Dear Friends and Family,
We are in the waning hours of 2024 as I scribble this note, and the weight of the year rests on my shoulders. So much has happened, some regrets, some failures, and even the weight of gratitude. Each gift, each act of kindness makes me aware of how much I owe to all of you, and that is not an easy thing for me. I know you do not give in order to make me feel bad, but in order to serve the Lord by helping us and those we serve. I just wish I could do more to communicate how much we appreciate you and the love you continue to show us. We can pray for you, write notes of appreciation and not too much else. Wish I could do more. Each gift is noted and adds to our eternal debt of gratitude. We pray for the strength and wisdom to use your gifts to the maximum.
December may be the busiest month of the year. I think it is safe to say it is the month where we receive the most visitors. Usually schools, families, social clubs, individuals, etc. come to visit to wish us well in the holiday season. We saw many familiar faces that chose this annual event to show concern. We met and welcomed new faces. And we marked with sadness the absence of some we longed to see. In each gift, necessary and welcomed, we see the workings of God to enable us to reach out to many others.
Those many others in need are a part of what clouds my mind in these last hours. The line that marches in the door never seems to have an end. Those in dire need seem to multiply as the economy worsens. I, in my moments of cold logic, want to see an end to the need. I want to see real progress. I want to know where the strength is going to come from, the funds. It hurts me most to see some take advantage of our efforts, or make too little effort to make lasting change. My wife, on the other hand, has no such burden. Yes, she works herself to exhaustion daily, but her heart is rarely burdened. She knows the joy that comes from serving others. She has patience with those who seem so slow in seeing the grace of God in their lives, even in their moments of disobedience. She never doubts that God will abandon His promises, and will enable His work to be carried out. She continues to encourage me to give with cheerfulness, to hand each burden over to God in submission to His eternal purposes. I need that reminder often as I fight that “grumpy old man” syndrome.
One thing that helps with the burdens of my heart is to reflect on how much God has blessed me over the past year. His sustaining grace has allowed us to meet our daily needs and have extra to share with others. We average over 1600 meals a week shared with church members after our Sunday, Wednesday and Friday services and others as well. This was in exchange for preparing food baskets for those who came to ask for food assistance. This could only be possible by the power of God, who touched people’s hearts to give. We remain especially grateful for Br. Bill McDonough and many others for their special contribution which reached out to us just at the most critical moment to see this act of charity continue. My special thanks to all who work so hard to purchase, prepare and share this much food. How much longer? Only God knows.
Another great blessing was the purchase of land which we hope to be able to use for God’s glory in various ways. The first goal is to have a more suitable meeting place for the congregation that meets in our compound. Our 20’ by 60’ tent will be replaced by a 30’ by 70’ structure. That’s not much, but it is what our hand could reach, land purchase wise. On the second floor I would want to see an open space that can be divided into classrooms to replace the classes that now meet in our living room, bedroom and library. Can you imagine 40 plus under fives in one bedroom? This is a challenge my wife and co-teachers joyfully face each Sunday. The third floor would house an apartment for the preacher the Northwest congregation in San Antonio has helped to support. It will also have room for guest rooms for emergencies plus room to house visitors, especially any volunteers who want to visit and help. The fourth floor would be an open area under the roof for additional classes and a safe place for kids to play. Kids in the city have no safe place to go and play. Such a building could be useful for many things. A Christian school. Adult education. Skill training centers. A more intensive Bible training center. No corner should be left unoccupied and it should be in daily use. This is a big, big dream. Only God alone can make it happen if it His will to be glorified in this way.
Personally, I am most grateful that we were able to be with Jonathan, even though it meant we spent more time and money than planned originally. Honestly I did not know his health was in such dire condition. As I saw him upon our arrival, I wondered if he would live to the end of the year. By the kindness of several people, we were able to get all his teeth extracted and the cause of much of his pain and discomfort removed. I left feeling much more hopeful, only to learn he had emergency admission less than a week after our return. This has since been followed by two surgeries to be followed by more scheduled. I am thankful for his strength of mind and character, for his willingness to fight against long odds. His New Year’s resolution is to regain a measure of health and we ask for prayers to that end.
I am grateful for the help that you gave for the sick. We have two hospitals on retainer plus two pharmacies. Your gifts have helped provide surgeries for our friend Sam who fell and broke his leg. You provided help for a brother who was electrocuted and burned badly. You provided many malaria treatments, as well as the accompanying typhoid treatments. You provided hospitalization for those who became mentally ill, and were a danger to themselves and others. Most mentally ill persons are left to roam the streets, in dirty rags or naked, eating rubbish and yet surviving. You have helped widows, who at an advanced age need food and medicine. Sister Rose Mary is an example, and she asked for prayers for healing from her severe arthritis. You have helped some who are in prison, and we have been asked to help refurbish a skill center in Obudu, where Br. Prince Ugbe has done a wonderful prison ministry. You have provided shelter for the homeless. Your works are many, and all aimed to share the love of Jesus. Thank you for being concerned for those you have faithfully served.
We close the year with three skill centers now up and running. Nkiru has used the monies given to rent three store fronts on our street and now we train in sewing, hairdressing and barbering, and cooking and baking. This is an effort to break the cycle of poverty where few jobs are available. At least with a marketable skill there is hope for some opportunity in future.
We are thankful for physical safety. I and others tried to stop violent attacks in our neighborhood recently, where people used knives, fire and broken bottles to settle their differences in three separate incidents. Thankfully issues were settled without loss of life and only two sustaining serious injuries, and hopefully we were able to preach a message of peace and tolerance and self control.
We are thankful for the growth in the church here. We have recorded 76 baptisms over the past twelve months. Young and old. Male and female. One was witnessed this afternoon by a young lad of 16 years old, who has been coming around for several years now. I am thankful that he has listened to God’s Word and wants to commit his life to the service of God. What a great way to end the year. This is one measure of growth as we seek to make disciples. Another important area is spiritual growth. This is harder to measure, but we are making an effort to mature those who have started the race. Some fall by the wayside, but each soul is precious and worth every effort. The third measure of growth is structural, and we are trying to help each member to learn what is their place of service in the Kingdom and how they can use that talent to cause it to grow. Thank you for giving them the chance to hear the Gospel and to respond. Together we are planting seeds and asking God to cause it to increase.
As I have looked back at the blessings of the outgoing year, I am starting to feel better about the prospects of the new year. Though there are so many trials facing us, the world growing darker and darker, the truth of God’s Word will surely shine. Pray for those bereaved. My childhood friend Carl Gaddy, along with family and friends, had the difficult task of burying his 90 year old mother this afternoon. The holidays are bittersweet as we remember those no longer with us physically. Continue to pray for us all. The Day approaches.
We love you and thank you.
God bless you in 2025.
Cliff, Nkiru and family
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