On January 19, our family returned to Nigeria after a productive time on furlough. The last two weekends in America were spent at our sending church in Gulfport and then at Sabrina’s home church in Baton Rouge, where I had the privilege of preaching both Sunday evening services. Around New Year’s Day, a mini-vacation was enjoyed at a missionary resort cabin in Central Tennessee for four nights; it was a nice break in the midst of more than forty meetings during our five-month stay.
This particular “homecoming” back to West Africa was in many ways our best ever. The flights through London and into Abuja were “perfect” (to quote my wife), our house was immaculately cleaned and in good working order upon our arrival, and several church members had prepared welcoming gifts for our family. The first Sunday morning service at Truth Baptist Church was very encouraging, as we observed faithful men and ladies carrying on things that Sabrina and I started more than a decade ago. At Grace & Glory Baptist, we joyously took part in a Baby Dedication; the venue was filled to capacity with relatives, visitors, and well-wishers for the two families represented.
February 1 was the orientation for a new semester at Providence Baptist College & Seminary. We have welcomed five new students, with hopes to have a commencement for ten graduates at the beginning of next year. The end of the month was highlighted by the ordination for a man who was reached by Missionary Maskey, trained at our college, and then sent out by the first church that Missionary Long began over thirty years ago; newly ordained Royal Idakari, along with his wife, successfully started a church in September, and they are a great testimony to the truth that one may plant, another can water, and it is definitely God who gives the increase.
Believing God,
Mark Holmes
Written 12 March 2017
