Goodbye USA

Today, I leave for Guatemala.  My mission is to learn from an orphan ministry called Hope for Homes.  I pray that I will return from Guatemala knowing how our family can best meet the needs of children orphaned by Ebola in Liberia.

Wordless Bible

     Some of the most fruitful Christians we work with in Liberia are illiterate.  Where we live, there is an 80% illiteracy rate.  I have a friend named Andrew Beverely who is an amazing artist.  He and I are creating a wordless Bible for these believers.  Each Bible will come with audio recordings of the Scriptures that go with each picture.  These recordings will be done in the native languages of the people.  Those who are illiterate can memorize the Scriptures and retell each story using their wordless Bible.  When the Bible is completed, it can be used around the world because it requires no translation.  Here are some of Andrew's first sketches.  These sketches will eventually be drawn on the computer adding color.  

Audio Recording:  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

Audio Recording: "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."  (Genesis 1:1-2)

Audio Recording: "And God said, 'Let there be light,'  and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light 'day,' and the darkness he called 'night.'  And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day."  (Genesis 1:3-5)

I'm going to Guatemala

Over 3,700 children in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone have lost one or both of their parents due to Ebola.  As of October 3 over 2,000 children have been orphaned in Liberia alone.  These children have been heavy on our hearts.  Our family has been asking God what we are to do in response to the needs of these children. We believe God is leading me to make a 3 week trip to visit a ministry called Hope for Homes in Guatemala October 30 - November 20.  It was through this ministry that we adopted our son Don.  My plan is to study Hope for Home’s ministry while seeking the Lord about our family’s response to the orphan crisis in Liberia.  I will keep you up to date with pictures and news from Guatemala.  For more information about Hope for Homes you can follow their director’s blog at hopeforhome.blogspot.com or visit their webpage at hopeforhome.org.  

Cheesy Chimpanzee

"This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps 118:24).

We just received a few pictures from Liberia.  I will post more photos and updates later.  I thought this picture of our Jessie girl would make you smile.  I pray that you have a great day in the Lord!