(September/October 2003)

An Invitation to Participate

By

White Fields Associate Evangelist Dr. W. Blythe Robinson

Liberia

A nation pummeled almost out of existence after fourteen years of war.

A land of death – a land of life – a land of despair – a land of hope.

Churches struggling to survive – clinging to hope in God and American churches.

Introduction . . .

Let me tell you the story after three weeks of immersion into their world of struggle. Not my story, not the story of Liberia, but the story of God’s sustaining power.

On a personal level . . .

This was my most difficult mission trip. This was not my idea, but God’s call. I

don’t function well in humidity, yet I was submerged in the humidity of the rainy season of Africa at the equator. Without electricity or running water, I learned to live in twelve hours of darkness among malaria-carrying mosquitoes, having brought malaria medication that was useless there. The house in which I stayed was filled with mice and rats that chewed around the room constantly at night while I tried to sleep. Menacing brown spiders 5 ½ inches in diameter, 3 ½ inch hissing cockroaches that could fly, and foot-long lizards with strange colored heads were everywhere. Sleepless nights were spent pouring water on my body and fanning myself off and on throughout the night in order to gain two to four hours of sleep. Three weeks of endless days of teaching and preaching drained me physically. But this was all nothing compared to what the Liberian people have suffered and are suffering.

The situation . . .

Murder, rape and pillage have stalked the land. Savagery and mutilations almost too brutal to describe have consumed these people. Churches and orphanages have been looted and shot up. I went with the gospel of peace. I went to preach, teach, and counsel. I visited churches, orphanages, refugee camps, and homes. I walked in the rain down muddy roads and through tall grass into out of the way places. I preached in dark buildings with no light. I often had to yell above the pounding rain on tin roofs in order to be heard. But none of this compared with what was to end my trip prematurely.

The danger . . .

When I left for Liberia, peace had been declared and a truce had been signed. I lived in formally rebel held territory. I never expected to be caught up in the experience of war until Oct. 1 when fighting erupted around the house where I was staying. One can never know the shock of seeing hundreds of people, all running in one direction for safety, carrying their possessions with them. One can never know the terror of real, live fire from AK-47’s and 50 caliber machine guns until you are in the middle of the craziness and madness of war. I faced the ultimate encounter of life and death as a soldier pointed a rifle at my head with his finger on the trigger. Almost too late, I realized that my life or death would be decided in the next four to five seconds. But God sustains and God delivers.

The plea . . .

I believe God allowed me to partake of these experiences in order for me to try to help you understand how much our help is needed in this nation. I am looking for people who care, people who will let me come and share the need and make the plea for help, not for me, but for them. Holidays are coming for us, but not for them. Help me help them find hope. If God has touched your heart about this situation, then please contact me. Together we can do more than we can ever do alone. You may reach me at 970-641-2931 or by email at <daystar330@aol.com> or by writing me at P.O. Box 65, Pitkin, CO 81241.