Matching gifts opportunity

Dear Friends,

We would like to make you aware of an opportunity to help the ECWA Seminary at Kagoro. Our SIM colleague Dennis Shelly, who is teaching there, has set up a project with SIM to raise funds for the development of the seminary's library and computer facilities. He writes:

"Greetings in Christ from the ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro. Thank you for your prayers and support as we move into the last month of our January to May, 2008, semester. It has been a good semester of teaching, studies, and outreach...
We write to share one most encouraging opportunity that has just come before our Seminary. We've been seeking assistance to strengthen our Seminary's library and technology sections with more computers and resources for our Old and New Testament departments, along with our Missions department.
One group of Christian friends has just responded with a '3 to 1 challenge' to us. This means that if we can find Christian friends, churches, and groups from Nigeria and overseas who will promptly help us to raise cash up to $15,000 (fifteen thousand dollars), this Christian group would give us a matching gift of $45,000 (forty-five thousand dollars). We've heard of 2 to 1 challenges, but this '3 to 1 challenge' is even better."

Debbie and I have sent a gift to this fund and invite you to consider helping. In a recent email, Dennis wrote they have about $6,000 either already given or promised. Gifts should be made through any SIM office (see links) for the Nigeria project number 85600 and marked: 'Matching Lib. & Res. Gift.'

Yours in Christ,

David

May Update

Dear friends,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. Today the blue skies and warmth remind us of Nigeria. It also reminds us of ‘study weather’ as we are both keeping close to our books and computers as we work to meet the deadlines for our assignments.

Please pray for David as he finishes up his assignment on the Pastoral Epistles and gets ready to do another module of study starting with classes on 19^th and 20^th May.

I would really appreciate prayer also as all my assignments have to be in next week and I have lots more work to do as well as attending classes.

Thanks so much for your prayers for the various meetings we’ve taken over the last few weeks. We’ve really known the Lord’s help. We will be taking the SIM prayer meeting in Ballymena on the 16^th May and then on the evening of the 18^th I (Debbie) will be speaking at the Ladies’ service at Lisburn Congregational. I will also be speaking at the Armagh Baptist Ladies’ Fellowship on 30^th and David will be preaching at a CWU meeting in Ballynahinch on 1^st June.

Almost three weeks ago David’s dad suffered a stroke which has affected his right side. He is in hospital and getting better slowly but is also struggling with a chest infection. We would value prayers for his recovery, especially that he would be able to return home in the near future. Pray for comfort for him and for David’s mum. All the family need prayers as we seek to give the support necessary. We are thankful that, in God’s timing, we are able to be in the country right now.

We are thankful too for safety in travel these days as we are on the road so much.

Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf, Colossians 4:2.

Yours in Christ,

Debbie and David