FATHER THEMI ADAMOPOULO

By Fr. Luke A. Veronis

As a former existential atheist and Rock and Roller, whose band The Flies played with the Rolling Stones, and even hit the Australian Top Ten back in the 1960s, it seems incredible to think how the Rev. Dr. Themistocli Adamopoulo now serves the poorest of the poor in war torn Sierra Leone. What compelled someone who grew up in a Greek Orthodox family to delve into the cultural abysses of his generation, not only tasting the fleeting fame of pop music, but searching for meaning and truth through music, drugs, Hinduism, Buddhism, Hara Krishna, and anything but Christianity, then to study in the halls of Harvard, Princeton, Brown, and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, only to end of serving God as a humble Greek Orthodox priest in one of the poorest countries in the world?

Fr Themi, as he is known, represents a unique, dynamic, charismatic, and extremely inspiring Greek-Australian priest who has served God in Africa since 1999. When I asked him how, in his wild journey of life, he eventually found Christ, he simply responded, “I didn’t find Christ, but Jesus found me. I wasn’t even looking for him at all. Christianity would have been the last thing that interested me. And yet, Jesus found me. And what I thought would have been the most boring life in the world, in fact led me on the most exciting adventure of faith!”

Fr. Themi wanted to study further his new found faith and came to the States and received degrees from our own Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, as well as from Princeton and Brown Universities. He then took his academic brilliance back to Australia, becoming a professor and an academic. Yet one day as he reflected on the life of Mother Teresa, and compared it to his own work of explaining some minute detail of theology to his students, he asked himself, “What am I doing here, while Mother Teresa and her missionaries work among the poorest of the poor? I want to encounter the crucified Christ in the poorest places on the planet.” He heard God’s call and went off to Africa, beginning a 13 year missionary ministry, first in Kenya, then since 2008 to the then poorest country in the world – Sierra Leone.

By the grace of God, Fr. Themi has accomplished amazing work over the past four years. On the outskirts of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, he has established what the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, His Beatitude Theodoros II, called in his recent visit, the “pride of the Patriarchate” – the St. Moses Village. This three acre compound provides free shelter, food, medical care, and chaplaincy services to 100 of the most defenseless people in the country, the disabled homeless and their families. The recent 15 year civil war, combined with the scarce medical help for those with polio and other diseases, have left countless people with amputations and disabilities. These people, traumatized by their condition and stigmatized by their society, simply struggle to survive by begging on the streets. Terrible memories of war have left many with deep anger and serious psychological problems.

“When I arrived in Sierra Leone,” Fr. Themi shared, “I realized these were among the most victimized people in greatest need, and we began reaching out to them with Christ’s love. Yet this wasn’t a “normal” missionary setting, like when I served in Kenya. These people have been devastated by war. Since this is a new field of missionary practice, we had to come up with creative ways to fulfill the needs here.”

Along with an Orthodox kindergarten and primary school for the children of the disabled at St. Moses village, Fr. Themi has established the Freetown Orthodox Christian Primary and Secondary School. This school educates 1600 students, and is situated along one of the major boulevards in the middle of Freetown. The St. Eleftherios Orthodox Cathedral also finds its home here.

A third initiative that will open its doors in September 2012 is a post-secondary College, which will offer studies in Early Childhood Education, Journalism and Media Studies, and IT (Information Technology) and Computer Studies. Early next year, they will add a full Nursing Program, which will have as an added specialty a focus on a unique Amputee/Prosthesis Clinic. Through this College, Fr. Themi hopes to train people in Sierra Leone with the Jaipur Foot System, a very effective, yet cheap method of producing prosthesis legs for amputees. This system was first developed in India. Presently, Fr. Themi has sent a nurse to a training center in Uganda to learn more about this system. “It’s an extremely important project because it gives hope and life to people who can’t do much right now with their disability and the social stigma that comes with this disability. This system can produce long lasting legs that cost only $120, a fraction of the cost to produce such prostheses in the West.” A fifth program of this new College will hopefully be a Theological Department, scheduled to begin in the Fall of 2013.

Fr. Themi, as a graduate of Holy Cross, inspired a new generation of students this past Fall during HCHC’s Missions Week. He offered the annual Missions Lecture, sponsored by the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity and the Endowment Fund for Orthodox Missions, and spent a week on campus interacting with students. Fr. Themi profoundly touched the entire campus community with his words and videos, challenging every listener to reflect upon how we all can reach out to the “crucified Christ” in the world around us. He vividly showed, through his stories and life, how sharing God’s love with those in desperation and need, with the “crucified Christ,” gave his own life it greatest meaning and purpose.

Those who want to learn more about Fr. Themi and see videos of his work can find it on his website “Paradise Kids for Africa” at www.pk4a.com.

Fr Luke A. Veronis is the Director of the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity, an Adjunct Instructor at HCHC, and the pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Webster, MA.

I have said goodbye to Freetown and sit here smiling that I am no longer in a marathon sweat run, I smile knowing that here in my room the lights are on without fear of them going off, I chuckle to myself that the toilets have flushing water and I can spend more than a few minutes in the shower and most of all I’m not isolated; I have internet, I have a phone that works.

What have I learnt?………

The old saying is true, you never know how good you have it until you don’t have it anymore.
There is never enough of what we want,
But there is always enough to share!
If you can, then do, according too your ability.
If you can give… Give.
If you can share… Share.

If you can care… Care.

In hindsight, when you genuinely give from your heart, you experience an inner joy and peace that will stay with you forever, and receiving a smile of appreciation is priceless.

As Fr Themi says, giving to the poor is like lending to Christ with very high interest!

If I have to say in a few words how Fr Themi does it? I would say as an eyewitness, and this is what really stands out for me:

His love for our Lord, through loving our brothers and sisters (from anudder fadda, and anudder modda), there in that far western corner of Mother Africa, where he never wants for himself, gives everything he has, cares for everyone the meets and shares his faith by actions.

And I think that’s why Fr Themi is probably one of the happiest person I know.

We shall all meet again in God’s time!

Christ is Risen. Peace be with you.

I pray that you are well,  as you know I am now on a brief stay in the USA for treatment on my vocal chords. The doctor here – Prof. Steven Zeitels – a pioneering and leading figure in the area of vocal cord surgery is very pleased with the results of the first treatment I had in December 2012. Indeed the improvement in the quality of voice has even surpassed his own expert expectations. By the grace of God he achieved a masterful result.

Louis, remember you used to make fun of me because of my raspy and husky voice? Well brother, you will have to find something else to make fun of, because its now sounding normal and even with a tinge of bass. I am now reaching “Barry White” voice status (heh he he!!! lol, see Louis, your twitter & facebook training is taking hold).

Glory be to God for this amazing turnaround and I thank Him!

Today I went in for my second treatment on my vocal cords. This one was not as elaborate but was meant to complete any unfinished tasks. My mouth is not feeling so sore, and I am allowed to whisper in the first week and I will be allowed to talk next week but not too loud. From then on it will be business as usual, with an even stronger voice.

I thank God Almighty for the return of my voice – stronger than ever! I am really relieved about this issue – even though it has meant some temporary disruptions in my work in SL. However from a long term perspective the mission field demands a strong and healthy voice.

I have already stated in an earlier blog, that this particular surgeon, Professor Steven Zeitels has given voices back to many people including high profile celebrities such as Julie Andrews, Roger Daltry (The Who), lead singer of Arrowsmith (Tyler) and recently after the British singer Adele lost her voice completely, he was not only able to restore it, but to even give her the oppurtunity of wining 6 grammy awards for her recordings. He was invited to the Grammy presentations in Los Angeles and acknowledged on national US Television by her on the award day (40 + million viewers).

So God led me, to the right person and hence I am now able to resume my liturgical, chanting, preching, teaching and missionary duties without concern and self-consciousness – especially now that we are about to open new ground in Liberia and The Gambia.

I urge anyone in Australia, Greece or in the USA (and especially priests, pastors, teachers, chanters and singers) who has suffered difficulties with voice issues (this is unfortunately not uncommon with Orthodox Priests – some have lost their voices almost completely) if possible to have their vocal cords checked by a voice specialist and as necessary contact Prof. Zeitels’ centre ( mghvoicenter@mgh.harvard.edu ) by a brief email. I would suggest that Prof. Zeitels is by God’s grace a very gifted surgeon in this area of medicine and if something can be done he may be able to help – if possible.

I am hoping I could persuade him or members of his team to visit West Africa where they may be able to give back voices to children and other voice impaired people. I beleive there is only one ENT specialist in Sierra Leone.

Furthermore, I need to also thank many others who are hosting me here and helping me get around the NE part of the USA (from New Jersey to Massachusetts). I will do so in my next report, including the wonderful news of the establishment of Paradise 4 Kids (USA) which will undertake to assist our Holy Diocese of Sierra Leone.

Regards and thanks to all

XPISTOS ANESTH

Everyone from PK4A are very pleased with the excellent results for Rev Themi, and acknowledge that no monies for the procedures were funded from donations. Those of us who know Rev Them understand his strong accountability and his commitment to charity work over his personal needs. But if you feel led to help him, he asks you to consider making a donation or joining Ezi Donate to help continue his work with the poor.

My name is King David Kargbo and I wish to tell you a story so these are my words.

It’s about a Godly ordained individual who came from a land far in the southern hemisphere of the universe and believed that the word of god must reach the four corners of the world. He and other believers, believe that the utmost concern for education, shelter, food, and good health for children, disables and the poor and destitute must be address and treat very seriously.

This person had been working in concerted effort together with other able believers and God’s love and fearing individuals and organizations to see that Gods word for the needy come to reality. He obliged to take the lead into Sierra Leone to establish fact of their taught. This is no less a person but Father Themi “The Mission Man”.

His initial step in 2008 was to acquire and secure a portion of land on which his work will start all over. The land he first set eyes on came out to be a cemetery site and inhabitants in the community told him that is a grave site which the city council wanted to offer him but as a God fearing individual with great faith, he wisely raised the issue to the authority in rejection to receive the plot of land and he openly told his team of few able volunteers that let’s be patient we shall have a better and important located site to start our work.

The message seems to be a miracle when we successfully got one. He emphasized that Louis Toumba had told him once, that no matter how long it takes you must get what you want, and the most of all you must try and have the best.

He entered here during when the country was just coming from civil war where people believes that there will be so much of corruption and distrust among individual but since he is a man of God and believed that everybody is a believer he trusted all his workers.

I am pleading kindly that people all around the world that he needs great help to see his job through.

One faithful day Mr. Abdul Kargbo took us to the city council of Freetown where we met with Mr.Mohamed Bobson Kamara (now an orthodox Christian call Mr.Maximus Bobson kamara) the then deputy Mayor of the City of Freetown the capital of the republic of Sierra Leone. As an instrumental and pivotal personality, he saw us through that we secure the first land at Syke Street we presently we’ve established the Freetown Orthodox Christian School, the Cathedral and office were we are administering issues of the mission and NGO.

Simultaneously, we were working with the former minister of Lands Captain Benjamin Davise who received and treated Father Themi like his biological father. He went through a very hard struggled at a logged ahead with a group of individuals who could not develop a land leased to them by government for development with a given period of time. Since they cannot meet with requirement of the agreement between them and the government that said land was given to Father Themi at Tower Hill, Freetown and also that at Waterloo.

The land at Tower Hill is where we first build the PK4A house then the college and Chapel.

This site is so special that it is surrounded with other important government institutions and functionaries like the National Statistics Office, National Fire force Head Quarters, West African Examination Council and the University of Sierra Leone peripheral block name Institute of Public Administration (IPAM). About twenty (20) meters away stands the British Council while one hundred (100) to one Hundred and fifty (150) meters you’ll meet the Offices of the Vice President and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone respectively, also they had recently build the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of National Security (ONS) which are very close to the Parliament building and National Electoral Commission (NEC) Head Quarters.

Personally I think this portion seems to be reserve land for government but with the hard work and blessing of Father Themi praise God the land is legally ours today where we’ve build our foundation to operate in the country.

Father faithfully promised the minister that the in the shortest possible time, the site will become instrumental that will contribute in the development of the nation. Someday the minister passed and stopped bye at the site during then we were just trying to put and move things little-by-little. He sincerely expressed his feeling that he is very pleased and with what he saw, he need to inform the President about it and it was done because he personally linked us with him.

This was when we begin the Pk4a house, built by our brothers and friends and sisters in Australia, this is where it all starting from with Mr Louie Toumba as their head.

The existence of the Waterloo project was the help of the Minister Lands. The project was speeded up when some disable and displaced persons were evicted from a long abandoned destroyed building during the war. This building had being acquired by a banking institution that sudden went through the law court for eviction notice to these helpless individuals in order to develop the place.

The issue was discussed with father Themi since he had been supporting them and also the Minister of Social affairs. The Minister called up Father as recommended by the disable that the only person they had trust that we help them out with this their burden was on faithful Father Themi said the Minister.

By then the plan to develop the site at Waterloo for the erection of the Priest and Mission Guest Houses was on. It was really a tedious situation for Father to handle. He spoke with the Minister on many occasions to see how best they could talk with the owners of the house in order to give these people sometime but unfortunately, the time lapsed and there was no option the court issued an eviction notice and by then it was rainy season.

The situation was pathetic that one will shed tears if he or she was present to see how these disable were treated by the police which spared up little unrest in places around the house. Father Themi with his prudent thought, he took them and rented a big place like camp for them to be temporarily. He then speeds up the reactions of the contractor so as to fast up the building process. As soon as any room was built they were transferred to the site of the mission.

Additionally, five miles radius for our site there were no schooling facility for children so he suggested that there must be one and also the need for health centre for the community came up because of the poor condition of health for the locals was appalling, people have to work for about 10 – 15 miles to see doctor. The most critical is about pregnant women, seriously ill people who have to work sometimes died on their way for medication. Since these people usually came to father for help no matter the hour of the night, he rendered assistance to them.

These disable are so difficult to deal with that sometimes we nearly gave up but the courageous mind of Father, he usually prompt us that to work for humanity one needs to be patient and put God first.

His is so patient that his humanitarian feeling and assistance is at higher altitude that since he stepped on the shores of the country, he has been supporting the destitute and needy that he usually visits disaster sites to see occurrences in first hand no matter how bad the way to the site may be, he tries at his best health to get there, were he mostly gives humanitarian relieves like food and clothes.

Working with him has made so much difference in my life since I joined the Orthodox. I could remember when my leg was broken he supported me so much that one day we were together when I fell asleep I miraculously got up from my bed when I saw someone in my dream who told me got up and work. I have to confess that the Orthodox have made me see the work of God.

He is a highly tolerant person that even the Pope’s visit, he invited dignitaries from all Christian sect and even the Muslim community. He is a distinguish clergy man in Sierra Leone. He never minds the time of the night, he there to respond to the need and help of the needy. The most important of all he has adapted himself the religious tolerant that had existing in our country.

Conclusively, most of those whom had work interact and meets father Themi including me will conclude that he is blessing to Sierra Leone. He has been titled as the “Mission Man” with good teaching, forgiveness and God’s blessing”.

The other churchs & religions had been here long before but to see one working with the people ignoring his status to serve the purpose of humanity is not common here but Father Themi has broke the silence. This great work was done and still going on with the special support and blessing by acknowledging all his friends and supporters.

KDK

Here in Sierra Leone, often you see people just peeing on the side of the road. ‘Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do’. But when it comes to the heavy duty unloading, you need to listen to your body’s rhythm and plan your day.

Every morning I take note of what and where I will be during the day,  when I eat and drink, how much I eat and drink, and if  it will make me go so many times. Where will I be throughout the day today? Will there be any toilet access? etc.

So, by necessity you begin to listen to your body’s rhythm, and act accordingly. Becoming aware of how your body works and responds to everything you do to it.

Can you imagine waking up in Australia or the US and every day before you open your mouth, you start to think about what you will eat and drink during the day and if a toilet will be handy for your to use.

As the ancient Greeks say: ‘Know yourself!’

Friends and supporters of Fr Themi & PK4A US & AU, please in your next budgets for development of projects do not forget about the running water and toilets.

I know it’s all a matter of time and $$$ but please don’t forget.

Vass

In the past, many a time, I heard:

‘Don’t waste water!’, ‘Conserve energy! ‘, or, ‘Don’t worry about it, just buy a new one!’, ‘Why does it take so long serve me, all I want is an ice-coffee (NOW)!’ etc. etc. etc…

I now know why Rev Themi loves coming home to Australia, I now understand why he looks at our lifestyle, our way of living and cannot understand why we complain, for a short period, I have seen what he sees everyday, I have lived as he lives and I can honestly say, I cant wait to get home.

At the Tower Hill compound, water is kept in underground reserve containers, from which other smaller containers (at a higher level above the house) are pumped with water. This gives pressure to our taps in the kitchen and toilets. I knew of this only from movies, but the experience makes you appreciate the comfort (or is it irresponsibility) of not planning and calculating how much water you will be using for the jobs at hand. And when you order for more water for refilling the reserves, not all companies deliver because of the condition of the road leading to the compound. Oh! … and there is no hot water, but the temperature conditions here don’t demand it. Though, the sun does heat the small water container throughout the day, giving hot water in the afternoon but without control.

The dry season also affects the city’s hydro-powered electricity system. So, here in Tower Hill’s compound there is this huge diesel-powered generator (the size of a car), for the random blackouts. It takes two persons to start it up, and it’s so LOUD, you can’t hear yourself. You always need to be prepared for the expected unexpected, otherwise you end up at the mercy of the ‘highly respected’.

There are some people who abuse the beggars system, they can smell victims (tourists and others) from afar, but once you stay a while at one place, you slowly begin to see the difference between the vampire/vulture attitude, and the busy bee attitude. I have seen here many who REALLY SWEAT for their daily bread. They shall one day be rewarded!

The harder you work for your money, the more you respect the things you have!

In the evenings I often walk (with the cheerful company of Fr M) downtown Freetown so I can buy some food from the street markets. An amazing rainbow of experiences! Every so often you smell that ‘green stuff’ in the air, and wanting to buy some basic needs from someone who is ‘high’… is somewhat frustrating (@!#%!… man!), especially when they can’t calculate simple math for your change; large groups of people who hang out for entertainment, around some street shops that have a television (more like what Greeks call low-grade ‘periptera’), for the TV is still not a common thing to have here; the same goes with ATM’s, I could number them on one hand; No Mcdonalds, no Burger King, no Crispy Cremes, no Cafeterias etc; Oh! relationship problems are also free public entertainment, from a westerner’s view it’s unacceptable physical violence, but in the local eyes, it is known that partners often steal $$$ from each other, so getting physical in public (your gender plays no role) is the solution; also street pot-holes are so common and seriously dangerous, from a westerner’s view, the council is to blame and sued, but here, if you fall in, or drive in them with serious damage, then you must be stupid!!

What is this world coming to? Or rather, what has humanity become? One takes from another, who takes things for granted, and both forget to be grateful for their existence, the greatest gift ever granted!

It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again (even though he won’t like it); Rev Themi is one of a kind, a highly Educated man who wants to educate the poor, a man of Faith, who gives without expecting any return. He is known as the priest that forgives; the mission and church is known as the Giving mission, the Giving church. The government know him and respect him for his works, the people know him and love him for his kindness and care to strangers. Here in this corner of the world he makes a big difference to thousands every day through Faith, Food & Education.

Vass

They say:

Give someone a fish, you feed them once.
Teach someone how to fish, you feed them forever!
I would add:
Only if you have the tools!

Half the work I believe in any mission is holistic education, an education that includes both our physical-mental being and just as important our spiritual being. This is what I like about the vision of this mission that Fr Themi has created, the combination of schools and colleges, with Faith & Churches.

There are three main mission projects here that include these tools of education.

At Tower Hill, there is a tertiary level college with a Church dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen. The College is in its final stages as it becomes active. The incomplete Church building still needs attention. And the retaining walls along with the road that leads to the compound are in urgent need for completion. This road gives access to the water suppliers for bringing water to the compound especially during this dry season. Soon… Oh when the rains…come tumbling down… it will cause a lot of soil erosion that will slow down the projects’ progress.

At Syke Street, there is a Primary and Secondary School (active) and the Cathedral dedicated to Saints Eleftherios and George (also active). It was a joy to see it blessed by the recent visit of our Pope Theodore II. The Pope’s visit brought the people here a deeper level of spiritual understanding and respect for Faith. And any day now, the students at this school will soon move into their new buildings… better schools…better tools!

The container of School gear by Pk4A-AU is probably one of the greatest gifts this school has seen in decades. 

At Waterloo, the compound for supporting the disabled, a Primary School (soon to be active), a medical clinic, and a Church dedicated to the Resurrection of our Lord, and to Saint Moses the Ethiopian. The disabled reside there and given the opportunity for learning skills that will support them in their future. What will help them in doing so are workshops with good tools, e.g. for shoemakers, welders, blacksmiths, carpentry, local clay oven makers, etc. Fr Themi has a lot of work in-front of him to fulfill its completion, as i send this email now there is only the raw building, no doors, no windows etc.

So the tools for this mission’s vision are still incomplete, but the vision for these people with the love of  Fr Themi and the mission’s leaders and supporters is priceless and continuously taking form.

Fr Themi is now in the United States for his medical procedure carrying with him great hopes for the Paradise 4 Kids charity in the US to help him complete all these and many more projects in Faith Food and Education.

Vass

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Again, I greet you warmly and thank you for the valuable support you are providing our missionary activities here in Sierra Leone.

In this new year our Diocese has already experienced several high points and several low points and we thank the merciful God for His care and provision.

In my last blog, I wished to report more than I did, but time and electricity are scarce resources here in Freetown, but I feel compelled to write again to share with you another tragedy.

Today a little boy died (3 – 4 years old, not the child pictured with Vass but one of our other loved ones) . He was a young resident on our St. Moses Compound for the Disabled. Death is all too common occurrence in my part of the world, and mostly caused because of the lack of personal and community hygiene.

The PK4A-AU medical team saw first hand the lack of basic health facilities that we deal with, food hygiene, water hygiene, just everyday basic hygiene, that to the westerner is as basic as breathing, but here in my world (Africa) 6000 children die every day because they lack the knowledge of basic hygiene.

We have a medical clinic on the compound and last month with the help of the PK4A medical team, it opened with a very experienced nurse (employed by PK4A-SL); however while we have ample first aid supplies we have very little medicine to combat basic medical needs.

It’s is heartbreaking to be powerless to stop such a senseless death, I will never get use to it.

What we need now are nurses; volunteer nurses to come over and conduct up to date hygiene and nursing methods and local nurses who will nurse and teach to the people basic health and well being practices.

Hopefully soon, sponsors in Greece will finalize their decision to establish a Nursing College creating nurses of the future and a prosthesis foot clinic which would offer a custom made prosthetic leg for free to victims of leg amputations (whether through war, sickness or accident).

This region of Africa, especially Sierra Leone and our neighbours Liberia and Ivory Coast have suffered intensely from catastrophic civil wars in recent times. Thousands have been left without a leg or an arm. Our clinic will be the only one in the region trying to provide this much needed service. Indeed we are negotiating with a similar clinic in Nairobi, Kenya to send a nurse from here to train in Nairobi. When the nurse returns to Freetown he will train others in the skills of the Jaipur system of prosthesis assembling and fitting.

Our tertiary college (Orthodox Christian College of West Africa) is a centre of higher learning. As seen in the photos of my last report, we have started operations which will build up to four departments – teacher traing, journalism and media studies and computer studies). As soon as all facilities are up (with God’s grace) then we will add a department of nurse traing with an emphasis on orthopedic medicine.

Presently, due to a world wide economic downturn we are suffering from a drop in dominations especially from Europe (Greece). Of course we are not the only ones. A recent report stated that Greece’s international donations have dropped by over 30% (which is understandable given the current crisis in Greece). We pray that Greece will soon see better days.

In the meantime I am appealing to our friends in Australia and America to assist us. Our current situation is perhaps the worst that I can remember in the four years of our Mission’s existence here in Sierra Leone.

I must take this opportunity to appeal for someone to your generosity again to allow us to obtain a full range of medicine for our clinic and extra funds to employ another two nurses, one to join our existing nurse at Waterloo and another to establish a school Infirmary.

With money for medicines and wages for nurses, we can combat this hygiene issue and stop senseless deaths over the lack of hygiene.

With a budget of $1000 a month the mission can employ the two new nurses, training them and supply the clinic and infirmary with some of the necessary medicines to help.

Please consider joining Ezi Donate or contact PK4A in Australia or P4K in the USA for more information on how you can help

I know with the help of God and our friends abroad that things will change soon for the better.

May you and your families have a blessed Holy Week and a most joyous Easter through the power of the Crucified yet Risen Christ!

Respectfully in Christ

+Rev. Themi

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and know that I thank him for you and pray for you every day that he will bless and keep you all well.

Many times I  have done my best to write a report of the things that have taken place amongst our mission here in Freetown, Sierra Leone; our visitors have written what they have seen and you have been told by others who have seen these things from the beginning.

But there is a saying that pictures can convey a thousand words and the pictures here tell the story of your faith and generosity in Christ, can change lives.  The teachers college is open and students are now learning, so that in time education can spread under the hand of God .

Those among you who donated to the Ezi Donate Educational Container from China can now see what your donations have achieved.

I pray that you all have a joyous and faith-filled  Easter.

+ Rev Themi