Thursday 27 February 2014
Board Members at the CRC Schools Kabala.
On the way to Hereko village in Tonkolili District.
Mr. John Loeks and I at the Crc CHURCH KABALA
with Hereko villagers at the chief palace.
Ray , Bahago Johnkallie with hereko villagers
with Rogers Leginus in coted ivoire airport 
water source in Hereko village, 1/2 mile walk
Ray prins and the people of Hereko discussing about water.
FEBRUARY 2014 UPDATE FROM SIERRA LEONE.
FEBRUARY 2014 UPDATE FROM SIERRA LEONE
“It is not
the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick… for I have not come to call the
righteous but sinners. Mathew: 9:12- 13”.
We continue
to express our gratitude to God Almighty for his cares and protections over our
lives, for he came to save sinners and called people to carry out the work of
seeking for the lost sinners.
VISITORS
TO SIERRA LEONE. The Months of January and February has been a great blessing
for us here as Friends and partners in the mission work from North America came
visiting. Paul Kortenhoven, Ray and Pauline Prins, whom I reported in my last
updates, Then we had John Loeks, a man who has Sierra Leone in his heart as he
and others have been very much instrumental in the Building of the CRC Schools
in Kabala. Then we also were blessed by the visit of Dave Mayer and Rev. Joel
Ringma from Canada. Beside these, Miss Kathy Vanderkloet from Nigeria was also
here to work with the new accountant for the School to train her on book keeping
for proper stewardship at the school.
The visit of these Folks was a great moral
boaster for us in the field. We Thank God for their supports and prayers and
all the greetings they brought from USA and Canada.
TRIP TO COTE DIVOIRE. I thank God for a successful journey
to Cote d Ivoire for visa interview0n February 9 to travel to Italy next Month.
Because there is no Italian Embassy in Sierra Leone, It became necessary for me
to travel to Abidjan, the journey was without hitches. My wallet was stolen in
Freetown (pickpocket guys) it was amazing how the wallet was removed from my
pocket without me noticing it until when I got to my hotel, I then discovered
that the wallet was gone. It was worrisome but thank God my travel documents
were not inside, so I did travel, but I lost some money and identity card,
driving license, etc.
VISIT TO HEREKO VILLAGE: Finding good drinking water is
major challenge to life in Sierra Leone. Thanks to the CES and also the Denver
groups who in years past did some water project (Gravity, water) for some
villages. But these needs are still there. Following the visit of Ray Prins and
his wife, some villages were visited to see the source of water they have,
among those villages visited was Hereko. The village head wrote to us
requesting we should help them get drinking water. So we visited them with Ray
Prins on February 6. They have a good water source on the Hill closed to the village.
Its half mile (½) away from the village. Nothing was promised but they were
very happy to see us come.
NEW TLT CLASS. In, July 2013, the first batch of participants
for the Timothy Leadership Training, completed their Training in which some
were given the Master Trainer Certificate, Trainer certificate and also
Participants certificates. In all 26 got their certificates. In continuation of
training the indigenes in the area of
Leadership and preaching in the church, a new Class was begun on 17th
February. This time we had Twenty Three [23] participants who were selected
from various Churches of the CRC SL.
Two Manual [Modules]
were thought namely stewardship and Caring for God’s People [pastoral care]
Rev. Joel Ringma of Terrace CRC in Canada was
one of the Facilitators, He thought the Stewardship, while Rev. Bahago facilitated
on the Pastoral cares. . The Class was so excited and the teaching was interactive
in Natures. All Participants expressed their happiness on the Modules. The Training lasted for five days, 17 to 21
February in Foria village. Participants were asked to come out with a four
Months action plan in which they will implement before the next contact section
that is to begin on July 7 to 11 2014. The Training coordinator Rev. Ezekiel
James Sudu was at hand to make sure that all participants receive the teaching
Materials, Rev. Edison Kamara the evangelism coordinator of the CRC Sl led in
the morning devotions on the topic, lay mobilization in the Church. The emphases
were to challenge the Participants to mobilize their members towards evangelism
and Church planting in their Neighborhood.
CHURCH BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE
VILLAGES; As we
get deep into the dry session, which is also the best time of building in
Sierra Leone, villages were we have churches have started building places of
worship, some are renovation while others are new building. The practice here
in the villages is for them to raise the Building and we give them a little
assistance of roofing sheet and cement for plastering. This year, we are taking
Kondebaia, kamaron. Dondoya, Gbangbafira and Rochen Malal, for plastering , we will
take Sambaia Bendugu and Barli and bakoro. In addition we want to secure the
Land in Makeni.
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT: One of the responsibilities given to
us, apart from preaching the gospel, is caring and protecting the environment
in which we live in other to enjoy life in its fullness. This is the
encouragement and the campaign embark upon by Dave Mayer and the Christian
Extension service [the development ministries of the CRC SL]. Dave Mayer, Mr.
Andrew Gwaivamin and the staff of CES tour some Chiefdoms of the District where
they met with various community leaders and the people, drawing their attention
as to the importance of caring for our environment, which will result to
healthy living. Bush burning is a common practice here. With this, CES hope to liaise
with the Church, the community and various Government agencies to carry out
this enlightenment.
NEW CHURCHES ARE BEIGN PLANTED: We continue to celebrate the Grace
of God, as day to day he makes his will known to many and are coming to embrace
the Faith. A report from the villages shows how the church is growing day in
and out. Report from Sambaiaa bendugu shows that new churches are being planted
in three new communities in Dankawalia area in Tonkolili District. These
villages are: Sekurela, with 45 worshippers, Keredugu also 45 while Wunaduya
25. Evangelist John Sewa is working in those areas; he reports that the people
are very eager and excited in their new found Faith.
In the BO
area the story is quite encouraging it shows that the CRC is being accepted among
the Mende People. There, two new Churches
are planted in Bompeh Chiefdom in Mokpendeh and Vulahun. Mokpendeh has 50 worshippers while Vulahun
has up to 20 attending Church every Sunday. Augustine K Sam and Mohammed Jobbie
are volunteers helping in those places respectively.
John Sewa,
Augustine Sam and Mohammed Jobbie were both at the TLT training program to
enhance productivity in their work.
MORE BAPTIZED IN KABALA CRC: As in the Church of the New
Testament at the time of the Apostle, more people are coming to Faith and been
Baptized into the membership of the Church. The same is happening in the CRC
Kabala Church. Sunday February 16, twenty one (21) People were baptized.
FFP : The Family farm program is going on Fine, recently , two villages
graduated, so they can continue to be on their own by practicing the skills
learned from the project. Abu and Alhassan are doing very well in this; most of
the communities are cooperating in their Loan repayment.
JOY AND SADNESS. When we were in Foria for the TLT training,
Pastor John K Mansaray, who is the pastor of the Foria Church, His wife gave
birth to a bouncing Baby Boy. All of us at the Training were happy, and we gave
the Child a name Joel Timothy Mansaray. Unfortunately, a week after he was born, the
Child Died. He was born on 19 February and died on 25th. Please pray
for Pastor John and his Family.
A BIG HOPE: There is a big anxiety and hope at
the CRC School Kabala, as all is now set to begin the construction of a new
classroom block that will have also, a science Lad and a computer room for both
students and staff. The parents, staff and student were so excited, with the
commitment of John Loeks and all the sponsors of the project from North
America. The school Board and the Partners from North America, namely; John Loeks,
Paul Kortenhoven and in attendance were Ray and Pauline Prins. It will not be
too long for the contractor to be mobilized to site. We praise for this
development.
CRC School
board members, deliberating on the new Building. After the meeting, members
pose for a group Photograph, Mama Pauline Prins was also there to support the
Men.
CANADIAN PARTNERS ENCOURAGE CRC SL: Chairman and secretary of the BC
partners for the CRC SL Mr. Dave Mayer and Rev. Joel Ringma, during their visit
to the CRC SL, met with the members of the CRC SL partners in Kabala. The
visiting leaders encourage the Church to continue in their good work and to
expressed the Love of God in their preaching and Teaching. They also promise to
continue to pray for the growth of the Church here. After that the partners
encourage the nationals to have and email where they will be communication with
the North American Partners. (This is
the email for the Church:crcsierraleone@gmail.com).Abu M Jalloh will now be the
secretary for the Partners. Both Ringma and Mayer have returned to Canada.
APPRECIATION: We give thanks to God Almighty for the
great things and revival that is happening here. We praised his name for his
mercies always. We continue to thank you all for your support and Prayers. For
our Partners who visited us this past months. Namely; Paul Kortenhoven, Ray and
Pauline Prins, John Loeks, Kathy Vanderkloet, Joel Ringma and Dave Mayer. We
thank you folks for all your words of encouragements and Prayers. Your coming
was like the “transfiguration” visit. We wish; we would have said like Peter,
let us build a place for you to stay here. But if we do, your Families will not
be Happy with us. There, we have to let you go back to be with them. We love
and miss you. Thanks for coming. We are more encouraged with your visit. “Kushe,
tenki fo kam”.
CONCLUSION: Beloved, God is great his love is
beyond measure, we praise his name for what he is using Men and Women to
fulfill his mission to the World. You and I are part of God‘s mission work.
Your continue prayers and support for the work here, will be bless by God.
Remember World mission you’re your Church Mission Board is there to do it for
you. Support them with your Finances, prayers, Love advice, and the work will
continue.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Thank God
for the success of the TLT training in Foria.
2. Thank God
for the safe returns of our visitors.
3. Our youth
and others will be travelling to Liberia on 5-9 March for a conference. I and
Sudu are the main speakers, pray for journey mercy.
4. Pray for Pastor
John K Mansaray and his wife for comfort over the lost of their one week old
Child.
5. Pray for
me, God willing I will be travelling to Italy in March for Consultation on
Mission to muslims.Pray for the success of the Consultation, that it will help
us as we witness Christ to our Muslims neighbor especially here that is
predominantly Islam.
6. Pray for
Pastor David T Koroma, as he will begin work next week March 3 as the General
Secretary of the CRC SL, for wisdom.
SUBMITTED
BY:
Rev.
Istifanus Bala Bahago
CRWM/CRCSL
Leadership
consultant
Email:ibbahago@gmail.com
+23278264240
+23277668139
www.apostlebahago.blogspot.com
Tuesday 4 February 2014
students at CRC Schools Kabala listening to lecture on negative effect of Teenage Pregnancy.Organized by TPF.
Pastorr David T Koroma , new appointed General Secretary of CRCSL.
David T Koroma, the General Secretary of CRCSL with the President . REV, M B Jalloh.
Bahago , Right with Mr. Conteh on the Land he donated to the Church in Makeni.
Rmoving the roof at the old Kondebaia Church.
Mr. Conteh standing on the Land he donated to the Church in Makeni.
Alpha M Kargbo, on study Leave in Nigeria.
A new Fondation for Kondebaia Church.
Right, Rev. Sudu preaching at te Women.conf.
Campaign agaisnt Teenage Pregnancy.
Narrow but smooth road to Nanfayie village
Mustapha Turay New convert to Christ.
Krissi and Nikki , Teachers at School
Ray and Pauline Prins in the Church
Paul Kortenhoven , with MB Jalloh
Crc sl women during this year conf.Monday 3 February 2014
JANUARY 2014 UPDATE FROM SIERRA LEONE.
JANUARY 2014 UPDATE
The year
2013 has come and gone, we give praise and Thanks to God Almighty for seeing us
throughout the years past. It’s exactly one year now since we came to work in
Sierra Leone. The work as usual in every work it has its up and downs. But with
God on our side, it was indeed a successful year of the growth of the church
here in Sierra Leone. In the past one
year, the lord opens doors for the growth of the Church. One new Church
[congregation] was started in Rokel. Most
importantly we are healthy and sound to see the New Year 2014.
LAND IN MAKENI: As I did mention in my January
letter, we started the year in a positive note, with a donation of a piece of
Land in Makeni Town for the Church, we’ve gone and seen the Land, we are ready
to start work there soon to enable us keep the plot, We hope by the beginning
of February, we will start moldings cement blocks to protect the land to avoid encroachments
by land grippers. For us to secure the ground we will need at least one
thousand dollars [$1000].
GENERAL SECRETARY: In our efforts to establish
indigenous leadership of the Church in
Sierra Leone, last year as you are aware, election was conducted for the
leaders of the Church. One of the offices that were yet to be occupied was the
office of the General Secretary that was left to the executive of the church to
find a suitable person for the office. Prayerfully, in their meeting held on
Fifteen January [15], a general secretary was appointed. He is Pastor David
Tamba Koroma. Pastor Koroma was one of those elected last October; he was
elected as the vice president of the Church. But now he is been appointed the
General Secretary, with this development a new vice president will be elected
in their next Synod meeting. Pastor Koroma will start work God willing on the
first of March. He will serve in this position for the next Four years.
ANNUAL WOMEN CONFERENCE:W e give thanks to God, this year’s
annual conference of the CRC women, was held in Foria on January 23rd
to 26th. It was attended by Women from the entire congregations that
made up the CRC in Sierra Leone. The speaker of the conference was Rev. Ezekiel
James Sudu the training coordinator. The
theme was: -“Woman of integrity.”About
124 women were in attendance in the conference, It was a moment of spiritual
renewal and fellowship among the women that came from different regions of the
country.
NEW STAFF: It is a thing of great joy to both
the pupils, parents and staff of thee CRC Kabala school to have another new
staff added to the existing ones, as the school reopened after the Christmas break,
we thank God for the coming of miss Nikki Perregaux from USA who has come to
join in the teaching of future leaders of Sierra Leone as they are given the
best Education needed for a Child to grow..
NEW BELIEVER: One of the reasons why Rev. Edison
Kamara was sent to Nigeria Last year was for him to be trained in the area of
Evangelism and Church Planting. Upon his returned, he has started a small class
of fifteen People from the Kabala congregation, training them on how to evangelize
and share the gospel with unbelievers. On Saturday, he had a section with the
participants, at the end of the section, he challenged them to share the Gospel
with their Neighbor or friends who are not Christian, and invite them to
Church. The result of that was on Sunday January 26th one Mr. Isa
Koroma, one of the participants brought Mr. Mustapha Turay to Church, who gave
his life to Jesus. The lesson we learned from that was that we need to share
the good news with our friends and neighbor, sometimes people having the
feeling that may be “my friend or neighbor will not accept”. But for Mustapha,
it work out he has found the savior.
WELCOME HOME: Sunday 26 January was , yet another
wonderful day of the Lord, as the congregation in Kabala welcomes , home some
of the pioneer missionaries of the Church who had served here faithfully , more
than thirty Years ago. The work started
basically as an integral ministry , [CES]which has now given birth to the Church
, and the school ,they are:- Rev. Paul Kortenhoven,
with Ray and Pauline Prins.There was Joy to see these former missionaries come
back to visit and see what the Lord is doing with the work he has used them to
Start many years ago. We are also expecting the visit of John Loeks by 30th
January.
SAD TO SAY: In the Month of October Last year I
did report about the Church in Waterloo, how we visited and even reconciled
them to continue to be members of the Christian Reformed Church in Sierra
Leone. Unfortunately it did not work out as Pastor Elisha Gomeh, had vehemently
refused to remain in the Church. The President, Rev. MB Jalloh and Rev. Kamara,
did travel to Waterloo to convince them, but Pastor Gomeh refused to listen.
It’s sad, but they have decided to leave. It is not good but we cannot force
them either, the money they were looking for, CRC could not offer them, He
said. This has thought us a lesson on how to work with these brethren that are
claiming to become CRC members. [We need your prayers for God’s wisdom to help
us know who are actually called to work with us].
TPF SENSITIZED STUDENTS AGAINST TEEN PREGNANCY: The Peoples Foundation of Sierra
Leone ,a community base organization , that was started by Krissi,[ now one of
the Teachers at CRC school Kabala] , is
going round the schools in Kabala , sensitizing the students on the ill
associated to Teen Pregnancy. This trend is really affecting the Education of
the Girls here in Sierra Leone. Some have left school because of Pregnancy. At
the CRC School on 28th January, Miss Krissi and her group performed
a
play,
portraying the sad effect of teenage pregnancy in school, the risk associated
to abortion, having kids that do not have capable parents to care for them. It
is an evil that has bedevil the Sierra Leonean society. In every Town and
village one visit, you will find this trend.
REBUILDING KONDEBAIA CHURCH: To prevent the collapse of some of
our churches in the village as we experience last raining season in Barli, we
started restructuring and reinforcing some of the Buildings. For the building
in Kondebaia, we have to pull everything down including the wall, to start all
over again. The carpenters have successfully removed the entire roof, and the
blocks are carefully removed, the building has begun, we are trusting that we
will be able to complete the wall and put the roof before the rain comes. The
building and the roof was really in a bad shape. It was the grace of God that
it survive last year, so we do not want to test God .To do that we have asked
God to help us get the necessary resource to rebuild. We thank God because the
community [youth both Christian and Muslins] came out to help the few
Christians mould the bricks that is needed to rebuild.[ 1690 mould bricks was
made in a day].We also thank the CRC-Nigeria
Church in Wukari[Puje] for their gift of $ 600, which we are using on this
renovation.
APPRECIATION: We continue to thank you all for
your prayers and constant support to us here and the ministry. We are committed
to serve the master in this vine yard. We also commends your mails and phone
calls to us, without you praying and support us here, we would have not done
much. Thank you and please continue to support the work here in Sierra Leone.
ALPHA GOES FOR TRAINING: In our efforts to continue to train
Nationals who will not only be future Leaders, but trainers themselves. Upon
the return of Rev. Kamara from training at the International Institute of
Evangelism in Nigeria, we were fortunate at this time to be offered a
scholarship by the institution for any person we will send to be trained. In
view of that, we took up that offer and so sent Pastor Alpha M Kargbo. Pastor
Kargbo has so far left for Nigeria and has begun studies at the institution. We
thank ISE for their kindness. Alpha, was the Youth Coordinator of the Church,
he will be there for four Months.
PRAYER REQUEST:
1. Pray for our brethren in Waterloo,
that they will continue to serve the Lord and not depend on how much money they
will need from people, in other to serve God.
2. Pray for Pastor David Tamba Koroma as
he takes up the position of the GS.
3. Pray for the NA partner of the School here as
they consider building a new classroom block at the school that God will
provide the needed resources.
4. Pray for the new villages and town we
intend to plant new churches this year.
5. Pray for pa Conteh that God will bless him
more for donating a plot of Land in Makeni for the Church.
6. Pray for the forth coming new TLT
class that is beginning the 17th of next Month [February].
7. Pray for journey mercy for Joel Ringma and
David Mayer, who will be visiting us next Month.
8. Pray too for the safe arrival of John
Loeks, and the upcoming meeting on the construction of classroom at the school
in Kabala.
9. Pray for our children as they
continue to go to school here, especially for my Daughter Judith, she is not
happy at all with the school she is attending. We are thinking of bringing her
back to Nigeria, so that she will go to school there.
10. Pray for us too that God will
continue to give us the courage to serve here, as news back home is not all
that good to us. Someone [wicked person] burnt down my Farm.
11. Pray for the evangelists as they
continue with their work in the villages.
12. Pray for Tabitha Sudu, she just
received a message from Nigeria of the Death of her Grandmother.
CONCLUSION:
Thank you all for your cares and for being part of our success stories in
Sierra Leone.
SUBMITTED
BY:
REV.
ISTIFANUS BALA BAHAGO
CONSULTANT
CRCSL/CRWM
Email:ibbahago@gmail.com.
Phone:
+23278264240
+23277668139
www.apostlebahago.blogspot.com
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