Saturday, 7 July 2012
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. Our Home Assignment has been a time when we've been very aware of the importance of family in times of celebration and struggle. We are thankful to be part of our biological family as well as our church, mission and seminary families.
The 31st of March was a great time for my (Debbie) parents as we joined together as a family to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. It was a joy to see many relatives and friends who we hadn't seen for some time and to be reminded of the strength we gain from family. It has been special to spend a bit more time with family members while we've been here.
The family we are part of in Kagoro has grown with the arrival of the Creighton family. Please pray for their adjustment to a new environment and their new roles within the Seminary community. However, our Kagoro family is also hurting because of the health problems of our colleague, Dennis Shelly, who is in the US with his wife, Coletta, for a series of medical tests. Please pray for an accurate diagnosis and plan of treatment which will enable them to return to their ministry.
Our family in Nige ria has been suffering because of the activities of terrorists against Christians especially as they worship together on Sundays. Please pray for God's people to stand strong in the Lord and also for protection against the Enemy. Praise the Lord for the truth of Matthew 16:18.
Numbers in the wider SIM family and mission community have reduced owing to the security situation and the retirement of some members. Please pray for wisdom for the leaders as they evaluate the events in recent months and plan for the future.
One of the features of this Home Assignment has been dealing with health issues which has resulted in a record number of hospital appointments. We thank the Lord for the NHS! I had a small non life-threatening piece of skin cancer removed from the tip of my nose two weeks ago. The healing process has not been straightforward so please pray that everything would be in order for our return to Kagoro on 14th August.
We enjoyed spiritual refreshment through the ministries of the ladies' Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and sitting in on some of the Cornhill Belfast classes. I attended the BSF meetings on most Tuesday evenings at the Castlereagh Gospel Hall. It was great to study the Word of God with a lovely group of godly ladies. David sat in on most of the Cornhill classes on Friday mornings and we both enjoyed some other classes we were able to attend on the Psalms and the book of Judges.
We were blessed by having a wonderful week of holiday in Menorca at the end of May.
It's been encouraging for us to meet with our family of prayer and financial supporters
while we've been in the UK. Thank your for being a part of what the Lord is doing in Kagoro and the nation as a whole. Classes will have already started when we return to Kagoro so we anticipate a stressful few weeks as we get our systems up and running as well as begin teaching again. There will have been many changes in the months we've been away so pray for grace to adjust to the new dynamic in the Seminary as a result of a change in leadership. Please continue to pray for good health for us and our colleagues, protection and a fruitful ministry as we help prepare God's people for ministry (Eph. 4:12).
Thanks again for your prayers,
Debbie and David Colvin
We send you greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus. Thank you for your faithful prayers for us. Our Home Assignment has been a time when we've been very aware of the importance of family in times of celebration and struggle. We are thankful to be part of our biological family as well as our church, mission and seminary families.
The 31st of March was a great time for my (Debbie) parents as we joined together as a family to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. It was a joy to see many relatives and friends who we hadn't seen for some time and to be reminded of the strength we gain from family. It has been special to spend a bit more time with family members while we've been here.
The family we are part of in Kagoro has grown with the arrival of the Creighton family. Please pray for their adjustment to a new environment and their new roles within the Seminary community. However, our Kagoro family is also hurting because of the health problems of our colleague, Dennis Shelly, who is in the US with his wife, Coletta, for a series of medical tests. Please pray for an accurate diagnosis and plan of treatment which will enable them to return to their ministry.
Our family in Nige ria has been suffering because of the activities of terrorists against Christians especially as they worship together on Sundays. Please pray for God's people to stand strong in the Lord and also for protection against the Enemy. Praise the Lord for the truth of Matthew 16:18.
Numbers in the wider SIM family and mission community have reduced owing to the security situation and the retirement of some members. Please pray for wisdom for the leaders as they evaluate the events in recent months and plan for the future.
One of the features of this Home Assignment has been dealing with health issues which has resulted in a record number of hospital appointments. We thank the Lord for the NHS! I had a small non life-threatening piece of skin cancer removed from the tip of my nose two weeks ago. The healing process has not been straightforward so please pray that everything would be in order for our return to Kagoro on 14th August.
We enjoyed spiritual refreshment through the ministries of the ladies' Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and sitting in on some of the Cornhill Belfast classes. I attended the BSF meetings on most Tuesday evenings at the Castlereagh Gospel Hall. It was great to study the Word of God with a lovely group of godly ladies. David sat in on most of the Cornhill classes on Friday mornings and we both enjoyed some other classes we were able to attend on the Psalms and the book of Judges.
We were blessed by having a wonderful week of holiday in Menorca at the end of May.
It's been encouraging for us to meet with our family of prayer and financial supporters
while we've been in the UK. Thank your for being a part of what the Lord is doing in Kagoro and the nation as a whole. Classes will have already started when we return to Kagoro so we anticipate a stressful few weeks as we get our systems up and running as well as begin teaching again. There will have been many changes in the months we've been away so pray for grace to adjust to the new dynamic in the Seminary as a result of a change in leadership. Please continue to pray for good health for us and our colleagues, protection and a fruitful ministry as we help prepare God's people for ministry (Eph. 4:12).
Thanks again for your prayers,
Debbie and David Colvin
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
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