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The kids got so excited when they were informed of the special Easter Boat Cruise. “This brings back sweet memories of the Summer Dream trip to Accra” says Oluchi, “we are going to have F.U.N “

Her Story
On the D-day, I woke up earlier than usual with great excitement, I rushed through my chores and helped to get the younger kids ready, we all knew we had a fun-filled day ahead of us, “Oh, I can’t wait!” By 8.00am we got into the bus and headed for the jetty, we were joined by some pupils from the InnerCity Mission Nursery and Primary School, in all we were about 100 kids and teens not counting the adults and we all sang excitedly in the buses.

It was a 45-minute drive for our convoy of three[3] buses and we were so excited when we arrived at the jetty. As always, we were received like VIPs – there were cameras everywhere and lots of grown-ups who got us organized and ushered us to the waiting boat. Wow! The boat was so big with windows on two[2] levels and everywhere I looked, there was water and no land in sight; but I was not afraid even though I had to walk across a floating and sometime wobbly pavement to get into the boat. We had lots of adults around and I knew that God was with me.

I was taken to the upper deck to meet our sponsors – Pastor Chidi Ezimako, his beautiful wife Pastor Nana and some partners of the InnerCity Mission from Christ Embassy Lagos Zone 3. They greeted us with warm smiles and I gave them a big hug, I was just so happy to be on the Cruise; as the boat engine started, I was helped into an oversized orange life-jacket and I stood gazing into the horizon wondering what I would find at the point where the water meets the clouds…..ha! ha! I can’t wait to find out!

Let me tell you what it was like inside the boat: we had beautifully decorated tables and chairs arranged in a dinner-party setting and we were told there was a lot to eat and drink. Downstairs, there was a live band and a DJ but there wasn’t so much room for dancing….I guess we’ll just have to make the most of the available space! The boat had large windows but you couldn’t put your head out because it was covered with ‘plastic glass’; but the view was beautiful all the same.

We started the cruise eating small chops with music and later we were served jollof rice and chicken; then our hosts Pastor Chidi and Pastor Nana came in with our Mum, Pastor Solayinka to greet all the children. We sang our “Thank You” song and the InnerCity Mission School Anthem to show our appreciation. The eating continued with lots of fun and games, I particularly enjoyed the dancing competitions and the time I spent out on the boat deck.

I couldn’t help but think where I would have been if the InnerCity Mission didn’t find me when they did, definitely not on a Boat Cruise at Easter, I looked around at all the happy faces around me and I whispered my “thank you” to the wind. Hoping that somehow, the wind would carry my message to all the partners of the InnerCity Mission everywhere so they’ll know how grateful we truly are.

Then it was time for group photos and interviews and more food, fun and games, not forgetting the gifts and prizes. The Easter Boat Cruise for me was an experience of a life time; thank you dear partners, we won’t forget this in a hurry.

Bells, presents, carols, decorations, except for snow…..lol! , but seeing these five words we could only think about one thing…CHRISTMAS! Yes, Christmas, and the InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy came out once again with Send Portions – a special Christmas outreach to children in the inner cities. It is our response to Nehemiah 8:10 ” …send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared…”

Every Christmas season we show every indigent child just how special they are by giving them a fun-filled experience which is never to be forgotten and it gets better and bigger every year. The Send Portions train went to Abete, Asese, Ibafo and seven other communities to spread the love of Christ and to help the children realize that they are the reason for the season.

It was ten[10] fun-packed days designed to put a smile on every child’s face [of course, this is what we do best]. There was lots to eat and drink – jollof rice, cake, ice-cream, popcorn and…… trust me the kids enjoyed that part, not forgetting the games and activities from ‘hoopla’ to the dance choreographies, ‘picking the balls’, bouncing castles, basket ball, and musical chairs which put them in the right sunshine mood of fun with a daily attendance of about 2000 children.

We didn’t stop at the fun and games [of course we didn’t] the word of God was ministered to the children and just like a bee loves its honey, the children received the word into their hearts happily. So many gave their lives to Christ taking a bold and bright step in securing their future in God.

“today is the best day of my life, I wish everyday can be like today” said 6 years old Mary at Send Portions in Abete. Amazing right?….. I know! If you missed out on Send Portions 2011, you missed too much.

To borrow the words of the man of God Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, “remember every child is your child” .

Deacon Buchi Atuonwu is an award winning artiste with a passion for the gospel of Christ which he shares through the lyrics of his amazing music. In addition, Buchi has a big heart for children and he is a Goodwill Ambassador of the InnerCity Mission – a ministry of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome to indigent children.

He recently released his fifth album titled “JUDAH” and dedicated the proceeds specially to the children…… I mean, he donated all proceeds to the children of the InnerCity Mission [now that’s a man with a BIG!!! heart]. Yeah! I thought so too.

The grand launch took place at the prestigious Sheraton Hotels Ikeja attended by Pastors, family and friends, Nollywood celebrities, children of the InnerCity Mission and fans with one thing in common – they all love Buchi and his music.

Pastor Lanre Alabi – Zonal Pastor; Christ Embassy Lagos Zone 1 commended Buchi for taking personal the charge of the man of God Pastor Chris Oyakhilome to reach poor and needy children; he then blessed the album and prayed for Buchi and all present. Pastor Solayinka Agboola – Director; InnerCity Mission inspired those present with testimonies of the impact the InnerCity Mission is making in the lives of children in the inner cities – giving their lives a meaning.

On Day Two of Send Portions 2011, the Send Portions train stopped at the Abete Community, a slum settlement in Lagos state; close to 2000 children thronged the venue of the Send Portions Christmas Party and they sure had fun. There was lots to eat with loads of fun and games…..wow!! it was an exciting package and the children had a great time .

The lives of the children in Abete Community will never be the same again as they were celebrated as the superstars that God created them to be. The children showed unrestrained excitement and didn’t want the party to end.

Thank you Partners and thank you Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for lavishing these beautiful ones with the love of God in style.

As you celebrate this yuletide, eat the fat, drink the sweet but send portions to them for whom nothing has been prepared. So, join the Send Portions train……follow this link to find out how.

Thank You InnerCity Mission, We have had a great time.

“I would close our doors before sunset to protect my family from mosquito bites but this hardly helped,” She said. “But today, I am fortunate because I have received a free mosquito net, from the InnerCity Mission to protect my new born baby explains a mother in Ibete, who received an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

Recently the InnerCity Mission distributed free insecticide-treated mosquito nets to the inner city community of Ibete in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria. Ibete is a typical “shanty town” made up of make shift homes built in a swampy area amidst truck loads of refuse. During the rainy season, the surroundings becomes a safe haven for mosquitoes to breed – a shoe repairer and father tells us about this situation: “We have a lot of health problems in our community, and most of the time it is malaria that plagues us. Above all, the children are the worst stricken. However, because we are poor, we use herbs to take care of them. But often, in spite of the herbs, we have to take the children to the clinic which is expensive for us.

According to UNICEF, Malaria though preventable and treatable is a leading cause of death of children in Africa, killing 3,000 children each day and nearly one million children each year. Actions aimed at malaria prevention include promoting the use of long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets. A treated mosquito net is an effective tool to prevent mosquito and malaria; it has been proved that sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets [ITNs] can reduce overall child mortality by up to 20 per cent. There is evidence that insecticide-treated mosquito nets [ITNs], when consistently and correctly used, can save six[6] lives per year for every 1,000 children sleeping under them.

The excited residents were encouraged to keep their surroundings clean for the sake of their children and they were told the importance of proper care of the mosquito nets.Thank you our esteemed partners for sponsoring the delivery of life-saving mosquito nets to these families. May God richly bless you!

Remember every Child is your child!

Saturday 13th of August 2011 was indeed a remarkable day as we commissioned the newly outfitted ICM Academy Dispensary; the project was sponsored by InnerCity Mission Partners of Christ Embassy Lagos Island Group. Staff and students alike were so excited and the students expressed their gratitude to our partners by thrilling them with special dance and music presentations as well as talk shows.

The School Dispensary now has new furniture for the School Nurse, an examination couch, a privacy screen, a brand new cabinet complete with drugs and I must not forget to mention a brand new power generating set amongst other items. Needless to say, this will make a world of difference in our work at the InnerCity Mission Academy.

We want to say a big “Thank You” to Pastor Lekan Balogun and our Partners Christ Embassy Lagos Island Group for responding to our call, thank you for making every child your child. You too can make a difference by sponsoring one of the many projects of the InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy. Follow THIS LINK for more information on how.
Remember every child is your child!!

The pupils of St. Paul’s Memorial Nursery and Primary School couldn’t hide their excitement as the staff and partners of the InnerCity Mission off-loaded colorful school desks from the delivery truck. The pupils had been forced to sit on planks balanced on cement blocks and no desks for over ten[10] years; don’t ask how they were expected to learn.

Thanks to the InnerCity Mission of Christ Embassy powered by Refuge Bank the pupils of St. Paul’s Memorial Nursery and Primary School will start the new school year on a new page. Needless to say, learning will be on a whole new level and pupils and teachers alike agree that their school will never be the same again.

With the support of partners just like you, the InnerCity Mission works to ensure that the inner city child is not denied his right to quality basic education. Thank you for your support.

You too can be a part of this today. Partner with the InnerCity Mission. Click http://www.theinnercitymission.org/partnership_01.php for more information on our programs and projects. We would like to hear from you so do post your comment. This is worth celebrating so don’t forget to share this with a friend.

Remember every child is your child!