Survivors of a deadly roof collapse at a Nigerian church on Sunday are praising God amid the storm.
One woman named Nonye Richy posted a Facebook message saying she was “feeling thankful “after surviving the incident, which killed at least 160 others at Reigners Bible Church International in Uyo, Nigeria.
In her message, Richy described seeing others die around her, expressed gratitude for her survival — and said she is simply “speechless” after personally experiencing the tragedy.
“(I) am here to say ‘thank you’ to the only God that saved my life, many who were better than me lost their lives that day but I don’t know how God did, I don’t know why he did it,” she wrote. “But what I know is that God made a way for me to be alive till today…words cannot express how grateful I am to God.”
Richy went on to also thank those who had reached out in the wake of the incident to check on her.
Another survivor named Eno Etim, who was injured and hospitalized, later told Punch that the congregation was dancing when the roof caved in, and that everything appeared normal before chaos ensued.
“There was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session,” Etim said. “The governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didn’t know how I got here.”
According to Christian Today, the incident unfolded during the installation ceremony for Bishop Akan Weeks.
Numerous posts on the church’s Facebook page express condolences as well as thanks to God. Among them, Dr Livinus Emeka Mjoku, president of Nigeria Ministry Aid International, penned a post urging the people and families impacted not to lose their focus or their hope.
“Be confident of this one thing, the enemy may have planned this to distort and DISCOURAGE this great commission which the Lord has placed in your hand, but the Lord shall use it for your double promotion and greatness,” he said. “I sympathize with the families that lost their loved ones and share in their pains. The Lord shall comfort them all.”
The church itself put out a statement thanking God for the leaders — both governmental and first responders — who helped those afflicted, as well as “various individuals who have donated blood and relief materials.”
Others, too, also expressed gratitude that their family members survived.
The government will reportedly investigate those who helped in building the church, which was reportedly still under construction at the time of the roof collapse.
(H/T: Christian Today)
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