news from nigeria

ABA
I am a reader of Gospel News. First of all I want to commend CAT for the efforts you have been putting in on gathering information worldwide and publishing it. I pray that Yahweh will guide you. Gospel News has been my companion. It makes me know that I have brethren all over the world and also encourages me when I read of the hardships my brothers are in, especially those in the Arab countries which are mainly Moslems, and the faith they use to overcome them. Please, brother, my mother, a Sister, is in great need of the book ‘Where Women Have No Doctor’; it will be of immense help to her. Please, I hope you will kindly send it to her. We Africans have serious economic problems. We are having serious inflation here in Nigeria. Here, US $1 = 245 Naira. It is hard for a student to get the 245 naira. We feel this must be a sign of the coming of our Lord.
Bro. Peter Onwuchekwa

I am a regular reader of Gospel News and other interesting books you send. I do appreciate your labour in the Master’s vineyard, in fact, keep in up – God will strengthen you people and those that do emulate you to spread the gospel. He will not leave you or forsake you, He will reward abundantly. I have many pictures which I take at our various camps and gatherings which I would like to appear in our Gospel News but the envelope you sent me is too small, please send me a larger envelope, my pictures are 5 x 7. I also need Bible Basics, the English version, at least three or more. A brother from Togo came and insisted on taking my copy, so I had to give it to him and now I don’t have any and many friends around me need it. Please I will be glad if my request will be granted.
Bro. Elijah Eze (Jnr.)

CALABAR
I have some Bible students who are interested in the daily Bible reading calendar. Please can you send some more. The Gospel News, other literature books like Glad Tidings, extra features in the magazine, the Present Day Events, all are very encouraging. I know that my answers on “Teach Me Thy Way” results will be made known to me and the corrections. I so thank you for including my name in the present list to continue receiving Gospel News and magazines. On the Igbo translation of Bible Basics, I would like you to send as many with the English translation so that I can supply them to two University libraries in Calabar, my State Capital. We also thank the Almighty God for the change of mind of our new brothers in Indonesia and Malaya for leaving darkness to light and ready to know about the true living God, now that we are expecting the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please kindly send the exhortation on the seven letters in Rev. 2-3 as the last two paragraphs of your letter are so moving that I n feel I was there with you to hear the whole words in the evening Bible Class. I thank God that I can read them.
Bro. Igani U. Eteng

ENUGU
I have received the forty Igbo Bible Basics which we are putting to good use. We also need some more English copies. We have many new contacts and need general preaching literature. The hardships you mentioned in your letter are a sign of Jesus’ coming – here in Nigeria, many are dying of hunger and disease. Unemployment is so widespread that some have left Enugu in search of work. Almost all the brethren in my Ecclesia are unemployed. I am the only person who decided to carry on alone as an industrialist (small scale) tailor by profession, but today it is not s o easy for me. I sew and sell. Nowadays people are bringing ready made materials from China and other countries. That has disturbed our own business and I am looking for something to do since the business is falling.
Bro. Goddy Nwosu

KADUMA
I received your letter and the pamphlet “What is the Bible”. I am very glad also to hear from you about my request, but am not happy that the Yoruba version of Bible Basics is not yet printed, owing to the costs and only available on the internet which I do not have access to. Please, whenever it is printed, I would like my own copy. I will be expecting the copy of ‘Elpis Israel’ and wish to inform you that I will be interested in Bro. Stanley Blackstone’s edited and typed up comprehensive set of notes for the daily readings you mentioned, these will also help me understand the Bible message more clearly. I have difficulty in understanding the book of Revelation and would like to have any book that can explain it to me.
Bro. Anthony Coker

I will like to share this phase with you all, hoping that it will encourage us to continue to run the race to the Kingdom. “Nothing guarantees a great future like a correct picture and you can’t feature in a future you don’t picture. We should all have a picture of the Kingdom of God on earth in our hearts as believers in Christ. Let us all try to feature in this future that we picture as we continue the wilderness journey to the Kingdom and await the return of Christ. Most importantly, let us always “obey and follow” and the Lord will see us through in Jesus name. Amen
Sis Joy Amuchi.

KANO
Companies and industries alike do take stock for every fiscal year to assess how far they have fared. The balance sheet (if well assessed) will post either profit or loss in line with the company’s performance. The sustainability of any such organization depends largely on its creditable performance or faces being declared bankrupt. Like the industries, when we start a new year hale and hearty, it has become imperative for us to take stock with an overview of our relationship with God in the past year. How have we been able to adhere to the recordings and instructions of the instrument of discipleship in the Bible. “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.” (Prov 4:20-21) This I hope will serve as an acid test which will help us to re-position, re-engineer, re-focus and re-strengthen our faith in God and further help to purge away our shortcomings which were at variance with the things of God. This could be our last chance to amend our ways and return to God. For we have no control over death, let alone knowing when His Excellency, Our Lord Jesus Christ, will return. That we are living today is not a mark of our righteousness (self delusion) over those who are dead, but a ‘privileged opportunity’ to serve God in truth and in spirit. We have come a long way and therefore should not allow any little mistake(s) at this time rob us of our laboured eternity. For it is written, if we keep the whole law and yet offend in one, we are guilty of all. Indeed, a sober reflection is all we need to mirror our spiritual serve-cards. Our revivalism should be rekindled, unadulterated and unbounded. The crippling effects of hunger, wars, natural disasters, terrorisms and mayhem should not by any means deter us, but should serve as the desired tonic to cause us to hold on to Him that is abundantly and exceedingly able to do all things. Like the Israelites of old, let us proudly say at all times “…for this day (year) is holy unto our Lord, neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Bro Chris Anyanwu.

UMUAHIA
Loving greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are always very happy receiving Gospel News and reading the heart-warming news it contains. It is through Gospel News that Christadelphians know how wide in the world the glad tidings is reaching. It would be interesting to know the number of countries that the Gospel News reaches if you have the records. Thank you for your kindness, may the Almighty God continue to give you strength as you labour in His Vineyard.
Bro. Johnson Uwasomba

Photo: Bro Johnson