Miss Noreen McAfee, Missionary to Kenya

The first contact Miss McAfee had with the Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney was when her late father James was invited by a work colleague to attend the Gospel meetings there. It was not long before he came under conviction, repented of his sin and received Christ as his Saviour. As a newborn babe in Christ, it was his earnest desire that the rest of the family would likewise come to saving faith in Him and so he brought his family to worship and to sit under the faithful ministry of the Word in Ballymoney. Miss McAfee recalls her early visits to the church: 'I was greatly impressed by the warmth of God's people, their concern for my spiritual well-being, the joy of the Lord which was so evident in their lives and above all, the truth of God's precious Word which was faithfully proclaimed there week by week.'

Miss McAfee was already a teenager by this stage and so only attended Sunday School for one year but what a year that was to be! She explains: 'Through the prayerful and diligent labours of my Sunday School teacher, and the minister at the time, Rev. Leslie Curran, I came to see my wretched condition as a sinner before God and His wonderful provision in giving His Son to die for my salvation. God granted me grace to repent of my sin and faith to believe the Gospel and so I surrendered my life to Him.'

Thereafter Miss McAfee began to get involved in other aspects of church life, the Bible Class, the prayer meetings and the Youth Fellowship. The encouragement and fellowship of God's people was a tremendous blessing to her.

On completion of her studies at grammar school, Miss McAfee was offered a place at Cambridge University to read French and German. However the Lord laid it on her heart to serve Him as a teacher in Ballymoney Independent Christian School . He had challenged her through His Word in verses such as 1 Chronicles Chapter 29 verse 5: 'And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day to the Lord?' and Deuteronomy Chapter 6 verses 6 and 7: 'And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.'

It soon became evident that Miss McAfee was a very talented teacher who loved her work. Her congenial smile and pleasant personality endeared her to pupils, staff and parents alike. During this time she studied for and gained a BA Honours degree in French from the University of London . Miss McAfee comments: 'I counted it a wonderful privilege to serve God amongst the boys and girls there in my home congregation and with some of the finest Christian men and women whom I have known. They taught me much by their godly counsel and example and remain amongst my closest friends until this day.'

Outside the classroom Miss McAfee participated in the children's meetings, the outreach work and the Youth Choir. After some years, however, the Lord began to lead her in another direction. Through her personal Bible study and the public ministry of His Word, He made known that it was His will for her to leave her country, her kindred and her father's house to go to the land of His choice. That land was to be Kenya . His revealed purpose was 'that their children, which have not known anything, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.'

Miss McAfee left Ballymoney and Ulster in August, 2000 to take up the work in the Christian Academy , which had been recently commenced by the Bible Christian Faith Church , in the West Pokot district of North-West Kenya . A special valedictory service was held in her home church on Thursday, 29th June, 2000. It was a night of mixed emotions-there was regret at the loss to the work in Ballymoney of someone with such ability, yet there was also a sense of rejoicing in sharing with Miss McAfee as she prepared to follow God's will for her life.