Visiting Liberia – Seeing God’s Work in Action
For a long time, I wanted to visit Don (my brother) and his family in Liberia. There were so many unknowns and concerns that kept me away for years. Recently a family at my Dad’s church felt led to sponsor costs that allowed him to visit. What a huge blessing!!!! I was inspired to join him along with my daughter Autumn (she has been sponsoring a child for nearly a year and was excited to meet her).
Our anticipation grew with each passing day. We purchased gifts, supplies and scheduled the needed vaccinations. Don had prepped us well, but until we were on the ground, we didn’t truly understand what Liberia would be like.
Liberia brought many emotions. The country is full of desperation, hunger, sickness, corruption, a terrible infrastructure ... REAL poverty is a normal part of life. However, it doesn’t stop there. Despite these real challenges, Liberians are also some of the most genuinely joyous people I have met. As an American who has access to so many resources, food, clean water, electricity, health care, schooling, and employment … it is hard to imagine that true joy and love are possible in the middle of such need.
My experience in Liberia was amazing! Don asked me to write a blog post for him to share. He stated that he liked seeing Liberia through the eyes of others. He and the family have been living in the country long enough that Liberian life is normal. I honestly have struggled writing this blog. I didn’t want my writing to be just a travel log. I wanted to somehow offer more value to the Mission Team. It is a little long, hopefully you are able to make it through to the end.
As a sister, I can’t help but be immensely proud of how Don and his family allow God to work through them. They will be the first to tell you that what they have accomplished is NOT of their own doing. There is no doubt that God is moving in Liberia, and that God is using Don, his family and the amazing Mission Team to fulfill His work and show His love to the Liberian people.
The core Mission Team is small but mighty. They are truly amazing!!!! The depth to what they are accomplishing with God’s direction isn’t humanly possible.
Developing pastors and church planting …
Originally the mission was solely focused on church planting and teaching. They strategically work to establish strong churches in the towns and small villages around them that are miles and miles deep into the bush. The Bible Institute holds monthly teaching sessions at two different hubs to help equip new pastors to be strong leaders and teachers of God’s word in their communities. They also have an artist as a part of their team to draw pictures to help communicate God’s Word, which is especially helpful for those who can’t read.
Originally the mission was solely focused on church planting and teaching. They strategically work to establish strong churches in the towns and small villages around them that are miles and miles deep into the bush. The Bible Institute holds monthly teaching sessions at two different hubs to help equip new pastors to be strong leaders and teachers of God’s word in their communities. They also have an artist as a part of their team to draw pictures to help communicate God’s Word, which is especially helpful for those who can’t read.
An interesting side note, when the Bible Institute is teaching, the windows are full of children listening, wanting to know more. They stayed the entire day. These teachings are developing pastors and children in the communities.
The team quickly realized that investing in someone’s spiritually health sometimes starts with meeting their physical needs. Other elements of the mission quickly began to take shape including:
A child sponsor program …
So many people in Liberia don’t eat every day, it is hard to imagine that being a normal part of life. Children especially suffer. In addition, the Ebola crisis that hit the country a couple of years ago left many children in a very desperate situation. In many cases their entire extended family was taken from them, leaving them orphaned and shunned from the community - with literally nothing. The Mission Team helped find foster homes. For $40 a month a child is provided schooling, clothing, medical care, food (which also helps feed the entire household) and spiritual guidance. (It was very special to see Autumn meet the child she sponsors. The two of them spent time together a couple of different times during our trip).
So many people in Liberia don’t eat every day, it is hard to imagine that being a normal part of life. Children especially suffer. In addition, the Ebola crisis that hit the country a couple of years ago left many children in a very desperate situation. In many cases their entire extended family was taken from them, leaving them orphaned and shunned from the community - with literally nothing. The Mission Team helped find foster homes. For $40 a month a child is provided schooling, clothing, medical care, food (which also helps feed the entire household) and spiritual guidance. (It was very special to see Autumn meet the child she sponsors. The two of them spent time together a couple of different times during our trip).
A school …
Illiteracy is very common in Liberia and the public-school system is broken in so many ways. How can one learn from the Word of God if he/she can’t read? Reading and education is key to giving hope – both for spiritual growth and a brighter future. The children are learning so much … the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, but more importantly they are also learning God’s word and what it means to live a righteous life. What better way to help these children rise above the corruption that is so common in their country. They greeted us with excitement and some played games with Autumn. They are full of so much potential!!!!
Illiteracy is very common in Liberia and the public-school system is broken in so many ways. How can one learn from the Word of God if he/she can’t read? Reading and education is key to giving hope – both for spiritual growth and a brighter future. The children are learning so much … the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, but more importantly they are also learning God’s word and what it means to live a righteous life. What better way to help these children rise above the corruption that is so common in their country. They greeted us with excitement and some played games with Autumn. They are full of so much potential!!!!
A group home for special needs children …
Special needs children are viewed as a curse on their families. Without intervention, many would suffer a terrible fate … likely death. Having grown up with a special needs brother, Michael, who has Down’s Syndrome, I know that there is purpose to EVERY life. Don and I have both been shaped in many, many positive ways because of Michael’s influence in our lives. If allowed, God’s work ALWAYS happens, even in what seems like broken situations. He can take disability and brokenness … and bring meaning! The group home in Liberia consists of several “moms” who oversee the wellbeing of these children. As a result, the community is seeing God’s love in action.
Special needs children are viewed as a curse on their families. Without intervention, many would suffer a terrible fate … likely death. Having grown up with a special needs brother, Michael, who has Down’s Syndrome, I know that there is purpose to EVERY life. Don and I have both been shaped in many, many positive ways because of Michael’s influence in our lives. If allowed, God’s work ALWAYS happens, even in what seems like broken situations. He can take disability and brokenness … and bring meaning! The group home in Liberia consists of several “moms” who oversee the wellbeing of these children. As a result, the community is seeing God’s love in action.
A medical clinic program …
The team also includes two Liberian nurse practitioners who help oversee the health of the children at the school and the group home. Twice a month the entire Mission Team visits the communities where churches have been established by pastors from the Bible Institute. During my visit we helped with one of these clinics and provided care to 181 people in one day. It was exhausting! These clinics are key in so many ways - meeting both physical and spiritual needs. At each stage of the process patients are prayed for. After patients have been treated, they hear the message of salvation. During our time at the clinic 45 people accepted Christ for the first time!!!!!! The clinic also helps establish the pastor and the church he oversees as a valued element of the community.
The team also includes two Liberian nurse practitioners who help oversee the health of the children at the school and the group home. Twice a month the entire Mission Team visits the communities where churches have been established by pastors from the Bible Institute. During my visit we helped with one of these clinics and provided care to 181 people in one day. It was exhausting! These clinics are key in so many ways - meeting both physical and spiritual needs. At each stage of the process patients are prayed for. After patients have been treated, they hear the message of salvation. During our time at the clinic 45 people accepted Christ for the first time!!!!!! The clinic also helps establish the pastor and the church he oversees as a valued element of the community.
All of these elements of the mission are woven together for one purpose. To help share the love of Christ!
Often when we think of the mission in Liberia we think of Don and the Mission Team. I have new respect for my sister-in-law Mel. She works hard behind the scenes to care for their family, provide home schooling etc. She is an awesome partner to Don and plays a major role in what it takes to allow their family to remain in Liberia. The kids are getting older and also have important impact on the community. It was fun to get to know them all over again. Please remember to also pray for Mel and kids.
I was in Liberia for just under two weeks, my dad stayed for 2 months. There is no doubt that this visit has changed my perspective on life (I know that sounds deep, but it’s true). It was so special to make that trip with Autumn and my Dad. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside the Liberian Mission Team. EACH one of them play a very special role.
When I returned I quickly folded back into my normal routine, but with a new perspective. I struggled with my meaning … my value … my role in life … God’s work. The book of Ecclesiastes came to mind. EVERYTHING is meaningless outside of God’s will. Death will come to us all. It is hard to imagine what eternity will be like. It is hard to remember that our time here on earth is just a tiny, tiny, tiny spec on the timeline of eternity. If you think of eternity as a string that stretches from here to the moon and back … and back … and back … and back … there is no ending. Our time on earth is just a spec on that timeline. It is meant to prepare us for ETERNITY. It is our test. What is our grade? The consequences of getting it wrong are so real. Heaven and hell are REAL and yet we allow ourselves to be distracted with the meaningless.
I’m encouraged more than ever to change my perspective. I’m a proud investor in the mission in Liberia. Don and his family have been called in a way that I am not. I find new meaning in my work. The meaningless challenges in my job have new meaning in that they help provide for my family and allow us to support such a MEANGINGFUL mission … GOD’s work.
I urge everyone to consider visiting. Who knows, maybe someone will be called to join the mission on a short or long-term trip. It really isn’t a scary place. Sure, it isn’t always comfortable, I sweated the entire time I was there 😊, but you will be changed forever. Also for those who are supporting this mission through pray and financial means, please know that you are helping touch countless lives in a real MEANINGFUL way. The mission uses every dollar very thoughtfully and they stretch it far. For those who are looking for a place to give … or better said invest … I guarantee you won’t find a better place. The need is so great.
I want to say a quick thank you to Don, Mel, Christian, Little Don, Grace, Tommy, AB, Abby, Annie and the entire Mission Team along with my travel buddies Dad and Autumn for making my trip so amazing. I will treasure our memories forever!
