DISPATCH MISSION AFRICA MAGAZINE
WINTER 2023
EDITORIAL
Paul Wright | Chief Executive
I have only been involved with Mission Africa for a short time, but already it is clear that the word ‘change’ is used regularly within the organisation! Watch out for all the change as you read the articles in this Dispatch. Mission Africa has experienced unexpected and unwanted change over the last year, most notably with the passing of Revd Dr Paul Bailie. Situations in the lives of missionaries, supporters, mission partners and countries the Mission works in continue to change from month to month. This, of course, is not a new phenomena, but something that has been part of human history since God did a “new thing” in Creation. We read in the Biblical narrative of how God revealed Himself in real time through real people, changing their lives and circumstances. You will know the saying, “hindsight is a wonderful thing.” This is lens through which we view Biblical history. We read these records through a complete revelation in our own language with the illumination of the Holy Spirit. This enables us to discern how the Lord used the changes He brought through His intervention in people’s 2 | Dispatch Winter 2023
lives. We can see God fulfilling His promise to Abraham in His time and how He revealed His character to Job, blessing Him abundantly at the end of His suffering. We see the struggles of the disciples and wonder why they would think and say some of the things that we read. The reason we are able to see God’s character and purpose throughout
Biblical History is that we are looking back. It is a very different thing to
have this level of discernment and
understanding when change comes in
the present, especially in ways that we do not expect or desire.
Why would this current trial come into my life? Why does God not heal me?
Why did I lose my job? Every reader will
have questions about the change going on in their lives right now. It is difficult
for us in the present as those personally experiencing change to see clearly. We
cannot use hindsight and we do not have the perspective of a pragmatic onlooker. Do we really have to wait until situations pass before we can see God’s purpose and character in our lives?
Change forces us out of the comfortable
norm that we all crave. We do not seek
more like Christ.
option, to maintain the status quo.
In all of this change, when we do not
has called. “For those God foreknew he
God is at work in our lives and entrust
change and would prefer, if given the
However, God has a plan for those He
also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom. 8:28-29)
We were not redeemed and then
left alone as orphans. We have been
adopted into the family of God. A good parent will desire their children to grow
in character and find their purpose. Our
lose heart, hold on to the fact that
ourselves, our families and every aspect of our lives into His care, we reveal the
life of the Lord Jesus in our bodies and are renewed day by day as are being
prepared for an eternal glory! We can
rest in the knowledge that all the change that comes into our lives is “light and
momentary” even though it may not feel like it.
heavenly Father, has brought us into His
The apostle Paul experienced changes
spiritual rebirth.
yet encouraged others with the following
family, not because we are good, but by
He had a plan, one put in place before the foundation of the world to see us
become like Christ! Our sinful nature is
wired to resist this and when we become
that most of us will never go through and statement. “So we fix our eyes not on
what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)
static in our family, church and work
Let every reader trust our loving Father
days pass by, content with our ‘normal’
Christ, embracing the change He brings
life, the tendency is to just watch the
existence. But, this is not why we have been called!
and submit to His will to become like
into our temporary lives as “jars of clay” until we see Him face to face!
As a parent, I know my children. I can
read their faces even when they try to
hide emotion. I bring change into their lives that often they do not want, but it
is for their good. Our Father, knows us. He will bring change into our lives, not
as cruel tests to watch us squirm but as a means to form our character to become
Dispatch Winter 2019 | 3
REVD DR PAUL BAILIE
One Year Anniversary
The 15th November marked one year since we suddenly lost our much loved friend and CEO; Revd Dr Paul Bailie. Paul brought leadership and direction to Mission Africa for 17 years and he did so with such passion and vigour. As we each remember Paul, we rejoice that he loved Jesus and is with his Lord today. Continue to pray for his wife, Anne and the wider Bailie family, that God will comfort them, especially over this Christmas period.
NAOMI SPENCE Short Term Officer
At the end of October 2023, we said goodbye to Naomi Spence following 18 years of service with Mission Africa. We give thanks for her faithful service over the years and
for the many different roles that she was involved in. It has been a real blessing to see
our short term programme grow as Naomi coordinated our it for the last 8 years. Join us in praying for Naomi and her new role in Children of the Nations.
CATHERINE POPE Short Term Officer
Some of you may remember Catherine from our Summer Dispatch Magazine where we introduced her as our Youth Engagement Officer. Catherine has now changed roles and has taken over from Naomi Spence as Short Term Officer. Pray for Catherine as she takes over this role and begins to develop and promote our short - term ministry. You can read on Page 22 about our exciting new Short Term Teams programme for 2024 called ‘Come See Go Tell.’ 4 | Dispatch Winter 2023
PETER IRVINE
Finance Officer
In January 2024, we say goodbye to Peter Irvine. Peter joined us in 2022 as our Finance Officer and has during his time has throughly enjoyed several trips to Kenya where the ‘Old Folks Home’ in Kenya has left a special place in his heart. We give thanks to God for his faithful service over the last two years and wish him well in his new role with ECM.
DR LAUREN JOHNSTON
New Council Member
In November 2023, we welcomed Dr Lauren Johnston as a new member of Mission Africa’s Council. Many of you will know Lauren as ‘Lauren Hetherington’ who served on many short term trips to Kenya and has been involved in Mission Africa since. Lauren is married to Richard and lives in Moira. Pray for Lauren as she begins in this new role.
In this edition, we asked two members of our council; Caroline Bustard and Trevor McIlroy to share how they came to be involved in Mission Africa and one highlight from their time on council.
CAROLINE BUSTARD Chair of Council
Many of you will know me as Caz. I
of interesting people. What do I like to
but spent most of my life growing up
pharmacy? Pottery, cooking, travelling to
currently live just outside Ballymena
in Coleraine. My day job is a Locum
Pharmacist which involves working in
many different places and meeting lots
do when not involved in Mission Africa or name a few things - but to be fair I’ll try anything new!
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 5
From the age of 11, I attended Girl
along to the Coleraine prayer group
Sunday led by Margaret Usher and Joyce
monthly meetings where I got to know
Crusaders Union in Coleraine every
Millar. Both had missionary experience in Africa and were faithful leaders who
had a genuine concern to see me grow in my faith. Margaret often talked of
her years as a missionary with Qua Iboe
Fellowship (MA) in Nigeria but to me that was something that other people did
and there was no way that I could go to
Africa! How I managed to be on a team
by Hazel Ferguson, and enjoyed those more about the mission and those
involved. Later, after volunteering at the office, to my surprise, I was asked to join the Mission Africa Council by the late
Rev Dr Paul Bailie. I consider it a great privilege to currently serve alongside
such godly and wise Christian brothers and sisters.
travelling to Holley Memorial Hospital
One of the highlights of being on council
of a ‘Jonah story’, of the girl who made
no greater thrill when God meets a need
in 2006 led by David McComb was a bit every excuse under the sun of why she
couldn’t go - but God had very different plans!
From then, I had the privilege of leading many teams out to Holley Memorial
Hosptal - God had put the people of
Africa in my heart. I was invited to come
is seeing how God uses people! There is within the mission and sends the right
person, at the right time to do His work. Continuing to see them grow, adapt,
learn in their faith and develop a ministry is such a great encouragement both to
them and us. The work is not always easy but we look to the Lord for His help and remain thankful for all He has done.
TREVOR MCILROY Council Member
There has never been a time in my life
Opening’ where funds were announced
My parents were leaders in Carnlea
A serving missionary would come along
when I did not know of Mission Africa. Mission Hall, which supported Mission Africa through the Carnlea Auxilary
since 1926. As a way of raising funds,
members donated using a wooden box and each year there was an annual ‘Box 6 | Dispatch Winter 2023
and compared against previous years. with the General Secretary and share about their time in Nigeria, showing
slides of mud huts and villages set in
the jungle. I took over from my father as secretary of the Auxiliary in 1997 and
remained in that role to 2018. Carnlea
Holy Spirit as we lead the Mission. There
now the Ballymena Prayer Group.
last year with the sudden passing of my
was the last remaining Auxiliary which is
I was very surprised when in 1993, I
received a letter from the late Revd Bill
Leach, inviting me to become a member
have been no harder times than this
friend Paul Bailie. It is only through the faithful prayers of you, our supporters
that we have been able to press forward.
of Council. I accepted, but fear for quite
I was asked to finish with a highlight.
was very much in awe of the knowledge,
being involved in the opening of the new
a few years I made little contribution as I wisdom and passion for spreading the gospel in Africa of these wonderful servants of the mission.
Over the years, there have been
countless changes including the name change to Mission Africa, the renewal
of the work in Burkina Faso under the
direction of Revd Bill Leach, the move into Chad through John Cardoo and most recently into Kenya from the
leadership of Revd Dr Paul Bailie. It
For me, it has to be leading a team and
dormitory in Thogoto Home for the Aged in Kenya in 2018. Hundreds of people attended with the local BB, GB and
Scouts parading. The sense of joy and
celebration was almost overwhelming.
Being fed orange cake from a fork by a
singing Kenyan lady was definitely a first for me!! As always in Africa, above all
they gave thanks to God first, this new
dormitory now replaced an old chilcken shed.
has been a wonderful blessing to have served on Council under three CEO’s,
so different, yet so gifted and passionate
about Mission Africa. Now, in the last two months, we welcome our new CEO Paul Wright, who I am confident will lead us forward with wisdom and vigour as we
face the challenges of a changing Africa. Over all these years, I can honestly say that serving on Council has been one
of the greatest privileges of my life and even through many difficult and hard
decisions, we have been a family, united as one in seeking the guidance of the
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 7
MISSION AFRICA CHILD SPONSORSHIP
2023 CHRISTMAS APPEAL
8 | Dispatch Summer 2023
Christmas is always an exciting time for the children on our sponsorship programme. Each year we launch a Christmas Appeal to be able to buy every child and teenager on sponsorship a Christmas gift. This started in 2017 with a ‘shoebox style’ appeal which included essential items and has ranged over the years from jerry cans, blankets, shoes and mattresses. This Christmas, we have partnered with Madlug, a Northern Ireland based company who give a bag to children in care with every purchase made. It is our plan to give every child on sponsorship a new school bag for them to carry their belongings to school. Many of these children walk long distances to get to school and so these bags have been designed with durability in mind enabling them to last in the varying seasons of Nigeria.
Along with these bags, each child will also get a brand new age appropriate Bible to help them learn and grow in their walk with Jesus Christ as well as gifts and letters from their sponsors. £30 buys one child a Bag & Bible. Would you consider buying one for the child or children that you sponsor? The gifts will be given out on 16th December at our Christmas Saturday Club, however the appeal has no deadline. If you would like to partner with us in our Christmas Appeal, you can do so by donating on our website www.missionafrica. org.uk/give and marking it as ‘Child Sponsorship Christmas.’ Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like more information or other ways to give.
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 9
Children & 142are sponsored 167Teenagers 25 not yet sponsored
month 70p£20per £240 Faith
Learn per Grow year
per day is the equivelant Education Discipleship to coffees per Medical Food Clothing month.
4
Who do our children live with?
10 | Dispatch Winter 2019
STORIES OF LIVES TRANSFORMED Joy Audu and Enemona Garuba
In August 2023, 15 members of Mission Africa’s Child Sponsorship Programme finished their education and their sponsorship journey. Read two stories below:
My name is Joy and I’m currently 17 years old. Both my parents have sadly passed away and I now live with my mum’s sister, my auntie in Ogugu village.
Hi, my name is Enemona and I am 17 years old. I have just finshed Senior Secondary Class 3 in Early Life Secondary School.
In September 2023, I graduated from both sponsorship and from my school; Joyce Early Life Secondary School. Being part of sponsorship has changed my life completely. I first joined in 2012 when I joined a Primary 4 class. I had never been to school before, but I remember being excited to go. I have loved school ever since and I really appreciate my sponsor paying my school fees.
Both my parents died in 2012 and my siblings and I then began to live with my grandmother. In 2014, I joined sponsorship and have been on for almost 9 years. Sponsorship has changed my life in so many ways. My sponsor Dave has paid my school fees, helped me medically and shown me what it means to have a brother in Christ.
I would love to become a nurse. Please pray for me as I begin to work in a stall at the market to start saving for my university education.
I have been learning cake decorating for some time now and I enjoy making wedding cakes. I hope to continue this and turn it into a proper business some day.
Dispatch Winter 2019 | 11
GREETINGS FROM CHAD Jeremy & Rachel Nash
A beautiful sunrise before us, while traveling in the coach up to Gatwick, is our
lasting memory of the day we left England. We arrived late that same night on the 27th June: bodies in N’Djamena, bags still in Istanbul, where our already mature cheddar cheese would continue to mature for two more nights. We have now
been here in N’Djamena four months. It certainly is beginning to feel like home. We arrived on the Muslim festival
‘Tabaski’ - so our orientation began on our first day with two meals out
at the homes of friends of our TEAM
colleagues, Rivers and Becky. We sat on the floor, men in one room around one bowl, and the women and children in
another. Thankfully the language was French, not just Chadian Arabic. One custom is to give your guest perfume for the hair, the hands and then,
bizarrely, on hot coals in a bowl which is placed under your skirt so the smoking perfume can waft in heady clouds over your entire body…. Wish I had caught that one on video!
Here as mission-support workers,
seconded to TEAM Chad to run the N’Djamena Guesthouse and office
centre, our first week was taken up with orientation, mainly led by David and Lucy Morrison: what to wear, how to stay safe, where to buy material, the structure of the EET Church (Eglise
Evangelique du Tchad), where to enjoy
a scrummy meal of camel meat and how 12 | Dispatch Winter 2023
to drive in this crazy traffic.
Jeremy has also been hard at work out
Rachel was taught first by Colleen
materials he uses in Burkina Faso, the
and then Mechthild, how to use Quick Books, the admin tasks we do in the
office (getting visa, travel permit and other paperwork together, booking
internal UN plane tickets, managing the office helper, Franklin, with purchasing and banking work) and how to run
the guesthouse. Mechthild has her
ministry based in Koutou, writing and
preparing materials for the 12 EET Bible colleges. She has several times had to
leave her home in Koutou to come and cover the admin side of running the
N’Djamena Centre. She is very pleased that we are here to help support the
of office hours, trying to publicise the
Explorer’s Club Bible courses for school children. Jeremy was explaining about the materials to an EET pastor at an
event this week. The head of the EET,
Pastor Tao, was also there. He said how much his own children had enjoyed
the ‘Love, Dating and Marriage’ course booklet that Jeremy had given him to
look through, for potentially introducing it to EET church youth groups and
secondary schools. What a great advert! It has been hard slog finding the
contacts who would benefit most from these courses, but God has a plan.
TEAM community so that she can live
Rachel has just completed the
ministry.
end, led by the treasurer, Mark,
in Koutou and focus on her literature
Jeremy was introduced to the workshop and hit the ground running with
maintenance tasks that needed to be done around the guesthouse centre. Mending air conditioning units and
cleaning out shower heads is a common problem. But the jobs are many and
varied. He also manages the 8 guards we have on a rotation system at two
properties, along with the gardener, Mbaga, who helps Jeremy to keep
the grounds neat and tidy, including
bookkeeping side of our fiscal year who is located several hundred km
south. Mark and Diane have several times had to leave their ministry
location to come and cover the centre
management. Their work in translation, with malnourished children and most
recently in starting a Christian primary
school in the village, has had to be put
on the back burner. So, they are thrilled that we are here to do these roles, so
they can stay and minister where God has called them, in Tchaguine.
pruning trees! Another role he has is to
We are very much enjoying our time
flights or internal MAF ones.
One of the fun aspects of our role is to
do airport runs, either for international
here and feel very much appreciated.
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 13
have games nights or film nights for the
and Air Force jets taking off every
staying in the guesthouse. David and
chirrup throughout the night and glossy
TEAM members living on the centre or Lucy were staying here at ‘The Hotel’ for a mini holiday for their daughter
Sophie’s half term. We hosted some
morning for a border check. Crickets starlings squawk throughout the day. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
early outdoor games for the children,
And apart from all this, Rachel has
evening. We are really appreciating
guesthouse rooms, we have been for
followed by Mah Jong later in the
these times that allow us to get to know
the missionaries here in Chad and learn
about what God is doing in this country. Pepper and Pumpkin, the friendly
compound guard dogs, are technically under Jeremy’s care – but the daily feeding is part of the guards’ job.
enjoyed doing some artwork for
a lovely weekend break at the AIM
Retreat by the Chari River, bird-spotting and swimming in the pool, Jeremy discovered a local hotel has a big-
screen TV with football showing, and the same hotel has a super pool for relaxing on a Saturday.
No one arrives in the compound
So, have we sold it to you? We have
a 3am flight! We are just 5 minutes’
TEAM are desperately seeking people
unannounced – even when arriving from drive from the airport, so apart from
traffic noise around the centre we have aeroplanes revving up at all hours, 14 | Dispatch Winter 2023
committed to be here for a year, but
to come and fill these roles long-term. Could that be you?
A NEW DESTINATION... Ana van Brakel
My name is Ana and I grew up as the
Call to Serve
village in the Netherlands. My parents
When I was converted, my interest in
we faithfully attended church each
challenged me and gave me a real
oldest girl in a family of 5 in a small were Christians and as a family,
week, but it was not until the end of my studies in African Linguistics at
the University of Leiden that I finally decided to give my life to Christ.
During my studies, I developed an interest in relief-work, leading to a
minor in ‘Law and Administration in Development Countries’.
evangelism developed. God continually heart and desire to share the Gospel
with the people of London. It was then that I began participating in the youth work and other outreach activities of
the church. Alongside this, I continued to maintain my interest in relief-work
but being involved in church life was where I was called to at that time.
After completing my studies, I then
As I was becoming more and more
NHS in Clinical Governance for about
God continued to challenge my heart.
moved to the UK where I worked for the 10 years. During this time, I became a
member at Thornton Heath Evangelical Church.
comfortable and enjoying my job,
Thornton Heath Evangelical Church held many ‘mission evenings,’ and
during one of those meetings, Mission
Africa was sharing about their overseas Dispatch Winter 2023 | 15
opportunities and Burkina Faso sparked
I began praying and seeking God’s will
to me that I had to decide whether I
various conversations between Mission
my attention. That evening, it was clear
would step out in faith and follow God’s
call and so it was from here that I began to explore what service with Mission
Africa and in Burkina Faso would look like
Ministry In September 2008, I travelled to
Burkina Faso and served there until
December 2018 . Whilst there, I was
involved in discipling and mentoring
new believers. I was also involved with the EPE Church on a national level
where I chaired the National Children’s
for ‘what was next’ in my life and with
Africa as well as Thornton Heath, it was
agreed that I would begin preparations
to go to Ivory Coast to assist at the Bible College there.
Bible College L’Institut Pastoral Hébron (generally
called l’IPH) was started in 1992 outside the town of Bouaflé in the Ivory Coast. It takes students from all West-African French speaking countries, though
the members of the Board come from Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast only.
Work Committee.
This exciting new chapter will see me
In 2018, I returned to the UK to regulate
travel to the Ivory Coast. Here, I will
my citizenship due to the UK leaving the EU and sadly during this time
on furlough, the security situation in
Burkina Faso deteriorated and it became apparent that a return to my previous
ministry was becoming unlikely. During my time in Burkina Faso, I attended the wedding of a friend in Ivory Coast and had visited a Bible College there that is run by the WEC-planted churches
in Burkina and Ivory Coast. While on
furlough, I was reminded of the need
of well-trained pastors and the lack of
resources that was available for pastors in West-Africa.
16 | Dispatch Winter 2023
leaving the UK in January 2024 to
be part of the pastoral teaching team of the college where I will primarily
be teaching English and basic IT-skills (how to use Word etc.) I will also be responsible for the pastoral care of
women which includes spiritual support and Bible training. Alongside this, I will
assist in managing the college library as well as creating materials and leading
the college children’s ministry – there is an on-site nursery school for children
aged between 0-6 years of parents who are studying in the college.
TIME IS FLYING! Kathryn Lindsay
Time flies when you are having fun! I can’t believe I have been in Kenya for seven months already. It is safe to say that I have settled in very well
and have made some amazing friends. I love the Kenyan culture – the people are so welcoming, hospitable, and kind. They also have a great
sense of humour which goes down well with the
Northern Irish one. The food is great too, and the weather is very pleasant. I have been invited to
and attended weddings, baby showers, surprise
engagements, graduations, memorial services, and a whole host of events which have helped me to
feel part of the community here. I have spent a lot of my time getting to know the culture, learning Swahili, building relationships with our partner
organisations, and attending the youth groups of two local churches in the parish I live in. I am getting to know the young people
have noticed a real gap in the provision
opportunities to share the Word of
ladies.
at both churches well and have had God with them, pray with them and
of this ministry, especially for younger
encourage them. I am currently in the
I have also been very busy with teams,
Youth to introduce more for the young
termers. Over the summer I had seven
process of coming alongside Thirime
ladies – social events, bible studies and a mentorship programme. I am also
hoping to introduce more mid-week
activities for Kimuri Youth (Church of the Torch). God has really placed a
huge burden on my heart for women’s
ministry here in Kenya - within the circles I have been engaging with already. I
medical electives, and other short
straight weeks of teams - many of which overlapped with each other - plus a steady stream of medical electives
during that time. It was great getting to spend time with them, sharing
devotions, testimonies and praying
together. Even to get my Northern Irish accent back for short bursts (especially
Dispatch DispatchWinter Winter2019 2023 || 17 17
as I had a bit of a Scottish one, which has now turned Kenyan-English). The teams had a great time and meaningfully
A few prayer points for the months to come:
shared the gospel at football camps,
• Thanks to God for an amazing seven
the Aged, prisons and many more. I
and for the friends He has placed in my
schools, youth groups, the Home for
have also recently had a busy spell with
teams in October – three weeks back to back with the Ballydown Building Team and a team from Lurgan College. The ‘craic was mighty’ (we had great fun)
and both teams worked very hard. They have been a huge encouragement to those they met, and I have also been
thoroughly spoiled and encouraged by their visits.
Overall, it has been an amazing seven
months, and I am excited for what is still to come. Short term mission to Kenya
with Mission Africa is thriving and there is a lot in the pipeline for next year.
There are even plans for 2025! I just
want to thank you all so much for your prayers, I don’t take them for granted
and I am so blessed to have you on this journey with me.
18 | Dispatch Summer 2023
months, for helping me to settle well life here.
• That God would open doors for me to get into schools in the New Year.
• That opportunities with women’s
ministry and both youth groups would continue to develop.
• That God would show me exactly what to say yes to and what to turn down, as things get busier.
• That I would thoroughly enjoy my first Kenyan Christmas and that I wouldn’t feel homesick during the Christmas period.
• Also, for my family back home as it will be the first time I haven’t spent Christmas with them.
• For my safety as I walk around Thogoto on my own – as there has been a rise in insecurity in the area.
and wealth. Prior to going on mission, I was naive to the extent of this and when witnessing some of the poorest areas in Kenya, often referred to as ‘slums’, I was
disheartened, challenged and frustrated
Abigail Lindsay
Kenya Discipleship Team
about how this could happen. Yet when
we visited these places, they were rich in kindness, love and grace, often eager to welcome us with the little food and tea they had. I couldn’t comprehend their
generosity, particularly in contrast to the UK, a society conditioned to be ‘careful’ with our money and often act greedily with it.
The people I met in Kenya were prime examples of walking in faith - where
some lacked material things, they had an abundance of faith and gratitude
to God for providing their needs. This gratitude was infectious, and a true
testimony of how our hearts are filled
and made content by our God Almighty only.
In my recent trip to Kenya, God really
opened my eyes to his presence in the beautiful country of Kenya. From the
people we met, to the sunsets we saw, His beauty, love and grace was clear
everywhere we went. Living in a world of sin however has led to corruption,
inequality and selfishness, separating populations into extremes of poverty
Upon coming back to the UK, I changed my outlook towards God who will
satisfy all my needs and knows the
plans he has for me. I wish everyone could experience those moments of
realisation that God gave me in Kenya,
I know that God will reveal and provide
all things if we focus our eyes and hearts towards him.
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 19
Finaghy Baptist Chad Team
“We were in Chad for over 30 years and
the team, encouraging and challenging
visit.” Not everyone is willing to come
with Christ and each other in the power
no one from our church ever came to
to Chad, so we don’t take for granted the fact that a team of five recently
came all the way to N’Djamena, Chad to serve during TEAM Chad’s Annual
Conference. Made up of ex- and current Finaghy Baptist Church members, four of the team went above and beyond investing in the 15 missionary kids
present. Not only did they run a high-
energy, well-thought-out programme for 6 hours per day, but also sharing their meals and what little down-time they had with them too.
Their humble service allowed the adults to fully engage in the meetings with full
peace of mind. We were blessed to have Alistair Campbell as the fifth member of
the field towards a deeper communion of His love. The field has been through some tough spells over the past two years which made it such a blessing
that Alistair came, not as a preacher, but as a pastor: listening intently, praying, weeping, and rejoicing with each of
us. We praise God both for the team’s willingness to serve, and for God’s
goodness in using them to minister to each person present.
We finished off the trip with a
whistlestop tour of our ministry and
some Chadian experiences – church,
visiting a sick lady, fabric shopping and
visiting the meat market, which left some considering life as vegetarians!
Ballydown Presbyterian
Lurgan College
A team from Ballydown Presbyterian
In October, a team of 29 pupils and staff
October. To us, they were known as
Primarily their work was focused around
Kenya Building Team
Church travelled to Kenya on 15th
‘the building team’ as one of their main projects was the renovation of the ‘Old
Folks Home’ in Kikuyu. Throughout their two weeks, they took on renovating the
existing kitchen and staff housing at the
Kenya School Team
from Lurgan College set out for Kenya.
Comet School, running a VBS (Vocation Bible School) as well as assisting in
practical tasks such as painting and loading food parcels.
home.
The theme for the week was “By Faith”
On their final week, the team were
and how it is “By Faith” each of us are
privileged to be part of the opening of the new kitchen which is named
the ‘Bailie Kitchen’ in memory of the
late Revd Dr Paul Bailie who served in Kikuyu.
focusing on Old Testament characters saved and can be saved. Alongside
work at Comet the team also visited
Thogoto Home for the Aged, singing
and enjoying short times of fellowship with the residents.
Each evening the team spent time in
devotions and being challenged from the book of Jonah, on what it means to follow God. Continue to pray that the effects of a short team will have
a lifelong impact in the lives of each young person who was part of the Lurgan College School Team.
Dispatch DispatchWinter Winter2019 2023 || 21 21
‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’. Romans 1:16
Exciting things are happening in Short-
So that you can then…
launch our new short-term programme
Go and Tell your friends and family what
Term at Mission Africa! This month we called - COME SEE GO TELL
Short-term teams are not just a threeweek trip to Africa. They have the
potential to both encourage the Church and our missionaries in Africa, but also
to transform the heart of those that go.
Our new programme involves meeting once a month before the team goes
you have seen and how you have been changed.
Go and Tell the gospel to those at home using the gifts you have grown in, and
from what you have learnt while being in Africa and maybe you will even feel
called to go back long term to continue to Go and Tell the gospel in Africa…
to Africa, and once a month for three
These sessions will include studying
delve into the theme ‘Come See Go Tell.’
within short-term teams and having
months after. The purpose of this is to
Come See what God is doing in His
Gods Word, exploring common issues times of fellowship and prayer together.
church in Africa and how you can
We would love your support in praying
Come See how God can use the gifts he
will use it to shape the hearts of our
encourage our great partnerships.
has given you to serve him and to share the gospel.
Come See how Christian’s worship in a
culture completely different to your own. 22 | Dispatch Winter 2023
for this new programme. Pray that God short-term teams to make sure our
teams are not just ‘three-week trips’ but have life lasting impact.
YOUTH & EVANGELISM TEAM
Joining our youth and
evangelism team will allow you to engage in a variety
of ministries, reaching out
to people of different ages, backgrounds and faiths.
Kenya 24 JULY - 14 august
a rescue centre with the aim to
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP TEAM
scripture and education.
Kenya 06 JULY - 20 JULY
The focus of our women’s
leadership team will be on ministering to women and
teenage girls through working in empower young ladies through
COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEAM NIGERIA 22 JULY - 12 august
Our sports team will spend time in various locations facilitating sports camps alongside
Ambassadors Football Kenya. Alongside coaching, you will
share talks and testimonies to those who attend the camps.
This team will work with the
children who are part of Mission Africa’s Child Sponsorship
Programme to deliver Bible
club, games, crafts, sports and
discipleship as well as practical
work within the centre.
FOOTBALL MINISTRY TEAM
Kenya 02 JULY - 23 JULY
Dispatch Summer 2023 | 23
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS!
Peter Achimugu College of Theology (PACT)
24 | Dispatch Winter 2019
Dispatch Winter 2019 | 25
HOME FROM HOME Gail & Godwin Ekanem
There is a time for travelling out and a time to come back. Though we had a
great stay at home, we were also ready for our return. We didn’t realise how
much we needed a year at home; the
stress before we travelled along with we had been unable to travel as a family for quite some time. We give thanks that
Angel now holds an Irish passport and we can travel freely back and forward together.
Godwin returned to Nigeria in July,
our family. We had the joy of being in
Upon arriving back in Uyo, everyone
our niece’s wedding in January. We
Angel and I returned 6 weeks later. was amazed at how tall Angel had
grown over this past year, so much so
that we were asked whether we had fed
her with ‘fertiliser!’ She received a warm welcome back to school, which was a boost to her confidence after ‘feeling
different’ to everyone else in a strange culture. She is delighted to be back
with her cousins here in Uyo, although
she misses some of the friends she had
gotten to know in Belfast. She probably
misses all the ice-cream and fish & chips as well!!
It was great to have the opportunity
of renewing acquaintances with our
home Mission base, our Churches, and of course to spend some time with 26 | Dispatch Winter 2019
Wexford for Christmas and attending
continue to thank God for my Mum and Dad who still live in their own home
taking care of one another. We enjoyed getting to know new people in our
church; Lowe through participation in
the CAP Programme, the Warm Space and Alpha. I was privileged to be able
to audit the Women’s Study Fellowship Programme (Year 2) at Belfast Bible
College, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Friendships were forged which will
continue long into the future. I loved the walk down to the College on a Monday
morning, as well as the amazing scones for break time.
We were also at home for a sad time in Mission Africa, when our CEO,
Paul, died suddenly. This was such a
be ordained as a Deaconess of the UEC
to understand. We can but trust God,
with 3 other ordinands. It was indeed
shock to all of us and it was difficult
who knows better than we do. “‘For my
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the
LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). We look forward to
getting to know and work with the ‘new’ Paul over the coming months.
at our local church, Caleb’s Camp, along a special occasion as some of the
Reverends participating were amongst my first students when I arrived newly to teach at Samuel Bill Theological College.
Since coming back, I have had a couple of speaking engagements. I have also
resumed my one day a week at William Wheatley Theological College, so that
has been good, though due to the rainy season and bad roads, we have had to
travel a longer distance on the so-called better road. By the time I get back after teaching my four classes, and battling
the heat and sand flies, I am absolutely exhausted. I have finally been able to
submit my revised draft on Jesus and
the Leaders to ACTS and hope it will be published in the not-too-distant future. It needed some updated references and additional illustrations, some of
Godwin is in full swing at the office
in Belfast.
coming back, he’s had opportunities to
which I was able to do during my time
As yet, I have not resumed the children’s work. I hope to do a special Christmas
event, and distribute some food, so that in a difficult economic time, they can bring home something to enjoy with their families.
On 6th November, I was privileged to
with his various responsibilities. Since
preach in various congregations as well as taking a few morning devotions in
the UEC’s apex office. He enjoys going on a monthly evangelistic outreach to
Ikot Ekpang, his home village. This is a
programme he co-started together with Revds Umana Ossoh and Jim Robinson in April 2022.
Dispatch Winter 2019 | 27
TO SERVE IN OGUGU, NIGERIA Are you passionate about serving overseas? Are you passionate about sharing Jesus with children and young people? We are looking for someone to work with Mission Africa’s Child Sponsorship Programme as the youth and children’s worker in rural Ogugu. Could this be you? To find out more information, email info@missionafrica.org.uk or call 02890402850 28 | Dispatch Winter 2023
WE ARE HIRING!
ENGLAND MOBILISER Do you have a passion for the work of Mission Africa? Why not consider working for us as our representative at Mission Events, Churches, and Youth Groups in England to share what God is doing through Mission Africa
We are seeking to employ an enthusiastic individual for 21 hours (3 days per week) to be proactive in seeking out new ways of promoting the work of Mission Africa in England and to encourage people to get involved in our work. For more details, contact: opportunities@missionafrica.org.uk | www.missionafrica.org.uk Dispatch Winter 2019 | 29
Dispatch Winter 2022 | 29
Join Team - OUR -
IN THE BELFAST OFFICE
PART TIME ADMIN Do you have excellent attention to detail? Able to work with efficiency and accuracy? Love to see ideas come to life? If so, we would love you to join our small dedicated team based in Belfast. For more information, email opportunities@missionafrica.org.uk 30 | Dispatch Winter 2019
ministries that Kathryn is involved in and visit the organisations Mission Africa
partner with in Kenya such as Thogoto Home for the the Age and Kikuyu Hospital.
BRIAN WILSON Furlough
Brian Wison has now completed his first term in Nigeria after serving for 2 years. He returned home on 9th
December and will enjoy a period of
rest before taking on some deputations, prayer groups and continuing to raise support. Brian will be available for
church deputations or prayer groups
from February onwards. If you would like him to come and speak, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
ROBBIE & MARGARET TOOP Kenya Trip
Robbie and Maragret visited Kathryn in
late November - this was their first time
in Kenya and had a fantastic time. They
were able to bring video messages from Kathryn’s Growth Group at the Tron
(which they had visited prior to their trip to Kenya) as well as care packages from various groups - all of which were very special for Kathryn. They were able to visit some of the churches and youth
Throughout the trip, Kathryn was
thoroughly spoiled with meals out and an evening trip to the local mall to
see the Christmas lights on December 1st - which was lovely! They throughly enjoyed spending time in prayer and studying God’s Word together.
LOUISE BOYD
Short Term - Kenya On 3rd January 2024 I am travelling
to Kenya for 3 months on short term mission. I will be staying close by to Kathryn Lindsay and I’m very much
looking forward to getting involved in
the work that she is already involved in. The plan is loose at the minute as I want to see what way God leads when I am
out there and just be open to that. But at present, I plan to work with Grace
Point Church on their rescue mission of
young women who are being subjected to all sorts of illegal procedures such
as FGM. Grace Point provide a rescue centre where I hope to be involved in
encouraging, empowering and teaching these young women about the love of
Dispatch Winter 2023 | 31
Jesus. I will also be available to help
grow in his knowledge and love for
devotionals with children and young
Continue to pray for Victor as he
in education, mentoring and leading adults in local schools.
I would ask that you pray for me to
medicine and the people of Nigeria. continues with his studies and prepares for his final exams in the new year.
know wisdom in these areas of how
WWTC BOOKS
best I can reach and serve others. I
Pamela’s Fundraiser
would also really value prayer for my
health, safety and protection as I travel
in Kenya, and also for a smooth journey to Kenya.
In September 2023, we celebrated
Pamela Gaiya who has been serving with Mission Africa for 30 years; 10
VICTOR AKOH Rwanda
Many of our readers will be aware that Victor Akoh is in his final year of studying medicine at Bingham
University in Nigeria. At the beginning
of December, Victor was nominated to be part of the International Federation of Medical Students Association -
African Regional Meeting going to
years in the Belfast office and 20 years in Nigeria. To mark the celebration,
Pamela launched a fundraiser to be
able to provide some core/essential
titles for the newly dedicated Adrian Adger Memorial Library at William
Wheatley Theological College (WWTC). Providing good theological books for the church has been a large part of
Pamela’s ministry in Nigeria through ACTS.
Kigali, Rwanda for 8 days. The annual
We are pleased to annouce there has
students across Africa to come together
will help build up a new library for the
event was an opportunity for medical to discuss the issues of public health
and collaborate ideas for a better health
been £9,500 raised so far. This money students at the college.
care system across the continent.
If you would still like to donate
The event was led by several
donations can be sent to the Mission
representatives from the World Health Organistion, UNICEF and One Health. This was a wonderful opportunity for Victor to be nominted and attend to 32 | Dispatch Winter 2019
financially to Pamela’s fundraiser,
Africa office or on our website; www.
missionafrica.org.uk/give marking it for ‘Pamela’s 30 Year Fundraiser)
CENTRAL PRAYER ZOOM Mission Africa’s Zoom Central Prayer restarts on January 18th. Each month, the meetings alternate between the 3rd Wednesday (7PM) and Thursday (8PM) evenings of each month.
The evening is short, lasting around one hour, where supporters, missionaries,
staff and council come together to hear updates, share news and pray together. If
you would be interested in joining over the coming months, please use the details below (note, the zoom log-in details will be the same for each month). Meeting ID: 883 6792 1982 Passcode: 848070
JANUARY: Thursday 18th January 2023 | 8PM FEBRUARY: Wednesday 21st February 2023 | 7PM MARCH: Thursday 21st March 2023 | 8PM
PRAYER GROUPS
Mission Africa have several Prayer Groups across the United Kingdom who meet both in person and online. If you would be interested in joining a smaller prayer group, please email news@missionafrica.org.uk. These groups are in addition to the Central Prayer Meeting and will be supporter-led and are open to all supporters.
Dispatch Winter 2019 | 33
Head Office: 14 Glencregagh Court, Belfast BT6 0PA 02890 402850 info@missionafrica.org.uk Chief Executive Officer Paul Wright ceo@missionafrica.org.uk Operations Officer Lauren Mornin operations@missionafrica.org.uk Short Term Officer Catherine Pope shortterm@missionafrica.org.uk
A LASTING LEGACY
Planning your legacy today will help ensure that lives continue to be transformed tomorrow. By leaving a gift to Mission Africa, you will ensure that your money will be making a lasting impact on the lives of many African men, women and children who are spiritually and physically impoverished. To find out more, contact us on 02890 402850 or info@missionafrica.org.uk
For finance related enquiries, email accounts@missionafrica.org.uk Scotland Rep: Robbie Toop robbie.toop@missionafrica.org.uk Mission Africa Council Caroline Bustard, Chair Naomi Barfoot, Vice Chair Gloria Kearney Trevor McIlroy Eleanor Ingram Revd William Henry Paul McAuley Dr Lauren Johnston
34 | Dispatch Winter 2023
missionafrica.org.uk
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Dispatch Winter 2023 | 35
STANDING ORDER FORM For regular donations please fill in the details below and return the completed form to Mission Africa. This form should not be sent directly to your bank. Valid for UK banks only. Your Details: Name:........................................................................................................................................................ Address:............................................................................................... Postcode:.................................. Supporting:
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on the ................ (day) of .................................................. (month) .................... (year) and similarly each month until further notice. Signature:.................................................................................. Date:...................................................
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Every pound you Gift Aid to Mission Africa means we receive an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue & Customs. By signing this you agree that you are a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference. Yes, I want to Gift Aid this donation & any future donations to Mission Africa Name:........................................................................................................................................................ Address:................................................................................... Postcode:.............................................. Signature:................................................................................ Date:......................................................