From Musa & Pamela Gaiya, Issue 27, Mar 2024
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Hi dear friends
Greetings to you from a hot-during-the-day and hot-at-night Jos, Plateau State. This year has started off being extra busy; we can thank God for His goodness and faithfulness.
Psalm 92: 1,2
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.
At its January Council meeting, Mission Africa gave Pamela permission to commence a 6-month sabbatical. This period of ‘away-time’ from ACTS is to be occupied mainly with the following:
• Field Facilitator duties with particular attention being spent on some Field Standard Operating Procedures
• devoting time to rolling out her 30th Anniversary Project. The response to this project has been absolutely astounding. Pleaseprayforwisdomascore/essentialtitles are sourced viaACTSandprovidedfortheRev Adrian AdgerMemorial Libraryat the William Wheatley Theological College (Azuiyi, Oloko, Abia State). Pray too that this new library will help equip the student body in their studies and training; remember after 4 years of hard study they will go out and serve the church
In January we welcomed our new Mission Africa CEO, Paul Wright, to Jos. He was accompanied by our MA Chairperson, Caz Bustard. It was a busy but profitable and encouragingtime. It was our joyand delight to show them how Mission Africa still is active in Nigeria. We were able to show various opportunities for service too.
Looking at some of the challenges Nigeria faced in 2023 (cash crisis, rising inflation, subsidy removal and exchange rates) we know that economically things continue to be difficult. Insecurity (which sadly involves terrorism, banditry and kidnappings) certainly continues to be a very real issue but we know we can trust the Lord; he’s the Lordoftheharvest;solet’spraythatinHiswisdom He’ll send more labourers.
Helpful links to opportunities of service: http://www.missionafrica.org.uk/
http://www.actsnigeria.org
https://www.hillcrestschool.net/ (looking for a new Superintendent + English + Science teacher)
• a pastoral care visit from Pamela’s sending denomination is being planned (29 April – 8 May, dv). This will consist of Pamela’s minister, Rev Andrew Lucas (Omagh Evangelical Presbyterian) and Pamela’s middle brother, Rev Robert Johnston (Knock Evangelical Presbyterian)
• upcoming Home Assignment in June & July
As we plan towards our time at home we’re thankful for every one of you, our supporters –both individuals and churches. Every gift given is a huge blessing to us and we are so thankful for your kindness and generosity. Home Assignment is the designated time when we are blessed by reconnecting with you and bringing you up-todatewith whatGodisdoinginNigeria;sowewould greatly appreciate and value linking up with you. We have already started to work on our itinerary forJunesincethatiswhenMusawillbewithus. We are looking forward to attending Mission Africa’s June Celebration scheduled for Saturday 8 June at Newtownbreda Baptist Church, Belfast. Other dates are tentatively in the diary but if you have an opening in your own church and you’d like us to come along then please get in touch with Pamela (pamela.gaiya@missionafrica.org.uk) or the MA Belfastoffice(028-9040-2850)and we’llgladlymake things work.
It will be good to have Musa with us for the month of June. He is currently on sabbatical and has been busy since February teaching Church History at two theological seminaries (Christian Faith Institute, Jos and ECWA Theological Seminary, Kagoro). His latest writing on African Church History is now completed and has gone to be edited; we trust it will be printed soon.
Gracie (almost 14½) will round up Middle School in May, DV (that’sherfinishingYear10/JS3/Form3!).
Like any school the workload is heavy and demanding but we thank God for His help as daily assignments and projects are completed. Thank you for praying for Gracie; pray particularly that during this final quarter of Grade 8 she will be blessed and encouraged in her school work. Gracie has been learning the clarinet and has weekly lessons. She is gifted in her playing.
We continue topraise God forall Hisgoodness over us all. We’ve been blessed by seeing God answer prayer in many situations.
• Jethro, who has been living with us for over 6 years, has finished his degree in Maths and Education and has just completed his National Youth Service Corps camp. He has been posted to Zamfara State for one year.
• Our former pastor (Henry) and our current pastor (Mathias) were both licensed last month.
Pray they would know the Lord’s strength and goodness over their lives. Pray that their desire tofeedtheirflockwoulddeepenandtheywould know the Lord’s help in their sermon preparation.
• Pamela has been attending a fortnightly Women’s Bible study group and currently they are studying the book of Deuteronomy.
• Thank God the work of ACTS (Africa Christian Textbooks) continues to know God’s provision and help during these days when the economy of Nigeria is struggling badly. Continue to pray forACTS, particularly wisdom fortheBoard and the Management Team; remember the whole staff and pray for good sales in the HQ, the branches and as staff go out for sales. The mission of ACTS continues as Africa's leading distributor, publisher and trainer in theological books and all biblical resources through a well-proven network, logistics and dedicated staff. Do you receive our monthly ACTS e-News? Sign up today (developmentofficer@actsnigeria.org) to get regular updates and prayer points.
For Meditation . . .
† If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference, he is praying for me.
Robert Murray McCheyne† Our day-to-day grind is important, and we will reap a harvest as we live for God. Our home life matters. Our work life matters. Everything matters. Isn’t it wonderful that how we live matters?
Special POINTS of CONTACT . . .
Paul Levy• e-mail: pamela.gaiya@missionafrica.org.uk pamelainnigeria@hotmail.com musagaiya@hotmail.com
• also on Whatsapp and Signal +234-803-589-7397
• Mission Africa, 14 Glencregagh Court, Belfast, BT6 0PA, N Ireland. Tel: 028-9040-2850; www.missionafrica.org.uk
• receive this newsletter by email: please contact Pamela’s sister, Ruth Beattie at ruthmbeattie@gmail.com or tel: 028-9147-3596 or 46 Rugby Avenue, Bangor, BT20 3PZ, N. Ireland