Lots of great things are happening! The roof for the GSA Road church is now complete, and it was just in time for the rainy season. Thank you to all who made this possible. The congregation there is truly grateful. We still need to put in the side walls and the floor which will be about $4500. The cost of cement has risen tremendoulsy and is about $15 USD per bag!
We are still waiting for the well to be put in at the GSA Road church. The driller we are using has been caught up in the Bush on some projects and while he is there will be quoting the wells in Nimba county. Please pray with us that the quotes will be low, and that the work we need done in the city will be done soon! We were expecting the GSA well (Rock Hill) well to be finished already. The next well will be for the Jacobstown church. This is another desperate area in the city. We are helping this church purchase their land, which in total will be about $1200. The money toward their well is already partially raised, so that is very exciting! We are waiting to get the quote on this well also which can't be done until the drillers return from the bush.
While we were in Liberia, we found out that the lease on our office was going to fall through, but it was actually for the best. We were able to get a refund on that money and used a portion of that to purchase a car! This will be very helpful for the pastors to visit the churches in the Bush. It is a small car, but it has 4 wheel drive so should be able to make the hard trips into the Bush. We are so thankful for this car. We plan to build our offices on the property that we have already purchased. We haven't started to work on that yet, so we don't have an estimate on the cost.
Our other projects will be putting in 4 churches in Nimba county. We have been given the land for this, so that is a blessing. Our goal for this year is to finish these 4 churches, have their wells in, and also put a missionary home by the church in one of the 4 locations. This will be used for many different things and will be a great benefit! We have had a lot of interest in sending a team over from some of our local churches to build the Nimba county churches. There is nowhere to house people out there, so we would like to have the house constructed and ready first.
We want to thank you all for your support in prayer and also finacially. We are aking for people to commit to sending $30 a month for general support. We also need donations for the specific projects that were mentioned above. If you would be able to contribute, please e-mail us and/or send a donation by mail or through paypal. If you would like to help with Spirit Liberia fundraising or other administrative support please e-mail us! We have a place for you!
Finally, the Spirit Liberia worship CD will be available soon. It is finished and we are in the process of ordering the CD's. The music is great! We will have them available for a $20 donation on our website soon. Blessings!
5.29.2008
5.01.2008
Loss
We apologize it has been so long since we have updated this blog. We will post soon about everything that is happening with Spirit Liberia, but wanted to update you all about a personal situation we have been going through recently.
Many of you have heard by now, that we have lost our sweet baby that was due to be born in October. This is a new experience for us, we have never lost a baby. God was incredibly gracious and merciful to us during this time. He prepared the way in our hearts and lead us into His presence. We found out about 2 weeks ago that there was a problem with the baby that could be fatal. We had 2 weeks to pray and fast and ask the Lord to make another way and spare our child. Many people who have lost pregnancies are not given that opportunity. We are truly thankful that God blessed us with that time. While we will miss this baby dearly and look forward anxiously to meeting her someday in Heaven, we have total peace and joy in God's perfect will. We know that this baby would not have died had He not allowed it and ordained it for His purposes. None of our children belong to us, they are gifts on loan by their heavenly Father who loves them more than we could ever imagine. We have learned over the years to trust in His love completely, even when it hard to understand. We can rest in His goodness and in the fact that we will be united again together one day. If you have not yet commited your life to Christ, repented of your sin and given Him control of your life, please consider doing that today. God does not desire for even one of us to perish. All are born in sin and need redemption. The only way is through repentance and relationship with Christ. Could this baby of ours have the earthly purpose of pointing you to Christ? Certainly! One day we may have the answer, but for now, we will take every opportunity to give God the glory! If you would like prayer, or just to learn more about salvation please pursue that! You can call or e-mail us, or another Christian in your life. If you feel God calling you, the time is now! Don't wait. Thank you to all who faithfully lifted us up in prayer during this time. We love you.
Many of you have heard by now, that we have lost our sweet baby that was due to be born in October. This is a new experience for us, we have never lost a baby. God was incredibly gracious and merciful to us during this time. He prepared the way in our hearts and lead us into His presence. We found out about 2 weeks ago that there was a problem with the baby that could be fatal. We had 2 weeks to pray and fast and ask the Lord to make another way and spare our child. Many people who have lost pregnancies are not given that opportunity. We are truly thankful that God blessed us with that time. While we will miss this baby dearly and look forward anxiously to meeting her someday in Heaven, we have total peace and joy in God's perfect will. We know that this baby would not have died had He not allowed it and ordained it for His purposes. None of our children belong to us, they are gifts on loan by their heavenly Father who loves them more than we could ever imagine. We have learned over the years to trust in His love completely, even when it hard to understand. We can rest in His goodness and in the fact that we will be united again together one day. If you have not yet commited your life to Christ, repented of your sin and given Him control of your life, please consider doing that today. God does not desire for even one of us to perish. All are born in sin and need redemption. The only way is through repentance and relationship with Christ. Could this baby of ours have the earthly purpose of pointing you to Christ? Certainly! One day we may have the answer, but for now, we will take every opportunity to give God the glory! If you would like prayer, or just to learn more about salvation please pursue that! You can call or e-mail us, or another Christian in your life. If you feel God calling you, the time is now! Don't wait. Thank you to all who faithfully lifted us up in prayer during this time. We love you.
3.31.2008
Day 11- Leaving Liberia
O'rehta, Macey, Vanessa- the final day!
Jacob, Greg and a really adorable Liberian baby!
Today was a sad day and a happy day. We were so sad to leave our wonderful friends in Liberia. We are so happy to be returning to our wonderful family! We had the pleasure of having our final meal in Liberia with a group wonderful people from the churches. It was a wonderful time.
At the airport we are pretty sure we witnessed a child being stolen from the country. This was so disturbing. We are truely heartbroken over it. We noticed a man going through immigration with a young boy, about 8 or 9 years old. It was clear as they questioned him that this boy was not his son, although he was trying to convince them that he was (they did not have the same last name either!). The boy did not even know this man's name. By the time we were forced to go through another area for security the boy was crying. The man was from Nigeria, and the boy was Liberian. After we went to the next area we were watching and praying that they would not let the boy travel with that man. The man came through alone and we thought all was well. All was not well. We assume that he bribed the officers, this is common practice in Liberia. The boy came through and joined the man about 10 minutes later. The man had a smug smirk on his face and we were appalled! So, Greg sought out every airport official he could locate, and told them we wanted an answer for why they let this boy get through. They all promised they would bring someone of higher authority over, and after repeated attempts and Greg being threatened by the guards, the boy and the man boarded a plane that was leaving prior to ours. Please pray for this boy, and for other children like him who are sold into other countries daily. This was such a hard thing for us and our kids to witness. It will be with us forever.
At the airport we are pretty sure we witnessed a child being stolen from the country. This was so disturbing. We are truely heartbroken over it. We noticed a man going through immigration with a young boy, about 8 or 9 years old. It was clear as they questioned him that this boy was not his son, although he was trying to convince them that he was (they did not have the same last name either!). The boy did not even know this man's name. By the time we were forced to go through another area for security the boy was crying. The man was from Nigeria, and the boy was Liberian. After we went to the next area we were watching and praying that they would not let the boy travel with that man. The man came through alone and we thought all was well. All was not well. We assume that he bribed the officers, this is common practice in Liberia. The boy came through and joined the man about 10 minutes later. The man had a smug smirk on his face and we were appalled! So, Greg sought out every airport official he could locate, and told them we wanted an answer for why they let this boy get through. They all promised they would bring someone of higher authority over, and after repeated attempts and Greg being threatened by the guards, the boy and the man boarded a plane that was leaving prior to ours. Please pray for this boy, and for other children like him who are sold into other countries daily. This was such a hard thing for us and our kids to witness. It will be with us forever.
Day 10- Last Church Visit
Today we had the pleasure of visiting the Jacobstown church. It was great. Shad and Pastor Vessely drove us over to this church which is in an area of Liberia referred to as "red light". They call it red light because at one time there was a light there. This congregation is in the process of building a temporary structure out of sticks. They are building this on some property owned by one of the congregants. They are hoping to purchase a lot of land for their building shortly, and after this happens we will begin raising funds for their well. Once their new structure is built on their land, they will use the older one for additional classes, sunday school etc. We met with Pastor Hector Baines, who rode up on the back of a motorbike. He was so happy about what God is doing in their community. We had a great time talking with him and getting some pictures of him, and their building. They have bible study on Tuesday nights, and we later were told that they had an exceptionally large turn-out this night. They said that people had seen/heard that we had visited and were being very encouraged by the short time we had there. God is amazing. He is proving he is able to use a broken, empty vessel and provide hope and revival to His people. We have been hearing of revival happening in the bush since our visit as well. I guess it was simply our presence that has encouraged these people that God has not forgotten them. He is leading, we are following, and we have no idea where the destination will be! How exciting!
3.24.2008
Day Nine - Rest and Reflection
during the accident in the bush!
Well, today was different than all of the others days we have been in Liberia. We have run from one thing to the next never stopping but to get a few hours of interrupted sleep a night. But today, WE RESTED - RELAXED - and REFLECTED!!!
What a wonderful feeling. Vanessa and Macey spent some time with Pastor Charles' wife O'rita shopping for dresses and going to get some custom tailored clothing. Can you believe that they were able to pick out fabric at a store, take it to a tailor, get fitted, and have the dresses ready within about 24 hours? I just think that is crazy. The neatest part is that the tailor will make the entire dress for only $11!
We have had a driver for the entire trip. His name is Shadrach (everybody calls him Shad). He is 29 years old. He goes to Pastor Charles church and is one of the sweetest men I have ever spent time with. I told him today that I am really going to miss spending time with him and that he should consider himself part of our family. He has literally dropped everything to care for us with whatever we ask since we have been here. When Pastor Charles introduced us, he said that Shad was a "submissive" man and would do anything we asked. I had no idea how true this is.
Shad is going to college majoring in Accounting. He manages the finances for the church and has done an absolutely superb job of keeping checks and balances in place - keeping the money in the hands of people who do not make the decisions, and keeping the decision makers in check by having to request money from the money handlers. What a wonderful thing to know that people like this really do exist!
So we took Shad, Pastor Charles, and Orita to lunch today at Golden Beach. Any of you who have adopted through the same agency we did have probably been there. But Shad has not. Shad was telling us that in order to go to college he would wake up at 4:00AM and go take a wheelbarrow over to a bakery. He would buy as much bread as he had money for, load it in the wheelbarrow and go up and down the streets selling the bread. He would sell what he had and then head to school. After school, he would refill and continue selling until all of his bread was gone, sometimes after 12AM in the morning. If he had $10.00, he could make $2.50 profit for the day - but only if he sold all of his bread. If he had some left over, he could even have lost money for the day.
School is not cheap for the people here. Shad's family had to move from Lofa County to Monrovia during the war. His family owned over 250 acres deep in the bush but have not been able to make enough money to ever return. He dreams one day of returning and trying to begin farming again. Hopefully Spirit Liberia may make this dream a reality some day.
People like Shad are all over Liberia. People with dreams, ambitions, and hope. But these people have no one to turn to. Shad is a strong, very strong Christian man. I believe with my whole heart that he is the prime example of why Spirit Liberia is here. We are here to help the Christians realize that their prayers, hopes, and dreams have not been unheard. God is bringing up a generation of people who desire to see these people get back up on their feet and realize that God's timing has had a purpose.
I was asked to give some closing statements to the people at the crusade on Saturday night. It was off-the-cuff, but I spoke to them about how Jesus did not come to earth and spend time with the pharasees and the rich. He came and sat with the sinners, dined with the tax collectors, and ministered to prostitutes. He is looking for people that realize they are weak, wounded, and weary. He is looking for the physically and spiritually needy. No one is too low for God. No one has sinned beyond what Christ's blood can purify.
And when I finished talking, I realized why God has opened my eyes to the need of these people - because he loves them dearly!
We will be adding many pictures when we return, we have not been able to upload them from Liberia!
In Christ,
Greg
Day Eight - Easter Sunday
This morning as we waited for our driver to get to the hotel we became very discouraged. He was almost an hour late and we thought for sure we were going to miss the church service at GSA Road. But thankfully everything worked out.
When our driver went to get us this morning, he realized someone stole his battery out of his car (as they would say in Liberia - a criminal of course). So he had to run around and try and borrow a battery from someone. He could not go to a store because everything closes in Liberia on Sunday. So he found a friend that gave him his battery to his car for the day.
When he finally got to us, we hurried to the church and made it just in time for service (I think they were intentionally extending the bible study time waiting for us). When we walked into the broken down bamboo hut, they ushered us straight to the front area where they had seats for us.
The service started and it was a wonderful time of worship - just like the crusade. Lots of dancing, lots of singing, clapping of hands, and praising the Lord. They really get a workout praising the Lord - you have to love just watching them (we are not much of the dancing type - who knows, maybe they will change us though).
Before Pastor Richard came forward with the message, Pastor Charles stopped the service and asked Vanessa, the kids and I to stand. They moved our chairs to "center stage" right in front of everyone and had us sit back down. Then Pastor Charles, as only he could do, gave a long speech about how thankful they were for our help. He talked about the help with their churches and others and went on way too long...
Then he pulled out a certificate and gave it to us to thank us for our help. It was so sweet. But it did not end there. Then we had a "robing" service. If you don't know what this is, it is one of the highest honors that a Liberian can give someone. They had, as a church, gone out and purchased native garments, for Vanessa and I in the country fabric. It is very expensive - probably about $50 per gown. And they had this huge procession and clapping and drumming and dancing - you get the point - and we were robed. The women of the church also got Vanessa another dress and flowers and asked her to be a part of the womens ministry of the church - what a huge honor they gave us. This was an incredibly humbling experience.
We thought that after returning from the bush that the honoring ceramonies were over. But the New Assembly - GSA Road branch church really did an amazing job. We do not deserve even a second of their time. We don't deserve to be honored in such a way. We pass these honors on to you and want to let you know that each of you who are helping Spirit Liberia deserves a piece of the honor they gave to us. We are just the vehicle God is using to do His work. Your help, your prayers, your time - that is what deserves the honor! Due to your faithful support, we were able to announce that we will be able to put in a fresh water hand-pump well in the Rock Hill community! This community, where the GSA road church is located, has no fresh water. They have to send their kids or walk themselves about 30 minutes each way to carry their water for the day. This will be the first fresh water well that has been in this community since the war, or ever! Pastor Charles says this will be historic for the people here. Pastor Charles lives in this community, so this well will be a huge blessing for his family as well. They have a 13 year old son who is special needs, and he helps carry the water for the family, but soon his trips will be shortened! The pump should be installed in the next month (as soon as the driller can fit us in). We want to say a special thank-you to Brandi McElheny for all of your work in raising the money for this and other wells. You have been amazing. This was the last Sunday in the old church made of bamboo. The new Church should have the roof finished by this next Sunday and they will be able to worship there before the rainy season! We still need to raise money for the walls/flooring, but we are getting closer! Please keep this need in your prayers.
After the service we visited with an American family who came to Liberia with support from their church. They don't know anyone here. The felt the Lord calling them to come minister to the people of Liberia, so they came. They came with their 10 children. They are living among the people and asking God to open the doors where He will. They do a lot of street evangelism and it has been very successful. Please keep them in your prayers. Their names are Dan and Stacy Gjerstadt. They are beautiful people who are fully depending on God. Meeting with them was a blessing. They have a family blog, http://loveforliberia.blogspot.com/ . This gives you a great window into their lives here in Liberia.
That's it for today. Thank you all for your prayers and support! We love you all.
When our driver went to get us this morning, he realized someone stole his battery out of his car (as they would say in Liberia - a criminal of course). So he had to run around and try and borrow a battery from someone. He could not go to a store because everything closes in Liberia on Sunday. So he found a friend that gave him his battery to his car for the day.
When he finally got to us, we hurried to the church and made it just in time for service (I think they were intentionally extending the bible study time waiting for us). When we walked into the broken down bamboo hut, they ushered us straight to the front area where they had seats for us.
The service started and it was a wonderful time of worship - just like the crusade. Lots of dancing, lots of singing, clapping of hands, and praising the Lord. They really get a workout praising the Lord - you have to love just watching them (we are not much of the dancing type - who knows, maybe they will change us though).
Before Pastor Richard came forward with the message, Pastor Charles stopped the service and asked Vanessa, the kids and I to stand. They moved our chairs to "center stage" right in front of everyone and had us sit back down. Then Pastor Charles, as only he could do, gave a long speech about how thankful they were for our help. He talked about the help with their churches and others and went on way too long...
Then he pulled out a certificate and gave it to us to thank us for our help. It was so sweet. But it did not end there. Then we had a "robing" service. If you don't know what this is, it is one of the highest honors that a Liberian can give someone. They had, as a church, gone out and purchased native garments, for Vanessa and I in the country fabric. It is very expensive - probably about $50 per gown. And they had this huge procession and clapping and drumming and dancing - you get the point - and we were robed. The women of the church also got Vanessa another dress and flowers and asked her to be a part of the womens ministry of the church - what a huge honor they gave us. This was an incredibly humbling experience.
We thought that after returning from the bush that the honoring ceramonies were over. But the New Assembly - GSA Road branch church really did an amazing job. We do not deserve even a second of their time. We don't deserve to be honored in such a way. We pass these honors on to you and want to let you know that each of you who are helping Spirit Liberia deserves a piece of the honor they gave to us. We are just the vehicle God is using to do His work. Your help, your prayers, your time - that is what deserves the honor! Due to your faithful support, we were able to announce that we will be able to put in a fresh water hand-pump well in the Rock Hill community! This community, where the GSA road church is located, has no fresh water. They have to send their kids or walk themselves about 30 minutes each way to carry their water for the day. This will be the first fresh water well that has been in this community since the war, or ever! Pastor Charles says this will be historic for the people here. Pastor Charles lives in this community, so this well will be a huge blessing for his family as well. They have a 13 year old son who is special needs, and he helps carry the water for the family, but soon his trips will be shortened! The pump should be installed in the next month (as soon as the driller can fit us in). We want to say a special thank-you to Brandi McElheny for all of your work in raising the money for this and other wells. You have been amazing. This was the last Sunday in the old church made of bamboo. The new Church should have the roof finished by this next Sunday and they will be able to worship there before the rainy season! We still need to raise money for the walls/flooring, but we are getting closer! Please keep this need in your prayers.
After the service we visited with an American family who came to Liberia with support from their church. They don't know anyone here. The felt the Lord calling them to come minister to the people of Liberia, so they came. They came with their 10 children. They are living among the people and asking God to open the doors where He will. They do a lot of street evangelism and it has been very successful. Please keep them in your prayers. Their names are Dan and Stacy Gjerstadt. They are beautiful people who are fully depending on God. Meeting with them was a blessing. They have a family blog, http://loveforliberia.blogspot.com/ . This gives you a great window into their lives here in Liberia.
That's it for today. Thank you all for your prayers and support! We love you all.
Day Seven - The Final Night
The crusade ended tonight. It has been such a blessing to be a part of this evangelistic crusade. How incredible to see lives changed right before your eyes. I cannot tell you how different it is spreading the gospel in a country like Liberia. People are desperate to find hope, help, and salvation through the cross. It is nothing like evangelizing in America where most people are very closed down to Christianity.
We had a wonderful time tonight listening to the preaching. Pastor Vassellee did an excellent job and really spoke to my heart. After the preaching they did an alter call and unfortunately no one came forward tonight, but then they moved into a time of prayer and worship which was very sobering. They called Vanessa and I forward and prayed over us, Spirit Liberia, and our children. They asked that God would continue his hand of blessing on us and that we would be someday preaching to thousands of people in Liberia - AMEN! Let's hope this is true.
Tomorrow is Easter and we have to say that we are wishing so much to be home with the rest of our family. Jaden, one of our middle boys, has been so upset that we are not going to be home. He cried about it several times before we left.
The first night in Liberia we had a hard time getting the kids on the phone. When we finally talked with them we had actually fallen asleep but they got through to us and we talked for a while. When I talked with my daughter Kylee something really choked me up and I cried like a baby for some time (yes, this is Greg talking not Vanessa!). I did not realize how attached I have become to my children. I believe God has such a wonderful purpose for all of them and we have such a huge job ahead of us. Each one of our children deserve better than we can give them. They are all so precious - all nine of them!
For those of you who have children, I pray that God will bless your relationships and really turn your hearts to your kids. And as it says in the scriptures, turn your childrens hearts back to you. There is nothing more special than to have a true heart-to-heart relationship with your children. God can change our world through the next generations if we only will surrender to Him and train our children to follow Him completely surrendered!
God can change us...He can mold us...He is able...and he is willing. He is holding out His hand for us to grab onto and have the ride of our lives. Will we take the challenge...
Greg
We had a wonderful time tonight listening to the preaching. Pastor Vassellee did an excellent job and really spoke to my heart. After the preaching they did an alter call and unfortunately no one came forward tonight, but then they moved into a time of prayer and worship which was very sobering. They called Vanessa and I forward and prayed over us, Spirit Liberia, and our children. They asked that God would continue his hand of blessing on us and that we would be someday preaching to thousands of people in Liberia - AMEN! Let's hope this is true.
Tomorrow is Easter and we have to say that we are wishing so much to be home with the rest of our family. Jaden, one of our middle boys, has been so upset that we are not going to be home. He cried about it several times before we left.
The first night in Liberia we had a hard time getting the kids on the phone. When we finally talked with them we had actually fallen asleep but they got through to us and we talked for a while. When I talked with my daughter Kylee something really choked me up and I cried like a baby for some time (yes, this is Greg talking not Vanessa!). I did not realize how attached I have become to my children. I believe God has such a wonderful purpose for all of them and we have such a huge job ahead of us. Each one of our children deserve better than we can give them. They are all so precious - all nine of them!
For those of you who have children, I pray that God will bless your relationships and really turn your hearts to your kids. And as it says in the scriptures, turn your childrens hearts back to you. There is nothing more special than to have a true heart-to-heart relationship with your children. God can change our world through the next generations if we only will surrender to Him and train our children to follow Him completely surrendered!
God can change us...He can mold us...He is able...and he is willing. He is holding out His hand for us to grab onto and have the ride of our lives. Will we take the challenge...
Greg
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