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| July 2007 | ||||
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| Reflections and Recollections | God’s Faithfulness | President's Desk | ||
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| In thanks to God, we continue our motivational memories of CinA through the past 50 years with memories from Christian Kallon and Alan & Donna Goerz. As we send three missionaries from the US to work under the leadership of the national team in Sierra Leone this year, it is fitting that we feature Christian, the current field director, and two people who were key to the development of the ministries from 1976 through 1990. Alan and Donna were field directors whom God used to nurture the transition of the ministry from foreign oversight to indigenous leadership. | ||
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From my bedroom chair I, Donna, reflected on fourteen years of missionary life... The warmth of the afternoon sun was tolerable thanks to the energetic breeze that swept through the room. The curtains danced erratically - out of step with the rhythmic swaying of the palm trees framed by our louvered windows here in Ghana our second mission field. In 1976, Alan and I stepped down upon Sierra Leonean soil. Little did we know then how deeply our roots would become intertwined with the people of Sierra Leone. |
 Alan and Donna Goerz are pictured here with their elder daughter, Karen, in the 1970s. |
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Close living quarters and a communal eating style among the missionaries and Sierra Leonean staff within the Christians in Action compound immersed us in an ideal learning environment. Our senses were assailed with foreign sounds and sights and foods; the Krio language, the Muslim call to prayer, the incessant blaring of horns, the singing from the pub underneath our bedroom window; colourful markets, appalling poverty, uniformed school children, papaya, palm oil, smoked fish, and miles of white sandy beaches. Time took the edge off the exotic and our lives took on a blend of the mundane and the miraculous. Missionary life was people - witnessing, teaching, preaching, counselling. It was housework and shopping. It was increasing leadership responsibilities and more meetings. It was raising two children in a persistently hot and humid climate where mascara refused to stay on eyelashes. It was admiring our daughters' ability to move naturally within two cultures. For Donna and me, Alan, highlights of these years in Sierra Leone are many… There were baptisms in the Atlantic Ocean - at times an assistant was needed to keep the young believer from being swept out to sea. The first wedding between church members, Issa Kargbo and Daphne Decker, was one indicator of the growing physical and spiritual maturity in the church - others followed. Baby dedications were not far behind with the accompanying spiritual and social responsibilities. A weekly highlight was Tuesday Action Night when church family gathered together and went out two-by-two through the neighbourhoods of Freetown and Kissy and later Bo to share Jesus using “Five Points for New Life.” Friday Bible Study was the gateway into the training ministry of the Syke Street Church and CinA Sierra Leone (CinASL). Bible Studies went book by book through the New Testament. All newcomers were encouraged to join the Young Christians Class. This is where many came to personal faith in Christ and then were prepared for baptism. Some took the opportunity to build their Bible knowledge and continue to grow in their Christian life by entering the National Training School. This night school training program provided CinASL with teachers for Sunday School and kids club as well as pastors and leaders for the churches being planted. One unexpected outcome of the emphasis on training was the overflow from the training school into leadership for several parachurch organizations such as Scripture Union, Youth for Christ and Campus Crusade for Christ. These years in Sierra Leone were undoubtedly some of the most challenging, rewarding and exciting of our ministry lives. |
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