This post is from One:Seventeen team leader, Stephani. She lead a team in March of 2011 of college students and professionals associated with Oklahoma State University to plant a large garden as a food source for the Wellington Orphanage. Here is her story:
The Second Verse is NOT the Same as the First
Sierra Leone: Trip II
Journal excerpt from March 18, while in Sierra Leone: “I have loved the adventure of this week. Everything we do here takes effort and a constant willingness to press ahead. From pushing the vehicle today when we ran out of gas to fetching water from the well to take a bath, there’s not a moment to waste. Community living is both trying and delightful. We sneak off to grab moments of quiet solitude, but there is no place to go….”
The difficult part of trip number two was not necessarily the poor sleeping accommodations, or the lack of running water, or even the fact that my seat, in any given vehicle, was usually the console or “hump” next to the driver. This made for interesting journeys, on long gravel roads and potholed highways, but this is altogether another story. No, what made this trip difficult for me was, quite simply, the PEOPLE. Human relationships are trying. Language, culture and social barriers plagued every step of this journey, and honestly, I was ready to come home after our first full day in Sierra Leone. In the darkness and exhaustion of nightfall, I found myself small, ill-equipped and believing I had nothing to offer a team of well-educated scientists, doctors, and military veterans. I had overestimated my abilities.
BUT GOD. This small phrase has been my mantra for the last five years. And He is faithful, even in Africa. For me, the darkness of night is God’s favorite stage. As I listened to the wise counsel of a friend, and was reminded that my identity is who God says I am and who He created me to be, truth came seeping back into my reality. Nothing is permanent in this world, beliefs and ideas change, struggles and problems look different, if given time, and success presents itself in many different sizes, if I’m looking for it.
The next 8 days were filled to the brim with every imaginable success. Much was accomplished in meetings with dignitaries, university staff, pastors and orphanage personnel. Connections were made with countrymen that will prove beneficial in our continuing efforts in Sierra Leone. We sang and danced with orphans. We witnessed the purist of faith from blind children whose home is a deserted meat processing facility. Hearts were changed as we witnessed the hardship of life for families at an amputee camp. Our team was productive and bound together by all that we experienced.
And a farm was built. This in and of itself, is quite an accomplishment on nutrient deficient, burned out, African soil. Resources are minimal, and the tools needed to produce a crop are scarce at best. 
But this was a clever crew, and I marveled as the miracle unfolded every day. Rows and rows of garden beds replaced weeds and broken glass. A trellis was built out of sticks and grass for cucumbers to grow upon. An irrigation system was created and installed. But the biggest success for me was the orphans, remembering the shade canopies they learned to build at our camp last summer, and teaching the OSU students how to protect the young crops from the hot African sun. There were over 1200 seeds of eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, and okra germinating, some even sprouting when we left!
I was stretched in unimaginable ways on this trip. I learned more about my weakness and shortcomings than I care to admit. Vanity, insecurity, and “to the glory of thyself,” seemed to dog my every step. I’d like to say I left it all in Africa, but there is still much work to do. I want to leave you with the verse that brought great relief to my weary mind while I was in Africa: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT). So, thank you for partnering again with me on this journey. Not only in West Africa, but also into the heart of who I am, who God created me to be, and who I am becoming. Most of the funds that were given for this trip were not used. Our simplistic approach to living, while there will hopefully allow for a return trip to this country I love. My prayer, as I wait for the next trip, is that God will continue his good work in me that I might shine Christ’s light in a brighter way into the dark places of Sierra Leone. Each of you were there with me, in your own way, and I cherish your friendship, prayers and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Stephani
This post is written by Shanna Crawford after her trip in September 2010.
Hello My Sweet Friends and Family!
I am back from my home away from home 
Shana Rutz and I, or Shanna squared as we are now called, had the most amazing trip! I know I say this every time, but this really was my favorite visit to Sierra Leone. My heart is more connected with our African family than ever before. I have a treasure of memories stored in my heart and have been pondering them day after day.
I had the honor of spending a lot of time with Pastor Hassan and Pastor Abraham. They are precious men of God who I can say with great confidence are working for food that does not spoil. Their chief focus is to see the good news of the gospel preached through words and actions throughout the poorest, most desolate and overlooked places in their nation. Whatever church they plant, school they start, need they meet is all a way to present the gospel to the people of their country. I truly believe their desire is to see men, women and children come close to the One who has the power to save, heal and make whole.
We went away for the weekend with them and two of my African sons. It was an adventure filled with laughter, tears, eating meals together, singing worship songs and deep discussions about the God we all love so much. It was a gift to me that I will always treasure. It was an experience that deepened our bond as one family in Christ.
Our first stop was in a town called Makeni were Pastor Bo and his wife, Teresa lead a church. We helped interview teachers for a school in a village out in the country called Matumbo. This was very interesting. The applicants were asked to come work even though they may not be paid for up to 3 months. They were asked to prove they would be faithful to their wives and also to teach the children about Christ. The applicants all agreed to these conditions. Very different from an American interview Shana and I wandered around the village and talked and laughed and prayed with the people. AAAWWW it was just so perfect! I wish you all could have been with me.
Next, we headed to Matumbo. A woman named Katherine Sanders collected over 1,000 pair of shoes and had them shipped on a container. We had the joy of delivering these shoes. We took 800 pair to the students at a school in Matumbo. This is a remote village that children walk for miles to attend. The shoes were necessary for them to attend classes. God did something special for me. He connected me with a teacher who is a single mom of a 3 year old little girl. (He has given me a special heart for single moms). I loved ministering to her so much! She is so precious. Shana was able to find her a pair of shoes too. I hope to see her again!
Then we drove a few hours in the rain and mud through the bush to a REALLY remote village called Mansumana. After crossing a river on a very, scary ferry we could go no further because of the mud. We took another route to try to find lodging for the night and met a little boy on the side of the road. Pastor Hassan immediately insisted we stop so we could give the little boy a pair of shoes. This was my favorite part! We all got out in the rain and mud while one of my African sons, Solomon helped the little boy find a pair of shoes that fit.
This is our God, He would drive hours in the rain and mud, through impassable roads, just to give us a pair of shoes so we might know His love and care for us!
I didn’t mind the rain, I didn’t mind the VERY bumpy roads, I didn’t mind the long, full day of ministry in the heat and chaos….no I didn’t mind at all because there was a deep peace and joy on the inside of me knowing that I was doing His will, doing what He would do if He were on the earth, and I was doing this along side those I love deeply! In fact, though my day started while it was still dark and went late into the night, I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to take in all that He wanted to show me.
The next day Pastor Hassan spent the first several hours studying and preparing for the message he was preaching later that afternoon. Me, Shana and the boys walked around the town we were staying in. Bakarr had gone to high school in this town so we stopped at one of his friends’ houses. A man came up to us and gave us a track and witnessed to us while we were there. I loved this! Absolutely loved it! The deep desire for the gospel to go forth was evident every where I turned. This has spurred me on to boldly share Christ more with those in my own country!
We headed back to Makeni for an afternoon Thanksgiving service at a church there. This small congregation that meets in a make-shift tin building with a dirt floor was celebrating one year of their gatherings. Pastor Hassan was the guest speaker. Several of our kids from the home came to help with the service. It was a precious time! Shana and I were able to hold babies and talk with the women after the service before heading out again.
Next we visited a facility that housed blind chidren. It was not a home. It was an old slughter house for animals. The living conditions were terrible. It broke my heart. The children were joyful. A little girl happily sang a song for us and we were able to give her a pair of shoes. The few staff members were able to express their trust in God to provide despite the bleak living conditions. I left here with a very heavy heart.
We still had shoes left so we drove for a few hours and stopped at another village to deliver the rest of them. It was late at night and raining but the pastor and his wife met us on the road with smiling faces. We filled blankets full of shoes and piled them on the porch of one of the homes.
Just as I loved all the ministry packed into our two day trip, I loved the hours of time in the car having conversations about eternal things that last. At one point I asked Pastor Hassan, “How do you choose what projects to take on?” His response was, “If something breaks my heart, I pray and ask God to provide. Sister, you have to have faith. What is impossible with man is possible with God.” He then told me, “I am something like a dreamer. I start things and then pass them on to others to run while I oversee. Even now I want to focus on just preaching the gospel.” This man is not Jesus, he is not perfect, but his life has been devoted to doing the will of God in his impoverished country where many have been left with great needs and no hope as the result of a brutal war. I have seen with my own eyes and now know with my heart, is not easy, it is messy, it has brought trials, heart ache, persecution, sleepless nights, great temptation, slanderous accusations, betrayel of close friends, health problems, stress, exhaustion, seperation from those he loves and much, much more. His ministry is not glamorous. Who wants to drive hours to remote villages to deliver shoes so children can go to school, so children can know the provision of God? Who wants to preach to small congregregations in stuffy tin buildings with dirt floors. Who wants to make sure blind children are not overlooked? Who wants to be responsible for 100 orphans being fed, clothed and educated so they might be the Nehemiahs of their nation? Who wants to do all of this and so much more so that many would put their hope and trust in the One, True living God? Now, I can say I do because I have watched the lives and doctrine closely of those who are living their lives to do these things and more. Just as I want to honor my pastors here in America for following the call of God to lead and shepherd and meet the spiritual and physical needs of our own nation, I also want to honor Pastor Hassan. I believe we give honor where honor is due. I believe our Heroes should be those who make us want to be more like Christ. Hassan is one of those men for me now more than ever.
We are the body of Christ. We were created to be interdependant on one another. Where one is weak, another can help. God uses the lowly, despised things of the world to shame those who are wise in their own eyes.
I have so much more to share with you, so I hope you will keep reading in the days to come as I try to share with you the message I feel God has given me to bring back to my sweet American family.
I am not exalting men, I am exalting God.
I saw God shining brightly through the imperfection of human men. This is what amazes me. We are so weak. Our hearts are wicked and decieve us. Yet, the God of the universe chooses to use us, the weak, the lowly, the sinful, to prove Himself strong and powerful…to show His love to the poor and needy, to the strong and powerful, to glorify His son through our broken lives. So, while we know perfection is not attainable this side of eternity, yet we still strive for this. But what IS attainable is to be fully devoted to Him and His causes. When we seek Him with our whole heart, He pours out grace over all of our many imperfections, His love covers the multitude of sin living in our hearts day to day and He shines bright enough to be glorified through our fragile lives! He is the Treasure living inside of us. His is the power at work within us. So we bow down to Him, submit to Him and trust Him to be God through us. In doing this He is exalted in all the earth.
I was continually faced with my own weakness and inability to meet the most minor needs. But over and over and OVER He reminded me, HE IS ABLE. I did not go to Africa just to feed orphans. I went to Africa to glorify Him and allow Him to do whatever He chose through me for the two short weeks I was there. As my husband reminded me one night on the phone as I cried over my inability to meet all of the needs I was faced with…He did not call us because we were qualified. No, the ones who think they are qualified are the least likely to be used. It is the broken and contrite heart that He wants. It is the life that says, “I am nothing without You,” that He desires to use. It is the person who lays down his life, his plans, his everything so that Christ can have complete reign. He is strong enough in our weakness. THERE IS NO OTHER GOD LIKE HIM!
I have returned to America realizing I have nothing to offer that He doesn’t provide from His own hand…and whatever He provides is the right amount to give. He alone knows what is needed, I only need to keep my eyes focus on the eternal One, the eternal things that last and trust Him to live through me. Food is temporary, shoes are temporary, education is temporary, but relationships are eternal. My relationship with my sweet Savior and the people He has called me to do life with are more of my focus now. Everything we do should bring us closer to Him and the people He came to save.
So much more to come. I can’t wait to write about our time with the precious children of the Wellington Orphanage.
Remember, OUR GOD IS ABLE, even when we are not!
(My camera is on its way from the London airport where I left it on the plane…thank God for Fed Ex! Pictures to come soon, Lord, willing).
August 2010 Trip to Sierra Leone: Agriculture Youth Leadership Camp
with the Wellington Orphanage, Oklahoma State University, Njala University and One:Seventeen
Post by One:Seventeen member – Crystal Drwenski
Joeseph Kandeh: a man who moves boulders up mountains
When Dr. Joeseph Kandeh lectures on leadership his words are precise and deliberate, full of pause and emphasis. Yet he is quick witted and playful as he addresses the weaknesses of your argument in class.
He embodies the character of so many Sierra Leoneans I love. At ease with social graces, naturally pleasant and with an understated depth that reinforces the authority of what he says – a depth you sense comes from a deep suffering in all that he has lived.
He is a Mende by birth. He is thoroughly African in all his preferences (which he enjoys pointing out) despite having lived in America for close to 20 years. He was educated at Ohio State, where he received his doctorate in agricultural education while working to support himself.
He told me America taught him to love his country. And love Sierra Leone he does. He returned before the war. He stayed during it. He stays now as one gifted mind, one capable set of hands and one life committed to the monumental task of rebuilding a small corner of it.
Kandeh is the head of the Agricultural Education Department at Njala University. Once a prized jewel of agricultural knowledge in West Africa, the university was ravaged by an 11-year civil war like everything else in this country. Its rebirth over the last two years is a symbol of restoration. It is also a direly needed institution if the country is to ever rebuild its food supply.
He and his colleagues at Njala are quietly contributing their vitality and their lives to carry out the heavy and often thankless burden of rebuilding Njala. The fruit of which will likely not fully manifest until long after they are gone and others have stepped into their shoes to continue carrying the boulders of this great work up a steep mountain.
Kandeh was One:Seventeen’s point man and leader for our last trip in early August. We accompanied a team of Oklahoma State University professors and students to conduct the first ever Agricultural Youth Leadership Camp. The camp was a trial run for the two universities to test the concept as an foundational point for them to work together to build an ag education partnership.
Dr. Kandeh delighted, like so many of the other professors, in our children from the Wellington Orphanage, who were the 50 high school students that participated in the camp.
Open Spaces and Real Learning
For the majority of the children from the Wellington home, this trip to the sprawling university campus was their first time to travel beyond the filthy congested radius of Freetown. The idea of clean air, open fields to run and play in, let alone having a dormitory room with JUST ONE other roommate was unimaginable.
However, according to our children, the best part of Njala was the FOOD! “Mum Creestol they have so much food prepared for us! We finish our plate and can go get more!” The size of food piled on plates and the number of seconds consumed was the source of much laughter and teasing amongst the children every night in the dining hall.
For six days they learned skills such as planting okra, the differences between a cow’s stomach and a pig’s, how to make corn cakes, cornmeal, how to sell it in the market, how to measure and plot a field, how to distinguish one crop pest from another, how to compare market prices for commodities in Freetown verses the country… all the tenets of each major discipline in agriculture.
For the students in my group, we had the dubious distinction of being the only group to participate in swine castrations, due the unfortunate timing of one little pig’s indiscretions that kept disrupting our practicum. That is, until Dr. Kanu declared to the pig, “No more monkey business for you!” And so the awkward situation was turned into a learning opportunity about selective breeding.
To understand what a thrill it was for the children to get out in the red earth and plot a field, or traipse through a farm trying to catch goats you must understand that since they first entered school, each day has been spent in an open air classroom, crammed full of dozens of children with no books, no real learning materials, taking dictation for several hours straight day after day – dictation toward a test from some 1960s British curriculum that has little to no practical relevance today.
Hands-on learning outdoors and lectures in a proper classroom like the university affords was a source of great pride and delight for the children.
OSU: Oklahoma’s Finest
I wish I could take any kind of credit for the brilliance of the camp or the depth of its possibilities, but I cannot. Drs. Mike Dicks and Jeff Hattey, from Oklahoma State University, along with their counterparts at Njala have created an idea that should it fully take root will be a vine of progress and opportunity that addresses three critical issues in Sierra Leone:
- food security
- lack of agricultural knowledge
- lack of students interested in pursuing agri-business and careers
The Agricultural Youth Leadership Camp springs from the concepts of FFA and 4H that have been a vital part of developing American youth who understand the importance of agriculture, are trained for a successful career in it, and who are taught the character necessary to be successful in any chosen profession.
The camp is part of a five-year proposal between OSU and Njala to build a program that includes a system of selecting youth from villages around the country to participate in an annual camp. These participants will then go back to their village with a “project” they work on all year while being mentored by a teacher who regularly visit the villages.
The proposal also calls for the development of research extension labs in strategic villages where knowledge can be applied to local crops through research conducted at Njala and in these communities. The end goal is to harvest a diverse group of students each year who are exposed to numerous agricultural disciplines in the hopes they choose to pursue a career in these areas.
My Aminata, My Cinderella
Aminata is one of the senior secondary students chosen to participate in the camp, who lives at the Wellington Orphanage.
She is a leader.
While other children in my group may have hesitated to answer a question posed by a professor, Aminata would exhaust the graces of the lecturer with dozens of questions and answers each class. Her desire to learn is insatiable.
My first trip to Sierra Leone in June 2008 Aminata was at the home. It is difficult to learn all the children’s names and spend time with them. The number of children has fluctuated between 70-97 over the last two years, but I remembered her face and her smile.
However, the second time I went in August of 2008 she was not there. I remember vaguely being told a distant relative came to get her – a woman she used to live with.
I did not see her again until June of this year when she reappeared at the orphanage.
Each trip, there is always at least one child I develop a new relationship with. These lovely moments unfold perhaps sparked from a conversation late at night about their past, or shared beliefs about Christ, or questions about me, my family, why I live alone, how many spoons do I have, why do I not marry, or how come I do not know how to cook, or what do I think about High School Musical, or do I know the lyrics of this song, or that song, or why do I come to stay with them in Sierra Leone… all of this while my hair will be braided, with another child laying their head in my lap as perhaps yet another holds my hand or examines my freckles and moles, as yet another of the younger children will sit snuggled beside me just listening to all that is being said…
This trip, I met Aminata and she unfolded her story for me.
One evening we had a competition where each group wrote and performed a play that had to include the theme of the camp “I will do it!”
Aminata’s group performed a play in which Aminata played a cruel stepmother to a young woman whose father leaves the village, and while away, the household falls under the stepmother’s care. In the absence of the father, Aminata subjected the young stepdaughter to harsh labor and treatment…sound familiar?
While we think of Cinderella, this is actually Aminata’s story.
I am unclear of the exact relation of the woman who took Aminata in two years ago, but Aminata had lived with her previously. This woman is married to a former minister of Sierra Leone and lives in wealth and privilege by their standards.
Aminata went to private schools, lived in a house with electricity, water and modern amenities. But Aminata has a feisty personality that goes with her intelligence, and her caretaker has a violent temper to match it.
When discord would take place in the household, Aminata was the outcast who would often suffer abusive rants about being “a bastard child” and the source of all problems in the family. She would be made to sleep in the street for a few nights or forced go without food.
This pattern grew to a level the news reached Pastor Hassan who runs the orphanage. So the decision was made to bring Aminata back to the orphanage where she would at least be loved and safe.
And so goes the continual heartache of these children’s lives. Nothing is easy. Tidy happy endings are rare, while pain and suffering remains a constant presence flowing in and out of their lives.
Despite all this, if given the chance, Aminata has dreams. She has dreams of being a leader in her country. She has dreams of building a business. She has dreams of helping other women to succeed in her country. I pray we don’t fail her.
So Does Anything Change?
Throughout the camp, each of the counselors would record points for citizenship, leadership, participation, or any example of good character and learning displayed by the groups.
The revealing of point tallies each day for each group was the source of great anticipation for the children (and great anxiety for the counselors who would have to sometimes console children from the depths of despair if their group was not in first place).
The groups that finished the camp in first, second and third place have been provided an opportunity by OSU to put to use the skills they have learned. They were provided a cash reward and told they could spend it once on whatever they wanted, or they could invest it in the materials needed to start a small business growing a crop, or perhaps making items to be sold in the market.
If they chose the latter, and wrote a “business plan” and submitted it back to Drs. Dicks and Hattey, they would then receive a 2-to-1 matching grant for each dollar invested in their business.
All children have chosen to pool their money with the boys starting one business and the girls another. We have received updated reports that a contingency of the children has asked to travel to Newton where we have several acres of land. They are currently practicing in Newton the farming techniques they were taught.
The girls have focused in on wanting to bake goods to sell in the market.
However a majority of the older girls who are the natural leaders for the project and were involved in the camp have been extremely sick since returning from Njala. Pneumonia and malaria have taken root again. This is not unusual.
And so goes the continual challenge of these children’s lives. Nothing is easy.
But we will return in December and keep pressing forward with them. Progress is being made!
As an incredibly encouraging and remarkable next step, Drs. Dicks and Hattey are sacrificing their December break to return with another team to farm several acres of land, which we hope will provide a reliable source of food for the orphanage. Currently, the monthly food budget is our largest expenditure.
And so with each challenge, God always provides a ray of opportunity and progress that must be latched onto and praised.
It does matter. It does make a difference. It matters to Aminata.
Aminata is the next Dr. Kandeh. If equipped she will take her sufferings, her experiences, her talents and her life and she will be salt and light in an impossible land with improbable tasks, because that is the great burden before her.
Over the last year of trying to shape work and ministry in Sierra Leone, it has been particularly difficult. Conflict in America among different groups involved in the work, financial challenges, busyness of life, the seemingly overwhelming nature of trying to make progress in underdeveloped countries.
End the end, may our hearts stay soft, and no matter the distraction, may we remain committed to helping Aminata carry this load. Any excuse about the difficulty surrounding the work that would leave her alone to fate – is just that.
Sierra Leone: a beautiful mountain
Stephani Suhre here. Back from my very first trip to Sierra Leone. I’ve attached my recap. Click here to view Sierra Leone Trip One Recap
Hey everyone! It’s been quite a while since our last fundraising event, but we have something exciting coming up!! Charlie Hall will be doing a great night of worship for us at 7PM on August 8th at The Bricktown Brewery in downtown OKC . Jerome will speak and update us on all that has been going on in Sierra Leone. Because we will be having it at the Bricktown Brewery this time, you don’t have to be 21 to come!! The event is free, however donations for the Wellington Orphanage are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you all there. 
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 2 Cor 10:17
Someone whom I deeply respect as ‘Great in the Lord’ confronted me yesterday about my wife’s involvement in Sierra Leone. The arguments put forth were:
1. There is an abundance of ministry that is needed right here in OKC, so there is no need to rush off to Africa 3 times a year to do ministry. There are people over there that can do ministry in their area.
2. My calling is not to be a missionary in Africa. I am the spiritual leader of the household so Shanna’s job is to fall in line with my ministry. Her place is at home with the children and so she should not run off to Africa and leave the children.
3. He said that biblically a missionary was someone who lived in a different place, not someone who traveled to a different place several times a year.
Here were my answers:
1. Shanna already does more ministries than a dozen men here in OKC. And the Lord said, “Go out and preach and teach to all the world.”
2. She is in line with my ministry. My ministry is to CHASE HIM with all of my heart and to display HIS GLORY. I must decrease, He must INCREASE. I have encouraged and pushed her to go since I first heard the call to minister to these children. She is my greatest gift to them.
My children need more adversity, not more stability and predictability. I have been involved with many great parents that have poured there very souls into their children only to have them rebel. Either my children will Love HIM or they will not. And the best way to show them is to show them that HE is our Life. They need to see that they are not the center of our universe. However, Shanna does not use this as an excuse, she gives them plenty of love and affection.
3. In the bible you actually see more traveling missionaries than you see permanent missionaries.
You see this was not the first time I had been approached about this subject and I appreciate the rebuke. I say, “Confront me more and more about many subjects.” If I am in the Lords will I will come out stronger. SHARPEN ME! I will call to HIM and say, “Am I wrong LORD?!” If I am in HIS will I will hear the voice of the ONE I LOVE calling my name! He will say to me, “Come higher my beloved!” I will see HIS beauty. This morning I have seen HIS BEAUTY! And HIS beauty was revealed in MY WIFE THAT HE HAS GIVEN TO ME!
BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD!
One day she was empty, sinful and without hope or direction! At the same time her outward beauty was exposed and exploited, crowds of evil men rejoiced in her aimless empty life. THE CROSS changed all that! OH LORD HOW POWERFUL ARE YOU! You take those who are empty, sinful, without hope and give them real BEAUTY! You break them and then give them NEW LIFE! OH HOW I LOVE YOU!!! AND OH HOW I LOVE HER!
Now she starts her day exposing herself to One and One only. But He will expose Himself through her for all the nations to see. And my children will see Him through her and they will make their decision. And let me tell you we have many children that do not look like us or live with us. Who are our children? They are those who hear and obey the WORD of the Lord! We will give them our best for the LORD has given them to us.
A couple of days ago Solomon, (one of our African sons who lives in Sierra Leone) was told by his classmates, “Your mother (Shanna) could not love you the way you say, it is impossible, you are making it up.” They are right because his mother can not but the Lord can through HER! Behold the BEAUTY of the LORD as he takes the a weak, empty stripper and has her love an orphan, who was not her own, who lives on the other side of the world, with a LOVE that others do not even believe in…a Love they say is “impossible.” What is impossible with Man is simple to HIM!
Doesn’t the Lord do the same for us? He came across heaven and earth to give us a Love that the world calls “impossible.” He took us while we were wicked, sinful and empty and became a Mother to us. HIS word can no sooner forget us that a mother can forget the baby feeding from her breast! WOW! May we love with that same Love! That is why I say…
I am running! Running after YOU!
You have become my souls DELIGHT!
I am running! Running after YOU!
Here with YOU I FIND MY LIFE!
Your beauty has become my joy in song!
Thank You Lord for giving me a glimpse of YOU through my wife. May we die everyday for You.
Written by Jerome Crawford
I have been back from Sierra Leone one week today. I guess it is about time to give you all an update. Thank you for your patience as I soak in the goodness of God while settling back into American life.
I am sitting on my porch having a Treasure time with Jesus
I just re-watched a video for about the 10th time of one of my African sons singing a worship song while we were at Macondi visiting his university.
I am so proud of my African family. Since He has connected our hearts and lives I have experienced so much of His love! I have known He has loved me since I gave my life to Him, but I know in increasing measure now. I see through their lives, through their worship, through their commitment and devotion to God and people, through their love and service, their sacrifice, that His love is greater than what my mind had conceived.
He rescued them, took care of them, provided for them, loved them, and I see their response to that love being full surrender to Him. They are like the one leper that came back and thanked Jesus for healing his life. Just as I am like Mary, who followed Jesus everywhere He went, sat at his feet in worship just to be near Him after He healed her life.
I feel so close to God. Even while I am back here in America, I am getting up while it is still dark and spending 3 to 4 hours every morning singing worship songs to Him, praying, reading the bible. I am playing worship music all day, singing songs of praise in my heart, pouring out my worship to Him. He rarely leaves my thoughts. My mind is full of thoughts of thankfulness and His faithfulness. My heart is full of love for Him. So much of this is a result of the great amount of love and kindness I was shown while in Sierra Leone…by the kids, the Pastors, the staff and the community. It is also because I have seen the great struggles that everyone is facing and faces regularly there, yet how they each press into God, thanking Him, praising Him, trusting Him, seeking His face despite the great opposition they daily face.
I see that it is their pleasure, their joy, to be with me when I am there…to love and serve me as though I have always been a part of their family. I have been shown such kindness, such love and it is healing my life in ways that I never imagined. Because of the love I have been shown, I am drawn so close to the ONE I love the very most, the ONE who rescued me, took away my shame, made me new, placed His Spirit on the inside of me and called me His own, while the world rejected me and others used me for their own gain.
I just cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for this precious part of the body of Christ in Sierra Leone. I understand more of what it means to be one family in Christ because they have grafted me into theirs. His love is the commonality that binds us together beyond space, time and culture. It is the universal language that He speaks. If we have ears to hear, we will hear His voice speaking to us through each others’ lives. I will forever praise Him for giving me ears to hear and eyes to see Him through the lives of the believers in Sierra Leone. I see His beauty when I look at their lives…I see His faithfulness when I hear them sing worship songs to Him…I see His strength when I see them serving Him despite great spiritual opposition…I see Him in their smile, in their laughter, in their hard work, in their sacrifice. I see Him more clearly than I ever have through their lives.
My prayer for them, for me, for you who are reading this is to please, please, please keep seeking Him above all else. I am begging for Him to increase our love and worship for Him even more as one body…our desire to daily feed from His word, to let His Spirit ever be our Living Water. Apart from Him we can do nothing…all of our worth is in Him and Him alone! He doesn’t need us to accomplish His purposes on this earth, yet when we seek Him He uses us so we might know and understand more of His heart…His heart for the weak, the oppressed, the poor and the needy…because at our core, this is what we all are. We are all in desperate need of Him…some of us just don’t realize it, we become deceived and chase after idols that will never truly satisfy, or in pride we try to be the master of our own lives. But we are all poor and needy at our core…we were only made for Him. My African family gets this more than most Christians I know, including me.
He is the blessed Controller of all things, sovereign and in control. He alone reigns throughout the earth. One day we will see that we are but dust and He is Ruler and Judge over all…judging righteously with grace and mercy towards those fully devoted to Him.
I am so thankful that He gives us intimate relationships here on the earth to help us know His love more and draw us near. Those in Sierra Leone will never fully know how thankful I am for them. May I ever live to love and serve them the way they have me. May I use my voice to speak up for their rights and to implore others to judge them fairly. (Proverbs 31:8-9) They are more precious to me than any earthly treasure. They are my gift from GOD!
Those of you here in America who give of your time, money and resources to make a way for me to return to Africa again and again are a gift to me from the Lord. Those of you who give towards the needs of these precious people have become a great source of my joy in the Lord. You have become so endeared to me. May I ever live to love and serve you the way you all have me. You are more precious to me than any earthly treasure. You are my gift from GOD!
I will ever praise Him for making us all one family in Christ. May we lift high His name together across the earth for His glory and our joy!
I love you all!
Shanna
If you would like to look at pictures from my recent trip, here are a few links: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065196&id=1139719726&l=860c697af7
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2065202&id=1139719726&l=41c1c3dfd2
Here is a link to a few videos of two different boys singing worship songs:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1475976856288
http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=427561706263&subj=1139719726
Dear Sweet Lovely Deborah
God has not done any mistakes by sending you to Africa, especially in Sierra Leone at Wellington Orphanage. He will always bless you for obeying his call. He still has more mission work for you to complete. I was sitting and thinking about you leaving your sweet country and family, including friends, just for the call the Lord gave you. Today I want to use this opportunity to encourage you as you continue to do His will. For He has many things in store for you especially at His place which is heaven.
We are going to miss you every day and every time. As for me, i just don’t know what i will do. I am so used to you and will miss you too much.
I was not thinking about writing you about mission work but God directed me to write about that.
Please promise me that you will come back and visit us soon. I will always pray for you as you travel to different states, countries and villages etc…
I will always love you.
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This was a letter given to me by one of the older children at the Orphanage on June 10 a week and a half before I left Africa.
For 6 months I got letters all the time, sometimes funny notes, silly pictures, sometimes sad letters and many unforgettable ones like this. The walls of my room there were covered in pictures, notes and drawing that the kids gave me.
Deborah Lange
Hey all!
So sorry for the lack of posts and blog activity…keeping up with it overseas is a task I wasn’t able to do this time. But I’m home and want to share all that is brimming in my heart of what happened and what I learned and saw of Gods world.
Here is a brief email update I wrote write before coming home.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it.
This has been my life verse for the last year. God has been so very faithful in every way.
I leave for the US in one week. I can’t believe it. Please forgive me for my long delay since writing you, as the Psalmist said ‘my cup overfloweth’. I truly have been so completely busy and full keeping up with all the work and ministry that is going on here in Sierra Leone, and there has definitely been so much happening.
When I sit down to write, its difficult, my fingers freeze because emotions flood my heart and hundreds of stories and experiences tumble in my mind as I try to decide how to put into words the magnitude and deepness of what I’ve experienced.
I am not a skilled enough writer to do that. But I will try to share briefly in this letter glimpses of what the past 6 months has meant to me.
Above all, God has fulfilled and done more than my biggest hopes and imaginations were when coming here. Definitely not without huge challenges and obstacles to overcome, but the rewards and blessings far out weigh the rest.
My love for our God, His gospel, and His people around the world is deeper then I ever even thought possible.
My desires, focus, and dependence rests solely in Christ more then ever in my life.
Scripture has come so alive to me and God has given me such revelation and hunger for His words, the words of life!
God has opened the door for me to serve, give, and help in the biggest capacity I have done so far in my life, yet I am the most humbled and broken before God’s throne of grace. God has clearly shown me without a doubt I am nothing and can accomplish nothing of value apart from Him living though me and supporting me every step of the way.
With all my heart I want to thank al of you who have faithfully given and supported my trips and ministry in Sierra Leone; giving, praying and encouraging me. God calls us each to serve and give to Him in the way He calls us. And it brings me such joy to see how He brings all the parts of the Body of Christ together to fulfill His work. Thank you for doing your part. I know God will open the flood gates of heaven and pour blessings on you and your families.
Let me assure you the the children of the Wellington Orphanage are praying for you, they know where they would be without support and love from the Body of Christ and they truly are blown away and so appreciative that so many of you who haven’t even met them yet are willing to give so faithfully and sacrificially to ensure they are taken care of and have hopeful and fulfilled futures.
Some of you gave additional funds so that I could meet immediate needs of the community which I was able to do on so many different occasions.Your giving literally helps feed the hungry, care for the sick, and love the lonely of Sierra Leone.
My work and ministry these months has been so multi-faceted. Tutoring, teaching,loving and discipling the children at the Orphanage, connecting and building relationships with the people in the Wellington community where I am living, traveling in the provinces for crusades and revivals, encouraging and supporting the Pastoral leadership and their families, hosting and working with the many mission teams that come to Sierra Leone, and what ever else God brings my way to do.
Whether its participating in a Crusade where thousands gathered every night and hundreds gave their lives to Christ or sitting in my room worshiping and praying with a small group of girls during our evening bible study time together. The presence of God is enrapturing and powerful. When we bask in His presence we are never left the same. Hebrews 9:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the faith we profess, for He who promises is faithful”
There are so many remarkable stories and experiences I can and will share with you, but for now those will have to wait, but I promise once I get back and settled I will blog more. I know the things God has let me experienced happened for a purpose and I cannot keep them to myself, but I desire to share them so that you too can marvel at the wonderful works of our Lord and His powerful acts of mercy and love over our lives.
I would appreciate the added prayers for the children and rest of the Africans as I leave soon and for safe traveling on my return trip on the 22nd of this month
1 Corinthians 2: 9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him
Hello Friends and Family,
He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!! I know Easter Weekend has past but I urge you to never forget that we serve a living God, and that His life is inside each of His Followers.
My God is alive and active in the USA, in Saudi Arabia, Washington D.C., Philippines, Sierra Leone, and all over the world!!!
We can never ever go anywhere in this world that God is not there, that is not a threat, but a beautiful promise.
I’m now on the down slope of my stay here, with only two full months to go. When I leave it will be heart wrenching no doubt. These next months will continue not only be full calendar wise but schedule wise also.
Every day is packed so full here! There are endless needs in Sierra Leone; to teach, to minister, to love, to feed, to give, to heal and to encourage. God has taught me a lot, and one thing I know deep within me now. I can’t do everything for everyone that has a need, but I can and must do everything He calls me to do each and every day. He doesn’t need me, I need Him.
He has called me to teach the children at Wellington Orphanage. During the week my teaching and tutoring the kids takes up most of the day, and it is such a delight and joy to be able to see right before my eyes their understanding expand, their interests sparked, and to watch their eyes light up or hear them giggle during story time as I read African tales and books to them. They truly are learning and valuing the importance of education in their own lives.
I smile with joy when I sit back and watch Martha preach with passion and fluency, knowing that someday her dream will come true and she will use her gift of communication and compassion to serve her people in the medical field.
When Teresa and Lemon walk around humming and singing bible verse songs they are learning, I praise God that they have hidden His Word in their hearts, and someday they will be ministering and preaching to other Sierra Leoneans and people around the world when they are older.
Elisha asks me to help him practice speaking English so that he can succeed at becoming a leading figure in the government so he can rule justly and fairly and bring reformation to the current government system.
They all serve, work and study so faithfully, they will soon become the mighty men and women, mothers and fathers, pastors, doctors, accountants, and above all faithful followers for the Lord.
I know and believe more firmly each day that God has placed such a beautiful mission and plan for each of these children and they have the potential to impact the world for Christ. But I also believe firmly for that to happen we cannot forget them, they are still only children and so greatly need the continued support, love, training and prayers of many to help them succeed.
I want to thank every one of you who supported me so that I could come, those who have faithfully prayed throughout, and those who have written and called to encourage me in this endeavor. Through your giving and love, you are helping fufill the plans of God in their life. As you continue to support me and others who are walking with, teaching, guiding and training them as they grow up you are making an eternal impact on their lives. I can’t thank you enough. All glory and praise goes to God for everything good that is accomplished. Being able to watch and participate as God works and moves in mighty ways is more than enough reward or payment for me.
I praise God for you! May you cling close to Him all the days of your life, I close beautiful word spokem by a Missionary who died at the hands of the people He served. May each of our hearts cry out with this same prayer.
“God I pray thee light these idle sticks of my life that I may burn up for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine, I seek not a long life but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus” Jim Elliot
In His Love,
Deborah Lange