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Preparing the Way: Côte d'Ivoire and Regional Conference
 Flags waved, voices rang out in song, and people from countries across West Africa and beyond danced down aisles in colorful traditional attire. In Grand Bassam, just outside of Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire where the deaths of a recent terrorist attack are still being mourned from just two weeks prior, close to 500 representatives gathered from March 31
to celebrate the third Africa Regional Conference for the International Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Filimao Chambo, Africa Region Director, opened the conference with a stirring message on the conference themed, "Prepare the Way", taken from Isaiah 57:14. After four days of inspiring worship, prayer, preaching, and workshops, the conference culminated in a ceremony in which 43 pastors from countries across West Africa were ordained. Rev. Daniel Gomis, West Africa Field Strategy Coordinator, describes the conference as "a demonstration of God's faithfulness and love for His church."
The conference was especially meaningful because it included Christian brothers and  sisters from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone who were formerly restricted from traveling outside of their countries because of the Ebola epidemic. Rev. Daniel Johnson of Monrovia, Liberia, explains what the conference meant to him and his fellow Liberians: "Although we had many difficulties like bad roads (some traveled by bus for three to four days), and hassles at check points, the trip was well worth it. The morale of the church members was strengthened through fellowship with others from all over the region. For many, it was their first time out of Liberia and they got to see a broader perspective of the church. They are used to seeing the church from a local and district level but now see that our church is an international church and that we are one. Despite language barriers, we are unified...We felt the joy of the Lord and hope to come again."
Rev. Moise Toumoudagou from Benin describes a similar experience of unity. "For many, it was their first trip out of the country, and it was a real joy to see so many different people worshipping the same God. We are not alone, but part of a large family. I am not alone in my country, but my country belongs to many countries." He describes how many on his district are new in their faith, and the week's messages, which challenged listeners to live Christ-like lives of loving service to God and others, inspired his people to grow stronger in their faith, in fellowship and in their relationships. He said that the daily workshops were extremely helpful and observed, "The church did not invest in vain, for a seed was planted in each of us."
 Rev. William Grant, from South East Liberia District, shared that the message by General Superintendent, Dr. Eugenio Duarte, "...Challenged us and opened our eyes on the subject of holiness." Rev. Daniel Gomis said that he would "personally remember Dr. Duarte's inspiring and prophetic words to the Church in Africa: 'What are we supposed to do with His Truth?...There is a lot of food on the roadside. But, there is no need for us (Nazarenes) to go after the roadside food. We have good food.' May we continue to eat the good food and grow in Christ-likeness in such a time like this."
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Water Wells Provide Relief in Village
 There is much excitement amongst the women and girls in the Fire Mambo community in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. They very excited about the new water well that has been built in their community in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and the local district and DS, Rev. Vidal Cole.
The women express their joy and delight as they fetch the water. The nearest water well was down a large hill from their community, which meant they climbed back up the hill with full buckets of water. In this culture, the men spend time chatting among themselves whilst the women and girls are expected to do all the house chores, especially fetching the water. The women started to complain about aching joints and pain due to the arduous task. By the time they go down and back up the hill 3 or 4 times, they would have spent hours and the girls were simply too tired to study. This would affect their output in school. Now, they no longer have to walk long distances to fetch their water or the water for their family.
 The provision of this water well which is situated on the top of the hill has brought much joy and relief to the women and girls in this community. It's much easier for them to fetch water now with less stress and struggle. The girls will now have enough time to fetch water and handle their school assignments. They are grateful to God and the church for providing the well for them. --Rev. Vidal Cole, DS Sierra Leone
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After Ebola--A Volunteer's Perspective
 During the month of March, I was able to spend time in the countries of Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in West Africa, where I had the privilege to work with another videographer from the States documenting personal stories of those who found themselves in the middle of the recent Ebola crisis.
It was surreal to personally encounter the people and places affected by Ebola.
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| | Liberian DS Rev. Daniel Johnson with a family of Ebola survivors |
Pastors, District Superintendents, laymen, community members and health workers all had their own story to tell. We visited Ebola burial sites in each country, an Ebola treatment center in Sierra Leone, several areas of highly concentrated Ebola outbreaks, and homes where people were quarantined for multiple weeks.
I don't take for granted the opportunity to actually set foot on the same soil and the opportunity to talk to the same people for whom Ebola was a reality. What was once a topic that we only saw flash across news headlines in most countries, was now being experienced from the source. It was someone's personal story and to hear it right from their own mouth had an impact that cannot compare with simply hearing about it. It was difficult to hear many of the stories. It was a devastating time for them.
But the church responded.
The local church faced the situation head on, embracing the sick and stigmatised. They helped with the little resources they had, and when physical recourses were not there, spiritual resources were still abundant. It was inspiring to hear how God helped these people face the fear of Ebola, and continue to go and help those who were infected when others would not. It is hard to imagine how they were feeling, knowing that any person they came into contact with could very well be infected and, in turn, infect them.
Today, the Ebola outbreak is over, but not everything is back to normal. There are many orphans, the local economy has been devastated, and many survivors are still stigmatised. In spite of these lingering challenges, the people are still thankful that they can now shake hands and embrace their loved ones without the fear of spreading sickness. They can go out into public without living in constant fear. They faced a great challenge, and are now on the other side. For that reality, they praise God.
--Ronny Beech is a Mission Corps Volunteer Serving at the Africa Regional Offices in Johannesburg in the area of communications alongside LuVerne Ward, Regional Communications Coordinator.
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Despite On-Going Drought, Successful Easter Camps in Malawi
Southern Africa has been experiencing unprecedented drought throughout the 2015-2016 growing season. This comes on the heels of catastrophic flooding in the same areas just a year ago. However, these circumstances did not squelch the desire for this tradition that many look forward to each year.
 John Wesley once said "Catch on fire and others will love to come watch you burn." This is what the Malawi South District embraced during the Easter Conference from 25-27 March, 2016 at Bangwe Church of the Nazarene with over 600 participants. Rev. Williams Thewethe, the District Superintendent, on the evening of the first day motivated the participants that came from all zones of the district to catch the Easter fire so that they can take it to their local churches.
African missionary, Rev. Wellington Obotte, who is also responsible of Evangelism and Revivalism in the Africa South-East Field was the conference speaker. He spoke on the mission of the church- seeking the lost, discipling them and sending them for mission. Obotte said that as Nazarene, we should not close doors for those that are lost. In heaven, there is celebration when one lost soul receives salvation. Many responded to the messages by Rev. Obotte. Some became born again Christians and other rededicated their lives and many were entirely sanctified.
Saturday, 26th March, 2016 was workshop day. Mr. Elia Bodole, a member of Blantryre Nazarene Church, and an Accountant at Telecommunication Network Malawi, spoke on Micro-Finance, and Rev. Chinsinsi A. Phiri spoke on how local churches can become Nazarene Compassionate hub.
Meanwhile, on the Malawi Lowershire District, two Easter camps were held in different parts of the district and a total of 412 people attended both camps. The theme of the camps was, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed," from John 20:29.
 Throughout the Lowershire Easter Camps, there were baptism services with 46 people being baptised, as well as workshops on understanding our doctrine, SDMI, NYI, NMI, giving and tithing, as well as men's ministries, evangelism and church planting. In addition to the workshops and fellowship, the Jesus Film was also shown at both of the camps, which also opened the door for people to give their lives to Christ. In spite of the recent natural disasters in the area, food stuff was donated and all of the people were able to eat throughout the entire weekend of Easter camps. A special thanks to those on the district who donated food items to help make the camps a success.
--Rev. Chinsini Phiri, Malawi South District
Rev. Gershom Kwerakwera, DS Malawi Lowershire
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NYC 2016 Registration
 It is not too early to register for NYC 2016 that will be held at the Good News Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. The cost of this event will be $130 (USD) including meals and accommodation, excluding travel costs. Online registration is simple, quick and easy, and it can be done here. Do not wait until the last minute to be a part of this great event. You are "Chosen 2 Change" your community and country!
For further information and the official promotion video, check out www.nycafrica2016.com or if you have specific questions, email nyc2016@africanazarene.org. |
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ABOUT THE REGION 
 The Nazarene Church is in 42 countries in Africa, with more than 600,000 members in six fields.
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