Liberia Update

Please enjoy this update for Lifesong Liberia:

• We are thanking the Lord for his provisions!  The construction on the new school at Marshall is going very smoothly and will be completed in time!

• Christmas was celebrated this year with a chicken dinner at both schools, a movie, dancing and singing, and gifts of new bags, clothes, slippers, a blanket, and candies.

All of the wells in the community is now dried including our old well but this new well which was provided by Lifesong and drilled about 90 feet below is flowing with fresh water.”

Emmanuel Jones

• The church at Marshall that was born out of the result of last year’s Vacation Bible Camp is growing rapidly and making a big impact.  We now have 97 children and 81 adults that attend regularly

• Please pray for God’s protection, peace in Liberia as it approaches elections, good health for the children, and strength and wisdom for the staff

Thank you for your continued prayer and support as we strive to bring joy and purpose to children in Liberia.

Liberia

Here's an update from our Lifesong Liberia director, Bishop Emmanuel Jones:

Our newest school in Marshall is progressing smoothly with 84 students and 5 teachers.  This school is the first and only school in the Marshall community (of over 10,000 people) and presently runs from ABC to Grade 3.  There are over 50 children from the community who are attending school for the first time in their lives. 
We have also formed a parent-teacher committee to help us get more involved with the community and to do evangelism as well as creating an opportunity for community transformation.

Our second distribution of relief materials, which was shipped by Lifesong, took place over the Liberian Thanksgiving weekend.  Each of the children received a bag for their clothing, a blanket, 3 sets of clothing, a pair of slippers, and a camper cup. More distributions will take place this month at hospitals and old folks’ homes by the orphans as a way of learning how to share their blessings with others.

Lifesong Liberia celebrated its 1st anniversary this month.  Our schools held an All Schools Day which brought together all of our schools on November 22 as part of a celebration.  We were blessed with special guests from America, Andy Lehman and liaisons, Keith and Kay Knapp. 

Life at the orphanages is much better than a year ago but daily problems are always abounding.  We are able in a small way to make beauty out of ashes.

 

Have a great tuesday, everyone!

Meet Alvin

     

Alvin was born in a Liberian refugee camp in The Republic of Ghana, Africa.  His mother fled there during the civil war in Liberia.  Sadly, while she was in Ghana her family was killed in Liberia.  Alvin’s father died in the refugee camp before he was born.

In 2007, When Alvin was 4 years-old, he and his mother returned to Liberia.  There she began attending church and quit drinking.  Two years later, a few days before Christmas, she began vomiting and was admitted to a hospital with malaria.  Soon after, she died.

Alvin now lives at Lifesong Liberia's Master's Home of Champions.

You can help a child like Alvin. You can feed a child like Alvin.

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 44. 26 to go!

Will you join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans?

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to make your commitment! 

Meet Quita

  

Quita is 5 years old.  During the disarmament time, rebels came to her village and took all the men, including her father.  She never saw her father again.  Later it was discovered that these men were taken to a bridge where they were shot and thrown into the river.

Her mother ran to the Salala district with the other villagers for refuge.   There she later got sick and became paralyzed.  Last year Quita’s mother died and Quita was taken to the Lifesong Liberia's Home of Champions.  When she grows up she wants to be a medical doctor and help children.

Isn't it amazing that at 5 years old she's thinking about how someday she can help other children?

How can we help children today?

We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year.

Twenty-eight dollars...

- eating out at that new restaurant

- the shirt you've had your eye on

- a date night to the movies

- those pillows that would just look sooo good on your sofa.

I won't lie, making this commitment will require some sacrifice.  But trust me.  The sacrifice is always worth the reward.

What can you sacrifice for a child like Quita?

Our goal is 70 people.  $28 a month.  One year commitment.

We have 36 commitments, 34 to go!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans!

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to commit! 

Can we do it?

This summer our church had their annual VBS program.  We had the kids raise money to support a Vacation Bible Camp at Lifesong Liberia.  Well, the response of these 5-11 year olds brought tears to my eyes.  We heard stories about kids doing extra chores around the house and emptying their piggy banks.  One child even asked if this year's Christmas money could go to helping these children across the world!  wow!

That week we raised more than double what we needed!  That same week our Liberia director, Emmanuel Jones, discovered another orphanage that needed our help.  Another orphanage where the children were starving.  Another orphanage that we could help with extra money raised by children in Illinois.

Amazing!  God's timing is so good, isn't it?

We announced to the kids that their money would not only give Liberian children a Bible camp to attend, but would also provide food and shelter for over 25 more children!  Oh the cheers that filled the Sunday School room that evening.  They whooped and hollered.  I cried.  God is good!

2010 Liberia VBS from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Over 360 children attended!

67 children dedicated their lives to Christ!

75 adults came, and 11 of them received Christ!

Bishop Emmanuel Jones writes:

It was heart touching and very moving to watch for three days.  I saw the children change in a dramatic way in their relationship with God and with each other.  

The camp was profound and the children left very encouraged and blessed.  We have started a church in the community in order to continue discipleship and follow up with these new believers."

But this was only the beginning.  Now, with more children we have more cost.  Funds are tight and we need help.  

Here's the exciting part.  If we surpass our goal of 70 sponsors we can take in more children!  Children who would otherwise be turned away!

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment. 

We currently have 25 commitments... 45 to go in just 3 days!

Can we do it?  With your help we can!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans.

Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org to commit!