A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Ps. 16:9
Saturday, September 5, 2026
ECHOES OF GRACE
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23
A Call to Prayer
For the gospel to be seen in our words and actions.
For all the needed school sponsorships to be filled.
For the church here in Po River to grow in Christ alone.
For protection, safety, and care while working.
For the financial needs of the people and programs here at Pillar of Fire Missions, as well as our monthly needs.
For humble attitudes while learning the culture and meeting with people.
A Call to Praise
His faithfulness in protection, safety, and care while we traveled to Monrovia and back last week.
His faithfulness in sustaining our families through a significant season of transition.
His faithfulness in providing 84% of the monthly support goal.
His faithfulness in using the weak and foolish things to bring Himself glory.
His faithfulness in keeping us healthy.
We were on our way back from Monrovia this past Saturday, after spending a week doing various errands and supply buying when, 36 miles from the Cestos River where we cross to go to Po River, we came to an impassable part in the road; the bridge is out. We were making really good time as well but were forced to return to Monrovia, where we now wait for the road to be fixed and maybe even dry out a little.
These are the events in a given day when we questioned what God was up to; we decided to return back to Monrovia. We thank God that some car mechanical issues were brought to light on our return trip; issues that are better cared for in the big city and not in the middle of the jungle. A few more meetings have been able to take place because of the extra time in the city. It has also given us a few days of actual relaxation, which we don’t usually get when we’re here. While we enjoy comforts like eating out and a hot shower, buying supplies and running errands isn't exactly restful when your mind is always running by learning the culture and surroundings. But that is life, and the reality we live in. We yet again see God's sovereign plan and faithfulness unfold before our eyes! To God be the glory!
This past month has been busy growing in relationships and continuing to learn how all the different entities on the property work. We’ve been getting to know some students a little more; Bill mostly, as there is a trio that comes by several days a week to see Phoenix and hang out with him. We don’t have pictures of them because we asked if we could take their picture and they said no, so we will respect their wishes. One is an orphan, and another lives here at Po River, but his parents live a 6-hour walk away. It’s challenging for us to understand their lives. We were so grateful to hear from many of you saying that you were praying about sponsoring a student. The opportunity is still available if you thought it was too late to sign up. It excited us to hear that some students have been sponsored since our last letter.
The real challenge of ministry here at Po River Beach isn't just the logistical puzzle of fetching daily supplies, keeping the solar power running, removing rodents from toilets or even weathering the heavy tropical downpours—it is the emotional weight of holding the line in isolation (hard to capture in pictures). Because we live where the road ends, the local believers who spearhead the daily work of the church,the school, the medical clinic, and property often carry heavy burdens. They are the frontline heroes, providing spiritual leadership, teaching classrooms full of energetic children, treating medical cases with limited resources, and stewarding the resources, all while facing the daily hardships of remote village life. In an environment where resources are scarce and the physical demands are relentless, burnout is a constant shadow, and spiritual discouragement can easily slip in. Your prayers are essential, not just for us but for the people of the Po River region.
In this season of ministry, we are striving to build deep, life-on-life relationships and pour into these local leaders. True ministry here moves at a relational pace—sitting on a porch in the heat, listening to a teacher's frustrations, praying with the medical staff who have had a difficult day at the clinic, and reminding our brothers and sisters that they are not forgotten by the global church. We are realizing that our most strategic work isn't maintaining the infrastructure, but echoing the grace of Jesus Christ, which encourages the hearts of the men and women who run to him. By choosing to walk closely alongside them through every triumph and setback, we are witnessing the beautiful reality that as we share each other's burdens, the grace, peace, and love of Christ become a tangible anchor that keeps each believing individual in this community firmly rooted in Christ alone.
7 orphans are waiting for a sponsor, and you could be that answer to many prayers! Would you sponsor a child for the school year? Your $55/month provides fees (tuition, registration, & fees for testing), supplies (notebooks & ink pens/pencils), two school uniforms (socks & shoes, raincoat, umbrella, backpack), a PE uniform, and a meal. Press the above link to register your sponsorship today.
(When registering to give, use the drop-down menu to select - Oceanview Christian School - Po River)
In some ways, August has felt like the longest month for us, and in other ways, it’s hard to believe that we have been in Liberia for one month already.
We are enjoying living here, even though we do without some comforts like running hot water. It pales in comparison to how others here live, and we are so grateful for every comfort we do have.
We, (rather, Bill) hit the ground running. Or should I say, crashing. There was a huge mango tree that had rotted and being eaten by ants that needed to come down. A large limb had already come down due to a stiff wind, and being so close to the school, it was in danger of crashing onto the school.
Bill, with the assistance of Emmanuel (property maintenance lead), arranged for a tree-remover to come and cut it down.
It was lined up properly but at the last minute, during the cutting, it twisted and came down on the school roof anyway.
So, Bill learned very quickly how things are done in Po River, Liberia.
Working closely with Emmanuel and the four men who serve as maintenance and carpenters on the property has been a real joy.
Wood to repair the roof had to be located and ripped into the pieces we needed to repair the damage. Zinc (Metal roofing) and various nails needed to be purchased and delivered from over 60 miles away, (there is no Home Depot here). Yes, that is twenty sheets of roofing metal being delivered by motorcycle.
Did we mention it is rainy season? Water filled the room before we were able to complete the job. Bill jokingly told the principal, Rev. Johnson, that the school now had a swimming pool.
The repair was made within 2 weeks and the room is ready in time for school.
Sometimes destruction brings blessings. We were able to use some of the damaged zinc for repairing the window shades on the school building (a needed project). The downed tree will be used for making charcoal (most people still cook using charcoal) giving opportunity for employment to a few people. God provides in unexpected ways. We are so thankful that no one was hurt, and especially that school was not yet in session.
We have also been getting to know the people here. Several communities in the area send their kids to the school and utilize the clinic, as well as attend church. Once school starts next week, we’ll be getting to know even more families from this area. Parents and caregivers are busy preparing to send their kids back to school next week, just like many of you have done these past several weeks. We look forward to reporting on the school year as it progresses.
Attention Homeschool families and teachers! Just like the Po River Community, we know you are passionate about quality Christian education. Would you pray about sponsoring a child? Your $55/month provides fees (tuition, registration, & fees for testing), supplies (notebooks & ink pens/pencils), two school uniforms (socks & shoes, raincoat, umbrella, backpack), a PE uniform, and a meal. There are at least ten orphans waiting for a sponsor, and you would be an answer to prayer! Press the link below to register your sponsorship today.
(When registering to give, use the drop-down menu to choose Oceanview Christian School - Po River)
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23
A Call to Praise
His faithfulness in protection, safety, and care while we traveled to Monrovia and back last week (it took 11 hours!).
His faithfulness in sustaining our families through a significant season of transition.
His faithfulness in providing 87% of the monthly support goal.
His faithfulness in using the weak and foolish things to bring Himself glory.
His faithfulness in keeping us healthy.
A Call to Prayer
For the gospel to be seen in our words and actions.
For all the needed school sponsorships to be filled.
For the church here in Po River.
For protection, safety, and care while working.
For our monthly support goal, as well the people and programs here at Pillar of Fire Missions.
For a humble attitude while learning the culture and meeting people.
We have arrived at the mission site that is our new home. It was quite a journey to get here, and we have plenty of pictures to show you. The Lord was so gracious in all our travel and we are truly grateful to him. You are most welcome to make the same trek for yourselves to come and see us!
Because we were taking our dog Phoenix with us, we wanted to fly with as few stops as possible. We found a great flight out of Miami with just one stop before Liberia, through Morocco. So, with all our luggage and dog, along with 3 of our children, we drove 5 hours to Miami. We made great time, checked in, said tearful goodbyes to our kids and proceeded to our first flight.
Our one stop was in Casablanca, Morocco which was a lengthy 13 hours. We passed the time in a lounge and tried as many Moroccan dishes and drinks that we could. We also were able to shower which felt great after an 9-hour flight and long layover.
We arrived in Monrovia at about 4:30am and were met by Pillar Missions Liberian National Director, Luther Tarpeh. After retrieving all our luggage and Phoenix, we made our way to Luther’s house where we would spend the next several days. We rested, ate, did business, attended church and bought supplies.
It is the rainy season here which means rain, sometimes very hard, usually every day. However, the day that was chosen for us to make our way to Po River, was an unusually clear day, for which we were very thankful.
The day started early and we were on the road by 7:30. It’s about a 2-hour drive on somewhat paved roads to a large town called Buchanan, where we met with the principal and another teacher of a Pillar school there.
From Buchanan, the road is not paved, but after about 2.5 hours we arrived in the town of Cesstos, located on the RiverCess.
We had to take a boat across because there is no bridge to cross the river, which is just as well as there are no roads in our district. It is all just paths, wide enough to walk and for motorbikes to drive. Which is what we had to do.
Our things, Phoenix, and ourselves all took motorbikes on a 5-mile journey through the jungle to our new home.
We were greeted by many people including 5 local tribal elders, two district commissioners and 2 journalists from local community news outlets.
Everything made it and we have spent the past week enjoying our new home right on the ocean and getting ourselves acclimated to our new surroundings. We have met with many people who have been running the clinic, church, school, and a coconut oil processing plant. We have much to learn but are happy to be here and get to work.
Thank you to all who prayed for us as we traveled. We are so grateful to you all.
"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23
A Call to Praise
His faithfulness in protection, safety, and care while we traveled.
His faithfulness in sustaining our families through a significant season of transition.
His faithfulness in providing 87% of the monthly support goal.
His faithfulness in using the weak and foolish things to bring Himself glory.
A Call to Prayer
For the gospel to be seen in our words and actions.
For the Church here in Po River.
For protection, safety, and care while working.
For the 13% of our monthly support goal to be raised.
