Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers-June 2011

	Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers June 2011
THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD On the edge of the small village of Kunsho in northern Sierra Leone stands a silent testimony to the dedication of the first Wesleyan missionaries to serve in Africa. It is a cemetery with ten graves of missionaries and their children who lives were given in the early effort to reach Sierra Leone with the gospel. During the war years in Sierra Leone the grave site became overgrown and neglected. However, recently the Sierra Leonean church gave direction to its restoration as a continuing memorial to the price paid so the church could be planted in Sierra Leonean soil. On May 22, 2011 members of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone gathered at Kunsho to remember the sacrifice of the early missionary pioneer and to rededicate the cemetery. In his comments at the dedication service, National Superintendent Rev. Usman Fornah stated: Indeed, these people are true friends for us Sierra Leoneans. They have done their part in the ministry - the rest we have to do. Friends, let us continue to demonstrate greater sacrifice and commitment than this so that people will come to know the Lord and be saved from eternal death. These pioneer missionaries certainly "did their best" (Mark 14:8) and gave their best without realizing the return on the investment of their lives. Today the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone is a powerful church with some 190 churches, more than 115 schools, 4 clinics, a Bible College, a 96 bed hospital and more than 30,000 members. The sacrifices they made were the seeds that have grown into a flourishing church making an impact on the lives of thousands. VISIT TO SIERRA LEONE Bob spent the last two weeks of May in Sierra Leone visiting our work there and participating in a number of events. For most of the trip he was accompanied by Dr. H. C. Wilson, General Director of Global Partners. High points during his visit included the following: One day was spent in an inter-faith consultation with key Muslim and Christian leaders hosted by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. Their aim is to address public health issues (in this case malaria) through religious leaders in their communities. (Rev. Usman Fornah, National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church, is a key leader in the Inter Religious Council, which co-sponsored the consultation with the TBFF.) Director of Health Ministries, Brimah Samura, gave a tour of the facilities of Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital during which Bob was also able to spend time with our missionaries there, Drs. Tom & Karen Asher and nurse Bethany Morse. Located in a remote area of the country, KWH is making a very positive impact on the area in the name of Christ. Visits were made to both Gbendembu Wesleyan Bible School and The Evangelical College of Theology. The facilities at both institutions are showing the ravages of the war but are working hard at restoring the institutions. Rev. Maurice Bangura, Principal of GWBS, and Rev. Abu Conteh, Principal of TECT, are highly competent and dedicated leaders giving solid leadership to these institutions. A number of visits were made to secondary and primary schools operated by the church. Adequacy of facilities varied considerably from place to place but the schools are providing a much need ministry in their communities. Many churches were also visited. A significant amount of construction was underway to accommodate the growing church. Dr. Wilson and Bob were privileged to attend the Sunday worship service at Rogbane Wesleyan Church in Makeni. On Saturday May 21st they participated in the rededication of the national church headquarters in Makeni. During the war the property was damaged significantly and the headquarters was moved to Freetown to escape rebel activity. However, Makeni is geographically more central to our work in Sierra Leone church so the church undertook a restoration project to reestablish the headquarters in Makeni. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, a Wesleyan church member, was scheduled to bring the dedicatory address, but due to national responsibilities was unable to be present and was represented instead by Hon. Alimamy P. Koroma, Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure. The dedication of the historic missionary cemetery at Kunsho took place on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd. The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation included a lengthy report on the cemetery and headquarters dedications in both their radio and TV news broadcasts. The TV report included a sizeable section of Bob's remarks at the headquarters dedication. We enjoyed a brief visit with President Koroma's mother at her home in Makeni. Mrs. Koroma is known throughout the church as a true saint and prayer warrior. We participated in a day long seminar for District Superintendents and pastors from the Freetown District focusing on the subject of "Maintaining Ministerial Integrity." Bob's assigned topic was "Maintaining Ministerial Integrity in the Home." Dr. Wilson and Bob were honored at a farewell dinner in Freetown and were presented with Sierra Leonean garb that proclaimed them as being honorary paramount chiefs. (They are pictured here with Rev. Usman Fornah, National Superintendent.) A slideshow made of photos Bob took during his visit can be seen by clicking on the following link: Sierra Leone slideshow SIERRA LEONE IMPRESSIONS Being Bob's first visit to Sierra Leone, he developed a number of lasting impressions of the country and our church there. The country is working hard to reverse the ravages caused by the civil war that ended just nine years go. Flags were flying all over the country and it was evident that things had been spruced up for the recent celebration of their 50th anniversary of independence from colonial rule. Public works projects were underway both in the capital of Freetown as well as up country in what appears to still be an overwhelming task of rebuilding infrastructure. Private enterprise and investment was also evident, particularly in the mining sector. A spirit of optimism seemed clear despite the fact that many still live in poverty and need. Muslims make up over 60% of the population, but Islam & Christianity seem to coexist without the tensions experienced in many other African countries. There is good reason to be righteously proud of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone. The church is blessed with a strong corps of capable, dynamic, and hard-working national and district leaders. The health ministries and educational ministries of the church are making an important contribution to the welfare of the nation. Aggressive evangelistic and church planting efforts are underway under the direction of the National Director of Evangelism, Rev. Warren Fornah. Extensive church construction and restoration projects are ongoing across the country. The impact of World Hope International and World Hope Canada was seen frequently be in in the form of community wells, school buildings, or the new free enterprise zone. Wesleyans, raised in the church and educated in our institutions, are having a powerful influence for good throughout society, from the President's office throughout all levels of government, educational and health sectors, and business sectors. The Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone is a vivid example of what it means for the church to be salt and light within society (Matt. 5:13-16). AFRICA AREA PRAYER CALENDAR A prayer calendar with requests for every day for July - September, 2011 is now available by clicking the following link: Africa Area Prayer Calendar Feel free to share it with others who are interested in praying for God's work in Africa. PRAISE POINTS Praise God for a very positive visit to Sierra Leone and for the evidence of God's blessing on the church there. Praise God that Szmaras have secured residence permits for Mozambique. Efforts to secure our permits have gone smoothly and promises are that they will be issued within a couple of weeks. Thank God for reports that the Liberian church has recently planted the first Wesleyan church in Ganta, Nimba Province. Rejoice with Jim & Karen Pickett that their support has been raised and they have received clearance to return to the field. They expect to travel back to Mozambique in July. PRAYER REQUESTS Pray for stability and peace in African countries suffering unrest following contested elections - Uganda, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sudan. Please pray for Rev. Bill Niemack, District Superintendent of Transkei District, South Africa and Dr. Abraham Katwebe, National Superintendent of the Congo, both of whom are facing serious health issues. Pray for God's help as the Wesleyan Church of Liberia tries to retrieve or repurchase church land in Virginia, Todee, and Sinoe that have been under dispute. Please pray that our residence permits are issued as promised. Please pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment as we work daily with national leaders and missionaries about critical issues affecting the work of the church and Global Partners across Africa. SUPPORT REPORT Thank you so much to all of you who continue faithfully to stand behind us financially. Your faithfulness and generosity is amazing! Donations or monthly commitments can be made online here.