Nigeria

It's been a journey and a perseverant struggle obtaining visas, but today is October 1st and so I'm sharing!  Matt and Sofie are heading to Nigeria to come alongside WATS, West Africa Theological Seminary in 12 days!

WATS has graduated over 3000 men and women the past 5 years, representing several hundred African churches, scores of ethnic groups and over 20 nationalities!!  We've heard about WATS as long as we've been with OMS and serving in Haiti, and while they've asked Matt to come teach several times now, the Lord seems to have opened the door and made a way for such a time as this. 

The class they badly need taught matches a class Matt is well-equipped and ready to teach (Systematic Theology), the dates don't coincide with anything significant on our church calendar, and every hiccup that has arisen the Lord has unmistakably smoothed.  The last bump is receiving visas, and will be a final clear open or closed door.  

Since Matt's last teaching trip to the Czech Republic with Lily, Sofie has been waiting for her turn to join Dad in preaching the Gospel overseas.  While Matt's busy teaching this intensive course, we'll know a lot more about what Sofie's going to be doing once she gets there...pretty sure there will be small children involved, knowing her. Growing up on a seminary campus will make this trip extra interesting! 

She and I had a precious conversation the other day about the encouragement of coming alongside, and about how her age or culture don't hinder this from being true. I am praying for countless opportunities to love, to serve, to befriend and to encourage for both Sofie and Matt!

I have always wanted to go to Africa! I can't wait to hear about how it reminds them of our Haiti home, how it doesn't, and to hear about our brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

One Mission Society is beautifully allowing us to use our missions support account for this trip, so if you'd like to be a part of Matt and Sofie coming alongside the church in Nigeria, you can here!  (Please ignore the fact that our old profile is OLD. Our support account is still current!)

Please scratch down a reminder for prayer for your fridge or Bible or planner!  They leave Jackson after church on 10.12 and return 10.23.  

Pray that their visas...which have been submitted for over a month and were promised in September....will come in time!  Matt spoke to the office again today, and they are saying they have moved it to "priority" :)

Pray that nothing (travel, culture, language, age, the enemy, sickness) would hinder God's good work to be done through them

Pray for their spiritual strength, cultural wisdom and communication skills to convey His message clearly, and for God's guidance

Pray the full armor of God over them (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Pray that the church in Nigeria might be edified and strengthened

Pray for the church in Nigeria : wisdom and courage to stand firm, for the growth of faith and spiritual revival of the nation, despite hardships and persecution 

Thank you dear ones!

Check out more ways to pray for our brothers and sister in Nigeria here!