We thank God for the completion of the badly needed new block at Makomba School (illustrated in the photograph) which has been made possible through the generous support of Save the Children.

We pray for the right conditions to complete the building project for another of our schools at Jerusalem Avenue. 

Conference

Last week our Sierra Leone churches were able to come together, within Covid-19 safety guidelines, for their half-yearly conference.  

Commenting on the event, Magnus Bendu said: “It was great to be together again, albeit in the Covid-19 way. There is so much enthusiasm now for helping each other, with the stronger churches keen to support those who are weaker. The new health centre is also at the heart of the people. It was a hugely positive meeting. Everyone was happy and grateful.”

 

Prayers for the communities

We thank God for the blessing of Magnus, Daniel and the Sierra Leone leadership team, and for the care and support our churches wish to provide for each other.

We pray for continued development of the new Health Centre, which will provide a dramatic improvement for the poorer communities in Bethesda and surrounding areas. We also pray for protection over their health and wellbeing, not just from Covid-19, but also malaria and typhoid.

Covid-19 numbers for Sierra Leone (as of 4 August) are 1855 cases and 67 total deaths.

Donate 

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion both in the UK and in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon. 

 

Children attending the church at Fabaina, Sierra Leone, were treated to a surprise arrival of shoe bags containing a host of goodies!

The church was able to reopen with restrictions, following four months of closure due to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Releasing the containers

During this time, considerable effort was being made to release two containers from the docks at Freeport, having been held there since their arrival on 5 December.

As well as the shoe bags, the containers held a whole range of items eagerly awaited by Bethesda Orphanage, schools and the local community.

 

• Sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, towels, curtains 
• Table cloths, crockery and cutlery
• Clothes and shoes for adults and children
• At least 60 boxes of new school uniforms
• 100s of school text books - children's story books, adult Christian books, and some new books that have been donated for the Evangelical library
• Assorted toys, as well as balls for football and netting for goals
• Furniture, bunk beds, cots, settees, and desks for Magnus and Daniel
• Sewing machines and manual typewriter for blind folk

The shoe bags were collated and donated by church members at Zion Community Church, St.Ives, Cradley Chapel, Ebley Chapel and Woodmancote Church.

Many thanks

On behalf of The Connexion and Sierra Leone Mission, please may we thank everybody for their prayers for the safe delivery of these invaluable items. Praise God!

Donate

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion both in the UK and in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

Be inspired by Christians in Sierra Leone, who have come together 'remotely' in worship to sing a blessing over their country during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Click on the link below to view the You Tube recording.

Thank you for your prayers for Adama, who has been suffering from symptoms that resemble epilepsy.

Last week, Magnus accompanied Adama to the Cottage Children’s Hospital in Freetown. She received a consultation with a Doctor who recommended a series of clinical tests, including a blood count to detect any present disorders, such as malaria and typhoid, and a brain scan. 

Adama was given a referral to Cannaught Hospital, which is the largest hospital in Sierra Leone, and Magnus again took her for the next consultation. It was explained that the further tests and scan, which can help to ascertain whether the condition is suspected epilepsy, cannot be carried out yet due to the current Covid-19 situation. 

We will keep you posted about Adama’s progress and thank you for your continuing prayers for her tests, treatment and full recovery. In the meantime, we give thanks that her condition has not worsened and she is continuing to take medication that has been recommended whilst awaiting further investigation. 

The cost of treatment Adama has received so far of 380,000 Leone (approximately £32) has been covered, but in addition to the health costs, Magnus has needed to take two days out from work in order to take Adama to the hospital appointments in Freetown. 

As Magnus reaffirmed: “It will be such a blessing when the new health centre at Brama is completed”.

Donations

If you would like to contribute towards the completion of the new health centre in Brama, and/or important work of The Connexion in Sierra Leone and the UK, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

We have received an urgent prayer request from Magnus Bendu for Adama.

Adama is one of our girls at Bethesda and has been suffering from symptoms that resemble epilepsy.

The hospital system serving this area presents difficulties in normal circumstances, and this has been made worse by the Covid-19 crisis.

Magnus asks us to join our Sierra Leone community in prayer for Adama to be assessed for an accurate diagnosis and that she receives the necessary medical treatment.

 

Donations

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion in Sierra Leone and the UK, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

Our communities in Sierra Leone have been joining us in giving thanks to God for his amazing answer to prayer!

Building of a new Health Centre has been made possible in response to prayers at Zion Community Church in St Ives, which generously enabled the purchase of a suitable piece of land, as well as the necessary materials build the main structure and complete the roof of the centre and staff accommodation.

This fantastic achievement, which will make a significant difference for the communities in Brama and Bethesda, Sierra Leone, is due to God's wonderful ability in prompting blessed people to make such generous donations. 

Further Prayer

To complete the project, further prayer is requested to provide additional financial assistance to cover the costs of windows, doors, plastering, floor tiling, wiring and plumbing. The cost for this is estimated at £14,000. But with God it has been proved time and again that all things are possible!

Why the Health Centre is so important

During their November visit to Sierra Leone, Janet O’Shea with Bethany and Esther Green were introduced to a church service congregation, where they noticed a young boy. Sitting next to his mother, he was in pain, whimpering quietly to himself, and it soon became obvious that there was something seriously wrong. His mother explained that two weeks earlier her son had been playing football when he fell and broke his leg - in two places. She could not afford medical help and could not raise the money for transport to reach a clinic where he could be treated.

At Mabang, the team met a young man with his two small children. He had just buried his wife because she had not been able to reach the hospital quickly enough.

In addition, at Brama School during a two-week visit in the summer, at least six children were taken ill with malaria, while at Bethesda two children needed treatment for malaria and one for typhoid.  

Help was given to those mentioned, but it left no doubt of a great need for improved health care facilities. 

Magnus Bendu expressed his great concern for the necessity of cheap, available medical support, and raised the consideration for funding to build and equip a local Health Centre. 

Prompted Funding

Prayer followed these visits and Magnus’ request, and in June last year, Zion Community Church prayed as a whole community for confirmation that this was a project that the church should support. 

God provided their answer with speed. That very evening a generous cheque was received (from a donor outside of the church community) for £5,000, which enabled the purchase of land, and this was followed in December by a donation from a Connexion church member for £30,000 to cover the costs of the build. Confirmation received in a marvellous way!

Thanks for the Containers

Two containers dispatched from St Ives back in November for our Brama and Bethesda communities have finally been delivered, following a delay at the Freeport docks of nearly five months. The port duties were reduced by 50% and there was no inspection of the containers' contents at the port, which would had the potential to incur a further delay and additional costs. 

The containers' donated goods have been gratefully received by the local communities, and because the Bethesda school is currently closed due to the Covid-19 crisis, the children were able to assist with unpacking and sorting of the materials.

• Shoe bags from Zion Community Church, St.Ives, Cradley Chapel, Ebley Chapel and Woodmancote Church
• Sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, towels, curtains 
• Table cloths, crockery and cutlery
• Clothes and shoes for adults and children
• At least 60 boxes of new school uniforms
• 100s of school text books - children's story books, adult Christian books, and some new books that have been donated for the Evangelical library
• Assorted toys, as well as balls for football and netting for goals
• Furniture, bunk beds, cots, settees, and desks for Magnus and Daniel
• Sewing machines and manual typewriter for blind folk

Prayers for Coronavirus

Prayers are continuing for health and protection of the people in Sierra Leone, against Coronavirus, and also the risk of malaria and typhoid during the rainy season.

Thanks are given that so far there are no known cases of Covid-19 among our Connexion communities. As of today (July 1) the national statistics for Sierra Leone record a total of 1462 cases and 60 deaths. Our prayers go to all of those who have been affected by the pandemic.

Donations

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion in Sierra Leone and the UK, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

 

Excellent progress has been made on the new Health Centre for the communities in Brama and Bethesda, Sierra Leone. The roof is in place and staff quarters are nearing completion.

This fantastic achievement is due to God's wonderful ability in prompting blessed people to make such generous donations in answer to prayer. 

Funding received has enabled the purchase of land and building materials to take the development this far. 

The next stages, however, will require more financial assistance to cover the costs of windows, doors, plastering, floor tiling, wiring and plumbing. The cost for this is estimated at £14,000.

Background to the need for a Health Centre

During their November visit to Sierra Leone, Janet O’Shea with Bethany and Esther Green were introduced to a church service congregation, where they noticed a young boy. Sitting next to his mother, he was in pain, whimpering quietly to himself, and it soon became obvious that there was something seriously wrong. His mother explained that two weeks earlier her son had been playing football when he fell and broke his leg - in two places. She could not afford medical help and could not raise the money for transport to reach a clinic where he could be treated.

At Mabang, the team met a young man with his two small children. He had just buried his wife because she had not been able to reach the hospital quickly enough.

In addition, at Brama School during a two-week visit in the summer, at least six children were taken ill with malaria, while at Bethesda two children needed treatment for malaria and one for typhoid.  

Help was given to those mentioned, but it left no doubt of a great need for improved health care facilities. 

Magnus Bendu expressed his great concern for the necessity of cheap, available medical support, and raised the consideration for funding to build and equip a local Health Centre. 

Answered Prayer

Prayer followed these visits and Magnus’ request, and in June last year, Zion Community Church prayed as a whole community for confirmation that this was a project that the church should support. 

God provided their answer with speed. That very evening a generous cheque was received (from a donor outside of the church community) for £5,000, which enabled the purchase of land, and this was followed in December by a donation from a Connexion church member for £30,000 to cover the costs of the build. Confirmation received in a marvellous way!

Together we thank God for his amazing answer to prayer and ask that he may prompt others of his choosing to contribute to this important project, which has the potential to change the lives of our Sierra Leone community.

Donate

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion both in the UK and in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

 

The containers, which have been held in the docks of Freetown since 5 December, have finally arrived in Bethesda. Praise the Lord!

The final hurdle to cross was the question of dock charges accrued during the period of delay.

Fortunately, a discount of 50% was granted through negotiation, but the total due still amounted to just over £4,500.

Zion Community Church in St Ives have been able to cover the majority of the cost of what has become known as the 'container saga' and The Connexion's Sierra Leone Mission contributed the balance of £1032. 

 

 

 

 

Inside the containers

The people of Bethesda will be both relieved and grateful to receive the many useful items donated by the generosity of people who support our communities in Sierra Leone.

• Shoe bags from Zion Community Church, St.Ives, Cradley Chapel, Ebley Chapel and Woodmancote Church
• Sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, towels, curtains 
• Table cloths, crockery and cutlery
• Clothes and shoes for adults and children
• At least 60 boxes of new school uniforms
• 100s of school text books - children's story books, adult Christian books, and some new books that have been donated for the Evangelical library
• Assorted toys, as well as balls for football and netting for goals
• Furniture, bunk beds, cots, settees, and desks for Magnus and Daniel
• Sewing machines and manual typewriter for blind folk

Click on the image below to see a short video of the containers' arrival:

On behalf of The Connexion, Sierra Leone Mission and Zion Community Church we extend sincere thanks for your continued prayer.

Donate

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion both in the UK and in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.

 

We are delighted to be able to inform you that the Director of Finance at Freetown port, Sierra Leone has signed off the containers bound for Bethesda.  Praise the Lord!

The next hurdle is to negotiate potential dock charges. These are based on daily fees and the containers have been held at the docks since 5 December. Further prayer is requested that this will be kept to a minimum (or even better, zero!) bearing in mind this delay is through no fault of our own.

The containers should now been on their way to Bethesda and we greatly look forward to receiving photographs of their arrival, which will be accompanied by many happy faces!

Inside the containers is a whole range of items, eagerly awaited by the Bethesda community:

• Shoe bags from Zion Community Church, St.Ives, Cradley Chapel, Ebley Chapel and Woodmancote Church
• Sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, towels, curtains 
• Table cloths, crockery and cutlery
• Clothes and shoes for adults and children
• At least 60 boxes of new school uniforms
• 100s of school text books - children's story books, adult Christian books, and some new books that have been donated for the Evangelical library
• Assorted toys, as well as balls for football and netting for goals
• Furniture, bunk beds, cots, settees, and desks for Magnus and Daniel
• Sewing machines and manual typewriter for blind folk

On behalf of The Connexion and Sierra Leone Mission, please may we thank you for your continued prayer. God listens!

Donate

If you would like to contribute towards the important work of The Connexion both in the UK and in Sierra Leone, please click on Donations. All contributions, no matter how small, are of huge value to enable us to continue the legacy of the Countess of Huntingdon.