The Maskeys in Nigeria

November 2014

Dear Fellow Laborers,    

 

A Nigerian Thanksgiving Service...

On the first Sunday of November, I was invited to preach at the Eagle Island Independent Baptist Church, pastored by our first Bible Institute graduate, John Abili, for their Thanksgiving service.  He started the church nine years ago in an outlying area of Port Harcourt called Eagle Island (it’s almost completely surrounded by a river), which has developed now into a good sized village, about 20 minutes away from our main church.  The church has done well, in spite of some obstacles, and is steadily growing.  When we arrived that morning , they received us very warmly, and as we entered the church, we found the altar lined with bunches of bananas and plantains, papayas, yams and other fruits of their harvests that the people had brought as a thanksgiving offering.  By the time I got up to preach, the church was full with 315 in attendance, and God gave us a great service that day.   As the invitation was given, many responded, filling the altar among the fruits, and 12 people came to receive Christ as their Savior.   After the service we enjoyed dinner on the grounds with a big plate of chicken, native stew and rice.   Everybody had a great time. We thank God for our graduates like Bro. Abili, who are being used of God to reach other Nigerians for Christ.

 

Other thanksgivings…

At the main church, we had a Missions & Leadership Conference the third week of October with missionary Mark Holmes from Abuja.  We had pastors and members from eleven Independent Baptist churches attending, including our own.  Bro. Holmes did a great job preaching in the conference and God blessed in a great way.  We also saw an increase in our faith promise missions giving, and we are thanking God for that as well.    Also during October, we had Youth Day and Friend Day, as well as our own Thanksgiving service, and all were very well attended.   Our average attendance that month was 760, and thank the Lord, we saw a total of 1,164 souls saved in all our ministries.  We are also thankful that Nigeria was recently declared ebola free, with no new cases in over two months!  That’s a huge answer to prayer.  However, the situation in the other affected African countries has worsened, and they are in much need of our prayers. 

 

Other prayer requests…

1. Progress on the Omoku church building.  The walls are up, and we are now working on the roof.  Our target date to start this new church is April, 2015.

2. The 20^th Anniversary of the main church is coming up in January.  We are planning and praying for some great things to happen that month.

3. Our children, especially those in the States, for provision, guidance and God’s will in their lives.

To all of our supporters, have a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas, and a Wonderful & Blessed New Year in advance.  Most of all, thank you and God bless you for having a part in this ministry through your prayers and sacrificial giving!

                                             Yours for His Service,

 

                                              David Maskey & Family