Hanging up my dungerees....

Is this a throwback to the 70s? (although I think my multi-talented Mum made them for me in the 80s).  They bear the scars of many painting experiences, almost a history of all the houses we've been in, and most recently they've been in use in our new church premises (that's the magnolia).  Now, after wearing them for days, I was able to hang them up last week - the painting of the church (apart from a few oddments) is complete.  Last week was our final meeting in Dingwall Community Centre; this Sunday we'll be in the new place.  There's still a lot of work to do - plumbing and lighting, arranging and cleaning - but the place is just about fit for service now. We really excited about the prospect of being in our own building at last and with our recent experience feel that perhaps we could start "DEC painters and renovators" as a service to the community

Fraser and I took the last morning meeting, focusing on mission in general and our plans in particular.  We're all praying that this new venue will be used as the springboard for many mission ventures in Dingwall.  It's an accessible and non-threatening place, let's hope it shines as a beacon for God.

We were encouraged further last week by two unexpected contributions to our financial needs.   It's humbling that people whom we hardly know feel moved to support us.  It reinforces to us that we're not following our own plans but the call God has given us and that he will provide all we need.  Even in a gloomy economic environment he'll make sure we're not held back by any lack of resources.

Zoom in on TCNN

This is something Fraser has put together and it ends up focussed on the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) where he'll be working.  Please leave a comment if it freezes up your computer.

We heard of a good answer to prayer last week.  As a church we support Simeon and Asia Ewing in their work with disadvantaged children in the Ukraine.  They were going on a trip to Poland but realised that the man who should have been keeping Asia's visa up-to-date had let it slip - she'd inadvertently been in the country illegally for some weeks. There was a distinct possibility that at the airport they would be warned, warned and fined, not allowed back for three months or not allowed back at all.

There was a lot of praying going on at this end.

In the end the airport official decided to warn and fine them and sent Simeon back to the 24-hour bank to get the money to pay.

The 24-hour bank was closed.
Simeon and Asia were let off.
God is in control of everything.  Nothing is too small or too large for him to deal with.

A few photos...

I thought it was about time there were some more photos on this blog so here are some we've purloined from other Mission Africa people.  It won't be that long before we have some of our own.

 The basics

The chapel at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) in Bukuru near Jos where Fraser will be working.

 

Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) headquarters

next door to TCNN where I'll be spending some of my time.

ACTS bookshop

ACTS bookstall

On a separate note, we've been given a short time this Sunday to tell the people in Dingwall Baptist Church a bit about God's plans for us in Nigeria.  Next week we get the opportunity to fill in our own church with more details about what's going on.  It'll be a change to see everyone not covered in paint or debris from  renovation work at the new premises.  Please remember us as we try to communicate the vision and enthusiasm that God's given us.  We also hope that he'll inspire those who hear to support us and Mission Africa in the work that he's given us in whatever way they can.

Is this a church?

Sometimes it's difficult not to live with eyes fixed too much on the future, thinking and planning more about our move to Nigeria than being where God's put us at present.  It's something I've been trying to learn for years  - be here now; not in the past, nor dreaming excessively about the future, but living each moment for God in the situation he's trusted me with.  It's not always easy, especially as it's often tempting to wonder if this really is the place he means me to be in, or has he made a mistake and I should be out doing something much more exciting.

Our God does not make mistakes.  He knows what he's doing all the time and what is the best for us, even if we don't see it and so many times argue against it, trying to persuade him to give us something different.  Only when, like Paul, we learn to be content in all circumstances and rely on God and his perfect timing, can we live fulfilled as we were meant to be and experience the exciting rollercoaster of life with the sense of peace that only comes from God.

Anyway, back to the title of this post: Is this a church?





For a long time we've been praying for premises where our church can meet whenever we want, where there aren't any stairs and where the heating works all the time.  (The chilblains are developing nicely after the Christmas day meeting in Dingwall Community Centre when the boiler wasn't working.)  Last week we signed the lease for a former shop in Dingwall and have been eagerly working on it ever since.  First priority: heating.  The switch for the new wall-mounted heaters was flicked on Monday, the power supply in Dingwall remained strong and the system worked.  What it is to have Chris in the church knowing about wiring buildings as well as guitars.

Yesterday we had a virtual shopping session for our next priority: something to sit on, something to rest on (tables) and something to heat enough water for lots of cups of tea.  Then it'll be painting the walls, shampooing the very tasteful carpet that was kindly left by the previous tenants and hooking up the screen and projector.


This is such an exciting opportunity.  We're already coming up with so many ideas of how to open up the church to the community.  The fact that the front windows are so huge is a great advantage.  Too many church buildings seem rather secretive.  Anyone wondering what goes on inside has to commit themselves fully by going in which can be rather nerve-wracking (once you're in will you ever be let out again?).  Our shop display front will allow any wonderers to see what's going on before they enter the premises.  There are are also two large rooms connecting at the back, ideal for youth/children's work, several storage areas and an office.  All we could ever have dreamed of.  When God says "yes" he does it in a big way.

I've also been working my way through the large pile of books on the history of Mission Africa that we brought back from our last trip to Belfast.  As we start work on our own church premises it's humbling to read accounts of Qua Iboe tribesmen asking for people to come and tell them about God.  Some villages even built new houses for missionaries in anticipation, years before anyone actually arrived to teach them.  Today of course so many people don't even think they need to pay any attention to God, let alone put themselves out to learn about him.

I am somewhat in awe of those early missionaries, so many of whom died out in Nigeria or had to come home early because of ill health.  Looking at old pictures I can't believe that the ladies went out to bring the Word of God to the Qua Iboe still wearing corsets.  I'm so relieved that fashions have changed.  Conditions are rather better nowadays.  There may be a terrorist threat which I know is worrying my family, but at least we have planes, good communications and no corsets.