Liberia - West Africa
The West African nation of Liberia is the fourth most impoverished country in the world. The average annual income in Liberia is $934 and the unemployment rate is currently around 50% (Source: Business Insider.com). Liberia has been ravaged by war lords, civil war and the Ebola outbreak. Between 1980 and 1997, over 600,000 people died in the civil war and between 2014 and 2016 there were 10,666 reported cases of the Ebola virus (many more were never reported). The number of orphaned children from the war alone was estimated to be over 1.3 million.
I traveled to Liberia (in October 2016, October 2017 and February 2018) as part of teaching & outreach teams with Disciple Makers Multiplied (DM2). While we were there, we visited the Hope in Christ Children's Home. The orphanage has no electricity or running water, and very few resources. None-the-less, there seems to be an incredible outpouring of love and compassion for the children by the workers and volunteers. I was amazed that, although the need is great, no one at the orphanage asked us for money or financial assitance of any kind.
Toward the end of our visit four or five of the older teenage boys pulled me aside to ask a favor. Having had experince with two teenage sons of my own, I fully expected a request for some spending money or snack food, etc. But, to my surprise, they simply wanted me to pray for them as they were very nervous about going to public school for the first time (Note: The children at the orphanage receive a very basic elementary and middle school education, but they are required to go to public school when they reach age 16. This is usually a very difficult transition.) These boys had just started going to the public High School and were feeling overwhelmed about their studies and their ability to keep up with the other students. Please pray for these boys (and girls) as they adapt to their new learning environment.
Toward the end of our visit four or five of the older teenage boys pulled me aside to ask a favor. Having had experince with two teenage sons of my own, I fully expected a request for some spending money or snack food, etc. But, to my surprise, they simply wanted me to pray for them as they were very nervous about going to public school for the first time (Note: The children at the orphanage receive a very basic elementary and middle school education, but they are required to go to public school when they reach age 16. This is usually a very difficult transition.) These boys had just started going to the public High School and were feeling overwhelmed about their studies and their ability to keep up with the other students. Please pray for these boys (and girls) as they adapt to their new learning environment.
While I was at the orphanage, I inquired as to if they had any moquito netting. It turns out that they had none (or possibly one or two damaged nets). Mosquito nets (bed nets) are an important deterent to the spread of Malaria. Like most houses and buildings in Liberia, the rooms at the orphanage have no glass windows or screens. During the rainy season (late Spring and early Summer), mosquitos are a major problem, often swarming around the children as they sleep.
Update: On our last visit, we were able to purchase 65 mosquito nets for the orphanage (thanks to many of you who prayed for and/or contributed to this effort!).
Update: On our last visit, we were able to purchase 65 mosquito nets for the orphanage (thanks to many of you who prayed for and/or contributed to this effort!).
I went to Liberia with John Clark (a pastor from Newnan Georgia) and Alan Snow (an engineer from Connecticut). We conducted a week-long Bible training workshop for 44 pastors, church leaders, and others (two of the older boys from the Hope in Christ Orphanage also attended). There was tremendous enthusiasm among the participants and great appreciation for the Bible-based teaching curriculum (DM2 provides, at no charge, a verse-by-verse Bible study workbook and other study resources for all participants).
We made many new friends and I now feel a close comradery with a number of Liberian pastors, church leaders and the children at the orphanage.
Update: On our last visit in February, 62 pastors, church leaders and others attended our workshop on the book of Colossians. Included in the group were four of the older boys from the orphanage and two of the full-time workers. All six completed over 32 hours of Bible college level curriculum! Thanks to all of you have been praying for us!
We made many new friends and I now feel a close comradery with a number of Liberian pastors, church leaders and the children at the orphanage.
Update: On our last visit in February, 62 pastors, church leaders and others attended our workshop on the book of Colossians. Included in the group were four of the older boys from the orphanage and two of the full-time workers. All six completed over 32 hours of Bible college level curriculum! Thanks to all of you have been praying for us!