“THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE”
These words form the motto of the country of Liberia in West Africa. They were chosen July 26, 1847 by freed American slaves who had settled in West Africa with the help of our U.S. Congress. They declared their independence on that day as a free and independent nation – independent of English and French colonization unlike their neighboring countries.
While we were missionaries in Liberia back in the 1970’s, our family celebrated two Independence Days with all the activities associated with them: July 4 and July 26. The U.S. Embassy would host a large picnic with food and games highlighted with the raising of the American Flag by the embassy Marine Color Guard – a touch of home with the singing of our national anthem. Later that month we gathered with the Lutheran Church of Liberia and joined the Liberians as they worshipped and observed their Independence Day.
In a sense, the Love of Liberty recently brought us back to Liberia and our Kuwaa brothers and sisters in Christ. For over 10 years now we have returned to Liberia, bringing the Kuwaa people fresh clean water wells in each of their remote villages, constructing a medical clinic in the center of their vast chiefdom and also building/rebuilding log and plank bridges over the many creeks and streams. In addition we have provided school supplies, roofing materials for churches/schools, teacher/evangelist training workshops, Vacation Bible Schools and numerous health classes for women and girls.
All of these activities have brought liberty and freedom to the Kuwaa. They no longer have to fear illness and death from dirty and disease filled drinking water from the streams. They no longer have to walk for miles and hours to get medical help. They are free to worship and be educated in roofed church/school buildings. These freedoms have provided them with improved health and living conditions not known to them previously. To God be the Glory!!
For all this we thank you, our faithful supporters, on behalf of the Kuwaa for being our partners in ministry in faraway Liberia through your prayers and financial support. The Kuwaa have the same Lord and Savior as we do. Jesus has freed us all from the fear and bondage of sin, death and the devil and has given all of us liberty to serve Him in love for others, no matter where they might be – next door or around the world.
Have a Happy and Blessed Fourth of July enjoying the Love of Liberty we share!
Ed Stelling,
Kuwaa Mission Advisory Board Member
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The Kuwaa Mission: c/o Bethany Lutheran Church, 1340 8th Street, Slidell, LA 70458 www.bethanyslidell.org
