Another Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday to Mathias Vision Bogdan!!!! His first birthday was yesterday, June 23. Matty has spent the majority of his life here in Liberia so I wanted to do a special blog in honor of his unique first year of life.




It all started at our home in Phoenix, Arizona June 23, 2009!


Then he landed in Liberia on August 17 at just 7 weeks old!


First trip our to Buchanan, August 2009.


Then out to Margibi county August 2009



Back to Buchanan Sept. 2009


Ganta Oct.2009 with Pastor and Mrs. Valentine



First time to visit Gbarnga Prison Oct.2009




Sanniquelli prison Dec.2009




Full Gospel Orphanage Ganta Dec.2009



Relaxing at home on Christmas




Bondiway Prison, Harbel Dec. 2009





Gbarnga Dec.2009



Gbarnga Prison March 2010



Relaxing at home for Easter



Lorhn, Margibi County April 2010






Kakata Central Prison April 2010





Ganta, March 2010



Sanniquelli Prison, Nimba County March 2010



Margibi June 2010



What!?! All of this travel made him very tired.....



We love you Birthday Boy!

Matty celebrated his first birthday yesterday back in Gbarnga Central Prison for a special worship service. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. It was fun!

TV update

The recent television show was a big success. We received a very unique letter from a contributor and wanted to share it here with you! It is a clear picture of how the Lord prompts His people in His time. The show was hosted by Vanessa's parents which is why the letter is addressed "Grandparents".

The writers name has been omitted for privacy purposes.

Dear Grandparents,

Would you believe it, your program is off now and I can’t remember your names, though I watch KTLN every night, (oh the joy of being 83).

When I was 5 or 6 years old, I stole 25 cents from my grandmother…no one ever knew. I felt badly and determined I would give her $100 when I went to work, but she passed away before I did it. That was the only thing I ever stole.

Recently, I promised the Lord I would give the $100 at His prompting to His choice. Tonight, He reminded me of that promise so I am sending it for the Liberian project.

Love in Christ,

A friend

Tune In Tonight at 9PM!

Greg Bogdan will be the guest on a television program called TLN NOW! this evening, June 1, 2010. The program will start at 9:00PM CST and runs for 1 hour. It can be seen on the following broadcast channels:

TLN Chicago (also includes Rockford, IL and Western Indiana): - Comcast 138
KTLN TV (San Francisco - check local listings for cable and satellite): - Channel 25
KEEN TV (Las Vegas, NV): - Channel 17
Live Streaming via internet: - www.tln.com

As the Director of Spirit Liberia, Greg will be talking about our mission in Liberia, why we are there, and what our goals and plans are for the future. It will be an exciting show. We will be showing pictures and videos from Liberia as well so be sure to tune in and tell others to check it out!

The program can be seen across the world via the internetlive on www.tln.com so no excuses for missing it. Check it out!

Lorhn 2, pictures, pictures, pictures!!!

The second day in Lorhn was wonderful. We spent time relaxing with the people, eating and just enjoying the day. In the afternoon, when the men came from their farms we had a soccer game! It was so much fun. Our guys played against the local team. In the evening we had a wonderful outreach service and had many people repent and accept Jesus as their personal savior. This included one of the town elders! What an exciting evening!




Mark, who is on our staff, is from Lorhn. His mother, father and many other family members still live there. It has been a real blessing to make such a positive impact in the lives of these special people. This is Mark's dad.





I had the pleasure of cooking lunch for my family with the other women in this African kitchen. It was really a fun and unique experience! I cooked Kidney beans with beef and rice. It was good!!This is Hannah, Mark's sister. She was a huge blessing to me and helped out in the kitchen a LOT!


These are some pictures of kids in the village. There are a LOT of them!!!
When we finished the beans there was a lot left over. We gave it to the little ones.

As you can see, they finished every last bite!




All of the guys enjoying some Dumboy. This is a traditional African food.


Everyone sitting around enjoying the day.


Beautiful view of Mt. Gibi.
Walking to the soccer field.

Enjoying some roasted corn while watching the activities :-)



All of us fans supporting our team! No one scored....no winner, no loser. This was a good thing :-) Just for fun!
Lorhn's local team in their new uniforms!

Our team along with some other guys from the community filling in.


The last post on Lorhn will be next! We are also working on a farm project here with a local organization focused on the rehabilitation of former child soldiers.

Lorhn

We took a trip back out to Lorhn, Margibi County, recently. This was a real family adventure! Lorhn is about 3 hours from the city. We took a crew of about 16 and headed into the bush. We all slept in the little village. It was a great trip!



The trip started off with a breakdown. Our truck was overheating BIG TIME!! But, we still made it, just very SLOW......:-)


The boys relaxing in the back while we waited for the truck to cool down.


Alex enjoying Matty while we waited yet again for the truck to cool down! Alex is on our music team and comes for all of our events to lead the praise and worship time.

Finally getting close! This is one of 3 interesting bridges that we had to cross.


Slipped into the mud trying to line up for the second bridge.

Back on our way! Everyone loading up.....
YES!!! We made it!

Matty having an African bath. He is an old pro, they have bathed him like this in this village many times already.

We spent 2 nights here in Lorhn. The first evening we played the Jesus film on our projector and it was wonderful.
We took a break in the movie to speak briefly and also to present the town with soccer uniforms for the local team!



Mark presenting the gifts to one of the town elders. They were very happy!!!! They have asked us to also provide a hand pump for the town, as they have no safe drinking water. We hope to do this very soon.



I will post on the rest of the trip soon. What a great time of fun, fellowship and ministry!

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!

Happy Birthday to a very special man........34 years????? You have accomplished what can take most a lifetime.



Happy Birthday to the BEST Dad EVER on planet earth!!!!!!!




Happy Birthday to the most wonderful, handsome, loving, caring, romantic and self-sacrificing husband EVER!!!!
We love you sweetie! Even though you are far from us physically you are with us in our hearts and minds and prayers today and always. You are the BEST!!!! You deserve the BEST day ever :-)


with much love,

Vanessa, Macey, Kylee, Elijah, Jacob, Jaden, Samuel, Liberty, Noah, Judah, Maxwell and Mathias.