Category Archives: Prayer Letters

February 2014 Prayer Letter

 

 

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February 2014

As many of you know the Kuwaa Mission operated as a special mission under the auspices of Bethany Lutheran Church – Slidell, LA since its inception in 2009. After waiting 2 years, the Mission acquired its own tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) in late 2013.  This means that any income the Mission receives will continue to be exempt from state and federal income taxes.

The government will recognize donations sent to the Mission as charitable gifts.  They are deductible on your income tax returns, up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. Checks can now be made out to the Kuwaa Mission.  Bethany Lutheran Church will continue to be the mailing address.  This step is vitally important in being able to receive grants.

The Mission appreciates each of you for the support and prayers you offer for the Mission.  In the course of a year we receive over $70,000 in support for projects like the Kondesu Medical Clinic, providing potable water by digging wells and supplying water filters.  You supported the work of volunteers going to the Kuwaa Chiefdom.  Medical and school supplies were purchased and given to the appropriate people.  Scholarships helped people complete their education to serve the people through the church or medical clinic.  Workshops were held for educators and religious leaders.  Most recently a VBS was conducted.  Of course, sharing Christ is always foremost.  The work of the Kuwaa Mission has not lacked funding.  If more funds are received then more work can be done.

 We the Board members are very thankful and appreciative of all that God is doing through you and for the Kuwaa people.  The Mission also is busy spreading the word about its work.  The publicity is a minimal cost but so very necessary if the Mission is to continue its work.  The Mission still continues to move forward without having to pay any salaries.  We are still 100% volunteer operated.

The Mission appreciates all of you.  We thank God for each of you.  We also include you in our own personal prayers.  It is people like you who make the Mission possible.  All the Kuwaa people also thank you as the Spirit is transforming their lives and the providing the necessities they need to live.

Your Brother in Christ,

Ron Morgan – Treasurer & Board Member

Certified Public Accountant

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

 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

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The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

 

January 2014 Prayer Letter

January 2014 Prayer letter

 

 

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January 2014

    Rev. Dr. D. Jensen Seyenkulo and Rev. Dr. Richard Thompson organized the Kuwaa Mission 5 years ago.  Since that beginning the Lord has richly blessed the Mission’s work.  The Board of Directors grew to 9 members and hundreds of people and congregations joined the ranks of faithful prayer and financial warriors from all over the country.

Just what has the Mission accomplished by God’s grace in these 5 years in mission to the Kuwaa people?

  • The Mission constructed or repaired wells in 14 of the 16 villages in the Kuwaa Chiefdom and passed out hundreds of water purification filters.
  • God willing the Mission will dedicate the Kondesu Medical Clinic, nurse’s housing and bath house in April.  Solar panels are being furnished as well as a toxic waste incinerator and clinic well in April.
  • The Mission provides scholarships.  Ester Kowula receive a full scholarship to attend nursing school so that she can serve as the clinic’s full time nurse.  3 young men received full scholarships to attend the seminary to become ordained evangelists in the Chiefdom.
  • The Fassama Clinic, schools, and dressers received medical supplies from the Mission each year.Workshops were held for pubic and church school teachers, also for evangelists, town pastors, Sunday School teachers, and church leaders. 
  • Several workshops were held for people to be trained in the need for sanitation and drinking good water, especially for the children and workshops for learning how to care for the well equipment and water purification filters.
  • The mission also provided books, equipment, materials, and religious materials as well as hygiene information.

For all this we give all glory to God as the Kuwaa Mission celebrates it’s 5th anniversary this year.  The Mission also gives thanks to God for you, our faithful prayer and financial warriors.  None of this could be done without you.  With you the mission is possible!  Thank you on behalf of the Kuwaa people.

Your brother in Christ,

Ed Stelling, Board member

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and 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 of Prayer Letter

Word version of Prayer Letter

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The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

December 2013 Prayer Letter

December 2013 Prayer letter

 

 

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December 2013

Merry Christmas!

Advent Promise

Advent, the 4 weeks preceding Christmas in the church calendar, is my favorite time of the year.  Living in Alaska, these are among the coldest, longest, darkest days of winter.  It can be a difficult time for many who suffer from a clinical psychological disorder known as SAD (Seasonal Effective Disorder) or who are dealing with loss or grief.  In the midst of this darkness the prophet Isaiah speaks a word of hope…

…that time of darkness will not go on forever.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

                        Isaiah 9:1a, 2

In my congregation these past few months have been a time of exceptional loss.  I performed six funerals in three months.  Many beloved friends and family are now missing from our fellowship and their absence is felt profoundly.  Through the darkness of loneliness and grief, Isaiah’s words speak hope..

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

The Lord, the Messiah, is coming!  In Him is the hope of the nations… hope for peace, for justice, for health and for liberation.  And as children of God, we are ambassadors of peace, justice, health and liberation.  We are called to speak out, as Isaiah did, the Good News of hope, reconciliation, justice and peace delivered to the world as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem.

For those of us who serve as volunteers, board members, supporters and missionaries to the Kuwaa people, Advent is a time to rejoice in the living hope that one day all people will have clean drinking water, sanitary living conditions, and access to medical care along with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  It is a time to recommit ourselves to our mission, even as we wait for Jesus’ return and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom on earth!

I believe these words, a new verse to the old hymn, O Come, O Come Immanuel, sums up our Advent hope:

O come now, living water, pour your grace,

And bring new life to ev’ry withered place;

Speak comfort to each trembling heart:

“Be strong! Fear not, for I will ne’er depart.”

 Rejoice, rejoice! Take heart and do not fear,

God’s chosen one, Immanuel, draws near.

Barbara Lundblad

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Rev. Carol George, Kuwaa Mission Board Member

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and 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 of Prayer Letter

Word Version of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

November 2013 Prayer Letter

November 2013 Prayer letter

 

 

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November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

At Gator Lodge near the TX-LA border, new board members, Ron Morgan and Jennifer Cosgrove, joined the other members.  Elizabeth Rothgeb owns the lodge and proved to be a most gracious hostess.  The lodge is nestled in a beautiful and peaceful setting on the shores of Caddo Lakes

After reviewing and revising legal documents, the board discussed and planned for more involvement from congregational and synodical relationships.  Future projects, including digging wells, supporting the medical clinic, putting Arch Books on tapes for the children, and conducting sanitation education workshops were planned.

On Sunday morning the board worshipped at the Shepards’ church, Faith Lutheran, in Shreveport, LA.  The members were warm and welcoming.  The members stayed for a mission presentation after worship.  The service included a Veteran’s Day recognition of members.  The Faith families have a proud tradition of serving our country.

One of the highlights of each day was the delicious Cajun food Eddie Shepard, Lolitha’s husband, prepared.  Fried catfish, hush puppies, barbecue brisket, red beans and rice, and fried chicken were enthusiastically enjoyed.

The Kondesu medical clinic will be completed and the facility dedicated this year, God willing.  1 final stage is providing a solar system for electricity, especially for the refrigeration necessary for proper storage of vaccines and other medicines.  The system has been ordered and is being shipped.  Funds are needed to finish paying for the solar system.  It will cost between $15,000 & $20,000.  Ester Kowula soon graduates from the nurse training at Currens Hospital.  Ester received a full Kuwaa Mission scholarship.  She and 2 other classmates want to work at the Kondesu Clinic.  It was also planned to complete 3 new wells in 2014, 1 dug for the clinic.   Wells cost approximately $8K each.

While we celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome the season of Advent, we are reminded of the blessings God provides.  The board is especially thankful for the love, prayers, and support with which you continue to bless the Kuwaa Mission and the Kuwaa people.

As Christmas season approaches, gift giving becomes foremost in the minds of people.  It may be difficult to think of something special for those who “have everything.”  We offer a suggestion.  You can send your loved ones a card noting that a gift has been given in their honor to the Kuwaa Mission.  This is the gift of good health, clean water, and medical care for the Kuwaa people of Liberia.  Please keep the mission and the Kuwaa people in your prayers.  God is using the mission to help his beloved people, the Kuwaa.  Information about this card & a download is at www.kuwaamission.org.

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Yours in Him,

Jenny Cosgrove,

Kuwaa Mission Secretary

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and 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 of Prayer Letter

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The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

October 2013: Solar Power The Cliniic

October 2013 Solar Power For Clinic

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October 2013

Solar Power The Clinic

This fall brings new and exciting happenings and challenges for the Kuwaa Mission.

Several individuals will be returning to Liberia this dry season.  The following projects are on the agenda: 3 new wells, conduct sanitation education workshops, help construct latrines, and hold the first Kuwaa Youth Mission Soccer Tournament.  Getting the kids together from the villages will hopefully increase inter-village cooperation at all levels.  They will surely enjoy getting new soccer balls and jerseys.

The Kondesu Clinic is the big project.  The Ministry of Health in Liberia, through the County Health Department has agreed to staff the clinic but requires a well at the Clinic.  The village school will benefit from this well also.  The shipping of 100+ bags of cement and 6 bundles of roofing materials upcountry for the clinic and nurse quarters also needs to be undertaken.  No small matter!

Even though there is minimal actual work to finish the clinic, the mission needs to complete the nurse’s house and a septic system for both the clinic and the house.  One of the major items that the mission promised the people and the County Health Department is A SOLAR SYSTEM installed with a refrigeration unit to keep medicines from spoiling.  Refrigeration is vitally essential because certain medicines and vaccines need to be refrigerated.  Vaccines are necessary to help diminish the high child mortality rate. This is our last major challenge for the Kondesu Clinic.  We have received a quote from Backwoods Solar in Sandpoint, ID for a complete system including batteries, panels, wiring, fridge and all accessories required.   Conversations between First Lutheran in Beaver Dam, WI and me about shipping these items in their next container to Liberia are progressing.

The mission invites you to join us in prayer for the funds needed to buy the solar system, freight to Beaver Dam, Liberia, and the Kuwaa Chiefdom.  Thanks be to God as another person is showing interest in going to Liberia in April with me to install the solar system. 

Approximately $20,000 is needed very quickly so that the system can be there by April for installation.  If you can help it will be definitely appreciated.  Most of all pray that the solar system installation will come to pass.  Please consider a special donation to the Kuwaa Mission for this system or sponsoring a fund raiser in your town or congregation.  If you would like someone from the mission to come and speak about the mission, we will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Stan Olsen, CEO – solsen@kuwaamission.org

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and 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 of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458