Dear Prayer Team,

Departure for Nigeria

BFF has been a faith ministry from the beginning. We are often in a quandary about how to plan. Should we wait until all the money comes in and then start planning or plan in faith, without finances in hand? How can we give when we have nothing in hand to give?

Through the years, the Lord has usually worked the second way both for our general funds as well as our outreach to the nations. In my recent reading in 2 Corinthians, the Lord encouraged me through verse 8, chapter 9, as I waited upon Him to provide for this trip to Nigeria.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” 2 Corinthians 9:8.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I leave. This morning the full supply has been promised. Our hearts are so amazed at God’s wonderful ways. We are touched by how God moves brothers and sisters to participate in His ministry. Provision for books, materials and air transport (taxes are more than 25% now!) are a sign of supply for a greater blessing. We will need it.

Not only am I speaking to a culture I am unfamiliar with, I will be speaking to young Bible students, city pastors and village pastors. Each group has special needs. Fortunately, they speak English, and I will not need an interpreter. I will need God’s insight to know how to speak their “kind of English”. Once I get closer to my destination, I will have my spiritual antennas up looking for illustrations that best communicate to them. That does not allow much time. I arrive on Sunday and start speaking Monday morning, and three times each day.

There is an even greater challenge, however. My goal is ridiculously high. Perhaps too high, but I feel compelled to aim for what I believe God wants for these men in ministry. They have asked me to specifically speak on ‘The Godly Man.’ The need for these pastors, church planters, Bible college students, and evangelists to grow in godliness is very important to a God-pleasing ministry.

God has burdened my heart to seek for revival for God’s people around the world. These strategic trips become an opportunity to see this happen. What can happen in a few hours? Without the Lord’s grace, these messages will go down in history as just other talks but I believe the Lord wants more.

I could sense that yesterday when I was trying to prepare. My mind was not working right. I could not work with the usual liberty that I have when preparing. Perhaps the evil one is working extra hard to keep God’s blessing from these dear ministers.

Nigeria has a population of 120 million people – half of USA. They have tremendous potential to be God’s ambassadors not only their own country but also to many other countries. My goal is not just to inform them of what a godly man is but to help facilitate a life commitment from them to be godly men. Now you know why we are so desperate for your prayers!

I read a comforting verse in the scriptures this morning.

“Then he answered and said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6).

God is great and mighty. We might rely our own resources and schemes, but the real work that matters is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Please pray daily.