May 2010 Archives

For many years,Alton and Helen Buck were SIM missionaries at ELWA Hospital. Alton worked as the X-ray technician and chaplain, and Helen was an ER nurse. He wrote many letters home, detailing events large and small, and his parents saved the letters. From time to time, we will (with Alton's permission) share some of these stories.

It was about 7:30 on a September Morning in 1968. Dr. Schindler was in the Operating Room of the ELWA hospital in Liberia, West Africa, preparing to do a hernia repair on a patient by the name of Momo Pobah. The O.R. nurse and the nurse anesthetist had not arrived yet but the OR technicians were there. Suddenly Momo went limp. A quick check of the vital signs by Doctor Schindler revealed no pulse or respiration. An incision was quickly made in the chest and Dr. Schindler reached in and squeezed the heart to get it going again. By then the nurses had arrived. Using anesthesia equipment that the Lord had provided, they were able to get him breathing again.

And so it was that Momo Pobah, a big carpenter from the interior, a Muslim who was not ready to die, was brought back from the brink of death. At first we used an interpreter who could speak Bassa because we knew he understood that dialect. Then we found out he also knew Vai (his mother tongue) as well as Kpelle and English. He was witnessed to in all of those languages.

I told him that he had died on the operating table but that God had given him back his physical life. Then I told him that he was spiritually dead, but could have new life from God. There in bed one on the male ward, Momo Pobah once again passed from death unto life, as he invited Christ to come into his heart. I would like to pass on to you some remarks that he made while in our hospital:

"I want to be a God-man...I want to learn everything that God wants me to do...I am not going to pray on the mat anymore. I am going to start a Christian church in my village...God gave me a new life, the old life is finished. And the life I have now, I must live for God, or it will be shame."

Before being discharged he went back into the Operating Room, this time without fear, to have the hernia repair he originally came for. He made a good recovery and walked out of the hospital. Returning later for medicine he showed interest in being baptized and inquired about attending a baptismal class. The last time I saw him I said;" Well, Momo Pobah, how are you doing?" His reply was; "Well, thank God." The story of the man who lived again was shared with many on the "African Observer" program.

This story was written in May of 1971. Many, many years later a man approached me at the ELWA out-patient clinic and asked if I remembered him, and at first I didn't. But then he pulled up his shirt to reveal an ugly, deep scar on the rib cage. At the same time he said; "Momo Pobah". I will never forget the big smile on his face and how surprised I was to see him again after all those years. I then reminded him of the promise he had made to start a church in his village. He instantly replied; "There's a church in my village"!

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it might give seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10, 11)

As "retired" SIM missionaries, Bill and Judy Slater are certainly not slowing down. They could just be enjoying golfing, travel, gardening, family and staying in contact with their many Liberian friends, which they do often, but that is not enough for them! Bill has taught BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) men's groups for 21 years, just completed his Masters degree in religion, and hopes to be ordained soon. He says, "Master's work finished; now for the next work the Master has prepared for me." As a Minister of the Gospel, he is a pulpit supply pastor and seminar leader for apologetics and evangelism. Despite knee surgery a couple of weeks ago, he preached his first sermon last week.

Bill and Judy will be in Liberia for the month of July (leaving the US June 29, arriving in Monrovia July 1 and leaving Monrovia August 3. It will be middle of rainy season, and they will both be doing a wide range of ministries. They will be bringing some much needed diabetic supplies, and some MP3 players for pastors in John Corey's ministry. You can read about John's amazing ministry to pastors at 2010corey mp3 project.doc .

Both Bill and Judy will be providing administrative support to the new hospital administrator, and the pharmacy, and to other areas on campus as requested. Bill will teach/preach as opportunities present themselves. Dan Snyder has suggested assisting the YFC program while there. They also plan to visit the Liberian Inland Church congregation in Ganta, Nimba County. Judy will be visiting and interviewing the EMA+USA Scholarship students and their families, and be spending time encouraging the wives of ELWA staff. And of course they will be renewing their numerous friendships, and making new ones. Judy hopes to be able to use some of her hospitality gifts in the home they will be renting on ELWA campus.

Bill and Judy first went to ELWA in July of 1973. Bill is a pharmacist, and developed and opened the ELWA Hospital pharmacy. He set up an IV manufacturing facility, helped write the dispensary and pharmacy examination for Liberia, was on the Christian Health board of Liberia, and was the ELWA Hospital administrator for 4 years. In his spare time he taught Bible studies. He and Judy led a couples expatriate Bible Study.

Judy filled many different roles as needed, many centering on driving a 12-passenger Land Rover! She regularly ferried supplies and people, and pulled a mother and baby health clinic cart up-country and helped as well with administrative work for that clinic. She was secretary for the broadcast director for a time, and filled in as hospital chaplain, as well as teaching Sunday School. Her heart and passion was for her "girls", Liberian young women she taught and mentored, including her Liberian daughter, Annie Boley. She has kept up with them, and speaks with such pride about how they are doing and how they are following the Lord. Both Bill and Judy's hearts remain with the Liberian people, and I'm sure the Lord is going to use them in powerful and unexpected ways on this trip.

If you would like to partner with them in prayer, here are some of their requests:

• For physical strength in preparing for this trip. They maintain a very busy schedule, and in fact will be leading a youth group mission trip to Chicago the week before they leave.
• For physical healing of Bill's knee (recovering from surgery).
• For protection for their children and grandchildren while they are in Liberia.
• For full financial support for the trip
• Most of all, to be used for God's glory in whatever God calls them to do.

If you would like more information about the Slater's trip, you can contact them on Facebook, or e-mail them at judyslater@comcast.net, or call 847-566-0683.

From her blog, Cultivating Beauty, Annette de la Haye Cooper put together the following pictures, and I put them in a slide show. If you'd like to see her captions, you can see a full sized show on Flickr. I am especially moved by the photos of the ELWA graveyard, remembering those we lost too soon. Take a moment to thank the Lord for them and the time we had with them on earth. Praise God for the hope of Glory, and the prospect of seeing them again!

Annette writes,

"For those who grew up and remember Liberia as home, I thought I would put some more general pictures up for all of you to enjoy."

For those who grew up and remember Liberia as home, I thought I would put some more general pictures up for all of you to enjoy. Rainy season was starting, and many roads are still under repair.

The market was always fun and and adventure every time we went down town.


A home in Red Light area of Monrovia.

Home sweet home.

Home at ELWA destroyed by the war.

Children are always one of God's most beautiful creations. They are the hope for Liberia.

Country kitchen with good chop being made for supper.






The Ducor Hotel as it is today and what it looked like in the 60's.

The ebony wall in the restaurant overlooking the pool.

Dan and I standing in front of the wall.

Overlooking the sea. The port is to the right of this picture. Notice the old Cottonwood tree.

The lighthouse at the top of the hill near the entrance to the Ducor.

The first President of Liberia, Joseph J. Robert.

Cannons used to call slave ships into port in the slave trading days.










The view from the Ducor.

The new bridge to Bushrod Island.
The Free Port in Monrovia.

Part 2 of Annette's final post tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 31st

We met with Joe and Nene Wankollie at his office at 8:30 am. It was wonderful learning of the hearts desires of those serving at ELWA radio station, hospital, school and services.

We can pray more intelligently.

At 9:00 am, we went to the studio to meet with Kedick White, director of ELWA Ministries. Dan and I were interviewed about our trip and about what God has done. We thank the Lord for His kindness in letting us be a part of what is happening in Liberia today.

Later in the morning we drove in to visit CooCoo Tubman and family. It was great to connect with old friends and be able to say goodbye.

We went down town for last minute shopping and were able to say goodbye to a city well known to both of us. I will miss it very much, but will miss the people more!

When we arrived back to ELWA, Ben, Natalie and Annie Colby came to say goodbye. Augustine from YFC and Samuel one of the pastors were waiting to say goodbye.

In the evening we went to a Bible Study with Mrs. Boakai and then home for dinner with Vice President and Mrs. Boakai. Christine came bringing each of us gifts.

It was fun story telling of God's goodness. Thank you Jesus for such a great day.

Thursday, April 1st

Early in the morning with the moon still up over the sea, we packed our luggage into the car at the front door of our home. So much had happened these past three weeks.

Dan and Tom had to almost drag me out of the house. But really my heart was full of JOY and PEACE knowing that this trip was planned by our loving Heavenly Father.

Kedrick White and James Kesselly drove us to the airport.

We flew to Accra, Ghana and were met at the airport by Lee Sonius and Joshua Milton Blayi, the former General Butt Naked, who was one of the most feared men in Liberia during the war. We had lunch at Lee and Michelle's home where he told us his story of God's goodness and saving him. He is working in a lot of Liberian refugee camps outside of Liberia.

We also met Fred who is a Liberian living near a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana. He uses music to minister to people. He is asking the Lord for a guitar to use in his ministry.

We arrived in Detroit on April 2nd with full hearts and many stories to tell of God's goodness. Will God allow another trip? That is the question on my mind. There are so many opportunities there. May I thank all of you who have followed my journey home - in prayer. You have been a very vital part of this trip. We have been partners of God's grace in Liberia. Thank you.

Remember this coconut tree that I found on my arrival at ELWA? To all of us, it looks like a tree that was not meant to live, cut down at the roots. BUT God had another plan, one part of the root system still nourished the growth of the tree. It begins to reach to the sky toward it's creator, with signs of LIFE! This is a picture of what God is doing in Liberia. It was a people and country that has been cut down, but not dead! With God our Creator's life, it can come to ETERNAL LIFE in Jesus. I believe this with all my heart!

While Dan and Tom went into town, I stayed at ELWA overlooking the beauty of God's creation and visited and prayed with friends. One lady who I met at one of the rallies came to tell me her story.

During the war, young soldier boys came to their home, changing her family forever. They shot her husband. His bowels were out on the ground. He begged her to push them back in to his body and take him for medical help. He lived. A 13 year old soldier boy came into their home and told her to take a her cloths off. He made her walk outside in front of her family and neighbors. She was terrorized and wanted to die.

She told how Satan played with her mind and how she hated young boys from then on. Her husband was unable to work because of his injury, and Christians asked if she would come cook at an ex-combatant home for children. She would rather die than be their cook after what they did to her and her husband, but she needed a job.

She eventually received counseling from ELWA hospital. It was like she was becoming a new creation of God's beauty, like a flower. They encouraged her to allow God to give her the courage to help these children, mostly boys. She fasted and prayed, avoiding the counselor for three days. She read I Peter 1:1-9 and decided to take the job. This is what the Lord showed her: "Praise to God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given new birth into a living hope though he resurrection of Jesus Christ. Who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith of greater worth then gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

She met a 15 year old boy nicknamed Bob Blue who helped sweep and clean up. He started telling her stories of the war. He went to church with her and accepted the Lord. Her husband was upset that she was getting so personally involved in the personal life of some of the boys. But she wanted to see them come off drugs and get into school. He would talk about what he did. He got down on the ground and held her feet crying, "We killed good, good people o' ." He was very sorry.

Through the story telling, she found out that he was the boy commander when the boys came and shot her husband and violated her. It was hard for him to leave the war and the effects of what he had done. He became like a son to her. Eventually he got a job as a drive., she lost touch with him for about 6 months. He did go to school and when he graduated, he invited her to be a guest at his graduation and called her Mother.

Now he is at he University of Liberia entrance level. God has taken all her shame away. She held my hands and said, "You are not alone as you dance with your scars!" We read Roman 8:28 - 38 "All things work for God's good to those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose .... if God is for us, who can be against us? .... Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or sword? ... in all things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us ... nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." As we read this passage together, both our faces were streaming with tears of joy, knowing the TRUTH that sets us FREE! We held each other and prayed together through tears of joy.

I went up to he radio station to meet Moses Perry. I gave him the music and Ms. G's "Bible Stories Alive" CDs for ELWA radio. Mrs. G's children programs had been on during the 1070s, but due to the war, had been destroyed. Thy are going to be aired every Saturday a 9:00 AM starting April 3rd!

At 2:00 Tom and I went to Jahzjet Orphanage. (this means "Real Truth" in the Bassa language). It is also known as Susie Guenter's Orphanage. There are 3 locations with a total of 62 children in their care.

The school (seen here) is from K-9th grade. It was started in 1987, just before the war. There are a total of 370 students from the community as well. We gave a gift to help complete the roof, provide for mosquito netting for the dorms and rice.

We took clothing (some donated by Gerber), a real soccer ball and other toys and books for the children and school. Some were given by 3 year old Nathan Smyth and our grandchildren in Canada who wanted to share some of their toys with children in Africa. 2 year old Dominique will enjoy playing with the new Ark!

They also have the water piped to the buildings for running water now!(Jefferson Zeon, founder and director of the school and orphanage, loves having running water!)

The children girls against boys, played a mean game of football! The game was still on when we left, so don't know who won!

We went to Youth Rally #8 at Wonder Word Church in Red Light, Paynesville. About 150 attended with a lot of Ex-combatants. They were a very rough and sad looking group of young men. Dan and Tom went to visit them a few days earlier, inviting them to come to this rally. Dan was able to share how important it is to make right decisions. Some of the commanders that they worked under killed and destroyed. But Dan said he works under the Commander Jesus Christ. He can give life and peace! Some of these young men were under former General Butt Naked, who has been trying to encourage them to move away from drugs and war. At the invitation, 12 came forward and many were ex-combatants. REAP already has a Freedom in Christ ministry every Tuesday at 4:00 in this church, so will be following up. This was the highlight of our Rallies!

Dan did a leadership session with ELWA Ministries. James Kesselly took Tom and me on a tour of ELWA Ministries.

The ELWA hospital has many services.

The ELWA Academy has grown. There are now 500 students. I took some pictures of some of the children needing scholarships, sponsored by the ELWAMinistries Associates (EMA). You will find more information soon about that on this EMA site.

There were sure a lot of happy children given a great opportunity to have a future!

The beauty of the lagoon still remains a masterpiece in God's hands.

The old carpenter shop is gone, but the old Clinic (then BD or Business Department) is now SIM Liberia office.

King Gray beach looking toward Monrovia. The devil bush is gone! Thank you Jesus!!

Dinner anyone? Palm Butter and country rice! Or fresh boiled nuts with sugar! Plenty fine o', and sweet to my gut!

How many of our footprints have marked our ELWA beach? Our loving Heavenly Father says he knows the number of sand that blankets all beaches, how much more does he care for the details of where each of our feet have take us in life so far? Where has life brought you? Are you following Him STEP BY STEP?

As the sea clap their hands in praise to God our Creator, how much more does He long to hear us praise Him for all He has done and how He has gently walked with us.

After Dan's morning session, we went to Ben, Natalie and Annie (2 year old) home for pizza! It was a great time of friendship.

I went to the SIM Liberia office to talk with Joe Wankollie (read about his capture by rebels here) and also visited with Rick Sacra the doctor who will be leaving in May. Pray for more medical staff.

I spent the next 4 hours walking, singing ad praying on the beach with my camera. I took time to reflect on some of the experiences that God allowed me to have these past 3 weeks. I watched the sun go down in the tropical harmitan season.

While I was down by the lagoon, I took a picture of a fisherman who threw his net into the sea to catch small fish to use for bate when he went deep sea fishing the next day. He came running very angry that I had taken his picture. He wanted a 'dash'. I said: Ahhhh yaaaaa, I sorry o', no my yaaaaa!" I continued to speak in Liberian English and he jumped back saying, "you Liberian o'." We laughed and continued to share, becoming new friends. He is Amos from Ghana. I told him I grew up on this beach and would collect fish from the Fanti Fishermen down the beach to bring to my Ma. He laughed. Then he told me the story about how God spoke to him while he was at sea in 2000. There were three of them fishing, their boat sank, they hung on to a small bucket they had in the boat. They turned it upside down, filling it with air, so it would float. They stayed 3 days and 3 nights at sea. They feared that fish would eat them, but they were saved. While he was out there, "Jesus came to is face and spoke to him." It was then that he asked Jesus into his life. He has been a believer since. There on the beach we celebrated a miracle story of God's goodness at sea. We became good friends.

Dan and Tom went to Youth Rally #7 at Liberian Christian Ministry, Soul Clinic Paynesville.

From Cultivating Beauty, Annette's Blog

I can't believe that the three weeks is almost over. Time has gone so fast and we have been so busy going from one setting to another, meeting and praying with so many people.

Waking on a Sunday at ELWA was such a dream! Worshiping my creator God with such a memory building landscape was a bit overwhelming. I needed time to take it all in.

As I watched the waves, I saw the big sea turtles bob up just before the breaking of another wave! I couldn't believe how fun that was.

Then finding the little crabs that are faster than lightening. Waiting for them to come back out of their hole, seemed like forever. But waiting paid off! Pressing the wet sand through my toes as the salt water swished around my ankles, was like a hug of nature. Little things ... treasured things ...

At lunch, Rosana Schaack (THINK) came for lunch. Then we drove out to the property that she is looking to purchase for their Safe Homes. We walked about a mile from the road to the beach. There is about 8 acres of land next to the beach with a lagoon costing $4,000 per acre. They are hoping to have a school K to 12, dormitories for both boys and girls. They want to start a Clinic and agricultural program. She wants to help children enjoy their childhood.

THINK began in 2003 with Samaritan's Purse, after the UN came to enforce peace. The soldier girls and those who became wives to the soldier boys were displaced. Many were so young they didn't know where they came from. Some villages and families didn't want them back because of what they did to their family members to prove they were strong enough to join the child soldier ranks.

The Sports Stadium had 58,000 displaced camps. The Evangelical Church Union of Liberia (ECUL) with SIM prepared meals and had Bible stories and songs to connect with girls. They linked up with the Red Cross to unite 20 children with their families. Many girls came to the Stadium to escape the situation they were in. There were areas like West Point (the worst area in Monrovia) where Rosanna would go to try to encourage girls to come to safe homes and begin a new life. 8 girls came out. 5 went back and 3 stayed. ALICE fought for 12 years, had two children and is now a believer. KATUMU fought 13 years and had a 4 year old and a 7 year old. She went through the program and now sews fashion slippers. She is on a Praise and Worship team of her church. She says sorry for what she has done, and now wants to change Liberia. KARPO is from Rock Hill area and is related to the wife of a General. She completed the course and now has a pastry shop and sells to people on the street and at schools. Many have gone on UNMIL radio to apologize for what they have done. Rosana follows each girl up twice a year to make sure they are OK.

Many young girls are raped by their teachers relatives, uncles, stepfathers or brothers and are taken to the police station. Rosana receives calls for these girls. The person usually isn't charged because they would get life in prison. Usually the person is someone known to them, and they don't want to make the charge. Most girls become pregnant, keeping their babies.

Rosana's sister, Rebecca Jallah is a nurse and is working with Kingdom Care Medical Center. She is able to bring the Ultra Sound once a week to a clinic to check the new Moms. She hopes to open a maternity clinic soon.

There have been 965 in Safe Homes and juvenile homes for sexually abused. 212 have graduated from the courses that are offered. There is so much more needed to be done though.

Late Sunday afternoon we visited Eugene Peterson another one of my College of West Africa (CWA) classmates. We had barracuda steaks, wow were they good.

When we got back to the guest house, Melvin Karnga brought his 80 year old father, Joseph Karnga who worked from day one at ELWA. He spoke of the Watkins, Thompsons, Lowes, Rieses, David Mayes, Brookmans, and Dad and Mom. He remember Momma always giving him cake! He said Daddy treated him with respect. He mentioned that Rose Jackson delivered his first son, John at the old clinic. He spoke of Bea Barnard, Vinicombs, David and Mary Naff. He talked about Mary and David Ricks. He worked on the tower fields and helped build the beach front road. Story telling from the OLD days was amazing. What a fulfilling day.

Today is Mother's Day, and I want to wish all mothers and women who have mothered others, "Happy Mother's Day"! Fellow ELWA "Kid" Rebecca Hungerpiller Jallah, got an opportunity to speak at the US Embassy in Liberia about her mother, some of which was written in the Liberian Observer titled, "Women's History Month -A Statement In Honor Of My Mother", where she honors her 2 mothers. Please take the time to read it here -- she speaks for many of us who had more than a mother at birth who invested in us, loved and trained and cared for us.

After reading this, William Bowee Jaywheh wrote my mom, Betty Thompson, the following:

Aunt Betty,

Wow! I believe Sis. Rebecca speaks for most of us here, those of us who had two parents--one black and one white. Both parents' training and love have made us what we are today and placed us where we are today. Tears actually set in my eyes as I read this. Maybe one day there will be an organization or NGO called, " CHILDREN OF TWO COLOR PARENTS or CHILDREN OF MISSIONARY PRODUCT. May we forever be grateful to the parents who have sacrificially raised us.

A big thank-you to you too, Aunt Betty; your family has played a great role in this endeavor. God has a special reward waiting in heaven for people like you and the Van Rekens. We remain indebted to you and others. May we live a small example of your teaching, training, and love that you so lavished on us. Thanks to sis. Becky for speaking for all us who could not be at the embassy to speak with her or applaud while she was speaking.

Love you much,

Bowee

Anyone who knows my mom, knows what an amazing woman she is. Last year, Maria Goldhagen, one of Mom and Dad's boarders, decided to use Mom's life as part of a project. You can read part of her report Betty Thompson's life story.doc . Happy Mother's Day, Mom -- I love you!

I met more people to pray with this morning before breakfast.

Youth Rally #5 was at Judith Craig Orphanage with about 100 children. We met in their thatched chapel. Sharing Jesus and hearing children talk and sing about what He means to them is such a privilege. Many have come from such tragic situations

Sharing simple things such as hair clips and ribbons brought so much please to them. It reminds me of how thankfulness should be an everyday part of our lives. God is so good.



On the way back to ELWA, we visited the Baptist Seminary where there was a Woman's Conference going on.

We drove to the lagoon near Sugar Beach where my brother Ray and I learned how to water ski. What memories ...

YFC led in worship and praise. We had so much fun playing a mixer game that mixed everyone in the room with others they may not have met before. It encouraged different departments and areas of service to eat with and get to know others they may not have known before.

Dan and I shared how thrilled we were to be back in Liberia where we grew up. It was wonderful celebrating the year anniversary of Daddy's (Ray G de la Haye) death today with all who are now serving Jesus at ELWA. Everyone introduced themselves and told what they did at ELWA. There was over 100 of us.

I was able to share from John 20:20 how Jesus STOOD with others, SPOKE peace into their lives and SHOWED His beauty marks in His hands, feet and side to His best friends. Jesus is calling us to do the same today, just before Easter Sunday 2010.

Youth Rally #6 was at Rock Hill Community Church. Pastor Moses Paye (son of Isaac Paye from old time ELWA days) is the pastor. About 120 attended and there were 12 decisions. There were so many youth in the service.

I met a lady after who wanted to make an appointment to talk and prayer further. She said she had a story about her abuse in the war that has been very hard to go past forgiveness.

When we arrived back to the Guest house, Melvin Karnga was waiting and brought old Liberian coins as a gift. We couldn't get into the guest house, so had to find William to open the door from the inside. While we were waiting, the YFC music team gave Dan and me Liberian names. Dan's is: Gaydeporkpee which means God's power. Mine is: Gbahwlo which means Prayer. What an honor!

Annette de la Haye Cooper's blog, Cultivating Beauty, details her three week speaking and ministry trip to Liberia.

Esther Bomosy picked me up for the Project Hannah Women of Hope Day Retreat that was held at the Tubman United Methodist Church in Paynesville.

There were women that came from up country as well. I spoke three times and provided lunch for the women. Women were hungry to hear from Jesus.

We also used the hand lotion to partner with each other in prayer. It created a sweet smelling fragrance throughout the room, reminding us of the fragrance of Christ we can be to each other. I met and prayed with many women. Please pray for Miata Nuahnpue who just found out she has breast cancer.

Mommas were able to come and share in the blessings as well.

One of the ladies needed reading glasses so she could read her Bible again. What a precious time to share practically as well.

After a wonderful day together, we went to Youth Rally #4 on Bushrod Island at the Church of God of Prophecy, Destiny's and his sweet wife's home church who is one of the YFC music team members. There were about 150 who attended. This is a very needy and congested community. I love how Jesus loves all of us no matter where we live.