God allowed us to join him in his amazing work in Liberia this past week. Here are just a few of the many amazing experiences we had while in Liberia.
We had the opportunity to do kids ministry for a couple of nights (In the poorest community in Liberia) during the week which was just so much fun! Our whole team loves working with children so it was a blast just being with them and doing dramas and games that capture the children's attentions and just showing Gods love to them. It was hard to leave after creating connections with the kids but it was so worth it. Some of those kids got to experience real love for the first time in their lives and for many of them it was the first time to hear the gospel message and the real reason for Christmas.
We had the opportunity also to serve the homeless in Liberia. We planned, and God orchestrated a full night of activities and transformations for them. The whole night took place in the professional Liberia soccer team stadium that was given by the government as a place to host the event. First, our group drove around picking up people on the streets inviting them to come to celebrate Christmas with us. When they arrived they each were able to pick out two or three new outfits from a bunch of clothes donated for the event. Then members on our team prayed and talked with them as they washed each of their feet, which was a very humbling experience. Afterwards, the homeless were able to take showers in the locker rooms and then put on their new clothes. The women had their hair and make-up done by some of the girls on our team and then we all enjoyed a Christmas dinner together, just getting to know each other and celebrating. We closed the evening with a few dramas and a gospel message, calling them back to their Heavenly Father. They were each given a bible and we were able to have one on one time with many after the event to get even deeper. There were people from a local rehab that were ready to accept anyone willing to make that step of faith and get off the street. The one thing that God really showed me was how to receive gifts with joy. I had the honor of helping the people pick their new clothes. The joy they expressed when they held them in their hands could not be expressed. I received so much love through hugs and thank yous, I was so encouraged. It was a joy to give this Christmas season!
One incredible story that happened during that day began when some of us were going around inviting people on the street to come to the event that night. We met one woman, named AnnaMaria and she started to cry as we invited her. She began explaining that she was too dirty to come and did not have any better clothes. We shared that it did not matter what she looked like or the clothes she wore, that she should come just as she was. She also asked over and over if we will kick her out of the event because she claimed it had happened so many times before. We reassured her that she would be an honored guest and there would be food and new clothes and the opportunity to take a shower. She began to cry again as she also explained that today was her birthday. She finally agreed to come and she showed up with about 20 to 25 other people living on the streets in Liberia. After the dinner that night, our team pitched money together and brought AnnaMaria a birthday cake and sang happy birthday to her, where she cried with joy. It was amazing to see what a bit of Christs love can do to transform and impact a life.
Another quick story from a different night where we were at a park just getting to know people and sharing Jesus. As I was prayer walking around the park, God led me to three young teenagers who were just sitting watching some skateboarders skate in the park. I started speaking the Spanish that I knew and they were so attentive, paying attention to every word. I started silently praying for a spanish speaking team member to come because I knew their hearts were soft and ready to hear the gospel but I was not capable with the spanish I knew. God answered my prayer about 5 mins later when Raul (a friend who lives in Liberia who joined us to do the evangelism outreach to the park) walked up and just joined in our conversation. He asked about their beliefs, shared his testimony and the gospel. I was praying the whole time asking for the Holy Spirit to led Raul words and soften their heart and trying to follow the conversation as much as possible! He asked if they wanted to take a step of faith and follow Jesus and all three agreed! The five of us prayed together asking Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. We hung out the rest of the time learning about one another. We exchanged information and Raul set up a time to try out a couple of churches with them in Liberia. It was so cool to see not only the transformation but also God setting up discipleship right away in their lives! I again was brought to awe by the Holy Spirit and his leading, Jesus and what He did on the cross and the Father's heart for the lost.
Here is a link to some pictures from this past weeks outreach:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=269597&id=502334775&l=003c4af811
Now we are leaving for Germany in just 2 days. As we are not taking our computer with us on outreach so we are not sure how often we will be able to update our blog, but we will try as much as possible. We will most likely have access to internet cafes in Germany that we can use to stay somewhat in touch every once and awhile. Please dont forget to pray for us as we leave this country, and into the next.
