December/January
PRAYER MONTHLY Matthew 1:21 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful ‘And she will bring forth and thankful
a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.’
POINTS FOR PRAYER NIGERIA PAMELA, MUSA & GRACIE GAIYA Thank God for His comfort and strength during the sudden passing of Pamela’s uncle (her Mum’s younger brother) in November. Pray that the Lord will continue to draw near with His presence and peace. Pray for the busyness in all the ACTS bookshops leading up to Christmas and the preparation for the Special Sales which start in January (for 3 months). Pray that the containers on their way will arrive safely and soon. Pray for God’s direction over ACTS operations in 2024.
SAMANTHA, GODFREY, HEPHZIBAH & MELKI IBIA Samantha is grateful to God for seeing her family through their first term in Enugu. They been able to establish FCS in a few schools which is very exciting. We ask that more schools will have open doors! As we reach more schools, pray for new
volunteers to help. Pray also for open doors in churches to raise awareness of the needs. Pray that people will have open hearts and will take up the challenge to serve God in this way!
MARK NIXON Join Mark in thanking God for: • The ongoing progress of the library renovation. • A successful end to the semester’s teaching. • A very profitable time with Professor Patton Taylor. • A safe election in Ankpa town. Join Mark in asking God for: • The continuing availability of water. • Arranging safe travel when visiting village churches for evangelism. • Preparation for next term’s lectures • The ongoing village programme of evangelism. • Raising of funds for purchasing items needed for evangelism and the associated practical costs. • The well-being of the staff and students over the Christmas break. • Safe travel and a time of refreshing as he spends some weeks in the UK over Christmas and New Year. • The return of the Provost for the next semester.
BRIAN WILSON
the opportunities afforded us.
Brian Wilson thanks God for His help at PACT. The 60th Anniversary celebration was a significant time for everyone - and we thank God for His care during 60 years. At the same time, there are many challenges - and we need God’s help in the time ahead.
Pray for good health and God’s protection.
Brian is returning for furlough on 8th December, and he asks for prayer for last minute preparation and then for his time during furlough. He also praises God that Mission Africa undertakes to see the PACT library renovation completed, and thanks Him for the significant work being done. Pray for God’s continued blessing on this.
GODWIN, GAIL & ANGEL EKANEM Praise God for his faithfulness and goodness to us as a family throughout 2023. The UEC National Annual Conference is being held in Lagos from 4th to 8th December. Pray for safety for the delegates as they travel there and back. Pray for a refreshing time for all in attendance and that wise decisions be taken for the good of the Church. Pray for Paul, Godwin and Brian who will be attending. We will be having a Christmas Kids’ Bible Club Special. Pray that the teaching, activities and gifts will be a blessing to the children and their families.
NIGERIA | HOME ASSIGNMENT KATIE MORRISON While Katie spends this academic year teaching in NI, she gives thanks for the regular communication with colleagues at HMH. Pray for the various meetings she will be involved in with MA this month.
CHAD DAVID, LUCY, SOPHIE & OLIVIA MORRISON Pray for Morgan who will be joining the Acacia team - that she would settle in well to the ministry and we can support her well as she finds her place. Pray for the Rahab Programme starting back up after Christmas, that we can maintain the good engagement and prepare the women well for the Ruth stage. Pray for stamina and protection as we enter into dark situations to bring light. Pray that we can find deep soul rest and joy as a family.
JEREMY & RACHEL NASH
Give thanks for the end of year special outreach programme in Godwin’s village which is happening on Saturday 16th December.
Pray for the TEAM conference organised by David & Lucy Morrison. There is a team from Northern Ireland coming to help between 2nd and 8th December.
Pray for the New Year as College and schools resume. Pray for Gail as she prepares to teach a new course at WWTC on the Minor Prophets.
Pray for Jeremy as he seeks printing of the Youth Bible Course on relationships and getting groups on board to use these studies.
Pray for our various ministries and for renewed vision, grace and strength in all
Pray for health and strength, grace for life’s frustrations and that we both serve well.
KENYA KATHRYN LINDSAY Kathryn gives thanks to God for an amazing seven months, for helping her to settle well and for the friends He has placed in her life here. Pray for her time with Robbie and Margaret Toop as they pay her a pastoral visit from 21st Nov - 5th Dec. Pray that God would open doors for Kathryn to get into schools in the New Year and that God would show her exactly what to say yes to and what to turn down, as things get busier. Pray that she will thoroughly enjoy her first Kenyan Christmas and that she won’t feel homesick during the Christmas period. Pray for Katie McCullough and Lucy Sydserff, two medical electives arriving on the 4th January. Pray for Louise Boyd who also arrives at the beginning of January and will stay for three months.
IVORY COAST ANA VAN BRAKEL Ana continues to ask for prayers regarding the organisation of the move to the Ivory Coast. Pray also that the Lord will keep her mind focused on Him, rather than letting stress take over. She asks for prayer that the settling in at the Bible School will go smoothly in January, especially as there will not be a lot of time to get her bearings: she’ll be arriving on the 3rd January with quite a few practical things needing to be arranged. The college term then starts on the 8th.
Ana give thanks for the support of her church which has been overwhelming and a great encouragement to her. Give thanks for the way God has graciously made the way clear and the encouraging response at the Bible College.
SCOTLAND ROBBIE TOOP Pray for lasting fruit from meetings taken in November. Praise God for a new church fellowship wanting to establish an ongoing relationship with Mission Africa. They have already booked a return visit for me to share an update on work in Kenya. Please pray for more new opportunities in 2024. Please also pray for connections with young people, some of whom have expressed an interest in the Summer Teams programme. Give thanks for our first visit to Kenya where we will have spent time with Kathryn Lindsay as well as visited the various Mission Africa projects and ministry opportunities in and around Kikuyu, Nairobi. Pray for wisdom as I plan for the New Year.
MISSION AFRICA NEWS
MISSION AFRICA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continue to pray for Council as they seek God’s guidance for the future of the Mission. Pray also for our new CEO, Paul Wright as continues to settle into his new role.
Central Prayer Meetings - You are most welcome to join us on zoom as we pray for the work of Mission Africa. In December, we will be having a Christmas Carol Service in place of our usual Zoom meeting on Wednesday 13th December at 7PM. We would love for you to join us.
Paul will be travelling to Nigeria from 30th November to 9th December to attend the UEC Conference. Pray that this will be a real time of blessing and encouragement as he meets our church partners in Nigeria. From 2nd - 12th December, a team from Finaghy Baptist Church, Belfast will be in Chad assisting the Morrisons with the TEAM Conference. Pray for their travel and safe arrival into N’Djamena and for all their plans and preparations in carring out children’s ministry at the conference. Pray for two medical elective students; Katie and Lucy and Louise Boyd; a short termer who will be travelling to Kenya on 3rd January. In January we will be saying goodbye to Peter Irvine from the Belfast office. We give thanks to God for the 2 years that he has served in Mission Africa as Finance Officer. Continue to pray for Peter as he moves on to a new role with ECM. Pray for the application process and interviewing of a new Finance Officer. Pray that God will have His hand in choosing a suitable candidate. We thank God for a successful Prayer Day and Commissioning on Saturday 25th November. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to come together and pray for our missionaries, ministries and partners.
January Date - Thursday 18th at 8PM Both dates - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 88367921982?pwd=THpRVFpkYVV5SDF 2ZVhoTVhpT2hCdz0 9 Meeting ID: 883 6792 1982 Passcode: 848070 Prayer Groups — If you would be interested in joining a smaller prayer group, please email us at news@missionafrica. org.uk. Some of these groups meet in person, others meet on zoom and are in addition to the Central Prayer Meeting. They will be supporter-led and are open to all supporters. Dispatch Magazine Our latest Dispatch Magazine will be out in time for Christmas. If you would like to sign up to our mailing list to receive our Dispatch magazine, whether a hard or digital copy, please email news@missionafrica.org.uk Office Closure: The Mission Africa office will be closed from Monday 25th December to Monday 1st January. From everyone at Mission Africa, may we take this opportunity to thank you for your faithful prayer and support throughout 2023 and we wish you a very happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.
‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18