Squirrelling

After a busy but enjoyable half-term week visiting family in England and having fun at my cousin's wedding, we're back in Dingwall.  Sometimes I feel that we're actually in limbo-land at the moment.  There's so much to do but not much that we can get on with.  With God's timing I can see us rushing around madly in the last week of May (which is rapidly approaching) as he puts the final pieces into place.  I'm looking forward to it.

We can however tell as many people as possible about what's happening in our lives and something about what the Lord's doing in Nigeria.  This week Sid and Jean Garland reach the Highlands in their tour of Scotland and will be speaking in Greyfriars, Inverness on Thursday and Castle Street Church hall in Dingwall on Friday (24th February).  I'll be working with Sid who was one of the founders of ACTS (Africa Christian Textbooks) and he and Jean spent many years serving in the areas of health and theological education with Mission Africa in Nigeria.  Fraser and I shall be going to both meetings too.  We can't say much about Nigeria but we can let people know how God has been guiding us towards the mission, kindly encouraging us and pointing us towards the doors we should be going through.  It's great to get a chance to tell people about his faithfulness and give them an opportunity to get involved in this work.

Meanwhile I'm doing what I can to gather things in preparation for our new life in Nigeria, a bit like a squirrel preparing for the winter.  Last week I was in Cambridge with my sister and we went into the Lakeland shop.  I'm sure I'm not alone in being able to spend a fortune in it on things I don't really need but which would make life and culinary exploits so much better.  Usually I can justify it as being for the good of my family and last week was no different.  I saw (and not only was it the last one on the shelf but it was also in the sale and so definitely waiting for me) an old fashioned pudding basin with the Lakeland twist.  It didn't need a pudding cloth ready to provide a home for millions of bacteria, it had a ceramic lid complete with grooves for the string to keep it fastened.  Of course I had to buy it, after all it even said Sticky Toffee on the side.  It'll be great if we find ourselves in a situation without an oven -  all I'll need to make puddings is an open fire and a saucepan.  I suspect it'll be a great way to make friends.

Good-bye hens

We are now a chickenless household.

Ever since my experience with the rat and the rapidly developing escapologist talents of one hen in particular I have been quite keen to find "Scotch" & "Rye" (named by James) a new home.  Today they went off to live with a family from church who are hoping to develop a croft and ultimately use it to work with disadvantaged youngsters.  I know the hens will be well cared for but I feel strangely bereft.  It's not that poultry are very bright or loving but they are warm and soft, come running when there's the slightest prospect of anything edible and make lovely little noises.  (That is when they're not squawking their heads off for no apparent reason.)  What's more, they're a lot more productive than cats (though we love Ari dearly) and we'll miss our large fresh eggs.

I have had something to take my mind off their departure.  I was sent my first book from ACTS (Africa Christian Textbooks) to edit.  It's great to get started although it highlights the fact that we're in the second month of the year already and we're hoping to get to Nigeria in the sixth.  There's so much to do which can't be done yet, we're just hanging on and trusting God, getting ready to ride the wave.  Anyway, this book, by a Nigerian author, is on the subject of Christian marriage and the ideal home.  I'm finding it very interesting and extremely down-to-earth and practical.  It does however give an unsettling insight into the attitudes of some of the Nigerian Christians when the start of the book is taken up with reasons why it is not good for a husband to beat his wife!  It shows how great a need there is for good books to teach and encourage the Church in Nigeria.

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.

Christmas

As a church we were out singing carols in Tesco's this morning, trying to bring a bit of the real spirit of Christmas into the slog of buying.  As it wasn't just music we were offering but bags of sweets and booklets I hope we provided a small oasis in the busyness of Christmas Eve.  People were certainly surprised to be told that we weren't collecting money (until our friendly bank employee provided a bucket for the cash which will go to Tearfund). 

One of the songs we sang was written fairly recently, is thought-provoking and has a beautiful melody.  For those who haven't come across Mary, did you know? here are the lyrics.  There are many examples of it being sung on Youtube.  Look it up, it'll haunt you

  Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
  Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
  Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new;
  And the child that you delivered will soon deliver you?


  Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to the blind man?
  Mary, did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
  Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod,
  And when you kiss your little baby, you've kissed the face of God?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again,
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb

  Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all Creation?
  Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
  Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb, 
  And the sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM?

                                                               Buddy Greene & Mark Lowry

One of the things I'm enjoying about writing a blog is the opportunity to inflict my thoughts upon anyone who cares to read them.  Here's another of my favourite Christmas verses.  This one is taken from Louis MacNeice's Autumn Journal. 

  There was a star in the East, the magi in their turbans 
        Brought their luxury toys 
  In homage to a child born to capsize their values
        And wreck their equipoise.
  A smell of hay like peace in the dark stable -
       Not peace however but a sword
  To cut the Gordian knot of logical self-interest,
       The fool-proof golden cord;
  For Christ walks in where no philosopher treads
       But armed with more than folly,
  Making the smooth place rough and knocking the heads 
       Of Church and State together.
  In honour of whom we have taken over the pagan
       Saturnalia for our annual treat
  Letting the belly have its say, ignoring
       The spirit while we eat.
  And Conscience still goes crying through the desert
        With sackcloth round his loins:
  A week to Christmas - hark the herald angels
       Beg for copper coins.


That's it, I've got it out of my system for now.  No verses next time.

I hope you all have a very happy Christmas and make space for Jesus in the busyness.