From Mary Ann's Desk...

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” NKJV

Joyful greetings to you today. The month of March was very busy, and the month of April is going to be very busy also. I cannot adequately express how great it is to be filled with enough energy and strength to accomplish all that needs to be done. I trust the Lord is blessing you in similar ways as you press on in your life with Him.

The new reports from India and Nigeria are abundant, and this is where I want to begin my letter this month. I hope I will be able to paint each picture in such a way that you will catch the significance and joy that I am trying to convey.

INDIA

Accommodations Acquired – In February’s newsletter I shared the urgent need for new housing, office space and church facilities that Bhalchandra and Leena Kamble were facing. In that letter I did not tell you that finding available housing at this time of the year is next to impossible. This is due to the fact that families do not move until after the school year ends which is at the end of April. They had to be moved out by the end of February. (I failed to tell you that piece of information as well. Sorry.) 

But God! Just in time, and with only a few days to spare, a flat for their housing became available and they were able to obtain it. The office was moved temporarily to Leena’s father’s home, and the church has also found temporary facilities in which to hold services. We received a generous offering of $800 from one of our long-time “ministry family” members toward this need, and were able to send those funds to relieve their moving expenses. Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing faithfulness to your servants, and for the faithfulness of our ministry partners. 

Youth Gathering in Vyara, Gujarat (State just N/NW of Mumbai State)

In February, Bhalchandra sent me this report. “I was in Vyara, Gujarat from 8 to10th November. 1600 youth responded; there were 500 plus youth leaders. My preaching was based on two C's, Christ and Character. And I spoke to the leadership. They are a group of 250 churches. They are open. After 15th January I am doing two Building Healthy Leaders Conferences with youth leaders and pastors. They are vey responsive. They have hearts to learn. Keep praying."

As you might imagine, my heart greatly rejoices over this report. It, alone, tells us that God is moving in India in a mighty way. Back in the ‘90s, Bud and our team conducted an outdoor crusade in Gujarat, and were run out of the area by the locals swinging machetes and throwing stones. We have worked and prayed to see this day. A day when the Gospel will break forth in power in India. Now it is happening, and the fearless, advancing ministry of Bhalchandra is a significant part of this new reality. 

The number of youth who responded to this gathering is phenomenal. When the youth are fired up for Jesus things begin to happen. Why? Because it means that God is continuing to reveal Himself in power to the upcoming generations. The Lord has been speaking to me in ways that let me know a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit has begun to blow in the earth, and will continue to do so. He is also speaking this same thing to many others. Thank you Lord.

Leadership Teaching Seminars

In addition to the youth gathering, Bhalchandra continues to conduct Leadership Serminars for Pastors and other church ministers in various cities across the central western states in India. The seminars cross denominational lines and have become a great and increasing blessing to all the church leaders who attend. I will share more about these meetings in the future.

NIGERIA

At long last, the donation made last year to purchase books for the Rev. Cassidy Memorial Leadership Library will finally arrive at its destination in a few days. Why has it taken so long to accomplish this you might ask? The answer is: 1) the best way to get funds to Nigeria is to send them with an individual who is going there, and we have not had anyone going there until now; 2) it is too costly to send funds by any other means. So, praise God, the purpose will be accomplished, and the library will be greatly blessed. I, along with the brethren in Nigeria, are very grateful for this wonderful, generous donation. 

In addition, I have gleaned books from my personal library that will also be a tremendous blessing to this library. They will be sent as excess baggage along with the funds. 

We used to sing a little chorus that says: “The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, and all we have to do is follow.” Very fitting when one works in many parts of this big, wide, wonderful world.

Great joy fills our hearts over this library becoming more and more complete. Now, every student at Grace and Peace Foundation (and perhaps others as well) who is preparing for leadership ministry has access to a good reference library that will help them prepare to minister God’s word with excellence. Praise the Lord.

HAPPENINGS AT HOME

On Sunday, March 26th, I was honored to speak at Belleview Church of God with Pastor Louis Lemley. Along with sharing how God called me to full-time missions ministry, I spoke on the topic “Serving God In Our Own Generation” with a missionary focus. I am happy for this opportunity to share with others.

Writing lessons for “Follow The Leader” is continually being done.

ITINERARY

April 3-6 – Missions Convention, Lighthouse Worship Center, Galliano, LA, Pastors Eno & Lurie Dantin 

April 7 – LTI Board of Directors Meeting, being held at Lighthouse Worship Center, Galliano, LA

TO OUR PARTNERS

Again, I cannot say Thank You enough to all of you who have sent us to this spiritually dark nation to preach and teach the word of God when results were next to invisible. But we knew God had sent us, so we kept on keeping on. We poured ourselves into the young men who are now grown and are taking the Gospel to their own people. The harvest is ripe and plentious. Thank you Lord that your word does not return empty. It comes back bearing precious fruit. To God be the glory.

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

Yours in missions,

Mary Ann Cassidy