Saturday and Sunday updates

Please forgive the combining of these reports, but the reason for this will be made clear soon. Let me begin by saying it has been such a privilege for the three of us, John Smith, Jim Lee, and Jarrod Jacobs to be a part of this work of preaching the gospel in Sierra Leone. It has been a privilege afforded to us, and God's grace has truly seen us through these past several days. Saturday saw another morning session where the gospel was preached. The AM crowds are usually smaller than the PM, due to work schedules and the like in this country. However, this does not diminish the zeal and fervor these folks show for The Lord and for serving Him. What a blessing! Sunday saw a large crowd attend to worship God, and one more has been added to the Lord's kingdom this day! How wonderful to see #8 come and give his life to The Lord. In previous trips, there were more women than men be baptized, but this time the men are catching up, in that all 8 are young men. They are dedicated to growing in The Lord and serving Him in the days and years to come. What a blessing for us to witness how the gospel of Christ works in the hearts of folks still today when it is preached in its pure and simplest form (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9). Now to the reason these updates are combined is because Jarrod's backpack was stolen yesterday. Someone came over and pulled it out of our vehicle when we were away from it yesterday afternoon. So, we had to spend most of Saturday afternoon and evening with the SL police, filling out forms, and explaining what happened and when. Many items were stolen, but the most pressing thing at the time is that Jarrod's passport was stolen. Thus, with our plane scheduled to leave on Monday (a holiday in SL) we are scrambling to do what is necessary to provide substitute identification (including a police report of the event). Thus, we ask you for prayers on his behalf that all can be remedied and Jarrod will be able to leave on the plane at the scheduled time. Brethren here say that this was an attack of satan because we have done such damage to his kingdom in these two weeks. we are so thankful that the God we serve is so much more powerful than Satan! Also, we ask for your prayers in general for a safe ride in the car to the boat, a safe boat trip to the airport, and a safe plane ride back to the States to our families and the brethren we love. In a way it is sad to leave our good brethren here that we have come to know, love, and respect in Freetown. However, we are excited for the return home. Please remember us as you pray.

Friday PM -- what a joy

Tonight saw a good crowd attending. Despite the Pentecostal's last couple nights attempt to drown out our preaching with their loud music and loud preaching, and their efforts to block Priscilla st from traffic, we have continued to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Not sure why, but they were some quieter tonight. The road was still blocked when we tried to leave Priscilla st., though. Some of our questions last night and tonight reflected the fact that people had attended the Pentecostal event before seeing us. We were glad for their attendance, and glad to answer folks' questions from the Bible. This is something the Pentecostals could not do. New visitors were here tonight, and we pray they will return tomorrow morning and Sunday for more study. It is a privilege to be here, and it is an experience that we three will not forget. Please continue to pray for us in our work, and in the planned trip home very soon, by God's grace.

A seventh soul....

A seventh has now given his life to The Lord. In our AM classes, Willie Priddy surrendered to Jesus, believing on Him as the son of God, repenting of sin, confessing Christ before our number, and then was baptized for the remission of his sin (Jn 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). How grateful we are to see yet another make this kind of commitment to the Lord. Please remember him in prayer as he now grows in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How wonderful, that we were then able to sing together, "It was a glad day when I was born again." Just as the angels in Heaven rejoice, so we also rejoice on earth at the addition of a new brother in Christ. Please keep praying!! Pray also for those who are growing in The Lord. The questions asked before and after services are evident of searching and studying minds. Please remember this good group and their spiritual growth as you pray.

Thursday PM 3/28

We are so thankful for the grace of God that has given us this day to preach His Word. Tonight, there were no conversions as in the morning, but we did have visitors from the community (as this morning) who heard the truth of God. In fact, one man, Bass, who works at our motel, has attended twice with us since we have invited. He says he will come tomorrow PM after work again. He said that he was not used to going to church, but now he is getting used to it and likes it. What a thrill. We pray he will allow God's word to penetrate his will and he will obey the gospel soon. He seems like one who is very interested and he has asked us some good questions, both last night, and tonight on the way to services. Please continue to pray for Bass, Noah, and others who are not far from the kingdom. Pray for the speakers that we will have the heal, courage, and zeal to continue, and pray for the Priscilla st congregation that they will continue to stand firm as a beacon of God's light in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Another one won!!

Early today, we witnessed the birth of another precious soul into Christ. Brother Terrence Jones, who has been attending classes since we started, believed in Christ, repented of sins, confessed Christ before our number, and was baptized into Christ according to the New Testament pattern (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10; Mk. 16:16). We rejoice at this one who has left behind Catholicism to embrace the simplicity in Christ and just be a New Testament Christian. Please remember him, and the other new brethren in your prayers. How thankful I am to be a witness of the power of the gospel in the lives of the people of Sierra Leone (Rom. 1:16)!! Another session is coming up, please remember us in prayer as we travel and preach tonight.

Wednesday 3/27/2013

So thankful to God for another day upon planet earth, and another day to worship and teach the word of God to people. A bit of sad news in that our brother Jimmy got sick again tonight. He is better now, but his illness prevented him from preaching this evening at Priscilla st. This morning, all three men preached, though. There was good interest shown as folks asked questions before and after the sessions. Our new brother Jeromy continues to grow in The Lord and asks good questions. Another young man, Noah, visited with us in the early session and asked some good questions. Please remember him in prayer as he continues his search, and learns the truth. Pray he will return to our studies the rest of this week, Lord willing. Tonight, we were pleased that a man from the Kona Lodge, "Bass", agreed to our invitation and even rode with us from Kona to Priscilla st. On the ride home, Bass spoke of what he had learned tonight and asked several more Bible questions. About my favorite question was when he asked, "Why did Jesus have to die for sins when it was man who sinned?" We ask for your prayers on his behalf as we try to teach him the way of The Lord. Hope everyone is doing well. God bless you!

Tuesday 3/26

How thankful we are to God for another day to preach the gospel of Christ. In this morning's session, we answered questions at the beginning and at the end. 3 sermons were preached by John, Jimmy, and Jarrod, and then we came back this evening for more preaching. We are so thankful for God's providence and the opportunity to preach the truth (I Corinthians 3:6). We are also glad to be able to fulfill some of the brethren's requests for needed topics of study in Freetown. They are a blessing to be with. Good crowds have been in attendance, and what is impressive is to see the children who attend and who pay attention. Please continue to remember us and this work at Freetown in your daily prayers.

One more won!

It is with grateful hearts that we can announce one more added to the fold of God. We have a new brother Jeromy Kamara!! Jeromy visited some last week, and spoke with Jarrod about his interest in preaching the gospel. As they continued to talk, it was learned that he was a member of a denomination in Freetown. This was discussed together and they studied about the one true church, and the way one gets into the church (Acts 2:38). This evening, then, as services were concluding, Jeromy stepped up to make the good confession and be baptized for the remission of his sins. Let us praise and thank God for the power of the gospel (Rom. 1:16), and let us remember to pray for strength for our new brother Jeromy as he begins his life in the Lord.

2 more reasons to rejoice!!

Our AM session started on a great note, as 2 were baptized into Christ before the services began. Ibrahim and Kennet have been studying the truth for a few weeks and came this morning to be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins. Please pray for these young men as they begin their journey as Christians (I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18). Please continue to pray as we get ready for the PM services, and continue in the preaching of the gospel. Thank you for your support and caring.

Let us rejoice... 2 souls saved!!

The Priscilla st congregation met today to worship God (Jn. 4:24). During our services, 2 souls responded to the gospel message. Let us praise God and thank Him as these 2 yielded their lives and wills to the will of Christ. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to preach all this week, Lord willing.

Late Saturday Report

This day has been hard to get communication to the "outside". See, our internet was down until about 11 PM tonight. We are so thankful the Internet is back on and running. Jimmy was sick this AM, and that was unfortunate. Thanks be to God, though, he got better later in the day. While sick, he soldiered through and made it. We are having some good talks with some young boys who are showing an interest, but it is obvious that they need more training. We are so happy for the occasion to teach them. We left after only 2 speeches and about 45 min of Q&A (we have Q&A sessions after every session) because Jimmy was still feeling sick. Thankfully, he got better later. Lord willing, we will assemble with the saints at Priscilla street to worship God together. Please remember us in prayers. Also remember and obey John 4:24.

Friday in Sierra Leone

Today was an eventful day as we saw good crowds attend the AM classes. From small children, to the older folks, we sang praises to God, and studied from God's book. All 3 men, John, Jimmy, and Jarrod, participated in the preaching in the AM. We must have been tired, because when we returned to Kona Lodge after those services, all 3 men fell asleep and slept through the AC man repairing the AC in our room! We woke up to a cool room and no clue as to how or when it happened! The man who repaired it saw us downstairs and commented on that, too! we must have had a good sleep going! Many who attended in the AM stayed for the PM, and we learned 2 new songs in the evening service. Jarrod and Jimmy preached tonight and there was at least one Muslim who attended and heard the truth, as well as some others who are not Christians. We thank God for this opportunity, and pray they will return as they said that they would. Please continue to pray for us as we preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Thank you for the prayers offered already.

Thursday's report.

Tonight was our first evening of studies. Brother John preached about evidences of Christ and brother Jimmy preached about being a worker for The Lord. The singing was very good and most heartfelt. It was amazing to see how though separated by miles, we really are united in Christ in mind, spirit, song, and practice. Afterward, questions and answers were submitted and then answered from the Bible by John, Jimmy, and Jarrod. Please continue to pray for us and for the furtherance of the gospel. Lord willing, tomorrow begins both day and night-time studies.

Many Thanks to the Sierra Leonean Brethren

John, Jimmy,and Jarrod were able to go into town today to get some water and other supplies for our room before preaching tonight. As we entered the city, we saw many large banners posted, and flyers on city walls, all advertising for the preaching that is to begin tonight. We wish to say thank you to those who worked hard to prepare for our arrival, and worked hard at inviting folks to this preaching. It is evident the brethren in Sierra Leone have worked, the Lord has brought us here safely, and now we must do our part (I Cor. 3:6). Please pray for us as we preach and for those who come, that they will have hearts ready to listen, learn, and obey.

Preaching Tonight ...

Come meet with us at 6:00pm for preaching from the book of God at Priscilla St.... Your prayers are most welcomed. John and Jimmy have gotten some rest now, and are ready to go! Jarrod is rested and will be carrying their water!! Thanks, and pray for us. (Jas. 5:6)

Over Air, Land, and Sea....

John, Jimmy, and Jarrod made it safely to the country of Sierra Leone about 8:00pm SL time. Have made it to the Kona Lodge and getting settled. Preaching begins tomorrow. Thanks to all for the prayers offered thus far. Please continue to pray for us as the work begins tomorrow.

Next Trip to Freetown Planned

Lord willing Jim Lee, Jarrod Jacobs and John Smith will leave March 19th for two weeks in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We will work with the Priscilla Street church of Christ holding a series of daytime classes and nightly services. An aggressive plan of work is planned and your prayers are needed. Please partner with Jim, Jarrod and John in this work by making this work a subject of prayer.

Connie Niemeier's summary of trip

When asked if I would consider going to Africa, I was hesitant to answer immediately. Because of the trips Steve had made through the years, I realized the conditions were not what we are accustomed to here in the states. I had traveled to the country Moldova a few years ago and enjoyed teaching the children and women. It was an interesting experience to be a part of their lifestyle and customs as they are so different from ours, but, not as overwhelming as one might think. It was amazing to stay with someone and relate to them even though we could not understand each other's language. Overcoming cultures is such a small factor when the rewards are so great. Getting to know people who are eager to learn more from the scriptures and realizing their whole being is to serve God is an extreme joy. After talking with many who had been to Sierra Leone, seeing pictures and hearing Steve say so many times that the ladies asked for us to come and teach, I agreed to go! This was almost one year before the actual date of the trip. When Steve told me Cindy Hill was interested in making the trip, much of my anxiety and concerns were over. Cindy and I have taught together and I knew with her abilities and knowledge we would make a good team. With a limited time frame, how do you start choosing the right lessons for the children? What is most needed? What do they already know? There is always a beginning to everything one does and this was no exception. We met many times over many months making visuals of the lessons we had selected for the children. Each laminated "storyboard" had a color visual of the lesson and the story formatted on the backside. Although we made more than we could possibly teach, we wanted to leave them with lessons to build on for future classes. In preparing for the women classes, we started with the basics of why we believe the Bible to be true, building our faith in that belief and differences in the Old and New Testaments. We followed that with studies of how we can be an example in all areas and preparing for death and the judgment. We finished with how we can learn from women in the Bible and the power of prayer in our daily life. The day finally arrived and it was time to leave for Sierra Leone. After a very long journey, we stepped off the plane and suddenly everything I had seen in pictures and had heard from different ones had not prepared me for the things I saw. There was no organization at the airport-just chaos! There were so many people we just tried to keep each other in our view and get into a line to try and speed the process as timely as possible. I soon learned everyone wanted to help you with whatever task necessary but always for a price, of course. Once we had managed to find our luggage we located Christian. I was relieved to see him. He helped us secure and load our bags on a bus to catch the water taxi. By now I had realized the weather was not going to be a good thing for our duration. The bus was crowded and hot! We traveled on dirt roads that were muddy from the rains and were full of holes that we continually tried to avoid. As we continued it became dark and the lights from the bus only revealed shadows of the area. The water taxi ride was dark and long. I sat quietly listening to people talking and found myself thinking about how the next few days would be? When we reached the hotel, we met people we would see daily during our stay. We were tired and just ready to get settled in our rooms. The next day's light reveals more than I can visually take in. While the views were beautiful of the water and palm trees, I cannot miss the sights of impoverished areas. As we leave the hotel to go into the city I could not take it all in. So many people on the street carrying water pots, coal baskets stacked on their heads, selling food or novelty items, children walking alone or crossing busy streets while some are in uniforms, going to school, mothers carrying their babies tied on their backs, people sitting in open doorways all having a purpose to their day. As we try to maneuver in the traffic, I realize there is no system for driving here. Car horns continually sound as a warning to move out of the way. Motor bikes dart in and out as others go the wrong way to get through the traffic. We learn quickly that it is essential to have the best driver possible who knows the city well and can get you safely to your destination. These things we experienced every day, never changing. Our first meeting at Priscilla Street was such an eye-opening experience. I did not expect the building to be located in what I considered to be one of the worst areas. I found myself that first couple of days continually asking myself how can I possibly adjust to the heat, the food, the smells, the unsettling drives and the poor conditions of the area? But, it happened! When we walked into the basement of Priscilla Street and the voices of those sweet little children said, "Good morning, Auntie Connie, good morning Auntie Cindy" I could truly say, as my daughter Rachel has said so many times , "It’s all good!" These precious children, ranging in age of3-8 years old, were sitting on small wood benches shoulder to shoulder waiting so patiently for us to arrive. When we began teaching the lessons and songs they joined in and learned so quickly. Their little faces with their big eyes were such a delight. Oh, yes it was still hot, there was no air-flow, it was dark and dismal but soon I realized that is what they are use to and I could ADJUST! Every day as we would leave, once again, their little voices would say, "Thank-you Auntie Connie, thank you, Auntie Cindy, we love you." After leaving them we would go upstairs and teach the 9-12 year olds. If we could have put them in our suitcase we would have taken them with us. These children were so attentive, anxious to learn and so knowledgeable in so many ways. What a joy and absolute pleasure to teach lessons from God's Book to sweet children whose eyes were opened by the "storyboards" and who enjoyed singing songs. We taught them bible verses that coincided with the alphabet. They knew them all in 5 days. They were so receptive of everything we would teach. Every day they would beg us to stay and teach them more stories. They never complained of the heat or hard benches. Two of the students would come back every night to listen to Steve and Mitch. They would walk home together in the dark. We found the ladies to be very interested in the studies. They asked many questions and wanted know and understand the scriptures. Many attend alone because they are not married or their husbands are not Christians. Maybe because of their lifestyle, we found them to be strong convicted women who were eager to do what is right. Umu, or Angela as we called her, was good to stay with us as we taught at the school and was kind enough to walk with us each day to Jarelee Lewis Hall where Mitch and Steve were teaching so we could be at the afternoon bible study. As I reflect back on the trip to Sierra Leone, I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of the work at Priscilla Street and at the school. I will never forget the children and their desire to know the bible. I found the Christians willing to learn and to do things according to what is found in the scriptures. Because of the civil war, many things changed for the people and it is taking so long for the country to build back and to make things better. For the most part the Christians are happy and working hard to improve their lives. I pray for the children as they mature that the church there can help in molding their lives. I feel enriched by my experience and enjoyed working with Steve, Mitch and Cindy. We should always be mindful of other Christians in less fortunate areas.

Cindy Hill's summary of trip

This trip to Sierra Leone began a year ago. Here I am back at home and can't believe it is over. I have never seen such poverty, people living in thrown together shacks you would think they would just give up and sit around and do nothing, but, that is not the way it is. The streets are always full of people trying to get by, working where they can or selling things in the street or even off the top of their head. We watched each day as cute children whose parents could afford it walked to school in their little uniforms. There were other children wondering around who could not go to school. We saw some of them playing with sticks and cans for toys there were no other toys to be found! The very first day we saw a young girl I would say about 6 or 7 in the middle of the road trying to pick something up as we got closer we saw she had dropped her coal on the road there was a man trying to protect her from the traffic so she could pick it up, I am sure she could not leave it because she either needed it for her family to be able to cook or she was trying to sell it. Connie and I thought of our granddaughters and counted our blessings Still in the midst of what we think of as a terrible situation they laugh, play, work, clean (dirt floors) wash dishes and do laundry, and raise their families as best they can. In a very impoverished neighborhood, on a dirt road, there is a bright blue building called the Priscilla Street Church of Christ. In that building were wooden benches with 2 by 4 backs and no air conditioning just a few fans and I quickly learned how spoiled I am (and thankful) for what we have. I learned that here was a group of people with a hunger to learn how to live their lives according to God's word. They wanted to share this with others and do there were 12 precious souls baptized in the time we were there and the members at Priscilla Street were starting a new convert's class when we left to encourage and help them to grow. They want so much to do things the right way and are full of questions as Steve said they have knowledge of the bible but are still learning to change it to wisdom for application. The members there prepared for the meeting by word of mouth, hanging banners, passing out fliers and the TV message Steve sent. That message is what brought a man named Solomon the first night. He was searching for truth when he heard Steve's message on TV he said he had never heard teaching like that before. He told me he did not have his own Bible so that night I shared mine and the next day we gave him one of the extras Steve brought. He was baptized that week. Solomon taught a college class and brought his 15 students and son Moses to the day time bible studies. Moses was also baptized they both want to know everything. I pray they keep their zeal for knowledge and wisdom. Connie and I quickly fell in love with the children there. It was a blessing to study and sing with them each day. The younger children 3-8 yrs. in the dark HOT basement loved to sing and look at the picture lessons we brought. They really liked the creation song and sang it with such enthusiasm, it was beautiful! Every morning we came they would all say at the same time, "Good morning Auntie Connie, Good morning Auntie Cindy" and when we left they said Good bye Auntie Connie good bye Auntie Cindy God Bless you we love you". We went upstairs for the children 9-12 they brought tears to our eyes with their zeal for learning and their deep thinking. There was no complaining they wanted to soak up everything we said and they learned so fast! When we talked to them about praying and Connie asked them what they would pray for they said things like wisdom, knowledge, understanding, blessings, peace and family. They thought nothing about themselves and there were many things they could ask for because they had nothing! Some of the older children lived in the neighborhood, Narome a 9 year old girl, Daniel a 10 year old boy came every night to the meeting walking by themselves and back home after dark, what a love they had for God's word! Daniel wanted to know what to do to be baptized but his parents would not let him they are Baptist. I know Theophilus will watch over these precious children and help them as best he can. We shed many tears with them I when we left, they will be in my heart and prayers. Our ladies studies went well, I wish we would have had more time with them and I pray the next ladies to go can work out a good schedule to have more study time. They are hard working women who when they see something that needs done they do it. They do not look at each other and wait for someone else they do it together. I pray the lessons we took will be a help to them in teaching the children's class. They also are in my heart and prayers. I am so thankful to have gone and to meet these wonderful people who have many struggles but do the best they can with what they have. While we were there and talking one evening, Mitch pointed out a verse I now have on my fridge. Lord, help me to be thankful for what I have! Proverbs 30:7-9 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.