With so many people hungering and thirsting in our own communities,

why are we partnering with Liberia?  This question has been heard                                        more than once around the Embarras River District.  The answer is                                             simple: because Jesus calls us to love our neighbors; and our                                                     neighbors, especially in a world shrinking as rapidly as ours, are both                                   close to home and far away.  But there are other reasons, too.

Weather today in Liberia

Wet season (April - November)

Each district in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference is partnered with two districts in Liberia.  The Embarras River District is partnered with the Voinjama District and the Grand Bassa District.  The Superintendent of the Voinjama District is Rev. Jerome Kennedy, and the Superintendent of the Grand Bassa District is Rev. Clarissa Robertson.

Liberia is historically connected to the United States.  In the early 1800's during the presidency of James Monroe, the American Colonization Society arranged for emancipated and freeborn slaves to return to Africa.  Some whites who supported this effort wanted the slaves to have an opportunity to return to the land of their ancestors; others were motivated by fear that the people of color would not assimilate or simply wanted to expel them from the country.  The Liberian colony, established in 1819, was governed by white Americans until 1842 when the first black governor, Joseph Jenkins Roberts assumed leadership.  Liberia declared its independence in 1847, but has continued in a cooperative relationship with the US ever since.  Because of this historical connection, Liberians share cultural similarities, including English as the official language and a red, white, and blue flag.  The capital of Liberia, Monrovia, is named after James Monroe.

  Our Liberian brothers and sisters have great needs after the 14 years of civil war, which left the country in ruins.  The tensions which led to the outbreak of violence began in 1980 when President Tolbert was overthrown and assassinated in a military coup. Continuing economic and political difficulties gave birth to tribal/political alliances and wrestling for control that by 1989 turned into all-out war. Waves of terror swept the country for the next 14 years and ended only as international forces stepped in in 2003.  Democratic elections were held in 2005, at which time Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a United Methodist, became the first democratically elected female head of state in Africa.

  Liberia is still recovering. The country's infrastructure is badly damaged, including roads, electrical utilities, water, and sanitation systems. 

  In rural counties villages are still in the early stages of rebuilding, as they dig latrines and wells, and begin erecting permanent homes and community gathering places, including churches.  Water-borne diseases take many lives and make a good many others quite sick.  The economy is still very depressed and unemployment is very high.  Only a small percentage of children are able to attend schools, which usually meet  in make-shift structures.  Most people have little clothing and no good shoes.  Transportation is a huge problem, as roads are in poor condition and vehicles (even bicycles) are unaffordable.

   Liberians, in short, are in desperate need of material resources as well as a sense of someone "out there" caring for their plight.  UMs in Embarras River District , through their gifts and travel to Liberia are offering life-giving hope to the people of Liberia.

Why we need them -

The United Methodist Church in Liberia provides a living, breathing example of what a connectional church can be and do. 
   While the UMC has always been strong in Liberia, providing health care and education, as well as communities of faith throughout the history of Liberia, the UMC today has been on the front edge of the peace-making and recovery process that has enabled Liberia to reclaim a future after the civil war.

   Their ecumenical spirit has enabled church leaders across Liberia to fashion a Truth and Reconciliation process that has permitted victims of the war (including those maimed, tortured, raped, displaced, kidnapped, and widowed or orphaned) to tell their painful stories, perpetrators to take responsibility, and ultimately, for all to forgive one another. Peoples formerly at war now walk the same streets and shop in the same markets.
   The UMC is also meeting people at their place of need.  Where people need water, the UMC digs wells.  Where people need food, the UMC sends rice, canned fruit, powdered milk, and other foodstuffs that are appropriate for the context.  Where people need hope, the Liberian UMC leads people in the nurture of relationships - with God and with one another - enabling the war-weary to see new possibilities.

   The worship of Liberian United Methodists is rich with an appreciation of historic liturgies and hymnody, while at the same time making ample room for the indigenous culture of the people.  Singing with drums and maracas, dancing, and fervent prayer are among the ways UMs in Liberia express their gratitude for God's love, mercy, wisdom, and protection.
   In short, the UMC in Liberia is doing what UMCs can and should do as the church of Jesus Christ: praising God, making disciples, and transforming the world around them by providing for body and soul.  The leadership of the IGRC believes that it is important for members of the IGRC to see and experience United Methodism at its best and to hear the people of Liberia say "We love the United Methodist Church."