Thursday, July 23, 2015

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 the 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
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,
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. 






Friday, July 17, 2015

Palace Prison


Hello, it has been a long, long time since I have written.  I returned to Liberia on May 1.  It is good to be back.  I spent last Sunday at the Palace and wanted to write about it:


A day in the Palace of Liberia
The Palace Correctional Institution is Liberia’s highest security prison that houses the most violent of offenders.  When Wordsower Liberia first entered the prison in 2009 it was filthy, violent and corrupt.  The guards mistreated the prisoners and they did not provide them with proper medical care or feeding.  It was a place of great suffering and hopelessness.  



We have been working weekly in the prison for almost 7 years.  We go into the cell blocks, into the cells, and sit on the floor with them.  We share the Gospel without fear of disease, the filth or violence.  Our love and boldness has been a shock to the guards and prisoners.  Many have come to Christ in the prison over the years. The guards have all taken our courses and received Bibles. A church was started within the prison 6 years ago by the prisoners with our assistance.  Even some of the guards attend the church.  Today that church is my favorite church to attend in all of Liberia.  The corruption, violence, mistreatment and hopelessness have greatly decreased, medical care and adequate food is provided.  Today, when you walk through the prison grounds you can see pods studying the Bible, others carrying Bibles and our study lessons.  There are weekly scheduled Bible study meetings that are well attended.  
There is an albino Liberian, they call him Mountain, which I have witnessed to for years.  I would hunt him because he was easy to find and with him I knew that I would find the heart and center of evil within the prison.  When found, I would often smell cigarette (cigarettes are not permitted in the prison) and sometimes even pot smoke.  Usually they would be on the floor gambling.  For years when visiting I would sit with them and share the Gospel.  In shock they would respectfully stop and listen.  Mountain, the albino, would never participate but would patiently wait for me to leave.  The look in his eyes was that of lifelessness, hopelessness and of spiritual deadness. 


For 6 months we were not allowed to enter the prison because of the Ebola epidemic.  Last week I attended the prison church’s 6 year anniversary celebration.  I was shocked!!  I saw Mountain worshipping our Lord with great fervor!  Praising our Lord with dancing, clapping, raised hands and loud uninhibited singing!  WOW!  Joy and tears flooded me.  Our eyes met, now we were both filled with tears and joy.  Our embrace will not be easily forgotten by either of us.  Even now the memory of his smile and spirit of thankfulness and hope brings tears.  Paul said, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.  The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.” 1 Cor 3:6-7.
There were probably 60 or more inmates attending the service.  Also attending the celebration was Victor.  His sentence was 7 years to life in the prison.  But after the 7 years he was released and has been out for over a year.  I met him there, now as a visitor, with a huge smile.  All the inmates crowded around him with excitement.  He showed me his old beat up Bible and said that I had given it to him years ago while he was in prison.  The first 3 years we came to the prison evangelizing, teaching and worshipping he refused to join in.  But then our Lord touched him with belief in the Gospel of Christ.  Soon he was a leader in the prison church.  Today he is an assistant pastor of a church we work with.  There the church and the lost love him.  They love his heart of compassion, his preaching and teaching.  Jesus said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29.  
What a great reward it is to be known, accepted and even invited to the Palace of Liberia. 
(Other prisons directors have heard about the changes experienced at the Palace and now have WSL working the same way with them.  The national minister of corrections has met with us and has written us an official letter of invitation to enter and minister in all their prisons and has personally sent the letter to each prison in Liberia.)