Fervent Partners in West Africa
Putting together
a 24-day trip to nine countries of West Africa seemed impossible, as travel
agents warned that West Africa is now one of the hardest places in the world
to travel. WMP Special Projects coordinator Harold Mack realized that
details of the trip had to be in God’s hands if His purposes were to be
accomplished.“Many details,” he said, “need to go right. We can clearly see the hand of the Lord working, helping us get flights that were ‘impossible’; helping us arrange to drive between some of the countries; helping us—along with key contacts in each country—to arrange distributor meetings; helping us get visas for eight countries in only a few weeks.”
Harold had long felt the critical need for personal contact in several of these countries. Now that the U.S. postal service has suspended surface mail shipments to many of them, “it is even more important for us to establish key relationships with coordinators and major distributors who can receive large shipments and then help pass the Scripture materials on to other distributors in their countries.”
Upon their return, Harold Mack and WMP field representative Fred Eiler rejoiced in what they had seen and heard and how God had worked. Harold reported, “On this trip more than any other I’ve taken, it was impressed on me how God uses people—imperfect, fallible people—to do amazing things. . . . What travel agents told us was impossible, God arranged for us. I know that God was in this trip. He knew what countries we were going to before I did, and He put those on our hearts and arranged for us to get there.”
God at Work in
Devastated Sierra Leone
After 26 hours of travel, Harold and Fred were greeted in Sierra
Leone, the first stop on the nine-country venture, by WMP’s
national coordinator Michael French and his wife Doreen in the dark of a hot
night. Because of too few passengers, the ferry run from the island-bound
airport to Freetown was canceled, and the party was forced to stay the night
nearby, where at least one bed was infested by fleas. The ferry ride proved
eventful as Michael shared booklets and witnessed onboard. One vender,
wearing what looked like a witch’s hat, received Christ!
Although later than expected, the two men were whisked off to the Wesleyan Secondary School, where WMP distributor John K. eagerly awaited. “It was a blessed time of sharing,” they reported. “How wonderful that most of the students had already accepted Jesus! The principal asked
that we especially pray for those, mostly Muslim, who have
not yet accepted Him.”
Visiting Michael’s EHC office, Harold and Fred saw what remained of his WMP booklet inventory. (A new shipment of English booklets will help replenish his stock.) What a joy and blessing to be in Sierra Leone with Michael and Doreen! To hear what God is doing through their ministry with Every Home for Christ as they share the gospel message throughout the country! Many souls are being saved; Michael is planting churches in outlying areas.
The scars of destruction from years of civil war were seen everywhere in this struggling nation. For days Fred could not eat. He was not prepared for the devastation. Freetown, the capital city, has
electricity only once a week. Hotels need to have their own sources for
water and electricity.
The time in Sierra Leone included a Christian businessmen’s breakfast and meeting with WMP distributors under one florescent light and using rented sound equipment and generator. “It was very moving for us to hear testimonies of how the booklets have changed lives throughout Sierra Leone. Although the literacy rate is low [based on how many can read English], many illiterate people will cherish a Scripture booklet, waiting for a son or daughter to come home from school to read it to them. The distributors were so happy that we had come to their country. They are eager for more booklets.”
After 26 hours of travel, Harold and Fred were greeted in Sierra
Leone, the first stop on the nine-country venture, by WMP’s
national coordinator Michael French and his wife Doreen in the dark of a hot
night. Because of too few passengers, the ferry run from the island-bound
airport to Freetown was canceled, and the party was forced to stay the night
nearby, where at least one bed was infested by fleas. The ferry ride proved
eventful as Michael shared booklets and witnessed onboard. One vender,
wearing what looked like a witch’s hat, received Christ!Although later than expected, the two men were whisked off to the Wesleyan Secondary School, where WMP distributor John K. eagerly awaited. “It was a blessed time of sharing,” they reported. “How wonderful that most of the students had already accepted Jesus! The principal asked
that we especially pray for those, mostly Muslim, who have
not yet accepted Him.”Visiting Michael’s EHC office, Harold and Fred saw what remained of his WMP booklet inventory. (A new shipment of English booklets will help replenish his stock.) What a joy and blessing to be in Sierra Leone with Michael and Doreen! To hear what God is doing through their ministry with Every Home for Christ as they share the gospel message throughout the country! Many souls are being saved; Michael is planting churches in outlying areas.
The scars of destruction from years of civil war were seen everywhere in this struggling nation. For days Fred could not eat. He was not prepared for the devastation. Freetown, the capital city, has
electricity only once a week. Hotels need to have their own sources for
water and electricity.The time in Sierra Leone included a Christian businessmen’s breakfast and meeting with WMP distributors under one florescent light and using rented sound equipment and generator. “It was very moving for us to hear testimonies of how the booklets have changed lives throughout Sierra Leone. Although the literacy rate is low [based on how many can read English], many illiterate people will cherish a Scripture booklet, waiting for a son or daughter to come home from school to read it to them. The distributors were so happy that we had come to their country. They are eager for more booklets.”
More Languages Needed in
Liberia
Traveling on to Liberia, also emerging from years of civil war, its new airport blown apart, Harold and Fred found the same wide-spread devastation and destruction. “But while the people of Liberia face many hardships, their outlook is good. They are moving forward to a bright and peaceful future, with many opportunities. This attitude is especially prevalent in the Christian leadership. Their eyes are not fixed on their difficulties, but rather on the goal of reaching all of Liberia for Christ. They know they can do it, and they want to do it. They are looking to WMP Scripture booklets as their primary tools for reaching people. We heard over and over how people would try to evangelize without materials and weren’t having success. But when they could get the Scripture booklets and
people had
something to read and take home, they were very successful in
planting churches and evangelizing. In these countries these small
booklets are very valuable.”
WMP’s national coordinator for Liberia, EHC director Sydney Thomas, was of tremendous assistance in planning parts of the West Africa trip (generously funded in part by EHC). Again, a highlight of the time in Liberia was the WMP distributors’ meeting. “It was so encouraging to interact with 60-70 pastors, evangelists, and other Christian workers who gathered for our meeting. What a zeal they have for reaching the lost! It was a mutually encouraging time, as brothers and sisters in Christ shared this common vision. They are so appreciative even when receiving only one box of (500) Scripture booklets.
“A key component to reaching all of Liberia is to produce Scriptures in additional local languages. Several distributors asked us to please, please, translate some of the Scripture booklets into several of these
languages. We decided to start with two of
the largest languages—Bassa and Kpelah. We immediately met with
translators of Liberian Translation Lutheran Organization (LibTranLO). They
were so enthusiastic about working on both Help From Above and The
Way to God in Bassa and Kpelah that they immediately began poring over
the English version of these booklets.”
The printing and distribution of God’s Word was a particular focus from the beginning. “These countries need everything. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the need. But it was important for us to know that what we are doing is key to their future. It was important to remain focused on what we do. They really need the Word of God.”
As Fred observed, “Sometimes you wonder, when [the booklets] leave here, what [will happen] to them. Well, I want to tell you: God has put people on the ground in those countries who are vibrant and fervent in the Lord and wanting to have Scripture material to give. And they are so thankful for what is coming their way. God has brought us together and we are looking forward to what is going to happen.”
The need is great. The need is now.
[2,500 people in West Africa can receive a Scripture booklet through a contribution of $100. You can reach 1,250 people with a $50 gift. $1,000 will reach 25,000 people with the gospel.]
[Note: What God is doing through WMP in other West Africa nations will be reported in future issues.]
Traveling on to Liberia, also emerging from years of civil war, its new airport blown apart, Harold and Fred found the same wide-spread devastation and destruction. “But while the people of Liberia face many hardships, their outlook is good. They are moving forward to a bright and peaceful future, with many opportunities. This attitude is especially prevalent in the Christian leadership. Their eyes are not fixed on their difficulties, but rather on the goal of reaching all of Liberia for Christ. They know they can do it, and they want to do it. They are looking to WMP Scripture booklets as their primary tools for reaching people. We heard over and over how people would try to evangelize without materials and weren’t having success. But when they could get the Scripture booklets and
people had
something to read and take home, they were very successful in
planting churches and evangelizing. In these countries these small
booklets are very valuable.”WMP’s national coordinator for Liberia, EHC director Sydney Thomas, was of tremendous assistance in planning parts of the West Africa trip (generously funded in part by EHC). Again, a highlight of the time in Liberia was the WMP distributors’ meeting. “It was so encouraging to interact with 60-70 pastors, evangelists, and other Christian workers who gathered for our meeting. What a zeal they have for reaching the lost! It was a mutually encouraging time, as brothers and sisters in Christ shared this common vision. They are so appreciative even when receiving only one box of (500) Scripture booklets.
“A key component to reaching all of Liberia is to produce Scriptures in additional local languages. Several distributors asked us to please, please, translate some of the Scripture booklets into several of these
languages. We decided to start with two of
the largest languages—Bassa and Kpelah. We immediately met with
translators of Liberian Translation Lutheran Organization (LibTranLO). They
were so enthusiastic about working on both Help From Above and The
Way to God in Bassa and Kpelah that they immediately began poring over
the English version of these booklets.”The printing and distribution of God’s Word was a particular focus from the beginning. “These countries need everything. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the need. But it was important for us to know that what we are doing is key to their future. It was important to remain focused on what we do. They really need the Word of God.”
As Fred observed, “Sometimes you wonder, when [the booklets] leave here, what [will happen] to them. Well, I want to tell you: God has put people on the ground in those countries who are vibrant and fervent in the Lord and wanting to have Scripture material to give. And they are so thankful for what is coming their way. God has brought us together and we are looking forward to what is going to happen.”
The need is great. The need is now.
[2,500 people in West Africa can receive a Scripture booklet through a contribution of $100. You can reach 1,250 people with a $50 gift. $1,000 will reach 25,000 people with the gospel.]
[Note: What God is doing through WMP in other West Africa nations will be reported in future issues.]
