Dear Prayer Partners and Friends,
We send you our greetings in the precious name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this newsletter finds you in good spirits and in the grace of our Lord. I continue to thank you for your faithful prayers, encouragement and support that allow us day by day to continue the ministry task given us by the Lord for Muslim West Africa. The last four months have been a whirlwind – preaching and teaching all over as I share the NHMI ministry with churches in U.S.
In early February, all NHMI board members, including our West African countries’ leaders, met in Naples, Florida. We discussed what God is doing through his church in Muslim West Africa. We were encouraged with the way the Lord is calling both nationals and Western workers onto the field in West Africa. We have a total of 118 workers in the Muslim West African countries in which NHMI is involved.
In early March, Rev. Will Larose and I traveled to Togo. During our time there Rev. Will Larose taught at our seminary while I was busy working with leaders and government officials in order to get authorization for our new ministry programs. During my last two weeks I was able to visit churches and spend time with our ministry leaders in two neighboring countries. Upon my return from the African trip, I spent time visiting several churches (preaching) and attending Missions conferences.
OUR ACTIVITIES ON THE FIELD
Minister to God’s people in words and Deeds: He gave us an Example
While the main focus of our ministry involves church planting and leadership development, we still believe we must follow the example of our Savior. Even the most casual reader of the gospels cannot fail to see in the life of Jesus One who had an interest in both the spiritual and physical needs of the people He came to save. The work of NHMI has this in mind as we seek to serve the people in the northern region of Togo. Here are what is going on or about to start on the field:
EXAMPLE 1 - Auxano Program: Creates micro-enterprise employment opportunities for believers in Togo.
Trying to meet the need of poor believers in Muslim West Africa is a real challenge. It is widely acknowledged that sustainable employment is the key to alleviating poverty and raising living standards for Christian believers with a Muslim background. This program consist of equipping Christian entrepreneurs in churches, especially in rural settings, with training and micro-loans to start their own businesses. Included is a strategy for church planting, the ultimate goal NHMI-Togo is seeking to achieve. A number of considerations things are under review in order to make a significant step toward implementing this program, hopefully by the end of this year. We are looking for Christian entrepreneurs who are interested on this project to help us not only financially but also with training, stewardship, recruiting, etc. Please let us know if you are interested.
EXAMPLE 2 - Bridge of Hope: A Children Sponsorship Program
“Give us this day our daily bread”
It is estimated that today in Togo there are approximately a million orphans, and other vulnerable young girls and boys. This is a staggering thought. But it is only when we think of them as we would our own son, daughter, or grandchild wandering the streets, scavenging for food, or being abused, that the situation really starts to hit home for us. A plate of rice and vegetables, or purchase of school materials, or monthly financial support may help them escape the street. Anything that can be done to help such young people in their appalling conditions must be seen as worthwhile, not only to save a young life from abuse but to give them a hope for a better future and an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel. In so doing we are helping lessen the evil done by the next generation of radical Muslims terrorists, or we may be simply doing something to alleviate poverty here and now. This is one of the key aims of NHMI-Togo. We are praying for, and relying upon, the generosity of sponsors who will help with $25 per month for a child, or $300 per year, so that we can sponsor 200 young people in the northern Togo. We are in the process of putting a “Bridge of Hope” booklet together with a child’s personal profile. Please share this initiative with your friends and help us sponsor vulnerable children.
EXAMPLE 3 - Farmer Program:
“Give us this day our daily bread”
We are initiating full-scale agricultural and animal husbandry farm projects. One obvious goal of the program is to help farmers reduce their level of poverty. But as a byproduct of achieving this goal we hope to help them generate higher personal income that can serve to support pastors, church planters, and evangelists. We hope that this project thereby will enhance local churches’ ability to proclaim the gospel in word and deed.