Update from the front lines

Here is a report from the front lines that was written by our mission partner, Kim Smith.

Children in Jello Town's Church

Hello,

     Ebola is heard every day here constantly and it is all over world news.  No one knows the future.  This plague could dwindle and die out or it could devastate this country, West Africa and maybe beyond.  What to do? 

     Throughout Scripture God has said that He brings plagues to bring repentance (2 Chron 7:14, Jer 18, Amos 4, Rev 9:20-21, 16:9 are just a few).   There is much we will never know, while on earth, about God and His workings on earth.  This is a plague.  Has it been brought on by God to bring repentance to a nation?  We do not know.  But, we here will use every possible opportunity to lead people into repentance and salvation.  This is the time for the church to present the gospel to the lost.  We are using this opportunity.

     We have printed and are distributing 1,000’s of 14 page mini-manuals that teach about Ebola.  It teaches about Ebola identification, treatment and protection.  It also teaches about Jesus Christ, repentance, salvation, faith, and forgiveness.  In Romans 10:14-15 it says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  I have prayed and believe our Lord wants me to stay and continue to present the Good News, the Gospel. 

     Don, Melanie and their children left for USA long before this Ebola issue was discovered.  They had planned on being here for 2 years before returning for a visit.  One day God spoke to Don to return to USA early.  We all agreed that they should obey and go.  The fruit of their family’s ministry in the USA has confirmed that they were to return.  Our Lord is now keeping them there for a time.  Their hearts and plans are to return as soon as our Lord releases them. 

     Rob Schaeffer, a close friend of mine and WSL, has been here in Liberia with the mission of starting a rescue mission for handicapped and abused youth.  He has decided to come and stay on our base with us until our Lord also releases him.

Be in prayer with us concerning all of this.  Pray that the outcome of this storm will be the salvation of many.

     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 400 villages in 12 counties.  This month we made 83 mission trips, visiting 93 villages and other locations and we made many other local mission trips. Some of the towns we were in multiple times. We went into 7 new communities.  Our longest mission trip was 7 days the shortest a few hours. 43 were baptized and 60 completed our extensive Bible study program. 27 completed our level two 2 week Bible Institute.  We printed and distributed approximately 41,800 pages of training material.  Several factors affect how many mission trips we can go on each month; illness, injuries, and availability of money are some.  

Some highlights of the month

Bad roads in Liberia.  This is our main road.

Sacrificial Soldiers:  This is the rainy season.  “Roads” are sometimes washed out and flooded.  One team was going to a remote village.  The road was under water so they grabbed some nearby men, picked up the bike and carried it over their heads across chest deep water.  Another team had a bad wreak and returned.  One of the men received 5 stitches in his foot.  Two days later, foot wrapped, he left again on the rough, slick, muddy roads for the mission.  The mission that none will perish.  These men and women sacrifice and severely suffer for the mission.  They understand the urgency, so they go.  

Field leaders preparing to go on mission

Ebola:  Again, the commitment of our soldiers is amazing!  We have printed 1,000’s of mini manuals on Ebola identification, treatment and protection which includes teachings on Christ, repentance and salvation.  I have taught them about the dangers of Ebola. WSL’s policy during this time is that no one is expected to go on mission and no one will be judged for staying and isolating.  Their response: They now have a greater fervor to go to the lost in the hopes of saving some.  

Phebe hospital just up the road from our house has been closed.

Sam

TB: This nation is becoming more unstable.  The hospitals are becoming less competent.  One of our core WSL leaders that lives on our base, Sam, has been sick for many months.  I was sure it was TB but three hospitals checked him and said it was not TB.  Late one night he was near death.  He was semi-conscious as he was transported on motorbike to the hospital.  After over a week of observation and tests they agreed he had advanced, complicated TB!  Finally he is undergoing treatment.  Another problem, we have all now been heavily exposed.

This is a picture of a side road in Gbarnga where our new base is located

Bong County Base: Praise God!  We have established a new base!  When Don, Mel and kids return they will share in leading the base.  A new motor bike has been purchased and is in use.  Pray for them.  Their town is an Ebola hot spot.  Approximately 10 have died from it, mostly health workers. The hospital and clinics have closed.  There is panic among the people.  The area is unstable!  The team is in danger.

Wordsower Bible Institute:  We completed another level 2 class.  There were 33 students, 27 successfully finished the class.  Our first level teaches about discipleship, the second level is on the church and church planting.  We have sent these disciples out.  Our goal is to see an explosion of free independent churches that will reproduce in other churchless communities.  The president of Liberia has announced that all schools are to close because of the Ebola crisis so all future classes have been cancelled until further notice.  

Prayer requests:  Pray for Liberia!  Pray that this Ebola plague will bring many to repentance and salvation.  Pray for us here and our leaders that we will remain healthy during this time.  Pray for our safety.  Pray for a great revival to sweep through this country.  Pray for a healthy church in every village in our generation, that every Liberian can walk small and find a healthy church.   Please make this prayer part of your daily prayers.  

Kim