Tuesday, July 30, 2013

July '13: "The harvest is growing.."

Our mission is that every village of Liberia will have a healthy church.  Most of the towns and villages of Liberia have no church.  We have worked in over 300 villages in 10 counties; there are 8,700 villages and towns in 15 counties. This month we made 56 mission trips, visiting 44 villages and other locations and we made many local mission trips.  We went into 8 new villages.  Many of the places we visited multiple times, our longest trip was 14 days, shortest a few hours.  We printed and distributed approximately 5,300 pages of teaching material and distributed hundreds of Bibles, 42 were baptized and 20 completed our extensive Bible study program.  Several factors affect how many mission trips we can go on each month; illness, injuries, motorbikes repaired, the availability of gas and money are some.  

Some highlights of the month

Printer: Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! We had a $14,000 donation to purchase our industrial print shop that will print millions of copies.  Enough to reach all of Liberia and Ivory Coast!  Praise God!!!

Short Video: A must see video Don has produced thanking the donor for the Bible Institute construction project :  http://youtu.be/05-vl25_ENg

Accidents: Bikes are dangerous on these trails and dirt/mud roads.  The mud is slick as ice, dust is blinding and the mud holes deep.  One of our men, Sherman, was on the motorbike and hit a car because he was blinded by the dust.  It almost killed him.  The accident stripped all the skin down to the muscle over his arm and shoulder and badly broke his leg.  He lay in the hospital for 4 1/2 months.  He was just released but has much recovery ahead.  The bone in the leg was probably shattered, it has not healed and he cannot walk.  This county has no x-ray machines.  The next county has one but no bone doctors. Now that he is released we will try to get his leg x-rayed. 

Another one of our men, Abednego, just had a motorbike accident and badly broke his foot almost a compound fracture.  Now all hospitals are on strike from not being paid by the government for months.  He is staying with us (currently he is homeless a storm took down his house).  A country “doctor” (a carpenter by trade and has no formal medical education) is manipulating the foot trying to align the bones.  No pain killer!  Imagine the having the bone moved around without pain killer.  Poverty in a third world country is very painful and causes people to be unnecessarily handicapped making strong men, disciples, invalids.  This is a hard sad country.  

Bible Institute:  Praise God all 8 buildings are complete, the project finished!  $17,400 was donated for the project and we spent $17,470.  A few hundred dollars of the construction money was also used to buy 25 mattresses and sheets, 30 heavy duty plastic chairs and 7 benches.  We are blessed, excited and appreciative.  Adult literacy classes are now in session. This weekend we will have our first wedding in it.  On August 18 our first Bible students arrive for their 2 week training.  From this facility missionaries and teachers of adult literacy will spread throughout Liberia and West Africa.
Report from our Branch in Maryland: “We have started doing ministry intensively in Grand Kru County. During July we visited six new towns which include its capital Baclaville City.  The six new places are: Solokent, Baclaville City, Baclaville check point, Iron Bridge a town that really needs a church, the Company Camp, and Kladipah a mining camp that the team walked an hour plus to get to.  Two towns we visited last month in Grand Kru and we went to a second time this month; are Betwan and Douboy.”
Conferences:  We did two 2 day conferences in Sinoe County.  One was for disciples we are training and the other was for church leaders.  Their response a week after we left, “We need 200 more Bibles and send more lessons we are out!”
Pictures:  New pictures are on Don’s web page at www.liberiacalls.blogspot.com  a short video will soon be added also.
Prayer requests: The government is still financially unstable.  The national health care workers have not been paid in months and have gone on strike.  The hospitals and clinics have closed; the seriously sick, injured and dying are being turned away.  Pray for a stable country, a hungry country is an unstable country.  Pray for our injured disciples.  The harvest is growing, the territory is expanding, so pray with us for our lord to recruit more laborers into this harvest field.  
Thank you for your prayers, donations and encouragement,
kim

“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.

Villages, towns and cities we have been working in:

Sinoe County: Bardoua, Beatuoken, Bilibokee, Charlic, Cass Town, Chebioh, Cheboken, Dagbe, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Fanfin, Funnioh, Gbliyee, Gardoway, Greeneville, Geelor, Greft, Jalay, Jaytoken, Joazon, Joe Village, Jokoken, Judu, Karquekpo, Kilo, Korjayee, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Nyennwlejen, Pellkon, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Polay, Pratt, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Saygbeken, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Titus, Voobadee, Wiah.  Grand Gedeh County: Army barracks, Badou, Bah, Bargblor, Barte-jam, Bassa, Bawaydee, Beezon, Beh, Bently Mining Camp, Best, B’hai, Tarway, Billibo, Boe,  Boley, Boplue, Border, Boundary, Chayee, Chebeh, Compound, CVI gold mining camp, Deplay, Diah, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Duo Town, Dweh,  48 mile, Franzaz, Garbo, Garley, Gbakah, Gbarbo, Gbayea, Gbeyoubo, Gbloue, Gboe,  Gboe Geewon, Gboleken, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gorabert,  Gorbowrogba, Graddeh, Grady, Gwenebo,  Jackson, Jaibo, James’s Sayon’s, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Juahzon, Julutuzon, Karlowleh, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Ziah, Kpae, Kyne, Kwebo, Ma Esther, New York gold mining camp, Nico, Old Pohan, Panwolor, Pellelzon, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Pineapple village, Ploe Bodee, Polar Town, Polar Village, PTP refugee camp, Queboe, Sant, Savah, Saylee, Sayubo, Sentrodu, Sewion 1, Sewion 2, Sinkon, Sloman (a gold mining camp), Solo Inside, Solo Outside, Solo Refugee Camp, Sowaken, Steven, Suahken, Taye’s Village, Tiama, Toes Refugee Camp, Toes Town, Toffoi, Togbayee, Tojillah, Toueah, Tuglor, Varglor, Vleyee, Whybo, Willie Jellu, Woloken, Wulu, Zarzar, Zaiyee, Zeon, Ziulay, Zwedru, the county prison, 4 road check stations, and the county hospital.  Montserrado County: Bannerville, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  River Gee County:  Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Geeken, Jarkaken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Myoken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sweaken, Tartiken, Tuaken, Wartiken.  Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  Margibi: Army barracks, Bovclay, Brown, Dolos Town, Harbel camp 7, Kpuyah, Mazoe, Naway, Sherflin Barak,Takata. Maryland County: Cain, Cavalla, Cavalla Konukridi, Gbolobo, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Factory, Fish, Gboloken, Halfgrayway, 7 locations in Harper, Holegrn, Judy’s, Kablaken, Kings, Lexicon, Little Weleppo Refugee camp, Middle town, Nekpachelu, Nemelken, New Half and Whole Graway Towns, Old Lady, Olegravic, Pedebo, 4 locations in Pleebo, Philadelphia, Poceken, Pular, Pulla, Puluken, Refugee Village, Rock, Rubber Bag Camp, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Spring Hill, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Wholegrayway, Wuluplukredi, the county prison and check stations.  Nimba County: Beatwo, Camp 1, Dialah, Fienney, Freeman, Glalay, Gonkopa, Graie, Guotoin, Kpaytuo, Miller, Noway, Sarlay, Tappita, Towah, Unification, Venn, Wontoe, Yiteepea, Your Peg, Zarwulugbo, Zautuo.  River Cess: Darhga, Gbee.  Grand Kru: Baclaville City, Baclaville Check Point, Bewan, Boniken, Camp Spin, Company Camp, Doubbo, Gbarken, Iron Bridge,  Kladipah, Leaceco, Solokent, Woelowinken, Wropluken.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

June '13: "I cannot run any longer."

Our mission is that every village of Liberia will have a healthy church.  Most of the towns and villages of Liberia have no church.  We have worked in over 300 villages in 10 counties; there are 8,700 villages and towns in 15 counties. This month we made 48 mission trips, visiting 62 villages and other locations and we made many local mission trips.  We went into 6 new villages.  Many of the places we visited multiple times, our longest trip was 14 days, shortest a few hours.  We printed and distributed approximately 13,200 pages of teaching material and distributed hundreds of Bibles, 33 were baptized and 9 completed our extensive Bible study program.  Several factors affect how many mission trips we can go on each month; illness, injuries, motorbikes repaired, the availability of gas and money are some.

Some highlights of the month:

The birth of a Church: (written by Don)
 In Liberia, people are extremely open to Christ but, sadly, they are also open to the Jehovah Witness, Muslims, Mormons, and Demonic worship.  Here is an example: Last month I led a man to Christ named Lasanna.  While discipling Lasanna, Lasanna led Du to Christ. Lasanna, Du, and I began to meet every day for discipleship.  Last week, Du led Joseph to the Lord. Joseph joined our discipleship group.  Two days ago, Joseph led Harry to the Lord!  Those who brought the other to Christ also helped to baptize them.  Here is Harry’s story.  Harry is an artist and a teacher. He is unemployed, homeless, and hungry.  He has been talking to his friends, trying to figure out how to improve his life situation.  His friends encouraged him to go into the bush and give his soul to the Devil. His friend promised him that the Devil would bring wealth.  While contemplating giving his soul to Satan, Harry had two dreams.  In both dreams, God was chasing after him and was calling him to come so that he could minister to a multitude of people.  Each dream ended with Harry choosing to run away from God.  When Joseph presented the Gospel to Harry, Harry remembered his dreams and said, “I cannot escape God.  He has arrested me.  I cannot run any longer.”  He prayed the most beautiful prayer asking God to forgive him for his sins.  Tears were flowing down his face as he gave his life to GOD!  We are now all worshiping together on Sundays and studying scripture on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I believe this is the beginning of a church.  Isn’t God awesome!  The leaders from this church will be people who have recently given their lives to Jesus.  These leaders must be trained and are eager to attend our new Bible Institute.

Bible Institute: Construction is nearly completed on the Bible Institute.  7 of the 8 buildings are getting their final coat of paint.  The 8th building will be completed by the end of July.  We will hold our first classes starting August 18.  To date, we have spent $15,061. We received a $17,400 donation from a church in Indiana to renovate the property.

Education: The CEO of education over Grand Gedeh County says that 80% of the county is illiterate.
Illiteracy creates a breeding ground for false doctrine in the churches!  Pastors can be crooks and get away with it because no one knows how to read God’s Word for themselves.  Here is an example:  Throughout the County of River Gee, there are many churches. But, here is the problem, FALSE  DOCTRINE!  These “churches” preach a combination of Old Testament laws, Prosperity Gospel, and the traditional demonic religion.  They promise people who can’t afford to buy food that if they give them their money, they will be healed and will prosper.  Most of the people in these “churches” have never heard about how they can be salved!  Church leaders have to be raised up to take the true Gospel into each town and village.  Many of these leaders will be trained at the Bible Institute.  The Bible Institute will also train teachers so they can take literacy into every town we are working in.  Currently we are working in 300 locations.

The Don and Melanie Riley family:  The Riley family is adapting.  They are starting to love this place. Check out Riley’s blog page it is www.liberiacalls.blogspot.com

Prayer requests: Christine Medan, the French woman who was with us for two years, is now in France
and moving to Afghanistan this July.  She has been called and resigned by our Lord and has been trained, ordained and sent by WSL.  She needs special prayer.  Imagine going to Afghanistan as a missionary!

Thank you for your prayers, donations and encouragement,
kim

“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.

Villages, towns and cities we have been working in: Sinoe County: Bardoua, Beatuoken, Bilibokee, Charlic, Cass Town, Chebioh, Cheboken, Dagbe, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Fanfin, Funnioh, Gbliyee, Gardoway, Greeneville, Geelor, Greft, Jalay, Jaytoken, Joazon, Joe Village, Jokoken, Judu, Karquekpo, Kilo, Korjayee, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Nyennwlejen, Pellkon, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Polay, Pratt, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Saygbeken, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Titus, Voobadee, Wiah.  Grand Gedeh County: Army barracks, Badou, Bah, Bargblor, Barte-jam, Bassa, Bawaydee, Beezon, Beh, Bently Mining Camp, Best, B’hai, Tarway, Billibo, Boe,  Boley, Boplue, Border, Boundary, Chayee, Chebeh, Compound, CVI gold mining camp, Deplay, Diah, Dolozon, Dougee Refugee Camp, Duo Town, Dweh, 48 mile, Franzaz, Garbo, Garley, Gbakah, Gbarbo, Gbayea, Gbeyoubo, Gbloue, Gboe,  Gboe Geewon, Gboleken, Gambo, Geeha, Geeyah, Gleplay, Gorabert,  Gorbowrogba, Graddeh, Grady, Gwenebo, Jackson, Jaibo, James’s Sayon’s, Jargbeh, Jarwleh, Jarzon, Jayteken 1, Jayteken 2, Jellu,  Johban, John David, Jonesgbaye, Juahzon, Julutuzon, Karlowleh, Kohn, Kojayee, Konobo, Ziah, Kpae, Kyne, Kwebo, Ma Esther, New York gold mining camp, Nico, Old Pohan, Panwolor, Pellelzon, Penokon, Peter Saydee, Pineapple village, Ploe Bodee, Polar Town, Polar Village, PTP refugee camp, Queboe, Sant, Savah, Saylee, Sayubo, Sentrodu, Sewion 1, Sewion 2, Sinkon, Sloman (a gold mining camp), Solo Inside, Solo Outside, Solo Refugee Camp, Sowaken, Steven, Suahken, Taye’s Village, Tiama, Toes Refugee Camp, Toes Town, Toffoi, Togbayee, Tojillah, Toueah, Tuglor, Varglor, Vleyee, Whybo, Willie Jellu, Woloken, Wulu, Zarzar, Zaiyee, Zeon, Ziulay, Zwedru, the county prison, 4 road check stations, and the county hospital.  Montserrado County: Bannerville, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  River Gee County:  Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Geeken, Jarkaken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sweaken, Tartiken, Wartiken.  Bomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  Margibi: Army barracks, Bovclay, Brown, Dolos Town, Harbel camp 7, Kpuyah, Mazoe, Naway, Sherflin Barak,Takata. Maryland County: Cain, Cavalla, Cavalla Konukridi, Gbolobo, Dakay, Dannis, Dibleken, Factory, Fish, Gboloken, Halfgrayway, 7 locations in Harper, Holegrn, Judy’s, Kablaken, Kings, Lexicon, Little Weleppo Refugee camp, Middle town, Nekpachelu, Nemelken, New Half and Whole Graway Towns, Old Lady, Olegravic, Pedebo, 4 locations in Pleebo, Philadelphia, Poceken, Pular, Pulla, Puluken, Refugee Village, Rock, Rubber Bag Camp, Saydeken, Sawlowken, Saywonken, Siliken, Spring Hill, Warteken, Weah’s Town, Wechoken, Wholegrayway, Wuluplukredi, the county prison and check stations.  Nimba County: Beatwo, Camp 1, Dialah, Fienney, Freeman, Glalay, Gonkopa, Graie, Guotoin, Kpaytuo, Miller, Noway, Sarlay, Tappita, Towah, Unification, Venn, Wontoe, Yiteepea, Your Peg, Zarwulugbo, Zautuo.  River Cess: Darhga, Gbee.  Grand Kru: Bewan, Boniken, Camp Spin, Doubbo, Gbarken, Leaceco, Woelowinken, Wropluken.