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Soccer Gear Heading to Africa

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This past week, there has been movement with two different projects and soccer gear fulfillments from our Community Project Program. Read below to learn about each project and the gear we were able to supply.

Liberia — Pappie Jones and Soccer Ambassadors

First, Pappie Jones and Soccer Ambassadors, have patiently been waiting since their request last year (May 2023) as we work to get items shipped to Liberia. With no specific church or mission teams headed to the small, West Africa nation and with a few of our ideas falling through. We finally reached out to Liberian friend, Thomas Fahn, who recommended a shipper in the United States that sends a monthly container. Getting the bags to the shipper is the first step — and Board Chair Cliff Burton had a friend carry two bags filled with gear back to North Carolina. The bags should begin their transatlantic journey in early September. Be sure to check back for an update to this story!

Final fulfillment (100 pounds of gear):

  • Jerseys – 48
  • Shorts – 48
  • Socks – 72
  • GK sets (shirt, socks, shorts) – 4
  • Compression shorts – 31
  • Compression pants – 32
  • Compression tops – 16
  • Various shirts/jackets/tops – 62
Field jerseys and goalkeeper gear headed to Liberia

Ghana — Cherry Creek Pres and Jewels of God Church

Last month, partner church Cherry Creek Presbyterian requested gear to accompany a team that heads out to Ghana in just a few days. With an additional two bags, this team will also take about 100 pounds of gear, albeit it more quickly. With a fresh influx of gear coming from the Colorado Rapids just at the start of the academy season, the Ghana team will have plenty of shorts and uniforms to provide enough to outfit three teams for the children connected to the Jewels of God Church in Accra.

Finally fulfillment includes:

  • Jerseys – 32
  • Shorts – 32
  • Socks – 82
  • GK sets (shirt, socks, shorts) – 7
  • Other tops – 33
  • Warm up tops – 26
  • Women’s jerseys – 23
  • Various jersey and short sets – 5

We look forward to hearing updates and reports back on the gear and soccer equipment delivered for the children in these countries.

When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Pappie Jones and Soccer Ambassadors Ask For Liberia

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It has been over 15 years since Pappie Jones started something — Soccer Ambassadors for Christ in Monrovia, Liberia. Soccer Ambassadors for Christ looks to bring hope through the sport of soccer to young people, especially those who are part of one of the most difficult slum areas in the capital city of Monrovia: Slipway.

We are working with boys and girls from the slum community in Slipway community in central Monrovia. Slipway community is third leggiest slum community…with lot of girls and boys involved into drugs, prostitution, and criminal activities.

Pappie Jones, on the challenges facing the youth of Slipway

Slipway, so named for its history in the slipway that was built for barges and boats to be taken into and out of the water to be used in the construction of the Waterside Bridge which crosses Mesurado River and is near the Du River in Central Monrovia. According to census information (c. 2014) there were over 5,000 people living in the Slipway district (however several report that there are as many as 15,000). The area is a severe slum area of the city overrun by seasonal flooding and often lacking basic water and sanitation.

A “goal post” toilet on the banks of the Du River (photo 2014)

Pappie Jones and Ambassadors have been working to try to make change amongst the community. In addition to founding and leading this organization, Pappie has also sought to serve as a coach. He teach and coaches in soccer and in other, key areas of life for these young people.

Soccer Ambassador Boys Huddle for Prayer

We are using soccer to bring hope to hundred of girls and boys in slipway community. Our aim and object is develop whole person through soccer, faith and education.

Pappie, on the holistic aim of Soccer Ambassadors for Christ

Pappie runs the youth soccer program for boys and girls between the ages of 11 – 17 years and also studies the Bible with them every Saturday and holiday in the Slipway community. Their request is for soccer gear to help their soccer programs reach more youth. Specifically, they have requested the following:

  • 50 sets of soccer shirts and shorts
  • 50 pairs of cleats
  • 4 sets of goalkeeper gloves

Of course, the main issue will be shipping items to Liberia. Soccer Chaplains United will be looking for a patron to help support this project, another organization that his shipping items, or for a team or group traveling to Monrovia, Liberia who can escort the soccer gear and make a hand off to Pappie and Soccer Ambassadors for Christ. If you would like to be involved please send an email to us at info@soccerchaplainsunited.org memo: Liberia.

Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Sadaya International Request for Summer 2022

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Thomas Fahn, founder and director of Sadaya International (SI), is returning to Liberia this summer. His main tasks will be conducting soccer clinics and spending time with coaches and academy teams for SI. He will also oversee work being done for his family’s guest house — all positive signs of Liberia returning to some sense of normalcy from the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Sadaya International leverages the power of soccer to educate and motivate Liberian youth to live healthier and more productive lives. They invest in young people with an aim to help them become agents of change in their families and communities.

Many talented Liberian youths have been reduced to extreme desperation because of economic and other hardships. Many have given up hope and have gotten into drug abuse, prostitution, crime and violence. The hopelessness and idleness, especially among the youth, breeds crime and other behaviors that are destroying individuals and their communities.

Thomas Fahn, on the plight of many Liberian youth

Sadaya International’s mission is to use the power of soccer to help young people develop Christian character in order to establish a strong Biblical worldview for their future.

Most of them do not have clothes and footwear. This is why we are collecting used clothes, shoes and soccer equipment of all kinds to ship to Liberia for them. If you have clothing, tennis shoes or any used soccer equipment we will be glad to pick them up anytime at your convenience.

Thomas, on his request for 2022
Thomas (left) gets ready to play some soccer games and drills with the children in Liberia.

The needs included in this year’s request include:

  • 20 size 4 balls
  • 25 size 5 soccer balls
  • 30 adult soccer cleats (sizes 7 – 10.5)
  • 20 youth soccer cleats (sizes 5 – 7)
  • 22 adult-sized jerseys, shorts, and socks

If you would like to make a specific donation of one of the items above check out our SmileAmazon charity list here. Or you can make a financial donation via PushPay and our Community Project Fund.

Thomas takes a rest break with a couple boys who are sporting local, Colorado club and professional donated gear!

When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Leaving for Liberia

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Thomas Fahn, founder and director of Sadaya International and Sadaya Soccer, a few months ago, wrote and requested soccer gear and equipment as they get prepared to travel to Liberia. Their hope is to ship a container mid-November and have the container filled with soccer gear arrive prior to their own return.

A box of gear will be headed to Liberia for Thomas Fahn and Sadaya United.

The Fahn family have been investing heavily in ministry amongst the youth population of Thomas’ native Liberia, one of the poorest countries in the world. Their original request included the following:

  • 20 size 4 balls
  • 30 size 5 soccer balls
  • 50 adult soccer cleats (sizes 7 – 10.5)
  • 32 youth soccer cleats (sizes 5 – 7)

Soccer Chaplains United was able to fulfill the following:

  • 20 (new) size 5 soccer balls
  • 1 size 5 One World Play ball
  • 1 size 4 One Wold Play ball
  • 2 (new) goalkeeper gloves
  • 6 used soccer balls
  • 1 used futsal ball
  • 30+ soccer cones

Unfortunately, we were not able to provide any soccer cleats for Thomas and Sadaya. Most of our remaining sizes are too big to service Sadaya and their needs.

We look forward to seeing the wonderful pictures and a report from Thomas as they get back to Liberia.

When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Soccer for Sadaya (Liberia)

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For Thomas and Jamie Fahn, the move from Denver, Colorado, USA to Liberia in August of 2018 to follow the call of God to serve in various areas was a massive move for them and their family. While in Liberia, they have been able to minister to at-risk youth in Monrovia through their soccer academy program. Unfortunately, earlier this year, with COVID-19 they had to return to the United States on an emergency evacuation flight provided by the US Embassy. The Fahns have been back in the US since April 9th, 2020 and by the grace of God — through their church, were able to find some temporary, affordable housing in Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas. The plan for the Fahns is to make Arkansas a base of operations for now, but to return and make frequent visits to Liberia until things are conducive to return and continue the work.

Boys have fun racing during the soccer training sessions of Sadaya International Academy.

Today, Liberia is considered the poorest country in the world. The country is still recovering from the 15 years of civil unrest and the 2014 outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. The economic hardship in Liberia can be seen from every street corner and sadly, the youth are the most affected. Many talented Liberian youths are experiencing severe economic hardship, which has reduced them to the level of desperation. Some of them have given up hopes and have buried their talents and indulge in activities such as drug abuse, prostitution, crime and violence. The hopelessness and idleness, especially among the youth breeds crime and other unhealthy behaviors that is leading to the destruction of individuals and their communities.

Thomas (left) gets ready to play some soccer games and drills with the children in Liberia.

During the Fahns short time working with the youth, they realized that most of them dream to be successful soccer players; unfortunately, their desires have not been matched with opportunities to nurture their skills and talents. The future of Liberia lies within in the youthful population, and so, the Fahns have been investing heavily in ministry amongst the youth population, and much of this through Sadya International Academy part of the ministry of Sadaya International (link to Facebook page).

Previously donated water coolers from Soccer Chaplains United are seen supplying the Sadaya International Men’s team. Gear and equipment make the opportunity of being on the team feel professional and meaningful and help keep Liberia’s youth from gangs and drugs.

The request for Sadaya comes at a difficult time with COVID-19 impacting donations and requests around football (soccer). Sadaya’s programs have a total of 110 youth and adult players, divided into teams in age groups U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17 and the men’s team. Their needs in this request include:

  • 20 size 4 balls
  • 30 size 5 soccer balls
  • 50 adult soccer cleats (sizes 7 – 10.5)
  • 32 youth soccer cleats (sizes 5 – 7)

With a return trip slated for December, the Fahns hope to ship items out in advance with a target date of November.

You can make a specific donation of one of the items above by checking out our SmileAmazon charity list here. Or you can make a financial donation via PushPay and our Community Project Fund.

Through Sadaya International Academy, Thomas and Jamie have come to realize that if Liberian youth are to be given a chance, they can be successful in life through sports and education. The goal of the soccer program is to provide them with opportunities to develop not only as soccer players, but also as contributing members of society.

Our soccer program has been very successful in providing hope for some of these young people, and the equipment Soccer Chaplains United has provided us in the past has helped us tremendously in achieving our goals. Thank you very much for your help!

Thomas Fahn, on past partnership with Soccer Chaplains United
Thomas takes a rest break with a couple boys who are sporting local, Colorado club and professional donated gear!

When you financially support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Community Request from Sadaya International

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Sadaya International may not be a familiar name, but its founders are familiar to Soccer Chaplains United. Thomas and Jamie Fahn, moved to Liberia last year (2018) and along with the move, L.I.F.E. (Liberian Institute For Empowerment) became Sadaya International. Sadaya translated means — “God’s grace” in the Goala dialect in Liberia.

Sadaya means “God’s grace”

Sadaya International has several programs and among them is the Sadaya Football Academy. Through football (soccer), Sadaya Football Academy seeks to use the power of sports to inspire, motivate, and encourage children and youth to stay out of trouble and focus their attention on things that will enable them to be successful. Sadaya recognizes that not all players will go on to earn a living from playing sports; therefore, the academy looks to provide other opportunities for players to get quality college preparatory education while learning their football skills. The academy’s youth sports program is for players (boys and girls) ages 6 through 19, and is designed to provide players with opportunities to learn technical and tactical skills that will enable them improve their soccer skills. As the players grow and improve, they are moved through the next age groups where they receive coaching tailored to their age and abilities. The final step of the process comes when they graduate from the U-19 team, where they are usually invited to join our premier team (Sadaya United) in Monrovia. 

The young boys from Sadaya Football Academy’s U-8 soccer team pose for a picture last year

Thomas shared that through last year’s generous donations, they have been able to successfully run the football academy.  They have been able to provide cleats to some of the players during training and games and the water coolers are being used to keep players hydrated during training and games in the oppressive 100-degree heat! T-shirts are being used for children in the scrimmages and games.

Sadaya’s U-12 Boys lineup for a drill

The needs here are tremendous. The number of players we expected to begin our academy program with has tripled, and parents are asking us on a daily basis to bring their kids to our soccer program…They are very passionate about the game because it provides them hope and happiness.  Born and raised in Liberia, I can truly identify with that feeling.  These kids come to practice every day with old beat-up shoes and some even come barefooted.  All they want to do is play soccer.

Thomas Fahn

In a recent Facebook Messenger call, Thomas shared with me that the biggest needs right now are for balls and cleats. The field conditions are so difficult that often, these items, are ruined or destroyed after just a short time. Additionally, many of the families are poor and cannot afford the soccer equipment.

One World Balls (blue) complement the typical soccer ball and usually last much longer than traditional soccer balls which easily deflate with the harsh field conditions.

Soccer Chaplains United’s community project will look to supply cleats and balls for Sadaya Football Academy. Some of the logistical considerations include the time and cost of shipping items to Liberia — with the cheapest way usually via container.

Boys in the football academy stay hydrated with a water cooler from last year’s request

Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United a portion of your gift automatically goes to help projects and requests like this one for Sadaya International. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

Timothy Project: Liberia 2018 – LIFE Relocates

The most recent Timothy Project request, Timothy Project: Liberia 2018, will feature a massive change for the Liberian Institute for Empowerment (LIFE). LIFE is preparing to relocate to the heart and purpose of their organization, Liberia. Soccer Chaplains United has had the privilege of partnering with LIFE a number of times in the past few years (read previous stories here).  The work LIFE is doing in Liberia is changing the landscape of life and providing opportunities never before offered.

Thomas Fahn is the founder and executive director of LIFE.  He recently returned from Liberia and shares his plans as his family prepares to relocate from the US to the area.

L.I.F.E.’s goals is holistic community development in rural Liberia. We are specifically targeting youth sports a key component to our community development goals.

L.I.F.E. began as a result of a vision I had when I first moved to the USA for my college education. Born and raised in a village in rural Liberia, I intimately know the desperate conditions that the children and youth of rural Liberia are currently faced with. I faced those same obstacles and challenges and it’s my heart desire to be a blessing to them by giving them hope and the promise of a better future.

One of the areas we are currently focused on is youth sports, mainly soccer. I was in Liberia for the five months and recently returned to Colorado. I was amazed with the number of youth players we currently have in our soccer program in Liberia. Evidently, football is absolutely an integral part of the Liberian society. It is such an empowering and motivating tool that brings joy and happiness to most Liberian youth. In most villages in Liberia, simply showing up on a field with a soccer ball will win you instant access to many things. Most kids will go to school just for football.

While I was in Liberia, I ran a lot of soccer clinics with some of our youth teams, and I saw that most of them were in desperate need of training equipment such as boots, socks, balls. We also saw the deplorable conditions of the fields they play on. Our goal is to help them with equipment and build three soccer fields in the region. We will be using two for training purposes and one will be reserved for games. The cost of building these fields is $1500.00. Any assistance will be highly appreciated. And please feel free to contact me at any time for more details about our soccer program.

To support Timothy Project: Liberia 2018 or future Timothy Project ventures please donate through PushPay — simply select Timothy Project from the selectable funds to contribute to. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor an individual or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

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Timothy Project: Liberia 2017

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectCrossTraining’s Timothy Project: Liberia 2017 is grateful to have the opportunity to reach the people of Liberia again through Thomas Fahn’s Liberian Institute For Empowerment (L.I.F.E.). Fahn recently sent an update on the state of Liberia in light of the latest events in the area. We are struck by what Fahn has to share and  even more honored to help make a difference for the children of Liberia.

Fahn writes, “As you know, Liberia came from fourteen years of brutal civil war, which ravaged the country’s economic, health, and education infrastructures. The 2014 Ebola outbreak also added to the suffering of the Liberian people, killing nearly 5,000 people. Many Liberia youth were greatly affected by these two traumatic events. As result, most of them completely lost hope in life and have turned to drugs and alcohol as their natural coping mechanisms. According to statistics, the youth comprises of approximately 65% of Liberia’s population of 4.1 million people. Unfortunately, a huge sector of the Liberian youth population is greatly damaged due to drugs and alcohol addiction.

While I was in Liberia last month, I quickly noticed the impact of drug and alcohol on the Liberian youth population.  Drugs and alcohol have caused most youth to develop various mental illnesses to the extent where they have made grave sites their permanent dwelling places. Some are in the streets, while others are living in swamps and abandoned cars and buildings. Consequently, prostitution, crime, infectious diseases, and suicide among Liberian youth have increased significantly.  The Liberian government has paid little attention in helping these needy youth.

Timothy Project: Liberia 2017Currently, our organization (L.I.F.E.) is focused on youth development through sports. Our goal is to use the power of sports to inspire, motivate, and encourage the youth of my district to stay off the streets and focus their attention on something positive. We want use football as a platform to provide them with hope and a future.  Born and raised in severe poverty in rural Liberia, my motivation to get by on a daily basis, even in the worst circumstances, was to be focus on something positive that provided me with hope. Football was the positive tool that gaveTimothy Project: Liberia 2017 me hope and kept me focused on school and other helpful things. Based upon my personal life experience, I strongly believe that we can use football in order to make a difference in the lives of many of these youth.

During my recent trip, we were able to successfully establish our Football Academy in my home town for youth players ages 10 through 18. Right now we have more than 150 youth players in our program and we expect more players from other nearby villages to join soon. What started out small has now developed into a big soccer program within the region. In order to keep our program alive, we are asking friends, family, and organizations to partner with us to help us achieve our goal.”

To help Fahn meet his goals of reaching the youth in his district CrossTraining’s Timothy Project: Liberia 2017 is working to assemble the gear Fahn has requested for his Football Academy.  We are encouraged to help L.I.F.E make positive changes in its district in the short-term but more importantly in the long term.

Fahn goes on to say, “In aTimothy Project: Liberia 2017ddition, we are currently in the process of building three soccer fields for our soccer programs. The estimated cost of building the three fields is around $3,500.00, and we expect the work to be completed by the end of May this year.”

 

To support future Timothy Project ventures, such as Timothy Project: Liberia 2017, please use the Donate Now link to make a secure PayPal donation. Your financial gift helps to secure additional equipment, sponsor a missionary or organization in an outreach effort, and to cover associated costs of providing bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!

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Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectCrossTraining is pleased to finally share the Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update with our supporters. The project which began last year, finally came to completion in September. Difficulties with raising the funds and then corruption in country meant for a difficult journey for Thomas and Jamie Fahn and their Liberian Institute for Empowerment (L.I.F.E.). Here, we share the final update on the container and its final arrival. CrossTraining’s commitment was over 800 pieces of soccer equipment including Colorado Rapids jerseys, cones, training vests, backpacks, and cleats. 

 

As we continued with the process of getting our container out of the port, we began to realize how desperate and corrupt most of the brokers at the port are. Every broker you talk to at the port is enthusiastically ready to work for you. Unfortunately, their main goal is to exploit you, especially if they noticed you are new to the system. As we mentioned previously, when you begin a process of clearing a container from the Free Port of Monrovia, “not only will you fight with government extortionists, you will also be fighting your own broker—the person you are relying on to go to almost 30 offices to obtain the proper paperwork to clear your container.”

Normally, container owners are not allowed in the port. The brokers’ association managed to work out a deal with the port management to keep container owners out of the port by all means. This simply means that you are at their mercies once you hire them. You must pay all charges they put before you if you really want to get your container out. Unfortunately, most of those ridiculous charges are made-up fees. But guess what? You will not be given a receipt for your payments. All the brokers at the port work together and protect one another in their dubious schemes.

That was exactly the case with us but we depended on God, and He truly provided a way through it all. Thomas managed to establish a good relationship with most of the port securities officials including our new friend, “Giant.” Thomas quickly gained popularity at every entrance at the port and he was allowed in every time he was at any of the gates. He was also able to build relationship with some of the key staff that made important decisions at the port. He visited the port for two and a half weeks; Monday through Saturday, from 8:00am to 4:00pm trying to get our container out. In fact people thought he was employed at the port.

Thomas’ ability to gain entrance at the port frustrated our broker. He was upset and frustrated because Thomas was uncovering most of his schemes. Thomas closely followed him to every office he went and made payments himself. Our broker finally gave-up and became good friends with Thomas.

During one of their down time at the port, Thomas had a very interesting conversation with him and a few of his co-workers about being ethical in business. Surprisingly, more than ten of the brokers came around and listened to Thomas’ lecture. There was dead silence in the room filled with brokers. After the lecture, some of them responded and explained about the extreme hardship they are enduring due to the lack of employment. They concluded that the economic hardship is a driving force behind their unethical business practices. They strongly believe that if they had opportunities to sustain themselves and their families, they will do better than what they are doing now.

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update

Even after clearing the port, the going wasn’t easy to get to the village.

After all the ups and downs at the port, the container finally came out on the 12th of September. Knowing the difficulties Thomas was going to encounter going through the police check points, the broker offered to follow him. The broker assisted him in getting through the checkpoints since our vehicles from the container were not yet registered. Normally, brokers will not do that because that’s another deal they have with the police for unregistered cars coming out of the port. But he saved us from the police with his presence in the front seat of our truck. Every police officer we encountered along the way knew him by name. He came all the way to our house and stayed with us until we unloaded the goods and cars.

 

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update

The going was slow from Monrovia up north due to heavy rains which made roads nearly impassable.

What have we learned?  God cares about Liberia and the people of Liberia.  According to the World Bank, Liberia is the fifth poorest country in the world per capita. As such, many people have set their ethics to the side to feed their families.  Thus we need to help create businesses that will create jobs. And help people gain a better understanding of God’s values and gain a renewing relationship and willingness to do the right thing even in the midst of adversity.  We will be working on both those fronts.  And we are excited and impassioned!

 

 

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Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final Update

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Final UpdateWhen you make a financial contribution to CrossTraining you help support projects like this one. We steward a percent of our donations to help with Timothy Projects – you can also note Timothy Project if you would like to give toward a specific project. Please use the Donate Now link to make a secure PayPal donation.

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Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Update 4

CrossTraining Timothy ProjectIn what has been one of the more difficult projects to see fulfilled,  Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 and the goal of Liberian Institute for Empowerment (L.I.F.E.) was to fill and send a shipping container from Colorado to Liberia. The container was finally packed with a lot of soccer equipment, school supplies, and even a vehicle. CrossTraining’s commitment was over 800 pieces of soccer equipment including Colorado Rapids jerseys, cones, training vests, backpacks, and cleats and you can read the last update from July. Just last week, CrossTraining received an update on the container and we share that with you now,

 

The large sign announces, “WELCOME TO THE FREEPORT OF MONROVIA: THE GATEWAY TO LIBERIA’S ECONOMY.”  A sad irony now, given what we painfully endured to clear from the port and customs our 40 foot container filled in large part with donated school books and sports equipment to distribute for the good of people in one of the poorest nations in the world.

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Update 4Reflecting now, we see the urgent need to help change the worldview of many, so Liberia can be a land of happy and prosperous people.  The struggles of war and collapsing social order and economy in the 1990’s has led to desperation.  Straying from the principles of right versus wrong, people desperate to survive now gain money and food through bribery, theft and extortion.  Honest people struggle to stay so when faced with having their children go hungry.  This is something we want to try and help change.  With God it is possible.

We are struggling to forgive the US-based, Liberian owner of a shipping company to whom we paid good money up front for shipping our container, legally establishing our non-profit organization in Liberia through his attorney to obtain duty free shipping privileges, and take care of all clearing and custom charges and processes at the port.  Assured an August 5th arrival of the container, we booked plane tickets to arrive the next day.  No container.  Finally arrived on the 25th.  And none of the other services we paid for occurred.  Someone fed on our funds and apparently thought that was okay.  Leaving us to fend for ourselves in a port of no return. Back to the worldview issue thing of right and wrong.  Do pray we can get the funds back.  That he would change his heart and ethical perspective.

Timothy Project: Liberia 2015 Update 4Here’s the rest of the story… a dire situation, and God sent us a Giant.  Literally… that is his name.

Unlike what the sign says, Freeport is not at all welcoming; in fact is a place so miserable and dirty a prison might be more appealing.  Haphazardly built structures give it a shanty town ambience while the pouring rain causes the muddy ground to be flooded with unimaginable filth.  In order to enter the port, one must pass desperate young men waiting for an opportunity to go in and “work.”  Once you gain entrance you face the real filth in the port—the corrupt government officials waiting to squeeze every last penny from your pocket.  Not paid enough, they “supplement” their income by preying on the people they are supposed to serve.  Not only will you fight with government extortionists, you will also be fighting your own broker—the person you are relying on to go to almost 30 offices to obtain the proper paperwork to clear your container.  A broker misleads you every step of the way in order to get more money out of you, too. The system is set up to frustrate you to the point of giving up (after getting all your money out of you, of course).  There are hundreds of abandoned containers in Freeport because people walk away after realizing the charges from the port are more than what the contents are worth.

After the first excruciating day at the port, we quickly realized that we would need a miracle to get the container out of the port.  God sent a “Giant” to help us fight this battle.  Our hosts, seeing our desperation, called their neighbor to come to the house.  Their neighbor, Andrew aka Giant, is the head of security for the port. He shook my hand—I quickly noticed why they call him Giant.  His hand swallowed my hand.  Giant is a BIG dude.  He also is very respected and feared at the port.  He agreed to intervene on our behalf and help us free our container.

The following day, Thomas went to the port and asked to speak to Giant.  He saw the crowd of people parting like the Red Sea as Giant made his way through the port to see him.  Giant demanded the broker give him all the paperwork.  The broker shakily handed the papers to Giant.  Giant immediately saw that the broker was attempting to extort us, too!  Giant determined that the process needed to start over again.  He told Thomas to stick to the broker like a cheap polyester suit in 90 degree heat and to not let him out of his sight. For the next two weeks Giant was a constant presence with Thomas and they began to form a strong friendship by sharing their stories.

Giant had worked at the port for almost 20 years but prior to that, Giant was a notorious criminal there.  He was the leader of a gang that would break into the port on a regular basis.  The gang would open containers and steal anything they could get their hands on.  No one had the guts to try and stop him; until one day, the port manager had a risky but brilliant idea.  He asked Giant to come work at the port in the role of a security officer.  Surprisingly, Giant accepted his offer and began working at the port.  The opportunity changed his entire life.  He was very effective at stopping most of the criminal activity because he knew all of the criminals and their tactics.  He quickly rose to the top and became Director of Operations at the port.  During this time, he became a devoted follower of Christ.  He uses his power and influence to point people to Jesus in one of the darkest places.  Also, he is furthering his education and attends night classes at one of the colleges in Liberia.

Without Giant’s help, it is doubtful that we would have been successful in getting the container out.  His story is clear testimony of how God worked in his life by providing him an opportunity to transform his life for the better through his employment at the port.  We believe that most Liberians are desperate for opportunities to provide for themselves and their families.  Unfortunately, the opportunities are not available.  We are trusting in God to help us change that.

Please pray for the Fahn’s and the container situation in Liberia. Specifically, that the funding will come in for their costs. Stay tuned for another update!

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