Stories from Monrovia

In the last few days prior to leaving Monrovia, we met with some of the zonal counsellor co-ordinators to hear the stories of those they were now in the process of following up. Although time was short, the few interviews that we were able to fit in were tremendously encouraging, and opened up the human element to the thousands of response cards we had received. What was particularly touching was the fact that it would not have been easy for any of these people to share their new or rediscovered faith. Throughout the interviews we often had their peers standing by and watching, often laughing, but they continued unperturbed showing the genuineness of the change in their heart.

The first young girl we met was 13 years old. She had fled to Sierre Leone with her parents during the war and during that time had started going to a Christian church, despite her parents belonging to the Muslim faith. She continued going to church when they returned to Liberia, but said she didn’t really understand. A team of local and African Enterprise evangelists visited her church during the mission week, preaching the gospel and sharing how they had come to know the Lord themselves. She began to understand the relevance of Jesus Christ’s life giving work for her own life, and decided to give her life to Him as her Lord and Saviour. She was very positive when she spoke about her new life and relationship with Jesus, particularly considering her background. She prays now that she might be a good witness to her parents, and they might also come to know the Lord.

Another young man was born in Monrovia, Liberia and was gifted soccer player. During the war he fled to Ghana, then travelled onto Indonesia where he started going to church and committed his life to the Lord. He said however, that when he returned to Liberia he stopped going to church, and only read his bible occasionally. When the Christ Mission for Monrovia team started setting up their equipment in his neighbourhood he became very excited and welcomed them to the community. He danced along to the music and said he was so touched by the message preached that he recommitted his life to the Lord. He prays that now the Lord would strengthen him so that he could serve God, even as a footballer. He was very thankful to African Enterprise and his local pastor for helping him to overcome his lapse of faith.

Please continue to pray for these young believers, and the many others who turned to Jesus Christ during this time. Pray also that the Lord would guide and protect the local churches as they continue to followup and disciple these precious people.

A.E. evangelists preach last sermon in Monrovia…

Monrovia Mission, 15-22 November 2009

This last day of the mission, evangelists were distributed around the city to preach for the last time in local churches.  Short term missionary Cathy Ahern describes her time at Dupont Road Baptist Church.

“After a very Pentecostal style church service last Sunday with Pastor James at Buzzi quarter, this week we went to a much more main line Baptist Church lead by Pastor Perrick. We asked him about his experience of the war as we have with most of the people we’ve met here. He stayed in Monrovia during the war and told us of weeks on end when they couldn’t leave the house because of the bullets flying around. The service ran from 11am – 1.30pm and was a fantastic time of praise and worship.

Pastor Perrick has a great heart for protecting his flock and making sure they are taught well. After meeting with the elders to pray, he took us aside and interviewed us for 10 minutes or so before the service just to satisfy himself that we were ‘okay’. It was wonderful to see the care he takes with his congregation. After a tremendous time of prayers (including for a couple who had been married for 29 years), singing, worship and notices, Adrian spoke on Ephesians 6 and the armour of God. It was well received and pastor seemed genuinely delighted. It is worth mentioning that this church is a mission church and has both planted another congregation in Monrovia and sent short term missions into the country side.”

There is still much to do for the evangelists who travel home tomorrow, so more detail about the fantastic closing ceremony will be posted tomorrow. Please continue to pray for those who came to know the Lord, and the vital discipleship processes that now need to be implemented. Please also pray for those who are travelling tomorrow.

Many thanks and much love from the team in Monrovia

“Let the young people come to Me…”

Monrovia Mission, 15-22 November 2009

With over 50% of Monrovia’s population aged under 18 years old, there is a great need for youth ministry. Many of these young people were born during the war which ended around 5 years ago, and have suffered much during their developmental years. Some were child soldiers.Many children continue to suffer greatly in Monrovia as poverty impacts their family life, education, health and future opportunities. In a desperate attempt to free themselves from the shackles of poverty, many young people turn to prostitution, sexual relationships, drugs, theft and violence.

The three Foxfire teams from Kenya and South Africa have been in hot demand throughout the week. Their energetic dances, beautiful singing and powerful testimonies have deeply impacted young and old Monrovians, so much so that the Mission Chairman announced tonight that he would like them to stay another week so that they can train key youth leaders in local churches.

The Foxfires have ventured into many schools in Monrovia, reaching hundreds of young students. Nonkululeko (South Africa) shared her testimony at one of these schools, describing how she was born out of wedlock to very young parents who were not ready to care for and love her. She shared how rejected she felt as a result, and the impact this had on her relationship with her mother and father. Her self image was destroyed and she tried to find fulfilment and her identity in destructive relationships and behaviours. At her lowest point the Lord spoke to her about who she is as His creation and daughter, and her life was transformed. The students’ were deeply touched by her testimony, and some of them visited her at the team base today. One of them wrote her a letter saying “your teaching has really done well for me. I just want to say thanks and I love you, thanks for changing my life…” Her team was also invited to speak during an one and a half hour youth program on a local radio station regarding youth culture and faith.

The week’s youth ministry culminated in three youth rallies which were held in accessible locations around the city. Although being advertised as youth rallies, these meetings also attracted people from a wide range of ages. The local performers sang and danced alongside the Foxfires, who also shared their stories, and the gospel was preached. I attended a rally in one of the busiest market districts in town. The music and dancing very soon drew large crowds. Many were young people who were passing by with all sorts of items for sale balanced on their heads, but who then paused to listen.

At the time an altar call was made, one of these young girls removed her wares from her head and asked one of the attending evangelists to look after it as she wanted to receive Jesus, but had not sold anything yet that day, and needed to do so before she went home. He agreed to, but was distracted and left her items unattended. Another evangelist observed that nearby people had started helping themselves, and went over, insisting that they pay for what they had consumed. The young girl returned to discover that some sales had been made, and went home saying “praise God, Jesus gave me money. I can go home now”.

 The response generally was enormous, with each counsellor surrounded by up to 20 people, all earnestly wanting their details recorded for follow-up. The youth rallies at other venues were just as successful, with many young people coming to the Lord. It was a fantastic finale to the youth ministry, and a good precursor to the closing rally tomorrow.

Earlier this morning, we officially opened the Health and Sanitation project at the Buzzi Quarter with a “ground breaking ceremony”. The gathering of people was made up of Buzzi residents, local Christians, representatives from the Association of Evangelicals and other church umbrella organisations, and a large contingent from African Enterprise. Local Buzzi pastors led us in a time of worship, as bricklayers who were laying the foundations of the toilet block danced in the mud. The ceremony was held in a particularly smelly part of the community, at the bottom of the hill adjacent to the waterway flowing with rubbish and grey water, and next to the small UNICEF toilet block. It was another hot day, but it was a joy to be with this community, and to share with them God’s love in word and deed.

Stephen spoke about how Jesus stopped for people who others had ignored or oppressed, and explained God’s heart for the people of Buzzi who have been so overlooked for so long. At the end of his message he made an altar call, and over 30 people came forward to receive Jesus as their personal Saviour. As these people were counselled, representatives from Monrovian churches, African Enterprise, and Buzzi community leaders “broke” the ground, officially opening the process of development in the Buzzi Quarter and putting the community’s needs on the agenda of the local authorities.

Tomorrow, evangelists will be preaching in over 20 local churches before the Closing Ceremony commences at 2:30pm. We have been assured that the Vice President, and possibly the President herself, will be attending. We are excited but sad that the proclamation phase of the mission will be finishing up – there are still so many, many open doors for the gospel here, and so many hungry people who are willing to listen and need to know new life in the Lord.

Thank you again for persevering with us in prayer. We are again in awe of our great God whose wisdom and power is beyond anyone and anything we can imagine. Please continue to pray for:

1. Stephen as he preaches tomorrow at the Closing ceremony. Pray particularly for special guests such as the Vice President, and other city leaders who contribute to the leadership of this nation.
2. The evangelists as they preach in churches around the city
3. Songe’s shoulder – we can praise God that Songe was strong enough to join us for a short time at the groundbreaking ceremony in Buzzi Quarter, and then in the evening for devotions. Pray that the Lord might continue to strengthen and heal him.
4. That the Lord would protect all those who have turned to the Lord this week, and that they would find a bible believing church near their home
5. That the Lord would strengthen local counsellors and disciplers as they implement follow up programs, and disciple new believers.
6. For safety and health as the AE team winds up and travels home

The momentum builds…

Monrovia Mission, 15-22 November 2009

We can say that “things are moving!”, as is often said over here in Africa. The hiccups and logistical challenges which we encountered during our first two days of stratified evangelism seem to have been ironed out, and momentum is building. We are so thankful to the Lord for answering our prayers regarding the weather, as we have not had any showers which have affected our outreach meetings. We didn’t realise though that the lack of rain would result in searing heat! It is extremely hot and humid during the day, and most of our meetings involving standing, preaching or dancing (in the case of the Foxfires) in the scorching sunlight. This is starting to take its toll on team members energy levels, though has certainly not quenched their enthusiasm.

We had a busy and fruitful day today, with meetings taking place in the five zones around the city. Some groups started off before 8am devotions to minister to children at school assemblies, whilst others travelled early to cover long distances before the traffic clogged the roads. I joined the group at the Ministry of Information, a building which had been gutted in many places by the rebels during Charles Taylors’ war for leadership. Grace Masalakulangwa (Tanzania) encouraged the staff fellowship group as they interceded for their city, and was very well received, so much so that they requested a group photo.

Grace later spoke evangelistically at the University of Liberia in a “palava” house – a round hut which traditionally was used for discussion and conflict resolution. Her vocal cords were tested as she competed with the very loud political meetings which were taking place in nearby palava houses, in preparation for the upcoming run-off Senate elections. One young man we spoke to afterwards shared with us how he had backslidden from his Christian faith when he started university, but after being reminded that focussing on Jesus is the only way to pursue our true purpose in life, he was convicted and wished to recommit his life to Jesus.

At another meeting conducted by a different group, a man who had grown up following another faith was struck by the grace of God which extends to him the gift of forgiveness, and he gave his life to the Lord. Although his new found faith will cause a deep rift in his family and with believers of his previous belief, his main concern was how he could continue to preach the gospel to others.

In the afternoon, another group started sharing outside a gas station. Their team leader was concerned that it may not be a place where people would gather, but after the performance of a local gospel singer, and a team of South African Foxfires, a crowd of around 80 people had surrounded us. David Chigamba (Malawi) stood up to preach, assuring people that he would not be long, as sometimes the crowd disperses after the “entertainment” is over. However, by the end of his message a greater number of people had gathered, some nodding earnestly as he talked about the destruction which the “storms” of sin, sickness, bad relationships, drugs and prostitution cause in our lives. As he was encouraging people to turn to Jesus in the midst of their storms, just as the disciples turned to Jesus in the middle of a life threatening storm, I noticed a man with both hands raised, looking to the sky. He was already praying to the Lord. He looked as though he didn’t need to hear anymore and just couldn’t wait to give his life to the Lord who cares for us. When David eventually made the altar call, we noticed that instead of a crowd of children rushing forward as is usual, a number of grown men came over with their hands raised. David was soon completely swamped by young men who had realised their need to turn to the Lord.

There are many other testimonies which could be shared if we had the space. Enoch (Malawi) reported that at one market place women were running over to join in the singing and dancing. Local evangelists started personal evangelism and were praying with people even before the preaching started. Counsellors have been reliably and quickly assisting those who respond to the message. At another venue, policemen who had initially objected to a meeting being held, were saved. At least one of our drivers have given their lives to the Lord, or been renewed in their Christian walk. Overall, we can confidently say that hundreds of people are being saved each day, and we are continually overwhelmed by the piles of decision cards which are returned to the mission office . 

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please praise the Lord for His continued grace and anointing as we move around the city safely, enjoying the privilege of being His hands, feet and mouth.

Please continue to pray for:

1. Those who have committed their lives to the Lord – that the enemy would not snatch the seed, and that the Word that was sown would grow deeply into their hearts producing a fruitful harvest.
2. Meetings tomorrow taking place in various areas throughout the city, including “red light” (very busy market), the Central Prison, schools, busy junctions, the National Museum, and sports fields
3. the city leadership dinner which takes place tomorrow night. Pray for those who are speaking, and pray the Lord will draw many people to Himself
4. for the youth rallies on saturday
5. those involved in the counselling and follow up programs – for commitment and wisdom.
6. Songe Chibambo’s shoulder continues to cause him pain – please pray the Lord would give him relief from this ongoing problem. A number of other team members are struggling with headaches, asthma, and tiredness generally.
7. Stephen Lungu was forced to rest today due to a serious stomach bug. Please pray the Lord would heal and strengthen him for ministry at the prison tomorrow

Day Three, Monrovia, Liberia Mission

  15-22 November 2009

The battle for the city of Monrovia continued today. We have had a day of wonderful ministry in some zones, so much so that teams returned home exhausted from meetings, and yet in other zones, miscommunications and other hiccups have been very disruptive. For instance, we were sadly not able to make it into the prison today, and pray that we will be able to minister there on Thursday. We continue to sense the Lord’s enabling through the sapping heat, traffic and delays, as teams continue to travel around with excitement and joy. We have also been reminded how important continued prayer for the Lord’s protection and anointing is, as we seek to make the most of the fantastic opportunities which have opened up for the church here.

A number of team members share some of their thoughts and experiences below…

Lazaro Mulhui, our Mozambican brother, met with Ms Etmisnia David Tarpeh, the Minister of Youth and Sport. He spoke at the daily devotional meeting for Ministry staff yesterday, and today was invited back to speak further with the Minister. He writes “I was received at her office and experienced her gratitude and appreciation for ministering to them. She thanked the African Enterprise gesture and she praised the initiative of evangelising the city of Monrovia, saying that “the church in Monrovia needs much support and help in order to progress the gospel of Jesus Christ”, and wished us a very successful mission in Monrovia.

Adrian Ahern, Australian Short Term Missioner, says “Our first meeting started slowly, as the heavy peak hour traffic held up the public address system. We waited at a market area in Westpoint, a slum area housing fishermen and their families. It was a fly-ridden area next to a dock for fishing boats on the sea. There were no toilet facilities available and children were openly relieving themselves in the public area. The children were excited to see us, and were curiously touching the Caucasian team members’ skin, having never been in contact with white foreigners. Dino Naidoo decided to start the meeting without amplification, and a crowd gathered.

He was filled with the Spirit as he gave his powerful testimony and spoke to the crowd about how Jesus had turned his life around, from crime and other activities to a life of meaning and purpose. Many in the crowd were clearly affected by what Dino said, in particular the emptiness of his former life. In each place about 25 people came forward, including a 19 year old boy named Jebediah who said he had been involved in criminal activity and now wanted to give his life to the Lord.
Notwithstanding the challenges of the morning, the delays, the heat, flies and smell, it was a great morning for the Lord in each market place.”

Local journalist for the national radio station, Liberian Broadcasting Service, Necus Andrews also reports that at his first meeting “29 young people confessed their past wrong doing…that have kept them from God. The youths commended African Enterprise for organising the city wide crusade, and called on their peers to put their trust in God because he is the only one who gives us hope for a productive life…” In an interview at a subsequent venue, with one of the sixty new believers, he was told that “their lives have been through hell, but with God they can make it.” The National television station also covered an event conducted in a very large marketplace, interviewing two of our team members.

Please pray!

1)      Praise the Lord for the many who have been saved, and pray the Lord would protect and grow them as His disciples. Pray for tomorrow’s meetings, which will take place in schools, market places, sports fields, the Information Ministry, the Forest Development Authority, a coconut plantation, a gas station, and a special event for children.
2)      that the enemies schemes would be thwarted, especially those which are aimed at causing confusion and discouragement.
3)      for our leaders, Stephen Lungu and Songe Chibambo, that the Lord would give them great discernment and strength as they lead the team in such a complicated context.
4)      that relationships would remain strong and uplifting.
5)      That many would come to a deep understanding of what the Lord has done for them in Jesus, and give their whole heart to Him.

Monrovia Mission, 15 – 22 November 2009

The team reached the end of their first day of “stratified evangelism” with increased enthusiasm and vigour to take the gospel to the unreached, unchurched of Monrovia. The day started with a team devotion, a wonderful time of fellowship, questions, prayer and anticipation before vehicles were loaded with groups of evangelists who were allocated one of five zones throughout out the city. I accompanied Enoch Phiri (Malawi), William Muchiri (Kenya), Jean Kalenzi (Rwanda) and five South African Foxfires to the “Buzzi Quarter”, the location of our Health and Sanitation project. Our first meeting was similar to the experiences of a number of other groups in the city. The concept of “stratified evangelism” – taking the gospel to the people, takes a little getting used to. We found ourselves in a church, ministering to local Buzzi Christians. Although the team was aching to make contact with the many people lining the narrow walkways, it was still a fruitful meeting, with Enoch and William strengthening and encouraging local Christians to reach out with boldness to those around them who need Jesus.

We then moved onto the local primary school, a small, unpowered building in the heart of the ghetto. Initially there was a little confusion as the students were writing exams, but the Vice Principal arranged for the ministry to take place during the study break. Hundreds of students gathered around the AE team, peering in curious to see why these “foreigners” (as we are known here) were in their playground. Despite the searing heat and stink from the nearby waterway, students eagerly listened to the Foxfires sing, and share a testimony of the importance of making the choice to follow the Lord whilst young. Jean preached an evangelistic message and a sea of hands shot up as the children were invited to indicate whether they wanted to be children of God. A young Foxfire lady sternly warned them that this was a serious decision and explained the implications, but the response didn’t change. I started wondering whether, as is the case in some places, these kids had ever heard the gospel clearly explained to them before, despite their Christian heritage.

I attended an afternoon rally in a large market compound with Mel Mesfin (Ethiopia), John Shikuku (Kenya), Emmanuel Kwizera (Rwanda), and the other team of South Africa Foxfires. A crowd was drawn by the spectacle of the Foxfire members dancing to local Liberian music, and then inviting children to join them. Adults also took to the dance floor to everyone’s amusement, and was a great start to a penetrating message from Emmanuel who shared his experiences of loss and grief after the Rwandan genocide, and his hope for the future in Jesus. A large group of adults and children responded to his invitation to become new creations in Jesus, and were counselled by the group of counsellors on duty.

Aussie Short term member Cath Ahern writes below about some of her experiences… “Today I went for the first time to do market place evangelism and I am in awe of my brothers James Kiyimba (Uganda) and Leonard Kiswangi (DRC). We travelled a really long way through the dreadful Monrovian traffic to get to a place called Duala. The local guys set up their gear in the middle of a market place and after much very loud Liberian worship a small crowd had gathered around us. After introductions from Leonard Kiswangi (DRC) and a quick testimony from my Aussie buddy Sally and I, our speaker James Kiyimba got up to speak. And wow how the Lord empowered his words. His passion for Jesus and his heart for the people of Monrovia and in particular the people of that space and time were palpable. As a result most of the gathered crowd came forward to commit their lives to Christ. It was so exciting.
While the adults were giving the local leaders some details, Sal and I got to hang with the local kids. We gave out stickers and you would have thought we gave them gold bars. All I could say to them was that Jesus loves them or God bless you. We danced and we hugged and we shook hands with probably a hundred children maybe more. They are in such a bad state but those smiles are spectacular. I pray that they will get to know Jesus very soon because their life, as it is, offers so little.
You should know that I consider myself a bit of a weak link in this team. It has taken a lot of prayer to get me to Monrovia and today, working with my brothers and sister, could only be described as exhilarating. I can never imagine this sort of preaching being done in Australia – there would be too much heckling from the crowd. The need in this crowd was so immediate and Jesus met them there. God is good.”

After reports from the rest of the team, it is apparent that about 500 people indicated that they wanted to surrender their lives to Jesus, despite the teething problems that were experienced, as usual, on the first day of the mission.

Tomorrow there will be a number of meetings taking place in schools, marketplaces and other large outdoor public venues. We will also visit the local prison for the first time, and Stephen Lungu is leading this team for ministry.

Please continue to pray for:
1) the Lord to lead us to those who are lost and in bondage to sin and guilt and that they would turn to Jesus
2) that His words would be in our mouths and hearts
3) for the local believers involved in organisations
4) for safety and good health

Monrovia, Liberia Pan African Mission 15-22 November 2009

OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW!!

It is very difficult to describe the buzz in the air at the ELWA compound where all but one (who is still to arrive on Monday) of the AE evangelists are staying, and where the mission office is located. This was heightened with the arrival of our International Team Leader, Stephen Lungu CEO, who landed safely yesterday, bursting onto the scene his usual enthusiasm and warmth.

The last two days have been full and exciting, as we start to see the mission arrangements fall into place after some last minute scrambling. Friday was a day of prayer and fasting for the AE team, as well as the Mission Steering Committee members. This did not stop the hive of activity around the mission office, nor the final briefing for over 100 counsellors who will be deployed to the mission venues around the city.
Our day of prayer culminated in a wonderful time of intercession and worship together. Different nations led the group in traditional worship, and the Mission Prayer Committee Chairman led a vibrant time of prayer, crying out to the Lord to pour out His Spirit on the people of Monrovia. The Mission Prayer Committee had been praying and fasting for the entire week, and have really “set the pace” for the rest of us. We broke our fast together over a fellowship meal and an incredible sunset.

Sewerage runs through the walkways in the Buzzi Quarter

This morning we met together again for a cultural orientation session presented by members of the Steering Committee. It was a great opportunity for us all to find out how they could best love and communicate the gospel in Liberia, understanding more about the trials and suffering this nation has encountered. We then went on a city tour in a fleet of cars to familiarise ourselves with the “vibe” of the city. The tour ended in “Buzzi Quarter”, a ghetto community at the bottom of the city which lives in deplorable conditions.
The Buzzi Quarter used to house retired army soldiers, but since the civil war it has fallen into a disgusting state of disrepair, with streams of overflow sewage and gray water flowing through the narrow walkways and bursting through storm water drains. The school playground backs onto one of the major exposed waste water arteries, and a break-away stream flows past the entrance to the clinic. The neglect and poverty that many of these people have experienced, made worse by “well wishers” who do not follow through with their promises, have rendered many of

The Buzzi Quarter community formally welcomed the Monrovian Churches and African Enterprise

 these people sceptical and sometimes resentful towards “foreigners” who want to help.

 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

A large group of the evangelists visited the Buzzi Quarter today for the “Community Mobilisation” meeting with community elders. At a preliminary visit earlier in the week, representatives of the churches in Monrovia and African Enterprise were given part of a banana leaf and three palm nuts, a traditional ceremony indicating that our activities were formally welcomed in their community. Today’s event was the official opening of our ministry there – in word and deed. Pastors of two of the churches located within the Buzzi Quarter led a short praise time, and the team were introduced to the gathering crowd of onlookers.

 Andrew Tokpa, the Church and Development Director for AEL and avid advocate for the community, explained to them that we were not there to “develop” them, as they needed to pursue their own development for themselves and their own community, with us alongside them. He explained that we were there to support the church to be a transformational agent in their neighbourhood. The South African Foxfire team did a short drama, which was followed up by an altar call to which four people, men and women, of varying ages responded that they wanted to turn back to Jesus. It was an exciting end to a big week, and in a sense was a premature beginning to the mission! We all sense that the Lord is going to break through the hardness of many in this

The Buzzi Community is opening up to the love of God

 community, giving them a new heart and hope for life in Jesus.

Tomorrow evangelists are preaching in 19 churches around the city to raise awareness about the mission, and at 2:30pm the Opening Ceremony will officially commence the mission week.
We are all so thankful for your prayers:
1. Ministry in the churches tomorrow
2. The Opening Ceremony –
a. For practical arrangements
b. For Stephen as he preaches and others as they sing/perform
c. That MANY would be saved
d. For the counsellors and discipleship process
3. That the Lord would be preparing many hearts to turn to Him throughout this week

Two days to go!!!

Monrovia, Liberia Mission 15-22 November

We had another productive Steering Committee meeting yesterday, during which committees updated each other concerning their progress. It is clear, and very understandable, that people are under tremendous pressure from the limited time we have left to complete arrangements before the mission. In typical Liberian style, the meeting was very loud with heated discussions, which generally ended in very well thought through resolutions. Members of the Steering Committee have high expectations and ambitious desires for this mission, which only amplify their anxiety as time runs out. It is clear they want to reach as many people as possible with the Lord they know will bring true peace and healing to their city.

The very intense atmosphere of the Steering Committee meeting was interrupted twice, by incidents that proved very encouraging to those in attendance.

Publicity Chairman Alfonso Dean with the Mobile Publicity truck

The first was the sound of upbeat music and a radio announcements concerning the mission which, although heard quietly in the distance initially, grew louder to almost deafening as a black pickup truck covered in mission posters and containing three enormous speakers drew up to the compound. It was the Publicity committee Chairman who had arrived to report on his committee’s activities, before retreating again in his mobile sound system into the city – with two other vehicles similarly advertising the mission. This unexpected distraction clearly encouraged attendants greatly, and the mood changed from frustrated anxiety to excited anticipation.

The next interruption was so subtle that we barely noticed what had happened until the Vice Chairman made an announcement that, “that woman walking out the gate now just brought a donation from her church towards the mission”. This also visibly encouraged those who had been able to sit through the 3 hours of discussion, as local church participation and ownership of this mission is so vital to its’ long term effectiveness.

Finally, at the end of the day, a fleet of landcruisers and other large vehicles were sent out to the airport to pick up the 27 evangelists who had safely arrived. I had written a little while ago that two of our evangelists were not able to obtain visas in time, but since then the team on the ground here has spent many hours in the Immigration office here in Monrovia, trying to rectify the situation by obtaining airport visas for them.

Incredibly, the Secretary for the mission, Rev Clinton Gbawoh, used to be Chaplain for for the Immigration department. He knew the Immigration Commissioner and his staff, and was able to vouch for the activities of the “Christ Mission for Monrovia”. After some very nervous days and multiple visits to check on the progress, the Airport visas were granted at the 11 ½th hour, and were delivered to the airport just as our two evangelists were being questioned prior to being taken into custody! Praise the Lord!

We are all so thankful for those of you who are praying for and encouraging us. We are all very aware of the Lord’s enabling, and praise Him for your partnership with us for the city of Monrovia. Tomorrow is a day of prayer and fasting for the mission for us here on the ground. We would love you to join us.

(L to R) Mission Secretary Rev Clinton Gbaboh, Chairman Rev Zubah Kollie and Vice Chairman Rev Joseph Johnson

Please continue to pray:

1. Guidance and protection for the working committee members as they travel around town making final arrangements. Pray particularly that the Lord would provide miraculously for their needs, and that they would be sensitive to His prompting
2. Safety for the rest of the visiting evangelists as they travel
3. Pray against strongholds in this city, particularly promiscuity and witchcraft.
4. Pray the Lord would convict Monrovians of the destructiveness of sin, and reveal to them His marvelous gift for them of new life in Jesus.
5. Pray for the weather – today we have beautiful clear blue sky!

“Prepare the way…”

The impending mission is starting to merge quickly into the community’s consciousness here in Monrovia. The publicity committee has done a fantastic job in the time they were given, to announce the arrival of “Christ Mission to Monrovia” to the city.

Poster for the "Christ mission for Monrovia" as it is locally known...

The main street into town is hung with Mission posters decorated with the Mission logo and an action shot of our CEO and chief evangelist Stephen Lungu. Even as we drive around the city, the posters stuck to our car attract great attention, and when stationary, many curious passersby wander up, unabashed, to examine the advertisement. Churches are making announcements each week to their congregations, and government ministers and city mayors have been invited to join us for the Opening Ceremony and a “City Leadership Dinner”. For the past two weeks, the mission has been advertised on local radio stations through interviews and during the Public Service Announcements. Considering that over 80% of the population are said to be illiterate, radio advertising plays a crucial role.

Our efforts to publicise the mission have run parallel with the intense campaigning of 10 candidates who are contesting the recently vacated Senate seat representing the County of Montserrado. The city of Monrovia is located within Montserrado, one of fifteen counties in Liberia. Today their campaigns culminated in the Senate by-election.

There has been considerable anxiety in the lead up to this by-election, with most saying it is a test run for the 2011 Presidential election. Political parties and their adherents’ activities have been tightly controlled. Each party was allocated one day this week to campaign, in order to avoid clashes between supporters, and yesterday, the day before the election, was set aside as a “cool off” day. Campaigning of any sort, even wearing party colours, was outlawed. In addition, today was declared a public holiday within Montserrado, and voters have been instructed to vote without indicating in any way who they support to avoid the possibility of violence between parties.

Even the Lord is not taking any chances. For the first time during our stay here, it has rained almost non-stop during the day, which has cleared the streets of gatherings of people and quenched any possibility of mob violence developing. The UN helicopters have been flying nervously overhead, but thankfully all seems peaceful.

Excitingly, today our team of 35 visiting evangelists start to arrive, with the majority of these evangelists (27 of them) flying in tomorrow. They will converge in Monrovia from the DRC, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Australia. We will also be joined by a Mozambican pastor who will participate in the mission with a view to being a key organiser of a Pan African Mission in Maputo next year, which we hope to conduct as part of the “Mission Africa” activities, in conjunction with the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for:
• Safe travel for our evangelists, and protection for their families
• Safety and guidance for the local believers, particularly Mission Chairman Zubah Kollie, as they “run around” the city making final arrangements for the mission week
• That hearts and minds would be prepared by the Lord to hear and obey Him, and that many, many people would experience deep transformation and healing throughout the mission week.
• For the discipleship committee as they establish follow up groups and procedures
• For Pan African Mission Director, Songe Chibambo, who seriously injured his shoulder in September and is still in considerable discomfort.

Songe’s safe arrival

We praise God for the safe arrival of Songe. Without going into detail, Songe arrived over 40 hours late having had numerous delays and unanticipated “lay overs” in two cities along the way. Miraculously he has arrived with a smile on his face, and excitement concerning what is ahead – for we are not aware of the devil’s schemes. Please continue to pray for his shoulder which is causing him considerable discomfort and pain. He was actually advised by his physiotherapist not to travel (little did his physiotherapist realise what that would entail), and is on pain management medication.
He is very thankful for all the encouragement and support he is receiving.
God bless,
Vanessa, on behalf of the PAM team