We are certainly excited to be writing our first prayer letter to you from the mission field of Nigeria! We arrived here on December 21. I cannot say that it was a smooth journey, as we had several significant detours along the way. We were initially scheduled to fly out on December 5. However, the day before our flight, Emily contracted COVID. We praise God that Emily recovered fully, and our unborn baby was unaffected by it. However, it did require us to postpone our flight for two weeks. The fun did not stop there. All international travelers are required to take a COVID test within 72 hours of their arrival. However, when we got to the airport, we discovered that although we tested negative, we had the “wrong kind” of COVID test. After about two hours of back and forth at the airline desks, it was finally decided that we could still board our plane and then take the “right kind” of test at our layover airport. After literally being the last people to board our plane, we were finally able to take off. Through every danger, toil, and snare, the Lord finally brought us safely to Nigeria.
We have kept moving since being here for sure. We have been working to secure housing, transportation, banking, and going through the immigration process, although we did take time to enjoy Christmas, as I hope all of you did as well. Fortunately, we have had help with many of the details from Missionary Mark Holmes. His insight has definitely made things easier for us to settle in.
We are also pleased to let you know that we will be having another little girl. Lord willing, Lydia Ann Christiansen will be making her appearance in early April of 2022. So far, she continues to grow healthy and strong.
We praise the Lord that we can finally mark the transition from our ministry on deputation to our ministry in Nigeria, especially since without you, it would not have been possible. Since we started deputation in January 2020, we have traveled many hundreds of miles, been in many churches, met many people, and given the Gospel in many places, all of it with the goal of taking the Gospel to Nigeria in view. So many people have been so generous and involved in helping us along the way. I cannot begin to describe how grateful we are to those of you who have helped us and supported us. Thank you for praying for us. Please continue to pray that God will give us boldness and power to spread the Gospel as we venture into this next phase of our lives and ministry.
That all the world may know,
Caleb Christiansen
Our first service in Nigeria!