By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
It was indeed a wonderful charity outreach and successful trip to Opi Agu in Nsukka and Agbani in Nkanu Council Areas both in Enugu State during which Faithspiration Initiative donated food and cash to them.
Recalled that Faithspiration Initiative family which was founded by Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Adimike is a religious group comprising priests, seminarians, students, civil servants, traders, artisians, professionals, amongst other has over the years embarked on charity outreach to less privileged, indigents, poor and those in need but now targeted to feed 500 families.
Other rural communities to receive food and cash from the group included Omor in Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Minna Niger State, Bamenda Republic of Cameron and Gambia.
However, Opi Agu has been a beneficiary of Faithspiration Initiative charity outreach and again lucky to have received attention in the 2024 Easter festival charity outreach.
Addressing the communities who gathered in their numbers, the leader of Faithspiration Initiative, Rev. Fr. Dr Adimike explained that their reasons for visiting them was simply to celebrate Easter with them, reminding them that they were their brothers and sisters in Christ.
” We have come to see you, stay with you and praise God together because you are our brothers and sisters. It is not what we will give to you but for us to express our affection with you. Therefore, the first charity is charity of presence before the charity of present. So, the little we received from others, we share it to you, ” Fr. Adimike said.
The Chief of protocol to the Archbishop Valerian Okeke praised the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Opi Agu for his dedication, saying that the presence of the cleric had attracted huge blessings to the community.
He recalled that after building a house for a woman in the community and equipped it that it prompted Chinwe Areh to give the same woman half a million Naira and clothes after viewing video of commissioning of the house by the Nsukka diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah.
Fr. George as he is fondly called attributed power of love and decision to what propelled him to build house for the woman, saying: ” Endless is a possibility of what you can do. So, when I see the house, I see joy. I implore you to decide something and do it for someone even if it is little.”
Appreciating his guests, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Opi Agu, Rev. Fr. Dennis Alumona welcomed Faithspiration family and Fr. Adimike in a special way, introducing Fr. Adimike as their son and father in faith as well as one of their parishioners.
” Fr. Adimike has been striving to ensure our betterment. Whatever he eats, he will make sure he brings to us. We appreciate him for his love for our community. Fr. George, honestly, your caring to our parish is enormous. In fact, you have been a source of inspiration to so many families here. You have been bringing succour and encouragements to so many persons here because so many are pagan but because of your benevolence, they have repented to Christianity. We love you and we have been praying for you. You will go higher and higher,”Fr. Alumona prayed.
Praying on behalf of the community, Mr. Micheal Odobe and Catechist Enerst Abonyi prayed God’s blessings and guidance upon Fr. George and Faithspiration family, just as Rev. Fr. Kenneth Okonmah from Isselle Ukwu diocese as well prayed and blessed the community.
Meanwhile, Faithspiration Initiative simultaneously moved to Pietan Caring Mission For The Poor, Ndibunagu Agbani who were already seated in waiting for the arrival of their guests.
Receiving the Faithspiration Initiative, Sr. Dr. Jude-Therese Nwodo expressed gratitude to them for identifying with the Pietan Caring Mission For The Poor (PCMP), explaining that their primary purpose was preparing the elderly ones spiritually for happy ageing and reconcile them with God.
Some other purposes which Sr. Nwodo mentioned that they render included medicare, psychological and socio-cultural, welfare, sensitization and awareness, amongst others, just as she hinted that she came in contact with Fr. George in his seminary days when she was working with Onitsha Archdiocese.
In their separate prayers, Mr. Okoli Ogbu and Mrs Martha Ojene prayed fervently for the progress of Faithspiration Initiative and their journey mercies as well as God’s abundant blessings and guidance upon Fr. George while Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Igboegbunam closed prayer and blessed everybody.
The event featured songs, praises, prayers and sharing of rice and cash of N5,000 to each family.
