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ELWA Ministries Association USA P. O. Box 1 Warrenville, IL 60555 Contact Us Download printable brouchure HERE |
Growing up in Liberia, I was shaped by sports programs led by faithful missionaries: Uncle Pete Ackley, Uncle Elsworth Balzer, and Uncle Bill Thompson. Through volleyball, basketball, baseball, and prayer meeting, these men modeled Christ and used sports as a way to teach biblical values, build community, and share the Gospel. These programs welcomed all children – missionary kids, Liberians, and even children of diplomats.  In 2004, I returned to Liberia with my “foster siblings”, the Children of Bill Thompson, and observed many Liberian children running around with nothing to do. Witnessing firsthand the deep need for structured activities and discipleship for local youth, and burdened to make a difference, I returned to the US determined to raise awareness and funds to revive the impactful programs that had meant so much to me as a child in Liberia. My prayer was simple yet bold: that God would raise up individuals who love Jesus and desire to reach youth through sports and discipleship. Today, we celebrate that what began as a hope and dream is now a reality. Praise the Lord! Since its founding, YDM has:
A few weeks ago, I visited Liberia and toured the newly completed sports court. All six basketball hoops and backboards are installed and in use. I also met with the local leadership team to plan future ministry programs: youth leagues, summer camps, and Vacation Bible School. Looking ahead to 2025 and early 2026, the goal is to organize leagues across community schools, creating opportunities to compete and, more importantly, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. None of this would be possible without your faithful prayers and financial support. Your generosity helps continue the legacy started by Uncle Pete, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Elsworth – a legacy of using sports as a powerful tool to change lives for Christ. We invite you to continue partnering with us! Your donations directly help disciple the next generation, providing not only athletic opportunities but also life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ. Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we are reconnecting youth in Liberia to faith, hope, and community through sports. We sing praises to Your name, O most High;to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night. Ps 92:1-2 A Hope and Dream is now a reality. The ELWA campus needed an onsite sports facility that would benefit the both children on the ELWA campus as well as the children from surrounding communities. During one of his trips to Liberia, Meanu Kayea met with decision makers. An outdoor open top basketball facility was discussed and determined that it was important for the Youth Discipleship Sports Ministry Program. While the court was still in the design stage Meanu and his team determined that a multipurpose court would be a better option than just a basketball court. So, for the last year the court has been used for sports, including pickle ball, and tennis, etc. This week the basketball hoops were installed adding another sport option to this amazing new sports area. Thank you for your faithful giving. This is your project, and the Youth Discipleship program has another way to attract young people so they can hear about Christ. Currently there is a critical need for Missionary Housing
There are several ELWA missionaries who are scheduled to join ELWA staff, but at this time there is no housing available for them. Several houses that were built in the 1950s have fallen into disrepair. These homes must be renovated to accommodate these missionaries. ELWA Missionary Housing Repairs: $40,000 needed Power House The power house project is still ongoing, and is also a critical need. The current building is falling apart and the generators do not fit in the current building. Power House Repairs: $50,000 needed Please join us in supporting these important projects. Thank you! We praise GOD! There were 2 fires at ELWA within the last few weeks and no one was injured. One of the generators and a power pole caught on fire. When we consider all the Lord has done over the past 70 years at ELWA, we are tremendously grateful. ELWA has survived two Civil Wars, an Ebola epidemic, countless thefts, a building fire, a generator fire, and many other challenges. However, because ELWA exists to show Liberia who Jesus is, with an invitation to experience His love and hope, God’s hand of protection has always been there. 70 years ago, when the first radio broadcast went out, Liberia was able to have a “voice under every palm tree”, telling the listeners about the love Christ has for them. ELWA’s founding missionaries built not only the radio station, but knowing the radio transmitter would need electrical power, they also built a power house for a generator to live in. This enabled the transmitter to be so effective that radio ELWA could be heard not only in Liberia, but throughout West Africa and as far North as Morocco. While many are familiar with the history of radio ELWA Radio, then later ELWA hospital, it is important to consider how everything on the ELWA campus is powered. It is not like a lot of western countries where you build a house, and the power is installed and turned on. Everything powered by electricity at ELWA relies on ELWA’s generators because other local power sources are unreliable. ELWA generators ensure that the power does not go out during a surgery; that dentists have the light needed for dental procedures; that the campus is safe by lighting roads and paths; that food in family refrigerators does not go bad. As the ELWA campus has grown, the need for power has also grown. But the power house has not grown. ELWA uses the same power house that was built in the 1950’s. The same power house that survived two civil wars, and two fires. The same power house that was there when ELWA MKs lived there in the 1960s and 1970s. Imagine a simple cement block house built in the 1950s for a small family. That house got bombed and shot at during two wars. It is damaged by fire two different times. Since the family has nowhere else to go, they make repairs as best as they can by using discarded items found in the area. THAT is the current state of the power house. ELWA is in DESPERATE need of a new power house. Currently one of the generators is sitting outside being exposed to the elements. ELWA needs a power house that is big enough for the generators with space around the generators for maintenance staff to work on them. Those of you who love Liberia and understand the importance of ELWA, I beg ya’, please give to this project. This is one of those projects where all donations are needed and welcome. Are you willing to give toward cement blocks for the walls? Or fire extinguishers? Or a roof? Or fund the entire project? A large gift would make it possible for the project to be started before rainy season. Financial gifts of any size will be greatly appreciated. We trust God will bless and multiply each gift like He did with the five loaves and two fish in Matt 14. Please prayerfully consider giving toward this project.  Romans 15:13-Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This scripture is not a traditional Christmas verse, but it embodies all the attributes of Christmas. A time of Hope, that Christ’s return would be soon, the Joy of celebrating the birth of Christ, the peace that we have in Christ, and the Hope that Peace will reign on the earth. But most of all, it reminds us that all of this is possible because of our belief in Christ. A baby born for the purpose of dying for our sins so that one day we can spend eternity with Him. Merry Christmas everyone. May His Peace, which passes all understanding, be with you all this Christmas and in the year to come. Christmas is a time we give gifts as a reminder and celebration of how Christ gave his life so that we may live in eternity with him. As we move into the new year EMA has chosen to focus on the following three areas of Ministry in 2025. Education – Scholarships and teaching others have always been a part of what EMA does. Education has been one of the core ministries of EMA. Teach others how to operate and fix all aspects of the ministry: fixing radio equipment, fixing hospital equipment, providing clean water and electricity for the campus. None of this could happen without a basic education starting in elementary school and continuing through high school. Education also includes Christ-centered radio programs, which reach up-country. EMA annually supports the Education ministry at the level of $123,000. The largest portion of these funds go to scholarships at ELWA Academy. Healthcare – Liberia is the 9th poorest country in the world, and it is only about the size of the state of Tennessee in the US. There are only 2 hospitals in the country. People travel miles to ELWA Hospital to receive care. Often these individuals do not have the money to pay for the care they receive. The hospital benevolence program helps cover the cost for those who cannot pay. EMA also helps fund the malnutrition program for infants in distress and the medical outreaches which go into the remote areas in Liberia.EMA allocates $47,000 a year to the malnutrition, benevolence and medical outreach programs. Infrastructure – The houses and many of the buildings on campus are in need of repair. EMA is hoping to replace the building that houses the generators. The current building was constructed in the 1960s. Since then, the size of the hospital has more than doubled. ELWA added a dental clinic and the school expanded to include a high school. These improvements have increased the demand for power; therefore, generators have been added. The current building is too small, and it needs updating. ELWA has recently created a housing standard for every house on the compound. This list includes functioning windows with screens, functioning front and back doors, at least one light and one functioning outlet, as well as, hot and cold running water. These are basic needs, but many houses do not have even these items. The generator will cost $94,000.00. EMA is anticipating that the housing repairs will be around $68,000.00. As you prayerfully consider donating to these projects, just know that we appreciate each of you, and your love for Liberia.  Celebrating 15 years of ministry!!
Thank you! Thank you for your support over the years. Thank you for the lives you help change. Thank you for your help funding all the completed projects. Thank you for your continued prayers. Because of you EMA has completed 15 wonderful years of ministry, and we are looking forward to many, many more. We thank God for many finished projects over the years:
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ELWA Ministries Association USA