Merry Christmas

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

In the United States and in Liberia, "Peace" would probably be the last word to describe 2020. COVID-19 worldwide and elections in our country have not instilled peace as the world understands it.

How does the world view peace? The world’s peace is circumstantial. This peace is totally external and can be taken away in a moment of changing circumstances.  A diagnosis from your doctor, the loss of a job, a past due bill you can't pay are all circumstantial peace killers. Remove these problems and you are peaceful again--waiting for the next time you are not.

But Jesus’ peace in the verse above is altogether different and has nothing to do with circumstances. It passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). Jesus tells us that God is in control and he loves you. He tells us that "...In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  ​

From November 2020 Newsletter - Subscribe
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COVID-19 cases and deaths in Liberia are relatively small. But the government shutdown outcome on the country is huge. The population living below the national poverty line is expected to increase from 55.5 percent in 2019 to 68.9 percent in 2020. This means that an additional 526,000 Liberians are at risk of falling into poverty according to the World Bank.

​The human cost of COVID-19 could be very high:

1) Unemployment: There are no government programs in Liberia to help when businesses shut down. The small amount of income you make goes to zero. Currently 85 percent of employable youths are without jobs.

2) Malnutrition: Liberia is one of the 21 countries with the highest malnourishment levels in the world. One out of three children under the age of five years old is malnourished or too short for their age because of a lack of proper nutrition.

From November 2020 Newsletter - Subscribe

The mission for ELWA in Liberia for more than 65 years has been centered around the belief  that no one should live and die without hearing God's good news. To this end, we invited you to join us in three ministry projects (pictures above) to share the Gospel and disciple believers in Liberia. Fundraising is off to a good start. See how we are doing below.

We still need lots of financial help on these three projects! Please consider a year-end donation. 

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From November 2020 Newsletter - Subscribe
 
We wrote to you about Jestina in our spring newsletter and now we'd like to give you an  update. Jestina attended ELWA Academy for 11th and 12th grades and is now in nursing school. She is studying general nursing but getting training in psychology and specializing in pediatrics.   She is now in her junior year of nursing school with plans to graduate in the 2021-2022 school year.   

There is more to Jestina's story.   As a member of the Kru tribe, Jestina was paying for her school fees through the buying and selling of fish.   The Kru people have always lived along the Liberian coast and have made their living from the sea. The men go out in their small fishing boats all night in the Atlantic Ocean for a catch of fish. In the morning they come back to shore with their catch and the women take the fish to market. This is how Jestina was paying for her school fees for nursing school. 

Jestina lost four of her brothers and sisters in a fire in their home one year ago.  She has persisted in her nursing training despite all these tragic circumstances and COVID-19 lockdowns. Jestina is now continuing her training at a nearby hospital in the "Red Light" district outside of Monrovia.  EMAUSA board members have helped Jestina with school fees as well as transportation to this hospital in Red Light during this difficult time. 

There are many stories of courageous and faithful young people in Liberia like Jestina.  Please help Jestina and others that depend upon ELWA Ministries to get their training for key skills to serve our Lord and to support their own families.   You can do so by donating to our ELWA Ministries Scholarship Program. 

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