CRC in SL and BC

REMEMBERING THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD: CRC Primary School 1st Annual Thanksgiving

2010-07-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, June 27th, 2010, the CRC Primary school in Kabala held their first annual Thanksgiving. It was amazing to see the children all dressed up in their brand new ceremonial uniforms, and the excitement and enthusiasm was infectious as they began their march through the town, singing praises to God. As I marched with them and looked up at the beautiful mountains surrounding Kabala, I contemplated the true goodness and wonder of our God – not just that He enabled the dream of this school to become a reality, but that He went ahead of that dream and prepared a lasting partnership, a bond that runs deeper than family blood, between this small town in Sierra Leone and the people of British Columbia, Canada. I am constantly amazed at the fact that the people in Kabala accept me, and any visitor from BC, as a part of their family, their community, their school, and their lives – it seems impossible that people with such different backgrounds, cultures, and languages could become so close-knit and connected after such a short time, but that is the wonder of our God!

As the Thanksgiving program began, speeches were made by the Town Chief, the Principal, the Pastors of the CRC church, the Deputy Minister of Education, and a visitor from Grand Rapids who helped to start the dream of this Primary School, Dr. Jo. Kuyvenhoven. It brought tears to my eyes to see the impact that this school has had on the students, the teachers, the families, and the community and country at large. It was incredible to listen to Dr. Jo explaining that the students at CRC have come 1st in their reading and writing proficiency – and not just 1st in Kabala, but 1st in ALL of Sierra Leone. After just three years in operation, this school has already begun to change the lives of people in this community in ways we never would have thought possible. It was so encouraging and inspiring to see a student in Class 5 at CRC stand up and read a very difficult verse from the Bible in perfect English – a true example of the value of good, quality education. There were many skits, songs, and other activities performed by the children of CRC, and it was easy to see the joy and the pride they felt to be able to represent their school.

The theme for the Thanksgiving was “This Far the Lord has Helped Us” and indeed, that is an incredibly appropriate theme for this school! Who could have imagined that a dream that began for a Primary school in a small town in rural West Africa could become a reality, and who could have imagined that the reality of it would change and transform so many lives? It is truly incredible to think that the building of one school could make such a difference for so many, both for the people here and the people back in BC who have chosen to open their hearts and partner with this community in Sierra Leone. I cannot speak for the other Canadians, but I can speak for myself when I say that coming to Sierra Leone and having the amazing opportunity to work with the CRC church and the CRC Primary School has drastically changed my life for the better. I have never experienced such genuine thankfulness, love, appreciation, and a sense of community and belonging – and I am sure those of you from Canada and America who have been to Kabala feel the same way. I am so grateful that I was able to be a part of this 1st Annual Thanksgiving, as a chance to look back on how the school started, how far it has come, and where we want it to go in the future!

Rev. John Phiri announced at the Thanksgiving that we now have enough money to build a Junior Secondary School (Form 1 or Grade 7) for next year, and I wish I could properly explain the sounds of joy and excitement that erupted in the building after this announcement! The whole audience stood to their feet and applauded, shouting, praising God, and clapping – some with tears in their eyes. I wish I could convey the effect that this school has had on this Koinadugu district, but it is all I can do is simply encourage those of you in Canada and in the States to never tire to support this ministry with your prayers and your hearts – God is doing something amazing in Kabala through this school, and through the CRC church, and I firmly believe He will keep working! This community and this country are both changing for the better because of this school, and the CRC church ministries, and I know they will continue to grow and expand in the future.

During the Thanksgiving, as Dr. Jo was explaining how the war in Sierra Leone affected the education here, and the dream that arose to start CRC, I found tears welling in my eyes as I thought of the incredible impact this school has made in Kabala. One of my aunties here in Kabala approached me and said, “Krissi, why are you crying...look what the Lord has done!” I gave her a hug and smiled, with tears of joy in my eyes, “That’s why Auntie, Look what the Lord has done!” There is a song that we sing in Kabala that says, “What can I say unto the Lord, all I have to say is THANK-YOU LORD!” And indeed, what else can we say? This dream of a school has grown beyond our wildest expectations, our wildest dreams, and is blessing people beyond what is humanly possible. So I want to offer a heartfelt thank-you, from myself and everyone in Kabala, to all of those who worked hard to make this dream a reality – Pa Dennis, Asher, Dr. Jo, and the countless others who never tire to spread the news of this school and encourage people to get involved – but an even greater thank-you to our Lord and Father in Heaven, who was working to make this dream a reality before we even had the dream. “Tell God Tenke”, as we would say in Krio, for all that He has done and continues to do!

Written by Krissi Bucholtz, Canadian volunteer with the CRC church & CRC school

A HEART FOR KOINADUGU DISTRICT, in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone

2010-07-05T02:45:00.001-07:00

Krissi Bucholtz first came to Kabala, the headquarter town of Koinadugu District, in 2008 as a student ambassador for Fraser Valley Christian High School in Surrey, B.C, Canada. Fraser Valley had raised funds to build the CRC Primary School in Kabala during 2006 and 2007, so in March 2008, Krissi came to work for one month as a student teacher for CRC Primary school. Nearly as soon as she stepped foot in this country, she said she knew that she had found God’s calling for her life.

There was something in Sierra Leone, especially in Kabala, that captured her heart and wouldn’t let go. After just 3 weeks of working at CRC Primary, she was confident that she had seen where God wanted her to be and what he wanted her to do with her life, so she began to pursue that with all her heart. After graduating from high school, she pursued to sell her horse and change her previous university plans in order to enrol in an NGO Management and International Development course so she could be more prepared to work in Africa.

In 2009, Krissi came back to Kabala for four months to work with C.E.S, a local NGO, as well as the CRC church, and teach at CRC Primary again. During those four months, God really opened her eyes to the need of the youth in Kabala – a need for higher education, a need for recognition of their own value and self-worth, and a huge need for purity and integrity. She describes the situation by saying, “Every time I saw teenage pregnancies or bad relationship aftermath happen in Kabala, God caused my heart to ache more than I had ever thought possible.” Krissi realized that this empathy she felt was God placing a call on her life for the youth, so she started purity and integrity bible studies with them, focusing on the issues of sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS, and looking to God’s word to see how youth could brighten their future and respect themselves in everything they do, by accepting God’s promises for their lives.

Since Krissi started these bible studies, God really placed a call on her heart to start up a permanent program in Kabala, to provide youth with somewhere to go when they need advice, a place where they could talk and still feel safe. At this time, Krissi’s Canadian friend, Katie Jenkins, was also working in Kabala for a month, and she willingly and lovingly opened up her heart and helped Krissi to realize this dream and make it a reality. So, together they were able to come up with the idea of starting a mentoring and counselling program for the Kabala youth, a program that would continue to encourage and shape them by providing them with University Scholarships. The program is called “The People’s Foundation for Sierra Leone” and PEOPLE stands for:

P lanning the
E limination
O f
P overty through
L ove and
E ducation

This name is fitting because the only way to break the cycle of poverty is through education, and the most worthwhile education takes place once youth have recognized their own unique value and begin to respect themselves as well as one another. Krissi and Katie are now working on partnering this program with the CRC church in Sierra Leone as well as the CRC churches in B.C, in hopes this dream can grow and serve as a light shining in the darkness in Kabala (John 1:5). As far as I see it, Krissi’s calling from God is firmly rooted in this country, and I can only hope and pray God will continue to strengthen that call and keep her focused and eager to do His work. I have confidence that this program will bless many young people in the Koinadugu District in particular, and Sierra Leone in general.

Compiled by:

MAIBOCK MARAH

Secretary of BC and SL Partnership

A SPICY SUCCESS OF CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN SIERRA LEONE

2010-05-12T08:02:00.000-07:00

In some parts of the world especially Canadian, most people think of chili peppers as something they might have one or two with a spicy dish. In Sierra Leone, however, a meal is not complete without a whole handful chopped up into the sauce. In a tropical country where you wouldn’t think people needed to sweat any more, people like their food hot! Needless to say, there is a high demand for this fiery spice in the country.

Gbongbonto is a scenic village that is set up high in the hills in Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District, in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. In this settlement, people are engaged in subsistence farming but also do some small gold mining. Owing to their geographical location however, they have no “swamps” that they can farm in the dry season and therefore only plant rice during the rains.

Meanwhile, when The Family Farm project, in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone, decided to help this community grow a crop during the dry season, everyone agreed that pepper would be a good one to plant. It would grow well in the soil and would have a good price when it was ready, early in the rainy season when it is scarce.

With one motorized pump, a few days of land preparation (and perspiration), and the transplanting of over 2200 pepper seedlings, the farmers are looking forward to a bumper harvest in two months that will help pay their kids’ school fees, provide nutrition for the family and support their other farming activities. Proceeds will also support their CRC Church and activities they want to undertake. As a result of their faith and hard work, the people of Gbongbonto and those in the other communities where The Family Farm Project is operating, can always look forward to miracles and a nice spicy sauce!

For more information on the Christian Reformed Church Family Farm Project in Sierra Leone, please contact Travis Wilkins at traviswilkins@gmail.com

Below are pictures of a cross section of Benificiaries of the Family Farm Project in Sierra Leone.

Compiled and Published by:

MAIBOCK MARAH

The IT and Communication Officer for SIT & CES

A PRIMARY SCHOOL INTER HOUSE ATHLETIC MEETING IN SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA WITH A DIFFERENCE.

2010-05-11T03:16:00.000-07:00

Above are some of the many memorable pictures of the Athletic Sports Meeting that took place between the 25th and 27th March 2010

The third annual inter-house athletics sport meeting of Christian Reformed Church Primary School in Kabala, Koinadugu district, Northern Province, Sierra Leone took place from March 25th through the 27th March 2010. In early February this year, the pupils and staff of were divided into four competitive houses. Each of these houses was called after the name of a patron and given a colour to identify it as shown in the table below:

No Name of house patron House Master House Colour

1 Rev. John Phiri Dominic Samura Green

2 Joseph K. Sesay Karifa S. Jalloh Orange

3 Beny Sam Finah S. Kamara Blue

4 Robert T. Jawara Bockarie Marah Red

The sport meeting started with a wonderful march-past (parade) which began from Kabala Secondary School Junction through the major streets in Kabala to the Christian Reformed Church Primary School campus at Bilimaia. The patrons of the respective houses, teachers of the school, and pupils of the school, their parents, and many prominent members of the Kabala community joined the procession. Each parent, pupil and patron was dressed in the colours of their respective houses.

The most interesting thing was that the parents volunteered to bring along three musical sets which were mounted on three vehicles that were positioned at the front, middle and the end of the procession. Operators of each of the musical sets were told to play gospel songs only. Amidst loud gospel music, clapping, dancing and waiving of hands in the air for Master Jesus; the parents, patrons, pupils and a cross section of the Kabala community marched through the town to the Christian Reformed Church Primary school compound.

At the end of the march-past, that is on the arrival of everybody that took part in the march-past to the Christian Reformed Church Primary compound, the Head Teacher of the school Mr. James Tamba Koroma thanked the patrons, parents, teachers, pupils and all those who took part in the procession. He expressed his happiness and encouraged the parents and well wishers to please continue with their kind and supportive gesture towards the school.

In conclusion, He thanked the parents that provided vehicles to carry the musical sets across the town, those who provided the musical sets and those who did whatever they can in their power to make sure that the march-past was a success. He also allowed the patrons to give a speech of encouragement to the house masters; parents athletes and pupils of the school to make sure each of them work hard towards the success of the inter-house sports meet.

On the 26th March 2010 which was the first day, all the people that were invited to officiate the sport meeting dressed in their white Christian Reformed Church T-Shirt marched from the administrative building of the school to the field clapping their hands and singing a popular Christian song “Let Us Give Thanks to God”. The events that took place on this first day were 80 metres Intermediate boys and girls, Bible search, spell bee, alphabet scramble and musical chair, just to name but a few.

The official opening ceremony of the sport meet was done on the March 27, 2010. It began with prayers which were followed by the hosting of the National Flags of Sierra Leone and Canada respectively. The Head Teacher gave the welcome speech not forgetting to introduce all the dignitaries that came to grace the occasion.

The opening speech of the sports meet was given by Pastor Cecil Huggins who is the Chairman of the Community Teacher’s Association of Christian Reformed Church Primary school in Kabala, Sierra Leone. After his speech, he rose together with the audience to cut the tape thus declaring the sports meet formally open. This was followed by the lighting of the torch and parasuite display.

At the beginning of the competition, the entire four houses were on fire, each of them hoping to be the winner. Below is the final result of the sports meet:

NO Name of house patron House Master House Colour Final MarkScored

1 Joseph K. Sesay Karifa S. Jalloh Orange 446

2 Rev. John Phiri Dominic Samura Green 437

3 Beny Sam Finah S. Kamara Blue 432

4 Robert T. Jawara Bockarie Marah Red 400

The head teacher of the school Mr. James Tamba Koroma gave the final vote of thanks. In conclusion, he thanked Master Jesus, the patrons, the parents and all those who in diverse ways contributed to make the sports meet a success. Above all he thanked the donors who are always more than ready to support the school.

CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF SIERRA LEONE NATIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

2010-04-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

The first national women’s conference of the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone to be held under the auspices of an appointed National Women’s Co-ordinator was held in Nanfayi, a village in Sambaia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, Northern Province of the country, from Friday the 4th to Sunday the 7th of March 2010. Thursday the 4th was scheduled to be the arrival and registration date for all the participants from the 60 Christian Reformed Churches in Sierra Leone to the venue of the conference. In the night of that very arrival and registration day the representatives from all the Churches spent about four hours praising, worshiping and thanking God for granting each of them save travelling mercies to Nanfayi.

On Friday the 5th of March 2010 between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 am all the participants were engaged in Prayer and Intersession. From 8:30 am to 9:00 am, breakfast was served to all the participants. Just after breakfast that was at exactly 9:00 am; the National Women’s co-ordinator of Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone by the name of Mrs. Musu Binty Marah led the devotion which ended at 9:30 am. She gave a short message the theme of which was “Life in and out of the Conference”, she based her message on the reading from “Mathew 5:13-16

In that message, she did not only define the term conference but went on to give the following reasons why conferences are held: to revive and shape lives, resolve broken relationships, heal issues and wounds, identify weak areas in the church and amend them and among other things strengthen our Christian life. It is important to note that every Christian is a salt in the community they may find themselves she said. She went on to explain what the Bible meant by the statement: Every Christian is a salt. She said that salt is good but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again she asked?

In her conclusion, she said that a Christian that has salt has godly character, virtue, integrity and discipline in him or herself. And that a Christian that has no salt keeps grudge, malice, bitterness and unforgiving lives, gossip etc.

At 9:30, the national chair lady of the women, Mrs. Musu Jalloh officially welcomed all the participants and then gave her welcome speech narrating the history of the Christian Reformed Church women’s National conference and giving the successes that it has brought to the church.

This welcome message was followed by the main message from the guest speaker Mrs. Grace Wullamatu Bockarie. The theme of her message was “Salvation and Deliverance”. The reading was from Acts 4:12. She defined Salvation as the act of being saved from sin. She went on to say that Salvation is the greatest miracle of God’s plan to save everybody from Sin and all kinds of wicked behaviours. She defined deliverance as freedom from strong holds, demonic attacks, witch- craft and sin. She supported her preaching with verses from the Holy Bible. Mrs. Grace Wullamatu Bockarie concluded her message by saying that true salvation and deliverance is only from God through Jesus Christ our saviour.

The message of the day came from a brother from Canada by the name of Dennis de Groot. He is the Principal of Fraser Valley Christian High School in Canada. The Title of his massage was “A Loving Father” He preached about the prodigal son in the Bible who one day asked his father to give him a share of his riches. The father was so generous that he did exactly what the son asked of him. The son in short went and lavished all the riches and came back home with empty hands. On his return, the father did not only happily receive his prodigal son but threw an expensive party for him.

He then referred to that loving father as God and referred to mankind as the son. He concluded by giving so many examples of how mankind has failed God and encouraged all present to get back to the father and have the salvation and deliverance that God has graciously given to mankind. After delivering this powerful message, Mr. De Groot went to make a look see of the primary school that is in desperate need of help. From there he left the village for Kabala town, the headquarter of Koinadugu District which is the largest District; the most backward and underdeveloped district in Sierra Leone.

The next day which was Saturday 6th March 2010, started with Prayer and intercession, praise and worship and devotion from 7:00 through 9:30 respectively. During devotion, Mrs. Rosetta Feren Sesay. The theme of her message was “Women as advisers”. Proverbs 11:13, 15:22. She started her message with the statement that God has endowed women with great potentials and that they are very unique. Yet she urged women to use those virtues God has put in them to achieve divine purposes. She went on to say that women play very important advisory roles in the family, Church and in the society in general. Unfortunately, some people of substance today make serious blunders in life because of the wrong advise they receive from their wives, sisters, aunts, or mothers.

On the other hand, people have enjoyed a fulfilled life by paying heed to sound advises they received from Godly women she said. She went on to state good examples of women in the Bible who gave good advises to men at different times and in different situations. For example: Mirian who advised the Pharoah’s daughter Exodus 2:1-8, Rahab Joshua 2:1-5, 9-10, Abigail who advised King David 1st Samuel 25:25-27 etc. she did not only stop at this but also gave examples of women who gave bad advises to men in the Bible; Eve : Genesis 16:1-2, Rebecca Genesis 27: 1-28. She concluded by encouraging women to give good advises to their husbands, fathers, sons, brother etc.

After the devotion, Mrs. Musu Binty Marah the National Women’s Co-ordinator threw a challenge to all the participants to come out and recite memory verses. The recitation of memory verses was followed by the message of the guest speaker Mrs. Grace Bockarie who continued with the broad topic “Salvation and Deliverance”. At 12:30, the representatives of each of the Churches was called upon to come and give account of the Micro-finance Scheme that is going on among the individual Churches. The process of reporting about the loan scheme from one church to the other took place from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM when lunch was served.

Praise and worship followed immediately after lunch break. The guest speaker Mrs. Grace Wullamatu Bockarie gave another powerful message on the topic “Salvation and Deliverance “which she divided into sub-topics and dealt with each of those sub-topics well.

On Sunday March 7, 2010, a service was held in the Nafayie church building. After the usual Sunday service, the guest speaker concluded the sermon she prepared on salvation and deliverance amidst clapping and laughter which was a sign of appreciation for a topic well preached.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Sundu Mansaray who is the women’s leader in the Alkalia Zone and the chief cook in the conference. In her speech, she thanked all the participants for coming and prayed that on their return, they put every word they have heard to practice so that they will gain the much needed salvation and deliverance.

The National Co-ordinator of Christian Reformed church in Sierra Leone Rev. John Phiri gave the final vote of thanks to all those that were present at the conference. He urged the participants to put into practice what they have learnt in the conference. He went on to say that if we hear the word of God and do nothing about it then it means we have suffered to come to Nanfayie for nothing. Go and do what you have learnt and you shall live. I pray that you put God’s word in practice.

compiled and Published by:

MAIBOCK MARAH

Secretary SL and BC Partnership (Sierra Leone branch)

Blog Lessons

2010-03-09T03:14:00.000-08:00

Here we sit in the CRC SL offices learning how to use the Blog for better communication with brothers and sisters across the globe: Sierra Leone and BC. For those who know me (Dennis) you are laughing right now because you know that I am not much of an IT expert.

Moving Forward Together

2010-03-09T02:39:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the offices of the CRC in SL. I (Dennis deGroot) have had the great joy of meeting with brothers and sisters in Koinadugu District over the course of the last ten days. My main purpose in being here has been to meet with the students, staff and board of CRC Primary School to discuss our future together. We have also had two meetings with the Partnership Committee here in order to find our way together on a few key strategies. There are many possibilities but we will begin together on initiatives that have already been started and support them as best we can. I know that we are all eager to begin, however setting a firm foundation is key in having this be a sustainable and healthy relationship.

It has been my great pleasure to spend time with the newly appointed evangelist Ezekiel Sudu (centre in white) and his wife Tabitha and their children Gift, Marvelous and Victor. Gift and Marvelous are students at CRC Primary and Victor is still at home with Mom. The family seems like such a great fit for Sierra Leone and I am confident that God will use the family for his work here in SL.

I was also able to spend the better part of a day at the annual women's conference in Nanfiye. More than 100 women attended from churches all over district. They had invited a guest speaker who addressed them over the three days. I was also able to address them on the Friday afternoon. A good rehearsal for my sermon on the Sunday in Kabala. Nanifye is about three hours from Kabala by Land Cruiser. The first half of the road is not too bad but the last half could produce some butter in a hurry should one find some cream. This might be possible since there are Fullah herders in those parts.

First Meetings ...

2010-02-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

Below are the minutes of the first ever meeting of the Sierra Leone branch of the CRC Sierra Leone and BC Partnership. I was so delighted to read these!

"The Great African Land Grab"

2010-01-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

I caught "Dispatches" on CBC radio last night while I was picking up the babysitter. I found it fascinating listening to a report on "The Great African Land Grab" by Canadian Journalist Joan Baxter. Here is host Rick Macinnes-Rae's introduction:

In Sierra Leone, up on the bulge of northwest Africa, prosperity is measured in rice. They even have a saying: If you haven't eaten rice today, you haven't eaten. The slave-traders who went there centuries ago called it "The Rice Coast," and people from Sierra Leone, known as the Gulas, developed the rice plantations in the Carolinas in the colonies.

Back home, rice is grown mostly on small family farms. Before the civil war that decimated Sierra Leone from 1991 until 2002, it produced enough rice to feed itself and to export some. Now, foreign corporations are taking over vast tracts of farm land. Rice is being replaced by sugar cane. To be converted to ethanol for foreign industries and cars. Any chance these big land deals might hurt Sierra Leone's struggling ability to feed itself again? Well, not to worry.
It's all been arranged, apparently. Even if there are some big questions as to how, as we hear from Canadian journalist Joan Baxter.

For Joan Baxter's documentary, go to: www.cbc.ca/dispatches/ Scroll down to "Joan's Documentary" under "The Great African Land Grab."

Goat For Gold!

2010-01-13T09:21:00.000-08:00

BC residents (and long-time supporters of the BC-Sierra Leone Partnership) are at it again. They have combined their passion for people in need, their love of sport and a great program by the CRWRC. The result? Goats galore. Take a look: www.goatforgold.com

Links.

2010-01-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

We're working on a growing partnership between churches thousands of kilometers apart. It would be nice to visit daily, but that's not feasible. While we may see ourselves as part of a single chain, it is easy to take this for granted and not highlight these important links. In an online forum, what better way to remember and learn of our chained-togetherness than the following links:

For more information on the religious climate in Sierra Leone, see the World Council of Churches website: http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/africa/sierra-leone.html
For Henry Hess's article in the May 2007 issue of The Banner, "In Sierra Leone, A Church is Born," http://www.thebanner.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=1014
For Chris Meehan's article in The Banner, "CRC Blossoms in Sierra Leone" http://www.thebanner.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=2116
For a helpful summary on the country of Sierra Leone, check out BBC's profile: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1061561.stm
Check out the links in the right hand margin of this weblog. One is to the CRC Primary School in Kabala's building program, in partnership with Fraser Valley and Surrey Christian schools in BC. Another gives an angle on the birth of the CRC in Sierra Leone. They're worth perusing. -JR

How Broad is the CRC? Welcome Nigerian Brother!

2009-12-28T10:35:00.000-08:00

Next month Rev. Ezekiel James, his wife Tabitha, and their 3 young children will be posted by the CRC of Nigeria as missionaries to Sierra Leone.

Please pray for the James as they leave their family and friends in Nigeria to follow God’s call to Sierra Leone. Please pray for the CRC in Sierra Leone, that God's 'will may be done in and his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven' through the ministry of Rev. James.

How amazing it is to celebrate (as Christian Reformed Churches in British Columbia, Canada) the arrival of a Minister from the Nigerian Christian Reformed Church as a missionary to the young Sierra Leone Christian Reformed Church!

CRC in Sierra Leone and BC Partnership Moving Forward!

2009-12-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

It was exciting, revolutionary and a bit scary when, at their fall meetings, both classis BCNW and BCSE endorsed the formation of a joint classical committee to instigate a partnership between the CRC in Sierra Leone and BC. Relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the members of this joint committee eagerly begin their work of learning and working together.

On the BC side, our committee is composed of:
Chairperson Dave Mayer (Smithers)

John Richey (Vernon – East Hill)
Secretary Rev. Joel Ringma (Terrace)

Ted deVries (Langley – Bridge)
Dr. Sonya Grypma (Langley – Willoughby)

Dr. Barry Lester (Smithers)

Dr. Martin Grypma (Langley – Willoughby),

Asher deGroot (Vancouver),
ex officio members:

Rev. Martin Contant (Home Missions)

Rev. Sid Ypma (Port Alberni)

Dennis deGroot (Langley – Willoughby)

and Al Karsten (CRWM North America Director).

These comments from committee members reflect on this opportunity:
“The greatest things we can bring to this partnership, if it is to truly be that, is not our money, but our skills and knowledge and willing minds to discover and learn from this incredible community as we begin get to know one another.”

“I believe in the intrinsic value of all people as image-bearers of God. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I don’t want to just talk about it; I want to do it.”

“Missions need to be mutual and my hope is that a partnership will be an opportunity for the Sierra Leone church family to impact our churches in BC and subsequently our culture.”

Our work over these initial months needs your prayers! We are excited about what God is already doing in Sierra Leone. We are eager to engage the work, yet wary of pushing our agenda. We are aware of our riches, our responsibility and much-needed humility as we anticipate joining with our Sierra Leonean brethren in transforming lives and communities worldwide.
We crave your feedback, ideas and reservations as we move forward. If you want to track the progress of this partnership and our developing plans; if you can commit to praying; if you have an area of expertise or passion; or if you simply feel nudged to become involved: Please join the conversation by subscribing to this weblog (http://crcinslandbc.blogspot.com/). Feel free to comment here or email us directly at sierraleonepartnership@gmail.com.

On Behalf of The BC/Sierra Leone Partnership Committee

Joel Ringma
Secretary

September 2009 - Sierra Leone

2009-10-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) has been at work in Sierra Leone since 1979, even during and after the years of civil war.

The work is mainly among the Koranko speaking people in the Koinadugu district. Christian Reformed World Missions works with the Sierra Leone Christian Reformed Church (CRC-SL). CRC-SL has 54 churches and over 4,000 members. CRWRC partners with Christian Extension Services (CES), who works in 22 communities. \

World Missions working with CRC-SL:
- Church Planting - concentrating efforts in villages that have not heard the Good News of the Gospel.
- Theological Training - sending students to the existing theological colleges in Sierra Leone. There are currently three students studying at Sierra Leone Theological College.
- Youth Ministry - doubled efforts in youth evangelism and youth group organization which includes teaching and bible studies to ensure spiritual growth and Christian character formation.
- Literacy Classes - teaching people how to read and write in their own language.
- Ecumenical activities - working together with 18 other churches in the district
- Education - in partnership with Christian schools in Canada, as well as major donors in the USA, a Christian school has been started. Providing excellent education and a Christian world and life view, this is a natural way to share the Message of Hope to Muslim children and eventually to their families.

CRWRC working with CES:
- Agriculture: training oxen handlers, providing veterinary services and loans of tools and seeds
o 1700 participants benefits from seed banks, 110 farmers using oxen; of total participants, half are women (2008/09)
- Community Development: Capacity building of communities through leadership training action plans
o 40 leadership workshops, 200 people, half are women, 22 communities making progress (2008/09)
- Income generation: training and selection of women, loan payback, incentives to graduates
o 330 people, 290 are women, 180 have graduated 2008/2009, 83% payback rate (2008/09)

Partnership between BC Classes and CRC-SL / CES
The Christian Reformed Churches in British Columbia are considering a longer term connection, a relational partnership, with the CRC of Sierra Leone, and also with CES and the work it does.
How will this partnership bless the church?
We believe that the church in Sierra Leone and the churches of BC will both be blessed through this relationship. Through growing interdependence, the churches of BC might be helped in learning hospitality, patience, long-suffering and zeal for the Lord. Through growing interdependence, the CRC in Sierra Leone might be helped in raising up Godly leaders, establishing self-supporting churches and discipling believers. In short, we join with the mission of our denomination to ‘transform lives and communities worldwide’ trusting that God will transform both the church in BC and Sierra Leone by his Spirit.

Areas of focus for this partnership:
- Leadership development
- Micro credit expansion of CES’s program
- Christian Education
- Social Justice
Getting involved with the work in Sierra Leone
1. Financial and prayer support for World Missions staff (John Phiri) or CRWRC staff (Wyva Hasselbad) in Sierra Leone
2. Financial support of World Mission’s work and CES’s work in Sierra Leone
3. Discuss with North American World Missions or CRWRC staff about special projects in Sierra Leone

PARTNERSHIP FORMING

2009-08-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

There are three documents included in this post. "Partnership Proposal" aims to succinctly summarize partnership potential. "One Body, Many Members" gives some background information and fleshes out some of the issues raised in the proposal. "Frequently Asked Questions" seeks to answer common questions potential supporters may ask. Your comments are welcome.

The CRC in BC – Sierra Leone
Partnership Proposal

Introduction

This proposal comes out of a mutual interest between Classis BCSE and Classis BCNW to explore how the churches of BC can be better connected to the global mission efforts of the Christian Reformed Church. The desire to specifically explore the connection with Sierra Leone has come, by providence, as a result of circumstantial connections between Fraser Valley Christian High School and their support of the Christian Reformed Primary School in Kabala Sierra Leone. That connection initiated further conversation between leaders of the CRC in Sierra Leone and in British Columbia about an expansion of the connection between CRC churches of Sierra Leone and BC. Since the fall of 2007 (with the official support of Classis BCNW and later BCSE) a committee has been exploring what a partnership might look like, how it would be beneficial and what it would include. The goal of this proposal is to initiate a formal partnership between the CRC churches of Sierra Leone and BC.

Changing the Way We Connect to the Denomination and the World

There are a number of mitigating circumstances that should cause our churches to re-think how we connect with global missions and how we as churches can best maintain our corporate connection as this mission work is done.

1. Denominational loyalty is decreasing and the negative result for missions is that people are less inclined to support agencies for which they perceive they have no connection. How do we increase the connection to these agencies?
2. A global society that is easily connected through media and travel has created a healthy appetite for personal connections to various parts of the world, especially with respect to mission. How can we feed the hunger in a way that benefits the mission of our churches?
3. The Western Church is no longer the centre of Christianity in the world. How do we engage our churches in global mission in a way that enables us to grow and learn from areas of the world where the Christian church is thriving?
4. Denominational loyalty in Canada has decreased as the immigrant generation turns over. While there are benefits to building bridges between denominations within our local communities, how do we continue to build connections between CRC churches?

The proposed partnership between the CRC churches of Sierra Leone and BC would begin to address some of these changes.

1. The partnership would not seek to decrease our connection to denominational mission agencies but rather increase them. The plan would be for our denominational agencies to be the facilitators of this partnership. While our churches would play an active role in decisions and targets with respect to the partnership, we would rely on our denominational institutions to guide and facilitate the plans that are made.
2. Connection to a specific region of the world, in this case Sierra Leone, will focus a church’s energy and build a long-term relationship rather than one-off events. As the relationship grows our awareness of their needs and their awareness of our needs will also grow. The focussed participation of Classis BCNW and BCSE with a particular region will also help denominational agencies focus their strategies in supporting particular mission initiatives.
3. The goal of the partnership is to increase interaction among brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, the CRC in Sierra Leone has a great deal to teach the CRCs of BC with respect to hospitality, joy, evangelism and persistence. The better our churches can experience one another the more we will all grow as disciples of Christ.
4. While churches certainly share responsibilities through our Classis and occasionally have connections between geographical areas to facilitate such things as Christian Schools, a missions initiative that is collectively supported has the potential of increasing our church-to-church connections through initiatives such as mission trips (relationship trips), fundraising or in receiving visits from Sierra Leone friends.

Why Sierra Leone?

1. Window of Time – Following a horrific war in the 1990’s, the Christian presence in Sierra Leone has a window in which they can be a tremendous agent of change and growth.
2. Leadership Void – The Christian presence is minimal in comparison to other regions of the world.
3. Peaceful relations with Christian and Muslims – The Muslim presence in Sierra Leone is not of the extreme variety and there is receptivity for a variety of people to work with the Christian church.
4. Shared history between Canada and Sierra Leone – An ugly piece of Canadian history includes turning our backs on African Americans who fled the US at the time of US Confederation. Many of these people went to Sierra Leone. Our partnership can also signify a symbolic gesture of reconciliation/restoration.

The Proposed Partnership Plan

We ask that the churches of BC approve the following plan

1. To officially create a partnership between our classis and the CRC in Sierra Leone.
Rationale – To creatively and collectively increase our participation and connection to the global mission of God’s church by adopting a particular area of our denomination’s work.

2. To establish a joint Classis Committee made up of a variety of people (business, medical, educational and theological) to oversee the partnership. This committee will strategize with our denominational agencies to better connect our congregations with the congregations of Sierra Leone. This group would connect with a representative from every participating congregation.
Rationale – The partnership needs to be one that effectively connects the diversity of our members with the diversity of the mission field in Sierra Leone.

3. To invite the Pastors and Evangelists of the CRC in Sierra Leone to become honourary members of this classis.
Rationale – One of the struggles of the newly formed CRC in Sierra Leone is collegial support. By raising the connection between the leaders of the CRC churches in Sierra Leone and the CRC churches in BC we hope to increase the prayer support and visibility of those called to leadership from both sides of the Atlantic.

Respectfully submitted by Joel Ringma, Sid Ypma, David Mayer, Martin Contant, Dennis deGroot

One Body, Many Members
A conversation towards a growing partnership between Christian Reformed Churches in Sierra Leone and British Columbia

A. Background:

In 2005, a group of Christians in BC felt called to engage in a global partnership. Centered in Fraser Valley Christian High School’s need to expand its physical facility and a desire to also reach beyond its own needs to the needs in the global community, steps were taken to build a Christian primary school in Kabala, Sierra Leone. The choice of this country and location was the result of much prayer, investigation and conversation with those who had begun the CRCNA’s missionary outreach to Sierra Leone in the early 1980’s. Conversations with missionary Paul Kortenhoven, Dr. Johanna Kuyvenhoven and others at CR World Missions and CRWRC were all critical parts of the decision to zero in on an area of the world with great physical and spiritual needs.
CRC Primary School in Kabala was built primarily with funds from the Fraser Valley Christian High School community and its friends from across North America, the school is now in its third year of operation, with 180 students in grades 1-6. It is clear that education of children (over half of Africa’s population is under 15 years of age) is pivotal to the hope and future of Sierra Leone, and Christian schools are part of an obvious missional strategy to evangelize the population. While education increases literacy, a Reformed Christian education, with a holistic gospel approach that includes community development, (literacy education, helping to promote sustainable agricultural and health care practices, etc.) has become an effective way to proclaim the Kingdom message of hope and faith, centered in Jesus Christ.
With the school in operation, conversations with the CRC in Sierra Leone (CRCSL) have extended to wonder how other CRC members and congregations in BC might possibly partner with our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone, a country ranked at the bottom of the UN scale, measuring poverty, and infant mortality. Classis BCNW approved an exploratory team to visit in Sierra Leone and report back to classis. While no funds were approved for this visit, several churches have held offerings and have expressed interest in joining together in this venture. Classis BCSE has similarly approved this exploratory, joining with Classis BCNW in wanting to know more of what a possible partnership might involve. A team of 5 people was formed: (BCNW): Rev. Joel Ringma of Terrace, Rev. Sid Ypma of Port Alberni, Dave Mayer of Smithers, (BCSE): Dennis De Groot of Willoughby, Langley and Rev. Martin Contant of Willoughby Langley. This team visited Sierra Leone from Feb 2-19, 2009. What follows is a brief report of their visit and some initial ideas of what a partnership could involve.

B. Brief Overview of the Visit:

The BC team was warmly welcomed by Rev. John Phiri, a Reformed pastor who is called and supported by CR World Missions. Rev. Phiri came to Sierra Leone from Zambia, and is well suited to give oversight to the expanding mission of the CRCSL. He knows Krio, and is quickly learning Kuranko, the two major languages spoken. He is also fluent in English. John organized our time in Sierra Leone in such as way as to give us maximum exposure to what the Spirit of God is doing in the Koinudugu district where our mission work is centered. Ron Geerlings, West Africa Regional Director for World Missions, from Grand Rapids, and Albert Strydhorst, veteran CRWM missionary in Nigeria joined us as part of the team for about 9 days, and their experiences in West Africa were very helpful to us in understanding and interpreting some of our experiences.

Kabala is the center of this work, a small city of 15,000 in the center of what is considered to be the poorest region in all of Sierra Leone. The visible scars of an 11 year civil war which just ended 7 years ago are evident throughout the region. The grinding poverty is everywhere and is something that is all pervasive. The region lacks infrastructure, the roads into the rural parts of the region, are barely passable. Primitive agricultural practices lead to subsistence living, and there is very little industry that results in actual economic benefit to the government of Sierra Leone. Some practices in mining, and forestry actually perpetuate a plundering of the land, rather then the country benefiting from its rich natural resources.

We were introduced to 3 ordained Sierra Leonian pastors, and several other evangelists, who together with Rev. Phiri, give oversight and leadership to the 51 congregations that have started. Christian Extension Services (CES), which is the nationalized arm of CRWRC, is well known in Sierra Leone for its community development work, having continued to serve the people during the brutal civil war. A staff of about 15 CES staff regularly visit in the villages helping people to develop their communities through encouraging better agriculture and health practices and developing micro-credit business to assist people to raise their standards of living.

Of our 14 days in Sierra Leone, we spend 6 days “in the bush”, visiting churches in a number of villages. A few of these congregations have been in existence for 25-30 years, the result of our initial mission work through CR World Missions. The newest churches are less than 6 months old, and some already have 75+ members. Most members are converts from the Islamic faith. We found it difficult to witness the deep levels of poverty, contrasting it with how much we have in North America. It was also difficult, at times, to receive the gracious welcome and hospitality shown to us as ‘white men’. We learned a great deal from our Sierra Leonian brothers and sisters about what Jesus meant when he talked about showing hospitality to the stranger.

Another component of our visit was participating in a Leadership Conference that saw about 90 leaders from most of the 51 churches attend. Many of these people walked to Kabala, some coming 45 miles (one way) to attend. As a team we applied and received a Lily grant from Sustaining Pastoral Excellence and we used some of these funds to help with costs associated with this conference. Using the Timothy Institute materials, developed by Calvin Seminary for this type of training, we were asked to spend the first day of the conference, dealing with Pastoral Care issues within congregations, and the second day was focused on Stewardship issues. This material included having participants develop actions plans to put their learning into action in their communities. On the third day, we were asked to present discipleship materials to over 65 youth of the Kabala CRC.

We also spent considerable time with the leaders of the CRCSL as well as the staff of CES talking about the possibilities of partnership, and what that might involve. As a team we were conscious of the fact that we as North Americans could not come with our own ideas of partnership could look like, but rather must work together. Some of these issues can be summarized as follows:

1) Leadership Development: This is one of the most pressing needs in the 51 congregations of CRCSL. There are only 3 ordained pastors, several evangelists and a smal number of other trained church leaders. There is a great need for solid Reformed biblical and theological training. In addition, a focus on the nature and call of pastoral ministry, and character development are all significant leadership development areas. Possible ways that this could be accomplished are through resource people coming from other West African countries such as Zambia or Nigeria,. Some of these could be CRWM sponsored people who could come in for leadership intensives. Additional teams of leaders from BC could spend several weeks a year in SL, focused on training leaders. Identification of on-line learning resources, multi-media evangelism and discipleship training materials can help grow the leadership of the CRCSL, including learning resources for those who are currently illiterate. We believe that the most fruitful efforts for this type of training ought to be centered on training the above mentioned leaders, rather than including a wide representation of leaders from the various churches. Training indigenous pastors and evangelists who can in turn train leaders in the local churches is likely the most effective way to grow the leadership of the CRCSL.

2) Leadership Assistance for Rev. John Phiri: John’s current ministry task, as we observed it, is not sustainable for the long haul. His huge pastoral heart, and dynamic leadership abilities are deeply valued and appreciated. There is an attitude among other leaders that John is the ‘go to’ person to deal with small and large issues, and little initiative or decision making seems to happen without first consulting with John. His home sees a daily steady stream of people who drop in for counsel, assistance, encouragement and advice.

John is currently the key person in the overall development of the CRCSL. Finding ways to make his work more manageable and sustainable is critical for the long term development of the church. Discussions have included possible scenarios in which either BC churches could assist in John’s salary together with World Missions, and/or engaging and supporting an indigenous assistant pastor-leader who can partner with John in his overall tasks of developing the CRCSL. Another scenario might include finding a group of individuals in BC who might underwrite some of these costs.

3) Needs of CRCSL and desires of BC congregations to help: Our tour of a number of CR churches in the Koinadugu district revealed much poverty and need among the people of these congregations. In thinking how churches in BC can support and partner with the work of churches in SL, our conversations with the church leaders of CRCSL indicate that potential congregation-congregation partnerships would not be a preferred way to go. Experience with this kind of partnership between a SL congregation and a CRC in Canada reveal significant difficulties that include feelings of jealousy between a congregation that is receiving such support and preferential treatment and those that don’t. If some type of assistance might be considered, it would be far better to direct such support for congregations to the CRCSL and allow the leadership of the emerging denomination to determine how and where to equitably distribute resources according to locally determined needs. Conversations on how this could happen best could include the possible role of CRWM in such partnerships, to ensure timely distribution of resources, and accountability for these funds. The challenge is to also consider the desire of CRC congregations in BC who want to foster a more direct and personal relationship with brothers and sisters in the SL congregations. Simply directing funds to CRWM for inclusion in their SL budget creates a distance between donors and recipients that could defeat the desire to develop closer ties among congregations in BC and SL.

4) Micro Credit Initiatives: In an effort to honour SL congregations who want to become self-sustaining and yet recognizing the need that they may require assistance to get them to that point, we believe a church-based micro credit program, administered by the CRCSL together with CES, could provide real tangible assistance in a manner that develops the confidence of people and churches, honours their dignity and allows them to determine the best way forward appropriate for their own community context.

5) Social Justice issues: The deeply seated issues of poverty in SL are rooted in a number of systemic and historical issues that are complex and in need of careful reflection. We believe that the gospel message proclaimed by the churches in SL, through its pastors and evangelists, needs to be grounded in biblical understandings of justice which are at the core of the gospel message. The message of hope and redemption through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross also needs to include proclamation that roots our life in the kingdom of God. Biblical shalom needs to be seen as obedience to the life that Jesus calls his followers to live. The implications of this biblical understanding of justice shows Jesus came not just to take us to heaven, but calls us to radical living that calls for the people to be freed from the bondage to sin that keeps us from living fully as Christ calls us to live. We believe a continued dialogue and understanding between leaders in BC and SL can help contextualize and deepen our understanding of these biblical issues, and its implications for right living. It can provide understanding for a biblical hope that transcends the health, wealth and prosperity teachings that are prevalent in Africa.

6) Christian Education: In 2004 Fraser Valley Christian High School was beginning to look seriously at the need to launch a building program to replace an aging classroom wing and realized quite quickly that the project was going to come in somewhere near $7-8 million. Part of the wrestling was an uneasy feeling that we were spending a large amount of money in BC and ought we not consider doing something in the developing world to benefit those who might never be able to realize the gift of Christian education.
The FVCHS school board endorsed a partnership proposal by agreeing to tithe its (then-upcoming) building campaign. Those funds and others raised from across North America allowed the school building project to progress toward completion in July 2005. James Tamba Koroma was hired as headmaster and for approximately $250,000 a school consisting of 6 classrooms, a resource room, a kitchen, staffroom, office, administrative areas and latrines was completed. Land has also been purchased for a secondary campus adjoining the primary property.
The concept behind the curriculum and instruction at the school was to provide quality education to the Christian community and others, utilizing qualified Christian teachers, a Sierra Leonian national curriculum infused with a Biblical worldview to classes of no more than 30 students, appropriate resources, decent teacher salaries, and a food program. The CRC church - still in its infancy - is benefitting from a school that supports its vision for discipleship and evangelism (about 50% of the children are from Muslim families), employs qualified Christian teachers and supports their professional growth with workshops and training from North America and with teacher-exchange possibilities.
With CRWM’s recent commitment to renewed Christian education goals for West Africa, the question we are asking is: What might this mean in the context of Sierra Leone? Unlike some of the West African countries, there is little left of a once-strong network of church-based schools. Most have lost their connection to the founding churches, they are government-funded and the curriculum is strictly that of the government - unless individuals in the schools are strong enough to direct it otherwise. In some countries in West Africa, CRWM has undertaken a program to support the professional growth and education of teachers in various Christian school networks. This network does not exist in Sierra Leone. According to MB Jalloh, educator and evangelist for the CRC of Sierra Leone, to merely support teacher professional development in Sierra Leone is to support a Muslim curricular agenda. Joseph Sesay, assistant director for CES maintains that, had there been the ability to establish Christian schools 25-30 years ago in SL, today there might well be the leadership in the churches that is sadly lacking. So what does this mean for the way forward for the CRC of Sierra Leone and CRWM’s goals for Christian education?
There might be ways of supporting “village” schools that are not funded by the government, but have Christian teachers who lack training and credentials, but have little other infrastructure and support mechanisms. There might be ways of connecting with Christian, church-based schools that have lost the connections to their founders and support them back toward their roots and original goals and direction, though this seems like a long shot and may be very presumptuous.
There are many unanswered questions with regard to a way forward with Christian educational goals. How do we support the growth of Christian education without creating unhealthy dependencies? What does healthy interdependence look like? How does the North American Christian School movement share the gift of Christian education? How can we support teacher professional development in the country? What does Christian educational discipleship look like in this largely Muslim context? How do we support the development of indigenous Christian educational curriculum? What can we learn as North American Christian school communities about having children from families who are not Christian in our schools? There is no need to rush forward to find answers. The CRC Primary School in Kabala is still in infancy and we are learning much from our experience.
7) Communication: In order for a partnership to flourish, regular and immediate communication between the churches of SL and the supporting congregations in BC is needed to foster the relationships. Through the use of newsletters, email and blogging, (particularly among leaders in BC and SL) leadership issues can be discussed, prayer needs and thanksgivings can be identified and communicated, and a growing sense of community can be developed where Christian leaders can enter into important dialogue and discussion. In addition, supporting churches in BC can pray for needs on behalf of brothers and sisters in SL, and vice versa.

C. Possible Connection Points

1. The hiring of a second African pastor to work alongside of John Phiri
2. The establishment of some micro-credit projects as established through the CES national priorities.
3. Invite the Pastors and Evangelists be made honorary members of Classis BCSE and Classis BCNW.
4. Build a guesthouse in conjunction with the Kabala Christian School project that could help serve the needs of ongoing visits from the CRC community in BC with the CRC community in Sierra Leone.
5. Establish an annual pastoral training conference where pastors of the CRC in BC would be involved in the strengthening of the national leadership with the CRC churches of Sierra Leone. This would be under the direction and goals of the leadership (Rev. John Phiri) of the CRC in SL, directing the curriculum/topics for the maximum benefit of leaders in the CRC in SL.
6. Establish Funding for church buildings (through CRWM?): Helping churches establish a visible 'beach-head' within each community in the form of a church building for which both the Christian Community and greater community can be proud. (This is one of the requests of the church leaders; albeit a complicated one for the CRCs of BC to engage).
7. Connect with the Kabala School for the Blind: [The first steps have been initiated by CRC Primary school in Kabala; further research is being done on this].
8. Specific Goals for expanding the minds and hearts of churches in BC, building on the theme, "I Need Africa more than Africa Needs Me." This includes fostering true partnership by establishing practical ways the CRC of BC can grow through its relationship with the CRC in SL. For example, articulating that the CRC of BC needs the CRC of SL might include acknowledging the following:
• They know what it means to live day by day from the hand of God and we can learn from them.
• They know how to pray out of deep needs and expect God to act and we can learn from them.
• They know how to engage others in conversations about faith and we can learn from them.
• They really know what it means to invite the stranger in and we can learn from them.
• They really know how to sing and pray, with David-like abandon and we can learn from them.
• They know what it means to give away a coat because they might have two and we can learn from them.
• They know about fasting and we can learn from them.
• They know that time is for people and not for money, and we can learn from them.
9. Establishing and maintaining a Sierra Leone Team in BC that bridges both classes with persons with a heart and mind for our brothers and sisters in the CRC in SL with a view to implementing these goals, communicating with churches in BC and leaders in SL.

D. Conclusion

These ideas represent some of the conversation about partnership our team has engaged with leaders in Sierra Leone. The partnership is designed to be developed over the long haul with the goal of helping the CRCSL become a self-sustaining, self-reproducing, healthy, Missional denomination. The partnership is also envisioned to be mutually beneficial, with the SL church also helping congregations in BC to grow in their awareness and support of the churches in another part of the world, and learn from them what it means to show hospitality and welcome the stranger in a North American individualistic culture. We also envision leaders from the Sierra Leone CRC visiting us in BC to help them understand our ministry context and how they might also contribute their gifts and perspectives to our ministries.

We are grateful to have made this exploratory visit and look forward to developing a partnership that will mutually bless and encourage believers both in SL and BC.

With gratitude to God,

Joel Ringma
Sid Ypma
Dave Mayer
Martin Contant
Dennis deGroot

Sierra Leone Partnership Frequently Asked Questions

If we pass this proposal, do all congregations need to ‘buy in’?
No. Each congregation and, even, each individual within our classes can discern where and how God may (or may not) be leading them to participate in this partnership.

Doesn’t this weaken the proposal?
No. In fact, we believe it strengthens the proposed partnership. Any relationship that is coerced is not a real relationship. We are presenting an opportunity for partnership, not a pre-arranged marriage.

How will this partnership bless the church?
We believe that the church in Sierra Leone and the churches of BC will both be blessed through this relationship. Through growing interdependence, the churches of BC might be helped in learning hospitality, patience, long-suffering and zeal for the Lord. Through growing interdependence, the CRC in Sierra Leone might be helped in raising up Godly leaders, establishing self-supporting churches and discipling believers. In short, we join with the mission of our denomination to ‘transform lives and communities worldwide’ trusting that God will transform both the church in BC and Sierra Leone by his Spirit.

Why don’t we simply utilize existing denominational structures? Are we trying to reinvent the wheel?
It should be said from the outset that there has been (and will continue to be) consultation with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Christian Reformed World Missions and Christian Reformed Home Missions. Representatives from each of these agencies are eager to see how this partnership takes shape because much is at stake. The ‘old’ way of relating to ministry and mission is being augmented by a New thing that God is doing – which comes from a grass-roots, congregational level, seeking the assistance of the available resources. So, yes, it is true that we are venturing out into some uncharted waters. However, with the guidance of agencies (their experience, wisdom and Spirit) we feel sheltered from the storm, rejoice at the challenge before us and look forward to helping form this partnership.

What are the financial commitments of supporting the proposal?
We envision that congregations and individuals will participate at a level they determine, depending on their own circumstances, passion and calling for this partnership. Financial opportunities, prayer opportunities and other relational opportunities will be conveyed to the churches in order that they might prayerfully determine their level of participation.
Classis is not being asked for financial support. Should this committee determine to make a financial request of classis in the future, it would be governed by the classical protocols for financial requests.

Goat! Canucks Goat!

2009-04-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

For Canucks supporters (or anyone) with a heart for helping families in places like Sierra Leone, here is an excerpt from a weblog by some passionate Sierra Leone supporters and Canucks fans:

With the Vancouver Canucks set to make a deep run into the play offs, we are looking for something that will help drum up support in areas of the world where they play hockey with one piece sticks that are literally just sticks... and use empty turtle shells as pucks. Well... probably. Anyways, since it is tradition that during the play offs we grow a play off beard or a goatee, the goal is to buy a goat for a family living in poverty for every Canucks win.

For more on the Weblog, or to commit to buying a playoff goat through CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee):

http://www.goatcanucksgoat.com

Vancouver Sun Article: http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Goateed+fans+hope+Canucks+guys+gaggle+goats/1496642/story.html

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70879553261&ref=share

The Local Church (in Sierra Leone) is the Hero.

2009-03-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

If you're wondering where things are at with the partnership proposal, here is a brief update: We are currently writing a proposal for the BC classes. We are considering our experience in Sierra Leone, weighing the input of the CRCs in BC, listening to the leaders of the CRCs in SL, researching, praying, mulling and compiling. We hope to be able to give you a DRAFT of the proposal here in the next month or so.

In the meantime, in the midst of our mullings, we have been considering how not to advance ourselves and our North American Churches as heroes. How do we encourage and support local Sierra Leonean initiatives in a behind-the-scenes role, as supporting actors? Or, as one of my seminary professors made a point of telling us aspiring preachers: "Don't tell an illustration in a sermon that points to you as the hero of the story. If you look silly or foolish; that's OK - maybe even preferable! But illustrations you give should always, ultimately leave the hearer with the assurance that God is the hero, not the preacher."

Check out the following for some provoking thoughts on who should be the hero in our relationship with African churches. A quote to tease you:

“Indeed. The people I met and the churches I visited in South Africa are the heroes. That's partly because they (not North Americans) are also ‘the experts,’ the people on the ground who know directly what the problems are. They are also part of believing communities that have people in them who sacrificially rise to the challenges God places before them. Willow, like many other North American churches doing church-to-church mission, knows all this. It's the reason Willow tries to support the local work, and then just gets out of the way.”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/march/29.32.html

Interdependence Video

2009-03-06T22:40:00.000-08:00

I put together this video to share a snapshot (OK, a video shot) of our time in Sierra Leone and a dream of how the body of Christ might grow more interdependent. The Christian Reformed World Missions video "Troubled Waters" is a great video from 2005, which gives a helpful history of the CRC's relationship with the Koinadugu District in Sierra Leone. If you have access to it, watch it first. If you're interested in a DVD copy - higher quality - of this video, leave me (Joel) a comment.

Finally, a few disclaimers:
1 Steven Spielberg I am not. Nor did I have a staff or budget like SS. Still, my apologies for the bumpy edits and sound fluxtuations. Some might suggest it makes the production homely and quaint ... and mean it in a good way.
2 At the point in the video where the screen is black for 7 seconds, just imagine how poignant a moment it would've been if I'd been able to properly insert the CRC in NA symbol (or your own church logo).
3 I thought I was geek enough getting this DVD on YouTube, so when I realized that there was an annoying "Evaluation Copy" plastered accross the screen the whole time from the shareware video converter I downloaded, there was no turning back ...

I Need Africa...

2009-03-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

"We are all Canucks."

2009-02-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

It will take some processing before we can convey more clearly the 'meat and potatoes' of our experience in Sierra Leone. Right now, I can't imagine being able to distill the experience into 'sound bytes.' Maybe that should always be the case. I can say that experiencing extreme poverty and extreme hospitality have left their mark. We hope to compile some video footage and make that available to churches in BC.

Now I know that hockey may not be the best parallel for the spread of the gospel and the activity of God, but I can think of worse ones. And for some readers, the Vancouver Canucks hockey team may be difficult to align yourself with. Still, in recent years the folks at the Vancouver Canucks' parent company, Orca Bay, have trumpetted the following slogan: "We Are All Canucks."

And, as Canadians (with the shared nickname, Canucks) on this trip (Martin, Dave, Joel, Dennis and Sid), we can certainly testify to our shared history and values, even if names like "Oilers" or "Flames" or "Leafs" get in the way sometimes.

In one of the villages in Sierra Leone, in perhaps the last place on earth you might expect to see it, we found a boy wearing a Canucks hat:

I happen to think the boy has brilliant taste.
As you may have guessed, there are very few copies of "The Hockey News" in Sierra Leone. Football is the sport of choice. It is played everywhere. Sierra Leonians support mostly British clubs. Our host, Rev. John Phiri, is a supporter of Manchester United. Very few keep up with the National Hockey League. So it shouldn't have been surprising that the news of Mats Sundin signing with the Canucks had not yet disseminated widely:Still, some will point to the following photo as evidence of the divine intervention the Vancouver Canucks desperately need. Perhaps they are right. I prefer to think that the photo is evidece that divine intervention is what all Canucks (Canadians) and Sierra Leonians need.

So, in one sense, "We are all Canucks."
But what's more, following the things we've seen, smelled and touched;
In light of the people we've met, fellowship we've enjoyed and church body we've encountered;
With the love we've received and given, the people who've welcomed and befriended us;
maybe it's better to say, "We are all Sierra Leonians."

-JR

Dave's photos

2009-02-16T12:46:00.001-08:00

Our ‘home’ in Kabala, as seen from above.

School for the blind – horrendous living conditions, but a testimony to the perseverence of the human spirit, by the grace of God.

More School for the Blind.

Emmanuel, headmaster of Kabala School for the Blind, gives us a formal introduction and welcome. While you may not expect to find Emmanuel (God with us) in these conditions, amazingly there is grace here too.

Kabala CRC Sunday worship. A two-year old church with 250 worshippers.

Arriving for Sunday School.

A few years ago FVCH issued a brochure inviting folks to contribute for “A New School for Nyima”. This is Nyima from the brochures, with the reality of a school waiting for her to come of age.

They must read the same books Ella does about gardening ... the gardener’s Bible – I forget the acronym.

Presenting Rev. John Phiri with books to start a resource room for the pastors and leaders of the CRC in Kabala.

“De pikin dey like for take fotos.” (The children like being photographed.)

Rice drying in the sun.

photos from Martin

2009-02-14T08:29:00.001-08:00

Local chapter of 4-H.

Town scene.

Local leaders making their action plans during the conference.

Cooking for a crowd at the leaders’ conference.

The church building in Kabala – note the adapted logo.

Begali, the housekeeper at the home we are staying, washing clothes.

Who needs a dry cleaner when hot coals will press your clothes?

Martin and Friends.

One of the drums used in worship.

The pulpit.

Church members in Foria coming up the hill to greet us with a welcome song.

One of the many rough places on SL roads – here we had to get out of the vehicle for better clearance.

Joel and Karifa in Alikalia. Karifa is holding a solar-powered audio Bible in the Kuranko language – quite an innovative design.

No MEC child backpacks in ; these – from a single piece of clothe - are more efficient.

Communal lunch.

Meeting inside the church in Foria.

Outdoor cooking. Nobody cooks inside.

Plantanes, fried in palm oil.

The WC – and a pretty decent one at that. But no throne.

Dennis and his namesake.

Anthony and Mara, church leaders in Foria.

In Badala (sp?), resting in the shade in the middle of our cross-country trekking.

Downtown Kabala.

Boys building the framework for a chicken coop at the home where we are staying.

African Round Table

2009-02-14T07:35:00.000-08:00

As things are winding down here on exploratory visit we needed a session with local church leaders, CRWM representatives and BC visitors. We met together for the better part of Friday night in a healthy exchange of ideas, a lot of questions and some nudges toward mutual understandings about a way forward together. We have all come away with a sense for the complexity of growing a church in an impoverished setting such as this. We are very concious of the need to not repeat the big mistakes of the past and to grow a healthy relationship based on mutual respect and love.
We certainly will be leaving with a sense of deep gratitude for having been able to share with brothers and sisters here the challenge of moving the gospel forward in this remote part of the world. We have seen such passion and dedication for the work that people are are engaged with as a young church. It is has been immensely helpful having Ron Geerlings and Albert Strydhorst with us these few days. I believe it has been really good for them as well to see this young church in action.
This morning we led a youth conference for about 50 some young people who are part of the CRC church. They sat on hard benches to listen to us for more than three hours. No power point, no electric guitars, no film clips. Wonderful kids and wonderfully exhuberant worship.
Tomorrow Joel will preach and we will try to take a bit of a more Sabbath posture. It's been pretty hectic and we need some down time.

The week in photos - JR

2009-02-12T10:14:00.000-08:00

Belali (sp?), our driver, guide and Mr. fix-it.

Maxwell, who translated every word that Joel and Martin said on day one of the conference into Krio - He's the youth pastor at the Kabala CRC in Sierra Leone.

Albert Strydhorst (CRCWM - West Africa) and Martin explaining the 'action plan' concept.

Leaders' conference in Kabala - one man walked 45 miles through the night to attend. Many others also walked great distances. Here they are breaking into groups - maybe 60-70 percent are literate, so traditional pedagogy needed to be adapted for the environment.

Driving the "clergymobile"

Visiting the gravesite of the first missionaries to this area, about 60 years ago. Apparently we were the first white folks to visit this site.

Hitching a ride, Sierra Leonean style.

The local Dunkavalli Junior Secondary School singing to us in Krio ("Tell Papa God Thankee")

Embee and gifts (fresh fruit) given us by the villagers of Dunkavalli (sp?)

More kids gathering, these in their school uniforms.

More worship service ...

The instruments of worship in the CRC in Sierra Leone.

Inside the newly constructed church in Bonbongtoh - the whole village came to check out the strangers.

More outdoor worship in Yara.

Participating in worship in Yara.

Ron Geerlings (CRC World Missions) Dennis and Joel look at a 'stick' - a tree.

Another snapshot. (Kids love to get pictures taken, ask in Krio: "Snap me?")

View of a village from above. Very typical.

Sharing a meal in Yara

Bricks for building homes drying in the sun.

Dennis and Embee teaching a song about leaning on one another - interdependence has been a theme on this trip.

Random Thoughts.

2009-02-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

More Joel.

Preached a few mornings ago in a village in Yara. 2 hours or so of preparation on a new sermon: 1 Corinthians 12 on the Body. I preached it, and it was simultaneously translated. More accurately the language was embroidered by Embee’s translation into Krio - he was much more dynamic and emphatic than I. As part of the worship service, folks in the congregation added their comments and what they heard. One man's words of reception of the message, especially what it said ot him wrt black and white, really hit home for me. It was like the message came alive in the responses to it. The chief o fthe village, present there, echoed these comments. It was a lesson to me in how God’s Spirit works (especially in compariston to my usual sermon preparation.) We're finding that a lot around here. When I am weak, then I am strong. It helped that the Prayer for illumination, in Krio, had a wonderful phrase that made me smile: The prayer asked that what I said would “make plenty sense”.
Went to a village called Bongbongto where we were greeted by pretty much the whole town. It was at the end of the line, up until a couple years ago you couldn’t get there by car. The road is rough still. As Ron Geerlings put it, “It may not be the end of the world; but you can see it from here.”
We are so often followed by cliques of children, wanted to say hello, to touch us and they often as us: “Snap me!” Meaning, take my picture. The video camera with a reversible display screen so kids can see themselves ‘on TV’ is a real hit. Picture the antics people go to in order to get on the Jumbotron at a game.
Dave, after enduring the rough roads from Kabala to the outlying villages which make Hwy 16 running through Smithers look like a highway to heaven: “A guy with D-9 or a grader would be a real hero around here.”
“It feels like we’re driving through a National Geographic magazine.”
Sunday Service: Worship service began when we finally arrived from visiting the chief (more about that a different day: it seems every village we go to, we have to pay respects to the sitting chief, head chief, section chief or paramount chief). Everyone else was already there, singing. Our arrival marked the ‘start’ of Sunday School. For about 2.5 hours we worshipped together. Sid preached a fine sermon on Jacob at Bethel which was so incredibly translated by Karifa. Karifa imitated (and sometimes enhanced) Sid’s gestures, pitch, tone and enthusiasm. I wandered around and got quite a bit of video footage - icluding footage of numerous Sunday Shcools from visiting churches leading various songs and then giving a pitch for donations. There were 300 plus people from as many as 21 outlying villages present. We also had a meeting with the leaders, explaining the conference in Kabala, which is coming up later this week (Thursday, Friday).

Favourite Story

2009-02-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

Joel here. We are doing well. We are absorbing a lot in this incredible place and have little time right now to convey anything like a complete picture. Still, I like the following story because when Rev. John Phiri told it, he made me laugh. But he also made me feel at the end that I was reading the book of Acts. And that, to tell you the truth, is how I often feel when I visit these villages and meet people eager to hear the gospel, curious and unbelievably hospitible as they greet us 'strangers' and listen to why we've come to see them. But straight to the story:

Rev. Phiri and some other church leaders went to a nearby village to do some baptisms on a Sunday, but the women’s secret society barred their way because one of the pastor’s daughters had accidentally offended them by fishing in the wrong place. When John and the other visiting pastors came into town, the secret society was threatening to bar their way using a female devil persona and welcome her by singing naked in the village (apparently a common secret society activity in some of these villages). Everybody has a fear that if Men see this, their scrotum will become enlarged, to the point of dragging on the ground! So all the men would cower and lock themselves inside if ever they heard the singing. When Rev. Phiri and company entered the town to do the worship service, they heard word of this threat. Even the other pastors cowered and went indoors because they were afraid. John, with his clerical collar on, was able to talk with one woman who was part of this society and tell her that he was planning to go through and do these baptisms. The woman did not back down. John did not back down. Finally, he had an idea: He took out his camera and he said to her, “If any women come out to block my way, I will take their picture and post the pictures on the internet.” Eventually, she and the other women relented and, as John says, 35 people were baptized in that village that day.

pictures are worth a 1000 words

2009-02-07T10:08:00.001-08:00

Out and about Kabala

Martin with his namesake, Martin

Kabala Christian school

People from CES and CRC in SL

Sights in Freetown

Having a "Canadian Bible Study" abroad, in a 500 yr. old English Pub.

Leaving YVR, that is a Bill Ried sculpture behind them:)

Partnership Discussions

2009-02-07T02:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had some interesting discussions about partnerships and what we even mean by that word. in Sierra Leone, the word often connotes the kind of activity carried out by NGO (non government organizations). Throughout Kabala you see all kinds of signs which give evidence to the work of NGOs. e.g. Some Norweigen organization who came to help out with amputee victims of the war). By their nature, NGO's tend to have a restricted mandate that is time limited. As we were at the school, and saw the wonderful effort happening there, I wondered about sustainability for the long haul and what that means in a desparately poor country.

In trying to figure out what partnerships can be, we used three words with the SL pastors: Dependance, Independance and inter-dependance. Those are some of our words when we think of partnerships. When we asked SL pastors what kinds of words they use for partnerships, Pastor MB stood up and leaned against me, and then leaned against someone else and we started this little dance! back and forth... leaning on each other. that is partnership. Another concept was mutual love, like happens in families between brothers and sisters. How this will also translate into partnerships between a North American church and a Sierra Leonian church is not clear at this moment. -Martin Contant

Finally there!

2009-02-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

I learned in the past few days that part of Sierra Leone’s history includes refusing to let Acadian slaves remain in following their emancipation. The slaves had hopes for the future; I can only imagine that their young men saw visions and their old men dreamed dreams. Instead, in a heritage moment we won’t soon see broadcast on TV, as part of our history our Canadian ancestors sent those slaves packing by ship. The ship found its way to the continent of Africa, to a place now named ‘Freetown’, in honour of those afore-mentioned freed slaves. This mixed group of slaves settled there and there remain to this day a significant impact on the language of the Sierra Leonians (Krio – a colloquial language with enough traces of English to make it recognizable.

Yesterday, along with a group of fellow Canadians, I landed in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. It would be a stretch to compare this too closely to the landing of our Krio-speaking brothers and sisters in so many years earlier. Especially since our landing – and subsequent drive ‘up-country’ to Kabala – led us, not to be pushed away, but to be welcomed with open arms by the incredibly hospitable folks from the in Sierra Leone and CES (Christian Extension Services). It was/is truly heartening. We are thrilled to be here and they are excited to show us church plants, visit with us and break bread with us. This began earlier this evening with a wonderful meal, good conversation, new friendships and renewed friendships.

Should it be any surprise that the breaking of bread would be both the marker and the instigator of healing?
-JR

Sending and Receiving.

2009-02-01T20:31:00.001-08:00

Every day, emailing, I 'send' and 'receive' at the touch of a button. It's an easy send. And an easy receive. In real life, sending and receiving are rarely simple. In fact, to be sent and to receive can be profound and intimate human actions.

Some good people in my church and in my Small Group sent me off to Sierra Leone today with prayer and blessing and hope. It meant - and means - a lot to me. I'm never sure that I receive blessing well. Or, as was the case today, I hope I received 'sending' well. In any event, it was hardly simple. There were a few tears and that too-oft-ignored catch in my throat.

It made me think about that profound story of the prodigal Father, who picks up his robes and runs out to receive his son. It made me think about Jesus, summarizing an incarnational gospel, "As my Father has sent me, so I send you." It made me think that sending and receiving are opportunities for grace. Given and received.

-JR

Friendship Trip ...

2009-01-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

As a parent, when my children face a problem my greatest temptation is to simply solve the problem - apply energy, resources, elbow grease and make things better. I know, however, that there is a better way. The better way is to enter into the lives of my children, to wonder with them about possible solutions, to share the journey, to struggle together, to rejoice together. Of course, with my children I am still 'the parent'. We are not equals - I bear the burden of power and responsibility.

In the relationships between the church in North America and churches in developing countries there is often an imbalance of power. What do we do about it? Do we treat it the same as the imbalance between parents and children? For far too long the church in the West did not carefully consider equal partnership with the church in developing countries. We have fixed. We have solved. We have exercised power. We have been paternalistic. Thanks be to God for the winds of His Spirit: In recent years there have been warming chinooks of change in how Christians in the West think and act in relation to churches in developing countries.

For a long time, the group travelling to Sierra Leone (in 10 days!) has been considering these dynmics: What does it mean to really be the church in this relationship? How do we avoid some of our Western and personal imbalance-of-power pitfalls? Will we be able to go to Sierra Leone without a fixed agenda and really listen? Will we be able to both give AND receive in this relationship? Will we fall into the trap of treating those in the church in the developing world like immature children or will we thank God for our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We are not the first to wrestle with these issues. We have been reading, watching, thinking, conversing and praying in the midst of a 'great cloud of witnesses.' We have seen God working in a mighty way already. We watched the following video early on in this process. If you have 4 minutes, you might find it enlightening:

http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00474

Quick Fix

2009-01-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is Joel here.
I came across a poem that I wrote 17 years ago this month, when I was a student at The King's College exploring poetry and my own 'voice' in a Creative Writing class. Originally, it was accompanied by a photograph. You'll have to use your imagination.

You may - or may not - know that the multinational corporation Nestle was slaughtered in public opinion polls (and a boycott continues by some to this day) for marketing breast milk substitutes in less economically developed countries. Campaigners against Nestle claimed this strategy, which deprived babies of their mother's breast milk, lined Nestle's pockets and contributed to the unnecessary death and suffering of countless babies, largely among the poor.

You may - or may not - know that chocolate milk has long been my drink of choice.

I was struck by the poem because it invites me to consider my 'western', problem-solving propensity as I plan to go, meet and listen to Christians in Sierra Leone.

Quick Fix

your stomach distended; i cry out in pain
more out of my own agony
than yours
i am a westerner

i want to help you compete with the fly
on the corner of your mouth
looking a lot healthier
than you

your mother looks at me, wondering whether
my kind of help
is the quick-fix
Nestles type

i fly home, pictures of flies in my mind
giving me the same bug appetite
i step inside
fixing myself a large glass of Quick

Edmonton, January 1992

Just Courage

2009-01-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have been reading this exciting new book by Gary Haugen called Just Courage: God's Expedition for the Restless Christian. I think I am bit restless. Haugen believes that for many, especially young Christians, the feeling is there that, “our Christian life would be more than this—somehow larger, more significant, more vivid, more glorious. But it is not….It had seemed like following Christ was supposed to be a bold adventure of power and beauty and singular importance, but the reality that keeps emerging appears to be something very different. And in very deep ways, it’s disappointing.”

I’m anticipating that one of the responses to that line will be that not everyday can be a Christian-mountaintop-experience. And in some ways that’s true. And not everyone can or should go on a third world mission trip experience. And that is true also. But Haugen would maintain that those things should not keep us from experiencing and practicing God’s call toward the margins where He is working. That is where we get to experience God in all His power, ourselves in all our weakness, in fact ourselves in our true humanity as children totally dependent on God.

We are born to this. Haugen says, “By divine hardwiring, we desperately want our lives to count—really, significantly count—for God’s rescuing work in the world. And nothing else fills up the void.” I believe that part of what we are engaged with here in exploring this partnership with the CRC of SL is exactly this. We want each one of the Christ followers in our fellowships to be truly alive to the work of God. I sense that it is happening here in Sierra Leone. I want to share that with people in BC. It requires courage and restlessness.

December 2008 Update From Sierra Leone

2008-12-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

What follows are notes from Rev. John Phiri, updating the work God is doing in Sierra Leone in some of the places we plan to visit when we travel to Sierra Leone in February.

1. APPRECIATIONS.
Many thanks be to our God for His goodness and love that he bestows upon us daily.
Many thanks also go to all our donors for your generosity towards the work here in Sierra Leone. Indeed your help is highly appreciated in the spreading of the gospel in the northern part of Sierra Leone.

2. EVANGELISM. [ praise God with us].
At the beginning of December 2008, we planned to reach 5 villages with the gospel of Jesus Christ and these are Bambukoro 1, Bambukoro 2, Seduyia, Sembwerelo and Dunduko. The villages welcomed us with the exception of Dunduko whose town chief is an imam in the mosque and just completed his studies of the Quran in Liberia but the people in the village are willing to embrace Christianity.

Bambukoro 1 This village is Muslim dominated and no church has been established there before. We have 21 converts who have started a fellowship and we are visiting them every weekend.

Bambukoro 2 We have 20 converts and many have promised to join Christianity. The two Bambukoro’s meet together and they look to be well organized and very happy that at last the church has come to their village.
I must say that I did not expect such an encouraging response from Bambukuro. To God alone be all the glory.

The town chief dressed in a gold gown,welcoming us in Bambukuro.

Seduyia. In Seduya, a village close to Dunduko, we had a thunderous welcome and the town chief is a Muslim. After the presentation of the gospel and the Jesus Film, 52 people registered with us to become Christians. We have since started a fellowship there and every weekend we visit them and have services with them. The town chief has given us land between Seduya and Dunduko where to build the church. The convents are so zealous that they have already started clearing the Land.

Sengeberelo. This village is dominated by Muslims and after presenting the gospel to the people, many accepted Jesus as the only savior but were reluctant to leave the Mosque in fear of their relatives. They are willing to allow their children and some their wives to be Christians.

Setting up the film equipment in Sengewelero.

3. YOUTH MINISTRY
The youths are responding positively to the gospel and we are mobilizing them into youth groups for nurturing them spiritually. In some villages the elderly ones are hesitant to leave the mosque for the church but are willing to allow there children.

Children and youths with Rugiatu, a youth from Kabala church in Bambukoro.

Due to the good response from the youths and children, we are planning to recruit a youth coordinator who will help organize the youth movement in the church. The future of the church looks promising as the young embrace the faith.

4. CONCLUSION
On behalf of the church here in Sierra Leone, I want to once again extend my sincere thanks to all our donors for your generosity towards the work of God in this part of Sierra Leone. May the almighty God give you power to make more wealth for His kingdom.

Rev John Phiri

CRC of Sierra Leone Mission Update

2008-12-31T13:32:00.000-08:00

The following is from Rev. John Phiri's November Mission Update:

Thank God for His mercies that endure forever. The churches generally are struggling towards the right direction.

The Kabala church, which is a pilot congregation, is making headway in getting organized administratively. We recently had our first elders council meeting, which was well attended. We now have an executive committee working in addition to the council of elders. We have paid for the land where we want to start building a church.

Shekoya has also started preparing the land for a church building and gathering local building materials. We hope that this time around Shekoya will finish their project.

In Mamburia, a village on the way to Kasafuni, we had six convents from Islam and hunters secret society. There was a man believed to be the oldest in the chiefdom, and he became a Christian. Before then he had belonged to a secret society of the hunters. When he died, the hunters insisted that they wanted to bury him as per their tradition. The church refused to enter into a confrontation and allowed the hunters to
perform their rituals. During the memorial service, the hunters apologized to the church and asked us to conduct the memorial service. We gladly did so, and six people indicated that they are now Christians.

The two men we have sent to the Theological Hall have started witnessing, and have the intention of starting a congregation in Freetown. House fellowships have started and we pray that the Lord will bring many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I hope to raise Kabala church to a level where the other congregations will learn from it and that Kabala members will help to groom the village churches. I always pray that the churches will stand the testing times in which we are living.

Reverend John Phiri

Prepare.

2008-12-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

It's Advent. We're invited in the Isaiah 40-based song to:
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord.
And all people will see the salvation of our God.
(Copyright 1980, Les Presses de Taize (France), admin. GIA Publications, Inc.)

I find that to be a fitting call as I prepare for Christ's coming.
I'm also finding that to be a fitting - and challenging - call as I prepare to travel to Sierra Leone in February.

Some of the preparations are easy, TTD-list items: Ticket - Check. Vaccinations - Check. Visa - waiting-with-bated-breath...

Other preparations are not so easy: How will I get ready to meet people who are so willing to disrupt their lives and host my colleagues and me, when I'm rarely willing to disrupt my life for others? Can I prepare for the shock of infrastructure fractured by civil war, families ripped apart by atrocities, and life lived on the brink (Movies like Blood Diamond and books like In the Land of Magic Soldiers can only prepare me so much, I suspect)? How will I be prepared to keep my eyes open to see God's work, His love and His people in Sierra Leone?

I suspect Advent will prepare me, if anything can, to see the way of the Lord. After all, what I really long for are those wonderfully pregnant words of Isaiah to be born in my life, in our world: All people will see the salvation of our God. Not just in my head or heart. Not just in Terrace or Vancouver. But everywhere in everyone with everything.

I have much to learn, so I entrust preparations to the God of all advents who is already making all things new.

- Joel Ringma

Note: Joel Ringma (Terrace CRC); Sid Ypma (Port Alberni CRC); Dave Mayer (Smithers CRC); Martin Contant (Home Missions Regional Director); Dennis deGroot (Fraser Valley Christian High School) will be travelling to Sierra Leone February 2-19, 2009. They hope to meet with members and leaders of the CRC in Sierra Leone to learn from each other, to celebrate our unity in Christ and to think together about what partership between churches in BC and churches in Sierra Leone might look like.

Exploring Partnership - CRC Sierra Leone with CRC - BC

2008-09-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

The picutres above give you a glimpse of the Spirit of God at work in Sierra Leone, West Africa: Rev. John Phiri leading the formation of home groups in the CRC church in Kabala, the church building in Kabala, a baptism of 45 new converts in Foria, and women leading in worship at the 1st anniversary of the CRC in SL.

The body is a unit, though it is
made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body… Now you
are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Under Christ who is the head
of the body, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special
work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body grows and builds itself up in
love (1 Corinthians 12:12,27; Ephesians 4:16).

In October of 2007 Classis BC - NW endorsed an exploratory venture; what would it look like if the CRC churches of British Columbia partnered with the new and emerging CRC of Sierra Leone. For more than 25 years the CRC church has been involved in Sierra Leone through the work of Christian Reformed World Missions, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and Christian Extension Services. Together we want to imagine what a global partnership like this could look like. What might happen when the churches in Africa would be praying for churches in Canada? What would become possible if lay persons and pastors from British Columbia Christian Reformed Churches lived for a time in a remote village in Sierra Leone alongside a new church plant, its people and lay pastors? What might we learn from each other? How might we be able to support each other? How could we truly come together as partners in the gospel?

In February 2009 a team of lay people and pastors will go to Sierra Leone on an exploratory visit. We believe that the Spirit of God is already preparing the way. We do know that amazing things are happening for Rev. John Phiri and his team of evangelists in the fast growing young CRC of Sierra Leone. The gospel message is reaching into the remote villages of Koinadugu District, into the city of Kabala, and it is having a transforming influence. We want to be in step with the Spirit of God. We want to share in this as brothers and sisters in Christ from the other side of the world. We want this blog to be a place where we share what God is doing, in Sierra Leone and British Columbia in the CRC.