and candidate for Illinois governor, Jeanne Ives, spoke. She lamented the fact that Illinois is on the brink of financial collapse because “...we have accepted the corruption” that has...
For I was hungry, and you gave me food
Back when I was in grade school, a tray of one-pint milk cartons was brought into the classroom at lunch hour each day. Standing out amidst all the brown cartons of chocolate milk was my lonely white carton of white skim milk! My classmates laughed at me for drinking...