A “Sermon In The Shoes" — Walk With Us To Combat COVID-19 in Liberia.

Thanks so much for praying along with us since this pandemic. It has been a very tough experience especially with everything literally at a standstill. However, your prayers and support for us has kept us, but we have thought to lift up the needs of people we serve. Indeed, as we fight for survival of this virus, there is yet another virus literally ravaging families who can not afford.

God's provision to serve others is a demonstration of the gospel at such a time to encourage families. I consider this proposal and intervention as a "Sermon In The Shoes.''

LEADLiberia Proposal For Emergency Food And Non-Food Assistance During COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

History

As the nations of the world experience this global pandemic, we in Liberia are no exception. We have begun to suffer even more because we have had battles prior to this global experience. In 1989-1996 we experienced a civil war that took the lives of approximately 250,000 people. As we struggle to recover the brunt of this gruesome civil war, in 2014-2016 we were hit by Ebola epidemic taking the lives of approximately 11,207 lives in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone leaving behind thousands of orphans.

Again, as the dust began to settle in a post war, post Ebola crisis, with a broken economy with over 85% unemployment we are now faced with this unseen enemy, COVID-19. Despite our completely broken health system COVID-19 is now here since March. On April 8, a state of emergency was declared and partial lock-down enforced from 3 p.m. Churches, schools and government institutions and business closed.

In view of this situation, the virus has begun to affect the population that lives on daily hustle for livelihood. We are now fighting on two fronts, the coronavirus and the hunger virus.

Rationale

LEADLiberia wishes to intervene by providing food and nonfood assistance to at least 100 families in these key locations:

• Montserrado … Koon Town, Mayo Town, Zinnata, & George Town

• Margibi … Gbeyantown, Pleemu, Beadee, Larkeyta

Strategy

The strategy is to fight the COVID-19 by encouraging hand-washing with detergent (Clorox and soap) and the hunger virus fight through the provision of basic food items (rice, cooking oil and season). A "Sermon In The Shoes" is a demonstration of the Gospel during this critical period to give hope to our targeted beneficiaries in areas as designated.

Benefits of the Project

Health – to help our beneficiaries stay safe by taking preventive measures in a place where our health system is completely broken.

Spiritual – to give hope during this critical time of global pandemic Social – to reach out and demonstrate the gospel in tangible ways.

Cost Breakdown

1. 100 Bags of rice @ $14 per bag = $1,400

2. 25 cartoons of cooking oil @ $28 = $700

3. 9 cartoons of seasoning @ $32 =$128

4. 4 cartoons of Clorox @ $24 = $96

5. 8 cartoons of soap @ $13 = $104

6. 100 Buckets (hand-washing) @ $10 = $1,000

   TOTAL: $3,428

Distribution expense:

1. Vehicle (2) @ $100 x 4 days = $400

2. Team 5 persons @ $10 x 8 x 4 = $320

3. Gasoline/fuel @ $50 x 4 = $200

TOTAL: $920.00

Misc. Expense @ 5% = $217.40

GRAND TOTAL= $4565.40

We covet your prayers, your donations and your friendship. Please consider walking with us and donate now at: https://www.leadliberia.org/donate

Thanks for holding the rope!

KOKEH

Hope Again!

As we think about you all and pray along, we know that we can continue to hope again. Here are a few excerpts from Chuck Swindoll's book titled "Hope Again!” (When life hurts and dreams fade). This book has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me during this season. Hope is a wonderful gift from God, a source of strength and courage in the face of life's hardest trials.

• When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.

• When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.

• When we lose our way and confusion blurs our destination, hope dulls our panic.

• When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.

• When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.

As we share these moments, I know for sure that hope is essential for our survival. We continue to trust God one day at a time and know that He is our source for a lasting solution to this global pandemic. It is creeping on us gradually from 3 - 13 and now 3 deaths.

No lockdown as of yet, but we are meeting home and having services at home for about a month now. Adhering to health protocols as much as we can and go out when we have to get essential provision. We are keeping safe and we hope you are doing the same. Pray for us to have enough food at home before there is any lockdown.

We love you all and hope we have another chance to see again in this life.

Rich blessings!

KOKEH

Our Rock and Salvation in Distress.

Dear Friends/Partners/Supporters:

During this time of anxiety, fear, and isolation experienced due to this unprecedented pandemic that has literally paralyzed our countries and people, let us trust God for support, encouragement and direction. Let us lay our worries and trouble souls in His care. Psalm 34:17-22 reminds us that " when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. He is near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. Though our situations may appear insurmountable but God is able to handle them.

Beloved much has happened and so much is happening by the day to our friends, relatives and love ones due to this Coronavirus (COVID-19), May God be with help us in these uncertain times and calm our minds and souls. May His peace that surpasses all understanding guide our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It is easy to allow fear, not faith to overtake us especially like Peter, as we look at all that is happening around us, let God help us to trust Him still. We may not understand the extent of our tragedy, but we need to remain steadfast in our faith. Let us unite our hearts and cling to His Word and His abiding presence in our homes, our churches, communities and beloved countries. In these critical times, May God gave our leaders wisdom to seek protection and safety for the public, help guide their decisions and actions. May each country receive every human and divine resources to combat this menace.

May our Great Physician, help our Doctors, nurses and health care workers and other service personnel that are in harms way as they sacrifice their lives for public good. Indeed He is our rock and salvation in distress, worries and doubts during this turbulent time. Let us not lose faith due to the circumstances affecting us, our God who knows, sees and hears will surely calm the storm in due time. Keep your eyes on Him. May the words of the Prophet Isaiah (40:31) be true for each of us this day: "Do not fear, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed for I am your God . I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand''.

Rich blessings!

Kokeh/Nancy