Dear friends,
Greetings from a very cool and wet Kagoro. We are hurtling towards the beginning of a new semester at an alarming rate! We can't put on the brakes but we know with the Lord's help and your faithful prayers we will do all that's necessary to get off to a good start.
Praise the Lord that I ( Debbie) have finished my marking. It's a great relief. Thanks for praying. Please pray for David as he still has some papers to mark. Thankfully his secretary is back from leave which reduces the workload in the office.
This week we have been enjoying the company of Rick Creighton who hopes to come to Kagoro with his wife and family in January. Rev. Alan Purser, the director of Crosslinks mission, was with us for two days at the beginning of the week. Please continue to pray for the Creighton family as they make preparations for this new adventure in serving the Lord.
Yesterday afternoon we had a meeting of all the SIM missionaries in our region. A grand total of seven! We had a good time of prayer and fellowship together which was definitely enhanced by the consumption of a terrific selection of donoughts made by Donna Pridham, our Canadian friend and master baker!.We were discussing some strategy issues so that David could present them at the area council meeting on the 26th August when the International Director will be visiting. Pray for beneficial discussions and wise decisions.
A Theological Educators' conference will be held at the Seminary from this evening until Saturday morning. Many of those involved in the various levels of Theological Education in the denomination will be attending. Please pray for safety in travel and helpful presentations. The time of interaction with teachers from other institutions should also be encouraging.
Next week the orientation programme for new students will be on Monday and Tuesday. The registration process for both the new and returning students begins on Thursday. This is a very busy time for David and his secretary as well as others involved in the necessary administration. Classes begin on 15th and we all need prayer as we start the academic year. Pray especially for a peaceful environment. We are so thankful that our area is still calm. The beginning of the semester means a steep learning curve for new students so pray for them as they adjust to the discipline of study and the routine of Seminary life. Pray along with us that they will have teachable hearts and that we will too (Matthew 22:37-40).
Thank you again for standing with us in this ministry.
Love and God bless,
Debbie and David
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Monday, 18 July 2011
July prayer letter
Dear praying friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus. Thank you for your faithful prayers for us. We have seen the Lord at work in some difficult situations in the last few months.
During the elections David preached on ‘Surviving the Storms of Life’ from Mark 6:45-52. We were challenged to think about who we turn to in times of crisis and reminded to turn to Christ who alone can help us. Then we were tested to see if we put it into practice. The next day, there was a lot of violence in the far north of the country and in our local market town, Kafanchan (see the picture of the burnt out market). Some of it reached the outskirts of Kagoro. There have been hot spots elsewhere in the country and both Christians and Muslims have been affected. Please pray for the nation and for our local area that peace would reign and that those who plan and carry out acts of violence would come to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The recent events have certainly hindered the work of spreading the Gospel.
We were thankful to the Lord for His protection and help as we finished the semester and then had a lovely one month holiday in Northern Ireland. However, we are concerned about the health needs of our mothers. Pray they would know the Lord’s help.
Presently, the storms we are facing are the usual ones that go with the rainy season, making the temperatures cooler and everywhere muddy. We are trying to complete our marking and get ready for the new semester which begins 15th August. David is in the office each day as his secretary is on leave. His office will be busy with the registration both of new students and returning students the week before we formally resume.
Rev. Alan Purser and Rev. Rick Creighton from Crosslinks mission will visit us at the beginning of August. Rick, his wife and their three preschool children plan to come and serve at the Seminary in January, 2012. Thank the Lord for this answer to prayer and please pray for them as they prepare. We are also expecting two more new faculty members to join us in August.
Micah Bulus, a former student we mentioned in our previous prayer letter, called us yesterday. He is adjusting well to the ministry and was excited to report that 28 people made decisions for the Lord after he spoke at a week-long programme in a different church. Praise the Lord for how He is using him. He will have two more week-long programmes in the next two months so please continue to pray for him.
In December we will return to Northern Ireland for our official home assignment and will be available for meetings from January, 2012.
Thanks again for your prayers.
Debbie and David Colvin
Sunday, 3 July 2011
July prayer update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Many thanks for praying for our time in the UK. It was great to visit close relatives and some friends in the four weeks. The time just flew past and we were not able to visit everyone we wanted to see but should be back in the UK for some months early next year on home assignment. Pray for our mothers both of whom have ongoing health concerns.
While in the UK, we purchased about fifty books for the library and put them in the two extra suitcases we mentioned last month. We thank the Lord that someone in the US has promised to send a sizeable donation (about £3,000) to the seminary for library books so we hope we can reclaim the cost of the books we purchased from that gift once it comes through.
We would also like to thank people for their generosity. Several people gave us financial gifts and Debbie's home church paid for our flights to and from the UK. This is especially touching since we know the economy is not as strong as it used to be in the UK (Phil. 4:19).
My secretary is on leave in July so I will have to spend quite a bit of time in the office running the registry. Both Debbie and I have a lot of marking to do and need to get that completed this month. This is an aspect of teaching we do not particularly enjoy but it needs to be done. Pray we will be consistent in marking the assignments. Normally it would take several working days to mark an assignment since the classes are so large. The new semester starts in mid-August and we need to take time to get ready for that.
This morning the service at Fada Gospel Church lasted three and a half hours. That is longer than usual but it reminded us we are definitely back in Africa!
Please keep on praying for peace and stability in the nation. On our way back to Kagoro from the airport there were noticeably more 24-hour police and army check points along the road.
Thank you again for your prayers.
In Christ,
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Many thanks for praying for our time in the UK. It was great to visit close relatives and some friends in the four weeks. The time just flew past and we were not able to visit everyone we wanted to see but should be back in the UK for some months early next year on home assignment. Pray for our mothers both of whom have ongoing health concerns.
While in the UK, we purchased about fifty books for the library and put them in the two extra suitcases we mentioned last month. We thank the Lord that someone in the US has promised to send a sizeable donation (about £3,000) to the seminary for library books so we hope we can reclaim the cost of the books we purchased from that gift once it comes through.
We would also like to thank people for their generosity. Several people gave us financial gifts and Debbie's home church paid for our flights to and from the UK. This is especially touching since we know the economy is not as strong as it used to be in the UK (Phil. 4:19).
My secretary is on leave in July so I will have to spend quite a bit of time in the office running the registry. Both Debbie and I have a lot of marking to do and need to get that completed this month. This is an aspect of teaching we do not particularly enjoy but it needs to be done. Pray we will be consistent in marking the assignments. Normally it would take several working days to mark an assignment since the classes are so large. The new semester starts in mid-August and we need to take time to get ready for that.
This morning the service at Fada Gospel Church lasted three and a half hours. That is longer than usual but it reminded us we are definitely back in Africa!
Please keep on praying for peace and stability in the nation. On our way back to Kagoro from the airport there were noticeably more 24-hour police and army check points along the road.
Thank you again for your prayers.
In Christ,
David and Debbie
Friday, 27 May 2011
June prayer update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus.
We are going to be in the UK for June on holiday. Pray for a safe journey on 30th and 31st May. Hope the weather isn't too cold. It will be good to see our relatives again and renew fellowship with many others. While we are in the UK we are not planning to take any meetings but will be buying some books for the library since the travel agent (Thirftway Travel) arranged with British Airways to let us have two extra suitcases free of charge. This is granted as long as we put things for the library in them so we want to get some up-to-date books especially for the post-graduate programmes.
Things have been tense at Kagoro since there was trouble in Kafanchan. Some people were unhappy with the way the elections went and responded by destroying property and killing those who supported the winning party. The situation is still volatile and many people are afraid of what may happen next. Pray people will trust in our Lord for protection rather than relying on human resources or charms to keep them safe. Pray also for peace and stability in the country and for the government officials being sworn into office on 29th May.
The Summer Programme at the Seminary has started with registration. During the next nine weeks our colleagues will be teaching about 300 students in three intense, three-week modules. Pray it goes well.
Our second year students will be starting their two-month long practical placements at churches and mission stations this coming weekend. Please pray that they will have opportunity to use their gifts during this time and that they would be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as they serve Him (2 Pet. 3:18).
Many thanks again for your faithful prayers.
God bless,
Debbie and David
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus.
We are going to be in the UK for June on holiday. Pray for a safe journey on 30th and 31st May. Hope the weather isn't too cold. It will be good to see our relatives again and renew fellowship with many others. While we are in the UK we are not planning to take any meetings but will be buying some books for the library since the travel agent (Thirftway Travel) arranged with British Airways to let us have two extra suitcases free of charge. This is granted as long as we put things for the library in them so we want to get some up-to-date books especially for the post-graduate programmes.
Things have been tense at Kagoro since there was trouble in Kafanchan. Some people were unhappy with the way the elections went and responded by destroying property and killing those who supported the winning party. The situation is still volatile and many people are afraid of what may happen next. Pray people will trust in our Lord for protection rather than relying on human resources or charms to keep them safe. Pray also for peace and stability in the country and for the government officials being sworn into office on 29th May.
The Summer Programme at the Seminary has started with registration. During the next nine weeks our colleagues will be teaching about 300 students in three intense, three-week modules. Pray it goes well.
Our second year students will be starting their two-month long practical placements at churches and mission stations this coming weekend. Please pray that they will have opportunity to use their gifts during this time and that they would be growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as they serve Him (2 Pet. 3:18).
Many thanks again for your faithful prayers.
God bless,
Debbie and David
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Prayer Update for May
Dear friends,
Greetings from Kagoro in the name of our Lord.
Thank you for responding to our urgent prayer request. Praise the Lord for the way we felt the impact of those prayers as we experienced the Lord's peace and protection. Classes were cancelled last week and many students travelled home. Classes resumed this week but most of the students have not returned. They should be back by Monday now that all the elections are over.
We never expected the post-election violence to come so close to our area. In our local market town of Kafanchan, 85 people are said to have lost their lives and many properties, including churches and mosques, were destroyed. Hundreds were killed in a town about 20 miles from us and close to Kagoro, others were killed. In this region, reportedly those who initiated the violence came off worse. Pray with us that there will not be revenge attacks. The level of security has been strengthened in the past week and now there is an army checkpoint on the main road just outside our gate.
Further north, many churches and Christian homes have been burned. Some lost their lives because they refused to renounce their faith. The nation still needs much prayer now that the elections are over.
We were thankful that we had planned to spend Easter weekend at Miango, the SIM-run guest house outside Jos. The Shellys and about a hundred other missionaries were there. We really enjoyed the break from the tensions in Kagoro as well as the fellowship and good food.
Thanks for praying for the various speaking engagements last month. They all went well. Please pray for David as he will be preaching on Sunday, 15th May at the Seminary church.
There are only two more teaching weeks before the final exams. There is a lot to get through as we need to do some extra classes because of the time we lost.
Please pray for wisdom for the Seminary Board which is next Friday, 6th May. David and the Provost are busy getting things ready for that.
It will be great to have the opportunity to travel to Northern Ireland for our month's leave. We plan to arrive on 31st May and we'll be glad to be back whatever the weather!
Thank you again for standing by us in prayer. Pray for all of us at the Seminary that we will keep trusting in the Lord, Nahum 1:7.
Yours in Christ,
Debbie and David
Greetings from Kagoro in the name of our Lord.
Thank you for responding to our urgent prayer request. Praise the Lord for the way we felt the impact of those prayers as we experienced the Lord's peace and protection. Classes were cancelled last week and many students travelled home. Classes resumed this week but most of the students have not returned. They should be back by Monday now that all the elections are over.
We never expected the post-election violence to come so close to our area. In our local market town of Kafanchan, 85 people are said to have lost their lives and many properties, including churches and mosques, were destroyed. Hundreds were killed in a town about 20 miles from us and close to Kagoro, others were killed. In this region, reportedly those who initiated the violence came off worse. Pray with us that there will not be revenge attacks. The level of security has been strengthened in the past week and now there is an army checkpoint on the main road just outside our gate.
Further north, many churches and Christian homes have been burned. Some lost their lives because they refused to renounce their faith. The nation still needs much prayer now that the elections are over.
We were thankful that we had planned to spend Easter weekend at Miango, the SIM-run guest house outside Jos. The Shellys and about a hundred other missionaries were there. We really enjoyed the break from the tensions in Kagoro as well as the fellowship and good food.
Thanks for praying for the various speaking engagements last month. They all went well. Please pray for David as he will be preaching on Sunday, 15th May at the Seminary church.
There are only two more teaching weeks before the final exams. There is a lot to get through as we need to do some extra classes because of the time we lost.
Please pray for wisdom for the Seminary Board which is next Friday, 6th May. David and the Provost are busy getting things ready for that.
It will be great to have the opportunity to travel to Northern Ireland for our month's leave. We plan to arrive on 31st May and we'll be glad to be back whatever the weather!
Thank you again for standing by us in prayer. Pray for all of us at the Seminary that we will keep trusting in the Lord, Nahum 1:7.
Yours in Christ,
Debbie and David
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Prayer Update for April
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thanks for praying for our mid-semester ‘break.’ We were able to get some marking done but not to get it call cleared. Pray we will be able to catch up in this second half of the semester.
Thanks also for praying for the curriculum review. In the end it was postponed until later in the year but we did have some meetings for processing those who have applied for admission to study here. 237 people applied this year. About 100 people have been given admission letters and another 100 are still being processed and will probably be offered admission also. Not all those who get admission letters actually come to study here but these numbers are normal for this period so we thank the Lord people are interested in studying at the seminary.
Debbie has several meetings to take this month so pray for her. Dates are 6th and 11th at the seminary and also a women’s meeting on 8th April at our local church. I am taking the evening service on 17th at the seminary. While we enjoy these opportunities they are in addition to our normal duties at the seminary and this is the hottest time of year. The heat and humidity tend to sap one’s energy.
The people who drilled the borehole returned and installed a manual pump. This has proved very helpful since the local water supply is not good at this time of year. We have purchased a 24 volt d.c. submersible pump and solar panels to power it but have not installed these yet. The plan is to use this system to provide safe, clean water for ourselves and other seminary staff and students living nearby.
One of our former students was preaching at the church recently. The Lord used him as a missionary to plant several churches in Sierra Leone. It is always encouraging to receive such news from former students. He is on home assignment now and plans to return to Sierra Leone in a few months.
There are several elections taking place here this month. Pray it will be a peaceful process and that those elected will discharge their responsibilities as those assigned their tasks by God (Rom. 13:1f ).
Thanks again for your prayers for us and may our Lord bless you in your walk with Him.
In Christ,
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thanks for praying for our mid-semester ‘break.’ We were able to get some marking done but not to get it call cleared. Pray we will be able to catch up in this second half of the semester.
Thanks also for praying for the curriculum review. In the end it was postponed until later in the year but we did have some meetings for processing those who have applied for admission to study here. 237 people applied this year. About 100 people have been given admission letters and another 100 are still being processed and will probably be offered admission also. Not all those who get admission letters actually come to study here but these numbers are normal for this period so we thank the Lord people are interested in studying at the seminary.
Debbie has several meetings to take this month so pray for her. Dates are 6th and 11th at the seminary and also a women’s meeting on 8th April at our local church. I am taking the evening service on 17th at the seminary. While we enjoy these opportunities they are in addition to our normal duties at the seminary and this is the hottest time of year. The heat and humidity tend to sap one’s energy.
The people who drilled the borehole returned and installed a manual pump. This has proved very helpful since the local water supply is not good at this time of year. We have purchased a 24 volt d.c. submersible pump and solar panels to power it but have not installed these yet. The plan is to use this system to provide safe, clean water for ourselves and other seminary staff and students living nearby.
One of our former students was preaching at the church recently. The Lord used him as a missionary to plant several churches in Sierra Leone. It is always encouraging to receive such news from former students. He is on home assignment now and plans to return to Sierra Leone in a few months.
There are several elections taking place here this month. Pray it will be a peaceful process and that those elected will discharge their responsibilities as those assigned their tasks by God (Rom. 13:1f ).
Thanks again for your prayers for us and may our Lord bless you in your walk with Him.
In Christ,
David and Debbie
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Prayer Update for March
Dear Friends,
We send you greetings in Jesus' name. We would also love to share some of the warmth and sunshine we have here with those of you who are just thawing out after such a severe winter. Hot season has arrived.
Thanks for your prayers for David's trip to Ghana where he joined with over a hundred other missionaries and church leaders from West Africa and Europe for the leadership conference. Everything went well and the journeys were uneventful. I (Debbie) decided to stay in Kagoro instead of going to Jos but I slept over in our neighbours' house each night which helped me feel a bit more secure.
We are praising the Lord for seeing us through this part of the semester which has gone well. Our two-week mid-semester break begins 14th March. During that time we will be busy with the supplementary admissions process which means a lot of work for David's office. Faculty members are involved in interviewing prospective students and some of us will mark the entrance exams. Pray for the Lord's guidance in this process.
Marking papers will be my main task during the 'break'. David will spend the second week of the 'break' taking part in the curriculum review. This takes place every five years and is a good opportunity to evaluate the subjects taught and implement any changes necessary. It's a major challenge needing much wisdom as the seminary seeks to fulfil its goals and remain relevant to the needs of this generation. Pray that the decisions made will strengthen the preparation of the students in the areas of their spiritual formation, academic development and practical training.
I would appreciate prayer for the opportunity I will have to take a Bible study at our Women's Fellowship meeting on Friday, 11th March. The subject is 'Caring for Widows', an important issue in this context where there are many widows both young and old.
Campaigning for the series of elections to be held in April will intensify this month. Please pray for peace in the nation, wisdom for those voting and for God-fearing leaders to be chosen at every level of government. Continue to pray for peace in and around Jos.
Thank you for encouraging us by your faithful prayers. We are dependent on the Lord for His help in all our activities (2 Cor. 3:4-5).
Yours in Christ,
Debbie
We send you greetings in Jesus' name. We would also love to share some of the warmth and sunshine we have here with those of you who are just thawing out after such a severe winter. Hot season has arrived.
Thanks for your prayers for David's trip to Ghana where he joined with over a hundred other missionaries and church leaders from West Africa and Europe for the leadership conference. Everything went well and the journeys were uneventful. I (Debbie) decided to stay in Kagoro instead of going to Jos but I slept over in our neighbours' house each night which helped me feel a bit more secure.
We are praising the Lord for seeing us through this part of the semester which has gone well. Our two-week mid-semester break begins 14th March. During that time we will be busy with the supplementary admissions process which means a lot of work for David's office. Faculty members are involved in interviewing prospective students and some of us will mark the entrance exams. Pray for the Lord's guidance in this process.
Marking papers will be my main task during the 'break'. David will spend the second week of the 'break' taking part in the curriculum review. This takes place every five years and is a good opportunity to evaluate the subjects taught and implement any changes necessary. It's a major challenge needing much wisdom as the seminary seeks to fulfil its goals and remain relevant to the needs of this generation. Pray that the decisions made will strengthen the preparation of the students in the areas of their spiritual formation, academic development and practical training.
I would appreciate prayer for the opportunity I will have to take a Bible study at our Women's Fellowship meeting on Friday, 11th March. The subject is 'Caring for Widows', an important issue in this context where there are many widows both young and old.
Campaigning for the series of elections to be held in April will intensify this month. Please pray for peace in the nation, wisdom for those voting and for God-fearing leaders to be chosen at every level of government. Continue to pray for peace in and around Jos.
Thank you for encouraging us by your faithful prayers. We are dependent on the Lord for His help in all our activities (2 Cor. 3:4-5).
Yours in Christ,
Debbie
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