June 2012 Missions Update

Dearly Beloved,

We bring you Calvary greetings from Teofilo Otino in the name of Jesus Christ. We praise God for his help since the year began and the last two months, April and May 2012 in particular. We are also extremely appreciative of your partnership that made our labour for the advancement of the kingdom very eventful during the period under review. We have continued to move to higher height despite huge odds and challenges along our way.

In Bauchi State of Nigeria, despite the Boko Haram terrorism, God helped us to enter a new frontier surrounding the Zaranda mountain – The Geji tribal people. The interesting thing about the work there is that it is being solely pioneered by our Zullawa converts led by our missionaries Ladi Ekpa and Bulus Inlaya.
The field leader reported that they started with an evangelistic outreach and God gave them wonderful harvest there as He added 14 persons to the Kingdom. Plans are on the way to disciple the converts and build up on that effort. She also reported that the Zullawa believers were blessed by an addition of one more person who gave his life to Christ. The Tasha Durumi work is also growing stronger despite the exit of our former missionary couple on that base.

Conscious of the fact that the long negligence of evangelising the Fulani people group is one of the primary prices the church is paying with the attacks on Christians all across Nigeria, we intensified our evangelisation effort among them in the Niger State of Nigeria front. We are persuaded that that the real though slow but lasting solution to ongoing crises in the nation is when this nomadic Muslims get to know Jesus,Sunday Musa is increasingly using his skills and training in livestock management to build bridges. We are glad that some of them are responding.

The Kamberi work is also making headway amidst increasing confrontation from the Muslim neighbourhood. We have completed the processing of our Kuble land papers though sad to inform you that part of the church building collapsed due to heavy downpour. Our missionaries, Barnabas and Fatima were very appreciative of the support and encouragement towards the completion of the land documentation. They covet your prayers for funds to get the part of the building that collapsed repaired so that the entire structure will not collapse. More of our Kamberi converts got wedded in the church as indication of tremendous moral change characterising their new faith.

Yohanna and Rahila lived in a hut since their relocation to Lambo mission station. They were more concern about building zinc roofed church building where people will worship. This was completed about two years ago through financial from our partners and they proceeded to mobilise the converts to get some equipment and benches. The hut they live in is constantly leaking and they desperately need a new mission house. Please, pray along with us that God will raise an encouragement for them in that regard. They have been very faithful and worst hit by persecution from the Muslim world.

On the Dukawa front, Nuhu Karanbana and his team have continued to wax stronger. More youths are identifying with the Lord. The mission station is located in a very remote place not accessible to road or commercial vehichle. When the people in the community fall ill or women are in labour, conveying them on a bicycle to the nearest point they can get vehichle have been a serious challenge. They have not ceased to cry to God for a sound motorcycle to facilitate the work.

From the Bolu field, Josephine and Moustapha Oumarou reported that the challenges of getting a Christian lady to marry by their male convert is a huge one. Since there are non on the ground they are compelled to go for the idol worshipping ones who sometimes insist that they must live their Christian faith. The Muslims are also capitalising on this resulting into the devil confusing their converts and frustrating their work. Recently, they got a sewing machine with the view of building bridges with the women but they need brethren who will volunteer to stay with them at least on a short term basis to teach them how to sew. With that, hopefully, God will raise Christian women in the land and it will serve as long term solution to men marrying those outside the faith.

The Home of Grace (HOG), our ministry to orphans and vulnerable kids is faring well. As insecurity grows in and around our Furaka mission base, we considered it worthwhile to get their place of residence fenced. Our missionary, Mary Ojile reported that sometimes, strange people visit and point torch light at them at odd hours of the night. We still require about N400,000 to complete the fencing and install a durable gate with a security post. Our Furaka office and fellowship centre is located in the same compound. The need for this project is very urgent especially with the current spate of bombing in the North of Nigeria and Plateau state in particular. We have procured a bomb detector. We are also grateful to God that our water project is at its final stage. After several survey, we located water in at Trinity Academy, a bit far from our Furaka mission base. Our Engineer, Habila Gaya advised that we should go ahead and sink it there then he will help pipe it to the base. The drilling of the borehole was successful but we can only enjoy the water only when we have been able to complete the piping process which includes mounting another tank and overhead carrier. Already, over N600,000 has been spent and more fund will be required to get the job completed. Hopefully, the tap will start running before the end of June 2012. Pray for the HOG Co-ordinator, Stella Ella. She turned 50 in May, 2012. Pray also for Ezekiel Ganagana and Emily Nhachi. Pastor Nathaniel Udalor is doing well with helping to meet the pastoral need at the base. He and his family came under severe attack and the need to pray more for him is more pronounced now more than ever. His motorbike was stolen from the base. Few days later, his laptop was stolen. Again, thieves stole his camera and vandalised his photocopying machine. It was a difficult moment for the family but God is seeing them through.

Despite the security challenges, our School of Cross-Cultural Missions program fully resumed and we have seven candidates being prepared at the moment for full-time missionary work. The students cut across different denominations including Life Ministries, United Evangelical Church, Flame Ministries, Chapel of Goodnews and our mission agencies. There are many more in the pipeline. Pray that God will grant them boldness and courage to resume as we trust God that the situation is already under control. Pray for the School Principal, Mrs. Bola Showemimo and the entire training team for grace, wisdom and fresh unction.

Touched by the plight of Mama Kasuwa, an old convert among the Aiona we began a building project to get a one room apartment for her. There was some mud block on ground but when we were about to start the project, there was heavy downpour which damaged most of the blocks. Because of the urgency, we started with the roof so we can continue laying the block. The roof was well done but the downpour is still heavy and effort to mould new blocks have not been very successful. We have to suspend the completion of the work for now.

After many years of praying and waiting patiently on God, our missionary in Chad, Samuel Benuoji will be wedding on June 10, 2012. We covet your prayers for him. Support can be sent to him directly through Eco bank before and after the wedding. At Niger Republic, God blessed the family of Emmanuel & Blessing Boubacar with a baby girl. The National Director, Liman Dan-Wauya reported that God has been working wonderfully in their lives and that of the converts in their care. More and more open doors had been opening lately for them to proclaim the gospel to more villagers and also schools have been inviting them to share gospel even in the classes. Last month someone met and gave them some gifts to distribute to the children in their area. Godwin Ogwuche was covering the hinterland at the same time. He had a crusade in Bahia where he had an opportunity to speak to over 1000 drug rehabilitated persons. From there, he moved to Porto Vello for another outreach. He testified of God’s salvation and healing that took place at all the outreaches.

Here in the Amazon jungle of Brazil, it has been wonderful testimonies of God’s faithfulness all through. I was with the Jaminawa people group -native Indians 142km from Rio Branco call - perpherial part of the Amazon. The place was swallowed by flood few months ago. I will speak through an interpreter at the city centre nearest to them at Sena Madureira. Go visited them and many gave their lives to Christ. The people are trully 'treasures in dark places' in the words of Isaiah the prophet. In the words of Franz Fanon, they are honestly 'wretched of the earth' - really poor. I hear God's passionate appeal again: 'Who will I send and who will go for us?' I got a volunteer to take me to the next community of the Amazon. There they have over 5000 Jaminawas worshipping other gods. Beyond that point are the wild ones who are said to be carnivorous. In addition, I had some mission outreaches across Cuiaba, Rio Branco and Teofilo Otoni as well as Bolivia village of Puerto Evas Morales. God showed up at every point and saved many lost souls with numerous cases of signs and wonders confirming His words. Conscious of the need for discipleship and more long lasting work, I had some mission awareness sessions to mobilise for labourers within the Latin America front. The last awareness at Acre was awesome. My teaching focussed on the Cry of the Unreached People with emphasis on John 5:7 - ' I have no man...' I projected two of my latest documentaries - 'The Dark Places of the Earth' and 'Treasures in Dark Places'. God enveloped the audience with His awesome presence. Almost everyone in church were in tears sobbing for our negligence and apathy towards the Unreached people. Responses to the altar call were beyond expression. More than half of the church wanted to go. The others were willing to support.

I am currently at Teofilo Otoni to return back to Nigeria in two weeks time. It lies at an elevation of 319 meters on the Todos os Santos River, a tributary of the Mucuri. It is part of the Valley of the Mucuri, a region which includes 27 municipalities. It was founded in 1853 by German colonists and given city status in 1878. For the next 10days, I will be combing the area sharing the love of Jesus with the people through series of mission outreaches. As the Lord opens the door, I may be preaching on radio and television like it has been. God has also honoured His words through the air wave. We have received testimonies of many lives touched. Many broken-hearted healed. Many tears wiped away.

You have been a tremendous asset to God’s kingdom. Without you, we would definitely not get to this height. As I conclude, please accept our deepest appreciation for all your prayers and financial support. You have meant so much to us. We pray for you often and we believe that God will not only sustain you but He will bless you in unique way. We love you.

His bond servant and your partner in reaching the darkest part of the earth,

Andrew Abah