Liberia

Dear Ones Far, Farther and Farthest!

Welcome to my world - my Liberian world! It is late in the evening of Wednesday, May 20, 2009. I am relaxing under the mosquito net canopy suspended over my comfortable double bed in a small bedroom in a simple but very hospitable village home in Zwedru, Liberia (200 miles southeast of the capital of Monrovia, near the Ivory Coast border).

Just four years ago this home did not exist and the whole area was a ghost town. War had ravaged the entire province of Grand Gedeh and all the inhabitants had fled across the border into the Ivory Coast in 1990. They happened to belong to the Kahn tribe whose leader Samuel Doe, from this province, had taken over the country by force ten years earlier. In retaliation to his unpopular reign of power, rebels assassinated him that year and went on a rampage to kill every member of his Kahn tribe. Every able-bodied person fled on the three-day trek through the jungles into Ivory Coast taking only what they could carry with them. Later many also took refuge in Ghana and other countries. It was seven years before the first ones dared venture back and not until the war finally ended only four years ago have most of them been repatriated - with some still living abroad. Everybody has a heart-wrenching story!

But the war seems far away from my secluded little canopied reality this evening. After a hot sticky day I have just returned from my little "bathhouse" at the end of a garden path lined with large-leafed banana plants. That cozy little structure consists of a circular arrangement of poles draped with a light plastic tarp, around a small concrete pad. At the opening is a little candle, in the middle is a bucket of water with a scoop, and above it is open to the whole star-studded sky. A rather enchanting time of refreshment!

Today was the last day of five days of seminars and services for pastors and church workers from the Grand Gedeh province. What a blessed time we had together. These days were organized by Pastor Othello Tyne and Pastor Dickson Dueh, President and Vice President respectively of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Liberia. These seminars are a follow-up of the valuable visit and seminars held here just one year ago by Andy Kandoll and Dan Karnes from America. This effort also represents the long term vision of Andy's father Gus Kandoll, who was a dear friend of mine, and who visited here twice in the early seventies. One of the best things about our time here in Liberia has been the openness, warmth and straightforwardness of all the people involved. Where there were stresses and strains they didn't try to hide them but brought them into open dialogue. This helped me greatly when I gathered all of the local leaders together this evening for some fatherly advice and counsel as our week together was summarized with a view to the future. My theme was 1 John 1:7.

Now if you are wondering about the patter of small feet that you hear, don't be concerned. It's just that a very prolific mouse family who lives under the packing boxes in the far corner of the room and who apparently have a little runway on the headboard of my bed just above my pillow - outside of the net, of course. I just wonder when they sleep ´cause they scamper about during the day, too. Earlier this evening a bat was trying to unnerve me a bit by fluttering around in the candlelight of my room, but I summoned reinforcements and he apparently got to feeling unwelcome and dashed out of the open space between the wall and roof. He could have used the one small window since it is a rather paneless experience like all Liberian village windows but I guess the open rafters were easier. In the daytime mother hens and their chicks frequently wander in and peck innocently among my things. My only other "guest" is a rather impressive 2½ inch spider who for the first few days pretty much minded his business on the far wall and then yesterday when I was reaching for the open case I carry my Bible and notes in, as I was leaving for the seminar, I suddenly realized he was disappearing into it. To my chagrin he promptly made himself so scarce that I could not find him at all. I just hope he was transformed by the Word into something less innocuous.

As I sit here in the peace of my enchanted little softly netted enclosure it does seem like a world for itself. But I also remember the world I was in just a few days ago on the trip here from the capital city of Monrovia. More than twelve hours of awful roads - first old broken up pavement and then endless miles of rutted, pot-holed gravel, sand and just plain dirt roads. Bump, bang, dodge, swerve and then all over again in the hot sun and dust.. The infrastructure in Liberia simply doesn't really exist yet - destroyed by 15 years of war. For instance electricity is non-existent anywhere in the country, except in the capital. In most rural towns gas is sold in one gallon glass jars. And now I can "look forward" to that return road to Monrovia that is still ahead of us tomorrow. Let us pray for dry conditions. In the rainy season only big four wheel drive vehicles even attempt it. Do you understand the isolation of these people?

You know when you hold seminars you always wonder if people are getting the point and praying that it will make a difference in their lives after we have come all the way around the world and endured all of those awful roads. Well last night one young man named Uriah really made my day. I was sitting outside of this house enjoying a respite from the oppressive heat of the day - it pushes 100 F. or above every day - and here he came around the corner and sat down beside me. I could just barely detect a big smile on the handsome face of this youth leader in the faint light. "I got it! Pastor Dennis, I really got it!" he emoted. "I finally understand the whole point of the seminar thus far! You have been trying to teach us that it is the salvation of souls that is most important, through the Gospel of Christ Jesus to penitent sinners in the name and blood of Jesus! Well, just you wait! You are going to see results from that teaching here in Zwedru - by God's great grace!!" Of course the seminars emphasize a much greater scope of things, but in a religious climate where every imaginable and unimaginable doctrine is afoot and signs and wonders are in great demand these words of Uriah's have profound significance and echo deep into the heart of my calling and ministry.

(Accra, Ghana - Sunday, May 24, 2009) Safely back here in Ghana, which feels like the center of civilization, again. We made that 12 hour road trek from Zwedru to Monrovia without incident - except for being completely covered in sweat and red dust. My first real shower in nine days did feel good, but I would make that trek again any time (except for rainy season) since a big chunk of my heart got left out there in Liberia. I just pray that I can go back again!!! On Tuesday I head north again - through London and Denmark - arriving in Finland on June 1, God willing!

Much love and prayers in God's peace from this side of Africa!
Dennis
Please see all the pictures from Liberia, Ghana, and Togo by clicking here!
http://imageevent.com/aalchurch/picturesfromtheforeingmissiontrips/guatemalapictures

Schedule!

Please scroll down below the long Togo article to find the upcoming Foreign Mission events. If you scroll down even further, you will find picture links. Remember, the newest posts are always at the top on blog, but that does not mean the ones below are old!

Unforgetable Togo!

Togo, unforgettable Togo! Here I sit in a very simple room in the primitive village of Ountivuo, Togo. We have just completed three days of seminars here with very good attendance. People have come from miles around, waded swollen rivers and faced who knows what difficulties just to get here by foot. Here in Ountivuo there is of course no electricity, running water or toilets as we know them. My room has one bed covered with mosquito netting, one chair and one table. The windows are shuttered but have no glass. I keep the shutters wide open all the time for ventilation. Washing facilities consist of a bucket of water with a scoop in it in a small room at the end of this building.

What has made this trip so unforgettable thus far, besides the hearty and enthusiastic attendance at the seminar, was the way here. Pastor Frank Famiyeh, who is accompanying me on all my travels in West Africa, drove our van from Ghana to Lomé, the capital city of Togo.. We were met at the border by the President of the ALC of Togo, Pastor Nestor Devigan and the general secretary of that church, Victor Abalovi. Victor is a young (34) but very experienced driver, who agreed to be our chauffeur the rest of the way. Besides his almost uncanny ability to maneuver a van under impossible situations he is also our translator who can translate to or from four or five languages including English and French! French is the general language in Togo. On our first day, after leaving Lomé far behind, we ran into a violent thunderstorm just as the paved road came to an end and we had to continue on a dirt/gravel road. Torrents of water rushed down the road in rivers but the real challenge was one place where a veritable lake had been formed. A passenger from the car ahead of us waded in to this body of water to check the depth and we could see he was already almost waste deep.. Didn't seem like there was any way to proceed. But our dauntless driver summoned his courage, years of driving skills and the promises of Isaiah 43:2 and ploughed through the water a little nearer the edge right out the other side and we continued - under the most formidable conditions.

That night we stayed in a guest house along the way. The rain was unremitting. The following morning we headed out on a road that I have never even seen the remote likes of in my life. Just picture a sea of black mud facing you in the road ahead, pocked by huge water-filled potholes, up and down ridges at all angles and oozing ruts a foot or more deep and other anomalies too numerous to mention.. Slowly but surely our skilled driver maneuvered us through these impossible messes for what seemed like hours, but was probably less than an hour and a half. I almost wished I were careening along at death-threatening speeds on those crowded roads in India!

You would not have believed, however, when we finally rounded the last turn and the church was just ahead of us how the people rushed out with one accord and welcomed us with hugs and kisses. I just cried. After the tension of the journey - not knowing whether we might be sitting in some mudhole in Togo forever, the genuine happiness and joy of those people was truly overwhelming. Only they know what hardships they all live with here and how isolated their village is. They were so incredibly appreciative for the seminar and for God's Word - begging me to promise them that I would come again next year. I told them if God so wills and He provides a helicopter I will be most happy to return then. Most had never seen a helicopter but it was an amusing thought for them.

Now we just have the church service tomorrow morning and then we will head south - back over all of those incomparable roads. But fortunately the sun has been shining since we got here and of course we have been praying that the roads would be drier. But as I look out of my window I seen how the rain is starting to fall on the mud huts in this village as chickens and goats wander aimlessly about and children kick their ball and play in the sandy yard.. Ominous thunder rolls and lightening flashes in the darkening clouds.. Oh, Lord, please be with us on our journey back to Lomé.

(The next evening in Lomé). There really were thunderstorms last night and it rained heavily for many hours in Ountivou. The worst was to be feared. But the wonderful celebration of the church service in the morning together with Holy Communion lightened our spirits. And what a celebration it was! The music, singing and a kind of very animated line procession through the church seemed to have no end and the joy was unmistakable. Later I spoke on Isaiah 12 about the true meaning of why we praise God when His anger has been turned from us and our sins are forgiven and washed away in the blood of His Son Jesus. I also spoke about "with joy drawing water out of the wells of salvation". In Ountivou there is no well. All water is carried from a distance but I assured them that the well of salvation, with it's never-ending supply of Living Water had been dug right in their midst! Hundreds of people attended the service including at least a hundred children. I know because I had a big bag of 100 wrapped candies to give them after the service and as they lined up in long lines I gave out every single piece.

And then came that formidable road back. Our driver Victor maneuvered it with the most laudable skill - we even managed the "lake" with aplomb and after a couple hours we were back on the paved road on the way to Lomé, singing God's praises! Tonight we are safely in that capital city with air conditioning and showers and a little restaurant that even serves spaghetti bolognaise. God is so incredibly good!! If all goes well I will send this when I get back to an internet connection in Accra, Ghana tomorrow evening. We will then be preparing for our departure by air to Monrovia, Liberia on Wednesday, May 13. Keep those thoughts and prayers coming!!

I am just so incredibly thankful to our Heavenly Father who makes all things possible!

With love to all of you in His blessed peace!

Dennis

Teaching at the seminar. Translator Victor on the right, President Nestor Devigan of the ALC Togo on the left making notations on the blackboard in French. Topic for the first day was "The Plan of God" (for our lives, salvation and ministries). French is the common literary language in Togo but Victor translated into the local vernacular.

Seminar participants and some children on the first day in front of the church in Ountivou, Togo. The number almost doubled on the second day when a number of people had been prevented from coming at first because of a flooding river.

The theme on the second day was "Humility". When I got to the text in Matthew 18 where Jesus uses the example of a child, I called in two small children who were playing outside and also used them as a perfect example of humility and who is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Pastor Frank Famiyeh, head of the ALC in Ghana, who also contributed to the teaching at the seminar, looks on.




View from the open window of the room where I stayed in Ountivou -children who came to visit.

The drum section who led the singing at the church service on Sunday morning.

Line up for Communion

Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ

Suffering mother with two severely handicapped and malnutritioned children who she carried to the seminar and church every day! Typically their father split when he learned of the handicaps! My heart just went out completely to this precious little family (the other boy in the picture is just there to hold the older child, but the mother usually carries - half drags - him also ). I have now arranged for this mother and her children to be taken to a doctor for the first time in their lives - all the way to the capital city of Lomé where they can be diagnosed, fed and hopefully given the care they so critically need. Some things you just can't walk by

Typical Village in Togo

Togo thoroughfare! Unfortunately I was too nervous to jump out and get a good picture of the real bad places in the road to Ountivou but let this shot of the last and least formidable of the mudholes, after it had dried up a lot, suffice at least to give you an idea that it was no picnic.

Atlantic beachfront in Lomé, the capital of Togo.

Foreign Mission Events

Here is a schedule of current and upcoming events of the Foreign Mission

Current: Dennis Hilman is in Ghana, and will be leaving for Liberia on May 13th. Read updates from Dennis below.

Russia: Gregory Greve is going to Russia in early June. He will have a few people with him, and will be met there by Leona and Amanda Matson.

Youth Mission Trip to Guatemala: June 16th to 25th. This trip is filled to capacity. It is wonderful to see such interest in Mission trips, especially from the younger generation!

Mission Presentation: June 28th Zion Lutheran Hancock, MI (Sunday Evening, all are invited) Presented by Dennis Hilman and John Ruotsala

Mini Foreign Mission Presentations: 5 to 8 minute information sharing talks about The Foreign Mission on Sunday Mornings during this summer. Where? In the Midwest at a different ALC church each Sunday. Presented by FM Administrator, John R. Please email foreignmission@comcast.net if you wish to sign your church up for this.

Mission Trip to Guatemala: In order be able to include more people that already are interested, a second trip is currently being scheduled in late October or early November. email foreignmission@comcast.net for more info.

More to be posted later: Please keep reading below for past posts!

Now to Togo!

Hello my dear caring family and friends!
Just want to drop a line and let you all know that the main part of my responsibilities in Ghana are now completed. They consisted of many things which have kept me busy for more than two weeks. These included services here in the capital of Accra and three seminars out in western Ghana - a four day one for pastors in the city of Tarkwa, as well as services there, a two day seminar for pastors, church leaders and congregational members in Takoradi, with services, and a similar seminar for three days at the Liberian Refugee Camp in Buduburam, closer to Accra. We also celebrated a Holy Communion service there just yesterday. I can only say that God just poured out His Spirit on all of these occasions. He is incredibly true to His Word. I really shouldn't be so amazed but I am constantly enthralled by the way the Holy Spirit knows exactly what is needed on each of these seminar days in each of these places! Tomorrow comes a new and exciting part - when we head for Togo by car. Togo is a little sliver of a country just to the east - between Ghana and Benin, which is apparently far less developed than Ghana. With a much poorer infrastructure and telecommunications network we will probably be out of internet coverage for most of our stay of at least a week there. But I am really counting on the fact that there will be more than adequate prayer coverage. Our chief reason for going to Togo is to strengthen the Apostolic Lutheran Church there by holding services and seminars for pastors and church workers and of course for other interested people as well. So you can check out where Togo is on Google Earth, and see if you can find the city of Lomé. It's there our adventure on distant and mostly unpaved roads really begins. Today I would like to include four pictures from the Liberian Refugee Camp in Buduburam, Ghana where I have been for the last four days. This camp still houses over 10,000 people who fled their war-devastated country up to four years ago. Maybe some of you have already seen the first picture since I believe John Ruotsala already posted it on the Foreign Mission blog.

Teaching at the seminar in the ALC sanctuary there.

Sunday School students at the church singing "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow black and white, all are precious in His sight" - that is sung in English which is the common language of all Liberians. I have this on video.

The pastors, church council and other leaders of our church at the camp - with Pastor Frank Famiyeh (center left in the rear) who is the President of the ALC in Ghana. They are standing in front of the school which is run by our church there.

And by the way, don't let the "fancy" clothes fool you. Even the poorest people in Africa always wear impressively neat, clean and nice-looking clothes to church on Sunday. They truly wear their Sunday best, often their ONLY best!

School officials with me standing in front of the church school.

An impressive school which meets the needs of 150 refugee children in grades 1 to 9. Thirteen teachers serve them but there is a critical need for support if the school is to continue. How I pray that the precious children in this Christian school would find a place in the heart of some brothers and/or sisters back home. The outlay need not be great....just to keep it going. May God's peace and love just surround you. "This is my commandment that you love one another!" With very warm regards in Christ from a very warm West Africa! Dennis