Christ in Mafi Conadu

Mafi Conadu is a muslim, Mandigo village in Lofa County, Liberia. Today, Peter and I visited our Community Health Education/Evangelism (CHE) program there. We were hosted by two young men, Stephen and Octavius, who are currently living in Mafi Conadu in order to train them on safe health and hygiene practices while teaching them about Jesus for the next year. The village people just adore Stephen and Octavius. They both speak Mandigo and Octavius grew up a muslim and accepted Christ as his Saviour just two years ago.

One of my questions for the Mandigos was, "what have you learned from Stephen and Octavius?"

"We learn about Abraham and how God provided a sacrifice for him so that he didn't have to sacrifice his son."

"We learn about Jesus. Jesus is in the Koran too. We know that he is really Son of God."

"Then, we learn about cleaning. That we must clean dishes and wash hands so that we don't get mosquitos and so we don't get malaria."

We continued to talk about God and Jesus. They don't think there should be division between Muslims and Christians. Amazingly, Amara smiled and said today,

"My children are free to be Christian."

Peter said, "God set everybody free." Everyone smiled and agreed.

"What could we do to make CHE better for your community? " I asked.

"Films - we'd like to see films about Jesus."

"We also have land we could give for a church to be built."

INCREDIBLE!! I am amazed at the work our Lord is doing in this muslim village through Stephen and Octavius! Please pray for the Mandigo tribe in Liberia. That they would accept Christ as their Saviour. That a church would indeed be built in Mafi Conadu. That they may enjoy Christ's love at work in their lives.

Pray also for Stephen and Octavius as they continue to minister to this village. For strength, perseverence, and encouragement in the weeks and months to come.

Thank you so much for your many prayers, my friends. I cannot say this enough - God is hearing and answering them every day! He loves us so very much.

(I will post a photo of this village shortly...my apologies for the delay.)

More about Liberia

Liberia’s 14-year civil war displaced an estimated 500,000 persons, of which eighty percent were women and children. During the war, schools were demolished and learning ceased, resulting in approximately 35 percent of the population never attending school - including nearly 44 percent of females. Furthermore, Liberian women and girls have suffered from an epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV). It is estimated that 40% of women and girls were raped during the war and currently teenage pregnancy, which is often due to forced early marriages or rape, is as high as 68%. This lack of schooling and violence against women and youth has created a significant need for education, skills training, and psychosocial care throughout Liberia.

I've been working on a proposal intended to procure funding that will provide skills training, literacy instruction, and psychosocial care to the war-affected women and youth of Lofa County, Liberia. I just thought I'd share with you a little more about the people of Liberia tonight. Please remember these women and youth in your prayers.

Blessings to you all.

God is Good -- Here we go Steelers!

This is my new favorite Liberian photo! Let me tell you why...

First, there is my wonderful friend Phil, sporting his favorite t-shirt -- you can't hear him, but he's chanting "Here we go, Steelers, here we go -- Pittsburgh's Going to the Superbowl!"

Then, we have the amazing new volleyball net that Phil set-up in our front yard this week! I am LOVING it. I even beat him in a game of quadrant ball yesterday. Life is good!

Don't miss the beloved UN car escorting all the Speedos home for the day. :)

And last but not least, we can see the beautiful sunset over the Atlantic.

This photo reminds me of God's goodness. That He has wonderful blessings in store for us, a great sense of humor, and He loves us so much. May we all give Him more of ourselves today. Trust Him. Enjoy Him.

"Delight in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Top 20 things you WILL want abroad

This list is to make international travelling a bit more easy-oh. These are 20 things that my houesmates and I are really glad we brought - or really wish we would have. It's primarily for those of you traveling for more than one month, but would be useful for shorter-term missions as well. Hope this helps some of you someday...

1. iPod (don't forget to download some good sermons)
2. Cocoon sheet (aka. sleeping bag liner)
3. Travel pillow (ThermaRest makes GREAT roll-up ones)
4. Gravel or Dramamine (someone always needs it - trust me!)
5. Cold Medicine (Day and Night Quil)
6. Sports balls (soccer and volleyballs are best)
7. Duck tape
8. Head lamp
9. EXTRA 3oz plastic travel bottles
10. Rope (for clothes lines, hanging mosquito nets, and other repairs)
11. Carribeaners (just clip a few to your bag - you'll use em)
12. Good pocket knife (must be SHARP, with scissors)
13. Terry towel (get the big one - you'll use it more)
14. Cards for friends and family back home (it's GREAT to surprise them!)
15. Dr. Bronners 18-in-1 soap (but, don't solely rely on it)
16. Memory Stick
17. Baby wipes
18. Buff (http://www.buff.com.au/, I live in this thing up-country)
19. Bibles to give away
20. Small, but framed-photos of family and friends

And if you're staying for a couple months, I highly recommend buying your souvenirs for friends and family ASAP. Because you can decorate your home-away-from-home with all their stuff! Double blessing!! :)

Take care, my friends. Know that I miss and love you all very much!

SALVATION in Malawo!

Two nights ago, my fellow staff members took the Jesus Film and Gospel Story to Malawo. The people had heard about the Jesus Film and specifically asked to see it.

Remember, Malawo is the center of juju magic and witchcraft in Liberia. Their altars and devil bushes are not ancient artifacts, rather they represent the present day evil that has entangled this village even today. It consists of only 32 households, but every Liberian knows of and is fearful of this city on a hill.

Could there be a better place for our God to display His glory?

So the plan was to show the two films over the course of about 4 days. But as the people of Malawo began watching the films, they didn't want us to turn them off - so we didn't. The plan was not to give an invitation to accept Christ yet. This is of course a very sensitive and potentially dangerous place. But as our ministry team was witnessing the work God was doing, they felt on their hearts that God wanted the people of Malawo to have a formal opportunity to accept Him this night. So Dennis gave the invitation - to anyone who wanted to accept Jesus Christ as their one and only Lord and Savior - to come in front of their village and proclaim their faith.

35 people from the village accepted and proclaimed Jesus Christ as their Savior on Tuesday night - including their village chief !!!

Tears fall from my eyes right now.

Their first-ever church service will be this Sunday. Please pray for them.

Our God truly is amazing! Let's rejoice with the angels and people of Malawo!

(The women of Malawo rejoicing!)

"But now a righteousness from GOD, apart from law, has been made known, to which the prophets testify. This righteousness from GOD comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, and are justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:21-24

Fresh rain

"Praising the Lord - always

Praising the Lord - always

Praising the Lord - with all our hearts

Praising the Lord with all our hearts always"

I am waking up today with this Liberian worship song on my mind. I am reminded by the rain that - Our God Provides. He sustains. He is refreshing. He loves us.

His hand is so clearly on this nation - guiding them to peace and reconciliation as they surrender their hearts and their lives to Him. My prayer is that we are all refreshed by our Lord today. May we love Him more and surrender ourselves to His goodness.

"The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice." Psalm 97:1

Fish Ponds

(Fish pond manager and his ponds in Bopolu)

During the war, Liberians felt hunger. Many fled from the fighting to neighboring countries Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, and Guinea leaving behind their livestock, aquaculture, and produce farms. Fleeing was no easy task. For many, it was weeks of walking, hiding, fear and hunger. I've been told many times about the hunger Liberians felt. They ate mayonnaise and tissue paper sandwiches, pets, any/all bush meat, and by rebel command - each other. Their scars are deep. Our Lord continues to heal them.

Today, Liberia is a new country - full of hope. Many Liberians are able to harvest again. Through projects such as the livestock, fish ponds and swamp rice farm rehabilitation, the people of this nation are re-learning how to produce food for themselves and their communities.

One example is the fish ponds like those pictured above. The direct beneficiaries are churches, though the entire community benefits indirectly. Members from the church are selected to receive training on fish pond management. The fish ponds are constructed with the help of the community. They are initially stocked and then handed over to the church to manage. They are sustainable because after each harvest, fingerlings are used to re-stock the ponds. These ponds have been known to last 30-40 years. They generate harvests large enough to supply the entire church body as well as to sell some for income generation. The income is then re-invested into the church to help meet their needs.

This project also provides for the spiritual needs of Liberians. It demonstrates Christ's love to them - His desire to provide for them - to feed their physical and spiritual hunger. It leads to relationship building with SP staff - which provides the opportunity for witnessing and sharing about Christ. Please pray that Liberians would come to know their Savior Jesus Christ in a meaningful and intimate way. Please pray that their faith would be deepened and that our Lord would continue feeding their physical and spiritual hunger.

Thank you so much for your prayers! God is answering them everyday.