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"You can't get there from here."  

These are the words of frustration exchanged in an e-mail during attempts to nail down transportation from Charlotte to the village of Luawa Yiehun, in the district of Kailahun.  So remote is the village, that transportation from Freetown (the 

bustling and dirty capital city of Sierra Leone) to the village is achieved by car - only charter flights in helicopters may be available, but there is no assurance.  So after a delayed flight and a joyous reunion with Safie and Mohamed at the airport, a late meal (of rice, cas

sava root, cassava leaves, and dried fish) and discussion of the latest happenings in the village, and an extra day's stay in order to pick up Bishop Sam Gray and Thomas Baucom, we were packed (literally) in the Trooper at 5 am, and headed out across the country, 285 miles.  By American highway system standards, this seems like an easy task.  Yet 15 hours with 8 people and all luggage and provisions inside the vehicle, crossing half-existing asphalt, only makes for one moment of joy - the arrival when you can unfold your body and bask in the love of the reception by the villagers.  The road in our last stretch of the trip between Kenema and the village was by far the worst.  This was the end of the rainy season, and the last 72 miles presented washed-out dirt roads, some could only b

e described as swimming holes.  The procedure for crossing was simple - everyone bailed out of the vehicle and walked across the mud while the driver plowed through ruts to (hopefully) make it to the opposite side of the obstruction.  Walking across the mud in the dark soon became skating, sinking, slipping, and splashing in it.  Wearing a portion of the road we were trying to cross, we soon found ourselves in a small village about 7 miles from Mohamed's village.  Some of these villagers walk the 7 miles to attend services and studies in Luawa Yiehun.  We were amazed at the example of Jesus these villagers showed us.  Bringing buckets of water, they washed our legs and feet to clean us up so that we could ride in the car again, to finish our journey.

Arrival in the dark.

There is no electricity in the village, only two generators that are used for showing videos, or lighting the Church or Mission House when needed.  The sound of the Trooper coming up the dirt road toward the Mission House brought the people up the hill with great cheers, singing, and shouts of joy.  They were excited about the highly-anticipated visit from the White Men ("Poom-wi", as we were known), and the celebration that was soon to happen.  The generator was cranked, the lights were turned on outside and inside the Church, and the welcome became nearly deafening!  What a loving group - they had finally received brothers into their village that they had been desiring to see for such a long time.

Who needs an alarm clock?  We have drums.

6 am.  Better bolt out of bed - Morning Worship has been announced through the beating of the drums in the Luawa Yiehun Community Church (Moravian).  Every morning, a short worship service of song, Scripture lesson, and prayer bring about 25-30 people from their homes to the church.  The Pastor, Anthony Fabah, leads the faithful group, presenting the service in English and Mende (their regional language).  His wife, Ishar Fabah, leads the music.  Associate Pastor Momo assists.  Except for Sunday, everyday started with an early gathering at the church.

A village walk, or at least, the first of many.

It was time to visit the Library, and the Secondary School site.  Mohamed, Safie, and the builders took us to the school site, where the foundation had already been poured, and construction on the piers for the first classroom building had started.  This is to be the first building of five (long-term plan) for educating secondary school students, who currently travel miles away to school, returning only on the weekends.  There are only elementary (Islamic and English) schools in the village, so there is a great need for a Christian-based school here in Luawa Yiehun.  This first building will boast 6 classrooms, and 2 administrative offices.  Each classroom will hold 50 students.  Now that the rainy season is ending, concrete may be brought across the country from Freetown to continue the building process.  The villagers make their own concrete blocks with sand from a river nearby, crushed rocks, and cement.  We were able to see the concrete foundation/pier attachment process in action.  The recipe is simple:  1 bag of cement + 3 buckets of water + 5 big bowls of crushed rock = 1 large blessed labor of love.

It has been officially recorded that the Library in Luawa Yiehun is the best in the country.  Clean, bright, and well-maintained, the Library is home to one of the best book collections in Sierra Leone, and even includes a special children's area for activities or just sitting on the floor with a book.  The Library, along with the Church, is a source of great pride for the villagers.  The Library was the gathering point for the numerous Town/Section Officials, when we four visitors were formally presented to the village.  This group of men and women were dressed in brightly-colored traditional garments and headgear.  We were told by the head officials that we were most welcome anywhere in the village, that we were entrusted to Mohamed's care, and to stay out of trouble (he was joking).  

"The children are our future."

Safie expressed that our presence in the village brought excitement to the inhabitants, but especially to the children.  The children always "hung-out" with us, to talk and play, and held our hands as we walked through the village.  Mohamed and Safie know that they are the Christian future for the village.  Their Muslim parents are "stuck in their ways", but some are interested in Christianity because of their children's involvement.  It was alarming to learn that the death rate for children under 5 is high.

A Morning Workshop of Music; An Evening of Pictures and Video

Nothing transcends borders better than music.  Bishop Sam Gray led a morning workshop of worship music, and activity songs.  Safie singing, Tom on drums, Thomas on guitar, and Jeff dancing with the kids all had the crowd in high spirits.  Safie and Sam lead a series of True/false questions concerning the Loaves and Fishes.   The facial expressions of deep thought, were seen on many faces of the participants as they unravelled the riddles presented to them.  Later in the evening, a crowd gathered for a presentation of the photographs we had taken thus far, and then watched Passion of the Christ.  What an impact.  The villagers, young and old, watched in amazement.  

Luawa Yiehun Community Church (Moravian) is dedicated.

Without any doubt, the Church Dedication was the highlight of the visit, as it was meant to be.  The day started at 9 am with Praise music by a Praise team from Freetown, and well-known Sierra Leone singer Lady Felicia.  The crowd was gathering - visitors and high officials from other villages and towns were making their way to Luawa Yiehun to take part in the long-awaited celebration.  Did we say music, and more music?  Singing, clapping, hands-raising, drumming, piano - the celebration had begun!

At 10 am, Bishop Sam Gray presented a Bible lesson on God's promises.  Using Abraham and Sarah in Gen. 21, we listened as Sam proved that God is faithful, and keeps His promises.  At this point, most of the crowd had arrived - over 400 were in attendance.  Extra benches were brought in; children crowded the youth classroom; it was standing room outside the church walls.  Mohamed and Bishop Gray retreated to change their attire to begin the worship service and dedication.

"Without the One Thing that is Everything, You have nothing!"

The Dedication service began with more music, scripture readings, and letters of greetings from Little Church on the Lane and Fairview Moravian.  We followed Steve Wilson's letter with an explanation of LCOL's involvement in the village ministry.  We explained the prayerful, material, financial, and communication support that had been provided, and stressed that it would continue in the future.  We pray that many will come to Christ, and we will continue our efforts on our side of the world, because we share one God, one Saviour, and one Holy Spirit that bind us as brothers.

Bishop Gray presented an astounding message that sealed the purpose for the entire ministry in Luawa Yiehun:  if you have all, but are missing the One Thing that is Everything, you have nothing.  Of course, the One Thing is Christ.  Six young men were brought forward to represent the possessions of the Edomites (see Obadiah).  They had everything it seemed - Size, Location, Riches, Friends, Wisdom, and Soldiers.  What was number 7 (an important number in the Bible)?  To make them complete, and to make the Luawa Yiehun Community Church complete, they needed God and the Saviour.  There can be no other alternative.  In a motion for a final prayer of dedication of the church Bishop Sam had ALL people in the church kneel deeply to pray that the ONE THING will be at Luawa Yiehun Community Church to make it complete, and to dedicate this house fully to God and His Son Jesus Christ.  A moving moment that truly cannot be put into words.  You'll need to make your reservations for the 1st anniversary celebration to experience it.

Some things you may not have heard.

Did you know?  There are other churches in the village, or nearby.  The New Apostolic Church has about 15 members.  The Methodist Church has 5-10 members.  The Roman Catholic Church has 10 members.  The Luawa Yiehun Community Church (Moravian)?  150+ members.  How?  Safie explained that they are very active in the community. They have "visit nights" that they walk the village and talk to people that are not in the church. They also shepherd the villagers - helping with medical problems, and even providing decent burials for villagers when no one else cares.

There is a literacy problem.  This is a recent war-torn area.  It is quite apparent in abandoned village homes with bullet holes across the edifices.  Refugees from the village escaped to Freetown.  Young individuals escaped in their very early years.  The eduction system could not take care of all of them, so there is a learning gap.  Many 16-20 year olds cannot read or write.  The church has been asked to help educate them; an honorable task, but not one that the church has been readied to provide.  It is a goal for Safie to set a program in motion to correct this unfortunate situation.

The funds are about to run out, and there are two urgent needs.  $10,000 is needed to complete the first school building.  Funds are nearly depleted, and workers must be kept busy, so that completion of the much-needed secondary school can begin operation.  The vehicle that Mohamed and Safie use to cross the country is in need of replacement.  During our trip, the clutched burned out, brakes were broken, the engine overheated, there were three flat tires, and one of the 4WD bearings broke.  They are in dire need of proper transportation, an automobile well-suited for the conditions.  They repeatedly spent repair money to keep the Trooper in operation.  

Why is this ministry so successful?

Talk to Bishop Sam Gray about the reasons for the success of this ministry, and you can't help but agree (to paraphrase):

"The thing that makes this project so different is ownership.  Moravians did not decide that this was an area to be in, then send a group in to start a church, but the PEOPLE here, have ownership of the church, and it grows with outward support, but not from a foreign group that must maintain it.  The people here in Luawa Yiehun make the church grow and prosper."

We were promised an adventure.

No one that has seen pictures or video from the trip could deny that it was a promised-adventure delivered.  It was mentioned in our recent presentation during worship that you repeatedly hear "phenomenal", or "out of my comfort zone" to describe mission trips, but we cannot express the ministry or experience better than these superlatives:

Blessed by God, protected through the love of Jesus Christ, enabled and energized by the Holy Spirit.

God bless these humble and simple people, worthy of a Saviour; God bless you for your support; thank you for the opportunity to serve as brothers to those in need of the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour.  To see God's glorious work in action in this village is life-changing.

We'll be back in Luawa Yiehun.  Go with us.