Pynes Town Testimony

Pynes Church

I want to tell you a fun story.  Last weekend I went on mission.  While out, I stopped and ministered in several towns on Sino Road.  I am working hard on discipling leaders who will oversee churches in each town on Sino Road.  Out of all the town on the road, Pynes Town is the hardest.  I never know what to expect when I enter the town.  Wordsower has been successful at starting a church there but its influence on this demonically oppressed town has been small.  Pyne is also the name of the Pastor we are working with in Pyne’s Town.  Pyne has been bound and beaten 7 times by the devil and his dancers.  Moses, and another man named Big Boy also were intensely persecuted in the town.  At times the devil and the dancers have danced around Pynes house and have thrown rocks at the house and damaging the house.  The devil told Payne that he was not welcome and that anyone who preached the Gospel there would be punished.  In the town there were 6 churches before we began ministering there.  The problem with these churches is that their pastors danced with the devil and the devil (lead witch doctor) himself was the head deacon in one of the churches.  Obviously these churches weren’t churches at all!  Pynes Town has a fearful reputation even among the Liberians. 

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of ministering and sleeping in Pynes Town.  Normally, I take one of my children with me when I go on mission but I did not feel this trip would be safe enough to take the kids.  I praise God for what He is doing.  I need to tell you one more thing to help you understand this story.  In Pynes Town there are 2 leaders of the demonic society.  One is called the Mask and the other is called the devil.  The mask is the man who puts on the demonic mask and leads the dancing.  The devil is basically the witchdoctor.  Back to the story.  When I arrived in Pynes town, Pyne told me that the Church was winning the spiritual battle in the town.  That week the mask had publically declared that he would no longer bring the mask out in the town.  He  then went to each of the devil dancers and encouraged them to never dance for the devil again.  He encouraged the town to end devil dancing.  Pyne has been ministering to this man.  He has not made a profession of faith in Christ yet because of the poor testimonies of the pastors who call themselves Christians yet follow the devil.  While teaching in the Church Sunday morning, I felt led in the middle of my message to read John 10:10.  This verse says, “The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy but I have come that you may have life to the full.” The Lord led me to say that His desire was to completely set the town free from the devil and to end devil dancing in the town.  When I said this, the room became instantly deadly silent.  I told them why this was God’s desire.  I said, “as you follow the devil, slowly, he is stealing, killing, and destroying you.  Love wants the town to be free from the devil because the full life is found only in following Jesus Christ.  While teaching, I noticed a man sitting off to my left who listened intently to every word I said.  Often, this man even shook his head and agreed with me.  After my teaching, Pyne told me that this man was the town’s devil.  He came to listen to me teach.  God is working in this town!  The pastors appear to be interested in Christianity, the mask has quit the secret society, and the devil was in church.  I praise God for what He is doing.  James Coe is the town’s devil’s name.  Please pray for his conversion. 

This is a picture of Camara

I want to tell you another story.  While on mission, I met with Pastor Camara.  Camara is the pastor for Gborlue Church.  Camara told me that his wife has had 2 dreams from the Lord.  In both dreams the Lord told her to encourage Camara to go to a specific town in the neighboring county of River Gee (I don’t remember the name of the town).  In the dream the Lord kept telling her that the town’s devil was recruiting children and training them in the secret society.  After her 2nd dream, God also spoke to Camara and told him that he needed to go and not to fear because God would be with him.  After more prayer, Camara and his wife began to investigate to see if there was a town in River Gee by the name of the town in the dreams.  They were not surprised to learn that there is a town by that name in the exact location as the town in her dream.  Camara and his wife talked to their church about the dreams and the church decided to take a collection to send Camara to River Gee.  Please pray for Camara.  He is prepared to be persecuted to bring freedom to the town.  Please pray that salvation would come to the town and that God would protect Camara.  He will be going on mission the first two weeks of January. 

Addition to our family. Her name is Jessie!

Meet Jessie! 

We want to introduce you to the newest member of our family.  Jessie is a 3 month old chimpanzee.  She loves to cuddle and is a very calm, sweet chimpanzee.  The only time she gives a fight is when she is being given a bath.

Here are our African dinner guests.  Every day we share our dinner with the chickens, ducks, dogs, and now a chimpanzee.  Fun!!  God has been very good to us!  By God's grace, we are living the full life that Jesus promised His followers in John 10:10. 

Don doing his homework with Jessie.

Jessie believes Grace is its mother.

Tommy and Jessie.

Christian and Jessie.

Liberia Testimonies

Here are a few testimonies written by Kim Smith (Our mission partner).

Everyday each of us live in the fruit of the sowings of the past (Eph 2:8-10).  Last month we went on 143 mission trips.  This month we baptized 81 and 49 completed the Bible marking lessons.  The fruit of the sowing of seeds in the past.  Without great sowing there will never be a great harvest.  Without your prayers and support we would not have been able to go on 143 missions nor would we see such a great harvest.  Thank you!   

One of our teams went into a new area to minister.  The people of the village told them that deep in the jungle there was a small village of about 20-30 people about 1 ½ hour hike.  But, they said it is so small that there was no need to go (they did not want the team to leave them).  So the team divided one person stayed and two went into the jungle looking for the village.  They entered the churchless village and were well received.  Paulina, one of our WSL leaders, was tired and sat on a rock to rest.  She did not know about the rock, they worshiped it.  It was the god of their community.  She was supposed to dance around it and wash it for sitting on it.  They gave her a reprieve because they wanted to know why the team had come so far to see them.  The team introduced themselves, their mission and about WSL. The people said they had heard of Wordsower Liberia and they were glad they had come.  The team did preaching and teaching.  They taught about Jesus, idols and false god’s.  The village listened, repented and many believed.  5 were baptized!  Others have started our Bible marking lessons.  They have committed to constructing a church building and say the rock is now  nothing.  They want to remove it.  Our team has plans to return.  We hope emerging leaders from this small isolated village will come to our Bible Institute for a 2 week course.  Truly the harvest is plentiful and the workers few.  Pray with us for more workers.

A town in Lofa County that is a regional strong hold of Satan expelled all of the Christians.  In one of the churches they removed the big cross and chained the pastor to it for several days.  They released him with a message to give to others – “No Christians allowed!”  A pastor friend of mine went to talk with them.  They grabbed him and chained him also.  The Christians nearby informed the nation through radio and national newspaper appeals.  They also went to the governor, the Lofa County national Representative and Senator.  The President of the nation was informed and aware.  They all did nothing out of fear of being cursed.  Finally, after several days of being chained outside, the UN sent an armed force and had him released.  Liberia is supposed to be a nation of free speech and religion.  But, it is not.  They cower in fear of its demonic leaders. 

One of our WSL teams went into a new village called Wlagbo. The people of the region call it Nineveh because it is so evil. The devil leader has tied and chained Christians and their church buildings get burnt to the ground. A pastor who went to start a church there was poisoned and died. When the team arrived it was hard to find a place to sleep because the town’s people were afraid of being punished later. Our Lord found them a place to stay, they taught for 2 ½ days. At about 3 AM they would go throughout the village preaching loudly outside the homes so that all would hear the Gospel. The people were shocked that our team was not harmed as so many in the past had been. The local demonic leader called the Devil is very powerful and violent. But this time he was kind and did not disturb the meetings and surprisingly attended them, he even joined in the dancing and singing. He invited them to return at any time and continue to teach them. Everyone was shocked. The team taught on salvation, repentance and false gods. As the WSL team was leaving the town gave them a greeting to give to us here on base. It said, "The people of Wlagbo town send their greetings to the people of Wordsower Liberia. We are kindly asking for the support of Wordsower Liberia, because we are tired of our worldly activities. We are serving the gods of our forefathers, and worshipping idols. So we want to serve the living God, because this town’s name has been changed to Nineveh. You people should come to our aid to feed us with the Word of God. We will be happy to receive you at any time. Please remember us and come and feed us with the Word of God."

November 2013 Riley Family’s Update for Liberia

Blog: liberiacalls.blogspot.com  E-mail donriley4@gmail.com Webpage: wordsowerliberia.com

Address: P.O. Box 1648 Piqua, OH 45356

Some highlights of the month

Sino Road

Our prayer is that there would be a healthy church in every town and village of Liberia within our lifetime.  For this prayer to be fulfilled, God must enable us to both start and maintain healthy churches.  Most towns have no churches.  This breaks our hearts!  Several towns say they have a church but they really do not.  Their pastor may be the town drunk or a thief who uses religion for his personal gain.  I want to take you on a journey down Sino Road to give you a taste of what ministry is like here.  To give you an idea of how remote Sino Road is, the maps that I have created are the most accurate maps that I know.  I have found only one map in Liberia that has Sino Road on it but the towns and roads are located in the wrong places.  Here is a map I am creating.

Pola: Healthy Church
When you leave our base and travel southeast the first town you come to is Pola.  Pola is easy to miss because it is located on a small bush road off the main road.  Pola once had no church but by God’s grace He has enabled Wordsower to start a healthy church there.  Praise God!

Jarba Town: No Church
Wordsower has done much ministry in Jarba Town but have been unsuccessful to date at starting a healthy church there.  The town loves dancing with the devil (witchcraft).  We are working with a leader named Gabriel in this town.  It is still too early to know if Gabriel will be a serious disciple of the Lord.  Please pray for Jarba Town.

Pennizon Town: No Church
The people of Pennizon still dance with the devil.  We are working with two men from Gbabo to try to reach into this town.  Please pray.

Gbabo: Church is Starting
Last weekend, we worshiped with 55 people who have started a house church in Gbabo.  Please pray for this church.  It is the first church ever in Gbabo but it is young and still unstable.  Once a month we meet with leaders from Jarba, Pennizon, and Gbabo in Gbabo for discipleship and training.

Zabay, Kuma, Pennue Towns: Churches are being Started
There are two men who are pastoring a church in Jellue who are working hard to start churches in these towns.  Currently they are meeting with Christians in Kuma and Zabay once a week for discipleship.  Please pray for these towns.  They still dance with the devil but they are open to the Gospel.  Once a month, we meet with leaders from Zabay, Kuma, Pennue, and Jellue in Kuma for training.

Gborlue: Healthy Church
Most of the people in Gborlue worship together on Sunday morning.  There is no more devil dancing in the town.  The Pastor’s name is Camara.  He is very serious about the Lord.  He is the man we are working with to help start churches from Gbabo to Pynes Town.  Praise God for what He has done in this town.  Once a month, we meet with leaders from Gborlue to Pynes Town for training in Gborlue. 

Sluma Gold Mining Camp: No Church
Wordsower has spent much time in Sluma but there is not a self supported church yet.

Gorbowragha and Khadaffi: No Church
To my knowledge there are no churches in these towns.  We will be on mission December 14 in these towns and hope to begin working with them to see churches started.

Pynes Town: Struggling Church
Pynes Town is a stronghold of the devil.  This town has a feared reputation even among the Liberians.  Our missionaries have been bound and beaten by the devil (witchdoctor) in this town.  There is a church in Pynes Town but its influence in the town is still small.  The church leaders have suffered persecution.  Please pray that the Gospel would set this town free from the oppression of the devil!

Writing and Recording

Jesus once said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matt 9:37, 38).  This verse is abundantly true of Liberia.  The fields are ripe for the harvest but there are only a few workers.  There are no missionaries in the interior other than Kim, Melanie, our children, and me.  I believe most people are scared to come here because of the “Black Magic” (witchcraft).  The interior has a history of witchcraft, sacrifices, murder, torture, rape, and cannibalism which scares people away.  Here is the truth, there is nothing to fear!  The fields are ripe for the harvest.  Everyday we are surrounded by people who were greatly feared in the past but are extremely open to the Gospel today.  They desire a different life.  Who will bring in this harvest?  We believe the Liberians must bring in this harvest.  When we enter a town we must be able to reach someone for the Lord, quickly train that person to lead others to Christ, and train Christian leaders from within that town to pastor the community.  In so doing, we have to be able to take someone who knows little or nothing about the Bible and quickly equip them so they can teach the Bible.  We accomplish this through the Bible Institute and on the field training.  We are in the process of writing (for the literate) and recording (for the illiterate) a study through the Book of Romans.  We are writing this study so leaders who have never read Romans will learn the book of Romans so they can teach it to those they are leading.  I am constantly amazed by how fruitful Liberia is.  During this past 3 weeks, over 200 copies of the first 8 weeks of this study were given out only to church leaders who are using it to teach others.  Last week, I went on mission to a town I had never been in before.  Word of the study had already reached the ears of the church leaders in that town.  They requested a copy of the study.  Wow!  If these 200 leaders teach only 10 people (I know they are teaching much more), the study is already touching 2,000 lives.  Praise God!  What a privilege we have in serving our King!  For fun, you can click on the link below to read the first 8 weeks of the Romans study.  If you read it, please feel free to make edits and send it back to me.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Xgce5dX2DpVDNzaHdwRUJfdkU/edit?usp=sharing

Print Shop

Our print shop has cleared the ports in Monrovia and was flown to Zwedru via Samaritan’s Purse Airplane.  I praise God for this new tool.  Thank you for sacrificing to bring this to us.  I know many people will come to faith in Christ because of the training material it will print.  Thank you!

Thank you again for our motorbikes

Each time I go on mission, I get on a new motorbike full of gas.  I know these bikes came at a great sacrifice for many of you.  Thank you!  Gone are the days of being left stranded in the bush.  Each month, we are going on a record number of mission trips into unreached areas.  Thank you!  The Bike’s engines hardly cool before they go back out on mission.  When a missionary returns from a mission, the bike is quickly looked at by our in-house mechanic and then loaded again for the next mission.  The bikes already have thousands of miles on them.  Thank you!  I like to call our bikes “horses.”  Each bike is numbered between 1-10.  Lasanna and I go on most of our mission trips together.  I always tell Lasanna, “#7 or #3... is the horse that will carry us into battle today.”  Loading the bike with supplies, running the bike through its checklist, and packing my backpack always feels like a soldier preparing for war.  What a joy!  What a privilege!  Thank you for partnering / sacrificing with us for our King!  We are truly Blessed!

Kim was in Monrovia preparing the print shop to be transported to our base during the writing of this update.  I will not be able to submit the statistical side of my report until he is able to slow down... probably mid month.

Donations:

Donations may be mailed to:

Wordsower International

P.O. Box 1648

Piqua, OH 45356

Donations may also be made online by going to our webpage: wordsowerliberia.com. All donations are tax deductible.  A receipt will be sent at year’s end.  100% of donations go to the mission for the Liberians and Ivorian refugees.  None is used for me or administration.  If there are any donation questions, you may call Doug Billeinstein at 937-459-6412.

Villages, towns and cities we have been working in:

Sinoe County: Bardoua, Beatuoken, Bilibokee, Charlic, Cass Town, Chebioh, Cheboken, Dagbe, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Fanfin, Funnioh, Gbliyee, Gardoway, Greeneville, Geelor, Greft, Jalay, Jaytoken, Joazon, Joe Village, Jokoken, Judu, Karquekpo, Kilo, Korjayee, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Nyennwlejen, Pellkon, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Polay, Pratt, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Saygbeken, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Titus, Voobadee, Wiah.  Grand Gedeh County: Army barracks, Badou, Bah, Bargblor, Barte-jam, Bassa, Bawaydee, Beezon, Beh, Bently Mining Camp, Best, B’hai, Tarway, Billibo, Boe,  Boley, Boplue, Border, Boundary, Chayee, Chebeh, Compound, CVI gold mining camp, Deplay, Diah, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Duo Town, Dweh,  48 mile, Franzaz, Garbo, Garley, Gbakah, Gbarbo, Gbayea, Gbeyoubo, Gbloue, Gboe,  Gboe Geewon, Gboleken, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gorabert,  Gorbowrogba, Graddeh, Grady, Gwenebo,  Jackson, Jaibo, James’s Sayon’s, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Juahzon, Julutuzon, Karlowleh, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Ziah, Kpae, Kyne, Kwebo, Ma Esther, New York gold mining camp, Nico, Old Pohan, Panwolor, Pellelzon, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Pineapple village, Ploe Bodee, Polar Town, Polar Village, PTP refugee camp, Queboe, Sant, 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: Bannerville, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  River Gee County:  Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Geeken, Jarkaken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Myoken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sweaken, Tartiken, Tuaken, Wartiken.  Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  Margibi County: Army barracks, Bovclay, Brown, Dolos Town, Harbel camp 7, Kpuyah, Mazoe, Naway, Sherflin Barak, Takata.  Maryland County: Cain, Cavalla, Cavalla Konukridi, Gbolobo, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Factory, Fish, Gboloken, Halfgrayway, 7 locations in Harper, Holegrn, Judy’s, Kablaken, Kings, 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, Pular, Pulla, Puluken, Refugee Village, Rock, Rubber Bag Camp, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Spring Hill, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Wholegrayway, 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 County: Darhga, Gbee.  Grand Kru County: Baclaville City, Baclaville Check Point, Bewan, Boniken, Camp Spin, Company Camp, Doubbo, Gbarken, Iron Bridge,  Kladipah, Leaceco, Solokent, Woelowinken, Wropluken. Bong County: Bucannon.  Grand Bassa County: Baccoline, Goah. 
Updates from Family Members: 

Update from Christian:
Hi Friends and Family,

I miss you all.  It is fun here.  Our dog “Puppy” just had 7 babies.  They are super cute.  I like playing soccer.  It is fun.  I can’t wait until the printing press comes.  Dad just helped us make bunk beds.  They are really nice.  I have a shelf in my bed.  I also built a place for me to sit and read at night.  I also made a door on it that can be locked.  I have the top bunk.  My brother, Don, has the bottom bunk.  Grace has the bottom bunk on her bed and Tommy has the top.  Our new puppies are so cute.  We just found out today that our dog “Hope” is sick.  I was amazed at how dogs come out.  We finished our generator house.  It looks nice.  Last Sunday, we went on mission to a church in Gbabo.  It was a nice mission.  The church is like a house church.  I taught about Jesus’s birthday.  Goodbye friends and family.  I love you all. 

Update from Grace:

I miss you all very much and I was playing soccer ball today and I was winning and winning and winning and winning.  It is really fun here.  We have a dog named, “Puppy.”  It has 7 baby pups.  They got born today.  It is very fun here.  We have great friends.  One of my friend’s name is Pophina.  She is a very sweet girl.  She is one of my best friends.  I have a dog named, “Hope.”  He is a really good dog.  I love to play jump rope and play a game named touch.  Thank you for the motorbikes.  They are very useful.  The motorbikes are going out on mission constantly.  Thank you for the one year’s worth of gasoline.  I went on mission.  It was very fun.  I taught about Jesus’ birth and went to 3 places.  One is a house church that we started, another was a church, another town had no church.  Don went on mission.  It is on video.  He fell while being videotaped.  It was hilarious.   
Love, 
Grace  

Update from Tommy:

I love you all.  I can’t wait to see you.  It is fun here in Africa.  I met many new friends.  One of our good friends is named Junior.  He is a really good friend.  There is another friend that is named Chanco.  Chanco caught a bird.  The bird is a baby bird.  Chanco is going to raise the bird.  I found a nest and gave it to him so he can raise his bird.  I went on mission.  They built a road.  I taught some kids.  I taught about Noah’s flood and John the Baptist.  “Puppy” got seven pups. 
Love,
Tommy

Update from Donny:

Last month, Dad and I went on mission.  We walked a long time.  I was walking and looked back and fell.  It was funny.  We walked a really long time in the bush.  We baptized, taught, and then walked back.  I taught about John the Baptist.  Last Sunday, I also went on mission.  Christian talked about Jesus’ birthday.  I taught second about John the Baptist.  Dad also taught.  When we went on mission into the bush we had to cross a big river by walking on a fallen tree.  Our friend Lasanna almost fell into the water.  We walked across several rivers on logs.  I was really tired and hungry by the time we got there.  On the way back, we found a truck that had come on a road into the bush.  We rode the truck back to the main road.  The truck went fast through a very bumpy bush road.  We were in the bed of the truck.  When we went into town, Dad took me out to eat.  It rained on us and I got really cold.  When we got home, I warmed up and felt better.  Last week, we made bunk beds.  We worked hard.  Now the whole family sleeps in the same room.  Mom and Dad moved their mats into our room so they don’t have to set up their beds every night.  Mom and Dad still sleep on the floor.  I love you.  I miss you.
Love,
Don

God Bless,
Don Riley

Update from Mel

Dear All,

Happy Be-lated Thanksgiving!!  I really hope that you all had wonderful times with your family, or at least with your immediate family.  We had school in the morning, which my kid’s still think was absurd, and then we went out to eat as a family.  We had originally planned to eat mashed potatoes and canned corn; but on the day of, we all agreed that it would be better if we just went out.  However, Grace became ill with a headache and could not even eat a bite of her food.☹  I also was able to talk to almost all of my family members, including my extended relatives.  It was so nice to talk to everyone.  I ended the evening, rejuvenated.   So, I think it was a very nice day!   

As a dear friend, Junior, put it to me bright and early Sunday morning, “We have entered into the month of Christmas.”  So, yes, we have.  I am sure that  you all are more aware of it, than the rest of us, here in Liberia, as you have reminders everywhere.  It seems like a normal day, here.  Nothing different.  I asked Junior what his Christmas’s are like.  He said, “Sometimes, my parents buy us clothes for Christmas.  Normally, all the kid’s pass through the town to visit their other family members, like their Uncles or Aunts; but usually, I just stay here in the yard.”  I also know that the parents may also buy candy and other nice things like that for their kid’s if they are able.  They also usually go to church on Christmas day.  

Sunday, Don, Little Don, and Christian went to visit a church in Babble.  Don preached a message that the Lord had very clearly laid on his heart.  Little Don taught about John the Baptist and Christian taught about the birth of Christ.  Don says that he knows that the people listen better to the kid’s teaching than they do when he is teaching.  I found that to be interesting so I asked him why he thought that was so.  He said that he thinks that the people are really amazed that the kid’s can teach. 

Saturday, Don and the boys made a bunk bed for Grace and Tommy; and on Sunday, Don and the boys made a bunk bed for Christian and Little Don.  It is really nice.  I know that you all would be really impressed.  Today, Monday, we spent the day re-organizing and making our beds more personalized.  For instance, Grace (and Christian) made her bed look more like a house with a window in it.  Everyone else, has made locks for their “door” into bed.  They use sticks that they have nailed in that move when they want to get in. Very clever.  Christian and Tommy made shelves on their bed so that they can store things on their top bunk.  Also, Christian made a ”back” to his bed and a flashlight holder and an extra shelf so that he can sit up and read in bed without needing to hold his light.  Then when he is finished, he can put his book on the shelf.   I know that some of you will get pictures of them. 

As Grace said, “We are still getting moved in.”  Yes, it is true.  I am convinced that we “get moved in” in shifts.  Our minds just can’t even begin to comprehend what that even means until the next shift arrives.  We are, even, thinking about making a bed for ourselves.  Right now, we sleep on mats on the floor in our living room.  In the morning, we take our mats to the back room and roll up our mosquito net and move a few things around and it is officially our living room again.  However, the kid’s are excited about their new extra play space and we like our privacy, so we will see what happens.... 

Oh my, I almost completely forgot about my most recent adventure...I am taking motor bike lessons. The first lesson was quite the adventure, though, I must admit.  Thankfully, my teacher/husband had the wheel or I am not sure that we would be here to tell about it.  I practiced on grass for awhile and then Don apparently, thought that I was ready to try the road.  He thought that it would be a breeze for me.....not!  Just after we had passed our property, a large semi truck went around us.  Let’s just put it this way, it scared the living day lights out of me.  Naturally, I screamed until it had passed.  Then we needed to stop for a small break.  After that, I think that I did better.  But, I am positive that I would have stalled every time we downshifted and few other times and I am sure that the front wheel would have left the ground in jolts if he was not helping decide as how much gas that was needed...It is quite touchy.  You all wish that you could have been here to see the first lesson, huh? 😊 😊  There is a girl who is temporarily living with us for a year.  Her name is Mercy.  Well, she has been taking lessons and I think that she inspired the rest of us.  Because now, 3 of the 4 women on the base have a new mind set.  We can do this!!!! 

The printing press has arrived in Monrovia and has been through customs.  We are able to fly it all here in 2 different shifts all in one day. 

Love,

Mel 😊

Video: 10 New Motorbikes

Thank you for our 10 new motorbikes!

Video: Wordsower Bible Institute

October 2013 Riley Family’s Update for Liberia

Blog: liberiacalls.blogspot.com  E-mail donriley4@gmail.com Webpage: wordsowerliberia.com

Address: P.O. Box 1648 Piqua, OH 45356

The mission of Jesus; “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to

repentance” (2 Pet 3:9 NIV), is also our mission. 

This was our busiest month ever thanks to the new bikes and plenty of gas.  Our mission is that every village of Liberia will have a healthy church.  Most of the towns and villages of Liberia have no church.  We have worked in over 300 villages in 12 counties; there are 8,700 villages and towns in 15 counties. We made 143 mission trips, visiting 79 villages and other locations and we made many other local mission trips. Our longest mission trip was 2 weeks the shortest a few hours.  10 attended our 2 week Bible Institute. We printed and distributed approximately 28,000 pages of teaching material (We purchased a new copier for about $2,000).  27 were baptized and 24 completed our extensive Bible study program.  Jesus film was shown 2 times in the local dialect to over 200.  We had 3 1-2 days conferences.  We acquired 3,900 Bibles. 

Some highlights of the month

Testimonies from the Bible Institute: Last month we graduated our 3rd class of students from the Bible Institute level 1 courses.  We had 10 students in attendance.  I just returned from a mission trip in which I visited 4 towns and 2 former students of the Bible Institute.  Lois graduated the Bible Institute 1 week ago.  Already he is discipling people from 2 towns that have no churches.  His hometown is called Gbabo and the other town is called Pennizon.  When I met with the disciples from Gbabo, I was encouraged by their commitment to the Lord.  I told these young believers that I believed I was looking in the eyes of church leaders who would establish a church for the first time in their town and would bring the Gospel to every person in their town.  They all gave a hearty “amen.”  I told them we would train them as they started the church.  They agreed to meet for the first time as a church this one week after Lois graduated from the Bible Institute.  I praise God for what He is doing.  As I prepared to leave Gbabo, Lois asked me if I had time to go and encourage the disciples in Pennizon.  While meeting with these disciples, I had the same experience with them as I had with the believers in Gbabo.  Where is Lois today?  He recently got on one of our new motorbikes and traveled to Jailbo and Pola.  His vision is to start churches in all 4 of these towns!  Praise God for what He is doing! 

While on mission, I spent time in Gborlu and Paynes town.  Paynes town is deep in demonic worship.  This is a hard, hard place to minister.  My goal in going to Paynes town was to meet and encourage a man named Payne.  Payne attended our second Bible Institute class. He is daily fighting an intense spiritual battle.  Please keep him in your prayers.  He has about 30 young people he is discipling.  While talking with Payne, people outside the hut said, “all the white man came here to do is to try to destroy dancing with the devil.”  They did not approve of my coming.  Please pray for this town.  Simply put, the town is ruled by the devil.  The devil (witchdoctor) has been brutal in the past.  Please pray for Payne as God uses him to deliver his town.  I am certain as the church takes root, God’s disciples will be persecuted there.  Please pray. 

Testimony from Kim Smith: Delta 1 as they call him, was also a former commander of the war.  I met him in a bar on a Sunday in the capital city, Monrovia.  The whole bar became a congregation.  All listened to the word of God and prayed for forgiveness.  Many of them are now doing our Bible marking study.  Delta 1, I discovered, is good friends with the other two former commanders that have join us and that I have written about.  He is studying and preparing to come to our Bible Institute.  The army grows!

Purchasing of another ¼ acre lot: Praise God for more answered prayer!  We had been praying for the ¼ acre lot that boarders our existing property.  In the past the owner did not want to sell.  After days of prayer Kim was preparing to go to him and ask him again.  But, before Kim went, the man came and asked if we would buy it.  Sold!  We plan on using it for our permanent press house, a storage building, bike shelter, and future expansion of our Bible Institute.  And, maybe to store water well drilling equipment and supplies, read below. 

Preparing for the printing presses:  Our printing press shop is on the boat and should arrive in the port mid November.  We are now changing our storage and bike garage into the temporary press house. We need prayer!  The equipment weights about 3 tons.  It is too fragile to travel the terrible Liberian road from Monrovia, the capital, to Zwedru.  It will have to be flown in.  Thank our Lord that Samaritan’s Purse, Billy Graham’s organization, has agreed to fly it to us by plane or helicopter at no cost.  But there are issues.  How do you pick it up and get it through the door of a small plane?  We need prayer.  We may need to put it in a net under the helicopter, issues there also.  We need prayer, please pray with us.

Clean Water for all: We are in discussion with two other organizations about working together, The Last Well and Water of Life.  They are committed to evangelism, church planting and clean water for all in Liberia.  We are praying to see how we could work together.  We may be given the assignment of drilling wells in the South East region, our region, of Liberia. It may be that we will get trucks and all necessary well drilling equipment.  We at first would put water wells in all the places we have started churches and then use it as a tool to plant churches in the Muslim communities.  This also would give our missionaries much needed jobs.  During the day they would put in wells in the evenings establish and strengthen churches. The Last Well’s goal is clean water for all Liberia this decade.  Pray about this with us. 

God Bless!

Don

Donations:

Donations may be mailed to:

Wordsower International

P.O. Box 1648

Piqua, OH 45356

Donations may also be made online by going to our webpage: wordsowerliberia.com

All donations are tax deductible.  A receipt will be sent at year’s end.  100% of donations go to the mission for the Liberians and Ivorian refugees.  None is used for me or administration.  If there are any donation questions, you may call Doug Billeinstein at 937-459-6412.

Villages, towns and cities we have been working in:

Sinoe County: Bardoua, Beatuoken, Bilibokee, Charlic, Cass Town, Chebioh, Cheboken, Dagbe, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Fanfin, Funnioh, Gbliyee, Gardoway, Greeneville, Geelor, Greft, Jalay, Jaytoken, Joazon, Joe Village, Jokoken, Judu, Karquekpo, Kilo, Korjayee, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Nyennwlejen, Pellkon, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Polay, Pratt, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Saygbeken, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Titus, Voobadee, Wiah.  Grand Gedeh County: Army barracks, Badou, Bah, Bargblor, Barte-jam, Bassa, Bawaydee, Beezon, Beh, Bently Mining Camp, Best, B’hai, Tarway, Billibo, Boe,  Boley, Boplue, Border, Boundary, Chayee, Chebeh, Compound, CVI gold mining camp, Deplay, Diah, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Duo Town, Dweh,  48 mile, Franzaz, Garbo, Garley, Gbakah, Gbarbo, Gbayea, Gbeyoubo, Gbloue, Gboe,  Gboe Geewon, Gboleken, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gorabert,  Gorbowrogba, Graddeh, Grady, Gwenebo,  Jackson, Jaibo, James’s Sayon’s, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Juahzon, Julutuzon, Karlowleh, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Ziah, Kpae, Kyne, Kwebo, Ma Esther, New York gold mining camp, Nico, Old Pohan, Panwolor, Pellelzon, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Pineapple village, Ploe Bodee, Polar Town, Polar Village, PTP refugee camp, Queboe, Sant, 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: Bannerville, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  River Gee County:  Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Geeken, Jarkaken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Myoken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sweaken, Tartiken, Tuaken, Wartiken.  Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  Margibi County: Army barracks, Bovclay, Brown, Dolos Town, Harbel camp 7, Kpuyah, Mazoe, Naway, Sherflin Barak, Takata.  Maryland County: Cain, Cavalla, Cavalla Konukridi, Gbolobo, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Factory, Fish, Gboloken, Halfgrayway, 7 locations in Harper, Holegrn, Judy’s, Kablaken, Kings, 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, Pular, Pulla, Puluken, Refugee Village, Rock, Rubber Bag Camp, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Spring Hill, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Wholegrayway, 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 County: Darhga, Gbee.  Grand Kru County: Baclaville City, Baclaville Check Point, Bewan, Boniken, Camp Spin, Company Camp, Doubbo, Gbarken, Iron Bridge,  Kladipah, Leaceco, Solokent, Woelowinken, Wropluken. Bong County: Bucannon.  Grand Bassa County: Baccoline, Goah. 

Updates from Family Members:

Update from Christian:

Hi Friends and Family,

I miss you all.  I have a lot of fun here.  I went on mission last weekend to Gbabo, Pennizon, Gborlu, and Paynes Town.  It was a nice trip.  We started two churches.  It is amazing how kids here look at you as a white kid.  They will sit and stare at you until you leave.  It is real fun to sleep on bamboo beds in the bush.  While on mission I told some Bible stories, went to church, and that’s about it.  Kim has a duck.  It’s name is, “Eat me not” because here if someone gets hungry for a duck it’s name is “Eat me, Eat me, Eat me.”  Anytime an animal stops producing or it is no longer useful it’s name is “Eat me, Eat me, Eat me.”  We raise chickens and ducks here.  Chicken is one of the best meats here.  I like catching the chickens.  It is fun because you have to run around while the dogs chase them.  To tell the dogs to chase the chickens you say, “Sha, Sha, Sha.”  Tommy raises ducks.  His duck’s name is Love.  He says that he won’t kill it but I think he will get hungry for duck one day and it will be gone.  I am going to raise chickens because they are faster to reproduce.  After raising chickens I will add on ducks, then sheep, and then goats.  Maybe, just maybe I will get a cow one day.  Here, you can get animals a lot cheaper because they don’t know the American price, so we got our dog for around $5.  He is a really good dog.  I like catching chicks because they calm down and you can pet them.  Here, if a hen has chicks and you try to touch one of the chicks, the hen will jump up and kick you.  I learned this one the hard way.  Sometimes the mom will abandon the chicks at a young age.  When that happens I can pick them up with no problem.  There are ant hills on our new property.  They are fun because we climb on them.  There are 4 large ant hills that we like to play on.  I love you all.  Goodbye.

Love,

Christian

Update from Grace: 

Hi, I miss you all very much.  I really like it here.  It is very fun.  So far, w e have been doing school.  We do school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Last Monday we had a family day because Saturday and Sunday Daddy went on mission.  We learned a game here called bebeo.  You draw a circle in the dirt and then you have people stand on the circle line.  Then you go A, B C, D chulan as you go around and touch different people.  Then the last person who has not gotten chulan will have to say bebeo.  When they say bebo, the other people who have gotten chulan say “Payol” The person who said bebeo will say, “I must come?”  The other people will say yes or no.  If they say yes then the person who said bebeo will run and try to touch their hair.  Those who make it back into the circle are safe.  Do you know what Biblos means?  It means book.  Do you know what souris means?  It means lizard.  Do you know what dinosaur means?  It means terrible lizard.  I am in 2nd grade now.  Thank you so much for the building stuff you have bought.  Thank you for the motorbikes and gasoline.  Thank you for partnering in our ministry.

Love,

Grace  

Update from Tommy:

I like it here.  I can’t wait to see you all again.  Did you know that I am raising a duck and its name is love.  I love you all really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really much.  I love you all.  We have a new property.  There are ant hills on it.  We like to climb the ant hills.  I can’t wait to see you all.  How are you doing?  Are you well or not well?  Are you sick or not sick?  I love you really, really much.  So, we have plenty of friends here.  One of our good friends is named Junior.  Junior is a good friend.  I can’t wait to see you again.  Bye.

Love,

Tommy

Update from Donny:

I like playing with Junior.  I want to play a game with Junior

and Junior w ants to play with me.  After playing, I want to climb the ant hills.  I like playing with my cars, soccer ball, basketball, and baseball.  I am going to have a lot of fun today.  I like to play jump rope.  My friends and I like to play hide and go seek.  I like to be it and to run and find all the kids.  Yesterday our family had a family date.  We went out to eat and played old maid.  We ate at a restaurant named Florida.  I ate a pop, french fries, and chicken.  It was really good.  We don’t go there very often, only on special days.  I had a lot of fun.  Sometimes we do family movies.  Last week, Daddy and Christian went on mission.  While they were gone we had fun.  We played games and watched a movie.  We played cars in the sandbox and in the house.  Last week I played with my legos.  It was fun.  I was excited.  I want to say hi to all my friends and family in the United States.  I love you all.  I can’t wait until Grandpa comes and visits in April.  We have a long time before we will go home to visit.  I love you.

Love,

Don

Mission to Jellue Town

Our prayer is that there would be a healthy church in every town and village of Liberia within our lifetime.  Most towns do not have churches in them.  Yesterday, Donny and I visited Jellue Town.  Jellue Town was once ruled by the devil (witch doctor) and the devil's dancers.  Today, there is a healthy church there.  Nearly all 100 citizens of Jellue Town have become Christians.  The church was started by two men named Jefferson and James.  Both of these men attended the Bible Institute.  While meeting together we made plans to bring the Gospel to Kuma Town and Zabay Town.  Kuma and Zabay are still ruled by the devil and his dancers.  Please pray for these towns.  Kuma town has a church but the pastor is from out of town and only visits once a month.  Zabay does not have a church.  This Saturday we will be on mission in these towns.

There is no road to Jellue Town.  I believe Jellue Town has to be one of the most remote places on earth.  To get to Jellue town, we travel on motorbike until we could not travel anymore.  Then we walked on foot 3 hours deep into the bush (we took a wrong turn in the bush so our trip was longer than needed).  Along the way, we had to cross several natural bridges like the ones in these photos and climb many steep hills.  We carried all our supplies on our backs and enjoyed every step we took.  The walk was beautiful.  The air was cool and damp.  The trees were huge and beautiful unlike anything in America.  The birds and other creatures in the rainforest serenaded us with their songs. 

Lasanna is the man in this photo who is helping Donny.  Lasanna was a former rebel soldier during Liberia's Civil War.  About 5 months ago Lasanna gave his life to Christ.  Now, Lasanna servers in God's army.  Lasanna has become a very close friend and goes on most mission trips with me. 

While in town, Donny told Bible stories to children while Lasanna and I trained church leaders.  In Liberia, parents often put their deaf children outside the town to die believing the children will bring a curse on their family if they don't.  God is using Donny to change the hearts and customs of many Liberians.  He is always warmly welcomed and loved in every town we visit.  In this photo, Donny is signing while I interpret.  Adults stood outside the house listening to Donny's teaching. 

We have a lot of fun while serving our Lord.  Here is a short video of Lasanna trying to cross a tricky part of the river.  I almost fell in while crossing so I stopped 1/2 way across the river and told Lasanna that I wanted to video him crossing in case he fell.  I videoed while still standing above the river on the log.  Lasanna laughed at me and the rest is history.  Don't ever think that we are suffering in Liberia.  We are not suffering, we are having the time of our lives!  Every morning I wake and thank God from the bottom of my heart for giving our family the opportunity to serve Him in Liberia.  Everyday we feel the joy that is found in seeing God do things through our lives that we know we could not have done on our own.