November 2023
PRAYER MONTHLY ‘Devote yourselves Devote yourselves to to prayer, being watchful prayer, being watchful and thankful’ and thankful Colossians 4:2
POINTS FOR PRAYER NIGERIA PAMELA, MUSA & GRACIE GAIYA Throughout all the busyness of October, the Gaiya family were grateful to God for daily health and strength. November looks to be just as busy so please keep praying for them. Musa is in the thick of his teaching schedule along with all the meetings that go with his church responsibilities. For Pamela there have been sensitive issues addressed recently at ACTS so pray the Management team will continue to know God’s wisdom and guidance. Gracie’s class (Grade 8) has their Pancake Breakfast on Saturday 18th; sadly it is overshadowed this year with the recent passing of the father of one of Gracie’s classmates (Sapphire). Pray for the Lord’s comfort and peace.
SAMANTHA, GODFREY, HEPHZIBAH & MELKI IBIA Thank God for seeing us through October as Godfrey was away for most of the month. He still has to travel in November, so pray both for safety for him and for me, as I am at home with the kids. Pray for more open doors in schools. We have had a few favourable responses but pray God will guide us to to right schools
for is to start fellowship there. Pray also that we will be able to find more volunteers to visit our students in schools! Thank God for the fellowships we have be able to establish so far pray for continued favour with the school authority in these schools!
MARK NIXON Join Mark in thanking God for: • The successful Convocation at which students graduated. • Safety as I travel most Sundays to the villages to preach the Gospel and encourage the believers there. • Planning progress with regard to the library at PACT. • The installation of solar panels at the two Mission houses. • Continuing good health. • The news students have settled in well. • A car that continues to perform well and a good driver. Join Mark in asking God for: • There is still a problem pumping water from the borehole. • That Mark will be a blessing to people here • The evangelism programmes of Mark, staff and the college. • Stability in a country where things are difficult for so many people. • Continuing wisdom as I prepare materials for students. • That local people are shielded from the worst of inflation.
BRIAN WILSON Brian Wilson thanks God for the recent 60th anniversary celebration of PACT. Pray that he and everyone else will know God’s undertaking in the considerable challenge of the time ahead. Whilst there is cause for thanksgiving, Satan will attack the church’s mission. Pray that God will honour His name.
GODWIN, GAIL & ANGEL EKANEM The Ekanems praise God for his faithfulness, protection and provision. United Evangelical Church is ordaining Gail as a deaconess on 5th November. Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and grace to shoulder this new responsibility. Pray for the monthly evangelistic outreach in Godwin’s home village, Ikot Ekpang. It takes place on 14th November. Pray for Aniedi as he rounds up his University Programme. Just a final defense of his project and then he will be finished. Pray for Ekaette as she faces another set of exams soon. Pray for Akaninyene and Angel in their educational pursuits.
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. The Headmaster of Holley Memorial Nursery and Primary School gives thanks for the birth of his first child. Continue to pray for the staff. Despite the challenges they face, pray that they would continue
good practice and be a witness and encouragement to the children.
CHAD DAVID, LUCY, SOPHIE & OLIVIA MORRISON Continue to pray for the new group of women following the Rahab programme, that they would find healing for past wounds and understand God’s truth. The Acacia women following the Deborah programme for ministry training are very motivated but attendance of the street girls ministry is very low. We had planned to help them for 5 weeks but may have to cut this short and redirect our efforts. Pray for wisdom. Pray for Sophie as she continues to settle into the French school. She is doing well but coming home exhausted.
JEREMY & RACHEL NASH Pray that God gives Jeremy contact with the right people that can open doors so that children can study the Explorers Bible Course that was used Burkina Faso. These courses are being used in Chad for the first time and the focus is on Sunday schools and Christian schools. I want these courses also used in state schools where the children may otherwise not hear the gospel. Pray for contacts with youth leaders so we can disciple Christian youth through a relationships course that I would like them to know about and use. Pray for the mission office and guest house to run well. Rachel does all the admin and bookkeeping and I do the maintenance.
KENYA KATHRYN LINDSAY Praise God that the building team arrived safe and well with all bags on the 16th October and are loving their time in Kenya so far. They made good progress and therefore got to visit other projects as well. Pray for the Lurgan College team who are currently in Kenya. Pray for safety, good health and for a big impact among the kids they will be working with. Pray for travelling mercies as they fly home on the 5th November. Pray for Rev Andrew Mullan who has just arrived in Kenya and that his time here will be worthwhile as he preaches and teaches. Pray too for the Robbie and Margaret Toop as they fly out on the 21st of November on a pastoral visit. Pray that all of us will be encouraged as we spend time together. Pray for energy and good health for Kathryn as she looks after all these teams and visitors as well as continuing with projects here and admin duties required for the role as well. It will be a busy few months. Please also continue to pray for opportunities with the PCEA to open more fully in Thogoto Parish, especially in the local schools. And that God would lead and guide Kathryn towards the projects she should get involved with.
BURKINA FASO ANA VAN BRAKEL Ana asks for prayer regarding all the preparations that need to be done and that dentist appointments come through
quickly. She also asks for prayer for those at the bible college who are involved in the preparations for her arrival. She gives thanks that so far all is going smoothly.
SCOTLAND ROBBIE TOOP Remember Robbie as he speaks at various locations thorughout Scotland. 11am Sunday 5th - Hope Church, Falkirk 10am Saturday 11th - Hamilton Baptist Church, Summer Teams Reflections & Prayer 7pm Sunday 19th - Barnard’s Court Mission, Greenock 2pm Monday 20th - Glasgow Prayer Group Tuesday 21st until Tuesday 5th December - visit to Kathryn Lindsay in Kenya.
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.
Mission Africa Prayer Day & Commissioning We would love for you to join us at our annual Prayer Day which will be taking place on Saturday 25th November from 10am to 1pm in Belfast Bible College. We will also be commissioning our new CEO; Paul Wright.
Dr Lauren Johnston (nee Hetherington) who has been accepted as the newest member of Mission Africa Council. Pray for Lauren as she attends her first council meeting this month. Pray for the team from Ballydown Presbyterian who have just returned from two weeks in Kenya. Give thanks for the renovation of the Old Folks Home that took place and pray that their work will be a blessing to many. A team of pupils and teachers from Lurgan College, County Armagh have just arrived in Kenya. Pray for them as they lead the children’s ministry at Comet School and visit the Old Folks Home, but also pray for the children, young people and adults that they will come into contact with, that they will be able to share the love of Jesus through practical ways and that hearts will be challenged. At the end of October we said goodbye to Naomi Spence from the Belfast office. We give thanks to God for the 18 years that she has served in Mission Africa and the various roles that she has done over the years. Pray for Naomi as she moves on to an exciting new chapter of her life.
A light lunch will be served afterwards. If you would like to join for lunch, email info@missionafrica.org.uk by 22nd Nov to book your place. Central Prayer Meetings - You are most welcome to join us on zoom as we pray for the work of Mission Africa Thursday 16th November at 8PM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8836792198 2?pwd=THpRVFpkYVV5SDF2ZVhoTVhp T2hCdz0 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 If you would like to sign up to our mailing list to receive our Dispatch magazine, please email news@missionafrica.org.uk
‘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