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
Sunday, 3 July 2011
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
Friday, 4 February 2011
Prayer letter
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
SIM area conference
Thanks for praying for the SIM spiritual life conference. It was definitely one of the best we have ever attended. There was good teaching from the book of Jeremiah, the singing was excellent, and even the food was great! I particularly enjoyed being part of the worship team (Psalm 92:1).
Sadly, just over a week after conference one of our missionaries, Anne Burke, passed away suddenly due to an aortic aneurism. Pray for her husband, Peter, who has returned to Australia for an early home assignment, their two daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and other members of the family.
Trip to Ghana
A number of SIM missionaries and church leaders from West Africa are meeting for a conference arranged by SIM. The conference will focus on discipleship and be held in Ghana from 20th to 24th February. I, David, have been invited to attend while Debbie will stay in Jos during that week. Pray for everyone travelling to and from the conference and that the conference will help everyone in their different ministries.
The new semester
Dennis and Coletta Shelly are back from their home assignment in the US. Both their son Dwight and their daughter Stephanie are now studying in the US so they will miss having them nearby. The provost was also in the US for eye surgery which was successful and he is back at work. Most of the full-time students have returned to the seminary and we are teaching again (Matt. 28:20).
Micah Bulus
One of our November 2010 graduates has been called to pastor a church in Kaduna city. Micah was the valedictorian at the graduation service. He did some work for us around the house while studying here so we know him well and are delighted he has this opportunity to be in the ministry. Pray for him and his wife and family as they settle into life in the city and work with other believers there.
Thanks again for your prayers.
David and Debbie Colvin
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! We pray it will be a year of learning more of the Lord and increasing in our love for Him, Phil 1:9-11. Pray along with us that it will be a year when more people will be won for Christ and the church worldwide will be strengthened in spite of all the enemy is doing to try and destroy it.
We are praising the Lord that one of our students who just graduated, Micah Bulus, has been appointed as Associate Pastor of a church in Kaduna. We are so impressed by his godly character and his commitment to Christ. At graduation he received the award for best all-round student and last week he brought us a list of names of those he has led to the Lord recently. Please pray for him, his wife and their four small children as they adjust to a new environment. Pray for a fruitful ministry for him and other former students who are beginning pastoral ministry.
Sadly, there were bombs in Jos on Christmas Eve and one in Abuja on New Years' Eve. Many have lost their lives and many were injured. The nation needs much prayer for peace and stability in this election year. Pray that God's people would maintain their witness and be kept safe. Thankfully, all is peaceful in Kagoro.
I wonder what kind of gifts you received at Christmas? We were blessed to receive a live chicken, eggs, yams and coffee!! We enjoyed celebrating the greatest Gift of all with Canadian and Korean friends. We also had visits from some of our students who didn't go home for the break. Between Christmas and New Year we were marking papers. There are still more to mark but we've made good progress and should finish before the beginning of the semester.
We arrived in Miango this morning so the worship team can practice for the conference which begins tomorrow afternoon. David and the others are singing their hearts out! We are looking forward to the times of Bible teaching, worship and fellowship. Both David and I are leading small groups after the main sessions in the morning. These times will be spent in discussing the message and in prayer.
Our neighbours in Kagoro, Dennis and Coletta Shelly, return from their home assignment on Saturday morning. Please pray for them as they set up home again and get ready for classes which begin on the 17th January.
The Seminary's admissions process begins on Monday, 10th January. Pray that it will run smoothly and those that the Lord has called to train for service will be accepted for studies. The returning students should be back by the 14th.
Thanks so much for you faithful prayers during 2010. We continue to need them.
Love and God Bless,
Debbie and David
Happy New Year! We pray it will be a year of learning more of the Lord and increasing in our love for Him, Phil 1:9-11. Pray along with us that it will be a year when more people will be won for Christ and the church worldwide will be strengthened in spite of all the enemy is doing to try and destroy it.
We are praising the Lord that one of our students who just graduated, Micah Bulus, has been appointed as Associate Pastor of a church in Kaduna. We are so impressed by his godly character and his commitment to Christ. At graduation he received the award for best all-round student and last week he brought us a list of names of those he has led to the Lord recently. Please pray for him, his wife and their four small children as they adjust to a new environment. Pray for a fruitful ministry for him and other former students who are beginning pastoral ministry.
Sadly, there were bombs in Jos on Christmas Eve and one in Abuja on New Years' Eve. Many have lost their lives and many were injured. The nation needs much prayer for peace and stability in this election year. Pray that God's people would maintain their witness and be kept safe. Thankfully, all is peaceful in Kagoro.
I wonder what kind of gifts you received at Christmas? We were blessed to receive a live chicken, eggs, yams and coffee!! We enjoyed celebrating the greatest Gift of all with Canadian and Korean friends. We also had visits from some of our students who didn't go home for the break. Between Christmas and New Year we were marking papers. There are still more to mark but we've made good progress and should finish before the beginning of the semester.
We arrived in Miango this morning so the worship team can practice for the conference which begins tomorrow afternoon. David and the others are singing their hearts out! We are looking forward to the times of Bible teaching, worship and fellowship. Both David and I are leading small groups after the main sessions in the morning. These times will be spent in discussing the message and in prayer.
Our neighbours in Kagoro, Dennis and Coletta Shelly, return from their home assignment on Saturday morning. Please pray for them as they set up home again and get ready for classes which begin on the 17th January.
The Seminary's admissions process begins on Monday, 10th January. Pray that it will run smoothly and those that the Lord has called to train for service will be accepted for studies. The returning students should be back by the 14th.
Thanks so much for you faithful prayers during 2010. We continue to need them.
Love and God Bless,
Debbie and David
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