I had read about life in Nigeria and thought I was prepared, but nothing compares to being there in person, seeing, hearing, and feeling what daily life is like. As we drove from the airport to our guesthouse that first day, hundreds of people lined the roads, walking to work or waiting in front of small roadside huts hoping someone would stop to buy their goods.
I was overwhelmed by the poverty and the fragile infrastructure, but even more so by the realization that while I couldn’t help everyone, but I could pray. I found peace remembering that God cares deeply for each person I saw.
Prayer became my way to serve beyond what I could physically do.
When I arrived at Egbe Hospital, I was immediately struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was. Smiles greeted us everywhere we went. It was clear that the missionaries who came before us had made a lasting, positive impression on the community. Nigerians have such a strong sense of connection and hospitality, and it’s something I wish we had more of back home in the U.S.
I also quickly realized how far-reaching Egbe Hospital’s impact is. During my first few days, we witnessed patients being discharged after an eye surgery campaign. Some had traveled hundreds of miles over rough roads just to reach Egbe, trusting they would receive quality care. The hospital’s reputation for compassionate treatment and for sharing the Gospel is known across the country. I’ll never forget seeing the surgeon close his time with patients by reading Scripture and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Daily Life in the Hospital
Most of my time was spent in the Emergency Room helping staff nurses care for patients. The ER at Egbe was unlike any I’d worked in before, it functioned as an emergency room, outpatient clinic, wound and urology clinic, and pre- and post-procedure unit all in one. It was busy and unpredictable, and I had to learn to adapt quickly.
The hospital partners closely with the College of Nursing Sciences just across the street, so each day we worked alongside 5–10 nursing students. I loved helping them connect classroom lessons with real patient care. Often, I’d begin explaining something to two students and end up surrounded by ten, all eager to learn. Their curiosity and hunger for knowledge were contagious.
During my last week, I stepped away from the ER to help sort through donated medical supplies. Many of these items were unfamiliar to the staff, so I spent time demonstrating how to use them and even made instructional videos for future training. It was rewarding to see how small acts, like explaining a safety feature or identifying a useful tool, could make such a difference in patient care and resource management.
Moments I’ll Never Forget
One of the most beautiful cultural differences I noticed was how communal patient care is in Nigeria. In Egbe’s wards, beds line the walls of large open rooms, and privacy isn’t something patients expect. Instead, community thrives. Visitors, family members, and even passersby stop to pray or sing with patients.
I’ll never forget a woman who arrived in the ER after her husband’s death. She was in deep emotional shock and barely responsive. After receiving medical care, the chaplain came to pray with her. Soon others joined, friends, hospital staff, and even visitors who had been walking by. Together, they sang “Because He Lives.” The words “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow” filled the room and comforted her heart in a way medicine never could. That moment captured the heart of Egbe, faith, community, and love in action.
Challenges and Rewards
My first few days in the ER were overwhelming. Between the wide variety of cases, new systems, and language differences, I often felt lost. But as I began asking more questions and laughing with the nurses through our communication mix-ups, things started to make sense. The staff’s patience and kindness helped me learn, and soon I could see how beautifully they worked together despite limited resources.
The most rewarding part of my time in Egbe was seeing the gratitude of patients and their families. No matter how small the service, they were thankful. Their appreciation reminded me that every act of care, every prayer, every bandage, every kind word, is a chance to share the love of Jesus.
I came home with a renewed heart for nursing, seeing each patient as a soul to be cared for rather than just a medical case. Egbe reminded me that nursing is ministry, it’s being the hands and feet of Jesus.
If you’re considering serving in Egbe, prepare to be warmly welcomed and deeply loved.
Ask questions when you’re unsure, spend time getting to know people outside the hospital, and be flexible about how God might use you.
You may not always feel like you’re making a big impact, but your presence alone will encourage both patients and staff. Every volunteer plays a part in God’s work here.
Please join me in praying for the staff and ministries of Egbe Medical Mission, especially as Christians in Nigeria face growing challenges. God is using this hospital as a beacon of hope and healing, and I am so grateful to have witnessed His work firsthand.
– Ana H., Volunteer Nurse
