December update

Dear friends,

We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.

Thanks for your prayers during an exceptionally busy semester. We have reached the end with only the exams to be given and then, of course, marked. We still have other marking to do with Debbie having more to do than me since she was working on a module for her D.Min. course in these last few months. The latter, by the way, has been marked and Debbie received good comments from her tutor. She will have a break over the holiday season but start another major module next year.

At the graduation on 22nd November this year, 111 students graduated. The service was well attended and it is always a joy to see students we have taught completing their programmes of study and moving into the next phase of their lives. Some are already in full-time Christian ministry and others are looking for new opportunities for service. Pray they will all be fruitful in every good work they undertake (Col. 1:9-10).

While we are away Pastor Gambo will run the Registry. He helped me in the office back in 2004 so he knows about the work and I am confident he will be able to handle it. I am not planning to return to that position so we will have a full 'handover' process on Monday 1st December. I have been the registrar for over ten years and I believe the office needs some fresh input. I would like to concentrate on teaching in future.

My Mum is in Thomson House in Magherafelt recovering from a 'mild' stroke but also trying to get rid of a kidney infection. Apparently she is weak, not eating and on a drip. With this in mind, we decided to bring our flight forward a bit so we can be back in the UK sooner. SIM and the provost of the Seminary think we are wise to go early. So we should be back in Northern Ireland on the evening of 4th December though probably exhausted by that stage. It will be good to be home and see my Mum though she will have changed quite a bit since we saw her in the summer. Please pray she will improve. She turns 90 on Saturday 29th November (D.V.).

Our contact emails will all still work and our phone numbers from 5th December should be: Debbie 07810203459 and David 07513583581. These are mobile numbers and we think they should both still be okay despite being away from the UK for several months.

We have started taking some bookings for meetings during our home assignment which should last until the middle of July or so. We look forward to renewing fellowship with many family and friends in coming months. As always, thank you for your regular prayers for us.

In Christ,

David and Debbie

November update

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Kagoro. Thank you so much for your prayers and please join us in praising the Lord for answers (Psalm 34:1-6). My (Debbie) paper is finished and we are both so thankful. The Lord gave the strength and help needed. I really knew others were praying. Thank you!

However, we still need your prayers for other concerns. David's mum had a minor stroke while in respite care after another fall at home. She is now in a rehabilitation ward in Magherafelt hospital. Her speech and right arm are affected. Please pray for wisdom for the health care staff and David's brother and wife as they work out the best way to care for her at this time.

Please pray for the ongoing preparations for the graduation on the 22nd November. Our students got their theses submitted, a big relief. I was given one more student and have completed his corrections so he should be able to graduate.

Pray for a successful Seminary board meeting on the 7th November. (It was to be held on 30th October but was moved.) David is busy getting ready for that. The same day I have to go to the Miango guest house Board and appreciate prayer for safety in travel. Another board meeting comes up for David on the 14th in Jos. The 26th is the Acts Board which I will attend in Jos and the 28th is the SIM area council in Jos which we will both attend.

David will be preaching at the Seminary church on the 23rd November, the day after graduation!!

We are asking for the Lord's help for all teachers and students that we would manage to get through all the material remaining to complete our courses in preparation for the final exams. I also have a lot of marking to do.

Thank you again for your concern and faithful prayers.

Love and God bless,

Debbie and David