Liberian

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. (Philippians 4:16,17)

M I N I S T R Y F U N D I N G

Liberian Ministries does not pay for any administrative expenses or salaries for the work performed within the United States. All of us serve the Lord in this work for without remuneration. Only expenses directly related to the Liberian effort are paid from ministry funds (Western Union fees, shipping costs, etc.).

Self Sufficiency of Operations-

The primary financial focus of the ministry is for it to become self sufficient. Making the ministry independently sustainable allows for reproduction of this model throughout Liberia without a corresponding increase in annual contributions. At our current level of service the Monrovian business enterprises of the ministry are close to producing enough profit to provide for the operating expenses. This is significant given that the ministry currently employs to some degree over 55 people as teachers, clinical staff, drivers, ice staff, logging, etc. We also have building rent in Monrovia, truck and taxi expenses and the myriad other expenses that add up over time.

The operating model for the in-country ministry is based upon supplying capital generating assets based upon the business enterprises that the Liberian participants have determined can be profitable and for which they can operate. So far the enterprises include truck transportation of materials between Monrovia and Greenville, Jeep transportation of people and merchandise to outlying areas, taxi service within Monrovia and a cold water/ice making facility in Monrovia. Within the next couple of months a school van enterprise will be in place for the transportation of private school children in Monrovia as well. In addition a small logging/sawmill operation is in place in Karmo’s Town which does not produce revenue but rather raw materials for construction efforts at the village. The profits from these businesses are designed to be capable of supplying the daily operating requirements of the village as well as the replacement of the revenue earning assets over time.

Self Sufficiency also means that the children under the village’s care provide labor for the farming and other activities of the village. With assistance and equipment crops can be planted and harvested which will provide part of the food eaten. Fruit trees can be planted. Plus the care of the grounds and maintenance of the structures can be performed by the older children. These activities also provide an education which they can use to assist them as they mature and leave the village. Much like the farm situations in the United States 50 to 100 years ago, the Liberian economy offers success to those who can grow and sell agricultural goods.

Capital Gifts for Village Structures-

As detailed in a previous section, there are numerous structural buildings necessary to create a fully functioning village. To fund these projects from the profits described above will ensure that the ministry does not achieve its goals within a reasonable time frame. It is therefore required that these assets be built through capital gift funds. The various needs are made known to all we come into contact with so that you may ask God if He will use you for their accomplishment.

Capital Gifts for Revenue Generation-

The beginning of each business enterprise listed above has started with a capital gift of the primary asset(s) required for that business. So far gifts of a transport truck, jeep, two taxis, two passenger vans, a diesel generator and ten freezers and a sawmill operation have been made either directly or by combining cash gifts. The ministry is designed to “teach a man to fish” but no man can fish until he has a fishing pole. Capital gifts of this nature provide the “fishing poles” of this ministry.

New opportunities for business are available due to the lack of capital and infrastructure within the country of Liberia. One example is the lack of transportation. The ministry currently puts every vehicle it can obtain to use in transportation of people and goods. Yet an entire food and basic goods transportation opportunity exists now. Fruit and vegetables harvested in the outlying areas of Liberia increase nearly five-fold if transported to Monrovia. Likewise, common goods such as flour, sugar and other staples gain significant value when taken to the villages. Additional transport trucks would allow a complete distribution system to be implement which could prove a tremendous source of funding for the children’s villages. With competent help from U.S. individuals the ministry would like to pursue the distribution of electricity, large city transportation services, and other basic human needs. Liberia is very much like the United States at the turn of the last century with the advantage of having a solution for most problems that are incurred yet lacking the capital to put it into place.

Monthly Orphan Sponsorship-

The only gift of an ongoing nature requested by the ministry is for a monthly donation to care for the orphans which will live in the villages. Although the dorms themselves will be provided through one-time capital gifts, the day-to-day costs of caring for a child full time are significant. It is possible that the business revenues from the ministry’s enterprises will one day be able to cover the cost of these children, the window of opportunity diminishes with each day as these orphans age and are displaced. To wait until the business enterprises have grown sufficiently means to miss the key opportunity that God has given us to influence all of Liberia for His kingdom. Through the care of the orphans, education of the village children, training of the pastors (who in turn train their flocks) and supply of medical care to the villagers we earn the opportunity to teach a large segment of the country and, therefore, to determine who the next spiritual, political and business leaders of Liberia will be. $25 per month per child will supply food, clothing and an education for the orphans under our care. The sooner we develop this funding source the sooner we can begin caring for these children.