AIM Term 2020

It's official! Our 2020 AIM term to Sierra Leone has been approved! 

We currently prepare for 3-4 months starting in May. We thank you for supporting and sharing in our mission! We are in need of Partners In Missions. You can enroll here.

We love you. 

Jeff & Heidi
jcecil.africa@gmail.com

"For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth". - Acts 13:47

Last week... for now.

Good morning. We love you all. 

Joyfully Heidi and I arrived in Sierra Leone in mid January, and sadly we are currently preparing to leave on Wednesday. Time truly does fly when you're having fun. We have thoroughly enjoyed our short time here, the opportunity to once again serve the Riddick family, and the task and mission that was entrusted in us. We are leaving Sierra Leone, having learned and witnessed many things, with a renewed passion, burden, and urgency in our spirits. By God's grace, we desire for a quick return.

The following are a few areas of involvement that we were blessed to be a part:
- Weekly teaching/preaching in midweek, Sunday, and special services; 11 different church locations.
- Initiated and led a weekly "Youth Social". We meet every Saturday and rotate between 5 different church locations. We are seeing great interest, growth, and potential in this gathering of young people.
- Taught weekly in the Bible School. Completed "Bible Introduction" and gave final exam in which all students passed.
- Assisted Bro. Riddick in the planning and construction of current and future building projects.
- Heidi instructed Gentry in his schooling two days per week.
- Assisted the Riddicks with the planning and budgeting of Next Steps 2020 in Sierra Leone. We had weekly meetings and correspondence with hotels, guest houses, etc.

Last Sunday we traveled and ministered in Bo.

My Bible School students. (L to R) Shaka, George, Mariatu, _, Arnold, Ezekiel, Christopher.

Our last "Youth Social" this past Saturday. 

We pray the favor and blessing of God upon them as they pursue their God-given purpose.

National Youth Thanksgiving

This past Sunday

We leave on Wednesday. Freetown - Brussels - Newark - Raleigh. Arriving late Thursday night.

We love you.

Kissy, Lakka, and Tengbeh Town

Good morning to you, our family and friends. We love you. 

The first thing on our heart and mind today is the loss of our cherished friend Shelley Grant. Your perfect smile, contagious laugh, sweetest of spirits, courage, strength, and memories of our times together will live on in our memories forever.

Kissy

The Lord continues to favor us as we attempt to accomplish the work He has entrusted in us. Last weekend we traveled to Kissy. We are thankful for Gods presence and the moving of His spirit in that service; many were filled and renewed! We love Pastor Patrick Sesay, his wife and family, and the beautiful congregation of Christopher Memorial UPC.

 

Lakka

On Wednesday mornings, if our schedule allows, Heidi and I venture out to see something new. This past Wednesday happened to be my birthday and she allowed me to choose our agenda. I chose to visit the ocean side villages of Lakka and River #2; always good choices. We had lunch at The Swan in Freetown.

That's me holding the boat after only a couple hours in the sun.

 Our Saturday "Youth Social" continues to grow! In the "snap" below, I am working on my west African hip movements via hula hoop.

 Tengbeh Town

Yesterday we were in Tengbeh Town! This youthful congregation meets in a beautiful tin building nestled up in a hillside village of the inner city of Freetown. The Lord met us there. His reflection is found in the faces and lives of His beautiful children.

We love you. - Jeff & Heidi

Kissy Dockyard, Yamandu, and Makeni

 We miss and love you all. We are healthy, busy, and loving Sierra Leone and it's beautiful people!

Kissy Dockyard

Last Sunday we traveled to Kissy Dockyard, which is on the east side of Freetown, to be with our friend Pastor Timbo and their beautiful church. They gather 3 times a week for worship and prayer meetings in a school classroom. They need land and a building! What wonderful worship and moving of God's spirit and power in that service!

Pastor Timbo on left and Elder Sia on right

Yamandu

This past Monday, Bro Riddick and I drove back out to the village of Yamandu to measure the boundary and stake the location for a brand new building that started this week! The village children were out of school due to national holiday and were very curious and helpful. 

Sidenote: Sierra Leone has many snakes; many are poisonous. This region where Yamandu is located has the Black and Green Mamba, Gaboon Viper, Cobra, and Python. Yep. In the last 4 months, in two separate incidents, a Python swallowed a small cow and a young boy while relieving himself in a latrine.

 

Last Thursday, we visited the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. It was incredible!

The Lord is continuing to bless and grow our "Youth Social" on Saturdays. This past Saturday we had 37 in attendance representing 5 different churches in the Freetown area. It is our goal and God-given challenge to lead, teach and equip them to become servants for the Kingdom!

Makeni

Yesterday, our team traveled to the city of Makeni. Last year, I viewed this property and deteriorating structure. Now there is a beautiful newly completed building and thriving congregation being led by our friends Pastor Steven Sesay!

We give God all glory and thank Him for the things He has done!

We love you all. - Jeff & Heidi

Getting into the flow

The beautiful church of Dwarzark Farm

 Good Monday morning! Greetings to you our wonderful family and friends.

The Lord is helping and leading us as we strive to reflect and represent Him in all that we are led and called upon to do. Starting last week, we got into the flow of our daily schedule. Though I don't mind change, Heidi and I, especially Heidi, loves routine. On Monday and Thursday mornings Heidi schools Gentry. We have our vehicle and driver on Tuesday and Wednesday so those are our days to go into the city to grocery shop and run errands. Because of very dense traffic and population, what seems to be small task become large, FUN, time consuming task. Also on Tuesdays, I teach in the afternoon at the Bible school. Wednesday is our midweek service at headquarters church which we have made our base church if not involved somewhere else. Most Friday through Sundays are very busy with us involved in special services and events among all the churches in the Freetown area.

such a dork

a beautiful people and response to the preached Word of God

We are very happy to tell you that this past Saturday was our first "Youth Social"! It was a great success! Here, years 18-30 is considered "youth". It was our desire and passion to come alongside Bro. Alex, National Youth President (in pic below, far left) and initiate weekly youth gatherings involving all Freetown churches. They are currently scheduled for every Saturday. Help us pray passionately for the youth of Sierra Leone! Did you know?... the median age of Sierra Leone is 18.5 years. 

This country and its people are beautiful. 8 million souls. The harvest is great, the laborers and funds are few. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." - Matt 9:38

Heidi is still recovering from E.coli. She takes the last of her meds (Cipro and Flagyl together... yikes) tomorrow and in faith will be back to full strength and health. Thank you for your prayers, kindness, and concern.

we found a new restaurant named Smokin Bun serving American food

We love you all dearly