Dear Friend,
I want to say a special thanks from my heart to you for your support of our ministry last year. Your partnership in prayer and financial support make it possible for us to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Thank You!
Here is a summary of what God and you enabled this ministry to do in 2006.
The War on AIDS program was a big success. We covered all of the 25 secondary schools in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State of Nigeria touching over 14, 0000 students with the message of abstinence and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each student received a ?Vow of Virtue' Wristband and a copy of the HIV/AIDS booklet?"Yes to life, No to Aids". Altogether in 2005 and 2006, over 29,000 young people have been ministered to personally with the Gospel and have been called to surrender their lives to Jesus and take the Vow of Virtue. This means we are helping to save thousands from the plague of HIV/AIDS!
All of our eighteen church plants experienced an increase at one level or the other, with many giving their lives to Christ. Several meetings and special programs were held to bring men and women to the kingdom. One of our newest programs, ?feeding the multitude,' touched the people deeply. We have received grateful testimonies from individuals who were blessed by these programs. Another village church was roofed as well, making a total of 4 churches you have help us put a roof on.
The orphanage in Cameroon has been roofed and is ready for completion and occupation. The children's home in Nigeria is still under construction. We are ready for the second floor decking. All the rods needed for the decking are on hand.
Our Family outreach program continues to be a blessing to many families. Financial assistance was given to many widows, and scholarships for some fatherless children are providing schooling.
Leadership and church growth conferences were conducted in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana. We offered current information with the purpose of developing cohesion and uniformity in the missions' leadership. It was a time of refreshment, enrichment and encouragement for our Pastors and Christian Workers.
The decision to focus on Christian education for the young people of Ghana has paid off. The school began with 100 students in the first semester. We believe the school will continue to experience an increase. The school in Cameroon continues to grow, with over 300 students. We believe these children will some day become leaders in their country.
We are grateful to God for strength and provision to accomplish all these things in Jesus name. This year, I believe God will do a new thing for us. It is a year of increase, dominion, and jubilee. We are not dwelling on yesterday's victories and failures. Our focus is on today's anointing, promises and; the kingdom increase?the unreached people.
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:18-19).
Here are our focuses for 2007:
- Continue the War on AIDS Program in Benue State of Nigeria. Our target this year is Gboko Local Government Areas. There are 20 secondary schools in Gboko with an enrollment figure of 17,812 students. As I write this letter our printer is waiting for payment for the 18,000 copies of the HIV/AIDS booklets we have ordered. I know we can do it through Christ who strengthens us.
- Our goal for the children's home in Nigeria hasn't yet been reached. We believe God for a breakthrough this year to complete the second floor. We are building as the Lord provides and are convinced that this ministry will provide for myriads of orphans who are waiting to be rescued. If we do nothing, these precious children will face pain, starvation, and possibly death.
- Continue with the Leadership conferences, providing our pastors and Christian workers with much-needed training.
- Provide more scholarships for orphans and needy children. This is a program that provides schooling for orphans whose widowed mothers are not able to provide it for them. What a blessing it is for needy children, and an encouragement for the widows.
We need your help more than ever to reach these goals. These goals are simple, specific and reachable. Thousands of students, hundreds of pastors and Christian workers and thousands of orphans are depending on us.
As you give to the work of God this year, believe with me for widows and orphans to be encouraged, many people to be saved and delivered from the hand of the enemy. Jesus came to set all men free.
I am asking you to kindly send your most generous gift to enable us to begin the year right. You can specify how you would like your gift to be used. Your gifts make the difference between life and death for some of God's little people. Even a little each month will go a long way.
Please use the enclosed response form and self-addressed envelope to rush your best gift. And please back it up with your prayers. May God bless you richly as you share His love and blessings!
Thank you for your support,
Yours in His Service,
David C. Akaji
Vice President for the Africa Region
