REPORT of the missionary trip to IVORY COAST and LIBERIA, Jan./Feb. 2023

 

Introduction

An excellent trip, which started badly, because Abram was robbed of 3,400 euros in Tunis by (probably) corrupt customs officials. But when it comes to our ministry, nothing but cheering and praise. We have been able to train and form more than 1,185 people, including 231 pastors. Our help is being asked everywhere and a dozen churches have resumed the practice of weekly door-to-door evangelism. Many books were sold, albeit at a low price.

 

Evangelism and follow up

The emphasis was mainly on raining for evangelism and follow up. Many churches specifically ask for our help in this area. Previously, we hardly received any attention in Abidjan. Now churches are, as it were, lining up for our training sessions, especially a number of the largest local churches in town. There are several churches with 5 – 10,000 members, and we are in contact with almost all of them. A 76 year old preacher said, “Now I finally see how you should evangelize.” We held six of those training sessions, three of which were in Abidjan and then also in Sassandra, Gagnoa and Divo. We have a plan to start a youth ministry from Sassandra, with a primary focus on Bible study.

 

Church Growth, Ivory Coast

One Church Growth conference with 80 participants in Sassandra, a beautifully situated coastal town 300 kilometers from Abidjan. The lessons were followed with great interest.

 

 

Evangelism and small groups for follow up

We saw a total of 131 people indicate that they wanted to follow Christ, including a dozen Muslims. During the second part of the trip, 2 workers went to the Dan tribal area, while Charles and Abam traveled to Liberia. Now in Ivory Coast, in the Dan tribal area, we have 14 core staff, who in turn manage 152 others for 91 follow-up Bible studies in 88 villages. Now more than 3,000 new believers are participating, most of whom have been Christians for less than a year. In addition, there are groups that do not fall under our care, but are led by the churches. There are at least another 45 groups active in other regions of Ivory Coast, most of them less than six months old.

 

Income and spending

We see book sales increasing significantly. We also receive more and more donations from African churches. This trip amounted to 1500 to 1700 euros. But the trips are also increasing in duration, because we started new work in Guinea from Ivory Coast as well as in Liberia. Besides we have some work going on in Burkina Faso and now Togo is also waiting. Soon also Sierra Leone.

 

Church Growth, Liberia

Two conferences, in Monrovia (63) and Buchanan City (96), the second largest city in the country. Also an afternoon teaching about Church Growth at a small university, with 90 participants, all pastors or professors. The lessons have been well received.

 

Prospects for Liberia

Two younger pastors in particular have understood our vision well and are able to put them into practice: Mark Jallawide and Emanuel Nah. The last one is Charles's translator, who doesn't speak English very well yet. They ensure that there are a number of follow up groups in Monrovia. 30 groups are functioning now in Buchanan City. Our message has been particularly well received in that town.  Many churches have become interested in our work. Disadvantage in Liberia: More than in Ivory Coast, it is customary throughout society that the person who provides training also provides meals, which makes everything very expensive and difficult to organize.

 

Conclusion

Other countries regularly ask us for conferences and training. Benin and Sierra Leone have now been added to the list. We try to approach this carefully, otherwise the work load will become too heavy. It seems that all the doors are swinging open at the same time! God is good!

 

 

Abram Krol

13-02-2023