October

Praises from our family:

1. I praise God for all He is doing in our lives.  Last month, we got an e-mail from Kim (our 
partner in Liberia) saying, “We are ready for you, you can come anytime!”  

2. Our house still needs to sell.  Last month we hosted three open houses.  Two of the open houses had no visitors.  One open house had one visitor who seemed somewhat interested.  Please pray with us that our house will sell.  Our house needs to sell before we make our big move.

3. While in the States we have continued ministering here.  We felt the Lord told us to start a Bible study on our street.  6 out of the 10 families on our street are part of this group.  When we stated, there were 3 believing families on our street.  Last month, one man gave his life to Jesus for the first time.  Our street is feeling more like a family now that the group has been started!  Next week, the group will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for our street.  Once we leave for Liberia, others on our street will take over this ministry.  We praise God for all He is doing.

4. I have taken a temporary job working for Piqua Monuments.  I told the Lord that I wanted work wherever He wanted me to work.  My heart’s desire was to be a missionary to whatever workplace He led me to.  My neighbor works at Piqua Monuments and told me of their job opening.  I took the job because I feel the Lord is calling me to be a minister to my street until He moves me to Liberia.  Now, I get paid to set headstone all day long with my neighbor.  My neighbor and I have become close friends as a result of working together!  I praise God for what He is doing!  He is good!

5. Several years ago, I wrote a survey through the New Testament curriculum.  Last week, I felt the Lord telling me to teach the course one more time before we move to Liberia.  We started the class yesterday.  My hope is to be able to train someone who will offer this class once a year here in the States within the network of house churches to which be belong.  

6. The rainy season has passed in Liberia therefore construction on our rooms has started again.  As of last week, the rafters on our rooms have been set!  Praise God!    

Praises and Prayer Requests from Liberia:
1. PLEASE PRAY: There are 2 lots adjacent to our home in Zwedru.  These 2 lots have 4 buildings being built on them.  3 of the building are 90% complete.  The 4th building is 45% complete.  We would like to buy these lots so that the ministry could host 2 week long workshops to train church leaders.  Do to the low reading and education level in Liberia, it is best to train leaders in person rather than giving them training material to read on their own.  We believe this opportunity will help us in our mission to see that there is a healthy church in every town and village of Liberia.  We have sent a letter to the owner of the land letting him know of our interest.  Please pray for this opportunity.  If the land is bought, I will likely play a large role in this ministry.  Funds have already been donated for the purchase of this land if the owner is willing to sell.

2. PRAISE GOD!!!  The Gospel is continuing to move forward!  Here is a bird’s eye view of the amazing things God has done in Liberia in the past 10 months.  By God’s grace, we are now working in 269 locations. 10 months ago we were working in around 150 location!  Praise God!  In the past 10 months God has helped us start new works in over 119 new locations and baptize 344 people.  Just last month the ministry started working in 14 new villages, distributed 11,000 pages of teaching material and baptized 13 people.  Praise God for what He is doing!

3.  PLEASE PRAY FOR RIVER GEE COUNTY!  In February we will be starting a new church planting hub in River Gee County.  We will be sending one of our core team leaders to join two trained leaders in River Gee to start this hub.  Our prayer is that there would be a healthy church in every town and every village of Liberia within our lifetime.  Our vision is to start church planting hubs in every county of Liberia.  From these hubs churches will be started in every town and village of each county.  Our ministry provides funding only for these hubs.  The churches that are started are self-supported from the start.  A church planting hub costs between $1,000 and $1,500 a month to fund.  That is literally all the funding that is required to reach an entire county for Christ.  Will you please pray for River Gee as we begin this new work there.  We are still in need of the funding for this hub.  Pray for God’s provisions.  Also Pray for Sino County.  We have leaders trained and ready to start a hub there as the Lord leads.  Praise God for what He is doing!

4. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALLISON SMITH:  Last week Allison Smith arrived in Liberia.  She is a single lady who specializes in special education.  Allison will be spending 3 months working with the two schools we have started as well as working in two prisons we work at.  She has come equipped with curriculum and training resources for these schools and will be starting literacy training within the prisons.  Please pray for her as she trains both teachers and students.  Allison spent her first week in Liberia flat on her back, very sick.  We think she either got malaria or typhoid.  She was treated in an area hospital and is recovering.  She is hoping to begin working with the schools next week.  Please pray.

Update from Melanie:

Hello!  Thank you for your prayers and support!  It is fun serving Jesus, our Savior together!  This past month, we visited several house churches, including our street’s house church.  God has been using these times to encourage us and others.  This past Sunday, God used the time to remind me to be careful with my words and actions in regards to my precious children and husband. I could do everything right and then say or do one thing wrong and it could really scar them.  (So many times, I may make a comment under my breath or I may make a face which can be wrongly interpreted.)  So, that is my prayer this week.  I want to make every moment count for my family.  Also, we took a couple weeks off of dairy and realized that this would be good to stay off of it in preparation for Africa.  I pray that you all will have the best thanksgiving yet and that God will continue to bless you in all the ways that only He can!  Love in Christ, Mel :)

Update from Christian:

Dear Friends and Family,

I am going to be moving to Africa soon.  Here are some of my thoughts about moving to Africa.  I am excited to move.  It is going to be fun.  We are going to have friends to play with every day.  I will be eating monkey, bird, mice, snake, rat, deer, and other animals.  It is going to be fun.  There is no hunting season there so I can hunt anytime I want.  Here are some ways I hope God will use me.  I hope He will help me change lives in Africa and help start churches in every town and village of Liberia.  I am hoping to help the mission by hunting for food.  I can also help the friends I will have in Africa learn how to read, write, and do math.  I want to help them learn about the Lord.  I will also get to be on the motorcycle with Dad helping plant churches.  

Let me tell you about one of my recent hunts.  Dad, Tommy and Don were out working on the lawn.  Tommy ran in the house and told me to go get my gun.  I was thinking there was a squirrel they wanted me to shoot.  Tommy told me it was a raccoon.  I didn’t believe him.  Dad came in and told me that it was a raccoon and to do 10 pumps on my BB gun which puts a bunch of air in my gun to shoot the bullet.  I was going to load the gun with BB’s but dad said wait a minuet, you are going to kill this thing, load it with pellets.  So I got the pellets and loaded the gun.  I handed Daddy the extra pellets to put in his pocket.  I got on my coat.  Then daddy told me the plan.  The plan was to go around our play boat where the raccoon was sleeping and stand next to the pine trees for the shot.  When we were in the garden behind our house, Daddy told me the plan again because I was not understanding.  We got between the trees, I said, “Where is the heart.  Dad said shoot in the middle of the body.  Dad said I killed it on the 1st shot.  I did 3 or 4 extra shots to make sure it was dead.  Two shots were to make sure it was dead.  After it was dead I asked if I could shoot it one more time.  Daddy said yes.  Then we threw it into the woods.  I am glad it is dead because the raccoons have been coming to our house and eating our cat food.  The raccoons would eat Noah’s food and try to fight our cat.  In the past we created a homemade trap but the raccoon got away.  One time the Raccoon was going to try to kill our kitty.  The Raccoon had our cat cornered but Daddy helped the kitty. I am glad the raccoon is dead.  

Update from Grace

Hi, my name is Grace.  I have a story for you.  I got my two teeth out right next to each other.  Daddy pulled really hard on the first tooth.  That was when it was hanging on the side.  When I woke up in the morning Daddy kept telling me, “let me get it.”  I felt it moving around in my mouth.  Then it was on the other side of my mouth and I picked it up.  

On my second tooth, Daddy did three yanks and I didn’t do any yanks.  It took three yanks and it was out.  When it came out, it flew through the air and landed on the counter top.  That tooth was bleeding.  Sometimes are fun and sometimes aren't but the most fun part is spending time with Jesus.  So, don’t get frustrated about anything because there is nothing to get frustrated with.  So be joyful, always, pray continually.  The Bible also says that if you walk one mile for someone, go ahead and walk the extra mile with them.  The Bible also says to respect your mother and your father.  So, God is always with us, no fears.  Please be praying that our house will sell so we can go to Africa.  So, happy days are happy days, no fears or crying, obey your father and mother, and go the extra mile.  If you don’t know what that means, I can explain.  This is how I am going to explain it, if your mom and dad tell you to do your chores and you are done with your chores, just help them.  That is going the extra mile.  That is what it is like to be a family and to have friends.  The Bible also says that if someone grabs your coat, then give it to them.  It is kind of hard to do things God’s way but that is ok.  It is God’s grace and it is part of knowing Him.  So remember, respecting is respecting.  So if you have any problems fighting remember that family is family.  So, remember don’t get angry, go to the extra mile, and also give thanks to the Lord.  Bye, remember my name is Grace. 

Update from Tommy

I’m Tommy,

Hi.  I am a missionary to Africa.  They have bumpy roads in Africa.  We will be teaching people about Jesus in Africa.  I want to teach people about Jesus.  In Africa I will hunt.  I like to play with my legos.  I like to make boats, cars, airplanes.

Update From Don:

There are good people who live in Africa.  Today I have school.  Mom says I need school.  She makes Tommy, Grace, Christian and I do a lot of school.  I have learned that we need to worship only Jesus.  The Bible tells us not to worship false Gods.  In Africa we will hunt all kinds of animals to eat.  We will hunt monkey, alligator, birds, snakes, and raccoons.   I want to shoot and eat a tiger.  In Africa people are baptized all the time.  I like to hear stories from Africa.  I have heard that there are bad roads in Africa.  These roads make cars dirty.  I don’t like bad roads.  I like to play with my brothers and sister.  God has given me a good family.  Jesus, thank you for giving me my family.  Please help Kim in Africa.  Please help our family go to Africa.  Please help Kim.  Please help Africa.  Thank you for the legos I play with.  Please help me know and do what Jesus says.  I love you.

August

Thank You!  Thank you for your love, support, sacrifice and partnership!  My desire is to live a life that is worthy of Christ and to please Him always.  My desire is also to live a life worthy of the sacrifice people are making to support our ministry.  Here are a few things God has done this past month that make me stand and shout praises to Him.  

Please pray that our house will sell!

Praises from the United States:

1.  Melanie and I are fully supported for our mission to Liberia!  There are still several onetime expenses that need to be covered but we have received pledges that will fully support a long-term ministry in Liberia.  Praise God!!  

2.  Melanie and I have desired and felt led to be our family’s missionary.  Here is what I mean by that.  Melanie and I have been blessed to have been raised in Christian families.  We didn’t desire our personal support to come from churches.  We have been praying that we would be completely funded and sent to Liberia by our families.  This has become a reality!  Praise God!  100% of the money necessary to support our family in Liberia is coming from our family!  THANK YOU FAMILY FOR BELIEVING IN AND BECOMING A PART OF OUR MINISTRY!  Our family’s only financial need now is money for Airline tickets, and money for a few other onetime expenses.  God is providing!  

3.  God has been providing me with side work so that I am able to support my family until we are able move to Liberia.  I praise Him for meeting every one of our needs.  He is good!

4.  Last month I was able to complete a 4 year music CD project!  By God’s grace, the CD sounds awesome / professional!  I am planning on giving the CD away to everyone I know as well as giving away the rights of duplication to everyone so that the message on the CD can be heard.  I pray that God would use this CD to encourage His church.  If you are interested in receiving a CD, please send me an e-mail request (donriley4@gmail.com).

4.  While in the States, we desire to be on mission for God.  God has been leading us to start a Bible study with the people who live on our street.  Some of the people on our street would never step foot in a traditional church but they have committed to being part of this Bible study.  5 out of the 10 homes on our street have committed to join. Please pray for this ministry as it is getting started.  We are trusting that when the doors open for us to go to Liberia, someone else will take over this ministry.  There is a man on our street who is studying for the ministry.  Maybe he will take it over?

5.  Before we can go to Liberia, our house needs to sell.  There are still no offers on our house.  Please pray!

Praises from Liberia:

1.  Last month, 98 people were baptized and 35 people completed our extensive Bible study program.  Please pray with me, “Father, thank You for your grace.  Thank You for saving me from my sins.  I praise You for these people who have surrendered their lives to You.  I pray that they will now grow to maturity in their faith.  Please give wisdom to those who are discipling them.  I also pray for these 35 people who have been in training for Your Kingdom.  Please lead them and use them to help others know You better.”  Thank you for praying!

2.  Last month, 800 - 1,000 people watched the Jesus film and 8,500 pages of teaching material was distributed to people who are being discipled. Praise God!

Stories and Reports from Liberia:

1.  Bertin is a refugee from Ivory Coast; she is single and lives by

herself.  She stays down the road from us.  We have a regular Bible

study at her place with her and other refugees that live around us.

As we are able, we assist them with food.  One day Bertin ran out of

food and money.  She went to bed and prayed, “God you are my Father,

no money, no food.  If I die, I die.  You are my Father, take care of

me.”…. A man showed up at her house.  She didn’t know him nor had ever

met him before.  She invited him in and offered him some water.  He

said he was passing through and gave her $20.  She was overjoyed and

asked him his name.  He said, “You do not need to know it.  I will

return.”  She asked for his phone number.   He said, “You don’t need

it.”  He left.  She was amazed and so very thankful.  That night she

couldn’t sleep wondering about what had happened.  About 4:00 AM she

fell asleep and dreamed.  In her dream a man came up to her.  She

asked him, “Where did that man and money come from?”  The man said,

“The man and the money came from God.”  She is in a constant state of

rejoicing and peace.  She says, “I know my God sees me, knows me and

can take care of me.”

2.  We help start churches and work with existing churches.  Most of the

leaders of the existing churches have had no training and are eager

for our training.  We have produced a manual called, “Where There is

No Church.”  It is a training manual for discipleship, for starting

churches and for existing church leaders.  Typically we will do three

day trainings and give them a copy of the manual after the training.

We did the training in Moserado County, about 20 attended representing

about 7 churches.  In the church where we held the conference their

roof had recently blown off.  They had patched in some rotten roofing

pieces to cover a small section of the building, there we huddled for

the training.  The pastor and his family live in a deplorable shack.

After our training, instead of using their small money for their roof,

that pastor and some of their church members took the training and

traveled to 4 other remote village churches they had started and are

united with.  In two weeks of revival services, with those churches,

they baptized 83 people!  We have provided each of those baptized with

certificates and will start them on discipleship training.

3.  Road bandits are increasing.  Liberia is sparsely populated and mostly jungle, forest and bush.  There are long stretches of wilderness between settlements.  Thieves will shoot and rob lone bikers.

Financial Update:

Here is a summary of where we stand financially:

1. It will cost $30,000 a year to support our family once we are in Liberia.  Praise God, this need has been met!  THANK YOU FAMILY!
2. Wow, Praise the Lord, my wife just got a phone call from Kim in Liberia.  He shared with her that $5,000 was given for the construction of our house in Liberia.  PRAISE GOD!  I wish you could see me smile!  Thank You Jesus for opening doors!  This gift is enough money to complete the construction on our house!  Praise God!
3. It will cost around $8,000 for airline tickets to move our family to Liberia.  We have been able to save $3,820 so far.  We are still in need of $4,180.  
4. We will need around $4,300 in one time expenses such as passports, visas, in-country travel, and set-up cost.  So far we have been able to cover $1,500 of these expenses!  Praise God!  We are still in need of $2,800.  

Thank you everyone who has contributed toward our expenses!  Thank you!  Once these onetime expenses have been met, we will be able to completely support our family off of the $30,000 a year that our extended family is contributing.  Please pray for our unmet expenses.  These expenses and the sale of our house are all that stands between us and Liberia.

Donations may be mailed to: 

If you are interested in donating toward these needs, donations may be sent to

Wordsower 

P.O. Box 1648

Piqua, OH 45356

All donations are tax deductible.  Please make checks payable to “Wordsower.”  A receipt will be sent at year’s end.  

Family Updates

Christian’s Update:

“Dear Friends and Family,

Christian and Don's Raccoon trap

Thank you for supporting our family on our mission to Africa.  A couple of days ago we went to Nanny and Papaw’s house for a family reunion.  I have been studying Philippians 2:5-8.  It says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.”  I feel that this is for everyone, not just missionaries or important people.  It is not just one person’s mission to reach out to the world.  It is everyone’s mission.  God is calling us to make ourselves nothing, be humble, be a servant, and be obedient even if it kills us.  Lord, please help everyone understand that it is not just one person’s mission but that it is everyone’s mission.  Lord we love you.  We know that You are our God and not something else.  Lord we will honor You.  Amen.”   

Grace’s update

Grace and Tommy

“This letter is by Grace.  We learned in our devotions about John the Baptist.  John would sleep and then wake up and eat bugs and wild honey.  After that, he would go and baptize people.  One time Jesus came while John was baptizing.  John said, you don’t need baptized.  I need to be baptized by you.  Jesus said no, I need to be baptized by you.  So, Jesus got baptized and then He went into the desert.  So that story is done and I am going to talk about something else.  We went to a river at our Nanny and Papaw’s house.  I went tubing.  I will see you later, goodbye.

Love, Grace”

Tommy’s update

“Hello from Tommy.  I am a missionary to Africa.  I hope you like time with us.  Last month we went skiing on the river.  We went tubing and I stood on the tube.  The only tube I can go on and stand is the red tube.  Hi Nanny and Papaw.  Hi Grandma and Grandpa.  Nanny, I love you.  Goodbye.”

Little Don’s Update:

This is little Don’s message to you.  As you will see, we needed to reteach the story of John the Baptist to him.  There was a lot that got confused in his interpretation.   Enjoy! :)

“Hi, I have been learning about John the Baptist.  John told the people, you need to stop sinning.  Then he baptized them.  Then John said you need to go see Jesus.  God sent a bird.  John said, “you know these bugs, you need to eat them.  Eat bugs!”  In Africa we may eat bugs.  John the Baptist is in Africa.  This I know because in Africa people are baptized all the time.  John said, “stop sinning.”  John told the people, “go away.  I will see if I can get money and buy bugs.  Do you want bugs.  I will give you bugs for food.”  John baptized Jesus.  John told Jesus, “watch out for that bird it will get you.  The dove will make you the devil.”  The devil took Jesus into the wilderness.”  

 Melanie's Update:

Thank you all for praying for us.  It is fun to see how the Lord works and shows up when we are least expecting it! Praise Him!!!!! As my children have told you, this past month, we have enjoyed visiting with family and being with our cousins. :):) I do not think that Don mentioned this but my brother in law became very sick and even needed to be on a ventilater for quite a few days and I know many of you were praying.  Thank you.  He is doing well for the most part now.  Praise Jesus!!  

July Update

Friends and Family,

Time is short!  God continues to open doors for our move to Liberia.  There are still a few hurdles that need to be crossed but we believe we will cross them soon and we will be on our way.  We are asked often about our moving date to Liberia.  We have not been able to set a moving date because our house still needs to sell.  However, we are living our lives as if we are going to be in Liberia in 6-8 weeks.  The timing of our move is completely in God’s hands.  Here is a verse that has ministered to my heart last month:

Phil 3:7-14 NASV

“Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in him not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

I praise God for calling our family to give up everything and follow Him.  There is great freedom in owning nothing except our Lord.  There a freedom in simplicity.  Our hearts desire is that we would know God intimately, that we would experience the power of His resurrection, and that we would know what it means to share in His sufferings.  I believe my purpose in life is that I would know God intimately, effectively pastor my family so they will know God intimately, and then allow my family to become a lighthouse to Liberia so that the Liberian people may know God intimately.  Like Paul said, I have not obtained this but I press on to take hold of this.

Our mission in Liberia is that there would be a healthy church in every town and in every village within our lifetime.  We believe this vision is worth sacrificing for. We understand the many risks with such a mission but believe that God will protect our family.  Please pray with us for Liberia. 

By God’s grace, here is what took place in Liberia last month:  Our ministry teams went on 90 mission/ministry trips, visited 71 villages, and started a work in 3 new locations!  Praise God for what He is doing.  We printed and distributed 5,900 pages of teaching material and distributed hundreds of Bibles.  5 people were baptized and 35 completed our extensive Bible program.  Our team dealt with much sickness last month.  Christine Medan had cancer surgery and is now back in Liberia.  Praise God for her successful surgery and continual recovery.  We praise God that she is back to the field and serving with our teams.  Kim Smith has a swollen and damaged spleen due to many back to back cases of malaria.  He is still being treated and is healing and recovering.  (Of course this has not stopped him from being on missions trips.)  Please pray for the team’s health.  Last month, the team received a shipment from the States which took 4 months to arrive.  This shipment contained training manuals, school books, motorbike parts, medical supplies, 2 generators, children's clothing, and more.  Thank you for sending these needed supplies. 

Last month in the States:

Completing our ministry at the Gathering Place:

Last month, I completed my ministry at the Gathering Place.  The Gathering Place is the church that God called our family to help start in Piqua, OH.  Last month, I focused time and energy on passing this ministry on to future leaders.  My part in this ministry is officially finished and I am free to pursue Liberia with my whole heart.

Speaking opportunities:

Last month, I continued to share the wonderful story of what God is doing in Liberia to churches, individuals and businesses.  This month, I am scheduled to speak 3 times.  Please pray that more doors will be opened for me to share Liberia’s story. 

Family Vacation:

Soon we will be leaving the States for 2 years.  One of our greatest priorities is spending time with our extended families.  Last month, Melanie’s side of our family rented a house boat on Dale Hollow Lake.  Words cannot express how grateful we were to have this time with our family.  We made many memories and truly enjoyed time with family.  We spent most our awake hours in the water, skiing, boating, and chatting.  Thank you, family, for this wonderful time together! It was awesome!!!

House for sale:

Our home is still for sale.  There is a person who is interested in buying our house.  We believe there will be an offer soon.  Please pray that our house will sell.  This is the last large hurdle we have to cross before leaving for Liberia.

3 Focuses for this month. 

1.  Praying that the Lord would provide enough money to fully fund two-three new hubs: 

Have you ever been so passionate about something that when you speak about it, you feel it in your stomach?  That is how I feel when I speak of new church planting hubs that need to be started.  In Liberia, I have heard people literally begging our teams to come to their towns and villages and start churches.   The harvest is extremely plentiful.  Workers have been trained and we are prepared to start new hubs in new counties.  I am praying that God would provide the funds for these hubs to be opened.  It cost between $1,000 and $1,500 a month to fund a church planting hub.  Our goal is that all of Liberia’s 15 counties will have a church planting hub in them.  From these hubs churches will be started in every town and village of an entire county.  $1,000 - $1,500 a  month is all that it takes to start a church in every town and village of an entire county in Liberia.  Please pray with me that God would provide the funds for these new hubs to be opened. 

2. Complete raising support for our family.

Over the past few months, I have been speaking in various churches and sharing the story of what God is doing in Liberia.  When churches have offered to support the ministry, I have encouraged them to give 100% of their money toward starting churches in unreached areas of Liberia rather than to give money to support our family as a missionary.  I have done this for two reasons. First, I believe that encouraging churches to adopt a specific region of Liberia will not only help move the gospel forward in Liberia, but it will also help mobilize churches in the United States in the area of missions.  Second, I desire and feel called for our support to come from our family.  Melanie and I have been very blessed to have been raised in Christian families.  We don’t desire our personal support to come from churches.  We are praying that we could be completely funded and sent to Liberia by our families.  We want our families to be a vital part of our ministry in Liberia.  Last month, we sent a support letter to our families.  Currently, we are still in need of raising around $8,000 a year ($670 a month) in support.  I am praying and believing that by the end of this month, all those funds will be raised.  Please pray with us.

3. Completing a CD project.
Over the past few years, God has enabled me to compose several songs.  I believe the message of these songs has come from the Lord and will minister to those who listen.  By God’s grace, these songs have been recorded at a professional quality and are in the process of being mixed.  By the end of this month, this project should be completed.  I am planning on giving these CD’s away free of charge to anyone who is interested.  If you are interested in receiving a CD, please send me an e-mail and I will make sure you get one. 

The Riley Family African wish List:

We have added a wish list link to our webpage.  This is a list of all that we need before we move to Liberia.   You can see our wish list at liberiacalls.blogspot.com

Update from Christian:
Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for supporting the ministry for Liberia.  We got back from Granny’s camp.  We were there for a week.  We had a lot of fun.  We played flashlight tag.  We played gold rush.  We did a relay.  We camped and stayed up very late each night.  We had tons of fun.  At times it didn’t go as planned.  And that is pretty much what is going on in my life.  I am praying that our house will sell.  We had a showing with 3 people.  We are praying that we can go to Africa soon.

Love, Christian

Update from Grace:
Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for supporting us.  Now I think I should give back to you.  We just came back from Granny’s camp.  We played flashlight tag.  To play it, it needs to be dark.  There are 2 teams.  One team goes into the house while the other team hides.  When time is up, one team looks for the other team with flashlights.  At Granny’s camp we also played gold rush.  That was a fun game.  We have been praying that our house will sell and that we can go to Africa.  We are doing stuff like Africa people so we can prepare for Africa.  We have been sleeping on the floor and living like people in Africa.  I have gotten rid of most of my toys.  I have a few dolls, a blanket, and legos.  I wish I could keep my other toys but I just couldn’t.  I picked my favorite toys and the rest went to the garage sale.  It is worth it because we are going to Africa.  Thank you for supporting us. 

Love,

Grace
See you later!

Update from Donny (Prabhat):

I am going to Africa.  I want to tell people about Jesus.  Our whole family will live in Africa.  To get to our house we will have to go on a very long dirt road.  The road is bad, bad, bad.  In Africa we will see kids who do not have a family.  This makes me sad.  We will help them.  I want to be a servant.  Kim, Mom, and Dad will help start churches.  We will hunt alligators, monkeys, snakes and other animals to eat.  I want to tell people about Jesus. 

Update from Tommy:

Hi, I’m a missionary to Africa.  The roads are rough, rough, rough.  It is very hard to live but we are going to help many of the people.  Last month we went on a boat trip.  There was a ski tube that was hard to stand on.  My favorite part of the trip was going on a ski tube.  I love you and bye, bye.

Update from Mel:

Dear Family and Friends,
We are so thankful for all of your prayers and support.  Thank you so much!!  God is so wonderful and holy!! I am thankful that God is perfect, because I am definitely not; I am nothing.  The Lord has been reminding me of this. My heart’s desire is to simply follow Him in everything.  When God says, “Walk,” I want to walk.  When God says, “Wait,” I want to stop and wait.  When God says, “No,” I want to obey with no questions asked.  This is my heart’s desire.  I want to obey in the simple things clear through the big things.  So, as we continue to wait for our house to sell, please be praying that I will be able to do that in everything!  Also, please be praying that I will be conscience of my family needs, to be there for my husband and to take every opportunity to train the kids in the Lord.  We have a family saying, it is not about the destination but rather about the journey.  So, please be praying that we complete our journey in a way that is pleasing to our Lord. 

Thank you! Love in Christ, Mel

Story from Liberia:

Fighting the Enemy

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it.”  Mat 11:12

We have animistic religion throughout Liberia.  Truly a Satanic church full of demons, witchcraft, witch doctors, sacrifices, rituals, power and spells.  Here they call it UBF, Secret Societies, The Tradition, and Zoe Bush.  It is organized and powerful.

This month an indigenous missionary team went on an evangelistic crusade.  The region they went to was a stronghold of Satan.  God worked powerfully at their meetings.  The meetings were attended by many from all over the region; the Holy convicting power of God was evident.  Many confessed their sins, repented, gave up the ways of Zoe Bush and accepted Christ.  The Gates of Hell rattled, Satan’s stronghold was attacked and he was angry!

On the return trip the team was in a taxi.  The car broke down.  The driver abandoned the car.  The team was alone in the bush in the car. Local villagers came to see about them.  They spoke their dialect but they didn’t know one of the team knew it.  They said that they were going to meet at 2:30 AM and kill those of the team.

Of course, they prayed.  All remained in the car, scared.  The team leader reminded them of the success of the past days and that God was surely with them.  Fortunately, they had phone network and were able to make phone calls.  They called a relative and told them the problem.  The relative was far away from them, scared and reluctant to help but finally agreed to find some other men to come along with him.

At 2:00 AM a gang, with machetes, started to gather around the car preparing to attack.  Moments later a car sped into view, bright lights on, horn blaring, people yelling.  The gang scattered. The team was saved.

Satan is alive and well, but the war is ours.  There will be causalities, but we shall prevail! Amen!

Thanks for your support in the war!

Villages, towns and cities we have been working in:

Sino County: Bardoua, Beatuoken, Bilibokee, Charlic, Cass Town, Chebioh, Cheboken, Dagbe, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Fanfin, Funnioh, Gbliyee, Gardoway, Greeneville, Geelor, Greft, Jalay, Jaytoken, Joazon, Jokoken, Judu, Karquekpo, Kilo, Korjayee, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Nyennwlejen, Pellkon, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Pratt, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Saygbeken, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Titus, Voobadee, Wiah.  Grand Gheda County: Badou, Bah, Bargblor, Barte-jam, Bawaydee, Beezon, Beh, Bently Mining Camp, Best, Biah Tarway, Billibo, Boe,  Boley,  Border, Boundary, Chayee, Chebeh, Compound, CVI gold mining camp, Dian, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Duo Town, Dweh,  48 mile, Franzaz, Garbo, Garley, Gbarbo, Gbeyoubo, Gbloue, Gboe,  Gboe Geewon, Gboleken, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gorbowrogba, Graddeh, Grady, Gwenebo,  Jaibo, James’s Sayon’s, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Julutuzon, Karlowleh, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Ziah, Kpae, Kyne, Kwebo, New York gold mining camp, Nico, Old Pohan, Panwolor, Pellelzon, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Pineapple village, Ploe Bodee, Polar Town, Polar Village, PTP refugee camp, Savah, Saylee, Sayubo, Sentrodu, Sewion 1, Sewion 2, Sinkon, Sloman (a gold mining camp), Solo Inside, Solo Outside, Solo Refugee Camp, Sowaken, Steven, Suahken, Taye’s Village, Tiama, Toes Refugee Camp, Toes Town, Toffoi, Togbayee, Tojillah, Toueah, Tuglor, Varglor, Vleyee, Whybo, Willie Jellu, Woloken, Wulu, Zarzar, Zaiyee, Zeon, Ziulay, Zwedru, the county prison, 4 road check stations, and the county hospital.  Montserrado County:  Monrovia.  River Gee County:  Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Geeken, Jarkaken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Klaboken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Tartiken.  Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  Maryland County: Cain, Cavalla, Gbolobo, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Factory, Fish, Gboloken, 6 locations in Harper, Holegrn, Judy’s, Kablaken, Lexicon, Little Weleppo Refugee camp, Middle town, Nekpachelu, Nemelken, New Half and Whole Graway Towns, Old Lady, Olegravic, Pedebo, 4 locations in Pleebo, Philadelphia, Poceken, Pulla, Refugee Village, Rock, Rubber Bag Camp, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Wuluplukredi, the county prison and check stations.  Nimba County: Beatwo, Camp 1, Dialah, Fienney, Freeman, Glalay, Gonkopa, Graie, Guotoin, Kpaytuo, Miller, Noway, Sarlay, Tappita, Towah, Unification, Venn, Wontoe, Yiteepea, Your Peg, Zarwulugbo, Zautuo.  River Cess: Darhga, Gbee.