Reports reaching us from voters who had traveled home to cast their votes in the last general and presidential elections led us to plan a quick visit to the Kuwaa region. The roads, they said, were impassable; only strong four-wheel vehicles could make it through. They added that the region was reverting to the old practice of taking pregnant women and other patients in hammocks to the nearest possible health facility in search of treatment. We planned to take some essential medicines and materials to the Community Health Assistants (CHAs) and Traditionally Trained Midwives (TTMs) to enable them to attend to their patients in their communities.  

We informed you in an earlier prayer letter that the purpose of the CHA program was to enable the government to reach the sick in remote parts of the country with medical assistance. We also informed you that although the government had trained the CHAs, it had yet to live up to its commitment to provide the necessary medicines to help the CHAs function effectively. This situation led the Kuwaa Mission Board to approve the supply of medicines to these CHAs to help as much as possible. Equipped with a few of the recommended essential medicines and other supplies for the CHAs and TTMs, we left Monrovia on November 9. 

Our destination was Belleh Baloma. Our goal was to arrive in Baloma the same day and have the CHAs and TTMs from three towns meet us two days later. Unfortunately, it did not work out as planned; we got stuck in the mud. The dependable Toyota Land Cruiser successfully fought and conquered every obstacle we faced on our way, but it could not overcome the deep mud we encountered after Goleta. We could not get out of the mud no matter what we tried. At around 11:00 P.M., we split the team up, half walking to Kalata to get help while the other half remaining with the vehicle and the materials. We finally got the vehicle out of the mud with the help we obtained from Kalata the next day. However, the extreme stress on the vehicle’s old engine proved too much. It refused to start. Without any means to communicate by phone or any other means, the vehicle remained in the mud for ten days while we tried to get help with mechanics and parts from Monrovia to help us get out of the forest.

We were determined to accomplish our mission. Therefore, while the vehicle sat in the bush, we invited the CHAs and TTMs from Baloma, Kalata, and Kenata to meet in Kenata. However, because of some miscommunication, the team from Baloma did not show up. Nevertheless, the Kalata team walked to Kenata and, with the Kenata team, received and divided the medicines and other supplies among the three towns. The teams expressed extreme gratitude to the Kuwaa Mission for their assistance and remembering them. It was a proud moment for me as a member of the Kuwaa Mission!  

Finally, we returned from the Kuwaa area in time for the run-off election for the office of President of Liberia, featuring current President George Manneh Weah and contender former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.  As of the writing of this prayer letter, Joseph Boakai has been declared the winner of this election and will be inaugurated as President of Liberia in January 2024.  Recognizing the significance of the second peaceful transition of power since the end of the Liberian civil war, President Weah graciously conceded and uttered these words: “Tonight, as we acknowledge the results, let us also recognize that the true winners of these elections are the people of Liberia. Through your peaceful and orderly exercise of your constitutional right to vote, you have again demonstrated your commitment to the democratic principles that bind us together as a nation.”

Prayer: God of peace, we thank you for the peaceful way this significant decision was made in Liberia. This election makes it possible for the ministry of the Kuwaa Mission to continue to make an impact. We pray, O Lord, that the Boakai government will see the Kuwaa Mission as a partner in ministering to your people. Amen!  

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