Liberia, West Africa is a former American Colony with population of 5.193 million, and is the size of Tennessee (39-43 thousand square miles). The people are generations of freed slaves who were transported back to Liberia after being freed in America. They lived in poverty and were further devastated by a 14 year Civil War beginning in 1989 ending 2003. Most Liberians live today without safe water and not enough food for even one meal of rice per day. 85% do not have a job. Many of the men were killed in the civil war, leaving women and children to fend for themselves. EBOLA took of lives, and many more die from hunger. 68% of Liberians mostly children cannot read. Only 35% of the children receive any form of education. Teachers are unequipped and untrained to teach. Most of the schools are unfit for learning. Books are nonexistent in most of Liberia. 85% of all Liberians are . 35% of the Christians are members of ELCL (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia) that is a partner church with LCMS. Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids has joined in partnership with Faith Lutheran Church of Liberia. Our focus for assistance is primarily with District #4 Bong County, Liberia West Africa. This is believed to be the poorest of the poor anywhere.

In February 2013, Harrison Kpartipa, a member of Trinity, approached the Trinity Board of Human Care with his dream of helping Liberia to help themselves. Harrison lived in Bong County, Liberia until he came to America in 2003 and became an American citizen in 2009. From that simple BHC meeting God has blessed this Liberian Mission in ways that no one could ever have envisioned. I, Irene Reinking, volunteered (by the Grace of God) to go with Harrison to Liberia to interact with the people, visit the churches and schools, take pictures and bring back the story of their great need to Trinity and anyone else who would listen. Our long term goal is TO ASSIST LIBERIA THROUGH EDUCATION TO BE EMPOWERED TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT. Now two years later we are still working toward that goal. “WITH MAN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” In November, 2013 the first shipment of 68 boxes packed with mostly donated clothing and shoes for men, women, children and infants were shipped by the Orphan Grain Train to Liberia. It arrived there on February 6, 2014 and pictures were sent back to Trinity to show the actual distribution.

Harrison and I traveled to Liberia and spent 3 weeks there in January of 2014. I fast became the minority. I was overwhelmed by the welcome and acceptance I received. The people waited in line to shake my hand. The children followed and crowded around me where ever I went. But it was not ME they had anxiously waited for. It was the HOPE for a better tomorrow that they saw in my presence. The babies did not smile or cry. Adults did not speak and rarely smiled. They had a sad vacant look in their eyes. Only in Churches with standing room only did I hear them singing and see them dancing. They know the Joy of the Lord. All through the Worship service I heard them chanting “GOD IS GOOD! ALL THE TIME! PRAISE THE LORD!!” My culture shock came when I returned home to Cedar Rapids and walked into my own home. I cried seeing all that I have and knowing the little or nothing they have. And still they chant “God is good all the time.”

Through the year of 2014 more people joined forces with us both from Trinity and from the surrounding community and beyond. The Mission expanded mightily and on December 14, 2014 we filled a 40 foot Carton with over 450 boxes of clothing, shoes, medical supplies, health items, books, bed sheets, school supplies, over 500 soccer balls, and more. Also bicycles, crutches, chain saws, tools, 16 sewing machines, a saw mill, and a nine passenger Suburban Van. This shipment arrived in Liberia early March. Harrison is in Liberia at this time and is involved with distribution of the donations.

We are now planning and gathering for another 40 foot shipping container to be shipped by late July 2015. For this shipment we will gather items as listed above with focus on clothing, shoes, school supplies and health items such as bar soap, tooth-brushes, and over the counter medical supplies such as Aspirin, Tylenol, Adhesive tape, Band-Aids, and etc.. The plan is also to ship a tractor and harrow for working the ground to begin farming operations. Six to 10 people from Trinity and surrounding areas are expecting to go to Liberia late this fall to put these education, rebuilding and farming operations into practice. This team includes people with expertise in, building, business, politics, charity, Christian Education, and Teacher Training and Certification. The team is looking at the whole picture of helping Liberians to help themselves. We heartily give thanks to everyone who has contributed time, talent and treasure to help make Harrison’s Dream for Liberia possible. Harrison and Irene are available for picture presentations. or call Harrison Kpartipa at 319-651-8243. We need your prayers and your help to fulfill this mission.

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
GOD BLESS US ALL!!