A powerful partnership

Monrovia Mission, 15-22 November 2009

Yesterday the intense proclamation phase of the mission finished up with a closing ceremony. However, just as Songe Chibambo (Pan African Missions Director) said during his introductory remarks, this is just the beginning of process of discipleship within the city of Monrovia.

The ceremony was also a wonderful celebration of the unity and co-operation between local churches, as well as the strong partnership between the local church leaders, and African Enterprise. The Steering Committee Executive had provided impressive leadership to both the local and international team throughout the week, as teams spread around the city zones. Visiting AE evangelists were also struck by the reliability and enthusiasm of many of the local counsellors, evangelists, and musicians who would often commence, and then continue evangelistic meetings after the departure of the AE teams. It was truly a joint effort.

Celebrations started with the traditional fast Liberian worship music, and very quickly a conga line had formed, winding its way through the crowd. Musical performances and elated celebration continued with local musicians such as the Liberian Ambassador for Gospel music and her mass choir, “Miracle” and her electric dance group, and the engaging South African and Kenyan Foxfires.

Quite early in the program His Excellency Joseph Boakai, the Vice President of Liberia, arrived promptly in his motorcade with sirens blaring. After formerly welcoming the Vice President, the Buzzi Quarter Health and Sanitation program was explained, and the large contingent of Buzzi Quarter residents present were acknowledged. Buzzi Quarter Chairman, Mr Tarnue, ceremonially welcomed the work of Monrovian churches in partnership with AE in his community. He gave some Koro nuts and a chicken, on behalf of the Buzzi community, to representatives of the local churches and African Enterprise, symbolizing that they were considered as one people, and as welcomed members of the Buzzi Community. Buzzi Quarter, local church and African Enterprise leaders, as well as His Excellency the Vice President, bit off a small part of the nut, which is extremely bitter, cementing the agreement that they are all part of the one community.

Swallowing this bitter nut only delayed Stephen for a very short time before he spoke powerfully about how easy it is to miss heaven if we are putting our faith in anything other than Jesus, such as church or knowing Christian songs. He spelt out that it is only faith in Jesus through which we receive forgiveness of sins which renders us right before God. Many people indicated that they wanted to trust Jesus for the first time, including the Community Chairman of the Buzzi Quarter, who was one of the first to rise to his feet.

As those who responded to the message were quietly counseled, His Excellency, the Vice President, addressed the ceremony. He thanked the organisers of the mission for their efforts and stressed the importance of his people loving Jesus saying, “we can build all the roads, bridges and buildings we want but it will all be in vain without love for Jesus…. If Liberians can embrace God, we will become a great nation.  I believe God has his hand on Liberia.” His Excellency also expressed a desire to meet with the

Stephen Lungu, CEO African Enterprise with His Excellency, Joseph Boakai, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia (left)

 people of Buzzi Quarter to discuss how the government might be involved in changing their circumstances.  The residents of Buzzi, who were present, were especially delighted by this invitation.

The afternoon ended with more dancing and sad but excited farewells. The team of disciplers now face a great challenge… follow up. This week we hope to meet up with some of those who surrendered their lives to Christ to hear more about their life changing week.

Thank you so much for standing with us throughout this week. Please continue to pray for;

1. Those who have given their lives to the Lord, particularly those who will experience persecution from family and friends.
2. Local believers who will follow up those who have responded to the Lord
3. The AE team, the majority of whom departed from Monrovia today
4. The Pan African Mission team and Australian short term missionaries who will stay for another few days. We praise the Lord for the improvement in Songe’s shoulder – he reports he is now 98% better!!!
5. That the church will continue to actively reach out to their community
6. For peace and stability, as the run-off elections for a Senate candidate will be held tomorrow and campaigning has been quite intense