Author Archives: admin

December 2017

Header

December 2017

Christmas Shopping for the Greatest Gift

By Cindy Bye, CEO

The Christmas season is hectic for many people.  Parties to attend, decorations to put up, baking to do, cards to send, and presents to buy.  Some people are so hard to buy for, because they have everything they want.  Others have everything they need, but they still want more, and no matter how much they have, they’re not satisfied.   We are often thankful when it is all over and life is back to normal.  Maybe Thanksgiving should be after Christmas!

I once saw a cartoon about a child in the midst of a clutter of wrapping paper and toys with a brightly lit Christmas tree, and the caption, “What a spiritual experience”.  That cartoon has stuck with me.  Many people forget the Greatest Gift of Christmas.  Indeed, many people don’t realize or accept the Greatest Gift.

The Kuwaa Christians realize and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.  They do not go out in a frenzy to buy gifts.  They don’t spend money they don’t have buying trivial trinkets.  And yet, they have so little in the way of material things, that anything that they would receive would be appreciated and needed.  They may have a party, and there will be singing and dancing, and mostly praising God for the Greatest Gift they receive.

We recently received a note of thank you from the Kuwaa Lutheran Parish Pastor, thanking the Kuwaa Mission for the gifts that you have given to the Kuwaa People.  These include clean water, continued support of their two health clinics, Bible School, school supplies, and education.  The mission is now sponsoring three men and one woman to attend Evangelist Training, to better serve the spiritual needs of their people.  A list of our current programs is attached.  The greatest gift that you have given to the Kuwaa People is showing your love for them.  They know that you care for them and pray for them.  They are very thankful for your gifts and for your prayers. The things they receive are dearly needed and appreciated.

Blessings on your Christmas celebrations.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the Greatest Gift you have given us, which was Love personified. Help us to appreciate that gift, and to live out our lives showing love for all of your people. We ask your blessings on the Kuwaa People, as they celebrate Christmas in much simpler ways than we do. We ask that you guide and protect them, and help them feel your love, as well as our love for them.

In Jesus’ name,

AMEN

Kuwaa Mission Programs

• Water and Sanitation

• Water wells with hand pumps for safe drinking water. To date, we have provided 22 new wells.

• Provide water filters for stream water.

• Repair multiple wells.

• Train pump technicians.

• Sanitation training.

Basic Health

• New clinic in Kondesu completed in 2014.

• Bringing basic medical supplies to 2 clinics.

Maternal and Child Health

• Participating in the Big Belly Program to inform new parents about giving birth, raising a child, and preventing pregnancy.

• Participating in Days For Girls: providing feminine hygiene packets to young girls. Our goal is to have Days For Girls provide training for women to sew packets by hand for sale.

Spiritual Health

• Children’s Bible School. This is conducted over 2 days with many helpers. We’ve had as many as 240 children attend at once!

• Operation Christmas Child, through Samaritan’s Purse. Bringing shoe boxes and even more importantly, bringing Christian education.

• Providing materials for construction and repair of churches.

Education

• Providing assistance for evangelists to receive training.

• Assisting volunteer school teachers to study for their High School equivalency test.

• Delivering school supplies and books to teachers and students.

• Conducted workshop for public school teachers & Sunday School teachers in 2012.

Bridge Work

• Rebuilding 35 small bridges between the end of the road and the new clinic.

 Your contributions to The Kuwaa Mission are tax-deductible.  We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.  Our Tax ID number is 27-5458111

Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check to: The Kuwaa Mission  (send to Bethany Lutheran Church (see below))

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF Version

MS Word Version

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458 www.bethanyslidell.org
Facebook

 

November 2017

 

Header

November 2017

Greetings to all,

As I traveled with Cindy Ellis Bye to the villages of the Kuwaa people last February, we were greeted at each stop with incredible enthusiasm.  The women and children would meet us at the edge of town and ‘dance’ us to our accommodations with such gusto; singing, playing sasas and keeping the beat with wooden spoons and water buckets the whole way. Some of the children were fearful of the bright white skin they were not accustomed to seeing, but most were fascinated with our arrival. They would sit for hours, simply watching our activities. Early on, I realized that I rarely saw these little guardians play. As a nurse, I am all about balance. They now thrive on the clean water that the village has access to, due to their partnership with the Kuwaa Mission, they have energy to just be kids.

Many of you may have heard of Operation Christmas Child, I am sure some of you may have participated. It is a program sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse that gathers shoeboxes packed by volunteers around the country and distributes them to children in over 100 countries who deal with the effects of war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease. These shoeboxes are lovingly filled with treasures to inspire that spirit of play, such as stuffed animals, balls and art supplies. They also include hygiene items. This may be the first gift many of these kiddos ever receive; I suspect this would be true for many of our Kuwaa kids. A note from the donor is enclosed, a sign that someone cares for them and a tangible message of hope, joy and how God’s love is shared. The most important ingredient is the prayer that accompanies the box.

 

The rest of the story: Although our congregation has participated in this project for several years, it was not until we met with the team in Liberia that I learned about what happens after the boxes leave our building. They are filled with the message of the Gospel in a twelve part series called The Greatest Journey. One of the first things that the Kuwaa people asked for as we met in the villages was “education”. Teachers in each area where the boxes are distributed are identified, instructed and supported in sharing these lessons. What a great education opportunity for the church leaders, as well as their young and eager students. The Operation Christmas Child team had not previously been acquainted with the Kuwaa area. These neighbors in Liberia have now been included in the distribution plan.

Many thanks for all you do for ‘our kids’ in Kuwaa!

Tara Orley, RN, Kuwaa Mission Volunteer

 Loving and powerful Father, we thank you for the precious gift of our young ones. Give us wisdom and persistence in caring for them. Guide us in doing our best loving, listening and advocating. In Your Son’s name we pray, Amen.

 Your contributions to The Kuwaa Mission are tax-deductible.  We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.  Our Tax ID number is 27-5458111

Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check to: The Kuwaa Mission  (send to Bethany Lutheran Church (see below))

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF Version

MS Word Version

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458 www.bethanyslidell.org
Facebook

 

September 2017 Prayer Letter

September 2017 Prayer Letter

Header

September 2017

Greetings to all Kuwaa Mission supporters,

 In July of this year I attended the Tenth WELCA Triennial Gathering in Minneapolis, MN.  The theme was ALL ANEW from Psalm 104:30: “Lord, send forth your spirit….and renew the face of the earth.”  Thousands of women from all 50 states and 12 countries were in attendance to hear motivational speakers, participate in various projects and attend seminars.  There was also time to connect with many new and old friends.
The Kuwaa Mission had an informational booth that was well attended.  There was a lovely picture won by Kris Mitzman of Billings, MT and a musical instrument called a sa-sa was also won.

This year the Kuwaa Mission is also branching out all anew with trainings for teachers, nurses and clergy.  We are also assisting with women’s issues.  This new project will provide kits for women and girls during their menstrual cycles so that they can continue to attend school and work.  There are currently 7 churches, from all over the US that have expressed an interest in making these Days for Girls kits.  The Lord of Life women in North Pole, AK are making the first 50 kits that will be sent out this fall.
These kits include:

• 2 pairs underwear

• 8 reusable pads

• 2 washable shields

• 1 wash cloth

• 1 bar of soap

• 1 cloth bag

• 2 qt zip lock bags and instructions

The eventual goal is to have Days for Girls-Africa come and train and educate the women on how to make these kits themselves.

If you or your organization is interested in assisting with this project please e-mail me at kkuhnert@kuwaamission.org

Continue to watch future newsletters for ways you can become involved and/or how your dollars are at work assisting God’s people.


Blessings,

Karen Kuhnert-Volunteer Coordinator

 Your contributions to The Kuwaa Mission are tax-deductible.  We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.  Our Tax ID number is 27-5458111

Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check to: The Kuwaa Mission  (send to Bethany Lutheran Church (see below))

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF Version

MS Word Version

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458 www.bethanyslidell.org
Facebook

June 2017 Prayer Letter

June 2017 Prayer Letter

Header

June 2017

FACE-TO-FACE

Once again, the time has come for the Kuwaa mission board members to assemble for their face to face meeting. This year’s meeting took place in the Beautiful State of Alaska in the city of Anchorage. We met at St Mark Lutheran Church. Much business was discussed to include our bylaws and operational procedures. There was also much discussion about the future of the Mission, along with the discussion of new and existing projects. There was also discussion about the new members coming in and members whose time has come to an end. We are looking forward to new Kuwaa Mission board members being announced soon. There can’t be enough said about all the past and present board members who have given their undivided time, talent, and commitment to the Kuwaa Mission. To say thank you is not enough, but we say thank you anyway and God bless each one from the C.E.O to the volunteers and pray partners, and supporting church congregations. Thanks for all you do on behalf of the Kuwaa Mission.

 New and upcoming projects YOU might be interested in:

Big Belly project (important prenatal care in the bush)

Operation Christmas Child (Samaritans purse)

Day’s for Girls (Female hygiene kits)

Committee assignments (voluntaries)

We are excited and look forward to working with you please come and join us.

Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful 4th of July

OUR NEXT NEWS LETTER WILL BE SEPT 2017

Have a Happy and Fun Summer.

Please pray for Dick & Doris as they are trying to sale their home.

Please pray for Ed & Diane Stalling & Pastor Carol George for a speedy recovery.

 Your contributions to The Kuwaa Mission are tax-deductible.  We are a 501c3 non-profit organization.  Our Tax ID number is 27-5458111

Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check to: The Kuwaa Mission  (send to Bethany Lutheran Church (see below))

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.org:  use PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF Version

MS Word Version

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458 www.bethanyslidell.org
Facebook

 

Recent Ministries in Liberia

Greetings from Liberia!

I have a ministry story to tell you but, first, a little bit of background on the church and rostered ministries of the Lutheran Church in Liberia.

The Lutheran Church in Liberia has 55 parishes, each of which has between 1 and 30 preaching points.  Preaching points are congregations that are started by the parish.  In other words, people from the parish are sent out to the neighborhood to start a new congregation.  When the preaching point is worshipping 50-100 people, and can support themselves apart from the parent parish, they can apply to become a parish.  The LCL is committed to congregations growing and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the parishes are essential to getting the Word out.

In the Lutheran Church in Liberia, there are three categories of professional ministers.  There are ordained Pastors who for the most part have Bachelor’s degrees or Master’s degrees and, in the Liberian church, one who has a PhD.  The next level are ordained Deacons.  These are people who have been serving their churches as Evangelists, have gone on for additional training and been chosen by their parish to be ordained as Deacons. They serve as heads of preaching points.  Ordained deacons can baptize and serve communion.  Evangelists are people who have been raised up from the parish and lead preaching points like the Deacons/Deaconesses do, except they are not to do baptisms or administer Holy Communion.  After going through additional training (often at the residential training at LTB where I teach), Evangelists can be eligible to be ordained as Deacons or Deaconesses.

All of them serve in their ministry positions without much financial incentive.

Recently the Dean of the Kakata District of the Lutheran Church in Liberia invited the faculty of LTBLLMTC to come and do a five-day training for the Evangelists of the District.  The District Deans are appointed by the Board of Ministry and the Bishop to oversee one of 9 districts of parishes in Liberia.  Dean Robert Gonoe, an ordained pastor of the LCL, asked us to come and train the Evangelists from the district in Sacramental Theology, Lutheran Identity, Preaching, and Leadership Development.

We went expecting around 30 people and were thrilled to have 64—-64!!—Evangelist who came for the whole five days, never missed a class session, and were full of interesting and challenging questions.

Here are some of the things we worked on:

1.   Why baptize infants and small children?
2.   How did the Lutheran Church begin 500 years ago?
3.   What is Law?  What is Gospel?  Why are they important?
4.   Why do we have to prepare a sermon?  Doesn’t the Holy Spirit speak through us?
5.   Who is in charge in a church:  the evangelist or the council?
6.   How do you explain grace to someone?  What does “grace” even mean?
7.   How do I deal with a big confusion among the members of my church?

In addition to the classes and the great discussions,  we worshiped God in Word and Song.
It was a great time!

I forgot to mention a couple of  things:

1.      We were supposed to meet through Sunday.  It was evident that the evangelists wanted to be back with their congregations on Sunday so we ended with the session on Saturday.

2.      Most people don’t have cars here in Liberia so many of the evangelists walked or traveled by motorcycle taxi to get to Haindi for the training.  One evangelist walked 3-4 hours and was there ready for class on Wednesday morning.  He walked back home that Saturday so he could lead worship on Sunday morning.

3.      Dean Gonoe had this to say after the event: “Learning is power.  It is good to empower our evangelists who are at the forefront of ministry.”

In a world, where so many of us approach things with “what’s in it for me” thinking, it was inspiring and hope building to be with people who worship God with their whole being and are wholly committed to the ministry where God has called them.
I learned so much from them.  I’m hoping that their witness is a blessing to you today.

God’s blessings to you and yours.  Enjoy the pictures from the evangelist training that I have attached.

Linda Johnson Seyenkulo

Rev. Linda Johnson Seyenkulo
ELCA Missionary
Curriculum Developer/Trainer
Louis T. Bowers Lay Leaders and Ministers Training Center
Associate Pastor, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church
Totota, Liberia and Monrovia, Liberia