Bong Blessings
Saturday, 3/6, sleeping in till 8AM, is this heaven? No it’s only a/c in Africa. It is amazing how your level of expectations fuels your joy. A few weeks of African reality can really make you appreciate the comforts of home.
We met with women’s groups from 8 churches in the Totota area and 45 of them came Saturday afternoon. They asked many good questions and promised to join us in our efforts. After the meeting, we drove to Gbartala (silent G) where we met with the Paramount Chief who carried us to a 50 acre property he and the other chiefs had decided to give to our project in Bong. Though we made no request, God knew we needed land and he provided it. Sure it needs clearing and a lot of work but it is a beautiful piece of rolling hills with palms and wild fruit trees all over it. There is also a small grassy swamp area near the road with a small lake which never dries out, which means the Gbartala farm has a regular water supply. It also has a beautiful hilltop in the center perfect for housing and buildings with a gentle downward slope in all directions. Can you see it?
This is a little disquieting. I keep wondering what we have gotten ourselves into but the Lord will not allow me to doubt him. This is his vision and his plan while we stand in awe. I suppose we will be given property all over Liberia for the projects we have introduced. Maybe it’s their way of saying, “Please start in our area.” They don’t have money but they give what they have. In Liberia the elected government doesn’t own the land, the tribal people do and the chief has direct charge of its use. We will receive a Travel Document signed by six chiefs to present to the Ministry of Lands (remember, that is our office location) for them to survey and record. Soon I will be able to give you gps coordinates which you will be able to view on Google satellite maps. After walking the property with the Paramount Chief and many others we stopped and joined hands committing the land to the Lord and the Liberian people, praying in Jesus Name. I would pinch myself but I don’t want to wake up if this is just a dream.
After leaving the property we visited the Clinic in Gbartala. Our dear friends at Living Faith and Oldsmar Bible had donated some medical supplies which we carried in our luggage to give to those who needed them. All three clinics in the area received some latex gloves, bandages, wound care kits, etc. They were so grateful we only wished we had more to give.
Sunday Morning at Hope of Glory Church Isela and I sang and I preached. The response at the invitation time was overwhelming. Everyone in the church seemed to come forward to be prayed with. Pastor Lawrence and I dealt with them at the front for half an hour. Then they all stayed after church to hear more from Isela about Tree of Life.
After a short lunch we headed to an Orphanage in Salala District near the border where 61 children were waiting outside for our arrival. Rev. John Paul and his wife Naomi, Liberians, are doing a phenomenal work with these orphaned and abandoned children. They sang and praised God, listening gleefully as Isela and I played the keyboard and sang ‘You Are My All in ALL’. Then we spoke to them out of Jer 1:5, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth from the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’ Isela encouraged the young ladies in modesty. So many young African kids run around naked but all these were well taught. God bless this couple as they care for these children. They have so many needs it is hard to know where to start. We offered to teach hem everything we know and had a delightful time with them.
After three full days it was time to return to the Capitol. We do not feel called to Monrovia but to the rural regions. However, it is necessary to spend some time here every visit. There are so many legislators to see and all the various Ministry personnel are here. Plus this is where we must apply for the needed funding and gain approval for our plans. The critical path to success runs through the capitol.

Monday 3/8, the Foreign Ministry has informed us of approval of our NGO. I could not help myself so I danced around the office with joy in a very gringo way. I am glad you weren’t there to see it. I think maybe it’s my footwork…anyway we will pick up our paperwork tomorrow, Thank You Lord.
We also had a wonderful meeting with the Ministry of Health. Their approval is essential to our Mother and Baby program. We have had a tremendous response from the health sector but this is a milestone at MOH. Pray that we will be given the opportunity to communicate directly with the senior staff. This will control many future funding decisions. We also need a similar meeting with the Ministry of Education. We have inside assistance from new and dear friends but MOE is also a milestone we need to pass on this trip.
Thank you for your prayers, we can sense your support. It is the main reason for so many blessings.
Love and Thanks, to you and for you,
Fred and Isela