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Dedicated to impacting their own, as well as adjacent nations with the gospel, Christ’s Power Ministries in Benin has built a school of missions to also train students from the Islamic nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso as native missionaries. Subject to the scrutiny of Muslim neighbors, and open to thievery, CPM is in great need of a wall ($30,000) for protection and privacy. |
Later, the wooden frame was erected, standing skeletal on the desert-like land until more funds were raised to fill it in with bricks and mortar.
Gabriel’s patience was tried, but he remained faithful to the task.
By the summer of 2007, the school was almost finished. That was when the notice came. Muslim authorities threatened to seize possession of Gabriel’s land because it had remained undeveloped for several years.
In most African nations, the state has an overriding interest in the access and control of rural land, irrespective of who may rightfully own that land. Local authorities may dispute property lines or even ignore land titles in an effort to seize property.
Gabriel had two choices: develop the entire 12 acres--impossible because of lack of funds--or build a wall around his property. The wall would declare his intentions for developing the land and protect it from seizure.
He contacted Christian Aid, who worked quickly to raise the funds needed to erect a six-foot, concrete wall.
As workers labored around the clock to lay concrete blocks, Gabriel received regular visits from local authorities. He watched as they seized the property adjacent to MCM’s land.
Three Fulani squatters had set up their tents on the property, further solidifying the need for a wall.
Today the wall is almost completed. Local authorities agreed to remove Gabriel’s name from their list of those whose land is to be confiscated.
Yet the urgent need for walls is felt by several other African ministry leaders assisted by Christian Aid.
A wall defines boundaries for those who might question them, and declares rightful ownership for those who might dispute it. It also protects from thieves, squatters and the freely grazing animals of nomadic pastoralists, who do not recognize property lines.
In Islamic regions, walls also protect Christians who are being discipled or trained for ministry from the eyes of those who would expose and harm them.