Link to September 2012 Prayer Letter

Bishop Jensen Seyenkulo of LCL

Rev. D. Jensen Seyenkulo, one of the founders of the Kuwaa Mission, and our past CEO, became Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) in July. All praise and glory be to God!

Jensen’s story
Jensen was born in the Kuwaa village of Kenata. When a cousin visited, he noticed Jensen’s potential and brought him to Monrovia to get an education. Jensen worked as a houseboy to earn his keep, and eventually he earned a degree at Liberia’s Gbarnga School of Theology. The Lutheran World Federation chose him as Africa’s candidate to the seminary in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He returned to Liberia to serve his people at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Gbarnga. He then received a scholarship to go to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he met his wife, Linda Johnson. Upon completion of his Masters of Theology, Jensen was excited to return to his home in Liberia with his new wife. Unfortunately, his service to his people was cut short, as his life was threatened. He was
falsely accused of supporting a faction of militants. As the rebels were marching him across the street to execute him, Dr. Gweningale intervened and saved his life. As Jensen has said about the atrocities of the war, “You just had to be fortunate to survive.” Jensen and his wife escaped to the U.S., where Jensen earned his PhD and they both became pastors in the Chicago area. Jensen’s first congregation was at (another) St. Mark Lutheran Church. He was the first African pastor to an all African American congergation. This was an enriching experience for all of them.

Celebrations and Consecration
There have been numerous celebrations and services of thanksgiving for Jensen. The
first was at Trinity Lutheran Church in Park Forest, IL, where his wife is the pastor. They had a celebration of his ministry in the Chicago area and a sending blessing. In Liberia, a traditional “gowning” was held at his first parish, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Jensen and Linda have 3 children, and the entire family dearly wanted to attend the consecration in Monrovia. With the cost of the trip upwards of $10,000, they didn’t think it would happen. Due to the generosity of many individuals, all were able to attend. Jensen’s oldest daughter, Apu, did a dance at the consecration, a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s presence at the ceremony. The family enjoyed reuniting with old friends and Linda said it was wonderful to witness the spirit and hope of the Liberian people after 20 years of war.

Bishop’s Plans

The children say that their dad has plans to do great things in Liberia. Yongor, age 16, says that he taught her to be a young lady and that she can do anything if she puts her mind to it. Kenata, a freshman college student on the football team, says that his dad taught him to focus. He says, “By setting goals and working towards them, you can accomplish great things.” And Apu, the oldest daughter, said that Jensen taught her to always care for others first. Linda believes that Jensen’s vision for sustainability and reconciliation of the church make Jensen the right person for this time in the church. Bishop Jensen will foster and grow the working relationships that the LCL has with the LCMS and ELCA in the US and other organizations throughout the world.

Work of the Kuwaa Mission
Bishop Jensen will continue to work with the Kuwaa Mission, as it is his passion. He will be instrumental in getting the clinic built in Kondesu and help us identify avenues for funding. Stan Olsen, from Anchorage, has stepped up as Acting CEO. Stan’s professional experience is in construction, and he has worked through Global Missions, doing projects overseas, including in Liberia.

Prayer Requests
Please pray for the Seyenkulo family. For Bishop Jensen and his vision for LCL. For Linda
and Yongor, at home in Chicago without their husband and father. For Apu and Kenata, away at college. Pray for the Mission’s work on the clinic in Kondesu and for all of the Kuwaa people.

Mailing Address:
6620 E 11th Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99504
PHONE: (907) 333-2614
E-MAIL: Solsen@kuwaamission.org

September 2012
Volume 4, Issue 9

October 2012 Prayer Letter

StanOlsen: Solsen@kuwaamission.org

You are receiving this letter because you know about the Kuwaa Mission and are probably personally involved.   As such you are not “strangers” (as they say in Liberia) but friends.  Since its inception, when a needs assessment was made, the mission continues to work to help the Kuwaa people establish better living conditions.  In keeping with the mission’s Purpose Statement to wholistically help the Kuwaa People the following have been accomplished:

• Distributed over 150 Sawyer water filters; provided instruction; and verified their continued use.
• Completed 5 wells; 4 more will be completed this year; 6 reconstituted; and trained people on maintenance.  All villages will now have at least one working, sanitary well.
• Procured an approved plan by the Liberian Ministry of Health for a new clinic and promise to staff and supply it; purchased and transported building materials; hired a contractor; and will begin construction in December.
• Distributed student & school supplies; conducted teacher training workshop.
• Provided 3 scholarships to train Evangelists and helped conduct a church leaders’ workshop.
• Distributed medical supplies to clinics & midwives in the Kuwaa area and Monrovia.
• Distributed agricultural seeds for income generating projects for church support.
• Established strong working relationships with Liberian government officials and NGO leaders; established working partnerships with them.
• Exploring possibilities of setting up a “portable sawmill” to generate lumber for our projects and as a source of income to become self-supporting and provide employment opportunities.
• Providing health care training sessions for children and adults from Child Fund materials.
• Achieved status as a Liberian registered NGO; processing the Kuwaa Missions 501 C 3 application with the IRS.
• Continue to make new contacts for potential support and partnershipping.
• God restored hope among the Kuwaa people through the work of the Kuwaa Mission; motivated the people to cooperate in the work of the projects and care for our volunteers in the villages

None of this could have been accomplished without your prayers and financial support.  Thank you.  But much more needs to be done which requires your continued prayers and financial support.  If just 20 people gave up 5 lattes a month for one year we could install another well.  OR…  Ponder how much you plan to spend on Christmas gifts this year.  How much real benefit will those gifts accomplish?  Multiply that amount times the number of families in your congregation.  Here’s another challenge:  why not give up just 10% of that amount, really it won’t make any difference to anyone on your list, and donate it to the Kuwaa Mission as a birthday gift to Jesus.  Imagine if your whole congregation did that!!  Now that’s a gift that WILL be of benefit.  For a wonderful video on this concept please go to YouTube and look up the video:  “Advent Conspiracy” – YOU DO have the potential to make a difference in the world. 

Donations can be made on the website as one time gifts or automatic monthly deductions.

Thank you again for your support.

AN  URGENT  REQUEST  FROM  THE  KUWAA  MISSION

PDF Of Request Letter

Dear Christian Brothers & Sisters,

The Kuwaa Mission needs you and your love gifts to help finish the full medical clinic in Kondesu.  The Board of Directors decided to finish the project this dry season (Nov.– Apr.).  Most of the building blocks are made, some of the building material purchased, and a contractor retained.  The people are ready to build.  Funds are needed to complete the building project.  The clinic includes treatment rooms, patient rooms, reception room, and nurses quarters.  That is what the government requires.  The Mission also needs to purchase medical equipment and supplies so that the doors can open.  The people and especially the children desperately need medical help.  Join the Board in prayer that the Lord would bring the project to fruition.  Prayers & contributions are the foundation for opening up the doors.

For 4 or 5 months the Kuwaa Mission has been rather quiet.  Jensen Seyenkulo became the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia.  He is no longer the CEO of the Mission.  Dick Thompson & Stan Olsen were on sabbaticals during that time.  Ed Stelling went on a 6 week mission trip to China.  Last week we were all able to meet vis phone to resume work for the Mission.  Stan is the acting CEO until a new CEO can be found.  The search is not only for a CEO but for more Board members, and regional representatives.  The Mission needs help with presentations, fund raising, and finding volunteers.

For more information contact Cindy at: cwellis@kuwaamission.org.

Pray about the new leadership for the mission.

The mission still wants to dig more wells, handout more filters, build schools and churches, give school & student supplies out, and hold training workshops, but the focus for this year will be the clinic.  The other work projects will resume once the clinic is completed.

If you can help with a special donation, it can be sent to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1340 8^th Street, Slidell, La. 70458, made out to the church and earmarked for the Clinic Fund or General Fund.  The second way to donate is through Pay Pal on the Mission website:

Your Christian brother,

Dick Thompson, Advisor to the Kuwaa Mission

revdrthompson@kuwaamission.org