Category Archives: Prayer Letters

November 2013 Prayer Letter

November 2013 Prayer letter

 

 

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November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

At Gator Lodge near the TX-LA border, new board members, Ron Morgan and Jennifer Cosgrove, joined the other members.  Elizabeth Rothgeb owns the lodge and proved to be a most gracious hostess.  The lodge is nestled in a beautiful and peaceful setting on the shores of Caddo Lakes

After reviewing and revising legal documents, the board discussed and planned for more involvement from congregational and synodical relationships.  Future projects, including digging wells, supporting the medical clinic, putting Arch Books on tapes for the children, and conducting sanitation education workshops were planned.

On Sunday morning the board worshipped at the Shepards’ church, Faith Lutheran, in Shreveport, LA.  The members were warm and welcoming.  The members stayed for a mission presentation after worship.  The service included a Veteran’s Day recognition of members.  The Faith families have a proud tradition of serving our country.

One of the highlights of each day was the delicious Cajun food Eddie Shepard, Lolitha’s husband, prepared.  Fried catfish, hush puppies, barbecue brisket, red beans and rice, and fried chicken were enthusiastically enjoyed.

The Kondesu medical clinic will be completed and the facility dedicated this year, God willing.  1 final stage is providing a solar system for electricity, especially for the refrigeration necessary for proper storage of vaccines and other medicines.  The system has been ordered and is being shipped.  Funds are needed to finish paying for the solar system.  It will cost between $15,000 & $20,000.  Ester Kowula soon graduates from the nurse training at Currens Hospital.  Ester received a full Kuwaa Mission scholarship.  She and 2 other classmates want to work at the Kondesu Clinic.  It was also planned to complete 3 new wells in 2014, 1 dug for the clinic.   Wells cost approximately $8K each.

While we celebrate Thanksgiving and welcome the season of Advent, we are reminded of the blessings God provides.  The board is especially thankful for the love, prayers, and support with which you continue to bless the Kuwaa Mission and the Kuwaa people.

As Christmas season approaches, gift giving becomes foremost in the minds of people.  It may be difficult to think of something special for those who “have everything.”  We offer a suggestion.  You can send your loved ones a card noting that a gift has been given in their honor to the Kuwaa Mission.  This is the gift of good health, clean water, and medical care for the Kuwaa people of Liberia.  Please keep the mission and the Kuwaa people in your prayers.  God is using the mission to help his beloved people, the Kuwaa.  Information about this card & a download is at www.kuwaamission.org.

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Yours in Him,

Jenny Cosgrove,

Kuwaa Mission Secretary

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.orguse PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

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The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

October 2013: Solar Power The Cliniic

October 2013 Solar Power For Clinic

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October 2013

Solar Power The Clinic

This fall brings new and exciting happenings and challenges for the Kuwaa Mission.

Several individuals will be returning to Liberia this dry season.  The following projects are on the agenda: 3 new wells, conduct sanitation education workshops, help construct latrines, and hold the first Kuwaa Youth Mission Soccer Tournament.  Getting the kids together from the villages will hopefully increase inter-village cooperation at all levels.  They will surely enjoy getting new soccer balls and jerseys.

The Kondesu Clinic is the big project.  The Ministry of Health in Liberia, through the County Health Department has agreed to staff the clinic but requires a well at the Clinic.  The village school will benefit from this well also.  The shipping of 100+ bags of cement and 6 bundles of roofing materials upcountry for the clinic and nurse quarters also needs to be undertaken.  No small matter!

Even though there is minimal actual work to finish the clinic, the mission needs to complete the nurse’s house and a septic system for both the clinic and the house.  One of the major items that the mission promised the people and the County Health Department is A SOLAR SYSTEM installed with a refrigeration unit to keep medicines from spoiling.  Refrigeration is vitally essential because certain medicines and vaccines need to be refrigerated.  Vaccines are necessary to help diminish the high child mortality rate. This is our last major challenge for the Kondesu Clinic.  We have received a quote from Backwoods Solar in Sandpoint, ID for a complete system including batteries, panels, wiring, fridge and all accessories required.   Conversations between First Lutheran in Beaver Dam, WI and me about shipping these items in their next container to Liberia are progressing.

The mission invites you to join us in prayer for the funds needed to buy the solar system, freight to Beaver Dam, Liberia, and the Kuwaa Chiefdom.  Thanks be to God as another person is showing interest in going to Liberia in April with me to install the solar system. 

Approximately $20,000 is needed very quickly so that the system can be there by April for installation.  If you can help it will be definitely appreciated.  Most of all pray that the solar system installation will come to pass.  Please consider a special donation to the Kuwaa Mission for this system or sponsoring a fund raiser in your town or congregation.  If you would like someone from the mission to come and speak about the mission, we will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Our contact information for donations is given below.  Please contact myself or Rev. Carol George, the Congregational Coordinator, if you want a spokesperson to visit your congregation.  Her email address is: pastorcarol@kuwaamission.org   Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.

Stan Olsen, CEO – solsen@kuwaamission.org

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.orguse PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

September 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission September 2013 Prayer Letter

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September 2013

The long, hot days of summer are ending, while the shorter days of autumn swiftly overtake them.  The cooler days of fall are well appreciated.  Soon the colder days of winter will settle in, followed by the refreshing days of spring, bringing with it new life.

Kuwaa people don’t experience the 4 seasons as they only have dry and rain seasons.  We pray for them as they are enduring the final 6 or 7 weeks of the relentless rain season.  These rains are as bad as the floods in Colorado this year.  This time of year calls for a change of pace.  They do the other things that need to be done to survive instead of making farm.  Medical care is harder to get as it is more difficult to travel to a clinic or a hospital outside the chiefdom.

Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

PRAY that the working conditions of Kuwaa Mission and the people remain at high level.  Once again, the mission plans on sending volunteer teams to Liberia during the dry season – November through April.  PRAY for the Kuwaa Mission volunteers, including Cindy Ellis Bye, returning on her 5th Mission trip, and Stan Olsen returning for another stint.  PRAY for the continued generosity of the mission’s supporters.  We PRAISE God for you.  PRAY that work projects continue to move forward until completion as there is still many more to be started.  PRAY that the Kondesu Medical Clinic will be finished and dedicated this dry season.  PRAY for more wells to be dug.  PRAY that the Liberian government begins to rebuild the road into the chiefdom.  PRAY for the training workshops.  PRAY for the men, women, and children all over the world who are suffering from the tragedies and atrocities of war and natural disasters.  PRAY that they find peace for their souls through Christ Jesus the Great Comforter.

If your church or organization would like to host the Kuwaa mission at a fall rally, Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving service, Christmas Celebration or any other special event please contact Lolitha Shepard, the Kuwaa Event Planner, who can be contacted at (430)-342-7343 or shepardbiv@aol.com.

With the holidays fast approaching, you or your friends and family, church or organization can donate to the Kuwaa Mission either by mail or Pay Pal on our website – www.kuwaamission.org

Your sister in Christ,

Lolitha Shepard

Kuwaa Mission Board Member

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.orguse PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458

August 2013 Prayer Letter

Kuwaa Mission August 2013 Prayer Letter

 

 

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August 2013

     In February 2014 the Kuwaa Mission will celebrate its 5th anniversary with thanksgiving to God for what he accomplished through the efforts of the mission.  So please join us before God’s throne in praise and prayer.

Praise God

  • Praise God that each of the 16 towns has at least one well
  • Praise God that a large number of water purification filters were handed out
  • Praise God for all the medical supplies that were provided for the mid-wives, the Fassama   clinic, and the small medical dispensaries
  • Praise God for the Kondesu Clinic which will be completed and dedicated this coming dry season
  • Praise God for the school and student supplies the mission was able to hand out
  • Praise God for the religious materials the mission was able to hand out
  • Praise God for the successful training workshops that were held and well attended
  • Praise God for the scholarships for 3 evangelists and 1 nurse
  • Praise God for the organizations that have partnered with us in helping the Kuwaa people over the first 5 years – Wheat Ridge, The Lutheran Church in Liberia, Samaritan’s Purse, Child Care, Joe Boway’s mission, and the Liberian government
  • Praise God for the Kuwaa people’s willingness to donate their time and labor in work projects
  • Praise God for the faithful prayer and support warriors who made all this possible.

 Prayer Items

  • Pray for the physical and spiritual welfare of the Kuwaa people
  • Pray for the Kuwaa Mission’s leadership that they remain faithful in their calling to serve through the mission.
  • Pray for more doors to be opened to help the Kuwaa people
  • Pray for wisdom among the Board members to discern where God is leading the mission
  • Pray for Stan Olsen as he continues to lead the mission as its C.E.O.
  • Pray for God to continue the restoring of the Kuwaa people’s hope
  • Pray for more volunteers to help with the work
  • Pray for the new board members that they would find fulfillment in this work.
  • Pray for the Liberian pastors especially those who are suffering PTSD from the civil war.
  • Pray for God to bless the mission so that medical equipment and furnishings will be in place by the dedication

Stan Olsen and some Kuwaa workers

 Donations can be given in two ways:

1.   Make out check and send to: Bethany Lutheran Church (see below)

2.   Go to the Kuwaa Mission Website at www.kuwaamission.orguse PayPal to make a one time or automatic monthly donation

PDF of Prayer Letter

Work Document of Prayer Letter

Unsubscribe – Edit your subscription

The Kuwaa Mission:  c/o Bethany Lutheran Church,  1340 8th Street,  Slidell, LA 70458