Jayne McCurdy joined Mission Africa last year (based in Belfast) and works with the organisation focusing on theological education, church planting and evangelism, Hospitals and medical work, HIV/AIDS ministries, and youth ministries especially with streetkids.

And last week the Northern Regional College, Ballymoney Campus presented Jayne's mother with over £700 which had been collected during the Institutes' Christmas Craft Fair and a 1 and 2 pence collection.
On the web, Jayne explains: "I was privileged to grow up on the North Coast on a potato farm, five minutes walk from the beautiful Whitepark Bay! I am the eldest of 5 children, all now adults! I am so thankful for the blessing of parents who taught me the ways of God from an early age. We attended a local Baptist church in Dunseverick - here also I heard the Good news. I was about five when at my bedside with my Mum; I simply invited God into my life and to forgive my sins."

Jayne went to Coleraine High School: "My Christian friends were a great encouragement at school. School days were OK although I was not much of an academic. When I finished school and decisions had to be made I really wasn't sure what was the next step although teaching was a possibility. To keep my options open I decided to do a general degree at Coleraine University.

"This did not turn out well in human terms. But I can see that God had it all as part of His plan as I actually met Ruth Black there long before we ended up serving in Jos together. Isn't it amazing to think that God was preparing us for seven years later in Nigeria!

"I was thankful to God for teaching me a lot about myself that year, also how He is able to carry us through trials and for bringing certain people into our lives. Since 2000, I have had many different jobs and experiences. Here is a list of them in chronological order, Youth Hostel Receptionist, a Care Assistant with adults with special needs, Child Care Worker in South Africa, Irish Baptist College for the Christian Service Certificate, Cleaner in a Bed & Breakfast, Classroom/Care Assistant with special needs adults in a College, Child Minder and the Youth Hostel again."

There were several links in the chain that God used to give Jayne a heart for Mission.
"My mum was the Mission Secretary in our church for most of my youth, this involved having Missionaries to our home for supper, how I loved hearing their amazing stories of God at work," Jayne continued.

"Also we had close family friends who were missionaries in Peru. In my primary school years I attended a local church Girls Association which included Missionary teaching. It was so interesting to do these studies.
"Then at Secondary School I started to get involved in Scripture Union (S.U.), go on S.U. camps and B.Y.E. (Baptist Youth Evangelism) teams. Later I went on Exodus teams to Peru, Russia and Waterford and worked on Teen camps as a councillor and 5-Day clubs in local towns."

Jayne learnt so much from these different experiences and God was giving her a desire for His work.
During Bible College Jayne gave more thought to mission and was thinking about South America or Africa.

"Coming to the end of that year I was thinking of going to Peru for a long summer, however God had other plans. By my last week I had £7 in my bank account! I knew that my parents' silver wedding anniversary was coming up so I decided to be practical and get a job," she said.

"I ended up working for over a year for a lovely Christian family who ran a very busy B&B. God showed me again that I may plan my course in my heart but God determines my steps! That year was another learning curve.

"Since University I was able to see what I enjoyed doing and it became clear that it was working with children and young people. I had the privilege to be able to do part time work along side church work. This was God teaching me to be faithful in the small things. My desire was for full time Christian work however I knew this would happen in God's time. An elderly friend in my church reminded me that waiting time is not wasted time and that Jesus had to wait till he was 30 until his public ministry began.

"Just as I was learning to be content, I attended a Mission Night during the winter of 2004. It was a very challenging word and I was emotional as God reminded me of mission. Different mission groups were represented and for the first time I heard of Mission Africa (although I had heard of Qua Iboe at Bible College). I was interested to read of the youth work in Jos. Even the magazine title challenged me; "The Harvest is not plentiful but vast!"

"In the January, I contacted the office for more information, but then let things rest. Then in the Summer 2006 at New Horizon I picked up a general Mission magazine with 1000 worldwide opportunities, the youth work included Mission Africa. God was guiding me but I didn't feel ready.

"In September, I was reading a devotional book, a few times there was mention of "spreading your wings," Deuteronomy 32v11, I realised this was what I needed to do. A close friend advised me to stop running away like Jonah and to push the door for Africa. So I contacted the office again and was accepted in January 2007. It was so encouraging on the day of my interview in my personal bible reading plan to read Luke 10v2 - 'The Harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few'. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and perfect timing; I arrived in Jos on the last day of May 2007."

At present Jayne works with City Ministries in Jos, Nigeria. She works with street children and young people who are being looked after at one of three care centres in and around Jos. Gidyan Bege (translates to House of Hope) is where children come first from the street. Transition House is a home in Jos itself whilst Geyro is in a more rural area outside of the city. Her role is very flexible and always changing and developing.

She elaborates: "A big part of my role is caring for the boys, as there are no Nigerian 'Aunties' the boys need a mother figure. Also the boys like to keep in contact with the UK and USA teams that visit and also with their friends in TH so I help them write letters or emails.

"Nigerians love football so often we have matches between the three centres. Ruth (Black) and I help transport them, my car is a 7-seater but we tend to have somewhat more than that pile in! And of course it's important to support and encourage. I have been teaching Bible stories and helping with the kids education. I hope to start doing some one-to-one teaching with a senior boy who has special needs.

"Also I have been spending an afternoon a week with the Gidyan Bege boys (in central Jos) before they move out to rural Gyero home. It's important to know them well so we can help them with the transition. We often hear from the boys about their needs and we work with the 'Uncles' to help."

For more information contact Jayne at CRC-SUM, PO Box 261, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Email oj80@hotmail.com or Mission Africa at 14 Glencregagh Court, Belfast BT6 0PA.