Nestled up in the hills of Nimba County, the Zankunwoan Baptist Association of seventeen villages and seventeen churches was advancing with training from Southern Baptist missionaries. But in 1988, before the Liberian Civil War broke out, all SB missionaries left Nimba County. The Peoples’ of the Zankunwoan Baptist Association were abandoned and forgotten, left to hopelessness and devastation.
When Gary and I first arrived on their soil in 2008, the People showed so much gratitude, feeling that God had finally heard their groaning and sent them relief. Moved by God and encouraged by their leaders, Gary and I appealed to the Christians in America on the Peoples’ behalf. Now here we are, living among the villagers, because God through you made it possible!
But who will represent us when we leave? Still the Peoples’ cry is: “Don’t leave us again; you forgot us once, don’t forget us twice.”
The villagers are building a home for strangers to dwell among them and show them Jesus in every day living. That is what Jesus did when He left His home in Heaven to come to our earth. He became like us, He lived with us, so that we might see God!
“In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and the Word was God. And The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Gospel of John 1:1, 14
WHO WILL CARRY ON THIS LEGACY?
May 18th, 2011
We finally arrived to our intended destination, the village of Zeongehn in Lower Nimba County. We have been living here for about 2 weeks now among the people, enjoying their community style of life. Everyone in the village is family and treats one another with care and respect.
It seems we are loved by everyone here, as the villagers bring us presents of chickens, fruit, and roots. They offer us meals cooked on their outdoor fires, and enter our humble abode morning, noon, and night to greet us. Everyone wants to teach us their native language!
“We love strangers,” they say. “We are building a house so many may come to stay with us, your children and grandchildren, your families and friends.”
The villagers call me Zangba, which means ‘God’s gift to us’. “We prayed for you when you were sick and God healed you,” say the Christians, “and sent you and your husband to live among us. We give God thanks.”
Yes, Gary and I also give God thanks, for He is doing a marvelous work here! Along with a Liberian team from Zeongehn, Gary and I have been traveling to surrounding villages, showing The Jesus Movie produced by Campus Crusade, of the life of Christ spoken in the Dan language. We have been received warmly by the villagers, with dancing and celebration.
After hearing and seeing in their own heart language what God the Creator has done for them, men, women, and youth are committing themselves to God and following Jesus Christ! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift—Jesus Christ!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
PS. Communication through phone and internet is difficult here in the villages. Though you have not heard from us for many weeks, thank you for praying. Taxis rides from Nimba back and forth to Monrovia have very stressful on our bodies. We are looking to buy a vehicle; thank you to all of you who have given.
May 12th, 2011
