Building Bridges

One of the projects I had mentioned before was bridge reconstruction.  Much like Sudan, Liberia has very poor roads and bridges making access for vehicles, supplies, and aid very difficult.  So we are working to rebuild some of these.  Here is an example of a local bridge (we crossed this in a land cruiser, and below this is a bridge we rebuilt.  After we built this bridge, other NGOs started working with the communities on the other side.  It is great to see some impact of our work. 

SP is also building bridges spiritually, working with communities that have never heard the gospel through vacation bible schools, water projects, and literacy programs.

Local girl doing the dishes:

Strange looking sun, not sure what that ring was around it but made for an interesting sight.

Liberia Photos

Here are a few photos from Liberia for you.  This is a group of farmers that we are working with on a vegetable farm.  We are teaching them farming methods and providing the resources for them to get started.

 This is a swamp farm that we are helping the community to rehabilitate.  The land is cleared, canals dug and then rice is planted.  It is really a great project and the community seems really excited about it.  Other projects we are doing are reconstruction of bridges, livestock, vacation bible schools, and a little church reconstruction.  The area is a thick jungle, very lush, and quite beautiful.

The Good Samaritan

Here is a story from one of the staff in Zim.  She is a single mom with 5 kids (her husband past away) and has been struggling financially.  Please remember her and the team in your prayers.

"Phil, I have a testimony to share with you. For some time now I have been praying that GOD would put me in opportunities to help people. Well on Thursday last week GOD answered my prayer. I was driving to collect my children from school lunch time and I passed a man who was lying flat on his back beside the road. I had thought that he was asleep so I proceeded to fetch the children. On my way back I noticed that he was in the same position and his hands were shaking. So I pulled over to go and check on him. At the same time a lady pulled over. She too had noticed him earlier but had gone to fetch her gardner and some sugar. The man who had fainted was diabetic as all his syringes and insulin bottles had fallen out of his pocket when he fell. After we gave him the sugar to eat he managed to come around. He told the lady in shona that he had walked all the way from Budiriro (which I understand is very very far) and was going to Parirenyatwa hospital to collect his medication which he gets for free. Unfortunately they were no longer givning free medication.

My heart was so sore. He didnt look in a good condition. So I took the empty insulin bottle to go to the pharmacy to see if I could buy it for him. I didnt have much money myself, only 10usd. Well I was shocked when the pharmacy told me that the cost of the medication was equivalent to 200usd. Well I couldnt afford it. So I went back to where the man lay as I had asked the lady to look after him until I came back. By now he was fully awake and mentioned that the medicine at the hospital cost 750billion. It is so sad to know that he didnt have this amount which seems so little. I counted the cash I had in my purse and I had the exact amount. 750billion! GOD is so so good. So I took him in my car, changed my 10usd, gave him 750 for the medicine, 140billion for transport to go back home and a loaf of bread and I dropped him at the hospital.

Then I received and email out of the blue from Joel Osteen (I subscribed there a year ago but they had stopped emailing me  some time back). The message was talking about sowing into people's lives, that GOD will empower us in every way to be able to help, if it is our desire. Well, I just feel that GOD is such an amazing GOD. He answers prayer in His time and according to His will. When I tell you this story, its not about what I did, its about the way GOD works in all our lives. He sent me to help this man when he so desparately needed help. Something is happening in my life Phil. I am growing spritually and I am not only a listener of GODS word but I am becoming a doer of His word. I am so excited about the plans He has for me. Not only am i filled with hope but I have a desire to be a true servant of Christ. Amen.  Cleo"