In January 2010, God spoke to our hearts concerning the need for laborers in His harvest. For four years our church had been praying for Sierra Leone that God would send forth laborers into that field. When we surrendered to missions we knew that God was speaking to us specifically about the people of Sierra Leone. While on our survey trip in June of 2010, God confirmed in our hearts that this is where He would have us to serve. May 14, 2011 we graduated from Baptist Bible Translators Institute (BBTI) in Bowie, Texas. We gathered training in areas such as linguistics and cultural adaptation. We began part-time deputation while training at BBTI and immediately following our graduation we began traveling full-time to raise our support. Our goal is to be working in Sierra Leone by the spring of 2013. Upon arrival in Sierra Leone, we will begin working in the capital city of Freetown. Our primary goals are to evangelize the lost and to establish local indigenous churches that are self-sustaining and are doing their part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Why begin in the capital city? Sierra Leone’s national language is English but it has over 20 different tribal dialects that are unwritten. Freetown became a refuge for people from every tribe during the civil war that ended in 2002. We feel the most effective way to reach into the various tribes is through their own people, many of whom now speak English. Therefore, as we are learning the culture and how to speak Krio (an English based Creole that is understood by 95% of the population), we will endeavor to reach and train nationals from these tribes to take the Gospel to their own people, or who will partner with us in preaching the Gospel to these precious souls. |
      
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18 |
