Mission Africa Dispatch

1

Equipping the Church in Africa:

training pastors and resourcing churches

WINTER 2013

www.missionafrica.org.ukDispatch

2

The Significanceof Harvest

I have to confess that it has been a busy few weeks, as the off ice has been short-handed and our services seem to be in increasing demand. I was

surprised this year – having not done any last year

at all! – to be invited to conduct several harvest services around Northern Ireland. I was also somewhat surprised at the end of one service to be accosted by a gentleman

who wanted to know why I

had spiritualized the signif icance of Harvest.

He was off and away before I could say much more than “it’s scriptural” and I don’t know if he heard me. But one thing is certain, seeing the spiritual dimension of life through the medium of harvest-time is certainly biblical. In the Old Testament the Lord uses the great annual harvest festivals to remind the people of His saving acts in history, as well as his providential care for His people. In the New Testament, the Lord points to the ripened f ields of

wheat as a powerful symbol of the unfinished task of evangelizing the lost. So, I make no apology for emphasizing the spiritual aspect of harvest. At harvest-time we rejoice in the material provision that God has made for us, but we remind ourselves that humankind does not live by bread alone, but from every word that comes from the mouth of God. We aff irm that it is good to reach out to the weak and vulnerable with material assistance, but if we deny people spiritual food, we have wronged them grievously.

Mission Africa seeks to strike the right balance between helping practically and spiritually. In this edition you will read of the encouragements and challenges of helping the physically disabled and the practicalities of peacemaking in the troubled city of Jos. Elsewhere, Hallur Mortenson ref lects on the essential need for theological education, so that God’s word will be taught correctly in the churches. Sid Garland gives thanks for 20 years of ACTS, which brings vitally needed theological materials to help the church understand and promote the

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his

harvest.” Matthew 9 v 37&38

3

word of God. Jean Garland and Campbell Hamilton look back on their time in the mission, whilst Ruth Garvie looks forward to departing to Nigeria for the f irst time! We give thanks to God for the way in which He keeps the mission moving along, and that He continues to be pleased to use us to bring in the harvest of souls.

God bless you.

Paul

Email:[email protected]

For more info: http://www.missionafrica.org.uk/contact-us

4

Donald and Ruth Garvie were commissioned to missionary service in Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church on October 13th 2013. Subject to the issuance of immigration documentation by the Nigerian Government, they hope to proceed to Ankpa in early November. Please pray for them.

The September meeting of Council saw Claire Kendrew Jones accepted for missionary service. Claire is currently studying at Capenwray Bible College and hopes to proceed to Nigeria in 2014. Please pray for all her remaining studies and preparations over the coming months. Claire is originally from Seymour Hill Methodist Church in Lisburn.

The October Council saw Katie Morrison of Mountpottinger Baptist Church accepted for a gap in Nigeria. Katie has been on a number of our shor t term teams in the past. Pray for her as she plans to join the work in Ogugu, where John Finlay (from Annalong Presbyterian) and Carole Grant (from Kilbride Presbyterian) are already doing excellent work. Sid and Jean Garland will be

The world of Mission Africa is quite busy so here’s a few updates on what’s happening at the moment.

accompanied by family members to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of ACTS, to be held in Jos later this year. We wish them well on their visit.

Hallur Mortenson has begun full time PhD study at Durham University. He hopes to be able to make shor t term trips back to PACT over the next few years. Pray for the whole Mortenson family as they settle into a new environment.

Fraser Jackson is now chief librarian at TCNN. Pray for him as he takes up this new and more challenging role, and pray for the strength and resources that he needs to move the library in the right direction.

Godwin Ekanem was recently able to visit the half-centenary service of the UEC National Women’s Fellowship. We take this oppor tunity to once again extend our felicitations to the NWF upon this August occasion and wish them God’s blessing for many more years of faithful service.

News& Prayer

5

Richard and Laura Morrison are back in N. Ireland for the for thcoming bir th of their f irst child – please keep them in your prayers as they await the happy event.

Dr Paul Bailie will be visiting the QIC (UEC) branch in Houston, Texas, in November, and has been asked to speak on the history of the Mission and the Church. In December he will travel to Nigeria to attend the UEC National Conference, to witness the installation of the new UEC National Chairman and to preach at the annual ordination service. After this he will visit Kogi state to see newly arrived mission workers there. Please pray for safe travels and successful trips.


For more info: www.missionafrica.org.uk

Donald & Ruth Garvie

Claire Kendrew Jones in Abuja in June

with Linda, Pamela, Nathaniel, Niah &

Gracie.

Katie Morrison with Elder Reuben

6

Why TheologicalEducation matters:

After three years training pastors in Nigeria, Hallur Mortenson tells us why theological education should be a

priority in mission work in Africa today.

Mission and mission work comes in many forms. This is the way it should be, for the needs and the corresponding tasks are manifold. Ministries of compassion, healthcare, education, and evangelism, to name a few, are all needed, and in these the church can express God’s concern for both the individual and the community, the spiritual and the physical. One of these foci of service is theological education.

One must f irst admit one sobering fact for us as Europeans; that, generally, it is the Africans who will evangelise the next generation of Africans, and not the western mission organisations. This is, of course, nothing new, and we all need to praise God that the three-self vision formulated by Henry Venn of the Church Missionary Society (1796-1873) - that the local church should be ‘self-governing’, ‘self-propagating’ and ‘self-suppor ting’ - has to a very considerable extent been reached in Africa. However, there is a necessary caveat, which should apply to the western church as well, that no

member in the body of Christ is entirely self-suff icient and should be humble enough to receive input from other par ts of the worldwide body. A natural consequence of massive church growth, such as has been experienced in Africa in recent decades, is the need to teach and train new leaders. Each generation needs its new leaders, and this is no different in Africa. When new leaders, wherever they are from, are not well trained in biblical leadership and in handling Scripture, they will always be susceptible to error or confusion. As Paul emphasises in his letter to the Ephesian Christians, one important aspect of Christ building up His church is by giving her teachers so that they can stand f irm and not be “blown here and there by every wind of teaching” (Eph. 4:11-14). And, as Paul reminds Timothy his son in the Lord (2. Tim. 2:1), “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with

Nigeria

EQUIPPING

7

the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2. Tim. 1:13-14). We would do well to notice Paul’s emphasis on his teaching; how it must be passionately guarded, transmitted, and its undeniable link to a practical Christian life of faith and love. Thus, “the teaching” must be handed on to the next generation of leaders (2 Tim 2:2), as Paul also stresses in 1. Cor. 15:3 when he writes: “For what I received I passed on to you as of f irst impor tance”. What he had been teaching concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ had also been handed to him, and thus Paul sees himself as a link in the chain that keeps the correct and authentic teaching about Jesus alive.

I believe that as a mission organisation we would do well to keep theological education as a priority. I believe that God can, and often does, lead through common sense; i.e. “what is the need?” “And how can I par ticipate in responding to this need?” If we as a mission ask this same question of the church in Africa, “What is their greatest need?” and “What can

we do to address this need?”, it is my strong impression that theological education would be very high on the agenda. As a rather small mission organisation perhaps we can best help in Africa by sowing a seed of solid theological training that, in the grace of God, we can anticipate to multiply thir ty, sixty or even a hundred fold. (Mk 4:8).

Charles Beattie lecturing

in Jos

Hallur with some of the

students he has taught at the

college in Ankpa, Nigeria.

8

There are a number of ways in which Mission Africa can respond to this need in Nigeria.

1. As a mission we have recently, and in my view rightly, been emphasising working with the United Evangelical Church. Due to our close historical links and mutual respect and trust we should be able to develop a par tnership that could have a great impact on the entire denomination in the future. If effor ts on both sides are invested to develop both PACT and WWTC as highly regarded training institutions, the Mission can, to put it bluntly, punch well above its numerical and f inancial weight. These colleges can be assisted with lecturers, administrators, librarians and library funds as personnel and funds allow.

2. It has been hear tening that Mission Africa has put considerable effor t into assisting what may be termed auxiliary theological ministries, such as producing and distributing theological literature through ACTS and setting up and co-sponsoring the annual conference on Theological Education in Africa (TEA). It is likely that these will benef it not only the church in Nigeria but can also have an impact on churches in wider Africa.

3. Of course the individual student must not be forgotten, for he is at the hear t of how we can minister to the church in Nigeria. First of all, we believe that he will benef it from quality theological and biblical training, but we can also hope that all missionary staff, and especially lecturers, will be good spiritual mentors and companions in the vineyard. In addition, we must pray for a ripple effect, that the church(es) that these students are (or will be) serving will be blessed by their ministry, which in turn could yield the next generation of top Christian leaders.

It goes without saying that all true par tnerships must be done in the right spirit of humility and ‘teachability’. Rather than marching to the beat of their own drums, the western church, the Mission and the individual missionary must come not only with an outstretched hand but also an open ear; all must come being willing to teach and to be taught, and to serve and be served. In this mutual respect, service and lesson-sharing of the worldwide church, Christ will be glorif ied and His church will advance.


9

So when are you leaving...?

Donald & Ruth Garvie are joining in the vision by going and training the next generation of pastors in Nigeria. They

share about their final preparation experiences.

suppor t the work of the local church in Ankpa.

Having scoured the photos and asked as many questions as possible to those who have visited, the textbook answers still seem miles away from my current experiences. Yet, living in the ‘in between’ has cer tainly given us oppor tunity to question what we call impor tant and valuable, and to value the people God has placed us among all the more. We count it a privilege to be able to learn

Having just heard the kettle click off for the third time, and f inally located the computer under a pile of to do lists, I pour that ever needed cup of tea. Two school runs and having a house full of suitcases where everything essential seems to have gone missing, are just some of the things I will not miss. The familiar questions of ‘when are you leaving’ and ‘are you ready to go’ feature in most of my conversations these days, but in the quiet moments and across the pages of the ‘core texts’ we have been sent, my mind moves more towards the ‘what will it be like’ and ‘who will we be living among’.

Peter Achimugu College of Theology caters for around 70 students and offers a range of theological courses. In par tnering with the United Evangelical Church, Mission Africa seeks to suppor t this work, strengthening the church of today and building the church of tomorrow. In joining the staff team at PACT, we hope to contribute to this ministry and

NIGERIA

EQUIPPING


10

With a rapidly growing Church in

Africa there is a need for more Pastors to be well trained and equpped to

lead their churches.

Email:[email protected]@missionafrica.org.uk

For more info: http://missionafrica.org.uk/missionaries/116

from those who attend and work at the college and from those with whose lives we will connect. Though we realise the scale of the challenge of living in a culture not our own, we continue to pray God would enable us to love and serve all whom we meet.

Praying through some of these concerns and questions has been a real blessing, and seeing God answer our varied prayers continues to encourage us that He who has begun a good work in us, will carry it on to completion and that He does bless and equip us abundantly with all we need in order that we may bring glory to His name.

One par ticular thought I f ind hard to dwell on is who we are leaving behind. In beginning this journey of preparing to leave, we have been very encouraged by those who have been willing to stand with us, suppor ting our steps and praying us through our many questions and decisions. We are more aware of God’s provision for us, even in the little things, and are so grateful for those of His people who have given of themselves and their resources to f inance and suppor t us. Becoming increasingly conscious of all that needs to be achieved before we leave, and the vast gap between what is culturally familiar and comfor table and what we will be going to has given us cause to seek and praise God in many

new ways. We are grateful He remains the same, and that His mercies are new every morning. We look forward to seeing His plan unfold for us in the coming months and growing in our par tnership with our suppor ters, albeit from a distance.

We hope to leave at the end of October, or perhaps early November (it all depends on visas being issued) but before then we look forward to meeting with suppor ters during deputation in Scotland as well as around Northern Ireland. We also have some fur ther training to pack in, administration tasks to complete, our house to pack up and the last of our immunisations to receive (which I think the children will appreciate immensely, 11 needles later). We were commissioned on the 13th October and look forward to boarding a plane in the not too distant future. Thank you again for par tnering with us each step of the way.

11

A Generation Equipped

One of our major ministries which we have seen grow from its humble beginnings 20 years ago is African Christian

Textbooks, which has now supplied tens of thousands of pastors with quality books and resources to lead their

churches.

NIGERIA

EQUIPPING

(who give ACTS encouraging discounts), ship by container, and distribute through 12 branches and two book vans in Nigeria and Kenya, employing over 50 African staff.

Good books for everyoneACTS HQ Book Shop stocks over f ive thousand titles, some by local authors but many from evangelical publishers all over the world. Our HQ book shop is one of the largest in Africa. In the last two years, ACTS has been able to provide subsidised book sets for over 2,000 pastors. The focus of ACTS is on theological books, study Bibles and textbooks for seminaries and colleges of education, schools and universities. Some of our textbooks have sold over 10,000 copies. But we also aim to satisfy the pastoral and devotional needs of Christians of all interests and callings. African realities have been addressed. For example, Jean Garland’s book AIDS is Real and It’s in our Church has sold over 80,000 copies in f ive languages. Everyone from seminary professors to pastors to ordinary church members

Sid Garland takes a moment to share some of the milestones upon the 20th anniversary of ACTS. With the blessing and suppor t of Mission Africa, ACTS book selling ministry star ted from our dining room table and then in the old library of the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Bukuru, near Jos. In 1993, a group of theological teachers, frustrated by the lack of textbooks and concerned to provide an evangelical foundation for African theology, joined me to form the Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) Committee. At f irst all ACTS operations were on a par t-time basis and books were

being received by post through John Stott’s

Evangelical Literature Trust (now Langham Literature). Today we in ACTS have published over 80 titles, order

books direct from publishers

12

training staff. Ken Callaghan and Andrew Gent from Ignite IT (Lisburn) went to Nigeria in June 2013 following the shipment of 16 computers together with bar code readers, printers and Point of Sale software. The provision of on-site training as well as remote suppor t is taking ACTS to a new level of eff iciency.

Training Management: We have taken several oppor tunities for the capacity building of our key managers and in August 2013, ACTS welcomed a consultant from the Philippines, Ramon Rocha III. Suppor ted by Media Associates International, Ramon was recently appointed Director of Publisher Development for MAI and leads their effor ts to equip Christian publishing staff in under-served areas of the world, enabling them to become f inancially viable and to publish more local authors. Before joining MAI, Ramon had 15 years experience in Christian publishing and international training.

Training African Writers: ACTS is increasingly pleased to be able to give a voice to African church leaders. In 2010 we had a Writers and Editors Workshop facilitated by Isobel Stevenson of Langham Literature. One of the young writers trained at that Workshop has now several books in print and with ACTS suppor t has been running workshops for writers. Fur ther exper t assistance came our way when Dr Paul Todd (SIM) joined us as Senior Editor. Our Hippo Books imprint is jointly

and their families are benef itting from the ministry of ACTS.

Our f irst employee was Rev Luka Vandi, seconded by his church to the ACTS ministry immediately upon his graduation from TCNN. One can see God’s hand in this as

Luka has grown with the work and is doing a

great job as our current General Manager. Professor Danny McCain (from USA), based at the University of Jos,

continues as our Board Chairman.

My Mission Africa colleague, Pamela

Gaiya (nee Johnston) has served faithfully with ACTS administration and publications for ten years now.

Opportunity to train for the futureWith Africa’s population growing fast, and the church also growing, we in ACTS believe that in many ways we have only star ted to scratch the surface of the need. It is sadly true that many projects star ted by missionaries have failed through inadequate training. ACTS have made it a priority to get the buildings, equipment and, above all, the training to help us meet the challenges ahead.

Training ACTS staff: Campbell Hamilton assisted ACTS during his seven years in Abak, Nigeria and over the past two years has again worked with ACTS, ordering books and

13

owned with other African publishers and enables ACTS to benef it from the editorial and production exper tise of Langham and Zondervan.

ACTS projects: ACTS is a self-sustaining ministry able to cover its own running costs. But for major development or training projects, fur ther assistance is cer tainly necessary. For example, without the suppor t of Mission Africa (and other donors) we would have been unable to build the ACTS HQ warehouse, book shop and off ices that were opened in

2006. Without the generosity of individual donors, we

could not have been able to under take the recent IT project or purchase ACTS book vans in Kenya and Nigeria. And without fur ther suppor t, the following projects

will not see the light of day:

African Writers Retreat and Study Centre:This will enable front-line African Church leaders and scholars, often too busy with administration, to make a strategic retreat in order to put their knowledge and experience into writing for the benef it of present and future generations. ACTS already has suff icient

land available behind its HQ building in Bukuru, Plateau State, Nigeria. This African Writers’ Centre will be able to provide the best research tools available, the best books from around the world, f irst class editorial suppor t, a moderate climate and a quiet atmosphere for writing. With the right suppor t in prayer and f inance, it can become a centre of excellence serving the whole of Africa and beyond.

Africa Bible Commentary Hausa Translation ProjectThe Africa Bible Commentary (ABC) is unique because it is entirely written by 70 African evangelical scholar-pastors who have interpreted the Word of God in relation to their own African culture and context. The book is large, approximately 1600 pages, but selling very well in English. The important trade language, Hausa is spoken by some 80 million people, one quar ter already Christians, but three quar ters still unreached. The Hausa edition of ABC will play a vital role in strengthening the hear ts and minds of the Hausa and Hausa-speaking pastors, missionaries and teachers as well as new Christians hungry for the Word of God. ACTS has employed a team of translators who are nearing completion of the f irst draft. But the prayers and f inancial suppor t of God’s people are needed to complete this vision

We know that God is at work in Nigeria and the pen is mightier than the sword.


For more info: www.missionafrica.org.uk/ministries/46

14

Keeping My EyesOn Jesus

Pamela Gaiya is now one of our longest serving members of staff and has served in both the UK and Nigeria over

the last 20 years.

that simply by just looking at my dear husband, Musa. I look forward with conf idence in Him at the next 10 years and beyond. “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Ps 32:8. Lord, today I say thank you for having a plan and a purpose for my life. “In your wisdom and sovereignty you planned my days, even before I was born. Your thoughts towards me are precious.” Ps 139:16&17.

On 16th November we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS). This is the ministry I’ve been involved with since coming to Nigeria. Our ACTS vision – the same as 20 years ago – is to provide books that make a difference and so seek the revival and reformation of the church leading to the transformation of society.

We’re thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness for a dedicated staff, a lovely headquar ters building in Jos, for 10 branches in Nigeria and one in Kenya. We’re thanking God for all who have given

When we come to the end of chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews, we are reminded of a large number of people who have lived lives of faith. In chapter 12 we are told to ‘run with endurance the race God has set before us.’ Thankfully, in verse 2 we’re told how we can do this – ‘by keeping our eyes on Jesus.’ As I look back over 20 years of being par t of Mission Africa , back in the days when it was QIF, I’m thankful to the Lord for those f ine examples who have run with perseverance and have lived lives of faith. The Lord Himself is the main model; He endured the cross knowing there was joy ahead of Him – but the cross had to be endured f irst. He bore the shame that came with the cross; it was no small thing. He did this for me; why? ‘So you would not grow weary and lose hear t.’ We are grateful to God that He knows our humanity!

I’m also grateful the Lord knows what is best for me – he thoroughly blessed me for 10 years in the Belfast off ice. It was a fairly extensive orientation; a solid training ground! The Lord continues to abundantly bless me in Nigeria and I know

NIGERIA

EQUIPPING

15

sacrif icially to suppor t this work. Thank you for playing your par t.

Please let’s re-double our effor ts in prayer and in giving. Satan won’t be happy as we celebrate God’s work in our lives. It’s a real privilege to serve the Lord. Let us not grow weary in doing good but rather look to the Lord to reap the harvest and so bring glory and honour to His name.



Star ting as ACTS’ Administrative Secretary

Pamela has gone on to help in their newly established Publishing

Depar tment. Now most of Pamela’s time is spent editing and formatting books before

they are printed.

Musa is lecturer in

Church History at the University of Jos. He is also ordained in

the ECWA Good News Church in the city.

16

AwakeningChristians

Dawn Jackson is developing a new venture to encourage Christians to show Christlike love to their Muslim

neighbours.

Inspired by the work of BRICC, I’m getting involved with a new venture to awaken Christians here to the need to show love to their Muslim neighbours.

There has been so much trauma in recent years and violence from both communities that many have retreated from contact with the other side. All we can do is introduce people to Jesus in such a way that His beauty shines through our def iciencies, showing Him in the way we live, in our attitudes and deeds. This can’t be done in a vacuum, we need to build natural relationships f irst and this is something we hope to do more effectively.

We’re star ting small by meeting with a group of f ive students at JETS and are trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us as we progress. If I needed an incentive to work hard at Hausa I have it. Any attempt to speak the language, however stiltedly, breaks down barriers and I’m trying to get beyond the stilted stage. Hopefully soon a conversation with me in Hausa will not take three times as long as I try to remember and arrange what I’m trying to say!

The work of BRICC (Building Relationships In City Centre) continues to develop as we try to touch the lives of Christians and Muslims in Jos. In the spirit of brotherly love and suppor t we recently held a lunch to mark the end of Ramadan (we do the same at Christmas time) where Christians and Muslims eat together, talk about how being involved in BRICC has improved their lives and just enjoy each other’s company.

Expanding throughout Nigeria is often one of the topics of conversation, as the Nigerians involved feel BRICC has made such a difference to them - they want it to spread everywhere. At the moment there are no plans for such ambitious expansion, but with God all things are possible.

BRICC is a par tnership between Muslims and Christians with no over t proselytising allowed on the premises; but God’s hand is working in the lives of both communities as the eyes of Christians are opened to new dimensions of His love and Muslims see different aspects of how Christians live. I feel very privileged to be a par t of it.

NIGERIA

COMPASSION

17

A small group of Islmamic extremists

called Boko Haram have tried to forcefully promote their views. But as BRICC shows normal Muslims and Christians want to peacefully live side by

side without fear.

Do you have a hear t to see God’s peace brought to communities in Africa? We have oppor tunities to go and work with BRICC if

you’re willing to answer God’s call.



18

Peaceful Integration

Ruth Beattie has been involved with BRICC since its beginning 3 years ago. This organisation has been steadily

growing in its influence bringing communities together.

the barriers which prevent Christians from reaching out to Muslims with the gospel. How can we offer them love if their experience of Christianity is that of hatred?

Many of the women who have gone through our courses have been quite open in admitting to us that before they came to BRICC they hated each other because of their experiences. But they tell us now that BRICC has helped them to forgive each other and love one another. Not only that, but there is evidence that indicates that sectarian barriers are breaking down.

The Co-ordinator of the programme told me that one of the Muslim trainees came to class one morning with a Christian daily devotional in her hand. The Co-ordinator asked her what she was doing with it. The lady explained that she had received it at the hospital when she had gone for her appointment and that she had star ted reading it every day because it had been helping her.

This is also the experience of other par ts of the BRICC

On 6th September this year, the BRICC (Building relationships in the City Centre) Ladies’ Skills Development Programme celebrated its 3rd graduation, with 19 ladies successfully completing the training. The graduation was celebrated outside as a demonstration to the neighbouring community of the solidarity of our trainees, despite the fact that they come from diverse backgrounds.

This group of ladies, even more so than their predecessors, have had a strong sense of unity. Even before the completion of the programme, some of the women had grouped together to set up a small business. The most exciting par t of this small business enterprise for me is that for the f irst time in three years there are now Muslims entering into the neighbouring Christian community.

Until now, it has been the Christians who have come into the Muslim community, but now it is working both ways. The reason that I am so excited about this development is not only because it encourages peaceful integration, but mainly because it helps to break down

NIGERIA

COMPASSION

19

project. There is openness to the Christian message. Muslims have been asking questions about Jesus. One of these par ticular individuals has said that he comes to BRICC every day because he has a peace in his hear t when he comes. Two family members of another Muslim BRICC member told the BRICC leadership that since their brother has joined BRICC he is a changed man.

A new development being under taken by BRICC is that of encouraging churches and pastors to reach into Muslim communities around the city. The idea is to explain what we are doing in BRICC and to suppor t churches in f inding their own ways of reaching out to Muslims through peace building initiatives.


For more info: www.missionafrica.org.uk/missionaries/8

20

A “Cure” for all Disabilities?

People with disabilities in Nigeria don’t have a lot of help or support, but Lynsey Bell shares how families are now being

taken advantage of with a promise of a “cure”.

A parent told me recently that often when she goes to sit down in church, people move seats when they see her 5 year old daughter with Cerebral Palsy. Many have the idea that disabilities are contagious. Autistic children are often misdiagnosed across the world, and here in Nigeria and across Africa, many are, very sadly, accused of being involved in witchcraft or being possessed by an evil spirit. These children are shunned by their families and communities.

Special Education is a developing f ield and here in Nigeria we are privileged to have a number of Special Education courses in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. In Nigeria, we are blessed to have many great Special Education teachers who really have a hear t for the children they are working with and they genuinely want to make a difference and help improve their quality of life.Sadly, others are exploiting those with Special Needs and taking advantage of them and their families. An academic here in Nigeria (we will call him X) claims to have a cure

Think of the joy and excitement that a newborn baby brings, and imagine the hear tbreak of hearing the words “Your baby has Downs Syndrome”. Or to be told that your child has Cerebral Palsy and may struggle to walk and talk, or to be told that your 3 year old is Autistic. Maybe you have been through this and know exactly what it is like to raise a child with a disability.

There are a growing number of people with disabilities worldwide. According to the UN, a very high percentage of those with a disability live in the developing world, “80 percent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries.” (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). This high percentage is likely due to poor medical care, especially in rural areas.

People with disabilities, especially in developing countries, are often looked down upon, kept at home and quite a number end up in orphanages, or on the streets to fend for themselves. This is due to a lack of understanding and awareness.

NIGERIA

COMPASSION

21

for people with all disabilities. He tests children’s urine, tells parents what vitamins their child is lacking and charges the parents a for tune for special vitamins and other drugs that will “cure” their child. For other disabilities, he administers a course of vaccinations. This scam is on the increase in Nigeria. A frightening fact is that X is on the board of trustees in many Special Education schools across Nigeria and more recently, some of his collaborators have set up their own centres.

A parent came to Open Doors Special Education Centre this week to inquire about a place for her 4 year old Autistic son. She f irst took him to X for treatment and now, after realising that the medication hasn’t made a difference, she has brought him to us, after spending a lot of money on the so-called “cure”. Desperation for her son to be like other children caused her to fall for this wicked scam. This is just one of many examples that we could cite.X has widespread inf luence and is to be found lecturing in Special Education at a university

in Nigeria. More and more of his students are being inf luenced by his ideas. He has a reputation for being a top researcher in Nigeria and he knows a lot of people in high places. This makes it diff icult for anything to be done about him.

People with disabilities, especially in Nigeria, really need our prayers. Shunned and exploited, they are abused in a host of ways. Pray that this would change, in the knowledge that with God all things are possible!



“He will give justice to the poor

and make fair decisions for the exploited. The ear th will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the

wicked.” Isaiah 11:4.

22

To Seek, Serve and Follow Christ

Campbell Hamilton has just finished serving with Mission Africa for the second time after a successful two years

involved again with the Mission.

the fact that that is probably the key reason why I am leaving the mission at this time, I don’t for one moment disbelieve that phrase. The reason for that will become clear soon.

The Council have repeatedly graciously extended my term of service, rolling back the requirement to meet targets, but ultimately if we believe God provides for work done in His way then we do have to ask questions when that suppor t is not for thcoming. So, in the face of that bare fact it was a relatively easy decision to come to that it was time to go. I do believe Hudson Taylor is correct in what he said and I believe in the gracious care of Jehovah Jireh - the LORD who provides - and because I believe, I have to recognise we have tried but now it is time to move on.

I don’t know at this time what I am going to, I have some hopes and dreams but I am convinced God knows. Please pray for us. I chose the title for this ar ticle carefully, it expresses how I yearn to live my life, and some of you may know where it comes from. Pray also for Sid; it has been good to work with him

Returning can be a strange thing, I cer tainly felt strange a few months ago, driving through Uyo, a city I once knew so well, because I never really got beyond the sense of being lost, such was the incredible transformation of Akwa Ibom State. This was one of the highlights of the last two years as I returned to Mission Africa.I stood in front of the prayer breakfast at Belfast Bible College almost two years ago and announced that I had every conf idence that God was well able to supply my suppor t. I look back on that without a single shred of regret; although my suppor t target never came close to being met, I can honestly say that my conf idence in the Lord our Provider has not been shaken. There are words and phrases which, although not scriptural, have come to generate an enormous degree of acceptance in the Church. One such phrase (reputably) came from Hudson Taylor, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” You might think I question that with my experience of the last two years. Actually, I don’t. Despite the fact that we never once hit the target needed and despite

UK

EQUIPPING

23

at ACTS, but he will need help in the future – so pray for him. It has been a good two years during which time I have been stretched at times and honoured to meet and work with new people. There have been challenging times as well as good, but as I leave the Mission a second time I do so with a very positive feeling as to where the Mission is going.

Like many of you reading this I was so delighted to see the recent photograph of the gathered masses of the MA Nigerian f ield staff at retreat-par ticularly when you consider that at one time the f ield staff of the mission consisted of the Nashs, the Garlands, Anne Cochrane, Iris Ogbonna and the Hamiltons! Let me aff irm, God is blessing Mission Africa! We have many people on the f ield and God is providing the resources for all of them. Blessed be His Name. Never stop praying for Dr Paul Bailie and the Council of Mission Africa and all the staff, they are doing an excellent work.

Let me f inish by saying a big thank you to all those who have

suppor ted me. For those who have graciously prayed-thank you, I have needed your prayers, for those who have generously given-thank you, it was all a great help. For those who have expressed how they would love to have suppor ted me but couldn’t-let me stress that you have suppor ted me before the throne of God and I could ask no more.

Not many have had the privilege of serving the same organisation twice; so thank you to Sid Garland, who f irst suggested I work for MA & ACTS and to Paul Bailie and the Council of MA who so readily extended the oppor tunity for me to rejoin a great Mission. I will continue to pray for you all.

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack

God’s supply.”

24

26 Years of Joy

After working at the forefront of HIV/AIDs education and care in Nigeria, Jean Garland reflects upon her retirement

from serving with Mission Africa.

in the church; yes, there were plenty of tears, but there were also fountains of joy.

Joy when I knew with assurance that we were where God wanted us to be; joy when God provided a good school for our children; joy in leading a Bible study group with women who knew God and challenged me to trust God more; joy when those living with AIDS came to know Christ as Saviour; joy when I f inished writing the book AIDS is Real and It’s in our Church; joy when Nigerian friends prayed for me; joy when students at the college changed their behaviour as they understood the gospel in relation to those living with AIDS. And so much more!

Would I spend 23 years in Nigeria if I had the choice all over again? Yes! My testimony is that God can be trusted. God is faithful. God is sovereign. God is wor th serving. God sees our tears and God knows how many sheaves we will carry home with joy.

God alone is the one who gives the increase when we sow. He answers prayer. He is the Lord of the Harvest.

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalm 126:5–6

As I look back on my 26 years with Mission Africa, our family often ventured out with tears, but we also came back with great joy.

Before we left for Nigeria in 1987 I had many questions. To step out in response to God’s call meant risk (not least on the roads) and involved tears. Mission has always involved hardship and danger.

There were tears of worry when the children were sick and there was no doctor nearby; tears of frustration when we were lied to, cheated and robbed; tears of sorrow for sin - my own and that of others; tears of tenderness in prayer with people we came to love; tears of conviction under the preaching of Nigerian pastors; tears of regret for my lack of trust in God when things seemed out of control; tears when friends living with AIDS experienced discrimination even

NIGERIA

MEDICAL

25

The Garland family on their f irst Christmas in Nigeria in 1987. Jean,

Sid, Peter, Anna & Debbie.

Jean performing an

HIV test.

Jean teaching about HIV/AIDs at an antenatal

class.

26

Moments inBurkina Faso

Several years ago a team from the Tyrone Presbytery built a church building in Ouagadougou which Gloria Kearney was

able to visit and see how it benefits the national church.

I thought of the plaque I had been shown on the wall outside to mark the effor ts of a team from the Tyrone Presbytery who gave their time and used their skills to help in the building of this church. I thought of Ana who is often the sole expatriate living in the village of Legmoin and the long journeys she regularly under takes between Legmoin, Gaoua and Ouagadougou. Is God challenging you to surrender all to His will? Could He be challenging you to suppor t Ana by your prayers or could He even be challenging you to join her in Burkina Faso?

After the service I was shown round the accommodation provided by the church for students at the university. The church would love to build better accommodation for these students – especially for the girls. Maybe another group of churches could follow the example set by the Tyrone team and under take to help them by going for a few weeks to work alongside the church in this project.

If you would like to know more about how you could help, contact the Mission Africa off ice.

‘I surrender all,I surrender all.All to Thee, my Blessed Saviour,I surrender all.’

The Ouagadougou church service had star ted and I was sitting beside Ana who is from Holland. On the other side of the church were some Americans, some of us were singing in English but all around us were Africans singing in French. As the strains of the old song f illed the church, tears came to my eyes and a lump to my throat and I sensed God whisper in my hear t that here was a little taster of Heaven when people from every tribe and tongue would join their voices in praise to Jesus.I looked around at those who were singing so sincerely and in that moment, I thought of the difference it would make in the nation of Burkina Faso, and perhaps also in other nations in the world, if we just kept our vow to surrender all to Him.

I thought back to lives of those who, as a result of their surrender to His will, had given up much and suffered much to bring the Gospel to this land.

BURKINAFASO

EVANGELISM

27

Through the Lens

Over the summer one of our summer team members, Joy Wells, was able to capture a few glipses of life in Africa.

28

A Summer in Ogugu

This year we have had five different teams to Africa and in every case their primary purpose is to share the Gospel and see people coming to a relationship with Christ. Katie

Morrison led the team to Ogugu and shares their experience.

It turned out that the teenagers were very enthusiastic about taking par t in these programmes and we thank God for the many good relationships we built up with them. For them to get to know us better and for us to share the Gospel with them, each day one of the team members shared their testimony. We were then able to chat to the teenagers, during the activities, openly talking about what was shared. Among these teenagers were some Muslims and it was encouraging to receive a letter from one of them appreciating the work that we had been doing.

To f inish the two week programme a concer t was put on for the young people in the community and many of the teenagers, along with the team, took par t in a choir and a dance performance. The team also performed a drama, evangelistic clips were shown and we had oppor tunities to clearly present the Gospel.

During our time in Ogugu we were also involved in the running of the Single Sisters

After travelling 6 hours from Abjua, the mini bus f inally turned the corner, revealing a large crowd of men, women and children ready to welcome us with singing and dancing. This was the beginning of our one month adventure with God in Ogugu, Nigeria.

On f irst impressions of Ogugu, you see the beautiful landscape and the smiling faces who greet you along your way. It is not until you begin to get to know the area and the people that your hear t begins to break as you realise that some of these children and teenagers belong to gangs or maybe some have been coerced into cults. One focus, therefore, was to try and reach out to the teenagers in the area.

Over two weeks we held a spor ts programme and a dance and music workshop. We were uncer tain as to how the teenagers would relate to us and whether they would be open to hearing the Gospel, but we prayed that God would work through us and use us as a team for His purposes.

NIGERIA

COMPASSION

29

fellowship, many village outreaches and children’s Bible clubs. The Gospel was shared with many children and young people, some of whom had never heard the Gospel message before. Please pray with us, that a seed has been planted in the hear ts of all those who have heard the Gospel message and that they would grow to know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. We praise God that, since returning home, this prayer is already being answered and some teenagers have come to the centre wanting to know more about the love of Jesus Christ.

Thank you all for your suppor t and prayer during our trip.

If you would like to share God’s love in Africa on one

of our teams the information for 2014 is on our website.www.missionafrica.org.uk

30

Sports MinistryJos, Nigeria

1st - 21st August 2014

HIV/AIDS &

CommunityOgugu, Nigeria

1st - 30th August 2014

Kids Ministry

Legmoin, Burkina Faso

22nd July - 12th August 2014

DiscipleshipKikuyu, Kenya28th July - 17th August 2014

Teams2014

under take. Can you bring your enthusiasm, creativity and God given talents to suppor t our work in Africa in 2014?

www.missionafrica.org.ukThere’s more information on our website in the ‘Serve’ section.

These four teams will be going to Africa next summer to bring God’s love in a really powerful and meaningful way. Our teams have a legacy of sharing the gospel and seeing people’s lives changed by God.

The teams work alongside missionaries and our par tner organisations to run impor tant activities that there normally wouldn’t be the manpower to

31

Prayer Day Belfast 2013

• God’s heart is for peace.• God’s heart is for a strong Church.• God’s heart to save the unreached.• God’s heart to heal the sick.• God’s heart is for kids.

Our last event of 2013 is our Prayer Day in Belfast. Our theme is “God’s Hear t for Africa”.

Over the course of the morning we will be looking at some of the things God is doing currently in Africa right across the continent, looking into the Bible to see what God teachesabout these areas and then hearing how our missionaries are f itting into God’s big picture.

Belfast Bible Collge, DunmurrySaturday 16th November 2013

10am to 1pm

32

www.missionafrica.org.uk

Contact us:Chief Executive:Revd Dr Paul [email protected]

Head Office:14 Glencregagh Court, BelfastBT6 0PA02890 [email protected]

England Mobiliser:Jeremy Nash46 Hunt Road, ChristchurchBH23 3BW01202 [email protected]

Mission Africa (The Qua Iboe Fellowship) is deemed to be a Charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Recognised as a Charity by HMRC: No XN45493.Registered in Company House, Belfast as a Company Limited by

Guarantee, R611.

Scotland Mobiliser:Robbie [email protected]

Documents

Mission Africa Dispatch