As I have said to each person who shares this greeting with me, “What sweet words!” Being in a third world country for 2 weeks gave me an eye opening opportunity! I am sharing this letter to fill you in on my trip and to say thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
Two Countries- One Lord…. A story of partnered prayer
June 2011
Dear Friends and family,
I have reflected over the last week about the lessons I learned and the memories I wanted to share with all of you who supported me through your prayers and financial giving. There are so many of you, and it felt as each of you were with me in Liberia.
The teacher training and the pastor training sessions were excellent. Our team leaders prepared us so well- and we were able to present clear, sustainable lessons for this war torn country. We had about 40 pastors and close to 100 teachers for the multiple days of training. As a result of the weight of the commentary bibles we were originally to bring for the pastors, we had to ship them separately- so they did not get them at the conference. This did not seem to be a disappointment. They were so excited about receiving a commentary and did not mind the wait! Many of these pastors were planting churches and reaching hearts with the gospel of Jesus. Their impact was tangible as we visited with one village about 45 minutes away where 14 Muslims were baptized. It was an honor to meet these godly men and women.
Many of the teachers we worked with during the training had little university experience as much of the educational system was disrupted during the civil war. We tried to provide tools that they could easily replicate with little or no resources. The students they teach often are “self-supporting”. In other words, they are on their own without a family to help provide for them. If they do have a family, there are usually many tasks that the children have to perform and education is not a priority. When I asked these teachers how many were in their classes, I heard incredible numbers- 45, 50, 60 and higher. I will never complain about class sizes again! Some of the teachers who attended the training days, traveled for hours by foot or in a rented taxi. Their only complaint about the training sessions was that they only 2 days and not 2 months!
At one school, we had the privilege to meet John Sondah- principal at Prime School. He proudly stood in front of his school and shared that because they were at full capacity (400 students), they would offer an afternoon session, so more students could attend as well. Most of his students come from the area of the rock quarry in Monrovia. It is very labor intensive work, and the children are expected to help their families. An exciting element of this school is that it is a partner school with Vision Trust. This ministry comes along side schools in poor countries to help meet the physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs of orphaned and neglected children.
IF you are interested in sponsoring a student at Prime school- just visit: www.visiontrust.org and click on the country of Liberia. For only 35.00 a month, you may sponsor a student who attends the Prime school. They will receive education, nutrition and health care. Seeing this school with my own eyes was such an encouragement, but it also made me count my many blessings! This photo was just one of the crowded classes at the school. Principal Sondah was filled with compassion for his students and knew the truth that good education transforms a community.
The second role I participated in was teaching at the Women’s Conference. As I shared in my first letter, this was the first time a conference had been held for women in this area of Liberia. We had 66 women attend both days. I reviewed with them that they all were receiving a bible, journal, pen and a prayer bracelet. I explained that these were NOT gifts, and that they were to lift in prayer the woman whose bracelet they had received. There was immediate understanding. These precious sisters in Christ are praying for you just as you prayed for them! It was such a sweet moment to watch as these women gathered into small groups with our women’s team acting as facilitators- and observe them sharing in small group bible study.
This was a strange concept for them, but they seemed to grasp the intent. We also provided the means for them to be fed over the course of the conference and it was beautiful to witness them sitting with each other and enjoying fellowship. As they shared their prayer request, you would have thought that this was an American church setting:
“Please pray for my son who does not know the Lord. Pray for my health, pray for a husband for me, pray for me to have a child. I need help with my temper; pray that I will listen before I speak.” Can I get an AMEN? We are all sisters in Christ- no matter what part of the globe we hail-if the Lord is our Lord, then no distance can separate our bond!
This trip would never have been as successful as it was without your financial and prayer support. I thank you from my heart as I contemplate the events of the trip. Whether it was meeting the Deputy of National Security at the Brussels Airport (whose wife is also a James Madison Alum) and being escorted through customs in Liberia without even a blink, to conversing with the daughter of the former President of Liberia who was slain in the 1990s coup- Mrs. Christine Tolbert Norman in the airplane, to receiving pineapple from a newly baptized Muslim woman to tying ribbon in the hair of a little deaf girl, I felt the concentrated effect of an army of prayer warriors! It was my honor to be chosen to travel to Liberia with my team and to participate in what God is already doing in Liberia! I praise God for each of you and your partnership with me!
As we left- we could not say “good-bye” only, “see you later”! I pray that as God wills I will be able to return to this amazing country. When you get the opportunity- take it! You may be greeted in the Vai language with: “Y a kune-e” Good Morning! To which comes the Vai response: “Kasee bee Kamba mai” Thank God I slept well! The literal translation of that response is, There is NO rust on God! In other words, God is always shining! He is always watching over you!
I pray that you will experience that great truth personally! Again- my Love and thanks!
Soli Deo Gloria!!!
Filed under: Women and Faith
