Wrapping it up (Lisa)

I want to thank all of you for your prayers for us over these past few weeks. I can’t even begin to tell you what an incredible journey it’s been. It’s hard now to realize that our time is finished and we will very soon be getting on the plane to go back to America.
As I think back about these past few weeks I can remember arriving in the first village thinking, ‘wow , this is for real, no turning back…what did I get myself into.’ I can then remember laying in my small mosquito tent at night dreaming about cheeseburgers, soft pillows, etc. I remember at times feeling like such an outsider, unable to speak Kpelle, cook a meal, or find common ground at times with the village people and way of life. I remember feeling heartbroken as I saw them grasp desperately to the false hope of the medicine necklaces they wore and beliefs they turned to. I was disturbed by their poor sanitation habits, and annoyed by the bugs and constant feeling of dirtiness. And weariness seemed to become the norm.
But really when I look back, all of those things seem to pale in comparison to the awe and gratitude that I feel. Awe as I actually found it hard to leave that first village and the kids I had come to love; Esther who had been kicked out of her house after coming to our program, Hauwa who had defied the village tradition of joining the bush society and had entered into a personal relationship with God, Princess who went from doubt to assurance in her new walk with God, and so many more. Awe as I watched 200 plus kids sit perfectly still and listen the love of God for them. Awe as I heard fathers gather their children around them late at night and with the use of a flashlight carefully go over the lessons in review with them. Awe as I watched God heal a little girl of malaria, and saw a women sell all of her alcohol and cocaine from her store and turn to selling candy and batteries instead. Awe as I watched our team grow and saw their love for the kids. Awe when a little girl in Weyema brought us two small baskets that she had hand woven for us. Awe as we got to pump water from hand pumps, heat water over an open fire, play games in the village, and just get to see in a small way how these people lived. And so much awe and gratitude as we saw almost 50 children and at least 45 adults come to know the Lord as their personal savior and friend for the first time! God is so good, and He chose me to get to be a part of all of that and so much more over the past seven weeks!! Wow!
So although I’m ready to go back to the States, it will also be hard to say good-bye. And even when I’m back in the States my heart and prayers will still be with these children here in the heart of the Belle Forest of Liberia. These children inspire me with their eagerness to learn more about God. I know it will not be easy for them, especially as there are few people they have to really mentor and encourage them in the journey. That is why it is so important that we, you and I, as their team, continue to come behind them, pastor Edward, and those few who will be working with them in prayer. We are so grateful that we are leaving all of them in God’s hands.
Here are the names of the 48 children who are now children of God. I encourage you to write their names down and commit to pray for them on a regular basis.


Maly
Josh
Danil
Gballea
Mark
Regina
Ruth
Mary
Esther
Hauwa
Princess
Annie
Yarsah
Ellena
Junior
Mary
Roberto
Alfred
Musu
Grace
Oldma-low
Mary
Gbanna
Archie
John
Robert
Moses
John
Amos
Rander
Harris
Emmanuel
Mulbah
Austin
David
Joe
Daniel
Kollie
Moses
Steven
Peter
Annie
Junior
Annie


Thanks for giving to the Lord….and eagerly anticipate meeting your new sisters and brothers in heaven one day!!