Missions update - Team Lagang
In January of 2022, five families answered the call for a short-term mission’s experience with YWAM Kona’s Family Discipleship Training School (DTS). We had the privilege of discipling these families and their children through a six-month journey. There were 10 adults and 12 kids ranging from age 2 through 13. The adults spent 11 weeks on varying topics such as Hearing God’s Voice, Nature and Character of God, and Spiritual Warfare, just to name a few. The children attended their own classes that complemented the parents’ courses. These courses prepared the children and parents for a 2-month outreach to a country God placed on the hearts of the leaders to minister at.
During the third week, the outreach location was revealed: Jinja, Uganda
How would it be to navigate five families and their children through airports, public transportation, and to guide them in the transition of life in a third world country? We spent many days in prayer for wisdom and strength. Result, the families were troopers! The children adapted, lives were changed. Their experience was a memorable one.
Upon arrival in Uganda, our accommodations were cinder block homes. They were quite nice! Our beds were covered in mosquito netting and we had no hot water. Tap water was undrinkable and had to be treated or filtered. We also had the option of purchasing 5 gallon jugs of purified water. Diet consisted of rice, potatoes, beans, cabbage, and watermelon. Once a week we would have meat included in our meals. Some families (including ourselves) packed 1 or 2 suitcases full of Costco snacks and proteins to supplement our meals. It was quite a challenge, but these things did not hinder the reason we were there.
Each week, our ministries consisted of house visits in villages, prison ministry, visiting orphanages, public market evangelism, open air evangelism, Sunday church services, and children’s ministry opportunities in various places. We assigned Sunday speakers and took turns planning and leading children’s ministry programs.
While in YWAM Kona, the kids were taught how to share the gospel, prophesy, and pray for people. They were taught skits and dances, so they were also included in our ministry planning. That’s exactly what they did on outreach in Uganda. They had quite an experience when called on. Some shared testimony and gave a word from the Lord on the spot.
When the kids did their skits and dances, it drew crowds. When crowds gathered, it allowed our team to go through and share the gospel and pray over those open to it.
There was a time we did an open air at an outdoor marketplace and when we closed with an altar call and ministry, we were caught off guard as how many came forward for prayer and wanted to receive Jesus. Some were Muslims, some rededicated their lives, and some wanted bibles and discipleship.
Matthew 9:37, which talks about the harvest being ready hits differently in third world countries. There is so much opportunity for discipleship.
I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a Muslim teenager. As I was sharing, he was asking alot of questions. He wanted to know more about Jesus. After speaking with him, I felt he needed to attend a Discipleship Training Course at YWAM Hope Land in Jinja, Uganda, but where would he get the money to pay for lecture and outreach fees? Many struggle to even have a decent meal. Suddenly, I heard the Lord say to pay for his DTS. So my wife and I prayed and we were in agreement. When I told the teen what the Lord wanted to do, he sent me a voicemail in tears. He was crying with joy at what the Lord told us to do. We told him God saw him. He saw his heart. He shared the news with his mother and she allowed him to attend. He shared that it was a dream come true and kept thanking us. Our relationship still stands as we’ve departed from Uganda. We keep in touch and he updates me in his studies in DTS. He only lives a few blocks away, but has not been home since the start of his school because he loves the atmosphere he is in living on campus.
God is not looking for how many you’ve led to the Lord. He’s looking for obedient hearts to where, who, and what He’s called you to. Sometimes it’s too hard places. Sometimes it’s to people who are difficult. But how many know that it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us.
Of the families who went through DTS, one stayed behind to be on volunteer staff for a few years with YWAM Tanzania, and another will return back to Uganda in a couple of months to do a 2nd level school called School of Biblical Studies (SBS).
The lives of these families have been changed and they will be impacting their communities back home as they did on outreach. As for us, we will return back to YWAM Kona to prepare for the next quarter of new student families.
A Mother's Love
When God designed women he designed them with a heart of compassion, a heart that reaches out, a heart that chooses to love. A mother’s love is such a tremendous gift, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrong, and 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13)
The Liberia team got to witness such love in action by the many orphanage directors that we came in contact with. These powerful women of faith have adopted and loved so many children. These children did not come from their body but have been adopted into their family. These amazing mothers care for the needs of the children, they wash their clothes, feed them, pray with them, send them off to school, they clean their wounds and give them baths. They provide a safe place to live, a home, and a family. It doesn’t matter if there are from the same tribe, have the same skin tone or are even from the same country, a mother’s love knows no bounds.
Please help us partner with these amazing mothers in Liberia as they continue to change the lives of these precious children, they are not just choosing to love they are choosing to change generations by love.
Faith Anderson
Missions Coordinator
***If you are interested in joining the Liberia Mission’s team for November 2022, please fill out a Missions Application here: Managed Missions | Please log in
Sierra Leone… Lion Mountains
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. - Henry David Thoreau
Preparing to land in Sierra Leone, you see a lush landscape, marshes, and beautiful vibrant communities of tin roofs that welcome its visitors from the sky to the “Lion Mountains.” Lion Mountains is the meaning of Sierra Leone, given by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra. One story describes de Sintra saying that he heard roaring lions in the mountains approaching Sierra Leone’s coast-now, Freetown, and immediately named it. The rich scenic tapestry only begins to tell the story of “Salone” identified by its residents, and you soon recognize it is a place where lions are found in the mountains.
As we exited the plane onto the tarmac, this was the realization of a prophecy three years in the making. Through prayers, fasting, correspondences, delays, and itinerary changes, God opened the door to Sierra Leone with a fervency to share His heart. The airport greeted us with the pulse of Leoneans. They are people with tenaciousness and perseverance, a prelude to the climate of the overall region. The desire and prevalence for something greater than them were evident.
The morning after our arrival, as we packed to travel to Freetown, two men amputees of the Civil War stood patiently waiting behind our vehicle for an introduction. That’s what I mean by tenaciousness. They had no idea who we were, but they received an introduction and prayer, and they asked for nothing more. Sometimes we have to wait, even when we don’t know exactly what we are waiting for.
Our “open door” to Salone was initiated with an invitation by Pastor Victor Babatunde Harding to participate in Royal Kingdoms Ministries 2021 Divine Speed Conference. Pastor Victor is an evangelist at heart and has spent most of his time witnessing the Good News. Through correspondents, he learned our hearts for the Gospel message to be released to the Leonean people. This conference offered teachings/preachings, prophetic words, healings, deliverance, and God’s undeniable love during our ministry time. We witnessed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness receive their fill. There were times when the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. You wanted the moment to stand still, for you knew you were drinking of the well that never runs dry. It was for all of us. On the mountain, God wanted his vastness to be known. He is an unchangeable God who specializes in changing the impossible.
We would also have an opportunity to fellowship with one of our own Liberty church plants-Jubilee Sierra Leone. Under the pastorship of Jeremiah Nathaniel, Jubilee Sierra Leone is constructing a church and school in a primarily Islamic community. Formerly Islamic, Pastor Jeremiah’s heart is to reach the souls in the community with the love of Christ richly dwelling in him. He is so determined; services are conducted as piles of red clay dirt rest at the back of the church. God is faithful to finish what He starts. Pastor Jeremiah also has desires to build a church and health clinic in the Lungi area.
God topped off this beautiful mountain experience with an impromptu invitation to visit Samaria Mission Church under the leadership of Bishop Yusef Bangura. His servant’s heart is evident in his desires for Sierra Leone. Bishop Yusef is dedicated to supporting pastors, including those living in the most remote areas of Sierra Leone. He shared the story of one pastor who walks seven miles to his church to share the Good News.
This is the gift of missionary work to share and partner in revealing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, surrendering your hands/feet/hearts to God as his instruments of mercy, grace, hope, encouragement, correction, truth, authenticity, faith, and the greatest of these-love.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation….” Isaiah 52:7
Although we spent most of our time in the physical building, God created and set “divine appointments” on the beaches, restaurants, hotel lobbies, hallways, and even sidewalks.
The Lion Mountains is a place constructing and deconstructing mountainous ranges. Those we partner with hope to create a place where the Lion of the tribe of Judah roars the loudest and mining the mountains produce treasures unseen. With a yes, God can and does exceedingly and abundantly beyond all we can ask or think…Eph 3:20
- Written By Dreama Cole
