Stan Olsen, one of the Mission’s Board of Directors, sends this email update on how things are going in Liberia.

The people we visited, stayed with, ate with and walked with were great – really a very friendly people.  We were the first white people to visit them since at least 1989 and the first to walk in since Dick Thompson did in 1980.  We found that the living conditions appalling.  Their living conditions are solely due to no decent road access into their area.  No one has safe water. They only have minimal, if any, access to reasonable, prompt medical care.  Many only have access to one radio station – the UNMIL radio station.  We covered somewhere between 80-100 miles in about 50hrs of walking.  We met good trails, rocky mountainous terrain, log bridges, heavy ant infested terrain, streams, swamps, and one monkey bridge.  All this back packing was done in 100 degree plus heat in the sun and cool 90 degree shade under the canopy.  Unfortunately there were no canoe crossings!!

After the patrol, we have been busy working on the logistics for helping the Kuwaa people.  Plans are being researched and made to get materials into the chiefdom.  It isn’t easy as costs are about twice as much as the best estimate I could make before we left the U.S.A.  There are two possible alternatives open to us for this trip.  They are being able to use a free pickup from Lutheran World Federation or fixing one for about $4000.  We should know tomorrow.  The first option would be most favorable not only because of cost but it’s a better vehicle.  However, we realize that this is a one time fix.  I hope to load the first pickup by next Monday the day I leave to return to the U.S.A.

Cindy Ellis will take over for me.  She has picked up the Liberian way of life very quickly and will do a great job. I hate to leave as we are just about to begin the challenge of getting wells installed.  But on the other hand it will be good to get back to Alaska and home again.  However I believe that they will be complete in about 6 weeks under Cindy’s watchful eye.

Please pray that the rest of the mission here goes as successfully as the first.

Thanks,  Stan

NOVEMBER 2009 KUWAA PRAYER LETTER

Dear Friends of the Kuwaa Mission:

It is the season of thanksgiving.  This year I have been reminded of so many things that often I take for granted but should be so thankful for.  I am thankful for my family, life, situation in life, closer relationship to God, Lord’s willingness to use me, and the beautiful life he continues to give me.  I am especially thankful for the loving wife he has given to me.

I am so very thankful for you and our relationship together.  I am thankful for the people who are helping with the Kuwaa Mission.  I am thankful for the Kuwaa people who are our family.  I am thankful for the opportunity to reach out and help them during their time of need.

Yesterday, I attended a mission congregation, Mt. Drum Lutheran Church, Copper Center, Ak.  It was established by the Alaska Mission Committee’s outreach not too long ago.  It is a little congregation in a small community, but it is mighty in the Spirit.  As I looked at their bulletin boards 90% or more of the stuff on them was about missions all over the world.  In Bible class, the members knew missiological concepts that very few lay people know.  Their pastor, Rev. Todd Roeske, is a very mission minded pastor.  He is very much in love with his Savior, Jesus.  He knows that his calling as a Christian is to share the Gospel and grow people up in their spirituality.  He is convinced that this calling is not unique to him but is the calling of all Christians.  To meet a pastor with a mission heart that big is a treat for me.  I thank our God for this congregation and their pastor.

Sunday also saw the start of Brooke’s mission to help the Kuwaa Mission.  It is called Kids for Kuwaa.  They are doing the noisy offering bit to raise the funds to pay for one of the wells.  Brooke doesn’t want any more children dying before they reach 10 because of bad water.

Wheat Ridge blessed the Kuwaa Mission again with a $20,000 grant over the next two years, 2010 and 2011.  We thank Wheat Ridge Ministries for the $25,000 seed grant and the new $20,000 grant.  The Mission came a long way in the first year.  Thanks Lord Jesus!

So join me in thanking God for all of our lives and all the blessings.  Thank him that he calls us to do his mission.  And thank God for Wheat Ridge Ministries.

Join us in asking God’s continued blessing upon the Kuwaa Mission and upon Wheat Ridge Ministries.  I thank God for Little Brooke who started off her mission yesterday – Kids for Kuwaa.

Dick Thompson, The Kuwaa Mission CEO

Revdrthompson@gmail.com www.kuwaamission.org