Mission Update 4-26-18

THE BIBLE INSTITUTES IS OPENING:

Picture:  Gbenequella Bible Institute.

Since returning to Liberia last September, I felt led to focus my time on developing and growing our new elementary school, child sponsorship program, group homes for special needs orphans, mobile medical clinics, and land for the construction of His Safe Haven’s village for special needs orphans.  I also felt the Lord leading me to develop a team of godly Liberian leaders to help oversee these ministries.  With God’s help, this team has been formed and my time has been freed up to reopen our two Bible Institutes.  We will begin training pastors again, May 15th!  

Picture: Folobli Bible Institute.

From these Institutes we have been able to train pastors from 26 towns and villages up and down Kokoyah Road.  

Please join me in praying for the Bible Institutes. 

Here is what I’m praying for:

1.  I am praying for wisdom as we make final preparations.

2.  I am praying for true repentance in the hearts of the pastors.  I am sure each pastor understands the Gospel because we tested them.  Unfortunately, not every pastor is showing signs of repentance.

3.  I am praying for Cyrus and David.  These two men are being groomed to take over the Bible Institutes on Kokoyah Road.  My goal is to train pastors of pastors.        

4.  I am praying that two additional Bible Institutes will be opened in a different region of Liberia.  

SUSAN AND ELIZABETH’S GRADUATION AND LICENSING:

Though Susan and Elizabeth’s classes ended months ago, they officially graduated from the Baptist Missionary Physician Assistant School, last month. 

April 9th, they passed their boards and were licensed as Physicians Assistants.  

This license enables them to practice medicine just like doctors do in the States.  

Susan and Elizabeth work fulltime for our ministry.  They are responsible for keeping all 168 of our sponsored children healthy and for leading mobile medical clinics in remote towns and villages that have little access to medical care.  Every month, God uses them to treat hundreds of people while strengthening the local churches we work with.  Through their ministry, many have come to Christ.

CHURCH PLANTING:

You know you are working in a remote area when there are no maps that tell you how to get to the next town.  Many times, the most reliable maps we use are the ones we create.  While working in one bush town, it is not uncommon to fumble across a bush path that leads to two or three more villages deeper in the bush.  Many of these villages are not accessible by car nor motorbike.  A backpack and a few hours of hiking is what it takes to reach these villages with the Gospel.  

Video:  Road to Galakai.  If you are having trouble viewing the video, click here: https://youtu.be/v1O4OfzSL18

Establishing a church or even a Bible study in these towns is very difficult.  Where do you find a Bible teachers in a town that has practiced demonic rituals for generations and has no Christian citizen?  My heart breaks for the children who are being raised in these Godless villages, who for the most part, are cut off from the rest of the world.  

Video:  Road to Galakai.  If you are having problems viewing the video click here: https://youtu.be/t0_8WgOxVB4

We must do something.  This summer we are focusing some of our disciple making efforts on a town named Denta and the bush villages that are connected to it.  Three of these villages are accessible by motorbike.  One village is accessible only by foot.  We have yet to travel to Tunuta, Komata, Kokota, Fanyeni, and Bata.  Perhaps there are even more villages yet to be discovered.  Please pray that God would raise up leaders, from within the harvest, in each of these villages to lead Bible Studies.  We pray that these towns will eventually have healthy churches.  

CHURCH CONSTRUCTION PROJECT:

Thank you for helping us construct our church house.  Recently, a new porch was added, electrical wires were installed, and ceiling panels were hung. 

Soon, we will give our church house a fresh coat of paint, add security bars to the window, and install light fixtures and outlets.  

HIS SAFE HAVEN’S VILLAGE:

With the Lord’s help, we will break ground on our first group home May 1st.  I am praying the Lord will enable us to build one group home per month for the next seven months.  This would enable us to move all our special need’s children onto our new land.  God has blessed us with all the money we need to build our first two group homes and training center.  

This is how many mud bricks it takes to build two houses.  Believe it or not, there are over 6,000 mud bricks packed into this "kitchen."  

God gave us a lot of termite hills on our property.  Abandoned termite hills make the best mud bricks.  After breaking down the termite hills and making mud, we fill brick molds and bake the bricks in the sun.  Recently, our brick production has been interrupted by frequent rain.  Rainy season officially starts in May.  This month we will buy a special brick mold that makes brick by compressing dirt.  

While digging a fish pond to control water during rainy season, we discovered a rich supply of sand under the topsoil.  We dug a second fish pond to mine the sand.  We now have enough sand for a few houses.   

Recently, a crew of men told me they would dig a well and install a hand pump on our land for $650.  “What an amazing deal,” I told myself.  After starting to dig, I learned $650 was the cost of labor.  The total project costs $2,200.  Needless to say, our well will have to wait for another day.  

We have a crew of people removing stumps.  They will likely be working for the next two months.  

Thank you for all you are doing for our special children!

TRAINING THE ILLITERATE:

Liberia has a high illiteracy rate.  Many who can read have a hard time with comprehension.  We are doing everything we know to do to make the Bible understandable for these people.  Prince is our mission’s fulltime artist.  His job is to translate the Scriptures into pictures.  We print these pictures with a lesson written on the back for those who can read.  We also create audio recording of each lesson in Liberian English and Kpelle.  In the future we hope to record these lessons in other dialects as well.  After teaching the illiterate, we download these audio lessons on their phones.  After memorizing the lessons, they can train others while using the pictures to jog their memory.  Here are a few pictures Prince recently created.  

“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hoviering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2 ESV).

“And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”  And it was so” (Genesis 1:9 ESV).

“When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up - for the LORD God had not cause it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground - then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:5-7).

“And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east and there he put the man whom he had formed.  And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:8-9).

“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:12-13).

"The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.  I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.  Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you" (Genesis 13:14-17).

RANDOM PICTURES:

Dry season is coming to an end.  With the new rains came the realization that our roof was leaking badly around our solar panel mounts.  We had no choice but to replace the roof on the back half of our house.

We moved our solar panels to a rack that we built in our back yard.  While moving the panels, I was reminded of what life was like before we had electricity.  Thank you again for giving us the wonderful gift of electricity, last year!  We now sleep with fans and have lights.  Thank you so very much!

After months of waiting, we received a wonderful gift from our family.  

   

Our parents packed the barrels with supplies that we cannot get in Liberia.  My favorite gift was a new pillow.

The kids love the candy.

Melanie couldn’t wait to have all the missionary ladies over for coffee.

Tommy’s goat gave birth to a boy named Midnight.

How about a bowl of peppered bat?

Annie, Abby, and Abraham are doing well.  Please continue to pray for our adoption.  Please pray that the adoption will move along quickly. 

Picture taken of Galakai while on mission.

Bible Teaching in Denta.

Returning from a baptism in Denta.  Four people were baptized.

Digging sand in Denta for the construction of a new church house.  

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Please pray for the Bible Institute as it reopens next month.

2.  Please pray for safety for those constructing our special need's group homes. 

3.  Please pray for my wife as she home schools all 7 of our children.

4.  Please pray that the adoption of Annie, Abigail, and Abraham will move forward quickly.

5.  Please pray for those who are coming on short-term trips this summer.

Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel!

Mission Update 3-15-18

STORM RELIEF:

Thank you for fixing and replacing many roofs in our neighborhood.  Last month, we had two destructive storms sweep through our area.  So far, our mission has been able to help repair or replace 26 roofs.  Our role has been to assess the needs, to choose families to assist, to purchase and deliver roofing supplies, and to monitor each home to ensure the work is done properly.  Here are testimonies from the last five roofs we replaced:

Roof 1:  There is a very poor family that lives about a mile from our house.  Their house has strong walls but the roof has been a problem for some time.  Due to their poverty, they could not afford new zinc (metal roofing) so they took old, rusty scrap pieces of zinc and put them on their roof.  They could not afford nails to hold the old, rusty zinc down so they placed sticks and rock on top of the zinc.  The storm blew much of the roof away.  This family did not seek us out.  We were driving by and saw their need and stopped to offer assistance.  Friday, we delivered everything they need for a strong roof.  Many from their community gathered and praised God for His provisions.  The family was shocked that we would help.  We told them that as they sleep at night and see the zinc above them, they should remember that God is their provider.  He knows when they sit and when they lay down.

Roofs 2-3:  There was a widow who came to me.  As she told me about the storm damage to her house, she began to cry.  “I have no one to help me,” she told me.  “What am I going to do?”  When I visited her house, I noticed that the storm had carried away most of her roof.  Her house was made from mud brick and mud mortar.  The rain has been filling her house with water.  As the water drains through her mud wall, the house is slowly weakening.  While looking at her roof, I noticed that her neighbor’s roof was badly damaged as well.  Five ladies were living in this house.  We took measurements for both houses.  Later when we returned with zinc and nails, there was instant, spontaneous worship and dancing.  Some from the community gathered around and said, “See what God can do!”   Later that day, we delivered all the wood they needed.  This surprised them.  They thought we were only bringing zinc and nails.  This time, the old ma fell to her knees and praised God.  For each person we helped, we encouraged them to let their roofs be a memorial, reminding them that God is their provider and their helper.

Roof 4:  There is another poor widow who lives close to a swamp.  As I surveyed the storm damage the Lord put her house on my heart more than the others.  This woman’s roof was eaten by termites and was badly damaged by the storm.  Later in the week, young men picked up pieces of zinc from her yard, set them back over her roof, and placed rocks and sticks on top to hold the zinc in place. The woman said she couldn’t wait to go to church to tell everyone about the great thing that God had done for her.   We provided all she needed for a new strong roof. 

Roof 5:  There is a poor, single mother that our family has been helping for years.  Her children are in our school sponsorship program.  When we first met, she was very deceitful and lied to get what she wanted.  Last year, she started going to church.  We are starting to see change in her life though we still do not trust her very much.  The storm took away half of her roof.  We provided zinc for that half of the roof.  

Today, we will be providing roofing material for this house.  Thank you for partnering with us in the Gospel!  You are bringing hope to those who felt hopeless!  

“WE ARE NOT TOO POOR TO GIVE”

Thank you for blessing our church family.  Gbarnga Christian Fellowship has been in existence for a little over a year.  Though our church is young, God has used it in many ways.  Last month, our church took a special offering to build permanent walls for our church house.  Our church’s normal weekly offering totals between $15 - $20.  Our church members are among the poorest in the world.  As our church members prepared to give, I heard them saying, “We are not too poor to give.”  The total of their special offering was $250.  I know some people gave all they had out of their deep love for the Lord and for our church.  

On behalf of our entire church family, thank you!  What we could not do for ourselves, you did through your giving!  When the church heard about your generous gift, they responded by volunteering their labor to complete the church’s walls.  I am humbled as I watch our church members working.  I wonder to myself if they even have food in their homes to eat.  Their words keep going through my mind...  “We are not too poor to give.”  

MOBILE MEDICAL CLINICS:

Last month, our mobile medical clinic visited two bush towns, Denta and Duaita.  Our medical team seeks to strengthen the local churches we work with by treating the sick and by introducing people to Jesus.

Large crowds come to our clinics because many of the towns we work in are remote and have little access to medical care.  

Before the clinics start, our physician assistants give a health talk geared towards improving the health of the town and the pastor presents the Gospel.

Every step our patients take is a step of prayer.  After having their vitals taken and their medical charts prepared, every patient is prayed over.

While waiting to see a missionary physician assistant, our church planting team meets, one on one, with every patient.  They make sure each patient understands the Gospel and encourages them from the Word of God. 

After seeing a missionary physician assistant, the patient is prayed over again.

 The moms from His Safe Haven's group homes take turns going on mission with us.  We believe it is important for our moms have a life and a ministry outside the group homes.  Some moms have been trained to do malaria tests.

Lastly, patients visit our mobile pharmacy where they receive free medicine and one more prayer.    

Here is the report our Physician assistants gave me after Duaita’s clinic.  Thank you for making this ministry possible.  

TESTIMONY FROM PASTOR CYRUS:

“I am greatful to God for the work that He is doing through Hope for Home ministry.  On the 16th day of February, 2018, Hope for Home’s mobile medical clinic visited our church for the second time.  God is using these clinics to meet the needs of people both physically and spiritually.  On this date of February, 103 sick people were treated and 11 persons gave their lives to the Lord through faith.  Every person was encouraged to keep strong in the Lord and do all to the glory of God.  I am thankful to God for making it possible for this ministry to come alongside our church, causing the church to become famous in our village and in the nearby villages.  It is my prayer that the Lord would help me as I guide people He places within my care.  I pray that He keeps me close to Him as I study, preach and pray so that I may reach and teach the lost to follow Him.  May the Lord bless those that are faithfully giving to have this work going on through Hope for Home ministry.”

THANK YOU FROM KERKULAH DOLO: 

“On the 2nd of March, 2018, the health team, which is part of the church planting ministry under Hope for Home ministries, went to Duaita to help make the Kilitourma church strong both physically and spiritually.  This team was composed of an evangelical team and a health care team.  I am greatful to God for how He is leading His ministry (Hope for Home) to meet the needs of people both physical and spiritual, on this part of Liberia, the Kokoyah Road.  This team treated 131 people both small and big.  With in this 131 people, 11 persons believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through faith while the rest were encouraged to be strong in the faith.  Therefore, the pastor of this Kilitouma church, called Kerkulah Dolo who is one of the students at Hope for Home’s Bible Institute, says “God bless this ministry and all those that are giving so that the work of the Lord can keep going.”  

HIS SAFE HAVEN GROUP HOMES:

Thousands of mud bricks are being made on His Safe Haven’s land.

We need to have all our bricks made before rainy season starts in May.  

We built this “kitchen” to keep the rain off the bricks after they have baked in the sun.

We also have a crew removing stumps.

Here is where we will build our group homes.  We are building these homes for abandoned / orphaned special needs children.  We hope to start construction on our first home very soon.

REMOTE BIBLE INSTITUTE:

Last month, preparations were made for reopening our Bible Institutes on Kokoyah Road.  We are in the process of writing 52 lessons that give an overview of the Old Testament.  Each month, pastors will learn 4-5 new stories that they can take home to teach their churches.  Pastors will learn one step ahead of their congregations.  Pictures are being created for each story so pastors can create a visual time line on the walls of their churches as they teach.  Here are a few of the pictures we have created so far.

Before creation, there was God.

God created angels.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

DAY 7 GOD RESTED

First Marriage

Satan’s Fall

First Sin

Prophecy of a Redeemer

Consequence of Sin

Banishment

Cain and Able

Seth

Noah

The Tower of Babel

Abram’s call

Hagar and Ishmael

Sodom and Gomorrah

Isaac

Jacob and Esau

RANDOM PICTURES:

Thank you for paying Towahan’s nursing tuition.

Thank you for providing formula for Patrica’s baby.

Thank you for buying Silas’s school shoes.

Thank you for this baby’s formula.

Thank you for all the eye glasses you sent.  As we disciple people and observe them struggling to see, we give them your glasses!  On behalf of many, THANK YOU!!!!

Last week, we delivered food and supplies to all our sponsored children.  This young lady’s name is Hope.

People are at my gate daily asking for help repairing their roofs.  Their needs grieve me deeply!

Zinc going out from our house.

This is my beautiful daughter, Annie.  The adoption process is moving forward.  Last week, we completed our homestudy.  We look forward to introducing you to Annie, Abigail and Abraham in person the next time we are home.

Christian constantly devowers books.  Sometimes he reads multiple books a day.

Grace has been working with children from our church do something special for Easter.

This is the first birthday Abraham has ever celebrated.

Christian playing football.

The Boys with their friends.

Making Lego trains with Tommy.

Tommy’s big birthday gift was his Lego train track.  We buy all our birthday and Christmas gifts in the States when we visit.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  Please pray for those who are still recovering from the storm.

2.  Please pray that the adoption of Annie, Abigail and Abraham will move along smoothly and quickly.

3.  Please pray for wisdom as we prepare to reopen the Bible Institutes.

4.  Please pray for my wife as she homeschools all 7 of our children.