September 2023 PRAYER MONTHLY
Devote
POINTS FOR PRAYER NIGERIA
The Gaiya family are very grateful to God for His love and care over their lives during the summer months. Give thanks for the recent Strategic Planning that Pamela has undertaken at ACTS. Pray that these plans will be put into action and that the work and ministry of ACTS will continue to go from strength to strength. Pray earnestly for the economic situation in Nigeria. Pray for Musa in his university teaching schedule and church responsibilities. Remember Gracie as she settles into Grade 8 (Year 10) at Hillcrest school. A new Superintendent will be needed for next year’s school year and beyond so pray for that vacancy to be flled with God’s person.
Let’s also remember that this September is a special time for Pamela – she celebrates being with Mission Africa (formerly Qua Iboe Fellowship) 30 years. She joined the offce staff on Monday 6th September 1993 at the young age of 21! Pamela went to Nigeria for long-term service in 2003; she and Musa celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on 4th September. To God be the glory great things He has done!
Samantha asks for prayer in settling into her new station in Enugu State. Pray that she and Godfrey will quickly get to grasps with the city, culture and the work in Enugu.
Samantha asks for prayer for the children as they settle in to a new school, pray they will adjust and make new friends.
MARK NIXON
Join Mark in giving thanks for:
• More opportunities to preach at local churches
• His health is still good
• The partial completion of the installation of solar panels to provide some light to the college premises.
• The successful completion of the Summer School
• Ongoing peace and stability in the Ankpa area.
Join Mark in asking God for:
• The new academic year that starts in mid-August.
• The regular provision of water at PACT. There are ongoing problems with the pump, generator and solar power. This leads to great inconvenience to students and staff who have to go out and buy water.
yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankfulPAMELA, MUSA & GRACIE GAIYA SAMANTHA, GODFRY, HEPZHIBA & MELKI IBIA
‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful’
Colossians 4:2
Continuing help to produce materials suitable for the students and the overall raising of academic standards.
• Help that he will continue to bless students and staff.
• An improvement in the economic situation here in Nigeria. Infation is high as the subsidy on fuel has been removed so everything costs more to produce and/or transport.
• Wisdom for the Nigerian government in it’s response to internal pressures and the situation in neighbouring Niger
• Ongoing safety during travel to take church services. The tracks can be very poor in the rainy season.
BRIAN WILSON
Life has been hard for some around PACT. Dr Idachaba, the Provost of William Wheatley Theological College (WWTC), who was taken to glory, left family connections here - his widow being the Finance Offcer, his daughter working in the Clinic, and a son-in-law lecturing. There are also young grandchildren. Though he was ill for some time, the end was sudden and not really expected - and the family need love and prayers.
There was a recent Summer School and an attached outreach. Thank God for His blessing on that. Continue to pray for work on the library - it is very important that renovation be pursued to God’s glory.
GODWIN, GAIL & ANGEL EKANEM
Praise God for a refreshing break for Godwin, Gail and Angel. Pray for Godwin as he settles back into his role as Liaison Offcer between UEC and Mission Africa. Pray for Gail as she resumes teaching at WWTC and her Children’s Work. Pray for
Angel as she returns to school. She will have to readjust to a different style of teaching and learning.
Pray for comfort for the family of late Rev. Dr. Idachaba, for the UEC family and WWTC community.
NIGERIA | HOME ASSIGNMENT
KATIE MORRISON
Pray for the 2 new doctors and 8 nurses that have started working at Holley Memorial Hospital the past month. Pray that they will have a heart for mission and be committed to the work.
Pray for the children in the primary and secondary schools at Holley Memorial School as they come into a new academic term. Pray for their families as they strive to provide their school fees.
CHAD
DAVID, LUCY, SOPHIE & OLIVIA MORRISON
Pray for the Morrisons as they welcome and orientate their frst short termerLisa. Pray for Lisa as she adjusts to life in Chad and fnds her place in the ministry.
Pray for the Morrisons as Sophie starts school. It is a French school so will be a big step up for her language but this will help her in other areas of life. Pray as they adapt to the new routine and seek to manage their time well.
Pray for the new Rahab programme which will welcome a new group of women to the Acacia centre - due to start September
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JEREMY & RACHEL NASH
Jeremy fies to Burkina Faso on 31st August for just over two weeks. Pray for the AGM as they become the Association ‘Gamaliel’ instead of the Explorers Club, that there is a spirit of unity. Pray for the new executive committee as they will be taking the decisions. This is a crucial time as Jeremy hands over to this committee, it is as crucial as in a 4x400m relay, the handing over of the baton if done well, means the momentum will not be lost and they will reach even more children in more schools and in new areas.
Jeremy writes; ‘It is a crucial time fnancially as the money is not suffcient to cover the budget. I am about £6000 down with the trip almost upon me. Pray that the Lord provides and that the ministry will not be hamstrung through lack of fnance. My desire was that the new committee would have the same resources as I did last year so any economies made in one area could be allocated to something that until now we have not had the money to do.’
August is a busy month in the guest house and offce. Pray people are well served. Pray for Jeremy & Rachel to know God’s joy and His Spirit working in us and through them as they face various frustrations. ‘Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance’. James 1:2-4
KENYA
KATHRYN LINDSAY
Thank God for all medics and summer team members arriving home safely and for their time spent in Kenya this summer. Pray for those who they came in
contact with and that God would water the seeds planted. Pray too that they would settle back in to life in the UK, that God would bless them for their service and lead and guide them in what comes next for each of them
Praise God that Kathryn’s work permit came through last month. Pray for rest for Kathryn as she settles back to normal life in Kenya now that her short termers have all headed home.
Pray too for opportunities with the PCEA to open up – especially work within schools. Pray that God would lead and guide Kathryn towards the projects she should get involved with.
BURKINA FASO
ANA VAN BRAKEL
Ana gives thanks for the talks that have taken place between the Mission and churches. The talks were very positive and several opportunities for ministry within the Bible college were being highlighted. Prayerpoints for continued clarity in the communications between the different ‘agencies’, the ironing out of more minor issues.
SCOTLAND
ROBBIE TOOP
Thank you for praying for Robbie during July and August. This was a busy time when he was able to exhibit on behalf of Mission Africa at 4 ‘Keswick’ type conventions: Keswick in Ayrshire (Friday to Sunday), the original Keswick in Cumbria (Week 1), the Moray Coast Convention (formerly known as Keswick in Buckie) which ran for a full week then the Northern
Convention in Dingwall (formerly the Strathpeffer Convention), Friday to Sunday. These have been times of encouragement for Robbie and Margaret, who accompanied and worked alongside him, at each event.
During each event God brought people to our stand: some interested to know more about the work or seeking God’s guidance about possible involvement; others having longstanding connections with the mission, also some were friends they made during their time with WEC. Some young people engaged with the Quiz which gave them great opportunities to share some of the desperate needs of Africa. Following the Conventions, Robbie has already arranged to speak at some events. Please pray for lasting fruit.
Pray for Robbie’s meetings in September:
Monday 4th - Ladies’ meeting, Ladywell Baptist Church, Livingston
Wednesday 7th - Global Connections
Scotland, Rosyth
Wednesday 7th - 7.30pm, Selkirk Street, Hamilton
Monday 18th - Glasgow Prayer Group
MISSION AFRICA IN GENERAL
Continue to pray for Council as they continue to seek God’s guidance for the future of the Mission.
Our summer teams and medical electives have now returned from serving in Africa. Pray for them as they debrief and think about their time away, but also for the people in Africa who they met and have shown the love of Jesus to. Pray that those who have heard the Gospel will come to know Jesus as their Saviour.
Patton Taylor - pray for Patton as he continues his online mentoring / discipling role with many young people whom he has gotten to know in Nigeria; and also in his ongoing support for the Colleges as Visiting Professor, including supervision of doctoral students in Jos.
Pray for the students of PACT and WWTC as they begin a new academic year and for the staff and leadership - that they would have a renewed vision and energy to serve the Lord. Remember too those who have graduated from both colleges - that they would serve God faithfully wherever He leads them.
MISSION AFRICA NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Appointment of new CEO Mission Africa are thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Offcer - Mr Paul Wright. His role will commence at the beginning of September where he will be based in the Belfast offce. Pray for him and his family as he settles into his new role within Mission Africa.
Samuel Bill onwards, of those who have served, partnered and prayed for God to save souls and transform lives. This is a humbling responsibility and a reminder to seek God’s enabling, wisdom and guidance for myself and the future of Mission Africa.’
There will be plenty of opportunity to meet him at our upcoming events!
Central Prayer Meetings
You are most welcome to join us on zoom as we pray for the work of Mission Africa
Thursday 21st September at 8PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88367921982 ?pwd=THpRVFpkYVV5SDF2ZVhoTVhpT2 hCdz0 9
Meeting ID: 883 6792 1982
Passcode: 848070
Paul writes:
‘Hi, my name is Paul. I am married to Cathy and have three kids, Zoe, Alethea and Ezra. Sorry, but I don’t support a football team and enjoy the more unusual sports, anything really with a board or wheels!
“How shall they hear without a preacher?” Paul’s words to the Romans were what the Spirit used to challenge me during university about the need of reaching the unreached and stirred the desire to be used by Him for this purpose.
To cut a long story short, the Lord guided us and allowed us to be part of what He is doing among the nations. My family spent years in cross-cultural church planting in a small village on one of the many islands in the Philippines.
I am honoured to have the privilege of working with Mission Africa. However, I am also keenly aware of the legacy from
Prayer Groups — If you would be interested in joining a smaller prayer group, please get in touch with Lauren Mornin at lauren.mornin@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.
Mission Africa Prayer Day
Our annual Prayer Day will be taking place on Saturday 25th November from 10am to 1pm in Belfast Bible College. A light lunch will be served afterwards. More details will be availeble soon, but please save the date and come along if you can!
Dispatch Magazine
Our Summer 2023 Dispatch magazine has just been sent out. If you would like to sign up to our mailing list to receive a hard copy, please email lauren.mornin@ missionafrica.org.uk
