I'm currently frustrated and stuck in Washington, DC trying to track down my suitcase and figure out the best way to get home after my flight was canceled due to the nationwide ground stoppage yesterday. It's been a long couple of days since leaving Liberia on Wednesday night! But, on the brighter side of things, this unexpected layover has given me the time to update this blog!The visit to Liberia went quite well and much was accomplished. I was joined by Russ Schmitt from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN. He's had a heart for the work in Africa for many years. He told me that he had made 8 trips to East Africa back in the early 2000s when he accompanied CLC visiting missionaries and construction crews working on church and seminary buildings. It's been thirteen years since he last visited Africa. This was his first visit West Africa. Our brothers and sister of the Liberia Church of the Lutheran Confession (LCLC) enthusiastically welcomed him and were glad and thankful to hear his words of encouragement from the Scriptures. I didn't specifically ask him, but it seemed that he enjoyed his visit. We had different returning flights and he made it home before the chaos at the airports erupted.
During the first half of our trip, we visited three congregations. We traveled 11+ hours over some very dusty and bumpy roads to the city of Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County to meet with Pastor Albert Cheanweay and the members of LCLC Grace Lutheran Church. Pastor Cheanweay was trained by the LC-MS several years ago but was led by his conscience to separate from them. While searching for a confessional Lutheran church to partner with, he found the CLC website. About six years ago he was accepted into the LCLC through a colloquy conducted by Pastor Kwiwalazu and the late Pastor John Hein. Pastor Cheanweay is a full-time high school teacher in Zwedru. His wife has many health problems that required her to have a leg amputation about a year and half ago. She lives in a rented home in Monrovia to be closer to medical and rehabilitation care. The congregation Pastor Cheanweay serves had been renting a public school classroom for worship service for the past several years. A few months ago the government decided to stop the practice of renting public spaces to religious organizations. This left the congregation without a place to worship. For the past few months they have been conducting small group worship services and Bible studies in the homes of the members. But they need a place where they can all meet together for weekly Sunday morning worship. The Lord has provided! We were able to visit the property while we were in Zwedru. The Board of Missions had previously approved a grant to assist the congregation to rent worship space for two years. They have found a place to worship! The congregation hopes to purchase land and build a church in the future. This two year lease will give them time to save money and search for property. The congregation met at the hotel where we stayed for an evening Bible study and worship. It was a wonderful evening and the congregation appreciated the visit. This is the first time anyone from the CLC or LCLC has visited the area.
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| The newly leased building where the Zwedru congregation will begin holding worship services |
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| Members of the Zwedru congregation listening to Russ Schmitt bring encouragement from God's Word |
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| Members of the LCLC Zwedru congregation |
Following an uplifting and encouraging visit to Zwedru, we made the 11+ hour trip back to Monrovia on Saturday. We worshipped with Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Monrovia on Sunday where I had the privilege of preaching and leading the communion service. This is my third time visiting this LCLC congregation in Monrovia. It is always a joy to return as I get to know the members better with each visit. They are a wonderful group of faithful Christians!
On Monday we visited LCLC St. Prince Lutheran Church and the Children Against Forced Labor (CAFOL) School on the outskirts of Monrovia in a rural area that is being developed. Pastor Samuel Cheneken is the head of CAFOL, a government recognized non-profit organization that serves underprivileged and at-risk children. He also serves as the chairman of a consortium of similar non-profit organizations that advocates for the victims of child trafficking and abuse by lobbying for government laws that protect children. The CLC Kinship committee has been providing some limited support for the school for the past year. The school serves forty-eight children, Since they are a private school, they are not required to teach the government religious curriculum. Instead, they use CLC Sunday School lessons and Luther's Small Catechism. Five of the seven teachers along with the cook have joined the LCLC congregation over the past few years. The school headmaster has and continues to receive Lutheran leadership instruction from Pastor Cheneken and serves as a deacon in the church. I was presented a carved wooden thank-you card from the parents and children for the CLC Kinship’s ongoing support.
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| LCLC Pastor Cheneken (CAFOL Director) and His Wife |
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| CAFOL Classroom |
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| Hand carved Thank You Plaque from the CAFOL Parents and Student |
We closed out the visit with a three-day pastoral training conference held at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church (LCLC) in Monrovia. LCLC pastors Joseph Kwiwalazu, Samuel Cheneken, and Pastor Cheanweay conducted the conference. Also in attendance were independent three independent pastors who have been studying with the LCLC for the past 8-10 years. Russ presented a study on the topic of how he serves in God's God's Kingdom as a layman. I presented a slide show of CLC mission work around the world and a study on the rapid spread and dangers of the false prosperity theology. We also heard essays and studies on Lutheran Worship, Child Evangelism, and the importance of teaching orthodox theology in Liberia. A good portion of time was also dedicated to working on LCLC organizational issues now that the LCLC has been officially registered and is now recognized by the Liberian government. While the LCLC constitution is still a work in progress, leadership duties, responsibilities, and financials protocols were discussed and agreed upon. A significant amount of time was also dedicated to plans for starting a more formal pastor and church leader training program for the LCLC. Pastors Kwiwalazu, Cheneken, and Cheanweay will be sending a proposal for assistance to the CLC Board of Missions for consideration in the near future.
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| LCLC Conference Attendees |
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| (L to R) LCLC Pastors Cheanweay, Kwiwalazu, and Cheneken |
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| Pastor Kwiwalazu presenting and discussing the importance of LCLC Government Registration |
There were far too many blessings to count on this visit. The Lord blessed us with safe travel, good health, and visits that were uplifting and encouraging. God's wisdom, direction, grace, mercy, and love are evident in the spirit in which these men work together for His glory. There is still a lot of work to be done by the three leaders of the LCLC as they continue to seek the Lord's blessings and wisdom as they work to organize the work. Praise the Lord for all He is doing among the pastors and members of the LCLC as they strive to proclaim the truths of His saving Word for the salvation of souls!
