September 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission September 2013 Prayer Letter

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September 2013

The long, hot days of summer are ending, while the shorter days of autumn swiftly overtake them.  The cooler days of fall are well appreciated.  Soon the colder days of winter will settle in, followed by the refreshing days of spring, bringing with it new life.

Kuwaa people don’t experience the 4 seasons as they only have dry and rain seasons.  We pray for them as they are enduring the final 6 or 7 weeks of the relentless rain season.  These rains are as bad as the floods in Colorado this year.  This time of year calls for a change of pace.  They do the other things that need to be done to survive instead of making farm.  Medical care is harder to get as it is more difficult to travel to a clinic or a hospital outside the chiefdom.

Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

PRAY that the working conditions of Kuwaa Mission and the people remain at high level.  Once again, the mission plans on sending volunteer teams to Liberia during the dry season – November through April.  PRAY for the Kuwaa Mission volunteers, including Cindy Ellis Bye, returning on her 5th Mission trip, and Stan Olsen returning for another stint.  PRAY for the continued generosity of the mission’s supporters.  We PRAISE God for you.  PRAY that work projects continue to move forward until completion as there is still many more to be started.  PRAY that the Kondesu Medical Clinic will be finished and dedicated this dry season.  PRAY for more wells to be dug.  PRAY that the Liberian government begins to rebuild the road into the chiefdom.  PRAY for the training workshops.  PRAY for the men, women, and children all over the world who are suffering from the tragedies and atrocities of war and natural disasters.  PRAY that they find peace for their souls through Christ Jesus the Great Comforter.

If your church or organization would like to host the Kuwaa mission at a fall rally, Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving service, Christmas Celebration or any other special event please contact Lolitha Shepard, the Kuwaa Event Planner, who can be contacted at (430)-342-7343 or shepardbiv@aol.com.

With the holidays fast approaching, you or your friends and family, church or organization can donate to the Kuwaa Mission either by mail or Pay Pal on our website – www.kuwaamission.org

Your sister in Christ,

Lolitha Shepard

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

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

August 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission August 2013 Prayer Letter

 

 

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August 2013

     In February 2014 the Kuwaa Mission will celebrate its 5th anniversary with thanksgiving to God for what he accomplished through the efforts of the mission.  So please join us before God’s throne in praise and prayer.

Praise God

  • Praise God that each of the 16 towns has at least one well
  • Praise God that a large number of water purification filters were handed out
  • Praise God for all the medical supplies that were provided for the mid-wives, the Fassama   clinic, and the small medical dispensaries
  • Praise God for the Kondesu Clinic which will be completed and dedicated this coming dry season
  • Praise God for the school and student supplies the mission was able to hand out
  • Praise God for the religious materials the mission was able to hand out
  • Praise God for the successful training workshops that were held and well attended
  • Praise God for the scholarships for 3 evangelists and 1 nurse
  • Praise God for the organizations that have partnered with us in helping the Kuwaa people over the first 5 years – Wheat Ridge, The Lutheran Church in Liberia, Samaritan’s Purse, Child Care, Joe Boway’s mission, and the Liberian government
  • Praise God for the Kuwaa people’s willingness to donate their time and labor in work projects
  • Praise God for the faithful prayer and support warriors who made all this possible.

 Prayer Items

  • Pray for the physical and spiritual welfare of the Kuwaa people
  • Pray for the Kuwaa Mission’s leadership that they remain faithful in their calling to serve through the mission.
  • Pray for more doors to be opened to help the Kuwaa people
  • Pray for wisdom among the Board members to discern where God is leading the mission
  • Pray for Stan Olsen as he continues to lead the mission as its C.E.O.
  • Pray for God to continue the restoring of the Kuwaa people’s hope
  • Pray for more volunteers to help with the work
  • Pray for the new board members that they would find fulfillment in this work.
  • Pray for the Liberian pastors especially those who are suffering PTSD from the civil war.
  • Pray for God to bless the mission so that medical equipment and furnishings will be in place by the dedication

Stan Olsen and some Kuwaa workers

 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

Work Document of Prayer Letter

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

June 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission June 2013 Prayer Letter

 

 

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June 2013

In these past few months the Kuwaa Mission’s activities in Liberia progressed expedientially as the mission supporters diligently prayed and supported the work.

I returned to Liberia in April to check on the status of the K?ndesu Clinic and the well program.  I was pleased to see that quality work was proceeding quickly on the clinic.  In short time the walls were up, the roof was done, the floor was poured and the plastering of the walls was almost 50% complete.  As usual the major challenge is the delivery of cement from Monrovia over the roads.  When I left over 90 bags of cement were still in Fassama.  The cement still needed to reach Kondesu.  A big problem exists as only 3 bags of cement lashed onto motorbike takes 2 hours.  The cement is being delivered as quickly as possible, but the rainy season is quickly approaching.  This cement is needed to complete the plastering of the walls to protect them against the rains.  The cement is also needed to cast the concrete blocks for the nurse’s quarters and the septic tank.

The local people are helping by working on the bridges so that the motorbikes can safely cross.  After leaving K?ndesu I biked & walked to the villages where we are putting in the wells.  Two were complete as of my visit and since then the last two have been completed.  A plaque was installed on the well in Fassama in honor of the donations from Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago, and another plaque is in Monrovia to be installed on the well in Kenata.  The plaque will honor Bishop Seyenkulo.  Donations were given by a family in Chicago, the Bishop’s home church in Chicago.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, CO held a fundraiser, a fast for the mission, and raised over $2500 dollars.  Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Anchorage held an auction and raised over $6000 for our work on the clinic.  Many other donations have been received allowing our work to proceed.  Without you, the supporters, the mission would be able to accomplish nothing.  With ALL your support we have ALL been able to bring hope and improved health to the Kuwaa People.

During my visit in April I received many requests for school assistance.  While this is not the primary goal of the Kuwaa Mission it is a great need for the children.  There are many children who want to go to school but cannot afford it.  We would like to start a scholarship program.  We do have a rough template for a program that is being used successfully by a friend from Pennsylvania for children in other parts of Liberia.  It does not cost much by our standards to send a child to school in Liberia.  If there is anyone who has an interest in overseeing this program please contact us.  It would involve some time as well as travel once a year to Liberia but it would also be extremely satisfying work!!

Just before I left to come home the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) asked our Field Director, Rev. Chris Kowula, to become the head of their “Literacy and Translation Center”.  He accepted the position.  He has been specifically trained in this work, and it is his first love.  He will start work on July 1.  We wish him and his family all the best in his new position and we thank him deeply for his 5 years of service to the Kuwaa Mission.  At present we do not have anyone in mind for this position but we are able to continue our work with the contractors we have worked with and the many other contacts we have both within and outside of the LCL.

I thank you all again for your prayers and support.  You are a vital and essential part of the Kuwaa Mission.  We covet your prayers.  Please keep praying for the mission, its work, and the Kuwaa people.

Stan Olsen

CEO

 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

May 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission May 2013 Prayer Letter

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May 2013

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:

The Kuwaa Mission just recently learned that a cholera outbreak has occurred in the Kuwaa Town of Fassama.  Prayers for the people are requested.  Cholera kills especially children and seniors.

What?! No food for 30 hours?? You can imagine the response you would hear from middle schoolers when approached about participating in a 30-Hour Famine. Not so with the confirmation class at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, Colorado! Although maybe not thrilled with the hunger pains they knew would gnaw at their stomachs, they jumped in and accepted the challenge. Here’s how it works:

The purpose of the 30 Hour Famine is to learn about the causes and effects of hunger, to experience hunger firsthand, to help fight hunger, to participate in a service project, to join in worship, fellowship, fun, and  – here’s where the Kuwaa Mission comes in – to gather funds for a selected cause.  I presented a slide show to the class that introduced them to the Mission and its goal of providing clean drinking water for the Kuwaa people. The class decided that this was indeed a worthy cause. They set a goal of $2500 toward a well in Liberia.

The next step was to enlist sponsors for their 30 hours of fasting. The sponsors pledged various amounts toward the goal of $2500, payable when the class successfully completed their task.

Then the famine began. The class gathered with their sleeping bags in tow in the church basement on a Friday at 7 o’clock.  Lunch that day had been their last meal. They were allowed to drink fruit juice and Gatorade and chew gum. Their first full glass of juice/Gatorade was “free” but after that they had to carry 2 gallons of water around the room 4 times to get a refill for one glass, illustrating how not everyone in the world has a tap handy with fresh clean water, and that many people have to walk miles to get their water.  The class kept a journal to record how they were feeling at various times of the famine, and what it must be like for others to live with hunger.  They made a trip to Costco to buy supplies for their service project – no free food samples allowed! They filled the basement with the aromas of bread and chocolate chip cookies baking – no sampling allowed!

The service project was to assemble goody bags to be handed out at a mobile medical clinic. They also assembled street bags for homeless folks who were being served lunch at a neighboring congregation. They delivered the bags, helped serve the lunch and visited with the guests. Afterwards they joined in a Bible study about the Feeding of the 5000.

 

When the 30 hours were over, they broke their fast by celebrating Holy Communion and shared a meal of their freshly baked bread and fish sticks.

Then it was on to the job of collecting from the folks who had made pledges. The amount they collected for the Kuwaa Mission totaled $2545. How thrilled I was when I heard about it! What a blessing for the Kuwaa people!

This is one example of what a congregation can do to raise funds for the Kuwaa Mission. For other ideas, visit kuwaamission.org. By working together and with God’s help, we will surely make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 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