Slater's Report on their month-long trip to Liberia

Bill and Judy Slater are en route to Chicago, and sent this report, written by Bill Slater. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did, and are challenge to continue in prayer for the ministry of ELWA, and ask God what your role might be. I hope you also have a new appreciation for the leaders of ELWA.

TRIP REPORT-ELWA, Liberia

BILL & JUDY SLATER

EMA-USA

JULY 1 - AUGUST 3, 2010

Judy and I were asked by Steve Kejr and Les Unruh to come to ELWA to help the ministry contingent on Kedrick White's approval. My responsibilities were to: (1) act as a consultant for both ELWA Hospital and ELWA administration; (2) mentor the Acting Hospital Administrator, James Freeman Garway; (3) encourage and support Kedrick White, ELWA Ministries Executive Director. (4) help newer SIM missionary staff to learn and understand the history of ELWA, from 1973-2004; (7) deliver a new short wave transmitter tube; (8) and, on behalf of John Corey, deliver a supply of MP3 players to Pastor Jeremiah Kollie.

By God's grace (and Judy's large purse), we were able to hand-carry the short wave tube and deliver it to the transmitter building. It was exciting to see ELWA short wave back on the air. On our first visit to Joe Wankollie's office, we met Pastor Jeremiah and delivered the players.

Over time and in various settings, we were able to share stories of events and people from 1973-1980 and our earlier short-term visits that we believe helped newcomers to better understand some of the history of ELWA.

ELWA Administration:

We both strongly believe that the financial and administrative processes and procedures that Mr. White is attempting to put in place are both necessary and correct and we affirm both his leadership and his heart for the ministry of ELWA. As a Liberian he brings together the cultural understanding of Liberia and the technical/administrative functions of the U.S. Coupled with this is a high level of patience and tolerance. He is courteous in meetings, allowing individuals to speak and listening to all views of a given situation. One of his key goals is to see staff come to an understanding of the needs of the ministry and the role that their good job performance could play in meeting them. We believe Kedrick to be a Godly man, intelligent, able to manage multiple responsibilities and many interruptions in an amazing way. We are sure God has gifted him and placed him in this position.

James Kesselly was unfailingly helpful to us during our time in Liberia with his experience and qualities of patience, humor and a Godly attitude. Judy interviewed James who spoke of the benefits of EMA's hosting social events and repairing the Administrative buildings as well as the educational scholarships given to children. At Kedrick's request, Bill developed a voluntary retirement form and an employee profile, intended to provide information on the various working positions at ELWA ending in the ability to produce meaningful position descriptions. We collaborated to compile and edit a first draft of the Employee Handbook for submission to the Board of Directors, to ultimately be adopted for the current ELWA operation.

ELWA Academy:

The Principal, Benedict Nagbe, "has his act together," and the school appears to be well run. Mr. Nagbe is also the EMA Coordinator of Scholarships. He and Judy interviewed several children who are receiving EMA scholarships using the camcorder and then took their pictures to update the EMA website. They traveled to some of the students' homes and had enjoyable visits with their parents or guardians. It is obvious that the scholarships are meeting a great need.

ELWA Broadcasting:

We listened to ELWA radio in taxis, in our bedroom (from our Liberian neighbor's back porch), and at various places on the compound. We were able to sit in on Kedrick's Sunday afternoon broadcast of music and public service announcements. Judy also interviewed Moses Nyantee for EMA USA. Moses seems to be doing a great job at the radio and has a positive, warm attitude. We enjoyed the programs and the announcers. Thank God for the radio that blesses so many. We did observe that there are a lot more secular radio stations in Liberia now than there were before the War.

ELWA Hospital:

The Hospital represents the most critical challenge in the dual areas of finances and personnel. I provided James Garway, the Acting Hospital Administrator, with a set of forms that will hopefully aid in his efforts to direct the day-to-day activities and also developed an In-service Attendance Certificate, and In-Service registration form, enabling staff to have verification of their attendance as part of their employment record. As part of my mentoring assignment, I had a number of conversations with James Garway, sharing administrative and management principles, offering suggestions, and encouraging him as he continues to develop in this challenging position.

The steps toward financial control and accountability (which will apply to the entirety of ELWA Ministries Liberia) that the Administration is initiating are both timely and necessary.

Despite the challenges at the Hospital, it seems that the continued availability of support from technically qualified and spiritually mature short-term missionaries is a good idea. Administration and the Board of Directors are reviewing options to address key issues at the Hospital. We are praying that their decision will bring about the needed and desired results. The hospital is in need of medicines, new equipment, various supplies and money. May God provide as He sees fit.

The rest of Bill and Judy's report will be posted in tomorrow's blog. We would love to hear from you, and welcome comments about our reports and blogs.