From Death to Life

Front of Joseph's House

I want to share a testimony of how God has worked in a tragic situations.  I pray this testimony will encourage you to look to God no matter what season of life you are in.  

Look at the picture at the top of this post.  I took this picture last April when I visited Joseph’s house for the first time.  When Joseph built his house, he permanently etched Ecclesiastes 3 on his front wall.  I couldn’t help but feel the reality of this verse while ministering to his family while they were in the mists of deep sorrow and many tears.  Ebola devastated Joseph’s family.  At times, it killed 2 people each day in his house and in the houses of his family members.  By the time ebola had finished it’s toll on Joseph’s family, his wife, two brothers, and all his children except 1 were dead.  Joseph and his sister-in-law were left with 14 orphaned grandchildren to care for.

During their crisis, Joseph’s family’s homes were quarantined and the community turned their backs on them.  Joseph’s family was blamed for bringing the sickness into town.  From time to time, someone from the CDC would stop by their home, standing at a far distance, they would yell at Joseph’s family asking them for progress reports.  As family members died, Joseph’s family would help carry their bodies outside the house and wait for authorities to pick them up, never to see them again. 

There was a time when Joseph’s house was known as a place of death.  Now, God is making his home a place of life and a lighthouse to his community.  The house that was rejected and shunned is becoming a safe place for the community to come and hear about God’s love for them.  Joseph has become a very serious student of God’s Word and is taking his responsibility to pastor each of his grandchildren seriously.  Each morning and evening, Joseph’s voice can be heard on his porch teaching his grandchildren God’s Word.

First house church meeting at Joseph's house

Last Sunday, our family and some friends of ours, had the wonderful privilege of attending the first worship service Joseph held at his house.  Joseph meekly taught the story of John the Baptist and encouraged his family and neighbors to repent and turn to Jesus.  

The verse Joseph etched on the front of his house is quoted from the Bible.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says,

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to morn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up , a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

This verse gives us a healthy perspective for whatever season of life we find ourselves in.  If we are in a time of weeping, we should know that there is a time of laughing ahead of us.  If we are in a time of death, we should remember there is a time of birth ahead of us.  

It is important for us to know that the reverse is also true for us all.  If we are in a time of dancing now, we should know for certain that there will be a time of mourning ahead of us.  If we are in a time of planting, there will be times of uprooting ahead of us.  

So long as we have life in us, both realities of this verse will be true for us.  Our lives are short.  The Bible teaches us that life is but a vapor.  It is here today and gone tomorrow.  (James 4:14)  Life is very fragile and each day we have is a gift from God.  No one knows what tomorrow has in store for them.  In this life we will have trouble but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).   

I want to end this post by reminding us that there is coming a day when this verse will no longer be true for us.  In heaven, there will no longer be time for mourning, weeping, tearing down, hating, war, death….  Let us fix our eyes on things that are eternal while producing spiritual fruit here on this earth.  We have but one life to live.  I pray that each of us will be able to truthfully say the same words Paul the Apostle said in Philippians 1:22, “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.”

Have a blessed day!

God is closer than I thought

There is a truth that I found in Genesis 2 that has changed my perspective of God.  God is closer than I thought He was.  I have always known that God sustains me and watches over me but this truth opened my eyes to the level of intimacy that exists between God and me though I was unaware.

Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

In the past, as I thought of this verse, I pictured lifeless man laying on his back on the ground while God bent over Him in an awesome moment of intimacy and breathed the breath of life into Adam.  I imagined Adam opening his eyes and finding himself staring face to face with God.  The first thing Adam saw was God’s face smiling over him.  After giving the breath of life to Adam, I thought Adam began to breathe on his own.   

Here is the truth in this verse that brings me to the point of awe and fills my eyes with tears in adoration of my God.  In our translations the word “breathed” is translated in past tense because the English language does not have the Qal Imperfect tense that is in the original Hebrew text.  Therefore, we read the word “breathed” as a one time event that took place in the past.  This is only part of the truth.  The Qal Imperfect tense speaks only of a part of the whole event from within the event.  Imagine cutting a cake into pieces.  Before the cake was cut, we called the whole cake, “cake.”  After it was cut, each small piece is also known by the same name, “cake.”  The same is true of the Qal Imperfect tense.  It represents a piece of the action that took place in the past and is still taking place in the present. 

Here is the amazing truth about Genesis 2:7.   The breath of life that God breathed into Adam is still happening today.  God is breathing into you and me this same breath of life right now at this very moment.  God is closer than we think!  

Let me ask you a question that shows the level of intimacy we experience with God.  The breath you just breathed, was it your breath or God’s breath?  Here is the truth, IT WAS BOTH OF YOUR BREATHS.  Amazing!  Awesome!  Every breath I breath is not mine alone, it is also God breathing in and through me.  It is, “OUR Breath” God.  You O Lord are amazing.  I praise Your holy name! 

As I discovered this truth, I felt like my eyes were opened just like Adam’s eyes were opened.  Like Adam I found myself in an awesome moment of intimacy with God as He was / is breathing the breath of life into me.  I felt Him smiling over me as I became aware of His amazing presence that was always there though I was unaware. 

I praise and worship God for His closeness.  I also praise Him for His amazing grace.  While I was in sin, God was still breathing into me and sustaining me.  Some people think God could never forgive them.  They also think God is far away from them.  The exact opposite is true.  So long as we have the breath of life in us, there is hope for us.  We have not gone too far from God.  God is closer than we think.  He patiently breaths life into us even while we are in sin so we can have every opportunity turn from our sins and return to Him.  What an amazing God we serve!
I also praise God because this truth allows me to rest securely at night without worry.  Where is there room for worry?  Worry becomes foolishness.  God sustains me not my own strength.  My breath is not my breath, it is our breath oh God.  You alone determine the length of my life.  You are in complete control.  God’s breath will sustain us until our purpose on earth is fulfilled and then we will spend eternity with Him (Read Acts 13:36).

Here is my prayer for you and myself.

Ephesians 3:17-19 says, “…I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long, and high, and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge…”  My prayer is the same, Father, help us know your Love that is beyond our ability to know.

Mel's Update from Liberia

My friend Ruth

Dear all my precious Friends and Family,

Greetings from Liberia! In fact, I must tell you, "Happy 26!!" This is Liberia's Independence Day.  It was post-poned a day because they cannot celebrate 2 holidays in 1 day.  (You see, Sunday, was the Lord's day..)  It was a really fun day!  I didn't realize this but July 26 is a BIG day!  People wake up bright and early and begin to cook.  In fact, by 7:30 in the morning, we had already been gifted 2 different meals by 2 different families.  Everyone dresses up in their finest clothes.  Not very many people have the funds for this but if they were able, they would then get their picture taken and then get it printed off.  Then they will have a family photo for the year.  What a blessing to be able to be apart of different people's lives today.   (As a gift to our neighbors, we took different families' pictures and then later on in the week, Don will get them printed off and then give them to the families.)  Don did not try to get that done today because we heard from all that it would be wise to stay away from town.  I really think that July 26 may be a bigger holiday around here than Christmas.  The crowds of people were so large that on Saturday, (3 days before "26", that they had 4 police men directing traffic.)  Now, I know what you are thinking.... 4 police men???  No big deal.  But if you only saw the traffic and the way people cross intersections, you would be highly surprised that there are not police men directing traffic on a normal basis.  So to think of 4 police men actually needing to direct traffic with the standards over here.  Wow.... I can only begin to imagine... I walked around with Don for awhile to get people's pictures.  Oh we had such fun expressing our thoughts with everyone looking so wonderful in their best clothes.  And then to give to take their pictures was so fun as well.  What a fun thing!

Well, on another note, I truly can NOT believe that it has been almost 4 months since we left the States.  In some ways, it seems just like yesterday when we moved in our new house in Gbarnga, (pronouced like Bonga but with a slight G sound at the beginning.  You can practice saying it but a Pelle person would tell you that you are pronouncing it wrong.  Trust me, I have practiced much to no avail, I can't say it right.)  Mostly, we are just missing family and friends.  Infact, Don and I were talking that we wish that we could simply go away for an afternoon :) to visit everyone and then come right back here.  But we all know that it is simply not that easy, so here we are....

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary this week.  Oh what a good day it was.  My precious children really loved on us/me.  Grace sewed us a few things and gave us flowers.  Christian found me comfortable flip flops for when I can't seem to find my shoes.  (It seems that there is a point at least once a week, when I can't locate one of my flip flops so I borrow his shoes to take something outside.  (Oh the joys of being able to fit into my kid's shoes..) So he thought that I would like a back up. ;)  Grace found a BIG bag for me for when I go to the market I will have a bag to put my groceries in.  Trust me, the market is completely different than going to the super market and I know that I will use the bag especially because we don't have. carts to put the groceries in...  Little Don found me a small purse with lots of compartments in it.  He told me that he thought it would work better for when I am carrying all my goods when I am shopping in the market because it is smaller.  I tell you the truth, I am so loved.  Then, my friend ( a dear friend from Switzerland) watched the kid's so that Don and I could spend the day together.  It was so good.  We went out to lunch at a place kind of similar to last year's Florida.  It is called The Hill Top.  Then we came home and made brownies but I burned them.  I have an oven but everything cooks so fast, most times, I burn them.  We played a game and talked for several hours.  Then I made popcorn and watched a movie.  It was such a good day together.

Life here is good.  Mostly, the kid's and I are very busy with finishing up school for the year.  We are almost finished and will take a 2-3 week break before we start up our new curriculum.  A friend will be bringing our next year's curriculum on Aug 17th.

Believe it or not, this week has been chilly.  We spent a lot of the days in our sweat shirts and socks or wrapped up in blankets. (Especially, the nights, they have been frigid.) ;) I checked the temp with my thermometer just now for an example, and it said that it is 76.4 degrees out.  See what I mean? Completely, frigid. :) :)  I am sure that you understand completely when I say that the kids even have their heavy sweat shirts on with blankets wrapped around themselves.  And I have my flannels p.j.'s on, with blankets wrapped around me, and I'm seriously thinking about finding some more socks that are still tucked away in my suitcase.  (All my other socks are dirty thanks to my feet being cold lately.) ;)

Well, love you all dearly!  Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support and encouragement!  We so appreciate and miss each and every one of you!

Love, Mel (and family) :)  :)  :)

PS.  I will try to write sooner this time.  I tell you the truth, the days and then the weeks fly by here.  Since everything takes longer to do here and since we go to bed earlier here, it seems that the days are only half as long here compared to the states.  Have a super week!!

A Woman's Dream Fulfilled

I want to share a wonderful testimony about what God did yesterday.  God is faithful.  His plans are perfect.  His will is better than ours.  

Yesterday, I woke and had a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to go and visit a church in a rural town that I have never been in before.  Earlier last week, I met Pastor David from this church in a neighboring village while on mission there.   

The Lord laid this clear message on my heart to preach, “Jesus is the only one who can make the unclean person clean” (Mt 8:1-4; Mk Mk 1:40-45; Lk 5:12-16).  Since it was Tommy’s turn to go on mission, he also prepared to teach.  We loaded our motorbike and drove into the bush singing, “We are on the battle field for our Lord.”  We truthfully didn’t know all the Lord had in store for our day.  We prayed that God would give us eyes to see what He was doing.

We arrived in the town an hour before the service was to start.  We found Pastor David and the place the church would be meeting.  The church meets in a half constructed building, made from mud, with a dirt floor.  

Since we had extra time, Tommy and I decided to go on a prayer walk through the town.  Again, we prayed that God would give us eyes to see what He was doing.  While walking, we greeted and prayed for several people.  One house that we stopped at, had a group of women sitting outside doing their hair in preparation for Liberia’s Independence Day celebrations.  As we turned to walk away, I faintly overheard one woman saying to the others, “I had a dream about that man last night.”  I stopped and asked her to tell me the dream.  She told me, “I dreamed that a white man and his son came to our town to teach in a church full of children.”  

Isn’t God awesome!  I praise His holy name.  Later that morning, as Tommy was teaching about the town of Bethlehem not having room for Jesus and asking the church if they had room in their lives for Jesus (Lk 2:1-20), I noticed that the church was full of children and I saw the woman sitting, listening intently to every word he said.  Tommy and I both spoke the messages God laid on our hearts.  After we preached, Pastor David stood up and gave people an opportunity to give their lives to Jesus.  The woman who had the dream rushed through the crown and literally fell with her face on the ground and gave her life to Jesus.  Isn’t God awesome!

The Lord is our shepherd.  The truth is, He desires to lead you and me again today.  His plans are better than ours.  Let’s set our hearts to be on His mission today.  Let’s live today expecting God to work through us to draw people to Himself.  God, please give us spiritual eyes to see what You are doing around us.  Please use us today.  Amen.  

John 10:3-4 says, “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.  He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

June, 2015 Ministry Report

Taking the Gospel into Liberia’s Schools:  
43% of Liberia’s population are school aged children.  If we can reach Liberia’s youth, the nation will change.  Wordsower is using the Bong County base to test new methods of introducing the Gospel in Liberia’s school system.  After these methods are mastered, we will apply them to the rest of our bases.  Last month, our field leaders in Bong County started teaching the Story of Jesus booklet in schools on Kokoyah Road (see map below).  Though schools are not allowed to teach religion as a subject, they warmly welcome us to do weekly devotions with their students.   To illustrate how hungry the schools are for the Gospel, while our team was working in one town, a principle traveled from a neighboring town and asked us to, “preach the Word of God” in his school as well.  After completing the Story of Jesus booklet, leaders are trained in each school to teach the Action Bible New Testament.  

Maryland Construction Project: 
The Maryland base construction project continues.  The walls are finished for our residential building. Wood has been purchased and a team is working on the roof.

Child Sponsorship: 
Liberia is listed as the 5th poorest country in the world.  As we take the Gospel from town to town, we often meet children who are completely destitute.  Without outside help, these children could die or be victimized by society.  This year we started a child sponsorship program to help feed and care for these children.  Currently, we have 37 children we are assisting.

175 Towns Visited in Bong County:  
Our prayer is that we would see a healthy church in every town and village of Liberia within our lifetime.  The Bong County Base visited 175 towns and villages on Bong County’s 4 major roads last month.  The goal of these visits was to get to know each town and to discover the most strategic locations to begin making disciples.  The results of their visits are detailed on the maps below.  Many of the towns they visited had no churches.  Where there is no church, their goal will be to start a church.  Where there are churches, their goal will be to strengthen the churches.

Kokoyah Road

Lofa Road

Ghanta Road

Testimonies of Wordsower Bible Institute students:
Goanue is an Ivorian refugee living in Liberia.  He completed Level 1 of our school that is taught in French. 

Dear Brothers,

I am praising the lord for creating me and creating his Holy Bible to guide us. The lord called me, trained me through Wordsower Liberia and sent me to serve Him. He makes me wise and able to understand things.  He makes me strong and wise to preach his words, evangelize and teach without shame and fear anywhere as I am led by the Holy Spirit making disciples and starting house churches.  Thank you for the teaching I received from the Lord through you. Now I know the purpose of my creation, for that I have decided to live a missionary life, to endure hardship with you like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 

Messiah is 18 without parents. He completed Level 1 and 2 and will be attending level 3 this year.  He is one of our power field leaders.  His team of two has already started a church in a once churchless town.  They are working in many other towns also.  We found him as a rude disruptive visionless youth.  He is now a fruitful powerful disciple that makes disciples.   Remember he is 18 and without parents.

Dear Brothers,

I am overjoyed this day to congratulate you for all that you are doing for us.  Where was I going to get money to attend a Bible school poor as I am, only the rich can attend such schools… Surely you are Christ’s footprint… I am satisfied; you treated me with equality even though I am poor and young. Thanks a million times for showing us the light… I am going to imitate you.  Just as you have made me a disciple I am going immediately to make disciples and bring many souls to Christ.     

Prayer requests:  Pray for a great revival to sweep through this country, pray that Liberia will have a healthy church in every village in our generation, and pray for our leaders who truly suffer for the Gospel.  Please make this a regular item in your regular prayers.  

June Statistics:  
- We went on 126 mission trips.  Many towns we went to more than once.  A mission trip can
   last a day or up to a week and go into many villages and towns. 
- We ministered in 121 towns, villages and communities
- We ministered in 7 new villages/towns
- We went into 175 new towns and villages assessing their condition and needs 
- 9 people were baptized
- 42 people completed our extensive Bible study program
- We printed 105,000 pages of training material
- We distributed 100’s of Bibles

June, 2015 Ministry Expense Report

Mission expenses:
$1,814 – Pens, folders, Bibles, mission trips feeding, etc.  
$2,248 – Motor bike gas and repair, we have 15 bikes.  Gas costs from $5 to $10 a gallon.       
$100 – Office supplies

Wordsower Bible Institute:
$213 - Print Shop supplies, paper, and parts.
$898 - We had 20 students attend and live with us for 2 weeks.  They completed level 2 of our school.

Assistance to the poor:
$837 – Humanitarian assistance:  
$254 – Medical expenses (average treatment cost per person is $1.00 - $10.00).  
$425 – Assistance to Ebola Orphans and suffering children 

Team food and house supplies:
$2,500 – Food and house supplies (close estimate).  Our core team consists of 13 adults and 17 children.  To cover, clothes, food, batteries, soap etc.  Also, we feed visitors every day from our house funds.

$9,289 - Total for the month.     THANK YOU!   

Donations should be mailed to:

Wordsower International
P.O. Box 1648
Piqua, OH 45356

Donations can also be made online by going to our web page: www.wordsowerliberia.com 
All donations are tax deductible.  A receipt will be sent in January.  100% of all donations go for the mission to the Liberians and refugees.  None is used for me or administration.  If you have any questions concerning donations you may call Tom Looker at 937-489-8090.

Thank you for your prayers and support,
Kim Smith & Don Riley

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance.  The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”  C. S. Lewis.

Counties, Cities, Towns, and Villages we have been working in:

Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  

Bong County: Baptist Clinic Community, Belefana, Blama, Chief Compound, Cuttington Univeristy, Dans, Deemita, Dorkpolorsue, Duita, Foebilla, Foloblai, Galatua, Gbalatua, Ganyea, Gbarnga, Gbarnga Central Prison, Gbarsue, Gbechon, Gbenniquileh, Gboque, Gbolue, Gbo-yhea-nyan,  Henry,  Henry Kpangbai,  James Flomo, Janyea, Jimmey,  John Suah,  Kakamue, Kandagai, Khakie, Kolleh’s, Kpaiketa, Kokoyah Community,  Kopata, Kortu, Kpon, Kponyea, Kpatawee, Lelekpayea, Lucky, Martarly, Moieta, Phebee Junction, Qualayarkuke, Sakpalah, Samay, Sengbeh, Smith, Suakoko, Tamayata, Taylor, Tuankan, Tubman Army Barracks.  

Grand Bassa County:, Baccoline, Botata, Barkon, Beh-La, Beletanla, Blameyea, Bucket-Ta, By-Dawoe, Bucannon Dayes, Goah, Nagbeh, Nyudeh, Penney. 

Grand Gedeh County: Albert, Army barracks, Badou, Bah, Bakor, Banana, Banglo, Bar, Bargblor, Bartejam, Bassa, Bassa Village 1 and 2, Bawaydee, Beagompo, Beezon, Beh, Bellyalla, Benin, Benla, Bently Mining Camp, Best, Better Hill, B’hai Tarway, B’Jozon, Blessing Hill, Billibo, Blown, Blue Camp, Boe, Boley, Boplue, Borbor Freeman, Border, Boundary, Bouduo, Brown, Buhou,  Butor, Cartumacy, Chandy, Chayee, Chebeh, Chebeor, Chensla, Chete, Civil, Compound, Crahold, Cotton tree Community, CVI gold mining camp 1, 2, 3, 4, Dark Forest Camp, Deplay, Deyan, Diahn, Disco Hill, Dogbar, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Doubah, Double Bridge, Ducas Wulu, Duo Town, Dweh,  Enoch Nahn, Era, 48 mile, Franzay, Freeman, Frinkey, Gambo, Gambo Road Community, Garbo, Garley, Gave Thank Shilue, Gardweh 1 and 2, Garkel, Garley, Gaye, Gbakah, Gbarbo,  Gbarken,  Gbarzon, Gbarbor, Gbarzon Inside, Gbayea, Gbeyoubo, Gborlue, Gboe, Gboan, Geewon, Gboleken, Gborabo, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gloropardee, Go Look, Golo, Gorabert, Gorbowrogba, Goyeazohn, Graddeh, Grady, Grebo, Guagbo, Gwein, Gweledee, Gwenibo, Jackson, Jaibo, Jallah, James Glortoe, James Sayon’s, Jarbah, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayjai, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Jerry Tiah, Jimaca Camp, Joe’s, Joe’s Mother, Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Juahzon, Julutuzon, Juwar, Kadifah, Kanbli, Kanneh, Karlowleh, Kartumaside, Kayne, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Koor, Kpallo, Krah, , Kpay, Kulee, Kuma, Kwebo, Ma Esther, Menyea, Middle East Camp, Momom Camp, Moses, Morris, Morris Dowho, New York gold mining camp, Neplubo, News, Nyennawliken, Nico, Panwolor, Papa Hill Gold Camp, Papayea, Pellelzon, Pennue 1 and 2, Community, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Philip Torh, Pohan New and Old, Pineapple village, Ply, Plapp, Ploe Bodee, Pola, Polar Town, Polar Village, Pokor, Popo, Pourhyonnoh, PTP refugee camp one and two, Queboe, Rancy, Sally, Saiwaken, Sant, Savah, Savior Worbey, Saycon, Saylee, Sayebo, Sentrodu, Sewion 1, Sewion 2, Shouken, Sinkor, Sloman (a gold mining camp), Solo Inside, Solo Outside, Solo Refugee Camp, Sowaken, Steven, Suahken, Tagbayah,Talorkan, Taryee Beaway, Taye’s Village, Techiensla, Teladee, Tempo, Tiama, Tobolee, Toes Refugee Camp, Toes Town, Toffoi, Togbayee, Togbolee, Tojillah, Toueah, Towah, Tuglor, Tuzon inside, Tuzon outside, Vanyeazon 1 and 2, Varglor, Vleyee, Whybo, Wilking Paye Camp, Willie Jellu, Winner Gardueh, Wlagbo, Woloken, Wulu, Yardglo, Yarlee, Youbor, Zai, Zarzar, Zaiyee, Zaybay 1 and 2, Zeon, Ziah, Zilaken,  Ziulay, Zoe Bush, Zuabah, Zwedru, the county prison, 4 road check stations, and the county hospital.  

Grand Kru County: Baclaville City, Baclaville Check Point, Cladia, Barclay, Bewane, Blikpo, Boniken, Big Suehn, Camp Spin, Company Camp, Dayokpo, Doubbo, Dweaken, Farina, Feeder-klee, Gbarken, Gbenken, Gblebo, Geneken, Genoyah, Glabroken, , Glabroken, Iron Bridge, Jlatekpo, Jokekpo, Kladipah, Klekali,  Leaceco, Newaken, Nrokuia, Pogbaken, Solokent, Solokpo, Sorroken, Tarpleh, Togba-klee, Topoh, Woelowinken, Wropluken, Ylatuen, Zoloken.  

Lofa County: Voinjama, Zorzor.

Margibi County: Army barracks, Barclay, Bovclay, Brown, Dolos Town, Harbel camp 7, Kpuyah, Mazoe, Naway, Sherflin Barak, Takata.

Maryland County: Bann Village, Barreken, Biladimour, Bonnikek, Brownell, Cain, Cavalla, Cavalla Konukridi, CRC Camp 3 and Camp 8, Gbolobo, Gbon, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Doloken, Driver’s Camp, Dugboken, Dweaken, Face, Factory Camp #1, Factory camp #2, Factory Camp #3, Feloken, Fish, Free, Gbanken, Gbaso, Gboloken, Gedetabo, Geeken, Glofaken 1 and 2, Gwissiken, Halfgrayway, 7 locations in Harper, Henugba, Hnabo, Holegrn, Hospital Camp, Jebaiken, Judy’s, Kablaken, Karloken, Kings, Klodikle, Koffi, Koffibeo #1, #2, #3, Koluso, Konusod, Lexicon, Libsuco, Little Weleppo Refugee camp, Refugee Camp Town, Marfliken, Middle town, Nekpachelu, Nemelken, New Half and Whole Half, New Sodoken, Number 8 Camp, Graway Towns, Old Lady, Olegravic, Pedebo, 4 locations in Pleebo, Philadelphia Gold Mining Camp, Poceken, Pogbaken, Ponken, President Tubman farm camp #1&2,Pular, Pulla, Puluken, 

Quiloken, Refugee Village, Rock 1 and 2, Rock Town, Rubber Bag Camp, Saleken, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Spring Hill, Teaken, Tugbaken, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Weleken Wholegrayway, Wuluplukredi, Wutuken, Yederobo Nyanbo Wessiken, Yederobo Wessiken, Ylehiken, Yelibibou, Ylahken, Yobloken, Yoploken, Yourken, Yulukridi, the county prison and check stations.  

Montserrado County:  Bannerville, Bassa, Gbenbah, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  

Nimba County: Beatwo, Borbor, Bleaseh, Burtein, Camp 1, Dialah, Fienney, Fluma, Freeman, Ganta, Gbanquoi, Gbanolu, Glalay, Gonkopa, Gougartwo, Graie, Guotoin, John Strother, Karbah, Kpallah, Kpaytuo, Kpiekpoa, Logan, Mentor, Miller, Noway, Puayaker, Saclepea, Sarlay, Tappita, Yopedi, Towah, Unification, Venn, Whea, Wontoe, Yiteepea, Your Peg, Wesseken, Zarwulugbo, Zautuo.  

River Cess County: Darhga, Gbee.  

River Gee County:  Bletiken, Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Gbaweleken,Geeken, Jarkaken, Jarlatuken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Knonowloken, Knowluken, Myoken, Nyennawliken, Pairloken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sueaken, Sherriken, Suwloken, Sweaken, Tartiken, Tuaken, Tuobo, Tuumaken, Wartiken, Welegboken, Whesatuken, Worleken.  

Sinoe County: Bah, Bannah, Bardoua, Beatuoken, Beeweyee, Bilibokee, Bluebarrack, Blumsville, Bluntville, Boah, B.O.P.C., Bortu Junction, Charlie, Cass Town, Ceeubo, Chea, Chawlue, Cheepoyee, Chebioh, Cheboken, Congo, Cura Wah, Dagbe, David Kuma, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Diayankpo, Dioh, Dodueken, Donnah, Down, Down the Mangrove, Eni, Farmersville, Fanfin, Fish, Funnioh, Gardoway, Gbalawin, GBC, Gbason, Gbliyee, Gbojuelville, Gbowe, Geblo logging camp, Geekin, Geekloh, Geelor, Grasphy, Greeneville, Greft, Greenville Hospital, Grigsby Farm, Jalay, Jaypoto,  Jaytoken, Joazon, Joe Village, Jokoken, Jonny-Boy, Joseph Bloch, Juahnneh, Judu, Kakpo, Kamus, Karquekpo, Katuzon, Kelgbeh, Kilo, Alvin Koon, Korjayee, Kpantan, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Kwitouh, Lexington, Louisiana, Mama Creek, Melvin Lai, Money Camp, Monueh, Murraysville, Neinplikpo, New Kru, New, Nyanphio, Nyennwlejen, Nyonpoh Barrack, Panama, Patern, Patricia, Paul, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Pellkon, Penny, Plandiaba, Planksite, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, , Poblee, Poheh, Po-River, Pogbaken, Polay, Pratt, Prison of Sino County, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Red Hill, Saikas, Sackor, Sarpo Community, Sargbah, Saygbeken, Secthon Juaryan, Secthon New, Seebeh, Seedubo, Seth, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Seakpa, Seekon Pellokan, Sennajalh, Shakepeh, Shagbe, Shalee, Snoboe, Spansor Baily,  Spoken Boots,  Swangba, Swenpon, Tabti, Tarta, Teah, Terison Gee, Tiakah, Titus, Tudee, Tuobo, Unification, Voobadee, Wiah, Wreenewet,  Zanwonjah, Zayzaz Kollie. 

Rebecca's Spontaneous Worship

A couple days ago, I posted a sponsorship request for two orphaned girls named Annie and Abigail.  These girls live with their widowed grandmother, their blind great-grandmother and their aunt in extreme poverty.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of telling their grandmother, Rebecca, that God had provided sponsors for her grandchildren.  When I told Rebecca the good news, she spontaneously began worshiping God.  She lifted her hands toward the sky and looked toward heaven while singing repeatedly in a loud voice, "Glory to God in the highest!  Hallelujah!"  While worshiping God, Rebecca turned toward Annie and Abigail and said, "Give thanks to God with me, He has heard our prayers,"  Still worshiping the Lord, she looked at me and said, "God is faithful, He has answered my prayers.  Many people have mocked me, telling me that I need to get married again so that a man can take care of me.  I tell them that God is my husband and that He would take care of my needs.  I tell them that if God wanted me to marry again, He would have to bring a man to me.  God has answered my prayers!  He is faithful!"  While Rebecca was praising God, Annie and Abigail had the largest smiles on their faces that I have ever seen.  

Isn't it fun to work together as God’s global church to change lives?!  I praise God for His provisions and for His church!  Thank you!

God's Perfect Provision

Sianneh Community School

Last week, as I prepared to leave for a mission trip on Lofa Road, I felt led to take a little extra money with me for the journey.  DK was waiting for me on the motorbike so I ran into the office and quickly grabbed a little money, not knowing exactly how much money I had grabbed.  While on mission we visited Sianneh Town.  Sianneh Town has sacrificed greatly to start a school for their children.  The school was too small for the number of children who enrolled, so they started constructing an additional classroom before running out of money.  The town's pastor encouraged the town to pray.  Their small two room school was holding 185 students.   

Classroom under construction

When we arrived, Sianneh’s town leaders asked DK and I if we could help them complete the construction project.  I asked them how much money they needed.  They said, “A little more than $40 USD.”  I felt led to give the extra money that I had grabbed before leaving on mission.  I told them I didn’t know exactly how much money I had on me but I would give them what I had.  I reached in my pocket and pulled out two $10s, one $20 and $325 Liberian dollars, which equals almost $4 US dollars.  The Lord answered their prayer by giving them the exact amount of money they needed.  After counting the money, we all praised God.  I believe the Lord will use this experience to open the doors for the Gospel in their town and school.   

Matthew 7:7-11 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

One of their two classrooms 

Child Sponsorship Requests

Meet the Kollie Family
I want to introduce you to two little girls whom I have grown to love.  These girls live just up the hill from our house.  I see them almost everyday. 

Abigail Kollie is 4 years old.  

Annie Kollie is 6 years old.    

Abigail and Annie's Story:
When I met Abigail and Annie, they ate 0-1 meal a day.  They are living in extreme poverty.  Their father abandoned them and their mother died two years ago.  After being orphaned, they moved into their Grandmother's house. Their grandmother's name is Rebecca.  Though Rebecca has a hard time walking, she gardens and sells her produce to help provide for the family.  Abigail and Annie's blind Great-grandmother named Kayma and their Aunt Hawa (with 2 children) also live with them.

Rebecca, Annie, and Abigail

Great-grandmother, Kayma

Albegia and Annie's Needs:
Daily Food:  Your sponsorship will remove hunger from Abigail and Annie's family.  Your sponsorship will buy 2 bags of rice each month and 5 fish each day.  Abigail and Annie's whole family will eat from Abigail and Annie's sponsorship.

Education:  Abigail and Annie have never been to school.  Your sponsorship will pay for Abigail and Annie to attend a private school called Liberty Baptist School.

Medicine:  Your sponsorship will pay for Abigail and Annie's medical needs as the occur.  

Other Needs:  Your sponsorship will also provide for other basic needs like a mattress, bedding, clothes, etc.  

Cost of Sponsoring Abigail or Annie
Abigail:  $40 per month
Annie:  $40 per month

If you want to sponsor Abigail or Annie, please send me an email at donriley4@gmail.com.

From L to R:  Kayma, Howa, Hannah, Rebecca, Abigail, Annie

How sponsorship money is spent:
The cost of sponsoring a child will vary from child to child.  Each child’s sponsorship will be customized to each child’s needs.  100% of all donated money will go directly to the children being sponsored.  No money will be used for administration.   Donations should be sent to P.O. Box 1648 Piqua, OH 45356.  In the memo on your check, please include your sponsored child’s name. 

How we select children for sponsorship:
In Liberia, almost every child lives in poverty and has daily needs.  When we select children for our sponsorship program, we are not looking for impoverished children, we are looking for the children who are completely destitute.  Without help, these children could die, be victimized by their society, or be at risk of being trafficked.

Ammie, Ruth, Jebbeh, and Musu have been sponsored!

Ammie, Ruth, Jebbeh, and Musu are precious little girls who lost both of their parents to Ebola.  Over the past several weeks, I have been meeting with these girls and their family.  During our meetings, I have encouraged the girls and their family to look to God during their time of need and to ask God for His help.  Their family has been faithful in their prayers even though they know very little about God.  Yesterday, I had the wonderful privilege of telling the girls that God has answered their prayers. All 4 girls have been sponsored.  Thank you!

There are over 20 other Ebola effected children who have applied for sponsorship.  Our team is seeking the Lord concerning how we can best serve them.  Thank you for feeding these children and their families temporarily while we seek a solution.  Some of these children may need temporary sponsorship while the family gets their feet back underneath them.  Others may need a long-term sponsorship.  I will keep you posted as things develop.  Thank you for all you are doing in Liberia!  God is working!

Ammie

Ruth

Jebbeh

Musu

Ebola Orphans in need of Sponsorship

I just added a new link to my blog called, "Child Sponsorship".  Today, I posted information on Ruth, Jebbeh, Musu, and Ammie.  These 4 girls lost both of their parents and their only brother to Ebola.  For more information about how to help these girls, visit my blog at liberiacalls.blogspot.com.