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Dawn of HOPE!

As a child growing up in Liberia, it was the closest place to heaven for me, with beautiful people, places and life changing experiences.

Yet I played on cannons that rested on the sandy beach, hearing the stories of slave ships and the brutality to human life and dignity. It crushed my heart to this day. Here is a picture of children today sitting on the same cannon.

I loved the Liberian crest expressing freedom from slavery, as many returned from the USA in the early 1800s. "THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE" was their goal. This is a country where hopes of freedom and equality were pursued. There were also Liberians who didn't cross the seas. The blending of both is important and has a very special place in God's plan.

But now after the 14 years of Civil war, it has become one of the darkest hell holes on earth. Think of the children rounded up and taken by truck load to become child-soldiers, forced to kill and rape.

''Momolu Norman a former child soldier, enrolled in a computer school under a U.N. program to retrain combatants. He now teaches at the school in the mornings and studies criminal justice and administration at the university in the afternoons. Instead of a Kalashnikov, he carries a computer memory stick tied to a lanyard looped around the button-down collar of his pink and white checked shirt.

Seven years ago, when Norman was 15, he was selling used clothes on the street when a truck came to round up boys for the army.

"I gave my clothes to someone I knew and tried to run," says Norman, now 22. "But they caught me and put me on the truck. My family didn't even know then what had happened to me."

Five years of terror followed during which Norma saw friends lose their arms, legs and lives.

"I had to kill people - I had no choice," he says. "I never wanted to be a soldier. When the U.N. intervened to end the war, I could finally do something for myself."

Think of some leaders who turned their souls to the cruelest atrocities on earth, killing, maiming and raping hundreds of thousands of their own people. Think of the physical destruction of the land that once stood tall for freedom and light.

Could there be a new chapter to this story? Yes, by God's grace and eternal love the dawn of hope is breaking.

October 13th, I read a recent New York Times report of a child who was raped and was speaking out for change in Liberia. It stirred my heart.

I was raped at the age of 12 in Liberia. For years, God has used this 'event' in my life. I have been able to come along side hundreds of women and teens around the world. I again longed to hold, weep with and love my Liberian sisters and share the freedom I have found in Christ.

ELWA, the radio station where my parents served since 1955, and where I grew up, is very much on my heart. From the age of 10, I worked in the clinic and then ELWA hopital with wounded people, physically, spiritually and emotionally.

October 14th, I was invited to join a team from the USA going to Liberia! Could this be true? I ask you to join me in prayer for God's will.

THE ASSIGNMENT:

WHERE: Liberia, West Africa
WHY: I know God wants me to go, and because I want to take the love of Jesus there!
WHEN: March, 2010
WHAT: Visiting orphans and widows; youth rallies; woman's seminars; love, hold and weep with raped and war victims from the poor to elite; Management training for Government officials and at ELWA.
HOW: By the strength and grace of the Lord, your prayer and financial support.

WOULD YOU PARTNER WITH ME?

Prayer Support:

• Lasting peace in Liberia through Jesus Christ's transforming power
• President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, that her heart and mind will remain focused on Jesus.
• Resolution of civil differences, impossible humanly speaking, but with God all is possible.
• Opportunity to rebuild relationships with old friends and make new.
• That the Holy Spirit will create a spiritual hunger in the lives of those we meet.
• That my heart will never ignore God's call in my life.
• Financial and Prayer support before February 1, 2010.

Financial Support:

• Financial needs for transportation for the trip
• Housing, food and land travel while in Liberia
• Supplies for seminars and youth rallies
  

"Lord, I have heard the news about You, I am amazed at what You have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time; make those things happen again in our own days." Habakkuk 3:2

If you would like to contact me, please send me an email at annettecooper77@yahoo.com

Thank you for hearing my heart!

Annette