PRO LABORE DEI SUPPORT GROUP

The Pro La bore Dei Support Group is a functional arm of Pro Labore Dei, which has existed since 1994 when the first one was formed in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (I.I.T.A.). They make regular donations to fund various projects and actually paid for the electrical and water distribution at the Centre in Balogun Ibikunle Village. The exit of many of the, foundation members and influx of new members has ensured the continued existence and support of this group till today.

This second group was inaugurated on February 9^th2001 by the Chief Co-ordinator of Pro Labore Dei to provide a forum for other interested persons outside IITA. Membership is open to anyone who is prepared to serve the Lord by supporting the entire mission of Pro Labore Dei and has a vision on how to contribute intelligently to the growth and expansion of this work.

The Support Group functions basically under various units that help in coordinating the numerous projects of the Group. Members of the Group draw their strength from the Lord who is the Divine provider.

Since its inauguration, the group has taken over the complete maintenance of the physical infracture at the headquarters and performs various functions/duties assigned to it by the Chief Coordinator of Pro Labore Dei. For instance, the power-generating sets/at the headquarters are maintained by the group and this has not been easy since the generating sets are used everyday to supply the much-needed electrical power at the headquarters. Also, the group decided to construct a proper drainage at the headquarters to check the menace of soil erosion. This we have started, but due to lack of funds, we have had to suspend it after completing the upper segment in the compound.

Like our Chief Coordinator, we believe in self-sustenance and not depending solely on donations from generous people like you. Therefore, to help meet our needs, we have a functional farm in which proceeds from the produce will help finance our various projects as well as contribute our little quota to the food supply of our children and clients at the headquarters. Apart from the farm project, we have other fund-raising ventures, which will soon be within your reach, dare say that your active purchasing of these products will go a long way in your lending a hand to support this work.

Furthermore, to facilitate prompt and easy distribution of the blessed water at the prayer sessions we got' a donation of water hose, which has been a great relief to our members. In addition to various sundry services rendered by the Group, we supply petroleum products to the headquarters and, within our lean finances, we help in adding colour to the compound by our regular mowing of*the lawns at the headquarters.

We do not limit ourselves to the services in the compound -within the past few months, we have spent N50,000.00 on the access road to this 'place of refuge, which has been neglected for long by the relevant authorities, to make it a bit motorable. The amount spent so far may seem a waste but we believe it is our duty to the teeming crowds that comes here for refuge and succour.

It is our conviction at the Support Group that there is always work in the House of God. You also can join but you must be prepared to run miles for the Lord; you must be prepared to count every other thing as rubbish for the sake of the Lord; you must be convinced that after putting your hand on the plough/you will not look-back and, above all, you must have eyes to see what needs to be done for the Lord.

If you are convinced, you can contact me or indeed anymember of the Group for a chat.Yes! For the little that we have been able to do within this period, we give all the glory to God and cannot but agree with our Lord that we were just doing our duty.

Eugene E Itam