• April 20-May 10

Regarding my pending trip to Nigeria, I want to borrow from the Apostle Paul –  “the time of my departure is at hand.”  By the time you read this letter it will be less than three weeks until I fly.

I cannot remember being this excited about preparing for a trip in quite a while.  I am sure that it has to do with the fact that I love Nigeria like my “first-born” since it is where I received my call to missions ministry.  And, add the fact that I could not go in 2012 because of the instability of the social climate and the cancellation of the leadership conference.  While the potential for violent behavior among the Muslim portion of the population is still quite real, I am confident that I am to go for several reasons.

Firstly, I received by visa from the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta in a record four days!  My passport was returned with visa in such short time that when I was notified that a certified letter awaited me at the post office, I was concerned that my application had been rejected on some technicality.  Normally, two weeks is a fast turnaround for a visa application.  Hallelujah!  God is great and greatly to be praised!

Secondly, in conversation with Alex Abiola, the Church of God National Overseer of Nigeria, he extended an invitation to meet him in Nigeria and conduct leadership conferences in “the south,” in Lokoja and Lagos, an area of the country where I have not previously ministered.  This enabled me to apply for the visa without reference to Jos and the more troubling area of central and northern Nigeria, even though I still intend to participate in the conference in Jos and minister at the Springfield Bible Training Centre.

And, thirdly, I was able to find and purchase a ticket to Abuja for just over $1,400.00 and there was money in my travel account to cover the cost.  I had raised some funds in preparation for the 2012 trip (which did not happen) and what was on hand was enough to buy the ticket!  Praise God for his abundant provision!

Prayer ministry during the 2011 Pastors and Ministers Conference in Jos, Nigeria.

While there is still a deficit of $1,600.00 needed to fund the entire trip, I am confident that the Lord will provide that as well.  I simply ask that as you pray and, if the Father speaks to you about sharing a portion of this amount, that you will be quick to respond.  Thank you in advance for your obedience to His voice and your partnership with us in this exciting ministry opportunity!  Also, your prayers for me as I travel and for Diane as she maintains at home are also greatly appreciated.

• June 22-29, 2013

The preparations for the June 22 – 29 Honduras outreach are coming together.  Our team, currently consists of eleven members from Ocala and nearby Fort McCoy and Belleview, FL as well as three from Maryland.  We will be purchasing tickets for this trip next week.  God has provided us with several bi-lingual team members which will greatly enhance our ministry potential.  Again, God proves that He knows our need, even before we ask!  We will have opportunity to share God’s love with hundreds of children, the elderly and families as well as helping provide housing for a family in a local village.

We want to thank Pastors Mike and Sunnie Bland of Gloryhill Cowboy Church, Valdosta, GA; Pastor Jeff Kubala of Full Gospel Outreach, Chiefland, FL and Pastor Jim Waldron of Belleview Church of God, Belleview, FL for allowing us to share their  pulpits in March.

Gloryhill Cowboy Church has been a faithful partner with NWL since 2006 and Full Gospel Outreach has been a monthly supporter since 2001.  We praise God for these and all our friends who have shared in the ministry of Net Work Limited over the years.  God never intended for any one of us to be able to do His work alone.  He always intended for us to do it together as a body.  Your partnership with us in this ministry is an example of how His plan is fulfilled in the earth today.  Thank you for working alongside us through your financial support and through your prayers on our behalf.  We love you, we appreciate you, and we thank God for you.

Our daughter, Erin, and her husband, Joel, and their children, Emma and Ethan, have begun their deputation for their ministry with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ).  They will depart Ocala on June 6 for their seven-week New Staff Training in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Joel, Erin, Emma and Ethan Jones

Cru is a ministry focusing on the evangelism and discipleship of college students across the US and abroad.  Their stated purpose is to “win, build, and send Christ-centered multiplying disciples who launch spiritual movements.”  Since being established in 1951 at UCLA in California, Cru has become a presence on 1,140 campuses.  We thank God that Erin and Joel have decided to minister with this fine organization.