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 A number of children at one of the orphanages in Liberia wearing the clothes that Gerber Childrenswear in Greer donated.
"We experienced many blessings," team leader Dan Snyder stated. "We had some problems, but we were able to make good progress in achieving our objectives."
He added, "Our team was well-received and appreciated for all our efforts - including our construction work, our training sessions, and the ladies' work with the orphans."
The primary project for the team was to complete some carpentry and electrical work on a building to be used as the headquarters for the Liberian mission station's ministries. All the buildings on the mission station were destroyed or damaged during the recent long civil war in the country.
Greenville contractor Fred Jones supervised this work, installing floors and ceilings, doors and windows, plus the electrical wiring. He indicated that the building is now to the place where the Liberian crew can finish the work and have the building ready for use in just a few weeks.
Electrician David Frazee supervised the electrical work. He declared: "Our service there was both worthwhile and a blessing. We were able to help in a small way to further the work on that building, which is so badly needed. We were also able to provide money and materials for the nationals to finish it. That is encouraging."
Frazee also said that he definitely wants to go back again in the future to do some more electrical and repair work. He cited a "dire need" for work on the hospital buildings, which the team did not have time to do on this visit.
The ministry of Carol Jones and Andrea Coe, the two ladies on the team, involved the ELWA medical clinic, a children's orphanage, and a home for abused teenage girls. "We had a wonderful experience," Mrs. Jones related. "The Liberian people were wonderful, and we enjoyed them so much."
She continued, "Those children and those girls have gone through such horrible times, but they are bravely going on. It was touching to see them getting good, strong Christian teaching and to see them growing in the Lord."
In the orphanage the ladies distributed several boxes full of new children's clothing, donated by the Gerber Childrenswear in Greer. Yes, the children were excited to receive the clothing, but Mrs. Jones added: "They need so much more than clothing. They need a lot of hope and love."
Mrs. Jones is confident that the team's experience will have a significant impact on the Southside Fellowship congregation. "My heart is ready to go back again," she said, "and I am challenged to get other people to go, also. Especially some medical people. The hospital there needs so much help."
Snyder said he hopes to plan another team visit to Liberia in November. "They begged us to please come back again, he said. "We all will be praying for the Lord to work it out."
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