Hope all is well. Want to give you an update about Nigeria as of today. We have been stuck most of the days inside the house because of a national strike. Even going to Church has been a challenge for us as well as others. The strike started last Monday and as it’s being reported, it’s indefinite. We were warned to buy enough food and petrol for the upcoming strike. What is happening in Nigeria has never happened since Nigeria ‘s Independence in 1960. Can you imagine a whole country’s commerce coming to screaching halt? Airports are closed, and other means of travel is officially closed now. No electricity or water across the country. The shipping ports are closed and so are all banks and some ATMs have stopped dispensing cash. I cannot imagine a whole country of 167 million people forced to stay inside their homes. I am even having a hard time coming to grip of the scope of this strike. It started after New Year’s Day when the President put into law the removal of petrol subsidy which sent the price of petrol from 65.00 naira per litre($1.67 per gallon) to 140.00 naira per litre($3.61 per gallon and in some places, more than $7.00 per gallon). This caused a serious backlash in the country. As a result, It has caused almost everything including food items to more than double in price. The president’s reason is to use the difference to fix the broken down refineries/build new ones, fix the electricity problem, and other issues that is plaguing the country. Because of the gross dishonesty in Nigerian politics, cynicism is prevailing everywhere. The country has several unions who have combined their forces against the President in this matter. Labor Congress Union is representing all the various workers and their unions in Nigeria . And this is the group who also called for the strike. The Labor congress union is wanting the President to return the price back to 65.00 Naira before any kind of negotiation can start. The President wants the strike to end before he will negotiate. So both sides are far apart. To me personally, I would never have thought this group would be strong enough to halt everything in the country. Many people are suffering because of no movement and no food to buy/sell. Many can’t go to work to earn money and shop owners are scared to open their stores for fear of looting. Many depend on what they make that day for the food for that day. Many have gone into crime in order to survive. If this strike continues, we see it becoming very violent because of starvation. It’s worse in the north with greater food crisis and restriction in movement. They also have to contend with the Boko Haram sect bombing churches. Please remember the Pastors and their families at a time like this because it is extremely difficult for them as well. My family is doing ok for now. Several things will begin to be in play for us this week if the strike continues. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” is taking a real meaning to us this week. The famines in the Bible is a perfect example of the situation we are facing and how God sustained his people has taken a new meaning to us here. I know it is very difficult to imagine what is happening in Nigeria being in America , but the ONLY thing that you can do for us is PRAY! – Pray that the strike will end very soon. – Pray that God will sustain us during this strike. – Pray that Christians will experience many answers to prayers that will strengthen and increase their faith. -Pray for safety and continued good health.

Missionary Yinka Fasinro

Since the last newsletter in June, we have seen many exciting things here in Nigeria. Thank you for your continued support since arriving here a year and a half ago. We know financially, it is a huge sacrifice for many of our supporting churches. We certainly don’t take it lightly as we try to reach Nigeria for Christ.           

I had a great opportunity to travel to a village just outside Ogbomoso for a three day Revival Meeting at an Independent Baptist church in the village (Pastor Aremu far left). On the first night, 62 attended/20 saved. Then on the next night 89 attended/11 saved, and on the third night, 157 attended/17 saved. The wife of the man that allowed us to use their compound for the meeting finally got saved. Now they are preparing as a family to begin coming to Pastor Aremu’s church. After going to her own church for many years, she finally heard the true gospel that week.

We had the opportunity to be part of the  Youth Camp again this year. This year there were 158 young people and we saw 28 profess salvation. Many other decisions  were made for Christ during the week.When we all went out soulwinning with the youth, I met Sulaiman who was a Muslim. He had never heard of what Jesus had done for him on the cross of Calvary. After his aunt and uncle who were also Muslims, rejected Christ, he right away was ready to turn his back on Islam and trust the Saviour. Following us towards the camp site, he bowed his head, calling on Jesus to save him.                                                   

Our Pastor’s (Dr. Dave Clear, First Baptist Church, Rosemount, Minnesota) visit to Nigeria was very special to us. He was here for eight days, visited four cities and preached in two. The highlight of his trip was the “Men’s Prayer Breakfast” on Friday morning. For close to two hours, our pastor taught and encouraged fifty-one of the nationals including forty local Independent Baptist pastors. He was also able to see the needs that the pastors have which includes an assortment of printed study materials which they desperately need.

We plan to come home on furlough June – September 2010. We would love to visit your church to personally thank you for supporting us and give an update of the ministry in Nigeria. We would also like to visit new churches. If you could recommend a church to us, please let us know.

I plan on shipping a small container to Nigeria with printed materials and some supplies. Several people have asked about needs we have here. If you’re able to also help, I will be sending an email addressing the specific needs the people have here. Please continue to pray for safety for us as we travel in Nigeria. 

 We were in an accident last Sunday on the way to our eighth church presenting Faith Promise Giving.. The ball joint holding the right tire came off as we were on our way to church Sunday morning. It sent the car’s frame slamming on the road as it slid several feet before stopping on the opposite side of the road. Thank God it came off on the good part of the road. If it came off on the pot hole part, it would have gone

in one of the holes causing the car to flip. We thank God for His protection.. We towed the car two hours away to our mechanic and he said the ball joint was welded instead of a new one that should have been replaced after an earlier accident last year. A dishonest mechanic not replacing a $100.00 part has now cost us $900.00 in damages. Very sad!!  But praise the Lord we are all ok. Thank you again for your support, prayers, and encouraging emails. So far this year, we have seen 482 saved. We know

that all the blessings we see is due to your faithful prayers. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! 

For the sake of more souls,

Missionary Yinka Fasinro………your missionary family to Nigeria

 I thank the Lord for the privilege to be co-laborers with you  as we serve  in Nigeria.  We had a very exciting year serving the Lord and seeing the fruit of your sacrifice for the people of Nigeria. Words alone cannot express our gratitude for all the financial and prayer  support  us.  For just a minute ,  I want to   share some blessings we experienced in 2009.   As a result of your support,

1.       We were able to see 735 profess  Salvation in Christ……….HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!

2.       We were able to travel across the country  to hold 51 meetings  for the year.  None of the churches have ever had an   

       Evangelist visit their church for Revival  meetings.

3.       We were able to pass out hundreds of gospel  tracts, and  close to 900 Beams  Bibles. Many of the converts cannot afford a

       KJV Bible  and in most cases, cannot find them.

4.       We were also able to assist in the starting of two churches.  The second  one, Independent  Baptist church  Iresa Pupa, were

       able to buy  their own land and are near the beginning  phase of the roofing.  Please pray that God will provide the remaining

       $2,000.00 to complete the roof.

5.       We were  privileged to introduce ”Faith Promise Giving” to 10 different  Independent  Baptist churches  Pastored by Nationals.

       Most of whom have never practiced this Biblical concept  the right way.

6..       Many Study materials were Passed out to pastors including over 500 hymnals . Many of these churches have never sung a

        hymn out of a hymn book.

God has called us to minister to National  Independent Baptist Pastors and to be a help and an encouragement to their ministries . For all the Lord has allowed us to do in 2009, there is yet room for more to be done.  As I mentioned in our earlier Newsletter,  We will be shipping a container this summer Lord willing. As the Lord leads, please prayerfully consider helping these National Pastors with:

1.       Thousands of Gospel tracts

2.       New/used Study Materials. ( We are seriously praying that God would burden hearts  to  help  to  put  together a “pastors box ” for one or more of  the  100 pastors  here in Nigeria. Each Pastor could use a new  study Bible, Exhaustive  Strongs  Concordance, a  commentary, Bible Dictionary, 3×5 cards, and good books.  Would  you prayerfully  consider  your church  sponsoring a box for a national pastor?)

3.       Used clothes and shoes for  adults , children and babies

In closing, above all, we want to thank you for praying for us through the past year.  Whenever   we travel to meetings, we encounter many different situations like the ball joint on the front end of the car  breaking in half  causing the tire to remove while in motion. This incident has happened three different times  simply due to bad roads.  We  prepare the best we can to absorb all the expenses that come with traveling here.  But nothing can prepare you for the unexpected,…..  Only Prayer!!!!

As we look forward with excitement and anticipation of God’s plan for us in 2010, we are blessed to have churches like yours supporting us and praying for us. Thank you and God bless!!

For the sake of more souls, Missionary Yinka Fasinro….your missionary family to Nigeria, West  Africa.

We have just arrived from Nigeria to begin our first furlough in the States  after 2 ½ years in Nigeria . We have had a great time serving the Lord by ministering to the National pastors and establishing new Independent Baptist churches in Nigeria . To God be the glory we have helped in the starting of 2 churches and both are doing very well.  Both churches have purchased their own land properties, and one church has just completed their building.

At times many of these pastors go to great lengths to find a building to rent for their church services to then get a notice from their landlord forcing them to vacate the building at once. With  no where to go, they begin to scramble for a site to hold their next church service. Here are letters from both pastors expressing their gratitude:   

The pastor and entire members of Independent Baptist Church Iresa-Pupa(left) appreciate your prayers and financial support you rendered for the purchase of our land, building structure and the roofing of our church building. May the Lord bless you in abundance. Pastor Olawumi  Ige (back row left)

Dear supporting churches, Calvary greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank God and you for supporting us through missionary Yinka Fasinro.Through him  on march 17th, 2010 you gave us $1,933.00 (290,000.00 Naira) for buying land for our new church. We praise God for the life of missionary Yinka Fasinro for his faithfulness to the work of God.The little savings we had as a church was used to start building a structure on the new land. Our believe in God is that God  who bought the land for us will surely complete the structure for us in his time. Thanks.May God bless his churches and his ministers too. Amen.Yours in his service.

Pastor Aremu Kolawole/ Trinity Independent Baptist church

 We are missing the people  there already  but  it is  neccessary  to report back to our supporting churches  to personally give thanks and share the blessings we are experiencing on the mission field.

 In closing, please keep us in your prayers for safety and open opportunities to present our ministry Nigeria .  As a reminder, we are planning to ship a container  full of printed materials for the national pastors. It’s a blessing to see several  pastors already responding to this great need. But We still need:

1.        Thousands of Gospel tracts

2.       New/used Study Materials. ( We are seriously praying that God would burden hearts  to  help  to  put  together a “pastors box ” for one or more of  the  100 pastors  here in Nigeria . Each Pastor could use a new  study Bible, Exhaustive  Strongs  Concordance, a  commentary, Bible Dictionary, 3×5 cards, and good books.  Would  you prayerfully  consider  your church  sponsoring a box for a national pastor?)

3.       Used clothes and shoes for  adults , children and babies

 Thank you again for the prayers  and the financial support you have given to us.  I know the Lord will bless you greatly for your sacrifice.  We wouldn’t have been able to do all that we have done if it had not been for churches  like yours.  We have made a difference in the lives of the Independent Baptist  national Pastors and their churches through your support. God bless!

For the sake of more souls,  

Missionary Yinka Fasinro………missionary family to Nigeria , West Africa

 The highlight of returning to Nigeria will come a week after Easter (April 13-15, 2011) when we will hold a three day revival meeting (Independent Baptist National Day of Prayer Conference) and then honor these national pastors and their wives with the gifts. There were many other things not listed that were given in which we praise the Lord for. Bicycles were given for our children, a solar powered generator. This generator will be a life changer for us in Nigeria
where in a three month period we may get less than eighteen hours of electricity. Please pray that the container carrying everything will arrive in Nigeria safely.

In closing, we thank God for the opportunity to spread the gospel in Nigeria. I know we will have challenges and many victories as we head back. Please continue to pray for our safety, our health, and that Satan would not hinder our
work as we spread the good news of Jesus Christ, encourage the national pastors, and establish more new churches.
For the sake of more souls,
Missionary Yinka Fasinro…..your missionary family to Nigeria