How old...?!

Today I have a "significant" birthday so it's time for chocolate cake with lots of icing and sparkly bits but no candles as we haven't got enough in the house!  It also seems to be a time for reflection as I can't help thinking back, remembering friends, other birthdays and life in general.  In particular I remember my original 21st birthday (for as you know, once we reach 21 we revisit it each year).  That was a great party in Oxford with lots of friends.  What a contrast to the following year when I woke up on my birthday morning having slept on the floor in a traditional house in Papua New Guinea for the first time, very thankful for the mosquito net which kept all the bugs and creepy-crawlies at bay.

I can't help wondering what next year will be like in Nigeria, once again with a mosquito net but also a husband and two children.  By then we should have settled in to our new life and I trust be making a difference to the lives of those we meet out there.  When I was with Wycliffe Bible Translators in PNG there were people of all ages who had heard and responded to God's call to step out and serve him - from young couples with babies to people who thought they had retired.  It's wonderful to know that the Lord never retires us, there's always something he has for us, whatever our age.  I'm excited to be given this new opportunity at my advanced years.  Looking back, I can see how God's been preparing me in various ways, no experience is ever wasted, they're all part of his plan even if we can't see clearly what that is at the time.  Isn't he marvellous!

More Info

 I thought I'd post some extracts from a booklet we put together which gives a few more reasons about why we're going out to Nigeria. Many people have already seen it but if you haven't  I hope you find it interesting.

Dawn & Fraser,

James & Ruth Jackson

Moving to Jos, Nigeria to work with

& help build up the Church in Nigeria.

Will you join our team?

“The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few”  (Matthew 9:38)

Many Nigerians are hungry for the Word of God.

Their pastors & church leaders long to receive good teaching themselves so they can teach their congregations.

False teaching can so easily take hold if the church leaders do not have access to Bibles & good explanatory theological textbooks.

The best people to reach Nigerians are Nigerians who are rooted and grounded in God’s love.

We all have the joy and privilege of participating in Jesus’ Great Commission.

Why us?

·        We have been blessed with a good education & the knowledge of God’s love from early in our lives.

·        God called us to use the skills & talents he has given us to help build up his Church in Africa.

·        It’s a privilege to be part of God’s plan for sharing his love with others.

 

How can Fraser make a difference?

Fraser’s job as Librarian at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) will enable him to assist students in finding the best books to help with their studies when they need them.

His experience in working with the University of the Highlands and Islands as well as at Highland Theological College has enabled him to make good contacts in the world of academic libraries which will help TCNN provide a better library service to their students.

These students will return to their communities & congregations better equipped to teach the Word of God & show his love in the way that they live.

How can Dawn make a difference?

Dawn will be involved in editing work at Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) where she will be helping to support authors & publish books for the African Church written by Africans & addressing the needs of their nations.

She will also spend some time in compassionate ministry, as well as supporting James & Ruth in their school activities.

 

       

How can you make a difference?

God may not be calling you to Africa but you can still play an important part in his plans there.

God will provide all that we need to work for him but we need a team.

No Christian believer is exempt from God’s call – we are goers, senders, or disobedient.

What part does God want you to play in his great work?

We need people who will be our partners in

·        Praying for us

·        Providing financially for us

·        Encouraging us

Our target……..

To provide for us as a family we need to raise about £20,000 a year.

Each  member trusts God to supply their salary through gifts from churches and friends.

This could work out like this:

·        4 people giving £100 per month

·        12 people giving £50 per month

·        22 people giving £25 per month

·        15 people giving £10 per month

With Gift Aid Mission Africa can reclaim any tax you have paid on your gift.

      

In Nigeria people are eager to learn about God.

Could you look a Nigerian in the face & explain why you didn’t do what you could to help?

We can’t.

THANK YOU

 

What a stinker!

For the past week Ruth and I have been laid low by the most vicious bug.  Every morning it finds a new and exciting way to make us feel miserable, thus keeping our interest by variety whilst not decreasing in its severity.  Now we're both thoroughly fed up (and so, probably, are Fraser and James who are reasonably healthy) and think it's ABOUT TIME WE GOT BETTER.

However, this post is not about the delightful consequences of the Fall but the properly delightful prospect of James and Ruth's new school in Jos.

Hillcrest School

 

  I've managed to acquire some photos from Jean Garland who served with Mission Africa in Nigeria for many years and whose children had a great time attending Hillcrest School where we hope James and Ruth will be starting this August.  It uses the American curriculum and seems to be a place where children are cared for and encouraged.  I particularly like the international aspect and emphasis on Christian values - the school was started by missionaries to educate their own children but now includes many nationalities and religions amongst its pupils.  With many extra-curricular activities to get involved with I think that James and Ruth will thrive there and they seem to be looking forward to going.

 Back to the UK and Fraser and I have a date with Castle Street Church of Scotland in the evening service next Sunday.  Afterwards we get to speak to the Youth Group of which James is a member.  It'll be rather odd as once, many years ago, before James (who's recently overtaken me in height) was born, Fraser and I used to run the group.  I'm wondering what it's worth not to include stories of how toddler James used to run around during the meetings when we speak to the youngsters next week.  Although we are now very happy at Dingwall Evangelical Church, Fraser and I still have friendly ties with many people at Castle Street.  It'll be good to share what's going on in our lives with them.