First 3 weeks in Liberia

View from my back porch.  Gbarnga is behind the trees.

I am sitting on my back porch, high upon a hill which overlooks the city of Gbarnga, Liberia.  Gbarnga is a city of 34,000 people.  

Ebola checkpoint

Our new hometown was once the epicenter of Ebola in Liberia.  There are grim reminders of Ebola's devastating tole all around us.  Ebola checkpoints are set up on the major roads.  At these checkpoints, passengers' temperatures are taken.  If their temperature is not elevated, they are permitted to continue their journey.  Signs are posted everywhere warning about Ebola's symptoms and prevention.  Though schools are open, each child's temperature is taken before they are permitted on school premises.  Liberia's traditional handshake is now missing.  People simply do not touch other people due to fear of Ebola.  It is hard to go anywhere in town with out seeing hand washing stations.  In our area, entire villages have be wiped out leaving no survivors.    

Picture was taken with landlord before returning to the States last May

My landlord lost 8 relatives to Ebola.  I will meet with his family this month.  There are three children who have been orphaned in his family alone.  Please remember to pray for post-Ebola Liberia.  Please pray for those still grieving.  Please pray for those who have been orphaned.  Please pray that people would turn to Christ during their distress.

Joe and Stephen going through our garbage.

Our house is surrounded by homes of single mothers.  Sadly, their children suffer greatly from hunger.  Daily, we feed many children from our house.  We often find children going through our garbage looking for something small to eat.  Our hearts break for these kids.  One day we saw three boys going through the brush behind our house.  They looked like they were looking for something they had lost.  I watched the boys to see what they had lost.  Finally, after searching, one boy shouted for joy as he lifted up a piece of moldy bread that we had thrown out to the birds.  The three boys ran around the corner of our house and sat and ate together.  My heart grieves over their suffering.  These boy often eat from our table now.  

View from our front porch

Our house has become a hangout for several neighborhood children.  Everyday, around 2 p.m. the sound of an African football bouncing off of the walls of our house can be heard as children gather to play.  I love hearing their voices and their laughter.  The truth is, I deeply love these children.  I pray that our home will be a house of peace where they can find Christ and learn to follow Him.

Our children have made many new friends.  Christian and Grace have been discipling several children.  Together, they have led 3 children to Christ.  Every Tuesday and Thursday, our children lead a neighborhood Bible Study.  

Bed I made for my wife

Since arriving in Liberia, my focus have been on pastoring my family through our transition back to Liberia's lifestyle.  Daily, you will find me at home building furniture for our house and spending time helping my family acclimate.  I plan to begin going on mission in May.    

Foundation that was dug for the Maryland Base.

Construction of our Maryland base is ongoing.  The well and pump have been dug and installed.  The foundation of the house has been dug.  Thousands of brick have been made.  Maryland's base is run by Liberian Field Leaders.  After the base is completed, a purified water factory will be built.  The vision for this project is for the Maryland base to become our first self supported church planting base.  We praise God for all He is doing in Maryland.

Maryland's well was hand dug.  These cylinders were lowered down into the well to form its walls.  

Upon arriving in Liberia, we purchased a Honda motorcycle for our family.  This is our family's sole means of transportation.  We praise God for giving us a dependable motorbike.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel.  Please remember to pray for Liberia.  Please pray that we would see a healthy church in every town and village of Liberia within our lifetime.