Yesterday we went to worship at the Bible School since they had me on the preaching schedule. I preached on Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:15-23). When coming to a Bible school as a student or a teacher you ask your self why? Gremar and I also ask ourselves why come to the Rural Church Council area of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria in Niger State? Indeed it is a question all of us must ask ourselves about the many things we do. We answer that question tapping into God’s purpose for the people of this area; encouragement for Christians, converts are under extreme pressure from unconverted relatives to leave the way of Jesus. We also want to exemplify the way of Jesus in our lives; we want to have the opportunity to speak about God’s love in Jesus and God’s care for the church, his people by the power of his Spirit. God’s purpose is what Paul writes about and prays about in this passage. Paul gives thanks for the Ephesians because he is impressed by their faith and their love for all the saints.
Paul keeps praying for a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know God better. That is a prayer we also must pray as we work with Pastors and Evangelists and we pray that for all Christians everywhere. Paul goes on to pray for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened so that they know the hope to which they are called. That is our prayer as well that Christians here would know God’s will for their lives; understand God’s purpose for calling them and saving them from the bondage of Traditional African Religion, a practice that enslaves them to the worship of ancestors, to the drinking and pouring of out of beer for them, and an extreme fear of death that is, according to them never caused by natural process. We pray along with Paul that we all may know God’s incomparable great power, God’s mighty strength working through Jesus’ resurrection and working in us, the church because Christ is her head and we are the body of Christ. We are encouraged and revived to continue to preach and teach the Word even in difficult situations and to hard hearts because God calls us, Jesus equips us, and the Spirit empowers us. Praise the Lord!
Heavenhigh 
I have been following all the photo’s and your postings with great intrigue. Let me tell you that you guy’s are always on our minds and in our prayers. We have been praying for your safety and safe return, we had heard that there was some some Christians that encountered violence in Jos. In the mean time it sure is exciting to see the work that you guys do, it kind of reminds me of New Community in a lot of ways. One of my questions is can we lend our name and affiliate ourselves with one or more of the church plants that you are working with so we might be able to continue the work you guys are doing. I think it would be a good thing for us to support one or more of the churches which may have access to one of the villages that have a need for assistance with their well fee maintenance. Let me know your thoughts?
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Hey there,
Thanx for the updates. You are faithful and we appreciate that. Keep up the good work thee and informing us here. May our God continue to strengthen you, bless you on your way as you continue to do His work. Warm enough there Gremar?
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