Magnus continues to carry out his work in trying to help the large numbers of street children in Sierra Leone, visiting them regularly with food, drinks and medical items. Sometimes, however, this valuable missionary work comes with personal risk.

Last week Magnus reported a particularly challenging night on the streets. Just after midnight he reached a place called Corner Kick in the 'five five' area in Waterloo, which during the day houses a small market, where women sell food and cooking ingredients. It is an area which is often populated by homeless and young girls.

Magnus said, 'Initially, I met about seven of the girls, one of whom already knew me, and began speaking to them about Jesus. All were Muslims, so they asked a lot of questions about Jesus, telling me they were fasting during Ramadam. After responding to their request for a prayer, I shared a bag of bread, sardines and juice with them. I had enough with me to feed 20, and I don't know how this information was spread so quickly, but I was suddenly overcrowded with over 20 new boys, including a few drug addicts who were more senior.

One of them forcefully snatched the bag from me, including my phone, taking out items for himself and giving the rest to some of the other boys. There was only one female present, who was a little older, and thankfully, my phone was eventually returned to me. It was a very intimidating experience. On this occasion I wasn't hurt, but it serves as a warning and I left the scene feeling very afraid and shaken. I thank you for your prayers of protection over me in these situations.'

Magnus has advised us that working with these children and youths has increasingly become more dangerous as many are desperate for food.

In addition, there has been a massive rise in drug taking among the children over the past couple of years - particularly using the drug Kush, which is so addictive, users can become hooked after a single hit, trapping them in a cycle of self-destruction.

During one of her visits to the streets with Magnus, Janet O’Shea, Chair of Sierra Leone Mission (SLM), also witnessed this: ‘I have had the privilege of joining Magnus several times to minister to the children and provide them with food and drink. I have seen first-hand how the children are often so hungry they can become very boisterous. Tragically, because these children can see no future for themselves, they are devoid of hope.'

Janet adds, 'We praise and thank God for giving Magnus the vision for Bethesda Orphanage, a sanctuary for street children, which has enabled him to rescue many helpless boys and girls and provide a safe and loving environment, where they can thrive.

'We also offer thanks for the generosity of people who continue to support this amazing outreach. When God guides, God provides'.

Below is a YouTube report giving information about the drug Kush.

 

SIERRA LEONE DONATIONS

If you would like to make a donation, to help SLM's work in Sierra Leone, just click on the Donations button, located at the top of each website page. Please also state if you would like your donation to go towards a particular project.

Alternatively donate by Bank Transfer

Barclays Bank

Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

(NB We are very grateful to receive anonymous donations, but when making a bank transfer donation, the donor's name is needed for auditing purposes. Please be assured this information will remain private.)

Or send a cheque to 

Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 20 Kingsborough Drive, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME12 4DN

Mariatu, from Bethesda Orphanage, is now in her fourth year at university, studying nursing. Coming to the end of her training, she has been working at Kono Hospital in the operating theatre, and following her graduation, she will need to work in a hospital unpaid for 12 months, in order to complete her training.

Health issues and available treatment in Sierra Leone are a constant challenge for Magnus. During a recent zoom meeting with the Sierra Leone Mission (SLM) he shared his concerns that many people contact him when a family member falls ill or is taken to hospital, which often leaves him feeling helpless because finances are so limited he is unable to help everyone.

Just last week we reported that Samuel, a member of Brama Church, passed away very suddenly, which was a terrible shock. Samuel had been experiencing breathing difficulties and was admitted to the Adventist Hospital at Waterloo, where he received oxygen on arrival, but supplies were limited and after an hour without oxygen he died.

Also last week, Jeneba, a teacher at Kamakontakay, collapsed at school and was unconscious, needing urgent hospital treatment. A second member of Brama Church had to be rushed to Caunnaght Hospital in Freetown with liver problems, and another community member, Olive, who has no family members was in a critical condition, needing life-saving surgery.

 

Janet O'Shea, Chair of SLM, reports that following Magnus' zoom call, several committee members felt moved to act and additional finances were sent. As a result, we are relieved to learn that Olive has received her operation and is now recovering in hospital.

We ask for prayer for those who are suffering from sickness and/or need hospital treatment, and that funds will increase to support Magnus' efforts to help those in need.

The hospital images were sent to us by Mariatu

SLM Donations

All donations, big and small, are hugely appreciated and enable us to vastly improve the lives of our communities in Sierra Leone.

To set up a monthly standing order to Sierra Leone Mission, account details are below:

Barclays Bank

Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

Please be assured that all of your money will go to help Sierra Leone

Other Donations

If you would like to make a one-off donation to help SLM's work in Sierra Leone, just click on the Donations button, located at the top of each website page. Please also state if you would like your donation to go towards a particular project.

(NB We are very grateful to receive anonymous donations, but when making a bank transfer donation, the donor's name is needed for auditing purposes. Please be assured this information will remain private.)

Or send a cheque to 

Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 2 Cheyne Close, Church Milton, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2SQ

 

Magnus has sadly needed to advise us that Samuel, one of our strong community members in Brama Village, passed away on 13 March.

Samuel had been battling with high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and was taken ill the night before his death with severe breathing difficulties. He was admitted to the larger Adventist hospital in Waterloo, but the medical teams were unable to save him.

Janet O’Shea, Chair of Sierra Leone Mission, who knew Samuel well, said: ‘Samuel was an amazing man, who always made an effort to visit us at Bethesda Orphanage during our Sierra Leone trips. He also had an enterprising spirit and had set up a basket weaving business to supply a company in Iceland. He will be greatly missed’.

We’d be grateful for your prayers for Samuel’s family and friends, and Janet also requests prayers for other community members, who are experiencing health issues. The wife of one of our strong church members at Brama has been admitted to Caunnaght hospital in Freetown with a liver problem, which is another critical case, and Jeneba, one of our teachers at Kamakontakay School, is receiving treatment following a sudden collapse whilst teaching.

We are extremely thankful for your prayers.

(Janet is pictured with Samuel at Bethesda)

Please join Rev Amidu Koroma in his prayer requests for March. 

We thank God Almighty for another new month, and for His grace and mercy over our 233rd Annual Conference in February. Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful time together and for our fruitful deliberations.

We bless you Lord Jesus for the coming of the Lent season. Please give us grace to go through it.

We pray for Sierra Leone and ask that God will continue to bless and heal our economy in Jesus mighty name.

We pray for our UK partners; for their sacrifice and support to us in Sierra Leone. May God continue to bless them.

We pray too for our leadership in Sierra Leone, and ask God to continue to bless and protect Bishop Magnus Bendu.

Please join us in prayer for our Chair in the UK and 'Aunty' Janet O’Shea. We ask God to continue to bless her and the SLM team, who work so hard to support us in Sierra Leone.

Please pray for our pastors and teachers who teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Sierra Leone. Father God, we pray that you will continue to strengthen them.

Together we continue to pray for all our churches and church membership in Sierra Leone.

We also pray for the sick and those who suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

Finally we pray for God’s richest blessings over The Connexion in Sierra Leone in Jesus mighty name. 

Amen

 

The 2025 Sierra Leone Conference took place this weekend from 14 to 16 February at St Mark's Cathedral in Waterloo, Sierra Leone.

The event was very well attended, receiving 150 delegates, who were all highly motivated and inspired to spread the word of the Gospel as far and wide as is possible. 

Magnus Bendu, who was leading the event, said, 'We had a very good time together with a shared purpose to sow seeds of righteousness in the spirit, so that they will reap eternal life'.

The theme of this year's Conference was "You reap what you sow".

 

 

Sierra Leone Mission (SLM) would like to say a huge thank you to all of those who supported a funding appeal at the Conference for new toilets at Bethesda Orphanage. This has enabled work to be carried out at the end of last year, in time for Christmas. Amazing!

Over the past couple of years SLM has started to address issues concerning the school buildings in Sierra Leone. New buildings erected by the local communities have needed roofs, windows, verandas, ceilings and paintwork. Five schools needed to be cleared of termites and one school collapsed just after a new structure was completed. To date nine schools have been improved and another new school has been constructed

The work we do is only possible with the receipt of donations and we are very grateful to the people who support us in our endeavour to improve the lives of so many children in Sierra Leone.

 

Projects for 2025

The school at Foo Foo Water is now showing signs of collapse. The local community came together to build a three-classroom block last year, which was completed by SLM in the summer. But whilst this construction was much needed, it unfortunately, isn't large enough to accommodate all of the children who now attend Foo Foo. Hence, our next project is to construct a new school building on adjacent land, as we did at Tombo.

To achieve this aim we prayerfully ask our supporters to consider whether they might be able to help.

In addition, the school at Mongegba needs help to improve and repair their nursery structure, which is far from adequate. The Sunday School at Goring Free Church has been raising money for this cause, but more funds will be needed.

The number of children attending our schools has escalated over the past few years. This is an excellent response to Christian outreach, but the expansion is also proving to be a challenge.

SLM Donations

All donations, big and small, are hugely appreciated and enable us to vastly improve the lives of our communities in Sierra Leone.

To set up a monthly standing order to Sierra Leone Mission, account details are below:

Barclays Bank

Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

Please be assured that all of your money will go to help Sierra Leone

Other Donations

If you would like to make a one-off donation to help SLM's work in Sierra Leone, just click on the Donations button, located at the top of each website page. Please also state if you would like your donation to go towards a particular project.

(NB We are very grateful to receive anonymous donations, but when making a bank transfer donation, the donor's name is needed for auditing purposes. Please be assured this information will remain private.)

Or send a cheque to 

Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 2 Cheyne Close, Church Milton, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2SQ

 

Please join Rev Amidu Koroma in prayer requests for February in Sierra Leone.

We bless the name of Jesus during this month of February 2025 (Psalm 103:1-5) and we humble ourselves before you Lord, for your mercy and forgiveness each day.

Please pray for all our sponsors in the UK. May God continue to bless them in Jesus mighty name.

Please also pray for all our teachers and pastors, and their sacrifice to teach and preach the gospel in Sierra Leone.

We join in prayer for The Connexion in the UK, and for 'Aunty' Janet O’Shea and her team, who continue to work very hard to promote God’s vineyard.

Please also pray for our leadership in Sierra Leone, in particular Bishop Magnus Bendu. We ask God to continue to bless and protect him in Jesus mighty name.

We pray too for those who suffer for their preaching of the Gospel, especially those Missionaries in the Middle East, O Lord guide and strengthen them.

Please pray for all of our properties, our schools, land, buildings and churches. We ask that they will be blessed and protected.

We also pray for an incredible increase in our church membership this year.

Finally, we ask God to bless our forthcoming Annual Conference, which takes place from 14 to 16 February. We pray for a fruitful meeting, where we can all come together in fellowship.

We thank you, Father God for your answers, in the Holy name of Jesus.

Amen

Since the UK container of goods and donations arrived in Sierra Leone before Christmas, Magnus has been very busy distributing shoe bags to many delighted children.

The Connexion and our communities in Sierra Leone send huge thanks to everyone who contributed to make this possible. The joy expressed on the children's faces makes the effort more than worthwhile!

On Boxing Day, the children from Bethesda Orphanage were joined by university students for a day out at the beach. Everyone had a fabulous time, which included a lunchtime feast of chicken, provided for the occasion by Sierra Leone Mission (SLM).

Pictured above, second from the left, is Mariatu, from Bethesda Orphanage, who is about to start her final university examinations in medical training as a nurse. Following the exams she will take up her final placement at a hospital in Freetown.

Another former Bethesda pupil, Abdul, who is pictured on the far right at the back, is also in his final year at university and he too will soon be facing examinations.

We are so proud of both Mariatu and Abdul for their diligence and achievements, which have taken them to places that would have been beyond their dreams before coming to Bethesda. We pray that they will both succeed in their exams and ask that the Lord will open doors for them as they complete their training and begin seeking employment.

SLM wish to extend sincere thanks for your ongoing prayers and support, without which none of this would be remotely possible.

Thank you!!

Please join Rev Amidu Koroma in prayer for Sierra Leone during January.

Firstly, we give thanks to the Lord for our Sierra Leone Connexion Pastors. Please pray for them as they seek to plant more churches this year.

We praise God, from whom all blessings flow, for this new year, 2025. 

Please pray for The Connexion in Sierra Leone and our UK partners. We ask for you bestow blessings on them in Jesus' mighty name.

We continue to pray for our Leadership: Janet O’Shea in the UK and Bishop Magnus Bendu in Sierra Leone. Please guide and strengthen them to continue their work in your name.

Please pray also for all of our pastors and teachers, as they spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We pray for all our Connexion Churches in UK and in Sierra Leone. 

Please pray for those who are sick and ask for the Lord's healing power (Isaiah 53:5).

We ask the Lord to continue to promote The Connexion in Sierra Leone. We pray that through evangelism, we will be able to plant churches in every district of Sierra Leone.

Please continue to pray for all those who suffer for the Gospel, especially the Missionaries in the Middle East. O Lord, please grant them your peace and courage.

We thank you Almighty God for answering our prayers (Matthew 7:7).

We wish our Connexion communities a very Happy New Year and pray that 2025 will be a fruitful year under the guidance of our Almighty God.

Amen

Janet O'Shea, Chair of Sierra Leone Mission (SLM), makes a New Year appeal to those who have a heart for Sierra Leone.

SLM is mainly supported by The Connexion churches. We do receive donations from people outside of The Connexion, and these have often been very generous, but being part of The Connexion and its charity, we bear the responsibility of financially supporting  our communities in Sierra Leone.

We send funds to Sierra Leone monthly, usually totalling between £5000 and £6000. This covers grants for teachers, pastors, Bethesda Orphanage, our agents and caretakers. 

By God's grace these amounts have been sustainable, but only by a very small margin, and there is so much more needed and so much more we could do.

At the start of this new year, we make an appeal that could make a huge difference in 2025. We understand that many people here in the UK are struggling to cope with the cost of living, and that money is tight. But we also know that our situation pales by comparison to the poverty that exists in Sierra Leone and the deprivation experienced by so many.

Reading through Luke’s Gospel this advent and reaching Luke 16, Janet was challenged by verse 9: ‘Here’s the lesson. Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.’

In light of this, we ask if you would please consider making a monthly donation to the Sierra Leone Mission that has the potential to transform people's lives.  A small amount each month, perhaps £10, would make such a difference to the help that we can give. Of course larger donations would be gratefully received, and we guarantee 100% of the money will be sent to Sierra Leone.

We pray that God will go before this appeal to reach those who feel prompted to support.

Thank you!

 

SLM Donations

To set up a monthly standing order to Sierra Leone Mission, account details are below:

Barclays Bank

Sort code: 20-16-08, Account number: 30799076, Account name: Sierra Leone Mission 

Please be assured that all of your money will go to help Sierra Leone

Other Donations

If you would like to make a one-off donation to help SLM's work in Sierra Leone, just click on the Donations button, located at the top of each website page. Please also state if you would like your donation to go towards a particular project.

(NB We are very grateful to receive anonymous donations, but when making a bank transfer donation, the donor's name is needed for auditing purposes. Please be assured this information will remain private.)

Or send a cheque to 

Sierra Leone Mission. Postal address: Janet Foord, 2 Cheyne Close, Church Milton, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2SQ