Prayer Update from DeVoes

Dear Praying Friends,

 

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, steadfast in prayer!” (Romans 12:12)

 

This is Meredith writing in place of Bob, to whom I just said goodbye as he leaves for a weekend of evangelistic outreach. He and Ibrahim Isa will be leading two teams to present the Gospel in four locations in southern Kaduna state this weekend. Originally, the villages they planned to visit were farther afield but the scarcity of fuel caused them to look closer to home so that they knew a tank full of petrol would get them to and from the villages, without having to be concerned about whether or not they would be able to find any to buy in order to get home!

 

Bob has been extremely busy since the new year and fell ill at the end of January with the flu compounded by malaria, from which he is finally feeling fully recovered. Military checkpoints are numerous and some officials are looking for bribes. Rising fuel costs have caused inflation of all prices, especially food.

 

Praise God! He is in control of all these things that concern us, and the Gospel work is going forward. It is exciting to think of the hundreds who will hear the good news clearly presented this weekend, and the hope that the Holy Spirit will work to change lives for eternity.

 

Please PRAY for the four villages where teams are headed, that God will give them open hearts to receive Christ:

·         Bob will lead the team going to Kaura and Magarya Kaura,

·         Ibrahim Isa will lead the team going to Shaka and Chaury Charawi

·         Please also pray about the cost and scarcity of fuel having an impact on ministry

·         Pray for President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders of Nigeria

PRAISE GOD for:

·         Continued peace in Jos

·         Kabiru Sokoto, a  leader of Boko Haram, an indigenous terrorist group, himself responsible for the Christmas Day bombing in Abuja, has been arrested (pray for his repentance and salvation!)

·         The many who will hear and respond to the Gospel invitation this weekend

 

Thank you so much for supporting us with your prayers and petitions! May the Lord bless you always,

Bob and Meredith DeVoe

Word of Life Nigeria

 

 

 

DeVoe prayer update

Dear Prayer Partners,

 

Ministry and life continues to keep us very busy here in Nigeria and therefore must ask that you continue to pray for our success and safety. Oct. 28-30, we had 2 teams go out to 4 small villages in the southern most part of Kaduna State for our first evangelism outing of the dry season. Your prayers were answered with awesome results.

 

TOTAL  Attendance=1,096   

Total Salvations=221

Just some of the many who trusted Christ

in Jangkasa, Southern Kaduna.

Stephen doing some of the counseling; the

Morning after their decision to trust Christ.

Our trip to this area was very timely as the following weekend a crises erupted when gunmen attacked a church during an all night prayer vigil in a village only a few miles from where we had been. 2 people were killed and 11 others injured. Things escalated from there with youths setting bonfires on major roads and smashing vehicles. Security men and soldiers engaged the rampaging youth and the Governor put the whole area under a 24 hr curfew for a few days which has been eased up and currently the area remains under a curfew from 6pm to 6am.

 

Today we are headed out to 4 more villages in the Eastern part of Kaduna which is quite a distance from where the trouble was. The 4 villages are Zarangi, Naturu, Taremu, and Mabango in the local government area of Gure. We visited these villages last week in preparation and are looking forward to more great results. However, we need your prayers:

for the vehicles and equipment to not disappoint

the volunteers needed to help with the work

safety and wisdom on the roads as they are some of the worst that I have traveled on

the speakers and counseling to maintain a focus on the Gospel message yet not neglecting the issues of idol worship, fornication and thoughtless living

for the Spirit to open the hearts and minds of the people

good follow up by the Nigerian missionary, Pastor Musa Kanga, in the area

and for a village close by, Katimi, which is all muslim     

                                                                                                             

If you would also pray for me personally to have wisdom beyond my years and to demonstrate fruit of the spirit in all that I do, not  following the easy path of the flesh.

 

Thanks for your prayers

Bob

FW: DeVoe update

Dear Prayer Partners

This morning while most of America was still sleeping God was answering the request that many of you have been lifting up for over 2 years now. Stephen Bahago and his family were granted American visas so they can travel to the US for training, serving and deputation. It truly is a bittersweet answer to prayer as Stephen is an individual I have come to depend on heavily, both in ministry and personally. However, I know this trip will make him an even greater asset to the kingdom of God.  

Another big answer to prayer was to change our ministry van which had become a mechanical burden; for a vehicle that was more fuel efficient yet something that could manage the rough roads and still carry people and equipment. The Lord started answering that prayer a few weeks ago with the sale of the van and finished up last week with a 1998 Toyota Rav 4 with all the little details that I hoped for: strong engine and body,  4 wheel drive, low mileage, roof rack, and within our price range.

Although there has been lots of ministry activity over the last few months the sweetest of all remains the direct work with the children and youth. Last Sunday afternoon we had over 200 children from ECWA Churches around the Bukuru area, just a few minutes north of where we live, for a time of fellowship and fun.  What a privilege it was to see The Holy Spirit at work and have 30 of these children respond to the Gospel and trust Jesus Christ. There is so much more to share but will have to fill you in more in the next few weeks with a prayer letter. For now keep praying, I am headed to Kano in the North tomorrow for a youth conference where I will be speaking and the following weekend we will be kicking off our first bush evangelism weekend of the dry season.  

God bless from the DeVoe family

 

FW: DeVoe Prayer Letter

Dear Prayer Partners,

 

We are continually amazed by Gods answer to prayer and supply through our many supporters like you. Truly, we can’t thank you enough. We have been busy the last several months but have also been blessed with the opportunity to visit with all of our family members and some of you as well. For those we have not been able to see, I hope this will get you caught up with us and give all of you the points we need for you to pray about.

 

Part of His Workmanship

Bob