Dear Bro. Michael Smith and family,
Greetings to you in Christ’s precious name....
We have not grown weary serving the cause of our Saviour in His
truth and righteousness. The adversary is not relenting and there
are many difficulties yet we do not see ourselves in a worse
situation. We are encouraged to press on as God is supporting us
more.
With the vehicle, ministers from Lagos, Benin, Port Harcourt and
Bro. Alalibo of Tombia were easily conveyed to Kwale for a
ministers’ meeting in February (11th – 12th). The meeting involved
re-appraising the activities of the last camp meeting, taking a
study on some topical doctrines for harmonization and programming
ourselves for local and national activities. It happened to be one
of the most fruitful and rewarding meetings we have ever had since
we began coming together. We (PH brethren) were in Kwale again in
the month of April to join the Kwale brethren for a 5 day revival
comprising the congregations in the area from 13th – 17th.
It was indeed a revival which brought joy to our souls. We witnessed
the Lord expressing Himself strongly in His word. Holy Communion was
observed on Saturday with those who had examined themselves fit
partaking. This was done after many years of non-observance of the
ordinance in their midst. Some therefore observed this to be a
victory for the church and prayed it continued. Sunday service also
witnessed God’s blessing through His word, testimonies from various
lips and the ordination of one Bro. Lawrence Obi a strong support to
Bro. Alphonsus, as a minister in the church. Two souls were earlier
baptized early that Sunday morning. Those of us from Port Harcourt
returned after fellowship in the vehicle with much joy and
encouragement.
Barely two weeks after, the Port Harcourt congregation fully loaded
in the vehicle, another carrying equipments, took off to Ogu for
revival work in the field that we have been battling to maintain
after it had suffered some set back in the hands of Israel Darrick
who was overseeing the church there. Satan used him on lame ground
to work against the church. All entreaties for him to return to the
fold has failed so far. He has rather developed a reprobate mind.
Through the help of God, we are gaining ground and a young brother
in the Port Harcourt congregation has the burden of taking the
oversight there. For the four days, 28th April to 1st May, we saw
the Lord’s hand of fellowship and blessing through his word and
spirit.
From Ogu we made a trip to two other villages. We were encouraged by
this outreach too. The warn response to our preaching, distribution
of tracts, beautiful way and faith and victory paper gladdened our
hearts. Some of the villages we passed through on hearing the e.l.
cassettes, the songs of Zion, came up to the road side and received
papers happily from us.
In fact we hadn’t enough papers to give out again before the end of
the gospel trip. We were so encouraged that we are now thinking and
praying that God should open the way for us to re-visit these places
with the gospel with a view to having the church established through
the conversion of some natives. Plans are on the way to re-visit
another field we had labored and left abandoned some years ago. A
brother has the burden to labor there when it is established.Our
national camp meeting has been scheduled to hold from 14 to 18th
September 2005 here in Port Harcourt. We intend to use a school
premises to be able to take all that will attend. A ministers’
meeting for planning has been programmed for June 3rd and 4th also
in Port Harcourt. Kindly join us for prayer in these efforts that
all may bear fruit.
We have been having you in our prayer along with others more
fervently. We are concerned about the growth of your labour in
Africa, and the set backs if you should remain in the affliction for
a long time. The Lord knows it all and will have His will done. The
Lord’s care is upon us all and we are glad that we belong to Jesus.
My regard to the entire family and brethren with you.
Yours in Him,
Bro. F. Naths - Igbanibo |
