Tuesday, 5 June 2012
June update
Dear Friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus.
Thank you for praying for our trip to England. We drove about 1,200 miles but had many stops along the way with friends and supporters. It was great to see people again and catch up with things happening in their lives.
Deputation meetings are almost over with only two meetings booked for this month: Debbie taking part in the Women's programme at Lambeg Baptist Church on 13th and myself speaking at the prayer meeting at Cairndaisy Baptist Church on 28th.
We would appreciate prayer as Debbie has minor surgery to remove a non-life-threatening bit of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma) from her nose on the 14th June. Please pray for a successful procedure and a good recovery.
We are just back from a one-week package holiday in Menorca. It was very relaxing.
Please pray for our preparations to return to Kagoro. We are planning on flying in August for the start of the new semester at the seminary.
Nigeria has been in the world news again with the tragic plane crash in Lagos. One incident not so well reported was a bomb detonated near a church in Bauchi. Join us in prayer for the relatives of those killed and let us keep on praying for peace and stability in the country (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
Thanking you again for your partnership in the ministry by prayer.
David and Debbie
Saturday, 5 May 2012
May update
Dear friends,
Many thanks for your prayers during April. We praise the Lord for help given in the meetings and medical appointments. In Castlewellan we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Andrew and Lorna Forson who allowed us to stay in a cosy corner at the Castle. We got a walk around the lake as well as a few strolls in Newcastle between the showers.
On Wednesday the 9th May we go to England to visit friends in Preston, Lichfield, Oxford, St Albans, London, Capel St Mary and Leeds. It is kind of many to offer us hospitality and take time to see us in the midst of busy schedules. We will take the morning service in Oldfield Baptist Church in north London on Sunday, 13th May and visit SIM UK Headquarters in Wetheringsett on the 16th. Please pray for safety in travel and that we would be a blessing to those we meet.
When we return we will take the Missionary Sunday in my (Debbie's) home church, Ballynahinch Congregational, on the 20th of May. David will preach in the morning and I will show a power-point presentation during the Sunday evening service. Again we need the Lord's help and enabling for these services.
Last night was very important in the life of David's home church, Coagh Baptist. It was great to have the chance to attend the induction service for David Causby, the new pastor of the church. Please pray for the Lord to use him as he serves the Lord in this new ministry.
It's also time to get our vaccinations up to date and we plan to do that at the end of May.
We are thankful for the Lord's faithfulness in answering prayer and all the ways we've been encouraged by His people during this time of home assignment, Hebrews 10:24.
God bless,
Debbie and David
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
April update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thank you for your prayers for the various meetings we had the opportunity to take in March. Also, it was good to have the opportunity to preach in my home church on 1st April. We believe they all went well. Other meetings for this month are scheduled as follows:
SIM prayer group at Broughshane on 3rd.
Debbie is giving a missionary report at the Bangor Convention (which is run by the Faith Mission over the Easter period) on 10th.
Debbie is taking the women's meeting at Armagh Baptist Church on 19th.
We are both taking the evening service at the Coolyvenny Mission Hall on 22nd
and giving a short report during the SIM conference in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on 27th.
Finally, Debbie is speaking at the annual women's service at her home church, Ballynahinch Congregational Church, on 29th.
March was a busy month for me in terms of meetings to take and, as you can see, April is going to be a busy one for Debbie.
On the evening of 31st March we booked Murlough House (near Dundrum) so we could celebrate Debbie's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. At least 50 people came to celebrate the occasion. People brought sandwiches, tray bakes, and so on, for supper together and some of Debbie's aunts baked and decorated a cake. It was a great evening and gave us the opportunity to meet most of Debbie's aunts and uncles in the Lyons and Watson family circles.
Our own anniversary comes up next week. We are going to celebrate our 14 years together later on in the month by taking a break for a couple of days at Castlewellan Castle -- where we had our wedding reception. If we could get some weather like we had here last week, that would be great.
Right now we are finalizing plans for a trip to England to visit supporters in the middle of May. We would appreciate your prayers as we put that together.
Things seem to be going well at the Seminary at Kagoro. Dennis and Coletta keep us up-to-date with news from there. My smartphone showed me it was 35C in Kaduna city yesterday so I am sure the teachers and students at the seminary would appreciate your prayers as they go through this hot season.
Yours in Christ,
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
Thank you for your prayers for the various meetings we had the opportunity to take in March. Also, it was good to have the opportunity to preach in my home church on 1st April. We believe they all went well. Other meetings for this month are scheduled as follows:
SIM prayer group at Broughshane on 3rd.
Debbie is giving a missionary report at the Bangor Convention (which is run by the Faith Mission over the Easter period) on 10th.
Debbie is taking the women's meeting at Armagh Baptist Church on 19th.
We are both taking the evening service at the Coolyvenny Mission Hall on 22nd
and giving a short report during the SIM conference in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on 27th.
Finally, Debbie is speaking at the annual women's service at her home church, Ballynahinch Congregational Church, on 29th.
March was a busy month for me in terms of meetings to take and, as you can see, April is going to be a busy one for Debbie.
On the evening of 31st March we booked Murlough House (near Dundrum) so we could celebrate Debbie's parents' 50th wedding anniversary. At least 50 people came to celebrate the occasion. People brought sandwiches, tray bakes, and so on, for supper together and some of Debbie's aunts baked and decorated a cake. It was a great evening and gave us the opportunity to meet most of Debbie's aunts and uncles in the Lyons and Watson family circles.
Our own anniversary comes up next week. We are going to celebrate our 14 years together later on in the month by taking a break for a couple of days at Castlewellan Castle -- where we had our wedding reception. If we could get some weather like we had here last week, that would be great.
Right now we are finalizing plans for a trip to England to visit supporters in the middle of May. We would appreciate your prayers as we put that together.
Things seem to be going well at the Seminary at Kagoro. Dennis and Coletta keep us up-to-date with news from there. My smartphone showed me it was 35C in Kaduna city yesterday so I am sure the teachers and students at the seminary would appreciate your prayers as they go through this hot season.
Yours in Christ,
David and Debbie
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
March update
Dear praying friends,
We’re enjoying the novelty of being warmed by an open fire in the lovely home we’re privileged to have use of during our home assignment. The warmth of renewing fellowship with many has also been a blessing in the past month. Thanks for your prayers for the meetings and the travelling involved.
It was fun to share some of the sights of Northern Ireland with our friends from London. A highlight was our trip to the north coast. We enjoyed the beauty of the Giant’s Causeway on a bright but blustery day.
I’ve been encouraged by the women’s Bible Study Fellowship which I attend most Tuesdays. We’ve been learning much from the books of Acts, Thessalonians and Corinthians. Pray for help to put it into practice. David is enjoying the classes at Cornhill on expository preaching.
David would value prayer for the Lord’s help as he has to preach in both services at Coagh Baptist church this Sunday (11th March). He will also take the services on 1st April.
This month we will take meetings in Bangor, Ballymena and Armagh. I have been asked to be guest of honour at Ballynahinch Congregational Girls’ Brigade on the 23rd March. Please pray that the Lord will use us for His glory in all these opportunities to speak for Him.
Last month we had our medicals and now we have a series of medical and dental appointments for essential maintenance!
At the end of the month we plan to celebrate my mum and dad’s golden wedding anniversary. We praise the Lord for blessing them with so many years together and the fact that we can be here to share in the occasion.
The recent bombing in Jos and violent incidents in Kagoro are deeply disturbing. Please pray for the Lord’s intervention and for His people to remain strong in their faith (Eph 6:10).
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
Yours in Christ,
Debbie and David
We’re enjoying the novelty of being warmed by an open fire in the lovely home we’re privileged to have use of during our home assignment. The warmth of renewing fellowship with many has also been a blessing in the past month. Thanks for your prayers for the meetings and the travelling involved.
It was fun to share some of the sights of Northern Ireland with our friends from London. A highlight was our trip to the north coast. We enjoyed the beauty of the Giant’s Causeway on a bright but blustery day.
I’ve been encouraged by the women’s Bible Study Fellowship which I attend most Tuesdays. We’ve been learning much from the books of Acts, Thessalonians and Corinthians. Pray for help to put it into practice. David is enjoying the classes at Cornhill on expository preaching.
David would value prayer for the Lord’s help as he has to preach in both services at Coagh Baptist church this Sunday (11th March). He will also take the services on 1st April.
This month we will take meetings in Bangor, Ballymena and Armagh. I have been asked to be guest of honour at Ballynahinch Congregational Girls’ Brigade on the 23rd March. Please pray that the Lord will use us for His glory in all these opportunities to speak for Him.
Last month we had our medicals and now we have a series of medical and dental appointments for essential maintenance!
At the end of the month we plan to celebrate my mum and dad’s golden wedding anniversary. We praise the Lord for blessing them with so many years together and the fact that we can be here to share in the occasion.
The recent bombing in Jos and violent incidents in Kagoro are deeply disturbing. Please pray for the Lord’s intervention and for His people to remain strong in their faith (Eph 6:10).
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.
Yours in Christ,
Debbie and David
Thursday, 9 February 2012
February update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord.
Thank you for praying for the meetings we took in January. All went well. The following are ones we have still to take this month:
Sunday 12th evening service, missions conference, Lurgan Baptist Church
Wednesday 15th Baptist Women’s Fellowship meeting at Coagh Baptist Church
Monday 20th prayer group at Ballymoney
Wednesday 22nd mid-week service at Spamount Congregational Church
Sunday 26th Bible Class at Ballynahinch Congregational Church
Tuesday 28th SIM prayer group at Whiteabbey
Wednesday 29th Mission Africa prayer meeting near Kilkeel
We thank the Lord that my home church, Coagh Baptist, has called David Causby to be the pastor. He will start full-time ministry in May this year and we are looking forward to meeting him and his wife and family (D.V.).
In our last prayer letter we mentioned Rick and Alanna Creighton who were planning to move to Kagoro to work at the Seminary this month. With the recent unrest in Nigeria, they have decided they will look for another place of service. We are disappointed they will not be living and working at the Seminary but join us in prayer for them as they determine where our Lord would have them settle. Also, please continue to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.
We are planning to sit in on some classes nearby which have an emphasis on expository preaching. Debbie is also attending a ladies’ Bible study class on Tuesday evenings being run by the Bible Study Fellowship just down the road from us. As teachers it is good to get some fresh input to help us.
Next week we are having some friends from London come over and visit for a couple of days: David and Judi Naish and their daughter Emily. Debbie and Judi were missionaries in Brazil and have been friends ever since. We have stayed with them in London when we are over there on deputation. No doubt we will take them along the Antrim Coast to the Giant’s Causeway at some stage (weather permitting, of course).
Thank you for your prayers.
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord.
Thank you for praying for the meetings we took in January. All went well. The following are ones we have still to take this month:
Sunday 12th evening service, missions conference, Lurgan Baptist Church
Wednesday 15th Baptist Women’s Fellowship meeting at Coagh Baptist Church
Monday 20th prayer group at Ballymoney
Wednesday 22nd mid-week service at Spamount Congregational Church
Sunday 26th Bible Class at Ballynahinch Congregational Church
Tuesday 28th SIM prayer group at Whiteabbey
Wednesday 29th Mission Africa prayer meeting near Kilkeel
We thank the Lord that my home church, Coagh Baptist, has called David Causby to be the pastor. He will start full-time ministry in May this year and we are looking forward to meeting him and his wife and family (D.V.).
In our last prayer letter we mentioned Rick and Alanna Creighton who were planning to move to Kagoro to work at the Seminary this month. With the recent unrest in Nigeria, they have decided they will look for another place of service. We are disappointed they will not be living and working at the Seminary but join us in prayer for them as they determine where our Lord would have them settle. Also, please continue to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.
We are planning to sit in on some classes nearby which have an emphasis on expository preaching. Debbie is also attending a ladies’ Bible study class on Tuesday evenings being run by the Bible Study Fellowship just down the road from us. As teachers it is good to get some fresh input to help us.
Next week we are having some friends from London come over and visit for a couple of days: David and Judi Naish and their daughter Emily. Debbie and Judi were missionaries in Brazil and have been friends ever since. We have stayed with them in London when we are over there on deputation. No doubt we will take them along the Antrim Coast to the Giant’s Causeway at some stage (weather permitting, of course).
Thank you for your prayers.
David and Debbie
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
January update
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! We trust it will be one of blessing and increased joy in the Lord.
Thank you so much for your prayers for us over these past weeks. We praise the Lord that we were able to finish our marking and submit our grades before leaving Kagoro. Then we quickly packed up most of our household things before going to the airport. We had a good journey and are enjoying our new temporary home on the Ballygowan road.
It's a treat to drink water straight from the tap not to mention having constant electricity. I (Debbie) am happy that I don't have to soak all fruit and veg in a bleach solution. David is excited to have better internet access.
Since arriving we have had lots of rest and special times with family over this holiday period.
Recent events in Nigeria are very disturbing. Please pray for Christians who are under threat that they would know the Lord's peace and protection. Pray too that they would be salt and light in the midst of increased tensions.
The new Provost will be 'on seat' by now. He needs prayer as he faces the challenge of leading the Seminary in Kagoro.
Our deputation schedule begins on the 16th January with an SIM prayer meeting in Belvoir Park. We will be with a group of ladies from the Belfast Bible College Women's Study Fellowship on the 23rd. The next morning we will share with students at the Irish Baptist College. Coleraine Baptist have invited us to take part in their missionary conference on the 28th. I (Debbie) will take Ballykeel Baptist Ladies' meeting on the 31st . Please pray for safety in travel and that the Lord would help us as we share about the ministry in Kagoro and encourage more to be involved in mission.
In these times of uncertainty and instability in the lives of individuals and nations the words of Psalm 62:1-2 are a great encouragement.
We continue to appreciate your faithful prayers.
God Bless,
Debbie and David
Happy New Year! We trust it will be one of blessing and increased joy in the Lord.
Thank you so much for your prayers for us over these past weeks. We praise the Lord that we were able to finish our marking and submit our grades before leaving Kagoro. Then we quickly packed up most of our household things before going to the airport. We had a good journey and are enjoying our new temporary home on the Ballygowan road.
It's a treat to drink water straight from the tap not to mention having constant electricity. I (Debbie) am happy that I don't have to soak all fruit and veg in a bleach solution. David is excited to have better internet access.
Since arriving we have had lots of rest and special times with family over this holiday period.
Recent events in Nigeria are very disturbing. Please pray for Christians who are under threat that they would know the Lord's peace and protection. Pray too that they would be salt and light in the midst of increased tensions.
The new Provost will be 'on seat' by now. He needs prayer as he faces the challenge of leading the Seminary in Kagoro.
Our deputation schedule begins on the 16th January with an SIM prayer meeting in Belvoir Park. We will be with a group of ladies from the Belfast Bible College Women's Study Fellowship on the 23rd. The next morning we will share with students at the Irish Baptist College. Coleraine Baptist have invited us to take part in their missionary conference on the 28th. I (Debbie) will take Ballykeel Baptist Ladies' meeting on the 31st . Please pray for safety in travel and that the Lord would help us as we share about the ministry in Kagoro and encourage more to be involved in mission.
In these times of uncertainty and instability in the lives of individuals and nations the words of Psalm 62:1-2 are a great encouragement.
We continue to appreciate your faithful prayers.
God Bless,
Debbie and David
Friday, 2 December 2011
December update
Dear friends,
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
There is an air of excitement at the Seminary today. Everyone is busy getting ready for the baccalaureate service this evening and the graduation tomorrow (3rd). The baccalaureate service is when all the awards are given to the students who have excelled in one area or another during their studies. It is more like a family get-together whereas the graduation is more formal though still enjoyable. This year we will only have 65 students graduating. Normally it is a larger number than this but many of the degree students were unable to complete writing their theses on time. This probably means the number who graduate next year will be larger. Pray for our graduates as they plan what they will do next.
Since our prayer letter sent out last month, our provost has written to the Board of Governors requesting he step down from the position of provost. He will have been there for nine years by the end of this year. Normally ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All), which owns the Seminary, gives people such appointments for six years but some people go beyond that as is the case here. Our provost has helped the Seminary to develop in terms of structures and starting higher level programmes of study. He still wants to stay here and teach at the Seminary. The ECWA executive has agreed he should step down.
We are expecting Dr Sunday Agang to come as the new provost. He is presently the Academic Dean at the ECWA Theological Seminary at Jos (JETS). Pray for him as he takes on this new responsibility and for JETS as they select a new Dean. Assuming Prof. Kafang stays here, pray for a good working relationship at the Seminary.
November seems to be a month when people like to visit! We have had visitors from Canada, Australia, the USA and Northern Ireland in the last few weeks. It is great to enjoy the bond that unites us in Christ and we are always happy when people visit the ministry here so they can pray for the work and, possibly, encourage others to join us in missions.
In less than two weeks we will back in the UK. As I look out the window the sky is that continuous blue you often have in jigsaw puzzles. You know the kind where it is easy to put in the pieces where the tree branches are but the rest is more challenging since there are no clouds. The temperature here starts at a modest 22C in the morning and rises to 33C by mid-afternoon. We will be saying goodbye to both these circumstances soon but it will be good to be back in the UK. Seeing family and friends will more than compensate for those cold, dark, winter days.
Now we just have to tackle the marking and packing things away. Pray we get most of the marking done on time and for Debbie who has two meetings in Jos next week in connection with the Africa Christian Textbooks ministry (ACTS).
Thanks for your prayers and we wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year. (2 Cor. 9:15).
In Christ,
David and Debbie
We send you greetings in the Name of Jesus our Lord.
There is an air of excitement at the Seminary today. Everyone is busy getting ready for the baccalaureate service this evening and the graduation tomorrow (3rd). The baccalaureate service is when all the awards are given to the students who have excelled in one area or another during their studies. It is more like a family get-together whereas the graduation is more formal though still enjoyable. This year we will only have 65 students graduating. Normally it is a larger number than this but many of the degree students were unable to complete writing their theses on time. This probably means the number who graduate next year will be larger. Pray for our graduates as they plan what they will do next.
Since our prayer letter sent out last month, our provost has written to the Board of Governors requesting he step down from the position of provost. He will have been there for nine years by the end of this year. Normally ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All), which owns the Seminary, gives people such appointments for six years but some people go beyond that as is the case here. Our provost has helped the Seminary to develop in terms of structures and starting higher level programmes of study. He still wants to stay here and teach at the Seminary. The ECWA executive has agreed he should step down.
We are expecting Dr Sunday Agang to come as the new provost. He is presently the Academic Dean at the ECWA Theological Seminary at Jos (JETS). Pray for him as he takes on this new responsibility and for JETS as they select a new Dean. Assuming Prof. Kafang stays here, pray for a good working relationship at the Seminary.
November seems to be a month when people like to visit! We have had visitors from Canada, Australia, the USA and Northern Ireland in the last few weeks. It is great to enjoy the bond that unites us in Christ and we are always happy when people visit the ministry here so they can pray for the work and, possibly, encourage others to join us in missions.
In less than two weeks we will back in the UK. As I look out the window the sky is that continuous blue you often have in jigsaw puzzles. You know the kind where it is easy to put in the pieces where the tree branches are but the rest is more challenging since there are no clouds. The temperature here starts at a modest 22C in the morning and rises to 33C by mid-afternoon. We will be saying goodbye to both these circumstances soon but it will be good to be back in the UK. Seeing family and friends will more than compensate for those cold, dark, winter days.
Now we just have to tackle the marking and packing things away. Pray we get most of the marking done on time and for Debbie who has two meetings in Jos next week in connection with the Africa Christian Textbooks ministry (ACTS).
Thanks for your prayers and we wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year. (2 Cor. 9:15).
In Christ,
David and Debbie
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