In spite of possessing Africa's largest oil reserves, Nigeria remains one of the continent's poorest countries. It's international debt of 30 billion dollars (US) is roughly equal to the estimated amount of wealth stolen from the country by corrupt leaders. About one-third of the population lives in poverty and one out of every four workers is unemployed.

Nigeria is considered by some to be the most corrupt nation in the world, if not Africa. Anyone connected to the Internet has received "spam" from computer-savvy Nigerians, who find it more lucrative to run scams than find honest work.

Granted independence from Britain in 1960, the federation of 36 states struggles with cultural and ethnic differences. The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria's northern half is predominantly Muslim while the south portion is considered mostly "Christian". Muslim leaders from the north have used force and violence to retain political control; twelve northern states now enforce Islamic law.Persecution of Christians is widespread throughout the country. The sudden death of the brutal military ruler, Abacha, in 1998, ended the reign of strong-handed Muslim rulers. Democratic elections the following year brought Olusegun Obasanjo, a committed Christian, to the presidency. His efforts to bring about change while endeavoring to preserve national unity have been met with strong and many times violent opposition from the former ruling elite.

Divided by religion and gutted by corruption, Nigeria provides plenty of opportunities to show God's love, grace and mercy. Ministry of Mercy (MOM), started in 1992, is one such place. Located about 100 miles south of the capital, Ministry of Mercy (MOM) is a combination home/school/medical clinic for about 300 of Nigeria's least, last and lost children. Most of the children at MOM school would have died if they were not rescued. Some of them are at high risk for medical issues such as AIDS and polio. The MOM population includes Nigeria's unwanted: those with epilepsy, orphans, those with physical and developmental handicaps, a few elderly and albino children (outcasts). The ministry's primary goal is to bring the Gospel to Nigeria's less privileged ones. The MOM school provides primary education (grades 1-6). Older children attend boarding schools and need financial support to continue their education.

Feeding the MOM family remains the biggest challenge for the leadership. Orphaned babies are brought to the school regularly and financial support is needed to buy milk for these little ones. MOM also supplies milk for a number of babies in other villages whose parents want to keep their children but cannot afford to feed them. When the ministry has the funds, protein-rich foods can easily be purchased. For example, for about $30 US, MOM can purchase enough eggs to provide one a week for each child for about a month. A single cow can also provide a large amount of meat. The school's equipment is not large enough to farm many acres. Most of the farming work is done manually.

With many children and adults living this close together, different diseases emerge. In addition, many of those who come to MOM have preexisting medical needs, both short term and chronic. A small hospital/clinic is available but is chronically short of medicine, equipment and trained personnel.

The staff of MOM firmly believes that children are fertile ground for the seed of the Gospel to fall on. By planting now, they hope the seed will grow to a lifetime of bearing fruit.