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Grassroots Ministry Files>
Tuned for Peace
October 14, 2011
As much as it is possible with you, remain at peace with all men.
Dear Friends and Family,
It is difficult to keep current with all that is going on in the world today. It seems that the level of information that is received each day by most people in N. America is so overwhelming that most of it is blocked out of their day to day thinking. When do you "tune out" the news and when do you "tune in?" As I write my "news" letter I wonder how much of what is written is "tuned in" and how much is "tuned out?"
I hope that you won't tune me out as you read through the letter. I don't want to bring you bad news but a testimony of God at work in Liberia especially to you who have given your support through prayer, finances and encouragement.
October 11, 2011, an election was held in Liberia, eight years after the end of the civil crisis and five years after the first election. People all over the country were meeting to pray for this time. A group of pastors got together at New Gate center every week to pray for the election. Of the sixteen candidates, two have been selected to go to a second round of voting as no one in the first round got above fifty percent.
The date of the second round is November 8th.
There were some difficulties during the first round of the election. One party office was burned, some cars were blown up, there were some other incidents but overall it was well attended and orderly. Please continue to pray for peace in Liberia and God's people to be wise in how they involve themselves, so that they stand for truth and justice.
The two candidates remaining are Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the incumbent and her Vice-President, Joseph N. Boakai. The second candidate is Winston Tubman and his Vice-president candidate, George Weah. Tubman is a nephew to a former president, the longest serving president in Liberia who was known for his licentiousness and decadent lifestyle. George Weah is a former world class soccer star and a hero to all the former fighters in the country. This reminds us that prayer is Important, as it allows us to appeal to a God who knows more than we do and can direct the hearts of kings and raise nations and remove them.
We are thankful to God for the continued work at our community center as we complete flooring, plumbing and wiring in preparation for our first tenants. We are also seeing more people coming on a daily basis to use the reading room and books for research.
Please pray for Bill and Sandi McGladdery as they make plans for a trip to Liberia to do a three month teaching Small Engine Repair next year, March through May. Both of them are retired and have had some recent health concerns but are confident that God is able to keep them in good health and strength to carry out this training.
Bill has completed an intensive training in Kamloops in Small Engine Repair and with all his expertise as an electrician is well prepared to teach. Sandi will come to be his assistant and help with translation from Liberian English into Canadian English.
We will need to finish up the suite where McGladdery's will stay, prepare the teaching area as well as raise funds to provide the students with a tool kit upon their completion.
We have finished ten years of service in Liberia and know that God is at work. I heard a comment recently from a West coast Sage, "Don't try to lead God, follow God, walk beside Him, but don't walk in front." Following God sounds simple but it can require patience and persistence as so often we are tempted to go off on our own trail.
There are many times we have had to be reminded to continue following God. When you are surrounded by human suffering, tragedy and a never ending supply of injustices you are easily side-tracked. Yet we see signs of God's work in broken relationships where there is now repentance, in circumstances we thought impossible we found grace and in our family we rejoice in their wonderful accomplishments and desire to follow Jesus.
The children and Kathleen will return to Liberia Nov. 29, 2011. Joyeus will stay on until the end of January 2012. James has been back in Liberia since July 24, 2011. We ask for your prayer for finances as we are running at 50% of our monthly budget.
We would also like to get a business loan so we can improve our efforts to make our work in Liberia more sustainable. If you know of any investors who are looking for an opportunity to make their dollars go a long way tell them to contact us.
With thanksgiving and peace, Kathleen for the Ngendas
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