New Kru Town A/G

Sunday, August 9, 2015, we had the privilege of preaching at one of the oldest A/G churches in Liberia: New Kru Town A/G. The blue and yellow that many of our churches are painted are the official school colors of the A/G Mission Schools throughout the country.  Those are the colors of their school uniforms and many of the school buildings.  Not all churches are painted this way, but it does explain the recurring pattern you may notice in photos from church to church.

This is Pastor Josiah Brown and his wife.  Rev. Brown is no longer able to pastor due to poor health.  His son Moses pastored alongside him until he and two or three of his daughters died from Ebola.  After that, the elder Brown’s health seemed to diminish greatly.  This church mothered one of the church plants for whom we built a tabernacle in 2014. Josiah Brown could hardly walk but came to service just to be with us.

Several of our churches have murals such as this one (or two).

Gaylord with the current pastor, Samuel Johnson.

We were treated to non-alcoholic malt drinks after church. Interesting. I kind of liked.  Gaylord, not as much.

All in all, we had a good day.

psa

they say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Liberia Assemblies of God Bible College (LAGBC)

We concluded teaching the first session of this semester at LAGBC.  Students take two courses over a three-week span.  Three sessions comprise a semester.  Due to Ebola, classes were cancelled, so this semester they will take four sessions.  Gaylord and I will also teach the third session, which begins in another week and a half.

Pictured with my English composition class.  Two of my students were absent this day.

Gaylord taught Pastoral Theology. Pictured with his class. 

Students hard at work

This mission assignment only feels right when we are doing what we are called to do.  Teaching and interacting with these students is a big part of that.  Each of them has a unique story.  It will be interesting to see how God uses them for His glory.

Fiamah, Monrovia, Liberia

July 26, 2015, we ministered at Fiamah A/G in Monrovia.

 

Gaylord in his super-sized chair!

Pictured with Pastors Samuel and Felicia Hinneh.  Samuel is the academic dean at the main Bible school, and Felicia is the librarian. 

Beyond the walls of the church lies their mission field....

  

Christopolis A/G, Brewerville, Liberia

I had the privilege of preaching the Mother's Day service at Christopolis A/G on July 19, 2015.

A first for me - I was "flowered". Congregants gave money for flowers and pinned them to my clothing. This is done here as a fundraiser. The ladies are trying to raise the money to plaster the inside of their new church building.

This is Pastor Jimmy Kuoh and his wife, Christina. 

I was letting my hair grow out a bit, but after the first trip in the heat and humidity, I went back to my regular cut.  I can only imagine what my hair would have looked like had I not cut it. (Reference to the wet hair on my neckline)

The women also sold a cake to the gender giving the most money in a special offering. Ladies worldwide have used creative means to raise money for their church projects.

A photo with the mothers and women after service. 

What a great day we had! 

Freedom Center A/G–Johnsonville

July 12, 2015, we preached for Pastors Josiah and Jacqueline Mesleh. They had us in their home for a delicious meal afterwards, and we enjoyed their fellowship and hospitality.

         

This was the path leading to the pastor’s home.  I think more motorbikes have traveled it than cars.  But the meal of beans, rice, and fish plus the hospitality of our hosts was worth the trip.

 

Jesus, Build A Fence

What an appropriate song for the youth choir to sing as the nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea continue to pray for God's protection against the deadly Ebola virus and other physical and spiritual forces that come against them on a daily basis.

offering time....blessing time!

i genuinely love african offerings

Joy of Salvation A/G–Pipeline

July 5, 2015, we had the privilege to preach for the principal at Owensgrove Bible Institute and pastor of Joy of Salvation A/G Church, Rev. Hastings Forkeyah, in the Pipeline community in Monrovia.

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We washed our hands at the door and arrived in time to catch a bit of the Sunday school lesson.

These musical intruments are called sasas.  They are made from gourds covered with beads strung on string.  They make quite the percussion section.

Preaching and prayer time

The views from my vantage point

The road to this location was probably the worst that we have navigated this season. Pictures don’t capture the experience adequately. We traveled in a 4x4 vehicle, while most walked or rode motorbike taxis.  The lengths people will go to be in church on Sunday! I think God must be pleased.

Reminder

Another shout out to my daughter Shelby for introducing me to the music of All Sons and Daughters.  This song is not only for missionaries, but it certainly does minister to this missionary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgAzLKXqcDk

The LIBERIAN LINK Newsletter: June 2015