Ministry Training Update

Ministry Update — February, 2016

Greetings and hope the best as the New Year rolls on.

Our family is doing well so far despite health and other challenges that are pretty much part of being on the front line. However, we are graciously making it one day at a time as you pray and support (hold the rope). I thought it was important to share some major highlights with you on new developments and urgent prayer concerns.

In 2008, Samaritan Purse Liberia accepted to partner with us in our leadership development effort. Through this initiative we recruited and trained 72 key pastoral leaders for a year in Nimba and graduated 62. Of these about 90% are serving as pastors of new church plants, teachers and elders in over 30 churches in Garplay, Karnplay and Beo regions. As a result of this we remained engaged with SP until we started the SEED Farm project. They excepted our invitation to visit the farm last year. Accordingly they saw more than expected and have decided to again partner with us for a year.

We are targeting 45 pastoral leaders that would be trained both for Agriculture (vegetable, animal husbandry) and ministry. Praise God for this opportunity. They will also develop 5 acres of our swamp during this project year. However, to whom much is given much is expected. We are providing the space for the training as part of our contribution for the program.

Pray for along with us for these needs as we prepare for this program:

  1. Safe drinking water for the farm

  2. Committed Pastoral leaders for the program

  3. Completion of the farmhouse to lodge 50 trainers and participants during training

  4. Availability of Lead's vehicle to enhance the program (duty free/funds to pay duty)

  5. Committed support staff for the program- coordinator and field technicians.

Thanks again for praying for us and standing with us.

Kokeh

A LEADLiberia Christmas Update

Dear Partners and Co-laborers:

Although we are far away from each other in miles, we are close in heart and able to share Merry Christmas greetings. We wish to acknowledge each of you our valued partners and eternal friends how much we love and appreciate you.

Family

It has been a year of changes and challenges for all of our family. One of those changes has been to be early grandparents to three wonderful grandchildren ( Lurenda, Peniel and Sheniel). They have changed our world pretty much.

Our three children Brenda, Temmon and Necia have continued to handle their challenges pretty well. Brenda is presently entering her junior year studying for a nursing degree at Cuttington University in Suakoko, Bong County. Temmon is an IT student at Starz College in Monrovia. Necia is entering high school and trying to fight her way back to the top after several struggles as a teenager. Continue to join us in keeping them before the throne of Grace.

This year Nancy’s health has been and is still a challenge but God has been gracious in stabilizing her heart condition due to constant high blood pressure (hypertension). We trust the Lord for medical attention beyond our local doctor’s help in the coming year.

One of our challenges in this year has been traveling and serving without vehicle. We lost our truck and Jeep early in the year. Our farm travels took a toll on the truck without four wheels and our Mitsubishi Jeep’s engine got damaged. We have had to rely on public transport a lot more than we ever imagined. It has been tougher for Nancy and the children. Pray along that God provides a reliable vehicle for the family. We also praise God for the provision a brand new double cabin land cruiser for ministry. We are still processing the duty-free document before shipment is done. Pray that it speeds up before the Christmas break kicks in.

Ministry

One of our challenges has been reengaging our constituents after the Ebola crisis in Liberia. We did a conference in February for over 60 participants from 12 churches in the Todee area. In July we visited Nimba to reconnect our largest training operations covering over 100 churches in Karnplay, Garplay, Gblorlay and Bahn areas. We will begin training in those areas in August, September and November. In November this year we were privileged to have IBC Missions Pastor and Director of Global Partnerships (Brent and Lauren) visit Liberia. During their trip we visited two of our training networks to interact with Pastors in Larkeyta where we have 18 churches and Todee with 8 churches. Brent and Lauren also visit Seedfarms, a sustainable 125 acre retreat farm of Lead/Liberia.

SEED Farms

In January we cultivated 20 acres of land for rice field. The harvest was plentiful. We have estimated 50 x100 5000 lbs of rice seed. We also began our animal husbandry programs with a bull, goats, ducks and piglets. On the overall the farm is gradually coming alive. Our farm house is partially finished and we do hope we can get the house finished by February.

The farm also received a big boost when we received a 75hp John Deere Tractor. One of major challenge has been the delay in the shipment of our implements. Pray along for the arrival of the implements.

As we approach the threshold of another year we covet your prayers as we endeavor to make the farm functional and productive. Our goal for the next three years is to make the farm fruitful and productive.

As we gather with our families and friends this Christmas, we count our many blessings. May the gifts of joy, peace, and love be yours now and into the New Year!

Until He comes!

Kokeh and Nancy

LEADLiberia Ministry Update — August, 2015

Ministry is going well. With Ebola situation much improved, we are beginning to plan meetings. This August we will have two major meetings with Pastors in two counties. Pray for the Lord's provision to do the first conference with pastors and church leaders from 18 churches.

Many of the participants will come from towns and villages that require walking 2- 4 hours to be at the conference. August 28-30 I will travel 250 miles for a meeting with leaders from 3 regions (Garplay, Karnplay and Beo). We had earlier work with over 50 churches in this area, training leaders for over 8 years. Most of those we trained are now pastors of local congregations. Prior to our mobile training, some of them were mere church members. Four of those pastors went on to Bible College and are now back home to serve. Pray for wisdom as we meet to strategically plan for future training that will help us to do more by doing less.

Our sustainable farm effort is definitely yielding results. We planted rice on nearly 15 acres. After the harvest of the rice we will begin to plant plantain and banana on the site. We have few animals of the site but they have not been doing very well. We do need expert help at this point. The farm is a very great prospect.

Please continue to pray for:

  • Tractor implements to arrive (wagon, bucket, plow).

  • A road worthy vehicle (4 wheel drive).

  • A Ministry Training Director.

  • Back to back meetings this month and vehicle for the long trip

Rich Blessings,

Kokeh