As I get these edited, I will post more.
Here is a video of just two of those who gathered water DAILY for us to use in bathing and flushing. Then the video switches to scenes of children who visited us on the guest house porch.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
LISS Teaching Videos
Some of these videos are longer than others - not because of the teaching content but due to the videographer not catching good video!
Deb Todd:
Lynn Norman:
George Ditter:
Maryanne Ditter:
Rich & Sue Fetzer:
Doug Miller:
Frank Billman:
Bob Denges:
Gary Todd:
Deb Todd:
Lynn Norman:
George Ditter:
Maryanne Ditter:
Rich & Sue Fetzer:
Doug Miller:
Frank Billman:
Bob Denges:
Gary Todd:
LISS Video
This is a video of Jonathan teaching songs at the LISS in Liberia. Check back as I try to post videos of team members' teachings. (Sorry for my singing along in this one!!):
Here's a clip of Jonathan teaching on the Seven Hebrew Words for Worship:
Here's a clip of Jonathan teaching on the Seven Hebrew Words for Worship:
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Jonathan Dow's reflections on the trip
I wanted to share Jonathan's reflections from portions of his journal with you. Read and be blessed by all he shares:
Liberia is a country of 3.5 million people. Over 1 million of those residents live in the capitol city of Monrovia which lies on the coast. The country is in a recovery process after two civil wars destroyed the infrastructure of the country. There are minimal public services and the rebuilding process is understandably slow. The city of Monrovia is currently experiencing 65% unemployment.
We flew into the capitol city and stayed in the 12th Street United Methodist Compound for both the first and the last night of our stay. Surrounded by block walls and guarded 24 hours a day, the compound only has electricity from dusk to dawn.
Our main mode of transportation was a van that was provided to the compound by the United Methodist Program Operation Classroom. Because of the number of team members, we also travelled with a taxi. This also proved to be a blessing because the manuals for the events we were going to lead had only made it to Monrovia, so we had to transport them ourselves to the city of Gbarnga, pronounced "Bonga." This was the first of numerous surprises along the way!
The following day, we departed on our journey to the Gbarnga School of Theology. Driving out of the city, it was an overwhelming experience to look out the window and see a literal sea of people who were trying to earn a living selling products to travelers. Pedestrians and people riding motorcycles darted in between the cars that were creeping along the road.
The further we went out of the city of Monrovia, the worse the roads became. So much, in fact, that our taxi ended up with a flat tire. Stopping to repair the flat and to then find a place to repair the flattened tire made the 116 mile trip take about 6 hours. Along the way the paved road became a crumbling path with deep potholes and ruts. We would often have to drive beside the paved road on paths made by vehicles avoiding the damaged road. We were thankful for a skilled driver who knew the road well who kept us safe.
We eventually arrived at the Gbarnga Methodist Mission on which the St. Johns Methodist Church sat: the site of our three seminars. There are numerous one-story buildings scattered throughout the campus including a school, guest house, guard shack, library and homes for staff. Much like the whole country, this campus is also in the recovery process as this was the site of the headquarters of the resistance in the second civil war. The large agricultural project that included a fish farm and rice paddies that assisted in producing revenue was destroyed during the war.
Only one well on the campus is working. The afternoon we saw it, there were children filling up numerous vessels. In the mornings we would see folks carrying freshly filled containers. It modeled servanthood to me that there were individuals who would go through so much work to get water that they themselves would never use.
Jonathan and Doug Miller stayed in a guest room in the building that houses the library. The blue barrel in the restroom contained the water with which we bathed and flushed the toilet. The tank on the back of the toilet was purely ornamental! While we were teaching our sessions, the barrel was filled with water each day - a refreshing sight after sweating all day. We were deeply grateful that after the first night we were given a fan. Even though it was hot, the movement of the air helped immensely in being able to rest a little better. We had a generator that provided power from about 7 pm to 7 am. The remainder of the day there was no power. Next to the tires on the van, this little blue generator was one of the most prayed over pieces of equipment on the campus!
The sessions began Wednesday morning in the sanctuary of the St. Johns Methodist Church. It was very humbling to find out that some of the pastors had walked for 14 hours to come to these sessions. They were very appreciative of their brothers and sisters who they said, "Crossed that Atlantic" to be with them.
Beginning with a couple of songs and then a devotional, the local District Superintendents welcomed everyone each day. We then would proceed into teaching. After the first day we discovered that although the participants understood English, we tended to speak too fast for them to comprehend at times. So, some of the D.S.'s and the pastors graciously offered to translate for us. We were blessed by their willing sacrifice. Some of them were very literal in their translation, even when we were teaching on one of the postures of prayer being that of laying prostrate before the Lord!
The participants were engaged and eager to learn. Along with the times of teaching, we had small groups and prayer stations as well as opportunities for prayer ministry. Each of the team members combined their teaching with testimony of how God has been at work in that particular area of their lives. God used the vulnerability of the team members to connect with the participants.
I felt particular grace and empowerment as I taught. Where I thought it would be difficult to work with a translator, I found it most enjoyable. Though it was my first time, I was blessed by the affirmation of the team leader who said one would have thought that I had done that hundreds of times before. One of my prayer requests was that of relating to the participants. God answered that prayer as well allowing me to use simple things like a water bottle and a large chair to explain a concept. There were moments that the translator was cut short by the response of the people who immediately understood. The Holy Spirit was translating!
One of the many highlights of the event was when those who had never known their earthly father were asked to stand. Eight people stood. One of the team members then asked fathers over the age of 40 to come up front. They were instructed to speak words of the Father's blessing over those who stood. The pain on the faces of the fatherless was deep. The power of God's touch on their lives was evident as one of the female pastors began to cry. Keep in mind, this is a generation of people emotionally numb from the abuses of war. Also powerful was when a team member stood as a representative and asked their forgiveness for the things done to them in the civil war. The participants took the opportunity very seriously and God's healing grace was present as they poured out their hearts in expressing forgiveness.
After we introduced the use of streamers and banners as a tool in expressing our hearts to God, the participants eagerly joined in. The freedom they were beginning to experience was expressed through their worship.
After the sessions, participants would head back to where they were spending the evenings and the team would head back to the guesthouse. This guesthouse became a hangout for the local children who were grateful for the bubble gum that one of the team members had brought. They also liked to play soccer beside the guesthouse.
Public education is not free in Liberia. If a child does go to school it is because the family paid the tuition or someone sponsored the individual to go. The child above came to the session asking for prayer that he would be able to go to school.
On Pentecost Sunday, the team split up to preach in local churches. I went to the Richard E. Dunbar United Methodist Church. The church met in a wooden and block structure with a thatch roof. It has been a temporary building for 10 years as they are in the process of building a new church building right beside it. Because many in the village only make $1 a day, there are not a lot of excess funds to invest in the building fund. We had a precious time of prayer standing in the new building thanking God for completing the project so that more people in the village could be reached and discipled. The church was extremely gracious, making me their pastor for the day and giving me full authority (even giving me the pastor's gavel!) They gave me a beautiful shirt and were very appreciative of the message. After the service they had a congregational meeting. After that meeting, I went back to the home of the pastor. Sitting in the shade of a mango tree, I had the opportunity to meet his family and to ask questions about the meeting.
We had two opportunities for the participants to share testimonies. One participant said, "I never thought white people would come in unity." He went on to express that he experienced the presence of God saying. God has done something in my heart." Another shared that he had stayed up until 3 am weeping and finally awoke his family sharing all that God had done in his heart during the seminar.
One expressed that he learned how to pray. Another told us that he was a farmer and that he had a worker who was attacked by a neighbor. The farmer shared that he had learned how to love his neighbor and has sought to reconcile in the love of Jesus instead of taking the attacker to court.
One testified that his feet had been hurting and could barely walk. After he was prayed for, he said his feet were getting better and he could walk much more easily. Another shared that he had been disappointed with some circumstances in his life. He testified that he was deeply touched by the fact that people would come from far away and share God's love. He felt like God was expressing His love to him by sending us.
One shared that he learned that there are many ways to pray and that God is most powerful. Another shared that he was grateful and committed to teach others from the manuals that we brought. He said that these things would "be taught forever and ever and would remain in the church."
The second time we offered testimonies more people shared. One testified that God encouraged him to move into what He was calling and thanked God for changing his wife's heart and now wants to go into ministry together. Another shared that God had lifted heaviness from her and that her joy had been restored!
One shared that she had been experiencing depression and that our coming made her realize that God loves her. "God is true and wonderful to His Word." She went on to say that she felt God as she was prayed for and "woke up with a great feeling" in her legs and could now "walk effectively." Another shared that she had been sick for a long time and after prayer ministry woke up the next morning feeling so much better."
One expressed thanksgiving for the "unity of black and white" and that there was nothing "doubtful" in the teachings. Another shared that "My heart was tied down with burning." She expressed that she felt relief when we prayed for her and that she "feels young again."
One shared that she felt equipped to know how to pray for others. That very morning as she was getting ready to come, a snake had bit her child. She prayed for the child and the child's symptoms went away!
Many others expressed that they experienced a physical touch from God; in the legs, in the stomach and in the heart. The last person asked for continued prayers that her rheumatoid arthritis would completely be gone.
Before the final seminar, we traveled about 2 hours to the city of Ganta to visit another Methodist Mission. We saw a hospital that was 90% destroyed in the civil war that is now operating again. It was extremely basic, but clean. The hospital has a school of nursing allowing the students to intern in the various departments. We saw one intern working in the pharmacy.
We also saw a school as well - all in need of resources. While we were there, we found out that the Mission just had to have their generator repaired to the tune of $9,000 US dollars. At the time one US dollar was valued at 70 Liberian dollars. They are in a difficult predicament that they cannot go without power for long periods of time when operating a hospital. Needless to say, it was an eye-opening visit.
On the way back to the airport on our final day we stopped at a children's home. There were about 65 residents housed in what they called "Pods." Each pod contained a small kitchen, dining room, living room and bedrooms. The students lived as families with each pod having a house mother. We were able to walk through one of the pods and meet one of the house mothers as well as one of the instructors at the school that is a part of the complex. There are students at the school that are not residents of the orphanage which their tuition then provides a little bit of income to offset the expenses.
There is a consistent theme of gratitude, joy and love in each of the places we visited. The wall hanging that greeted us in the pod we walked through summed it up: "My Lord is Real." God's presence has been so tangible in this place.
At the closing service with the School of Theology, team leader, Frank Billman exhorted the students to use the curriculum in their Sunday School classes, as sermon outlines and as outreaches. There are 180 pastors and lay people who have been taught, ministered to and challenged to take what they have learned into their churches to equip other leaders to carry on the message. Many of them expressed appreciation for having tangible curriculum that they can use, particularly keeping in mind that in many churches, it is only the pastor that has a Bible.
The team was able to present some laptops to the faculty of the school, choir robes to one of the pastors, a keyboard to another pastor as well as crayons and clothing to other pastors.
Was the trip worth it? The final words of the Dean of the Gbarnga School of Theology, Rev. Yatta Young, answered that question. "Rev. Dr. Frank Billman and members of the ARM team: You have impacted our lives and you will always be in our hearts because our lives have been changed significantly since we met. You have given us answers to some key questions regarding our Wesleyan heritage. From now on, our prayer lives will never be the same. Thank you for coming. You leave us with wonderful memories. We hope you are leaving us with fond memories in your heart. As you cross the Atlantic, continue to pray for us and we will do the same."
I wanted to close sharing a special experience that happened before I left. When I heard that many people do not have Bibles and saw the worn Bible of one of the D.S.'s, my heart was grieved. I felt a little guilty as I held my fairly new Maxwell Leadership Bible, complete with sturdy cover, highlighter and pen. Because the Bible I had was packed with leadership principles, outlines and examples of leadership throughout Scripture, I felt like it would be a great tool for one of the D.S.'s to have. I felt prompted to give my Bible to the D.S., Rev. David Bondo. I prayed for the "right" time to give it to him - laying a fleece before the Lord to say "If this prompting is You, I need You to set things up in such a way that I would know that it was You."
The last day, during the closing service, David sat down right next to me. I handed him the Bible and explained why I gave it to him. I told him that "You are a humble man of God and a leader of leaders. I believe God is going to use you mightily as you minister to your ministers." He was overwhelmed. He kept shaking his head in disbelief saying "Oh my, oh my," as he carefully held it. Joy was bubbling up in him and he could barely sit still.
Then an amazing thing happened. I mentioned in the original letter of invitation to participate that we believed that part of our role was to aid in the spiritual rebuilding of Liberia. I was stunned when the very first place that Rev. Bondo turned in his new Bible was to the book of Nehemiah! He kept rubbing his chin, nodding his head, saying "hmmm." What a perfect expression that God was accomplishing His purpose in sending us!
I am humbled that the safest prayer that I could ever have prayed became the most dangerous prayer I have ever prayed! I encourage you to pray it and see what God will do... "Lord, if You open the door, I will go."
Liberia is a country of 3.5 million people. Over 1 million of those residents live in the capitol city of Monrovia which lies on the coast. The country is in a recovery process after two civil wars destroyed the infrastructure of the country. There are minimal public services and the rebuilding process is understandably slow. The city of Monrovia is currently experiencing 65% unemployment.
We flew into the capitol city and stayed in the 12th Street United Methodist Compound for both the first and the last night of our stay. Surrounded by block walls and guarded 24 hours a day, the compound only has electricity from dusk to dawn.
Our main mode of transportation was a van that was provided to the compound by the United Methodist Program Operation Classroom. Because of the number of team members, we also travelled with a taxi. This also proved to be a blessing because the manuals for the events we were going to lead had only made it to Monrovia, so we had to transport them ourselves to the city of Gbarnga, pronounced "Bonga." This was the first of numerous surprises along the way!
The following day, we departed on our journey to the Gbarnga School of Theology. Driving out of the city, it was an overwhelming experience to look out the window and see a literal sea of people who were trying to earn a living selling products to travelers. Pedestrians and people riding motorcycles darted in between the cars that were creeping along the road.
The further we went out of the city of Monrovia, the worse the roads became. So much, in fact, that our taxi ended up with a flat tire. Stopping to repair the flat and to then find a place to repair the flattened tire made the 116 mile trip take about 6 hours. Along the way the paved road became a crumbling path with deep potholes and ruts. We would often have to drive beside the paved road on paths made by vehicles avoiding the damaged road. We were thankful for a skilled driver who knew the road well who kept us safe.
We eventually arrived at the Gbarnga Methodist Mission on which the St. Johns Methodist Church sat: the site of our three seminars. There are numerous one-story buildings scattered throughout the campus including a school, guest house, guard shack, library and homes for staff. Much like the whole country, this campus is also in the recovery process as this was the site of the headquarters of the resistance in the second civil war. The large agricultural project that included a fish farm and rice paddies that assisted in producing revenue was destroyed during the war.
Only one well on the campus is working. The afternoon we saw it, there were children filling up numerous vessels. In the mornings we would see folks carrying freshly filled containers. It modeled servanthood to me that there were individuals who would go through so much work to get water that they themselves would never use.
Jonathan and Doug Miller stayed in a guest room in the building that houses the library. The blue barrel in the restroom contained the water with which we bathed and flushed the toilet. The tank on the back of the toilet was purely ornamental! While we were teaching our sessions, the barrel was filled with water each day - a refreshing sight after sweating all day. We were deeply grateful that after the first night we were given a fan. Even though it was hot, the movement of the air helped immensely in being able to rest a little better. We had a generator that provided power from about 7 pm to 7 am. The remainder of the day there was no power. Next to the tires on the van, this little blue generator was one of the most prayed over pieces of equipment on the campus!
The sessions began Wednesday morning in the sanctuary of the St. Johns Methodist Church. It was very humbling to find out that some of the pastors had walked for 14 hours to come to these sessions. They were very appreciative of their brothers and sisters who they said, "Crossed that Atlantic" to be with them.
Beginning with a couple of songs and then a devotional, the local District Superintendents welcomed everyone each day. We then would proceed into teaching. After the first day we discovered that although the participants understood English, we tended to speak too fast for them to comprehend at times. So, some of the D.S.'s and the pastors graciously offered to translate for us. We were blessed by their willing sacrifice. Some of them were very literal in their translation, even when we were teaching on one of the postures of prayer being that of laying prostrate before the Lord!
The participants were engaged and eager to learn. Along with the times of teaching, we had small groups and prayer stations as well as opportunities for prayer ministry. Each of the team members combined their teaching with testimony of how God has been at work in that particular area of their lives. God used the vulnerability of the team members to connect with the participants.
I felt particular grace and empowerment as I taught. Where I thought it would be difficult to work with a translator, I found it most enjoyable. Though it was my first time, I was blessed by the affirmation of the team leader who said one would have thought that I had done that hundreds of times before. One of my prayer requests was that of relating to the participants. God answered that prayer as well allowing me to use simple things like a water bottle and a large chair to explain a concept. There were moments that the translator was cut short by the response of the people who immediately understood. The Holy Spirit was translating!
One of the many highlights of the event was when those who had never known their earthly father were asked to stand. Eight people stood. One of the team members then asked fathers over the age of 40 to come up front. They were instructed to speak words of the Father's blessing over those who stood. The pain on the faces of the fatherless was deep. The power of God's touch on their lives was evident as one of the female pastors began to cry. Keep in mind, this is a generation of people emotionally numb from the abuses of war. Also powerful was when a team member stood as a representative and asked their forgiveness for the things done to them in the civil war. The participants took the opportunity very seriously and God's healing grace was present as they poured out their hearts in expressing forgiveness.
After we introduced the use of streamers and banners as a tool in expressing our hearts to God, the participants eagerly joined in. The freedom they were beginning to experience was expressed through their worship.
After the sessions, participants would head back to where they were spending the evenings and the team would head back to the guesthouse. This guesthouse became a hangout for the local children who were grateful for the bubble gum that one of the team members had brought. They also liked to play soccer beside the guesthouse.
Public education is not free in Liberia. If a child does go to school it is because the family paid the tuition or someone sponsored the individual to go. The child above came to the session asking for prayer that he would be able to go to school.
On Pentecost Sunday, the team split up to preach in local churches. I went to the Richard E. Dunbar United Methodist Church. The church met in a wooden and block structure with a thatch roof. It has been a temporary building for 10 years as they are in the process of building a new church building right beside it. Because many in the village only make $1 a day, there are not a lot of excess funds to invest in the building fund. We had a precious time of prayer standing in the new building thanking God for completing the project so that more people in the village could be reached and discipled. The church was extremely gracious, making me their pastor for the day and giving me full authority (even giving me the pastor's gavel!) They gave me a beautiful shirt and were very appreciative of the message. After the service they had a congregational meeting. After that meeting, I went back to the home of the pastor. Sitting in the shade of a mango tree, I had the opportunity to meet his family and to ask questions about the meeting.
We had two opportunities for the participants to share testimonies. One participant said, "I never thought white people would come in unity." He went on to express that he experienced the presence of God saying. God has done something in my heart." Another shared that he had stayed up until 3 am weeping and finally awoke his family sharing all that God had done in his heart during the seminar.
One expressed that he learned how to pray. Another told us that he was a farmer and that he had a worker who was attacked by a neighbor. The farmer shared that he had learned how to love his neighbor and has sought to reconcile in the love of Jesus instead of taking the attacker to court.
One testified that his feet had been hurting and could barely walk. After he was prayed for, he said his feet were getting better and he could walk much more easily. Another shared that he had been disappointed with some circumstances in his life. He testified that he was deeply touched by the fact that people would come from far away and share God's love. He felt like God was expressing His love to him by sending us.
One shared that he learned that there are many ways to pray and that God is most powerful. Another shared that he was grateful and committed to teach others from the manuals that we brought. He said that these things would "be taught forever and ever and would remain in the church."
The second time we offered testimonies more people shared. One testified that God encouraged him to move into what He was calling and thanked God for changing his wife's heart and now wants to go into ministry together. Another shared that God had lifted heaviness from her and that her joy had been restored!
One shared that she had been experiencing depression and that our coming made her realize that God loves her. "God is true and wonderful to His Word." She went on to say that she felt God as she was prayed for and "woke up with a great feeling" in her legs and could now "walk effectively." Another shared that she had been sick for a long time and after prayer ministry woke up the next morning feeling so much better."
One expressed thanksgiving for the "unity of black and white" and that there was nothing "doubtful" in the teachings. Another shared that "My heart was tied down with burning." She expressed that she felt relief when we prayed for her and that she "feels young again."
One shared that she felt equipped to know how to pray for others. That very morning as she was getting ready to come, a snake had bit her child. She prayed for the child and the child's symptoms went away!
Many others expressed that they experienced a physical touch from God; in the legs, in the stomach and in the heart. The last person asked for continued prayers that her rheumatoid arthritis would completely be gone.
Before the final seminar, we traveled about 2 hours to the city of Ganta to visit another Methodist Mission. We saw a hospital that was 90% destroyed in the civil war that is now operating again. It was extremely basic, but clean. The hospital has a school of nursing allowing the students to intern in the various departments. We saw one intern working in the pharmacy.
We also saw a school as well - all in need of resources. While we were there, we found out that the Mission just had to have their generator repaired to the tune of $9,000 US dollars. At the time one US dollar was valued at 70 Liberian dollars. They are in a difficult predicament that they cannot go without power for long periods of time when operating a hospital. Needless to say, it was an eye-opening visit.
On the way back to the airport on our final day we stopped at a children's home. There were about 65 residents housed in what they called "Pods." Each pod contained a small kitchen, dining room, living room and bedrooms. The students lived as families with each pod having a house mother. We were able to walk through one of the pods and meet one of the house mothers as well as one of the instructors at the school that is a part of the complex. There are students at the school that are not residents of the orphanage which their tuition then provides a little bit of income to offset the expenses.
There is a consistent theme of gratitude, joy and love in each of the places we visited. The wall hanging that greeted us in the pod we walked through summed it up: "My Lord is Real." God's presence has been so tangible in this place.
At the closing service with the School of Theology, team leader, Frank Billman exhorted the students to use the curriculum in their Sunday School classes, as sermon outlines and as outreaches. There are 180 pastors and lay people who have been taught, ministered to and challenged to take what they have learned into their churches to equip other leaders to carry on the message. Many of them expressed appreciation for having tangible curriculum that they can use, particularly keeping in mind that in many churches, it is only the pastor that has a Bible.
The team was able to present some laptops to the faculty of the school, choir robes to one of the pastors, a keyboard to another pastor as well as crayons and clothing to other pastors.
Was the trip worth it? The final words of the Dean of the Gbarnga School of Theology, Rev. Yatta Young, answered that question. "Rev. Dr. Frank Billman and members of the ARM team: You have impacted our lives and you will always be in our hearts because our lives have been changed significantly since we met. You have given us answers to some key questions regarding our Wesleyan heritage. From now on, our prayer lives will never be the same. Thank you for coming. You leave us with wonderful memories. We hope you are leaving us with fond memories in your heart. As you cross the Atlantic, continue to pray for us and we will do the same."
I wanted to close sharing a special experience that happened before I left. When I heard that many people do not have Bibles and saw the worn Bible of one of the D.S.'s, my heart was grieved. I felt a little guilty as I held my fairly new Maxwell Leadership Bible, complete with sturdy cover, highlighter and pen. Because the Bible I had was packed with leadership principles, outlines and examples of leadership throughout Scripture, I felt like it would be a great tool for one of the D.S.'s to have. I felt prompted to give my Bible to the D.S., Rev. David Bondo. I prayed for the "right" time to give it to him - laying a fleece before the Lord to say "If this prompting is You, I need You to set things up in such a way that I would know that it was You."
The last day, during the closing service, David sat down right next to me. I handed him the Bible and explained why I gave it to him. I told him that "You are a humble man of God and a leader of leaders. I believe God is going to use you mightily as you minister to your ministers." He was overwhelmed. He kept shaking his head in disbelief saying "Oh my, oh my," as he carefully held it. Joy was bubbling up in him and he could barely sit still.
Then an amazing thing happened. I mentioned in the original letter of invitation to participate that we believed that part of our role was to aid in the spiritual rebuilding of Liberia. I was stunned when the very first place that Rev. Bondo turned in his new Bible was to the book of Nehemiah! He kept rubbing his chin, nodding his head, saying "hmmm." What a perfect expression that God was accomplishing His purpose in sending us!
I am humbled that the safest prayer that I could ever have prayed became the most dangerous prayer I have ever prayed! I encourage you to pray it and see what God will do... "Lord, if You open the door, I will go."
Sunday, May 30, 2010
WIST VIdeo
Here's a video of the Liberians singing one of their traditional songs and then singing a song Jonathan taught them (Sorry but I couldn't help but sing along so you'll hear me too loud!). It may take a while to load so be patient!
LTUTP Video
Here is a video of one of the small group times during the LTUTP. Most would go outside and stand for the entire time of the small group. We didn't count off since there were different dialects and we let them choose on their own. Consequently, we had some very small groups and some rather large groups. But they seemed very engaged in the discussion and just like small groups here got off track a little!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Photos
Well, I'm finally back home and able to use my laptop. I'm not sure what the problem was but the flight home must have 'cured' it so now it works and I can upload photos from our trip.
This
first photo is Betty, who was our meal hostess at the UMC Compound in Monrovia our first and last nights in Liberia. Betty is a missionary to Liberia from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Next, is a photo of one of the meals at the UMC Compound in Monrovia
Here we have a photo of Dean Young receiving the gift of a laptop from Tabor UMC in
Woxall, PA. Dean Young had a terrible case of sciatica and was incapacitated most of the time we were there so she had been laying on the floor when the delegation went to present the gift to her. Shown with Dean Young is Rich Fetzer from Tabor UMC.
Here are our cooks and meal preparers at the Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) Guest House. In the photo are (from left) Dean Young's daughter, Joyce and Kaigee (not sure I remember that spelling correctly - pronounced Ki-gee - hard g), Roger's sister. All on the team except Lynn Norman (who stayed with Dean Young) and Doug Miller and Jonathan Dow (who slept in a room in the building with the library) stayed at this guest house. We all took our meals here.
.
Many more photos with descriptions can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnbillman. You can preview photos without descriptions (and in a random order) here:
This
first photo is Betty, who was our meal hostess at the UMC Compound in Monrovia our first and last nights in Liberia. Betty is a missionary to Liberia from the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Next, is a photo of one of the meals at the UMC Compound in Monrovia
Here we have a photo of Dean Young receiving the gift of a laptop from Tabor UMC in
Woxall, PA. Dean Young had a terrible case of sciatica and was incapacitated most of the time we were there so she had been laying on the floor when the delegation went to present the gift to her. Shown with Dean Young is Rich Fetzer from Tabor UMC.
Here are our cooks and meal preparers at the Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) Guest House. In the photo are (from left) Dean Young's daughter, Joyce and Kaigee (not sure I remember that spelling correctly - pronounced Ki-gee - hard g), Roger's sister. All on the team except Lynn Norman (who stayed with Dean Young) and Doug Miller and Jonathan Dow (who slept in a room in the building with the library) stayed at this guest house. We all took our meals here.
.Many more photos with descriptions can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnbillman. You can preview photos without descriptions (and in a random order) here:
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
On our way home!
Well, I can finally post something! We all arrived in Brussels this morning around 5:30 am their time. Doug Miller immediately headed to his gate as his plane left at 6:45 for the states. Everyone else went to two different terminals to catch their planes - some heading to Munich then to the States.
Frank, Jonathan, Lynn Norman and I are waiting for our flight at noon to DC then Jonathan, Frank & I head to Nashville and home!
The event was wonderful and very well received. There are too many highlights to mention in this short at time span but I will post more when I get home and can also add photos to show you the event!
This was Jonathan's first international event and I can say he was passionate in his sharing! And, the people were very engaged with him!
They loved the streamers we passed out.
Many responded to the forgiveness interaction where they were asked if they still held unforgiveness towards their enemies.
There were about 8 who never knew their fathers and responded very positively to a Father interaction where I had them stand if they never knew their father then had fathers over 40 go to them and repeat over and over (touching or hugging if appropirate) "you are loved". One woman was visibly touched by the interaction.
The translation was not a problem and flowed well.
Yesterday and today we had a tour of UM sites in Monrovia, visiting the campus of the UM University. We visited First UMC Liberia - which REALLY is the FIRST UMC of Liberia - a beautiful building with chandeliers, stained glass windows, etc. We visited JFK Hospital where our host, Roger Domah is administrative assistant to the Hospital administrator. It was a very clean facility. We had opportunity to pray over the bed of a patient who was a friend of Roger's. He was in surgery at the time. We prayed for the others in the room also. We visited an orphanage near the airport on our way to catch our plane where there are 63 orphans.
Please pray for Liberia as they had a long way to go still in repairing the infrastructure of the country. Much was destroyed during the war. There are 3.5 million people in Liberia and 1/3 of them live in Monrovia. Also, pray for Roger. His wife was to come to the school last Friday to meet us and she never showed up. The last he spoke to her was last Thursday then he couldn't reach her cell. As of the time we left he still had not heard from her. Family members of his were trying to find her. He continued to stay with us and care for us even though he didn't know her whereabouts. He's trusting the Lord - pray for Eunice's safe return to family!
That's it for now! I need to let others use this computer but will post more when I arrive home!
Frank, Jonathan, Lynn Norman and I are waiting for our flight at noon to DC then Jonathan, Frank & I head to Nashville and home!
The event was wonderful and very well received. There are too many highlights to mention in this short at time span but I will post more when I get home and can also add photos to show you the event!
This was Jonathan's first international event and I can say he was passionate in his sharing! And, the people were very engaged with him!
They loved the streamers we passed out.
Many responded to the forgiveness interaction where they were asked if they still held unforgiveness towards their enemies.
There were about 8 who never knew their fathers and responded very positively to a Father interaction where I had them stand if they never knew their father then had fathers over 40 go to them and repeat over and over (touching or hugging if appropirate) "you are loved". One woman was visibly touched by the interaction.
The translation was not a problem and flowed well.
Yesterday and today we had a tour of UM sites in Monrovia, visiting the campus of the UM University. We visited First UMC Liberia - which REALLY is the FIRST UMC of Liberia - a beautiful building with chandeliers, stained glass windows, etc. We visited JFK Hospital where our host, Roger Domah is administrative assistant to the Hospital administrator. It was a very clean facility. We had opportunity to pray over the bed of a patient who was a friend of Roger's. He was in surgery at the time. We prayed for the others in the room also. We visited an orphanage near the airport on our way to catch our plane where there are 63 orphans.
Please pray for Liberia as they had a long way to go still in repairing the infrastructure of the country. Much was destroyed during the war. There are 3.5 million people in Liberia and 1/3 of them live in Monrovia. Also, pray for Roger. His wife was to come to the school last Friday to meet us and she never showed up. The last he spoke to her was last Thursday then he couldn't reach her cell. As of the time we left he still had not heard from her. Family members of his were trying to find her. He continued to stay with us and care for us even though he didn't know her whereabouts. He's trusting the Lord - pray for Eunice's safe return to family!
That's it for now! I need to let others use this computer but will post more when I arrive home!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 25th
I just received a few texts from Peggi. The LISS (Life in the Spirit Seminar) finished earlier today and ended well with great testimonies and a closing ceremony. The team is now back in Monrovia at the UMC compound. They enjoyed a dinner in the home of a Liberian family this evening. (It's 4pm CT as I'm writing this and that makes it about 9pm in Liberia).
Tomorrow the team will have time to shop and tour Methodist sites. They will begin the journey home around 8:30pm (Liberian time, which is 3:30pm Central time). I believe once they get to Brussels, the team will be going their separate ways to airports close to their homes. Jonathan and the Billmans will be flying through Washington Dulles and are due back in Nashville Thursday evening about 6pm. It is my understanding that Doug Miller is flying back through Munich and then into Charlotte. Here is a link to his blog: http://dmill911.blogspot.com/ (You may need to cut and paste or type this into your browser.)
Please pray for the team to make all of their connections.
Posted by Pam Dow
Tomorrow the team will have time to shop and tour Methodist sites. They will begin the journey home around 8:30pm (Liberian time, which is 3:30pm Central time). I believe once they get to Brussels, the team will be going their separate ways to airports close to their homes. Jonathan and the Billmans will be flying through Washington Dulles and are due back in Nashville Thursday evening about 6pm. It is my understanding that Doug Miller is flying back through Munich and then into Charlotte. Here is a link to his blog: http://dmill911.blogspot.com/ (You may need to cut and paste or type this into your browser.)
Please pray for the team to make all of their connections.
Posted by Pam Dow
Monday, May 24, 2010
Peggi says that the LISS (Life in the Spirit Seminar) is going great! All of the team members are doing fine. Jonathan and a few of the others preached in Liberian churches yesterday for Pentecost. Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 25th)they will conclude the LISS and depart Gbarnga for Monrovia. The team will tour Monrovia & UMC ministries there on Wednesday. Please continue to pray.
Pam Dow posting for Peggi Billman.
Pam Dow posting for Peggi Billman.
Friday, May 21, 2010
May 20-21
May 20th
The LTUTP continued today. We determined that we needed a translator since the three dialects could understand English but we spoke rather fast and some things did not come across. SO, our talks needed to be condensed because the translator was translating into two of the three dialects. Plus, he described himself as a Zulu preacher – which having seen him in action meant a fired-up Pentecostal type preacher!
We did not have ministry time since we will be doing that during the WIST and LISS. Even without that we had to cut some talks BUT you know, God is SO GOOD. The people were engaged and sat for a long time, only taking stretch breaks, not our typical 15 minutes breaks. We did do the commissioning service. I had 6 teams because that’s all the oil we had (our luggage had still not arrived so we had a limited supply from those who carried theirs on!). Frank gave a brief teaching on anointing with oil and I (Peggi) directed the people up to a team to try and keep some order and not have them pressing into the teams too much. We then closed with a prayer or blessing tunnel at the back of the church and just blessed them as they left tonight.
Lynn Norman is staying at Dean Young’s home so Frank and I walked her home after dinner to check on Yatta. She is feeling better but still can’t sit without pain. She shared some wonderful stories of her life here in Liberia, stories of the school, needs of the students. To go to school here there’s a $25 registration fee then $12/credit for courses. That’s US money. In Liberian money the registration fee is approximately $1500 and a 3 credit course would be around $2160.
Yatta also shared with us that one of her District Superintendents (who translated for us) stopped by yesterday to tell her what this seminar meant to his pastors and how they were enjoying it. In the group there are 3 female pastors. There is still a problem with women pastors here even though they did everything when the men disappeared during the war or went into hiding. There were some strong woman pastors who had some very fruitful ministries during that time. That opened the door but there are still those who don’t think they should minister. Yatta feels her ministry is to young women so they can grow up knowing they can go into ministry. We’re grateful we have Rev. Maryanne Ditter on our team as an example of a Spirit-filled UM female pastor!
Since our time for teaching is now shortened we were all working on cutting down our WIST talks for tomorrow when our luggage arrived!!! It was like Christmas in the guest house (without the bills). We were so excited – we have clean clothes for tomorrow, toiletries we’ve done without and snacks, gifts, etc. that were packed to bring.
May 21st - we began the Worship in Spirit and Truth seminar today and so far it is going very well. Our translators have not been as "long winded" as the one yesterday as I think they're only translating into one dialect. Jonathan taught them all a song "O Give Thanks Unto the Lord"; Sue sang "Oh How He Loves you and Me". All was well received including the talks! Some participants said they missed the small group experiences we had in the LTUTP but times of stretching, singing (as a group and to one another) were worked in today. After I've posted this I will return late for the afternoon teachings. Tomorrow night we will have a night of worship at the church here on campus with some American worship style and some Liberian. It should be great!!
I am having difficulty uploading images to the blog and will try to determine another method I can use but it will most likely not be until Monday when the High School is open again that I can try!
The LTUTP continued today. We determined that we needed a translator since the three dialects could understand English but we spoke rather fast and some things did not come across. SO, our talks needed to be condensed because the translator was translating into two of the three dialects. Plus, he described himself as a Zulu preacher – which having seen him in action meant a fired-up Pentecostal type preacher!
We did not have ministry time since we will be doing that during the WIST and LISS. Even without that we had to cut some talks BUT you know, God is SO GOOD. The people were engaged and sat for a long time, only taking stretch breaks, not our typical 15 minutes breaks. We did do the commissioning service. I had 6 teams because that’s all the oil we had (our luggage had still not arrived so we had a limited supply from those who carried theirs on!). Frank gave a brief teaching on anointing with oil and I (Peggi) directed the people up to a team to try and keep some order and not have them pressing into the teams too much. We then closed with a prayer or blessing tunnel at the back of the church and just blessed them as they left tonight.
Lynn Norman is staying at Dean Young’s home so Frank and I walked her home after dinner to check on Yatta. She is feeling better but still can’t sit without pain. She shared some wonderful stories of her life here in Liberia, stories of the school, needs of the students. To go to school here there’s a $25 registration fee then $12/credit for courses. That’s US money. In Liberian money the registration fee is approximately $1500 and a 3 credit course would be around $2160.
Yatta also shared with us that one of her District Superintendents (who translated for us) stopped by yesterday to tell her what this seminar meant to his pastors and how they were enjoying it. In the group there are 3 female pastors. There is still a problem with women pastors here even though they did everything when the men disappeared during the war or went into hiding. There were some strong woman pastors who had some very fruitful ministries during that time. That opened the door but there are still those who don’t think they should minister. Yatta feels her ministry is to young women so they can grow up knowing they can go into ministry. We’re grateful we have Rev. Maryanne Ditter on our team as an example of a Spirit-filled UM female pastor!
Since our time for teaching is now shortened we were all working on cutting down our WIST talks for tomorrow when our luggage arrived!!! It was like Christmas in the guest house (without the bills). We were so excited – we have clean clothes for tomorrow, toiletries we’ve done without and snacks, gifts, etc. that were packed to bring.
May 21st - we began the Worship in Spirit and Truth seminar today and so far it is going very well. Our translators have not been as "long winded" as the one yesterday as I think they're only translating into one dialect. Jonathan taught them all a song "O Give Thanks Unto the Lord"; Sue sang "Oh How He Loves you and Me". All was well received including the talks! Some participants said they missed the small group experiences we had in the LTUTP but times of stretching, singing (as a group and to one another) were worked in today. After I've posted this I will return late for the afternoon teachings. Tomorrow night we will have a night of worship at the church here on campus with some American worship style and some Liberian. It should be great!!
I am having difficulty uploading images to the blog and will try to determine another method I can use but it will most likely not be until Monday when the High School is open again that I can try!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Well, it is May 19th and this is the first time I've had to get on the Internet so no time to post pictures! Just know we all arrived safely but all our luggage did not! Jonathan is the only one who received ALL his luggage! Our flight to Frankfurt from Chicago was delayed so much so that we ALMOST missed our flight to Brussels. They had to transport us on 3 different buses to get to our plane which was way out on the tarmac.
Our drive to Gbarnga (pronouned Baahnga) The G is silent and the "r" is pronounced like a Southern saying it!! 11 of us were in a van with luggage (air conditioned van) and 2 were in a taxi with the boxes of manuals (not air conditioned). The taxi had a flat and all the men had to assess it before changing (our men included). Then they transferred some of the manuals to the van and some lighter luggage to the taxi. Fine - we're on our way. THEN we stopped to have the spare fixed so they weren't without a spare. Interesting "tire repair center" - they use every tire available to cut patches and fix broken tires. We finally arrived at Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) at 6pm - we were supposed to be here at 12 noon but "not to worry!"
Today we began the LTUTP and it is going very well. Except we discovered there are 3 dialects here who do not understand English so we're having a lot of "summaries" of talks. Please pray for Dean Yatta Young who suffered a back injury Sunday night and is in a tremendous amount of pain. Some women went to pray for her this morning and I know she would appreciate your covering her in prayer also. She was SO LOOKING forward to this event and feels like she is really missing out on what she planned on so long!
I guess that's it for the time I have to share now! Hopefully I can put more on another time with pictures. Of course, the things we need are in our luggage and it is supposed to arrive this evening here at the school so that's another prayer concern. The converters to plug things in; the longer life batteries for computers and cameras - not to mention CLOTHES and toiletries! It's good we love each other!!!
In His GRIP in Liberia-
Peggi and team
Our drive to Gbarnga (pronouned Baahnga) The G is silent and the "r" is pronounced like a Southern saying it!! 11 of us were in a van with luggage (air conditioned van) and 2 were in a taxi with the boxes of manuals (not air conditioned). The taxi had a flat and all the men had to assess it before changing (our men included). Then they transferred some of the manuals to the van and some lighter luggage to the taxi. Fine - we're on our way. THEN we stopped to have the spare fixed so they weren't without a spare. Interesting "tire repair center" - they use every tire available to cut patches and fix broken tires. We finally arrived at Gbarnga School of Theology (GST) at 6pm - we were supposed to be here at 12 noon but "not to worry!"
Today we began the LTUTP and it is going very well. Except we discovered there are 3 dialects here who do not understand English so we're having a lot of "summaries" of talks. Please pray for Dean Yatta Young who suffered a back injury Sunday night and is in a tremendous amount of pain. Some women went to pray for her this morning and I know she would appreciate your covering her in prayer also. She was SO LOOKING forward to this event and feels like she is really missing out on what she planned on so long!
I guess that's it for the time I have to share now! Hopefully I can put more on another time with pictures. Of course, the things we need are in our luggage and it is supposed to arrive this evening here at the school so that's another prayer concern. The converters to plug things in; the longer life batteries for computers and cameras - not to mention CLOTHES and toiletries! It's good we love each other!!!
In His GRIP in Liberia-
Peggi and team
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Well, we all arrived at Chicago Int'l airport fine. Some were able to print boarding passes from home and some were not. Our flight WAS to leave at 3:40 and those of us without passes were told to come back at 2:00 to check-in. We did and then some of us were told we were on stand-by! God took care of that and we all received boarding passes through to Monrovia.
BUT, now our flight is delayed an hour which shortens our time to catch the flight to Brussels in Frankfurt. Be praying for smooth transition to that flight and the ability to then catch our flight to Monrovia.
Everyone is well except Lynn Denges who has a cold - pray for complete healing. She expects it - complete healing, that is!!
Lynn Norman's eyesight is getting worse and she has a membrane growing inside her eye (again - removed 2 yrs ago - has grown back). I'm praying she's healed on this trip and needs to cancel her surgery when she gets home.
The flight is completely full (actually overbooked!). All couples are next to each other except Frank and I (Peggi!). We are not even in the same row so I guess I shouldn't lean my head over on the shoulder next to me!!
That's all for now - pray for our flights to go smooth from now on!
BUT, now our flight is delayed an hour which shortens our time to catch the flight to Brussels in Frankfurt. Be praying for smooth transition to that flight and the ability to then catch our flight to Monrovia.
Everyone is well except Lynn Denges who has a cold - pray for complete healing. She expects it - complete healing, that is!!
Lynn Norman's eyesight is getting worse and she has a membrane growing inside her eye (again - removed 2 yrs ago - has grown back). I'm praying she's healed on this trip and needs to cancel her surgery when she gets home.
The flight is completely full (actually overbooked!). All couples are next to each other except Frank and I (Peggi!). We are not even in the same row so I guess I shouldn't lean my head over on the shoulder next to me!!
That's all for now - pray for our flights to go smooth from now on!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Liberia 2010 Schedule
I wanted to provide our travel schedule so you will be aware of specific times of prayer needs, etc. For right now, pray that the ash clous disperses over Europe and that the people of Iceland can dig out from under the piles of ash (and that the volcano does not erupt!!). Here is our current schedule.
- May 16th, 4:50 pm Depart Chicago O'Hare for Brussels
- May 17th, 8:00 am Arrive Brussels
- May 17th, 12:00 pm Depart for Monrovia, arriving 4:50 pm (overnight in Monrovia)
- May 18th, 10:00 am Depart for Gbarnga, arriving 1:30 pm;
- May 18th, 2:00 pm Lunch
- May 18th, 3:30 pm Orientation with Rev. Young & Gbarnga School of Theology Staff
- May 18th, 4:30 pm Tour Gbarnga Mission Campus
- May 18th, 6:30 pm Supper
- May 19th, 9-12:30 Lord, Teach Us to Pray seminar
- May 19th, 12:30-2:00 Lunch
- May 19th, 2:00-5:00 Lord, Teach Us to Pray seminar continues
- May 20th, 9-12:30 Lord, Teach Us to Pray seminar
- May 20th, 12:30-2:00 Lunch
- May 20th, 2:00-5:00 Lord, Teach Us to Pray seminar concludes
- May 21st, Special Worship Teaching (times to be determined)
- May 22nd, 9:30 am Depart Gbarnga for Ganta Mission Station for guided tour of: Leprosarium, hospital, grade school, nursing school
- May 23rd Team members speaking in local churches
- May 24th, 9-12:30 Life in the Spirit Seminar
- May 24th, 12:30-2:00 Lunch
- May 24th, 2:00-5:00 Life in the Spirit seminar continues
- May 25th, 9-11:30 Life in the Spirit Seminar concludes
- May 25th, 12:00 Lunch
- May 25th, 1:00 pm Depart Gbarnga for Monrovia (overnight at Monrovia)
- May 26th Tour Monrovia & UMC ministries there
- May 26th, 8:25 pm Depart Monrovia for Brussels
- May 27th, 5:00 am arrive Brussels
- May 27th at various times the team departs Brussels on different flights from 6:45 am through noon); some going directly to home airports, others going through Washington, DC.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Team
Well, it's getting close! We all leave from our respective domestic airports on May 16th, meeting at Chicago for the beginning of our journey together! From there we fly to Frankfurt, Germany (with a 2-3/4 hr. layover). From Frankfurt to Brussels (an hour 40 min. layover). Then from there to Monrovia, Liberia. We will travel by land to Gbarnga Theological School for the event (not sure of the distance just yet). I will post our schedule so you can pray specifically on the days we are ministering there. Liberia is just 5 hours ahead of CST. We return May 26th flying from Monrovia to Brussels (with various layovers from 1-3/4 hr to 7 hrs.). Then we go separate ways with some flying home through Munich to their domestic airports and some flying directly to Washington, DC then to their home airports.
Here are our team members for your time of Intercession!
Frank Billman (TN), coordinator of the Life in the Spirit Seminar
Peggi Billman (TN), coordinator of the Lord, Teach Us to Pray
Jonathan Dow (TN), coordinator of the Worship in Spirit and Truth
Bob Denges (OH)
Lynn Denges (OH)
Gary Todd (OH), group treasurer and bookkeeper
Deb Todd (OH)
Rich Fetzer (PA)
Sue Fetzer (PA)
George Ditter (PA)
Maryanne Ditter (PA)
Lynn Norman (MD)
Doug Miller (NC)
Thank you all for your support - both prayerfully and financially! Check back for more! I will TRY to post from Liberia but I don't know what our Internet availability will be there so be patient and keep checking back after May 16th. Until then I'll post any prayer needs or plans so you can cover us in prayer.
Funds are still needed for some team members. If you want to donate you can just send a check to the ARM office (121 East Ave., Goodlettsville, TN 37072) and mark it "Liberia" and it will be applied where needed. If there's a specific team member you'd like it to go to just put their last name in the note with "Liberia".
Thank you all SO much. We truly take you with us when we go!
Peggi Billman, blog poster
Here are our team members for your time of Intercession!
Frank Billman (TN), coordinator of the Life in the Spirit Seminar
Peggi Billman (TN), coordinator of the Lord, Teach Us to Pray
Jonathan Dow (TN), coordinator of the Worship in Spirit and Truth
Bob Denges (OH)
Lynn Denges (OH)
Gary Todd (OH), group treasurer and bookkeeper
Deb Todd (OH)
Rich Fetzer (PA)
Sue Fetzer (PA)
George Ditter (PA)
Maryanne Ditter (PA)
Lynn Norman (MD)
Doug Miller (NC)
Thank you all for your support - both prayerfully and financially! Check back for more! I will TRY to post from Liberia but I don't know what our Internet availability will be there so be patient and keep checking back after May 16th. Until then I'll post any prayer needs or plans so you can cover us in prayer.
Funds are still needed for some team members. If you want to donate you can just send a check to the ARM office (121 East Ave., Goodlettsville, TN 37072) and mark it "Liberia" and it will be applied where needed. If there's a specific team member you'd like it to go to just put their last name in the note with "Liberia".
Thank you all SO much. We truly take you with us when we go!
Peggi Billman, blog poster
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