Forty Years... and Counting...

 “Faithful is the One who calls you – and He will make it happen.” I Thessalonians 5:24 TLV

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s a beautiful day in my neighborhood and I trust it is the same for you.

A Thumbnail Review

During the months of April, May and June of 1979, life for our family began to take a turn that would define us for the rest of our lives.

In April, after 16 years of marriage, 3 children, and ministry as pastors and Bible college administrators and instructors, an invitation came to us from Ghana, W. Africa, to launch and establish a Bible training institute. We acknowledged the invitation and requested time to put it before the Lord as to what our answer should be.

In May, we accepted the invitation, began the process of resigning our ministry positions and prepared to launch out into the depths of fulltime foreign missionary ministry.

On June 20th, after selling all our belongings, we drove away from the parsonage that had been our home in Ohio. Our first stop was at the home of Bud’s mother (lovingly called, “Mammaw”) in Michigan. We stayed there for the rest of the summer, then we set out for my mother’s home in Texas. It became our headquarters until we left the US for Ghana. 

The first step had been taken.

It was a pure step of faith. Like Peter when Jesus called him to step out of the boat and walk to Him on the water. As yet, we had no committed supporters. The Lord had instructed us not to ask for support until we had given everything we had toward this venture.

After getting “settled in” at Mammaw’s house, Bud began itinerating to share our new assignment and raise funds. He was 44 and I was 40 ½. Our girls were: Jennifer -14; Julie – 7; and Janna – 10 months, and a Down’s Syndrome baby.

Rabbit Trail #1

Janna’s doctor had advised us not to take her to Africa because staff infection is everywhere, even in the air, and Down’s children have no immune system to ward off disease. As we pulled away from his office, I asked Bud what he thought about that. He said, and I quote, “Honey, God knew about Janna when He called us to this new assignment, and He will take care of Janna.” And He did. She will be 41 years old on July 21st. She is, and always has been, very healthy. To God be the glory.

As we progressed through the years, the Lord was faithful to provide financial partners to come alongside us to fund and share in this journey, as well as prayer partners whose contributions are equally valuable. We could not have done any of this without everyone who has walked with us, or still walks with me.

I can NEVER sufficiently tell you how much and how deeply you are loved and appreciated. But you are, and your labors with us will be well rewarded in heaven. Thank you. Thank you.

What began in Ghana expanded to India, then to Nigeria, then to many other countries through our own efforts, as well as the efforts of other Americans that LTI became the vehicle by which they were able to answer their own calls to foreign ministry. The number of nationals that God has allowed us to equip for the five-fold ministry is an unknown number. I do know it is in the multiplied tens of thousands for Bud and me alone. We are the rock thrown into the water. They are the first ripple. After them…ripple after ripple after ripple…… God keeps record of the number and that is okay by me. Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, some present-day Apostles and Prophets. Each one expanding the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. Heaven will tell the full story. I look forward to realizing it. Praise the name of Jesus.

Rabbit Trail #2

After we completed our commitment in Ghana, no other door opened to us. So, we returned to the US. Soon after, we took the pastorate of a church in Terre Haute, Indiana, with the understanding that Bud would make 1-2 trips yearly to oversee the work in Ghana. We pastored 4 1/2 years. Toward the end, we began to sense God directing us to foreign ministry again. When we announced our resignation to the church, Gomos, a Nigerian foreign exchange student at Indiana State University who attended our church, asked Bud if we knew where we were going. Bud said, “We have no idea.” Gomos, asked if we would consider Nigeria.After prayer, we knew this was our open door. WOW! The ways of the Lord are past finding out, but they are wonderful and exciting. In addition, two couples and one lady in that congregation became some of the “other Americans” LTI helped launch into foreign ministry. The truth is…When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He directs our path, and all things work together for good. Ps. 37:23; Ro. 8:28. Isn’t the Lord wonderful? 

This journey has always been one of faith. It has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. I am so thankful that God chose this path for us to walk. It has been full of challenges, dangers, hard decisions, excitement and victories. Great thing! He who is Faithful has never failed us. Hallelujah! I would do it all over again. No question. 

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

Yours in missions,

Mary Ann Cassidy

P.S. If Bud were still living, we would be celebrating our 56th wedding anniversary on the 24th of this month.