While touring through northeastern Liberia in the Nimba County region, we traveled to Gbedin to visit the New Covenant OFWB Church in that village. This is the only church serving the surrounding area. The current building replaced the original church, which collapsed several years ago.
The original church was constructed from mud and clay bricks produced locally in the village. Villagers collect clay from the surrounding area and often mix it with sand, creating a material that functions much like a primitive form of concrete. The mixture is placed by hand into molds and left to dry in the sun for several days. Once hardened, the bricks are strong enough to be used for building.
These clay bricks are stacked together and joined with mortar, forming the walls of the structure. However, without a protective plaster coating, the bricks cannot withstand many rainy seasons. The walls of the new church have already been completed and are now ready for plaster, doors, and windows.
When we arrived in Gbedin, we quickly realized that it was market day for the villagers. The traveling market only visits some communities once each week, so people must go there to purchase supplies for the entire week. As we reached the church, many of the villagers were just returning from the market.
I took many photographs of the building to send to the donor who helped provide the funds for the church. It is truly an amazing accomplishment to see such a dream become a reality for these people. The main gathering area is large enough to serve the community, and two spacious classrooms have been included for additional ministry and teaching purposes.
While we waited for the villagers to return from the market, we sat under the covered porch to escape the heat of the sun and enjoyed a pleasant breeze. In the rafters above us, colorful lizards darted back and forth across the beams. I jokingly called them the “church lizards,” and the men agreed they were welcome residents since they help eat mosquitoes and other insects that spread disease.
As we waited, two young boys—perhaps eight or nine years old—wandered up to the church carrying a half-deflated soccer ball. They lazily kicked it in front of them as they walked and stopped to see what we were doing. The youngest boy stood beside a porch column with his foot resting on the ball. I quietly walked up, gently kicked the ball away, and offered to play. The boys spread out, forming a triangle with me, and we kicked the ball back and forth for about fifteen minutes. Soon other boys noticed the game and joined us. Before long, I was passing the deflated soccer ball to nearly ten young players. A few more boys arrived wearing worn soccer shoes, clearly ready for a more serious game. At that point I realized I was far too old to keep up with ten energetic soccer players. Fortunately for me, the game was interrupted when a large piece of heavy machinery passed down the road.
Several years ago, the mission program provided this community with a pair of power tillers to help them plant rice for the village. Although those machines have long since broken down, the community has managed to obtain a small rice harvester—small by American standards—to harvest rice from fields located behind the church property. After the rice is collected, it is spread out on tarps or fabric to dry in the sun. Later, women and children sift the rice to remove the husks.
Before long, the church members began returning from the market and walking toward the church. Each person carried a colorful plastic lawn chair. It was a true “BYOC” day—Bring Your Own Chair. They arranged the chairs in the main room of the church and were greeted by the pastor. Introductions were made, and I was invited to speak to the congregation.
I shared with them that believers in North Carolina loved them and were praying for them. I encouraged them to grow in their knowledge of Christ Jesus, to trust the Lord, to pray faithfully, and to believe that God would bless their church. I also urged them to share the gospel throughout the village and to work toward seeing the church filled with faithful Christian believers.
Bishop Gnininte also greeted the congregation and shared words of encouragement. His father, Elder Benedict, followed with heartfelt expressions of gratitude and encouragement for the people. The bishop then explained that we had brought some medications to share with everyone present. After a few instructions, the group was organized into a line to receive the gifts.
The medications were simple but important: pain relievers, anti-nausea medicine, anti-diarrheal tablets, and packets of electrolyte powder to mix with water. While these medications are readily available in larger towns, they are often expensive and difficult for villagers to obtain. Many of those present had likely never used such common medicines before. As each person came through the line, Elder Benedict carefully explained the use of each item. “Take this for pain… take this when you are weak… take this when your stomach is runny.” After hearing his instructions repeated again and again, I was certain those words would echo in my mind long after we left.
Some of the mothers had their babies tied securely to their backs using wide, colorful fabrics. The child rests in the hollow of the mother’s back while the cloth wraps over the baby and ties across the mother’s chest. The little ones rested peacefully, snug and secure, as their mothers waited in line. They truly looked as comfortable as a bug in a rug.
