October 2013 Update: Return to Sierra Leone
On October 4th, Jeanne and I traveled to Sierra Leone to conduct Bible training workshops for pastors and their wives. You can read the periodic updates from that trip on the APT Ministries Facebook page.
Brief history of Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone was founded by Britain as a colony for freed slaves in 1797, becoming independent in 1961. Civil war broke out in 1990 which triggered the collapse of the Sierra Leone government. A series of military coups and guerrilla wars ensued in efforts to control the lucrative diamond fields in the south-eastern part of the country. This devastated the country leaving more than 50,000 people dead, much of the country’s infrastructure destroyed, and over two million people displaced in neighboring countries as refugees. Since the war ended in 2002 the country has been gaining stability. However, the poverty level remains around 70% though the country is rich in resources.
Addressing Sierra Leone’s current spiritual need
As great as the economic and social need is in Sierra Leone the actual greater need is spiritual. In a country that is estimated to be 70% Muslim, Jeanne and I have the privilege to go to encourage and train pastors and church leaders as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission in their country. We hope to use all of the 215 Bibles that we have on hand there.
Teaching pastors and women in ministry
Jeanne will be teaching pastor’s wives and women in ministry during the first workshop in Freetown and then return home. I will stay to conduct two more workshops, the last of which will be in a city called Bo. We had pastors calling in their registration in May from Bo before we confirmed a date for training there! They are so hungry for training and resources that will help them be more effective in playing their part in strengthening the Church to fulfill the Great Commission in Sierra Leone!
Your ministry to Sierra Leone
You share in this opportunity through your prayers and financial support. Thank you for enabling Jeanne and me to be an extension of your ministry to Sierra Leone!
Please pray
Our on-going prayer needs are:
- For safety and health for us both as we travel
- For our multiple flight connections
- For the final organization of the 3 workshops
- That God would work mightily in the lives and hearts of all who attend
- For my meetings with church leadership in Sierra Leone to begin to plan for the development of a Thompson Bible national training team there.
