Update: April 2005

 Dear Friend of Nigeria,

Greetings from Nigeria!  Thank you! Thank you very much for your prayer and financial support for both personal and ministry needs.

I have solace in the fact that the driving force of our ministry is not "Fear Factor" but God factor.  God is the source of every success we are experiencing in our ministry today.  He touches people to surrender their lives to Him; supporters to give to specific projects; and brings workers into His vineyard. 

We have deliberately decided never to lose sight of the divine connection in our personal and ministry endeavors?because He makes the difference. 

My February/March trip to Nigeria was very successful.  One thing that would have messed up the trip became another proof of God's hand on the journey.    Somehow, I lost my carry-on baggage at Abuja International airport.  I began to look for it at my host's house where I was staying. When I could not find it, I decided to go back to the airport to search for it although I concluded that it was gone for good.  To my surprise, it was there!  The security people picked it up and put it in a safe for me. 

What happened here? Is because people are changing or God is at work?  My friend, the response is, "It is both?God is touching people's hearts, and I am on a divine mission, and God's hand is on me and my bags."  Thank you Jesus!  And thank you supporter for praying!

Our Mission trip has been scheduled for May 18 to June 8, 2005.  The entire three weeks have been filled up with evangelistic meetings and War on AIDS educational rallies.  It is going to be a period of transformation for many people; students will give their lives to Christ; pastors will be equipped for the ministry; and Christian workers will find their place in ministry. 

There are five of us in the team that is going.  Our aim is to be a blessing to the people of Nigeria.  Pray for anointing on the guest speakers, and that the glory of God will saturate the entire program.  We want people to come and experience God in a personal way.

We are more convinced that the only hope for the spread of AIDS epidemics in Nigeria is the change of behavior.  While educational awareness and humanitarian services are useful and must be done, it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that has the power to transform people's hearts. 

The Apostle Paul said,  "The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" (Romans 1:15-16).  The gospel has the power to change a person's view of life.   A lasting change in behavior can only occur when a person has experienced personal transformation of heart. 

In this month update, our project is focused on the widows.  My heart is always moved when I come in contact with widows and fatherless children who are struggling to survive.  I believe my own experience, (as a fatherless child?my father died when I was five years old), contributes to my sensitivity to needy people. 

However, the need for these widows is real!  Allow me to share with you the stories of just two of the widows in our ministry and I believe God will be pleased for us to bless them.

Meet Grace Aduja and her 3 children.  Grace lost her husband on June 3, 2003 after 18 years of marriage.  Grace reports, "When I gave my life to Christ, my husband remained and lived as an unbeliever.  When my husband became sick, he went to the hospital and tested positive for HIV/AIDS.  As a result of his immoral lifestyle he contracted HIV/AIDS and unknowingly gave it to me, I contacted it from him.  He is dead now, leaving me with three children."   Grace, an AIDS victim, is in need of three things, (1) medical assistance, (2) assistance to begin small trading business to enable her feed her children, and (3) scholarship for her children.

Meet Grace Ajara Audu and her six children.  Grace is a faithful child of God.  She is also an AIDS victim.  We had helped her in the past with a one-time medical assistance, of which she is very grateful.  However, treatment for AIDS is received monthly.  Right now she needs more medical assistance, assistance to begin small trading business and possibly scholarship for her children.  These families really need someone who cares.  We will need to raise $4,000 for these widows, ($2,000 for each), to provide one year of medical assistance, one year scholarship for one of the children, and capital to begin a small trading business.  The extent of what we will do for these women depends on what we receive.  You have been gracious and responsive to our appeals.  We need your generous gift to enable us minister to these needy families right now.  Please, consider sending a gift and also pray for these families.    I have provided you with a response form and a return envelope for your response.  Thank you for caring!     For your contribution click('donations');