From Mary Ann's Desk July 2011

It was wonderful to be back in Nigeria!

Everyone of our team members had some kind of difficulty getting there.

Jennifer, Mark, and I experienced delays in getting visas because the application process has been changed and the new instructions are not clear. Jennifer and I were able to make our scheduled departure time, but Mark was delayed a full week. Glenn didn’t even get a visa. David missed his flight due to very unusual last minute changes by the airline, delaying him by a day. Larry’s son and one daughter were in a serious wreck (thankfully without injury), delaying his departure a full week. All of us arrived in Nigeria at our various times, believing God had something great in mind for our time there. And He did! Why else would all of us have been troubled like this?

The Pastors and Ministers Conference was exceptional. Even though the attendance was small (200+ swelling to 300) due to the violence that Jos has experienced the past two years, everyone who spoke to us about it said they felt it was the best one in quite a while because the teaching this year was rich. We had six teachers – we three Americans (David, Larry and myself), one Britt (Maurice Barratt), one Nigerian now ministering in Britain (Kola Ewuosho), and one Nigerian (Matthew Owojaiye). The diverse, harmonious way in which we taught on the subject of Secrets of Multiplication was exciting, and evidence of the Holy Spirit leading each of us in our approach to the subject. There was excitement among the attendees, as well, and we know by observation they went home with a fresh touch on their lives and new, effective tools for their ministries. In spite of the troubles in Jos, people came from nearly every geographic area in the country as representatives from 15 of the 36 states in country.

In our second week of ministry, David and I taught in two Bible colleges, and the ministry there was equally exciting. These were smaller groups in more intimate settings, giving us a more direct contact with the students who literally pulled ministry from us, and would have kept us there if possible.

There were also times of ministry in local churches and they, too, were good. In addition, I saw many friends going back many years, and it was good to “be back home” again.

There is still much to be done in teaching, strengthening and equipping the current church leaders in Nigeria and surrounding countries, as well as the next up-and-coming generation of church leaders. Our job is not finished. My job is not finished. And, I am already making my plans for next year. I believe it will be even greater, by God’s grace.

We’ve published a You Tube video and a full Slideshow of pictures of the trip, which can be seen on our facebook page, our You Tube channel, our blog and our website.

To everyone who helped supply the financial needs for this trip let me say a big Thank You for helping. Your investment into the Kingdom of God in Nigeria will not go unrewarded.

Because there are over 4.4 billion people in the world who still need Jesus, I remain
Yours in missions,

Mary Ann Cassidy