In April, it will be 2 years since we became a non-profit organization. Our projects have been wide ranging, from orphans, to a merry-go-round well, a doctor for the hospital and much more. We want to thank those who have supported this ministry, and we want you to know that we are careful and measured in the way we use donations. We could not do what God has placed before us without our donors and volunteers who serve with us on these projects.

This video captures the vast needs of the country, as well as what our ministry has done to help. Seeing what God has done thus far with our ministry is humbling. It is a joy to be His hands and feet to Liberia!

Is God calling you to GO, or GIVE, or PRAY? Click on the "How You Can Help" tab above for options. We would love for you to partner with us. Let's see what God can do in and through us TOGETHER!

Christine Norman has sent us information about a fund-raising concert to be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia, Liberia. John Schindler will be head-lining, and the cost is L$50 (which is about 70 cents US.) An offering will be given. If you are in Liberia, I hope you can come!

Last week, Uncle Pete released his earthly bonds and entered into heaven, celebrating his new body, greeting Aunt Sadie and old friends, and most of all, worshiping at the feet of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! He was laid to rest yesterday, and Saturday will be a celebration of his life at his long-time church, Scofield Church in Dallas, Texas. His daughter Nancy Ackley Ruth and her daughter Jenny wrote his obituary, which we are honored to share with you.

Ernest Foster Ackley

June 6, 1927 - February 17, 2011

Born on June 6, 1927, Ernest Foster Ackley, affectionately known as "Pete", "Uncle Pete",Grandad, "Coach Ackley" and "Papay" by those who knew him best, passed peacefully at his home in Garland, TX on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Son of George Henry Ackley and Nancy Betts of Gainesville, TX, Pete entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior at the age of 83, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Pete graduated from North Dallas High School in 1944, then left Texas to attend the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA) where he met the love of his life, Sadie Marie Kooistra whom he married on December 17, 1948. Upon graduating from BIOLA, Pete and his beloved Sadie sailed to Africa where they served with Sudan Interior Mission (SIM) for over 40 years. They passed through the Suez Canal and arrived in Port Said, Sudan in December, 1949. From there they traveled to Khartoum, where they studied Arabic for a year before heading to the southern part of Sudan.

Pete demonstrated his servant heart by running clinics, schools, building homes and churches with only local supplies, anything he could do to address both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. He worked at a leper colony, an orphanage, and in any capacity in which he was needed. In 1964 all expatriates were ordered to leave Sudan, so he took his family to Ethiopia, where his 3 oldest children attended boarding school. He served briefly in Aden before crossing the continent in 1965 to serve as Hospital Administrator at a large mission station, ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) in Monrovia, Liberia. In 1980, after 15 years in Liberia, he was asked to return to Sudan, to help with the displaced refugees (many from the areas he had served in the south almost two decades previously), who had fled to Khartoum, forced from their homes by the war, that was hidden from the outside world until 2000.

In 1989, after 40 years in Africa, with only brief visits to the USA, Pete and Sadie retired to Garland, Texas, where they made a home not only for their family from whom they had been separated often, but (their home continued to be) a refuge for hurting and displaced people, for Africans, missionaries, and missionary kids - who had a very special place in Pete's heart. Pete had the unique gift of making each person he encountered feel special. He also enjoyed and related well to all people, regardless of his age. His love of sports, particularly baseball, led him to form a baseball league in Liberia which resulted in many special relationships with Americans and Liberians alike. Even today, when people from the USA visit Liberia they are asked if they know Coach Ackley. A contingency of these "boys" will come from all across America to join the family in celebrating his life.

"Uncle" Pete also was known for his (backyard) flag football games on the beach of ELWA. He made sure everyone, regardless of talent, was allowed to play. Monday night volleyball was another event at which Pete was a central figure and is frequently cited as a favorite memory of those who shared that beautiful piece of land on the Atlantic Ocean in Monrovia. Pete was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Sadie, an infant son, George Henry, his parents, his brothers, George Henry (Bill) Ackley and Karl Frank Ackley; sisters Helen Pearson and Katherine Louise Matthews.

Pete is survived by son Philip Foster Ackley and wife Marie of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Nancy Jean Ackley Ruth of Garland, Texas; son Richard (Dick)Travis Ackley and wife Margaret Todd of Garland; son Steven James Ackley and wife Dolores Shuler of Garland; and daughter Karen Marie Kern and husband, Paul; as well as much loved and cherished grandchildren: Michelle, Scott, and Rachel Ackley; Michael and Rachel Ruth, Jenny and Nick Shoffner, and Christy and Chris Fountain; Jeff Ackley and Kristen Ackley, Elizabeth Ackley, Rebecca Ackley, Matthew Ackley, and Ben Ackley; Tyler and Sara Kern, Travis Kern and Traci Kern. He was so proud of these grandchildren and spent much of his retirement years enjoying them! Pete also had 6 great-grandchildren, whom he dearly loved: Nolan, Reagan, Gracie and Payton Ruth and Dalton and Macy Shoffner.

Anyone who spent more than 2 minutes with Pete heard about every one of these, his cherished children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also has many others who claim him as their dad, due to his investment in their lives.

Pete joined Scofield Memorial Church as a pre-teen and was a faithful member until his death. There will be a celebration of his life held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10am at Scofield Church at 7730 Abrams Road in Dallas. The family will receive visitors from 5 to 7pm Friday, February 25 at the same location, following a private burial. For more information, please contact Scofield Church 214-349-6043.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to the following ministry projects which were close to Pete's heart:

SD 82490: Sudan Relief Contingency

LR 95207: ELWA Hospital Renovation (Liberia)

You can do that at https://usanet.sim.org/SIMGift/projects.php or by writing to SIM USA; PO Box 7900; Charlotte, NC 28241

Scofield's Mission Fund - donations may be mailed to: Scofield Church - Missions Fund 7730 Abrams Road , Dallas, TX 75231

You can Sign a Guest Book, Send Private Condolences,Send Sympathy Card at Eastgate Funeral Home.

Anyone who knows Christine Norman of REAP knows that she is a category 5 force of nature. I stand in awe of what she accomplishes, and how she motivates people, and how she can bring a dream to life. For years she has been tirelessly developing REAP into a highly esteemed NGO though its Freedom Counseling Program, Library/Reading/Learning Center Program, Outreach to Orphan Program, Leadership and Reconciliation Program, and Computer Skills Development Program.

Christine has put forth her extraordinary energy and talent towards bringing her dream of a country-wide evangelistic crusade to Liberia. Partnering with churches throughout Liberia, the Liberian Government, Samaritan's Purse, the Billy Graham Association, and Franklin Graham Life Festivals and more, the at the newly renovated SKD Soccer Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia from March 25 - 27 2011.

The REAP website says

There will be a major prayer event proceeding and at the crusade. This will be a joining together of all Liberians in prayer, forgiveness, and reconciliation for their country and their people. In addition, there will be an emphasis for Liberians to become missionaries to the rest of Africa and to have Liberia become the "spearhead" to bring the gospel to all of Africa.

The Crusade will include a complete humanitarian aid outreach to minister to the needs of the Liberian people, most of whom have not even seen a doctor or medical practioner in 25 years. The Crusade will take place mainly at night and clinics, seminars, and workshops will also be held at the stadium during the daytime to provide needed medical, dental, health, social, financial, psychological, and spiritual assistance and education to the people. Major banks and hospitals have committed to providing needed clinics and seminars.

Christine is eager to get as many volunteers, donations and prayer support as possible, and has asked that we post the following letter.

Dear Partner:

This is a special message from the All Liberia Life Festival to you and all your friends and contacts. Please spread the word about the festival. REAP would appreciate it if you could immediately send this out to your friends, prayer partners, and lists. We would like to spread the word throughout your country and the entire world.

Please Pray for the Franklin Graham (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) ALL Liberia Life Festival, Mar. 25-27, SKD Stadium, Monrovia, Liberia. Children's Festival Sat 9am. Mar. 26. This is a National Crusade for all Liberians of all faiths and all tribes. This event is an important part of the peace process. The Festival will emphasize forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal.

Pray for more churches to commit and help, for churches to be energized, for more counselors and volunteers, for donations and finances.

Pray for: Participating churches, organizing committee, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association staff, volunteers, ushers, choir, mobilizing committee, prayer group, security, set up, planning and for Franklin Graham and his family.

This is only the first evangelical event being planned for Africa. Pray that other countries in Africa would invite Mr. Graham to hold evangelical festivals. Ghana has already issued an in invitation.

If you can help or donate please write or contact: 06833961, 056514390, 06513036 or www.FranklinGrahamLiberiaFestival. Donations for this event can be made in the U.S. through Change Our World Foundation, 3697 Arlington Ave., Riverside, CA 92506, which is the U.S. Festival partner for international donations to the Festival. Please forward this message to all your contacts to spread the word and the blessing.

ELWA founder, Dick Reed's memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1:30 at the University Village in Tampa where they have resided for 10 years. The service, or celebration as the Reed family are calling it, are praying that the service will be a testimony, leaving the message that life is temporary and we must make the right decision to get to the right place. Son Jary will be the speaker. Jane says, "I don't know if you have ever heard him speak but he is a gifted speaker...we will laugh...and we will cry. ..The Lord continues to sustain me. I feel very pampered and very blessed."

EMAUSA would like to honor Dick's ministry and life in the following music and photos.

God is already using Dick's passing for His glory. Jane and daughter Jan wrote out a letter of appreciation to all of their neighbors, explaining to people of many different faiths the hope that is in Christ Jesus. Included was this poem, written by Dick's mother many years ago.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to SIM/USA for the restoration of war-torn ELWA station in Liberia:

SIM/USA
In memory of Dick Reed
PO Box 7900
Charlotte, NC 28241-7900

If you would like to send a card or memory of Dick Reed, Jane's address is:

Mrs. Jane Reed
12401 N 22nd St. Apt L102
Tampa, FL 33612-4900

Our board president, Clip Kniffin, had a call from David Parker last week. He returned from Liberia Tuesday, flying into O'Hare airport during the record snowstorm that left 22 inches of snow, third worst in the history of Chicago. He had to park the car at a church and then took the train back to South Bend (the train had some challenges too, but they made it).

Dave was very upbeat about what was accomplished at Susie Guenter, and hopes that the woodworking shop and sewing center will provide ways for the orphanage to earn money in order to be self sufficient. Most of his time was spent building the open air workshop and setting things up, and he is already looking forward to going back next year to teach more of the woodworking.

Dave was driving with Jefferson in Liberia last week when Jefferson got quite excited that they had just passed someone weaving in their front yard. They made u-turn to go back and see this.

Dave had told Jefferson that he would like to find some weaving to bring home to his wife Cathy as she has been interested in weaving and tried her hand at loom weaving in a class. Jefferson was so excited to see this as he said he had not seen anyone weaving since before the war.

Cathy is in awe of this. Not only is the finished project beautiful - but look at this home made loom ... Ingenious!




Cutting off a "lappa" to sell to Dave. Equals about 11 yards.






Dave paid them more than their asking price for about 11 linear yards ... $20. The Parkers are thrilled to have this colorful art and symbol of the arts coming back in Liberia.

Dick Reed, 86. of Tampa, FL, went to be with the Lord on January 26, 2011 after a fall. Born in 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, he gave his heart early on to Jesus. That set the trajectory for his entire life. . He attended Moody Bible Institute and then joined the navy and worked as a pharmacist's assistant. He married Jane McRoberts in 1949 after meeting her while workingthe summer at Word of Life Camp where she was a camper. They attended Wheaton College where he graduated from the Conservatory of Music as well as traveled with Jack Wyrtzen's Word of Life quartet.

While at Wheaton the Lord called them to Liberia, West Africa where they were among the founders of SIM's radio station ELWA where Dick became the general manager. The Reeds served there from 1953 until 1968 and Dick's beautiful baritone voice often echoed over the airwaves. In 1964, Dick was integral in producing a musical recording of the ELWA talent in an album called, "A Mighty Voice". It was remastered as a CD for ELWA's 50th anniversary in 2004 and is available through SIM. GIVE THEM AT LEAST ONE C HANCE 02. Dick Reed A Mighty Voice.wma Dick loved people, no matter what their station in life. He was at home whether in a village or meeting with the President of Liberia.

After 16 years in Africa the Reeds moved to the Philadelphia area where he pastored a new church and received his MS in Communications at Temple University. In 1970 they joined the teaching staff at Miami Christian College where he helped set up radio station WMCU, taught communications, missions and voice. After several years there he directed Moody Keswick Bible Conference in St. Petersburg, FL for 9 years.

He and Jane relocated to Charlotte, NC to serve as 'Ministers at Large' under SIM participating in missionary conferences, churches, and Bible conferences. In 1995 they retired from SIM and moved to Tampa, FL where they lived closer to their four gown children, 11 grand-children and 5 great-children.

Dick and his wife Jane have been very active members of Oakwood Community Church for nearly sixteen years. Pastor Paul Phair has written the following:

Dick's most significant ministries have been leadership to some of our small groups and providing wise and experienced leadership to our missions commission for most of his years with us.

Dick also was a part of Oakwood Community Church's pioneering efforts into Moldova that eventually led us, with his guidance, into forming our mission partnership with Brno Evangelical Fellowship in the Czech Republic. Both he and Jane were on our very first outreach team there some eleven years ago and we've continued this ministry ever since.

I have often told Dick and others that I look to him as an inspiring mentor of what it means to faithfully serve Christ to the fullest of his God-given giftedness and opportunities; I still do.

Dick and Jane are dearly loved and esteemed by our congregation. We extend to Jane and the entire Reed family, our sincere sympathy and prayers for God's comfort, strength, and guidance. ~ Pastor Paul

Though Dick served in several capacities through the years, part of his heart remains in Liberia. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to SIM/USA for the restoration of the war-torn ELWA station in Liberia.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1:30 at the University Village in Tampa where they have resided for 10 years. As a Navy veteran of WWII, he will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL at a later date.

There are many more pictures in an album on our Facebook page where you can become a "friend" and receive updates by email, and post comments or photos of your own. We welcome your comments and memories.

Last week we got the news that Dick Reed, one of the original founders of ELWA, had passed on to Glory. Betty Thompson got this information from his daughter, Jan Reed Zeigenbein.

1/26/2011

Dear Aunt Betty,

We are sad and happy to tell you that my dad, Dick Reed, passed into glory today. We are not sure exactly what happened but my mom, Jane Reed, went inside and when she came back he had fallen. Even though medical folks did what they could my mom was sure he was gone from the beginning. They were preparing to lead a Bible study on heaven this evening but instead my dad gets to begin eternity there today. My mom is calm and very peaceful tonight. Jessica Reed, John's oldest daughter who lives closest to them, is with her now. John and Beaj (Beacham) Reed are on their way from Miami and will be with her tonight. We will let you know details as they come together in the next few days.

We wanted you to know so you could pass this on to their very special friends whom they served with in Liberia so many years ago. You and Uncle Bill were some of their very closest friends (and closest neighbors) there.

Dick and Jane Reed
12401 N 22nd St
Apt L-102
Tampa, FL 33612

In His Love,

Janice Reed Ziegenbein

Bill Thompson worked along side of Dick from the very beginnings of ELWA, and the Reeds and Thompsons were next door neighbors from 1953 to 1968. He wrote down some highlights of his memories of his "goo fren", Dick.

To remember Dick Reed is to remember a very unusual friend. Some of the things we think about are as follows:

1. Our first impression was at Urbana 1951 when we were looking for God's direction. Dick and Jane were so eager and positive, ready to go to the tropics to have their first child in unknown medical facilities. We were ready to go too as soon as possible. We did follow them a year later and learned a lot more:
2. Dick was an accomplished musician, soloist. He communicated with his music. NO-RAH 10 Dick Reed A Mighty Voice.wma
3. He was a friend-maker, not just for himself but for the Lord and His work. He was color and culture-blind and helped to project the image of friendship for the whole ministry of ELWA.
4. He was a leader - not a driver but a motivator. He held many titles and positions with competence and grace.
5. Even though his talents and experience were on the artistic side, he was willing to drive a jeep and haul sand for building in the tropical heat and humidity.
6. He was an outstanding photographer. I especially enjoyed the way he would catch facial expressions that told a story.
7. At a certain point Dick studied for ordination and wanted to be sure he would not embarrass the Lord.
8. Dick probably made a mark on Liberia and ELWA like few others.

If you have any memories of Dick Reed and would like to share them with us, please send them to us, and we will post them. More to come.

Jim Molenhouse, while not technically a member of the EMAUSA board, has been an integral part of this organization since its beginning. Since 2006, he, his wife Nancy have yearly returned to Liberia to serve ELWA and the surrounding communities. While Nancy's ministry centers on the EMA Scholarships and work with orphanages, Jim is very mechanical, and has done critical repairs on the generators, wells, tractors and other vehicles. His repairs have helped to keep Radio ELWA and its ministries running.

Jim's mom, Hets was very proud of her son and the work his family was doing. She loved children, and recently one of her many volunteer activities was caring for babies on Thursday mornings at the Wheaton Christian Reformed Church Coffee Break. She loved these mornings, and often talked about her Liberian friend and co-worker, Esther Gbapaweah. Hets wanted to join Jim and Nancy on one of their mission trips to Liberia, and visit Esther's homeland, but due to health concerns had not been able to do so.

On Dec. 29, 2010, Hets died suddenly, going home to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was 75 years young, having just celebrated her birthday with a big party, and her death was a shock to us all. Hets loved playing the piano, laughing, spending time with her family and having fun with her friends. She touched the lives of many people with her music, smile, and her contagious laugh and wonderful sense of humor.

Hets came from a large family, and had a large family. She was born to the late Nick and Elizabeth Tameling on December 23, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. She married Roy Molenhouse in 1953 and had five children. After Roy's death, Hets married Robert Hilt in 1983. After Robert Hilt passed away, Hets married Donald Duncan in 2002. She left five siblings, five children, 6 step-children, 30 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her.

Jim and Nancy would like to honor Hets by setting up the Hets Molenhouse Memorial Scholarship fund (HMMS) through ELWA Ministries Association USA (EMAUSA). If you would like to contribute to that fund, you can send it to EMAUSA, Box 1, Warrenville, IL 60555. For more information on how to donate, click on the "How You Can Help" tab and follow the prompts.