Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas in Liberia

From my journal – December 26, 2014:
“Christmas is very different here in Liberia.  There are no Christmas trees, no gifts wrapped or a special morning to excitedly wake up to.  But, the kids have a good time!  Those who can afford will buy their kids new clothes and shoes (often these clothes are US Goodwill rejects).  The girls will get their hair fixed beautiful.  The boys love sunglasses.  They will get dressed up and go from house to house to show off and receive their Christmas much like our Halloween.  The homes fix extra food and purchase candy to give.  This is a day with plenty of food.

Junior dressed up and going door to door
This month we cut our missions in half and gave over 60 of our sacrificial leaders a blessing.  45 received $40 each and the rest $15.  It was so they could have a Christmas for their children.    

We at WSL made a huge pot of special rice with much meat for visitors and we gave out suckers.  Greene St. United Methodist Church had given us over 80 dresses for the girls which we also handed out.  The place was hopping.  Adults and children all enjoyed our place.






As I watched and participated I also experienced a deep sadness.  The poverty and suffering is so great.  In this great suffering they try to celebrate but through it all I can feel the emptiness.  It breaks my heart.  The deep sadness they carry constantly I feel and take on also.  January is known as a hunger month because so much went into the clothes and celebration.  Christmas morning Ojuku, one of our leaders, came to me to say thanks.  He had bought clothes and shoes for his boy with the $15 he had received.  But, there was no food in the house.  He promised to come the day after to work if we could give him food money.  We assisted.  He left carrying a deep sadness in the midst of the “celebration”.

Today, the day after Christmas, as I am writing in my journal Francis comes.  He is about 20, an orphan of many years and one of our committed, fruitful, sacrificial leaders.  He is homeless again.  The place he stayed is being taken over by a humanitarian organization.  He has been sleeping with friends.  As him and I talked we got news that another leader’s aunt died in an accident (the day before Christmas we buried the mother of one of our leaders).  A line is forming outside my door.  One woman came to report her husband is full of demons and screaming.  Next came in a street boy I have been discipling and then came three more street boys that want to be discipled.  All are eager for hope and a life worth living.  We talked and prayed.  Prayed for forgiveness, school fees, and to be children of God.  Others are outside waiting to see me for help with urgent emergencies.”

In the sadness there is fruit and hope.  Many are coming into their salvation and spiritual maturity.   Suffering on earth is for a time but without Christ it is an everlasting timeless suffering.  Our Lord is using us, you and I, the team of WSL, to snatch them from the fire.  Jude tells us to, “Snatch others from the fire and save them.”  


Below is a fun picture.  I was holding Jesse.  The camera was on my desk.  Unplanned and haphazardly I snapped this picture.  

Friday, December 12, 2014

November, 2014 Ministry Report

Coming Home:  (A note from Kim Smith)
I will arrive on Jan 17th.  There will be a car full of provisions waiting for me at the airport.  I will immediately go to a remote cabin in Kentucky for 21 days of isolation.  My return flight is April 30th.  That will give me 3 months to be with family, friends and to visit churches.  I will also see two new grandchildren for the first time.  I hope to spend time with each one that prays and supports us here. I miss the three big F’s - food, family and friends.  A good time to invite me over is at about 5:00 PM or so, but I beg you no rice!  It will be good to be home!

Taylor Town
Taylor Town: 
Taylor Town is the former training camp of President Charles Taylor’s rebel forces.  This was one of the most evil places on earth.  There were a multitude of murders, rapes and torturous atrocities.  It was also hit heavily by the Ebola virus.  Before the Ebola virus there were about 50-70 residents. 15 homes were hit by the virus and there were 16 deaths.  Brother Faijue’s wife died leaving him with 4 children.  He says it has brought him a “lifeless life”.  The town chief’s wife died from Ebola.  Their daughter said she left behind 6 children.  She was crying as she spoke.  The town chief is confused not knowing what to do or how they will survive.  WSL visited Taylor Town 3 times before the government told them to stop because the town is still under quarantine.  They did counseling and teaching on salvation and repentance.  Delka, our WSL disciple, said the visits were very, very sad.  They have no church now, but hat will change!


Who owns the creek:  
Rancy led a team into Toffi Town.  The ruling satanic society there is called Quee.  The law of the devil is very powerful.  They went to the local creek to baptize but were met by the devil and his disciples.  They arrested them and refused to let them baptize saying the creek belonged to the devil.  They were taken to the chief and elders.  In defense Rancy asked the council, “Who made the devil and who made the creek?”  After much talk and hesitancy they all agreed that God made all.  Then Rancy said “let God the creator of the devil and the creek use His creek a little.”  Again there was much talk and anger that lasted an hour.  With great reluctance they relented took them from arrest and allowed them to baptize.  It reminds me of the verses in Matthew 10:19-20. “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” 4 were baptized that day! 

New Motorbike in Bong County
New Motorbike:  
We now have 15 motorbikes!  Our new Bong County base is continuing to be established. They now have 2 bikes and are going on many missions.  The Bong County team is the one that found Taylor Town in the story above.

Peter and Diana Mos
Peter and Diana Mos:  
The Mos family has successfully moved from Zwedru to Gbanga, Bong County to work with Delka Yarl and his family on our new base.  The base now has two families relocated.  When Don and his family return they will join them on the Bong base.  There assignment is to evangelize, disciple, start churches and work with existing churches in each of the villages in their three counties.  Not a small assignment.  Lofa is one of their counties.  It was severely hit with Ebola, it is ruled by the Animist satanic cults and Islam.  Much of Lofa is anti-Christian, very primitive and isolated.  Pray for this team. 

2013 Christmas in for base children in Zwedru
Resting:  
All life rests.  Our Lord commanded us to rest.  WSL is resting in December.  In our Zwedru base we have 43 hardworking sacrificial field leaders.  They remind me of the poor widow in Mark 12, “Jesus… watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”  They give all and greatly suffer.  We decided to give each of our 42 unpaid leaders $40 each for them to have a Christmas with their families, pay rent, buy food, medicine or for whatever.  To do this we had to cancel almost all of our out of town missions, so we rest.  They were overjoyed and sorrowful.  They love the mission.  Some are even using their blessing to go on missions on their own anyway.

Wordsower Bible Institute:  
Our school has been closed.  The president has lifted the State of Emergency but has not allowed schools to open yet.  

Prayer requests: 
Places that were Ebola hotspots are now Ebola free.  Praise God, answered prayer!  Continue to pray with us for Liberia!  Pray for a great revival to sweep through this country.  Pray for a healthy church in every village in our generation, that every Liberian can walk small and find a healthy church.   Please make these prayers part of your daily prayers.  Pray for our leaders who truly suffer for the Gospel.  Pray for the churchless villages like Taylor.  

November’s Statistics:  
- Went on 183 mission trips.  (Many towns we went to more than once.  A mission trip can last up to a week and go to many towns.) 
- Visited 219 towns and villages
- Went into 36 new communities

- We updated some records and found 21 towns we had been to but had not been recorded
- 28 people were baptized
- 39 people completed our extensive Bible study program
- Printed 116,800 pages of training material


“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: Bah, Bannah, Bardoua, Beatuoken, Beeweyee, Bilibokee, Bluebarrack, Blumsville, Boah, B.O.P.C., Charlie, Cass Town, Ceeubo, Chea, Cheepoyee, Chebioh, Cheboken, Congo, Cura Wah, Dagbe, David Kuma, Deedo, Dejila, Deyankpo, Dioh, Donnah, Down, Down the Mangrove, Eni, Farmersville, Fanfin, Fish, Funnioh, Gardoway, Gbalawin, 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, Judu, Kakpo, Kamus, Karquekpo, Katuzon, Kelgbeh, Kilo, Alvin Koon, Korjayee, Kpantan, Kuwait Gold mining camp, Lexington, Louisiana, Mama Creek, Melvin Lai, Monueh, Murraysville, Neinplikpo, New Kru, New, Nyanphio, Nyennwlejen, Panama, Patern, Patricia, Paul, Peace Camp (a gold mining camp), Pellkon, Penny, Plandiaba, Planksite, Pokpaken, Putu Jadweodee, , Poblee, Po-River, Pogbaken, Polay, Pratt, Prison of Sino County, Pynes Town, Qutatozon, Red Hill, Saikas, Sackor, Sarpo Community, Sargbah, Saygbeken, Seebeh, Seedubo, Seth, Seetor, Saybaken, Saydee, Senquene, Sennajalh, Shakepeh, Shalee, Snoboe, Spansor Baily, Swangba, Swenpon, Tabti, Tarta, Teah, Terison Gee, Tiakah, Titus, Tudee, Tuobo, Unification, Voobadee, Wiah,  Zanwonjah, Zayzaz Kollie. 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, Blessing Hill, Billibo, Blown, Boe, Boley, Boplue, Borbor Freeman, Border, Boundary, Bouduo, Brown, Buhou,  Cartumacy, Chandy, Chayee, Chebeh, Chebeor, Chensla, Chete, 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, Ducas Wulu, Duo Town, Dweh,  Enoch Nahn, 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, 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, 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.  Montserrado County: Bannerville, Bassa, Gbenbah, Jacob town, Monrovia, New Georgia, Pipeline.  River Gee County:  Bletiken, Cheboken, Dweaken, Fish Town, Fish Town Prison, Gbaweleken,Geeken, Jarkaken, Jarlatuken, Jaytoken 1, Jaytoken 2, Kanweaken, Kaytoken, Klaboken, Knowluken, Myoken, Podroken, Putuken, Sargba, Sueaken, Sweaken, Tartiken, Tuaken, Tuobo, Tuumaken, Wartiken, Whesatuken, WorlekenBomi County:  Beh, Jaway, Joes Town, Tubmansburg.  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, 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, 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.  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, Towah, Unification, Venn, Whea, Wontoe, Yiteepea, Your Peg, Wesseken, Zarwulugbo, Zautuo.  River Cess County: Darhga, Gbee.  Grand Kru County: Baclaville City, Baclaville Check Point, Bewane, Boniken, Camp Spin, Company Camp, Doubbo, Dweaken, Farina, Gbarken, Gblebo, Geneken, Genoyah, Big Suehn, Glabroken, Iron Bridge,  Kladipah, Leaceco, Newaken, Solokent, Sorroken, Woelowinken, Wropluken. Grand Bassa County: Bucannon Baccoline, Dayes, Goah, Nagbeh, Nyudeh, Penney. Bong County: Baptist Clinic Community, Belefana, Blama, Cuttington Univeristy, Deemita, Foebilla, Galatua, Ganyea, Gbarnga, Gbarnga Central Prison, Gbenniquileh, James Flomo, Janyea, Kokoyah Community, Kpatawee, Lelekpayea, Phebee Junction, Suakoko, Tamayata, Taylor, Tubman Army Barracks.

Ministry Expense Report

Mission expenses:
$1,923 – Pens, folders, Bibles, mission trips feeding, etc.  
$1,834 – Motor bike gas and repair, we have 15 bikes.  Gas costs from $5 to $10 a gallon.    
$940 – New motor bike for Gong County base.  It includes helmet, tools, and adaptations for the bush.

Wordsower Bible Institute:
$118 - Print Shop: This includes all expenses for printing Bible training material. 
$0 – Our school has closed because of the Ebola crisis.  In Liberia’s state of emergency all schools have been ordered to be closed. 

Assistance to the poor:
$639 – Humanitarian assistance: This includes food (average cost is $1.50 a day for food) rent, home repair, etc. Most of this fund assists our sacrificial leaders that live in extreme poverty.  We also assist refugees, orphans, widows and the handicap.                     
$153– Medical expenses (average treatment cost per person is $1.00 - $10.00). 

Team food and house supplies:
$1,830 – 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.

$7,437 - Total for the month.     THANK YOU!   

Donations should be mailed to:

Wordsower International
16960 Sidney Plattsville Rd
Sidney, Oh 45365

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.