Team Oakwood UMC (9 members) departed Des Moines on January 31st, and arrived in Liberia the following day, February 1st, at 9:00 PM GMT.
A team of hosts, headed by Pastor Remington (Liberian Director), received the team and transported them to Modern Hotel in Paynesville where they passed the night.
The following day, the team traveled to the Hope Center in Larpea # 1 Town in Nimba County. The team lodged at the Eye To Eye Motel in Karnplay for four nights (February 2nd – 5th), and drove for 15 minutes to the Hope Center every day for activities.
While returning to Monrovia on February 6th, the team visited African Bible College University in Yekepa. Yekepa is an iron ore mining community in Nimba County.
For the rest of the trip, the team lodged at Ala Lagune Hotel in Oldest Congo Town, near Monrovia. On flexible days, the team visited the ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) beach, the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary campus, and downtown Monrovia.
ACTIVITIES AND IMPACTS
Pastors Trainings:Dr. Rachard and Pastor Kelly (with Stephen’s help) trained three sets of 25 pastors, one at Hope Center in Larpea # 1, another at Hope Center in Mt. Barclay (Monrovia), and another in Kakata with Pastor Sam Dennis. The training was in Expository Preaching.
Teachers Training: Shawna conducted two sets of Teachers’ Training for 50 teachers, one for teachers at Mensonn Baptist Church School in Larpea # 1 Town, and another for teachers at the Hope Center Christian School in Mt. Barclay.
Pastors’ Wives Conferences: Florence led two conferences for 85 women at the Hope Centers in Larpea # 1 and Mt. Barclay.
Health Education for Girls: Laura provided health education to 300 schoolgirls and distributed 300 hygiene kits to them.
Feeding: the team fed about 1,200 kids with hot meals at the two Hope Center locations in Larpea #1 Town and in Mt. Barclay.
Construction Projects: Daniel, Todd, and Mark helped with two construction projects – toilet building at Hope Center in Larpea #1, and fence project at Hope Center in Mt. Barclay.
OTHER ACTIVITIES Worship Services: The team attended worship service at Mensonn Baptist Church in Larpea # 1 Town on February 5th. Pastor Richard preached. On February 12th , the team worship at two churches, with Pastor Kelly preaching at Alive Ministries in Barnesville and Pastor Richard preaching at the Alive Church at the Hope Center in Mt. Barclay.
Soccer Games: the team attended a sporting event held by the Hope Center Christian School on February 10.
Team GoServ Global | Jan. 12-22, 2023
Our team of eight persons departed Des Moines on Thursday, January 12th at 3:25 PM CST and arrived in Monrovia on Friday, January 13th at 9:00 PM Liberian time. One of our team members was already in Liberia awaiting us. A team from Serve Africa, headed by Pastor Remington, received us from the airport and took us to Modern Hotel in Mt. Barclay where we passed the night. On Saturday we traveled to Nimba.
On our way, we stopped at Jackie’s Restaurant in Ganta and ate lunch. We arrived in Karnplay at 8:00 PM and lodged at a local motel in Karnplay. Karnplay is a provincial headquarters of Larpea # 1 and many other towns in the region. Karnplay is approximately 15-minute drive from the Hope Center in Larpea # 1 Town where the homes were built.
The team worshipped at Mensonn Baptist Church in Larpea #1 on January 15th. Matthew Brown, a member of our team preached a sermon with translation done by one of the local pastors. After worship service, we served lunch to everyone. Between Monday, January 16th – Wednesday, January 19th, we completed the construction of five homes and started work on the sixth home. There were 31 volunteers (mostly men) who helped us.
Stephen held a meeting with 26 pastors on Tuesday in preparation for an upcoming training. Around noon on the same day, the City Mayor of Karnplay visited the Hope Center and met with our team. He was very impressed and expressed his gratitude.
Wednesday was climaxed with the feeding of 350 kids and the distribution of supplies/clothing to 350 kids.
On Thursday, we drove back to Monrovia and lodged at Ala Lagoun Hotel in Oldest Congo Town, Monrovia. We visited ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) beach and the Hope Center in Mt. Barclay on Friday, January 20th. ELWA was established in the ‘60s by some missionaries as a mission station. It was and is still known for its radio broadcast of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Upon arrival at the Hope Center in Mt. Barclay, the team was overwhelmingly welcome and greeted by the 500 children attending Hope Center Christian School. On Saturday, the team visited downtown Monrovia.
On Sunday, January 22nd, we worshiped at Alive Church which is located at the Hope Center in Mt Barclay. It was their 3rd anniversary service. Stephen delivered the sermon.
At 3:30 PM, Eric and Shadrach (our two Liberian drivers for the trip) drove us to the Robert International Airport. We boarded our flight at 9:30 PM and arrived in Des Moines on January 23rd at 9:30 PM CST. There were two layovers – one in Brussels and another Chicago.
We thank all of you, our partners for supporting this trip. It is because of you that new homes have been built in Liberia to benefit orphans and underprivileged children.
Please pray:
That the remaining 5 Safe T Homes® will be completed by our local team of volunteers.
For funding ($6,350) for our second mission trip, scheduled for January 31st-February 14.
That God will provide 25 motorcycles for 25 rural pastors and church planters we are working with. One motorcycle is $1,000.
For funding to invest into cassava and pineapple farm projects. The goal is to generate income and food for our two Hope Centers (Mt. Barclay and Larpea #1).
For funding to buy three palm oil processing machines to help with production of palm oil for pastors and their communities. One machine costs $900.
Benefit Concert | Oct. 23, 2022
Profound thanks go to David and Lenny of the Rivieras of Des Moines for donating their time, talents and services through implementing this concert. That was so generous of them! And special thanks go to all our partners who attended, prayed, watched online, and/or donated. You truly mean a whole lot to us than you think, and for that reason we are deeply grateful to God for you always. May our loving and faithful Lord Jesus reward your kindness and heart for mission.
Fourth Annual Gala | April 30
Heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation to our partners. Our fourth annual gala was a success. Thank you for joining us, or for sending a contribution, or for praying along with us. We had 115 guests in attendance. That's a great turnout and we are very thankful to God.
Shipping Container Project | 2022
Thanks to all of you, our partners, for your financial and material donations. The container was a huge success. Our God was glorified. And the love of Christ was shared with many.
During our 2022 mission trip, our team helped to assort, pack, and distribute contents of the 40-ft container. The supplies were distributed to widows, single moms, orphans, disadvantaged children, village churches, schools, orphanages, and needy families. Direct beneficiaries include 5,000 individuals, 35 churches, 2 orphanages, and 10 schools.
Thirteen families received mattresses. These families had been sleeping on bare floor and on mats for years. They could not afford to buy a mattress due to lack of income and the high rate of poverty in the country. For the first time in their lives, they now own mattresses and are sleeping comfortably. Ma Annie, a single mom who received one of the mattresses, came back and said thanks: "I was never thinking that I was going to ever own a mattress for myself and my children. But I see that God loves me and my children so much that he sent this mattress for us. I thank Jesus with a very big thank you. And thank you too Pastor Steve and your friends. Now me and my children have a bed to sleep on." Testimony like this and many others were shared at every occasion of distribution. There was a deep sense of appreciation in everybody who received a gift.
Serve Africa is sincerely grateful to all of you who continue to put her in the capacity to deliver love, hope, and opportunities to poor and struggling people of Liberia. You indeed represent the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus.
Sorting and Organizing
Distributing Backpacks
Offloading Container
Packing and Loading Container
Third Annual Gala | May 1, 2021
Community Service | Sept. 24, 2020
Forty Seven volunteers from Serve Africa helped to package food at Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines on September 24, 2020. Thanks to our volunteers and partners, representing 7 churches and organizations: Westover Baptist Church, Church of the Way, Walnut Creek Church, Cross Point Church, Oakwood Church, Gift of the Spirit Ministry, and Kim Hiscox Rentals. We appreciate our Board Member Kim Hiscox for organizing the event.
Mission Trip | Jan. 18-Feb. 2, 2020
29 souls won to Christ through evangelistic services
One new church planted at the Hope Center
15 teachers/staff trained/empowered
250 kids fed with hot meals for 6 days
Spent quality time with 200 kids and visited communities
Completed operational/legal paperwork for Serve Africa
Put in place a plan for 2020 Pastors Training
Christmas Party for Kids | Dec. 20, 2019
With your support, 250 kids were fed hot meals and received gifts of toys and clothes in celebration of Christmas. Kids also participated in an indoor program which highlighted the Christmas story through movie, followed by music and other fun activities. For most of the kids, this was their first time to experience Christmas in such a beautiful fashion. It was a powerful and joyful experience. Thanks to our partners who made this happen.
Mission Trip | July 9-24, 2019
In our mission trip to Liberia, the Lord opened many doors to deliver hope and help to those in need of physical and spiritual support:
Distributed backpacks and supplies to 500 kids
Served hot meals to 1000 children
Distributed clothing and study materials to 100 pastors
Led 23 persons to Jesus through evangelism
Provided encouragement/support to hundreds
Second Annual Gala | April 28, 2019
Sincere thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all of you who supported our recent fundraising banquet. It was a success. Your partnership continues to extend Serve Africa’s capacity to provide the best quality of services to orphans and village pastors in Liberia. Below are some pictures from the event.
Mission Trip | July 8-21, 2018
PASTORS' TRAINING Twenty two village pastors benefited from three days of quality instructional and bonding times in Liberia. The training which lasted for three days, July 10-12, 2018, covered Bible Doctrines; Preaching Principles and Methods; Pastoral Leadership; Evangelism; and Discipleship. It was held at Mt. Sinai Prayer Garden, near Liberia’s main capital, Monrovia. All twenty two pastors are in active ministries with at least five years of full time pastoral service. However, none of the pastors had the opportunity to acquire formal biblical training. This training was the first of its kind for them, and they indicated that it was an “eye opening experience” and the very first “significant pastoral empowerment” program they have ever been introduced to. In their feedback, they overwhelmingly expressed their need for additional training.
OUTREACH TO ORPHANS We visited fifty children during our July visit to Liberia. With more funding, we desire to regularize their feeding and healthcare support.
First Annual Gala | May 20, 2018
Our first African Cuisine Fundraising Dinner was a success with 35 guests in attendance.
