Loma Tribal Ministry
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Fredrick Douglass
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Bible
Greetings Friends, 10/25/2018
September is rainy season in the Loma tribal areas and this year it has been wet for the region. The vast majority of the tribes are subsistent farmers and they move from one harvest to the next harvest. There most prized staple is millet which they can store for months without spoilage. They harvest millet in December and January, then supplement with yams and corn during September. Since the rains have been good, the people are happy as these supplementary crops have relieved the pressure on the millet grains in storage. In the back of their minds they still have concern and anxiety for the late rains in October and November to mature the next years millet, but they know how to live with joy for the good they have at the moment. One of their favorite sayings is “Today is the day.” It means don’t worry about tomorrow, today is the moment your living.
I had left our vehicle in the tribe on my April trip because of how the rains make the roads difficult to pass during the rainy season. So, on my return this trip I rode my motorcycle back to our village. It was a good decision for me as the ferry I would have used was not operating because of flooding. A canoe that was on the edge of the water was able to take my motorcycle across the river.
Once I was in the Village area, I was able to stock the five schools with food for the students. I purchased 4 metric tons of rice to be delivered to the schools, 375 liters of oil, 42 cases of tomato paste, 60 kilos of dried fish and other condiments all were delivered to their locations. All went smoothly and we thank you for Your prayers and financial help in making this all available to them. The Schools had not started but in the past the schools should have around 450 student totals. The two larger Schools we had supported with teachers during the civil war, now the government has taken them over and they have government supported teachers. The three other schools are called village schools and the teachers are local men who are supported by the villagers without government assistances. While I have not made any contract with these teachers I do try to give them a stipend for their services.
The schools we support are elementary schools and as individuals have finished the primary classes we have helped them move on to the secondary schools in urban areas where the schools are located. We have rented a house for them to live in and given them some financial assistance for food and books. Several of these students dropped out this year. It is difficult for 20-year-old men to be attending school with other students that may only be 13 or 14. Life is complicated for the remote rural population and to catch up for many is impossible. I rejoice that these individuals are now able to read and comprehend so much more than if they had not made the effort and sacrifice to attend the schooling that they did.
The Loma people had no written language when we arrived in 1996, now they have an alphabet, they have books of the Bible in their language and they have individuals that can read and comprehend both their mother language and French.
Cherry and I are already making plans for our January and February trip. Cherry once again will work with the medical team when it arrives in February and I am looking forward to a long stay in the village when I can have quality time with the believers. I will be visiting each of the schools and monitor their lunch programs and resupply as needed. Over the years Hovare ministered to the Loma people and he translated a lot of Bible portions and lessons for the Loma people. I have been working on organizing and consolidating that material, and when I return want to work with local leadership on how to best use it.
When I had left in September I was planning to drive the Nissan pickup out and possibly replace it. The flooding made me reconsider that option. Cherry and I will get to the tribe (that is still in planning) and most likely get some needed repairs done on the vehicle and keep it for a while longer.
Once again, we want to thank you for your faithful support as we seek to see Christ’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Counting it a Blessing to be in His Service
Jerry & Cherry Skiles
March 3rd, 2018
Greetings:
Cherry and I arrived home in mid-February after about a month in the tribe. It was a good trip. Cherry was able to spend time in the tribe before spending time with the 1040i medical team. The team always does a great job helping the people but since most of the members are from the States they appreciate Cherry’s ability to translate as they diagnosis the peoples ailments. The tribal people love her as she is their voice to the doctors.
A young man who taught school in our village during the rebels’ years died tragically in a motorcycle accident. I knew him from a very young age and am thankful for his life and that he was a follower of Christ. He left a young wife and child. In the process of helping them, God allowed us to come in contact with the regional government school administrators. These contacts lead us to include two new schools in the area for the lunch programs next September. Two Christian leaders from the area showed me the way to the remote locations. It was like the old days riding down unknown paths, dodging rocks and limbs on our motorcycles. The parents, kids and teachers were excited to hear of the plans.
In the past seeing people without chairs, beds, toilets or good water was not a shock, I am getting an American perspective again. I am seeing more needs now than when I lived there. This time I noticed how most of the 200 kids at the new government elementary school in Govitan (7 miles from our home village) were sitting on the cement floor. I also noticed that in the rural village schools the kids were sitting on elevated logs. The teacher in Bwaybiye (our village) rebuked me some for being a few days late in getting the food to the students. He reminded me that some students were walking one way 7 miles from their homes. Then the whole village of Bwaybiye is suffering from the lack of water that one well produces, and that digging shallow wells is not working as a drought is being prolonged this year. There are so many areas that they could use help with.
If there were not people like you there it would be more difficult for the villagers and less relief than there is now. I am often asked, does our intervention really make a difference. I can confidently say, “Yes”, but add not as much as I would like nor is needed.
Spending time with the two men I have known for more than 30 years (both are chiefs and Christians now) one of them made a statement that took me back. The other quickly agreed. He said, “You taught us to work.” When I asked him about it he said, other Christian leaders said working was not good. I was shocked I did not know of any Missionaries or Pastors that taught that but, I listened as they finished their thought. As we visited, they saw the “leaders” not working in fields but doing God’s work, while people that worked in the fields were just working but not for God. These men saw some work was God’s work while other work was not. They said I did not make that distinction. I accept what they said, because I believe it to be true. Everyone is important to God and He has a “mission” for each of us. I believe God has a purpose for us all and in God’s sight, being faithful to that purpose is more important than the “job or ministry”.
I do want to thank you for working together with us in helping the young and old in Africa find their purpose in God’s sight. About 350 kids have been getting lunch and now learning because of your help.
In His Grace
Jerry & Cherry
January 11, 2018
2018 is already striding out to its finish line, I know the days are not moving any faster than they used to, but…..I want to tell TIME to pump the brakes! Obviously, it is not listening to me. While growing up on the farm we use to take a double barrel shotgun out on New Year’s Eve and “shoot out the old and shoot in the new”. This year, like many in the recent past we were content to celebrate with our East coast friends’ midnight and headed off to bed shortly thereafter.
We did have a good time with all our children and grandchildren around. Everyone made some sacrifices to be together. We still exchange gifts but the memories are the events of sharing time and joy together. We renewed our turkey shoot this year. It was a beautiful day to be outside recording our hits and misses with, shotgun, rifle, pistol, bow and arrow, and horse shoes. Brisbin came in first, Jerry second and Julie third. It was noted that the brown eyes defeated the blue eyes. Then the extended Skiles clan grouped together for their annual white mammoth party, it is a great time, makes the Christmas celebration special.
Cherry and I were both signed and committed to a F2F assignment in Ghana in January, and after our assignments the plan was to continue to the tribe, but the host for Cherry cancelled and then my host cancelled, so now Cherry and I will leave the USA January 21 and return February 18 spending all of our time with in the tribe. Cherry will be with the medical team for a week and a half in February. We will also restock the food supplies for the school and get some food out to the widows and orphans in the area. Of course, we will be visiting with the believers in the area, which is always a joy. I must confess that I miss my friend Hovare when I return; some voids don’t and maybe should not get filled. We did hear a couple of weeks ago that Hovare’s son died in a motorcycle accident. He left a young wife and new born. His name was Lazar and he taught the school in the village for many years during the rebel controlled years. When we lived in the area we got accustom to tragedy, now that we are away it is always harder to return and face it.
In December of 2011 we purchased a building that would become the meeting place for Peace Fellowship. We just past the 5 years of believers meeting together and we still feel like we are on a honeymoon. Everyone has a part; one could say there are neither big wheels nor little wheels, just people being a part of something bigger than they are individually or corporately. That is how I view much of my life and existence, we are involved in something important to God, but we only have a portion of it, it is only together that we have much significance. Thanks again for having a part of the mission and ministry together.
Remembering Christ till He comes
Jerry & Cherry Skiles
Dear Friends, September 27, 2017
I recently arrived back with good news from the tribe. In April, I visited with Hovare’s brother Solomon and John a friend, two of the early believers from our time in Gogo about the ministry among the Loma people. The Loma church had stagnated and with Hovare’s death a key part of the work was missing. After praying about it both Solomon and John said they wanted to help. Both of these men are mature leaders with years of experience. John has always been an evangelist. He and I would travel to markets in the early years of the ministry and we would start preaching the Word among the people. Through that work one Church was established and that church has started a couple other locations. So it was only natural that John wanted to organize an evangelical meeting with all the people in Bwaybiye. John is now the chief of Gogo and has a good name and the respect of many of the village elders in the region. Solomon is a good teacher and both he and John would teach at Bwaybiye, each taking every other Sunday. On leaving they asked me to pray and solicit prayer for their work.
Chris my son-in-law was traveling with me to understand better the roots of his wife. As we rode our motorcycles into Gogo, John was ecstatic, he said he had just dreamed of me a couple days prior and here I was! I asked him about the work and he said there are 10 new believers in Bwaybiye with quite a few of them men. It was getting late and Chris and I had spent already 10 hours riding. We left and John said he would be teaching the next Sunday. I was not expecting to be able to cross the swamp but John said it was passable, with that news we left with only about 1 hour to ride due to the short cut rather than 3 hours to ride.
We arrived just as it got dark, I needed a light to open the door to the house. As normal it was messy, dead bats and dung were scattered on the floor, table & counters and a couple of bats circled around as I prepared dinner for us.
The next day a crew came in and had the house got cleaned and in good shape in minimal time. It was Sunday and the believers were glad to see us. I shared greetings and the Word, and John continued with a systematic study of the Bible from Genesis through to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The highlight of the meeting was when one of the young women in the Church stood up and gave testimony to how she had dreamed when she was pregnant that she would have a son, and that son would grow up to be a Pastor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She showed us her new born, a son. She wanted to dedicate him to the Lord and she wanted the Church to pray for him. I was moved by the event. It was so refreshing to see someone who would consider having a child and seeing that child grow and become a Minister of the Gospel, a wonderful dream!
John, Solomon and I had wonderful fellowship and I was so thrilled with the progress they were making. They were glad to hear that, as they both shared that it was easy to become discouraged with the grind of the ministry. I didn’t need to say I know the feeling.
The schools were supposed to be starting but everything is slower in the tribal regions. I got to talk to the leadership of each school and made arrangements to get lunch food to them all. Everything went without a hitch, thank you for your prayers and for those who gave finances they covered the expenses. At one location I was visiting with the shop owner where we purchase rice. Christian Missionary Alliance has a national pastor establishing a church in the area. It is a predominately Muslim village with a few Loron and other groups as well. She was a child when I was in Gogo and over the years I had talked to her about Christ. Her children are believers but her husband is opposed to the Gospel. This time as we talked she shared how she had first heard the Gospel message as a child with Cherry and I. She said in her heart she believed then. When I hear things like that, I am so glad that the Creator of the Universe is able to figure us humans out. Another similar instance came when John the Loron evangelist was talking to my son-in-law Chris. As I translated John asked Chris, “Do you have Jesus in your heart?”, and Chris said, “Yes.”
As I sit back home in front of the computer writing this, I once again realize that we each have a part in God’s work, but it is only God that really knows when things are moving forward, when He is using us.
It was great spending time with Chris. He grew up as a minority being white in the black inner city of Atlanta. He knows so much about an America I do not. One of the things I learned is that in the urban streets of Atlanta, they have a respect for what they call “keep it 100”. As I chased the meaning of this phrase around, I discovered that they want people to be true, to be honest with themselves and about themselves. In the development world lingo they don’t say be “honest” they say be “transparent”. At the root of all relationships true fellowship comes with staying “100”. In the tribe despite all the deceit and all the lies, people still gravitated to the Truth. Rejoice that 10 more souls did “just that” recently in Bwaybiye.
In His Love and Grace
Jerry & Cherry
Greetings From Jerry & Cherry; March 4, 2017 January and February for several years have found Cherry and I working together with the 1040i mission team ministering to the tribal areas of N.E. Ivory Coast this year we did the same. The 1040i team came in later February than normal, so I took a Farmer to farmer assignment in Ghana for two weeks before we went to Ivory Coast. On the F2F assignment I was training trainers in developing better production methods in the cashew industry of Ghana. I was working with the Ghanaian Government and was hosted by a Minister of Parliament (MP). His stateside equivalent would be our Congressman. The assignment went well as I was able to include a local Pastor who is also a leader in Ghana’s Cashew research to take a day of my training. Since the Government was involved we had a day of pomp and ceremony, television filming crews and Cherry and I sitting as guest of honor as we sat next to the MP during the ceremony. There would have been a time that I would have been very uncomfortable, it is not that I feel comfortable in the pomp and spotlight now, it is more I have gotten accustomed to be in uncomfortable settings, and just do the best I can. I was not as technical or as professional as my host anticipated, (I do not hold any Doctorate Degrees) but I focused on the trainers passing knowledge to farmers, with three aspects to Encourage, Improve and Improvise. The first person to call me after getting back a few weeks later to Ghana from Ivory Coast was the MP, thanking me for the time and impact. I had only a single entry visa in my Passport, (long story) but I thought when I left the states I would get the visas I needed to get from Ivory Coast back to Ghana at the Ghana airport on my arrival. That proved to be complicated and exceeded the time I had. I had options but decided it would be best to cross the border and talk with the immigration officials where the worse that could happen is that I would have to change my tickets and fly from Ivory Coast or Burkina Faso. I let a few people in the States know so they could pray for my situation. The immigrations officers knew me and informed me they would let me back into the country. We crossed the border into Ivory Coast by a ferry that crosses the Volta River. The ferry is old and not very well maintained so we are always praying and asking the Lord to HELP us. We got to the river only to see a loaded truck had driven onto the ferry and did not have brakes to stop before it drove off the opposite end of the ferry. So we got to site to see the rear axles of the truck on the ferry and the truck’s front end was in the river with the ferry itself tilted upwards. It had been like this for almost twenty four hours. We were assured that solutions were in progress. Since this is a letter and not a book, a few hours later we were driving off the ferry on the Ivory Coast side. As I drove off the ferry into Ivory Coast there were several very official looking SUV’s driving up. I went to the officials who do formalities and I discovered from them it was Colonel Ouattara. He was once the War Lord who acquisitioned or pillaged our goods. I had spoken to him on a phone years before during the civil war, but this was my first face to face meeting. It went well. He remembered me and the incident; I introduced him to Cherry and told him his actions caused her grief. He surprised me by apologizing to her. We shook hands and as we were leaving we heard him shouting about how good of people we were to the area. The officials at the river did not have a passport stamp so we went to the officials in the big town. They did not have the proper passport stamp either so they sent us on our way. The Colonel had given me his phone numbers with orders if I had problems to let him know. Change is coming to Ivory Coast and the tribal area we had worked in for decades. There is road work being done. They are preparing to pave a road so despite our time at the border we still had time to arrive in the tribe just as it was getting dark. Power lines and dividing up the village into lots has left us feeling nostalgic, and missing the village of old. Bwaybiye was once an iconic village, of mud huts with thatched roofs, sitting in a savannah forested area. Now the trees are gone, there are many houses with tin roofs. I would say the lights make the evening different, the reality is that on my last trip they turned them on once and since then they stand as ugly concrete pillars that make me long for the trees and the past. I reconcile myself knowing that someday they will be used for good. Yet solar technology and economy has allowed lights to be seen shining in some of the village homesteads. The nostalgic thoughts haunted me on this trip. It was not long into our time that we saw the widows walking around wearing only leaves covering their hip area. Then also came the medical needs. Cherry was commuting to the 1040i team this year which meant she was taking more people to the big town from the village. On a Friday some men came and said there was a sick man I should look at. I went to his house and from the descriptions it sounded like a hernia problem. Since Cherry had already left the next day we took him to town. He was still able to walk, but after the Dr. looked at him he decided to put him as a first priority. The Dr. was concerned it was a strangulated hernia which easily kills people. We watched as the Dr. started the surgery, it was not long until he came out and said it is bad. After praying and meditating about what he should do, he started the surgery. The further he went the worse it looked. He ended up taking out a foot or two of intestine, he had waste and other nasty stuff in the abdomen cavity, then vomiting that may have been inhaled. After closing him one of the nurses came out crying, the Dr. said under the best stateside conditions he would only have a 50-50 chances. We had a meeting and I said if he dies it is best he be at home with his people, it was not easy for anyone. We loaded up a big oxygen bottle and had him on a stretcher in the back of the truck for the 2 1/2 hour drive back to the village. Two village men were in the back of the truck with the sick man and his wife was in the cab with Cherry and I. The team committed us to the Lord and we left. The widow wept and mourned all the 2 ½ hours home. We were praying that we at least would get him home before he dies. Half way home we checked him and he was still breathing, we assured the wife that he was still alive. When we arrived at the village I opened the door for his wife and she collapsed on the ground, wailing. The village broke into the death wail, until the men in the back and we assured them that Weda was alive. We got him as comfortable as we could in his mud hut. Later that night I woke at 2 AM and went to his hut to see how he was doing, he was conscious so I took the time to share the Gospel with him. He said he would consider it. During the night there was no death cry so in the morning we knew he was still alive. Church is early so after the service we went and saw how he was. He was conscious, breathing normal and talking. It was then we realized that we had not been given any medicine. I got on the motorcycle and went back to the team’s location. They were so happy to hear he was alive. The Dr. is a serious Christian, but the incident impacted him, it reminded him and everyone in the medical team that God determines the future of a man not science or a man. They asked if I could administer the injectable medicines, I gave a nod, so off I rode arriving in the village at dusk. We started a treatment of antibiotic and pain medication. Monday came and we had to use the car to supply schools with food. Tuesday Cherry was back into the team and they were in serious prayer for Weda’s wellbeing. Over the year’s I have seen and heard of people galvanized to one goal, (saving a pod of Whales in the Arctic or Chilean miners trapped in a mine). I pondered how it happens; personally we had seen or heard of scores of children die to measles or some plague unknown to me. I know multitudes of gold miners are buried every year in our area when the holes collapse, and there seemingly is no help and few who pray or cares. But here was a case that people really cared and really got involved! Cherry came back with IV drips for him, this we needed help with, so I went to the nearest Government nurse station. Providentially a nurse was there who could and would come. When we left six days after the operations, Weda was still alive; he seems good, we did our best to have local medical people follow up with his needs. We have learned not to try to ponder to deep why God does or chooses what He does or when He does it, but on this occasion our faith that God is involved with our lives and He does respond to our prayer was made evident. When our backs are against the wall and our best efforts come up short God is still for us, He will do His will. The schools and lunch programs are doing well. This is the second year for one village school in a thatched roof school. They saved money for rebuilding a school with a tin roof and we helped with that project. The last concern for us was getting back to Ghana, so we could catch our flight. It went as well as could be expected, and the ferry crossing was uneventful. Cherry and I had some extra times because of the insecurity of the border crossing so after a smooth crossing we took a trip to a national park in Ghana and Cherry saw her wild elephants. We did some shopping for art and since I am reading Francis Schaeffer, I am more inspired to understand art. We bought a unity stand from Africa. It is carved from one piece of wood but there are distinct individuals only as they lock together does the stand work. It is an African model, for Africa it is more important to be part of a team then it is to be a single individual. It reminds me of the Body of Christ being made up of many members. Thank you for your part in working with us to see Christ Glorified. Jerry & Cherry.
Greetings In The Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ; Monday, May 9, 2016
After spending most of April (all but 2 days) in Ghana and Ivory Coast it is time to give my report of the trip. It was good, I got all the goals accomplished that I hoped to and survived all the unexpected events that are part of a trip to the tribe.
Cherry and I have tried to keep our separation down to less than 3 weeks but we allowed for a longer stretch and combined a Farmer to Farmer assignment with a trip to the tribe. I spent the first portion of the trip training leaders of farmers’ concepts of keeping records and making goals to help them cope with the new demands being placed on their lives. Most of the farmers I worked with have a history of farming to sustain themselves with food. They harvest and eat, but with modern times new demands are being placed on them, things like school fees, medicines, transportation and of course cell phone charges. Like many of us they ask themselves “where will the money come from” and why don’t I ever have enough of it??? I help them discover the answer to those questions. I trained about 100 farmers and my sponsor was encouraged that the number grew as people shared about what was being taught to others.
After my time with them I travelled to the tribe. The day after I got there Busi one of the first believers in the tribe died. She had suffered with seizures most of her life and was severely burned twice when she fell into fires. The Loma Church has had little or no reproduction and the existing leaders are not really qualified. Hovare’s son was involved with the Church for several years but he has married and no longer spends time teaching the believers. Hovare is not mobile due to his diabetes. I am hoping and praying the Lord sends or rises up a local leader who will have a servant’s heart to nurture the flock.
I spent most of my time in the tribe restocking the 3 schools with lunch supplies. We have 247 students in the three schools. I believe the future of the church will be somewhat connected with the education that the children are receiving. In the years I have been involved with Ivory Coast the national evangelical church has seen good growth. Islam is still the dominate faith in the country with 39%, Christianity 32% and the rest either animist or claiming no faith. The national evangelical Church is the most active witnessing Church and for the youth looking for changes the most common choice. A lot of witnessing occurs in the high schools and universities. We are involved with 9 Loma students who are the first to attend high school in years. They attend school in a city miles away from the tribal area. After this year’s graduation that number will grow. Daniel one of the first year students at the secondary school is an orphan. He is doing exceptionally well with his studies and is in the top 10 students in the whole school.
The Loma area and villages have changed dramatically in the past couple years. When we first arrived we made the only mechanical noises, now there is a main road through the village with motorcycles passing often. At nights lights can brighten the huts. It used to be a village with only mud huts and thatched roofs now tin is being used on most new constructions. The cashew industry has brought in much needed money. The gold mining has brought new people into the area. The encroachment of the Sahara desert and the Islamic extremist to the north has driven many herders and their cattle into the area. There is an increase of lawlessness in the area, a few miles from our tribal house a man was wounded in the head when he refused to stop when some bandits tried to steal from him. Shortly after that a Loron man was driving a vehicle also ran through a bandit stop only to be shot in the arm. In another incident the Loron retaliated against the Moslem herders when one of them was accused of raping one of their women. In the past everyone knew who everyone else was, now there are too many strangers, who are suspicious and cause insecurities.
It is a privilege to be able to continue with the ministry the Lord has given us. I know as I age eventually I will not be able to physically handle the demands, but as long as God enables I will do my best to carry on. My next trip to the tribe is planned for September/October to restock the schools. I’m off to Tanzania in July/August for a Farmer to Farmer opp.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support, I could not continue like I am without them.
In His Love and Grace Jerry and Cherry Skiles
Life in Africa Jan. & Feb. 2016
When Jerry and I left for Africa (Ghana & Ivory Coast) this year we had made our plans of the things that needed to be done while there. For example, we needed to get the papers such as insurance and our vehicle inspection completed before we could drive anywhere in Africa.
Jerry was able to get a man to take our truck to the inspection place and that saved some time for us. Jerry also got a spare tire for our trip north as the other spare we had was already pretty old.
We had a couple men with us from Oregon, who were first timers to Africa and they were enjoying the new sights and smells. Zack is a young man and he was to head toTarkwa on his own using a local bus. He truly had many experiences (both scary and funny) heading to his destination. When we saw him again a week later he shared with enthusiasm his traveling experiences and how God had taken care of him. He truly was enjoying himself and the young people he was with. Zack was involved with helping with the seminars that were going on. He also enjoyed being sitting as a student and learning from the seminars also.
Bob the other man who came along went up to the village with us. He truly enjoyed his trip but said it was hard to come up with the correct words to explain all the cultural differences and all the new things he saw and experienced. Bob also went to Tarkwa and taught the students at the Bible training school. He had a very nice time with the people there and I believe he really loved the food.
Jerry and I did our normal jobs when we arrived at our house in Bwaybiye. The first job always is to clean the house and get it ready to live in again. It was the Harmatan season which is a heavy dust coating everything it can land on. We got it pretty clean before bedtime but we did a lot more cleaning the next day. And there were only 20 or fewer bats in the bathtub and sinks. YEA!!
Jerry was able to gather much of the supplies needed for the schools we are helping with. He also put together some desks for the students who had none. Jerry taught on one Sunday about Faith and the people were very encouraged by how he taught it. They understood Faith much better than they had understood it in the past.
I walked through the village and asked who was sick and I got 3 names and when time allowed Jerry took his motorcycle and went to visit the sick and see if they needed to go into Doropo to the medical team. He did take one man in with us when I was to go into Doropo to get ready to help the 1040i team.
I went to work with the 1040i Medical team and was able to stay with them and help where I was needed mostly translating for the Dr’s & nurses from the villagers. I totally enjoy working with the 1040i team and love to help the village people I know, but I also get to know new people I never knew before who live in other areas around Doropo. This year was a unique one as we (the 1040i) group was protected (not only by our God) but also by about 20 of the Ivory Coast Special Forces Military watching us around the clock. They were protecting us from dangers that can happen when the wrong people show up trying to do their damage to innocent people.
I had to leave the team early because our truck was having problems and Jerry needed to get it to a mechanic who knew how to fix it. Jerry worked on the vehicle enough so we could go south. Some friends of ours who live in a different village were in Doropo picking up supplies they needed and picked me up from the hospital and took me back to Bwaybiye the village we live in. Jerry was working when we arrived and we had a very nice time showing them around our house and village.
I had a couple days where I could work with the villagers and get our things ready for us not being in the house. So when I got to the village I packed my baggage from being in Doropo that I use when I’m with the 1040i team. Then I packed our bags for our homeward flight.
. Our desire was to leave Sunday morning when Jerry would teach the message on faith and after the meeting we would begin our trip South.
Saturday before we were to leave, we were getting things ready to shut down and we heard that Taki the man we took in to see the Dr. had arrived back at his home. He had been seen by a Dr. and treated then released to go home. He was transported on a motorcycle to his home in the afternoon and later in the evening we heard he had passed away. He was a believer and we knew him well. It was so sad for the villagers and us but we never know there will be a time when we shall walk that trail ourselves.
We had a good time traveling south as we got onto the nicer roads in the south. There were more comforts and I believe we only had 2 flat tires on the rougher northern roads and the truck ran just fine. We were able to get the truck fixed and repacked our bags once again for our flight back home. Heading home is always a joy as well as working in Africa helping the people we know.
Jerry and I wish to keep you informed on the ministry we are involved we share with you and want to say ”Thank You” for your help and support in it. The villagers also send their “Thanks” to you also.
Many Blessings to You For Your Generosities
His Servants
Jerry & Cherry
Feb 11, 2016
Greetings
Cherry and I are in Accra earlier than planned. Our vehicle had mechanical problems that forced many changes in our schedule and work. My Dad quoted from the classics as I was growing up and one of them was of a King after losing his horse in the midst of a battle crying out “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.” I understood then as now how circumstances can change the value we put on things. Because of mechanical problems Cherry had to leave the medical 1040i team early, the schools did not get all the food they should have, people I was evacuating to the hospital did not arrive, people who would have been brought back to the village had to find other transportation. The consequences go on. For us, we arrived safely in Accra, but one of the believers we took to the hospital for treatment died at his home after, he was brought back on a motorcycle.
The cause of the car problem started with a routine oil change. I noticed a universal joint loose so I told the mechanic to change it as I did not want a universal joint to go out in the tribe. The mechanic replaced it but when I looked at the work the joint was not secured correctly, after assuring him I wanted it done right, he said he would find the right part. When I came back everything looked good but it wasn’t. I am pretty sure he cannibalized the old part and made a modification so it would look right. We call it WAWA. West Africa Wins Again.
Despite the start of this note we are encouraged with the progress of the work in tribe. The food security and health in the village were the best I have seen. Until the death of Taki, the Loma believer the night before we left no one had died in our presence in the tribe. We did have a woman come to us for help but she miscarried before we could start her to the hospital.
The schools are progressing well. There are almost 250 elementary school children going to schools and being feed. The eleven secondary students are doing well in town at the school they attend.
The power company is planning on having the power to the street lights in Bwaybiye by the beginning of March 2016. Reports of high cashew nut prices have the farmers anticipating a good return for themselves. I spoke to the Loma chief about establishing a market in the village. He spoke to the elders and they came and wanted me to be the “founder”. Traditions weave spirits appeasement and a host of other responsibilities into a “market”. I told the chief I would talk to the elders. I explained I would not be establishing a market, but since a road comes to the village, if cashew buyers knew a day the people would sell their nuts, they could come and it would save the Loma woman having to carry the nuts 10 miles to the market. They got excited about that, so they said Saturday the buyers can come and buy our cashews and the areas’ produce. I gave the Chief access to a shipping container for the buyers’ storage facility.
Hovare still struggles with the effects of diabetes. His eye sight is failing. Since the car had trouble he made the 7 mile trip on a motorcycle. He had trouble seeing and ended up injuring his foot. I have concern for him, physically and emotionally.
The Loma church only has one man left in it and the rest are younger people and women. Pray the Lord rises up leaders for the Church there. I was speaking to one of the Doctors from the medical team. He was born in Nigeria and practices medicine in the States. He has performed 100’s of surgeries in the tribal area. I was sharing my concerns for the Church and he reminded me of how God raises us leaders to lead the tribal area. He shared how his Grandfather in1912 was first impacted by the Gospel and how over time the Gospel took hold and grew, he assured me that fruit will come. It encouraged me to hear his story and the history of his people.
Thanks for your prayers
Jerry & Cherry
Carpe Diem – Seize the day
August 5, 2015
Dear Friends & Family,
Somehow in my youth I was taught to make the most of opportunities, unfortunately I was not always wise
when I was “seizing” in my youth. I have grown older and asked the Lord many times to help me make the
right choices when I make a decision in the use of my time and resources. I still struggle with indecision, but I
will “pull the trigger and take the shot” if I think it is the best opportunity. Like always once committed I only
I recently received news from my friend in the tribe Hovare, that his eye sight is failing because of diabetes.
He no longer can read or write. He has translated scriptures for years and the Lord has used him
tremendously in the ministry in Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. He recorded Bible messages in the Loron
language on tapes which were played on radio and were broadcast in the area. He trained his family in the
Word and they continue to impact the area with their lives. Ecclesiastes speaks of aging and the wear of the
years on our mortality. I am very glad that Hovare used his youthful energies as he did. We had a good time
together, and I expect that when I see him again we will continue to live to the fullest our lives with the
resources left to us, at least that is my desire for him and me!
I recently returned from Burkina Faso were I was asked to help with a project called Victory against
Malnutrition. It had five years to accomplish the mission and a substantial USAID budget and targeted the
poor in the Sahel area. They were teaching farmers to increase productivity and sales to reduce malnutrition.
Since the goals were not being met I was asked to evaluate the effort and make recommendations for their
Having been involved with improving quality of life among the poor in the world for three decades I could
empathize with their efforts and lack of progress. They were doing things right, but positive results were slow
if any. In the end I told them to focus on the a few capable individuals and help them to learn so they can.
The Loron tribe in the 80’s were an unreached tribe, today a child born there will have a higher percentage of
hearing the Gospel then today’s American babies. Missionaries were the only ones there teaching in the early
days but today, missionaries teaching is limited but the Church continues to grow. The Church grows because
God equipped others for the work of the ministry. Christians in the Church are similar to runners in a relay
each runner has to run his leg as hard and well as he can but the passing of the baton is as critical to success as
the individual’s race. So it is with our efforts inside the Kingdom of Christ.
In September I will be returning to the tribe to assist in the education process of 3 schools in the area.
Volunteer teachers work in two of the schools, and we like to help them out with some financial support, also
there is another teacher we pay regularly. We also provided lunches for the students in the schools we help
support. Last year there were about 150 students this year we expect 200. We provide desks, shelters for
eating and classrooms as the Lord enables. The needs outweigh the available resources.
Carpe Diem - Like you, I have to make decisions how to use my time and resources. Cherry and I continue to
use some of our time and resources investing in tribal children’s education, and physical and spiritual health
for the villagers in the tribes, if you would like to join us, pray for the needs there and/or make a contribution
to Shield of Faith with a post it note attached saying that it is for the “Skiles Ministry”. And mail it to P.O. Box
144 Bend, OR. 97709. Both I/Jerry and Cherry along with the villagers “Thank You” so much for your support
and encouragements. Jerry & Cherry Skiles
Greetings In The Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; June 8, 2015
Cherry and I returned to the tribe in May. The health and attitude of the people were much better than previous trips. Harvest was good, the cashew prices were high, and no one died during the days we were with them.
The Lord has blessed us with the ability to bring positive change to the area in a short time. A part of that is your financial giving that we can apply to problems. We were able to start needed repairs on the village well. Women were being forced to get up early in the morning and search for water in shallow wells they had to dig to supply the needs of their families. While the repairs were not finished when I left I have hope they are done at this time. We also hired a local dentist to come and take care of some dental needs in the area. He pulled 14 teeth.
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The school has grown so much that the students outnumbered the desks. We were able to construct 36 desks for the students. The high point of the trip for me was hearing the first graders squeal with delight to be able to sit at a real desk, rather than on the floor.
There normally are three teachers at the village school, but one of the government’s teachers had to leave due to health reasons. The director of the school says they are expecting a couple more teachers next year. We were able to make some repairs and clean up the second teacher house in expectation of their arrival in September.
The second school we support is doing well. The only teacher there teaches about 60 students. We have an appreciation for this young man who labors primarily for the welfare of the students. We made some additional contributions for the lunch supplies to keep healthy lunches going until the end of the school year in July.
A group of Christians who attended the fellowship in our village left and started their own group in their village. The leader of this group came to me with a younger Christian man and said they were starting a village school in their area, could we help? We explained we could make no promises but if the Lord provides we would give food for lunches, some stipend for the teacher and some furniture. Maybe later we will replace the thatched shelter with a tin roofed school building.
Electrical power is coming to many of the villages in our area. The government has surveyed the village we work in, made lots for the houses, and roadways. The large trees have been cut down; Bwabiye is so different now from when we arrived in 1995. Cell phones, motorcycles and electric make up the biggest physical change. Fortunately the Gospel is now in their language; we are waiting and praying that it sprouts an abundant harvest among the people who the majority continues in their animistic ways.
We finished our trip by visiting a missionary friend Ed Enns in Ghana. We have been involved with one another from before our start in missionary training in 1982. I end pondering this letter amazed at how the Lord brings people together to promote His Church in this age.
In His Love and Grace
Jerry & Cherry Skiles
Happy Easter! Sunday, April 5, 2015
Another celebration of the day Christ triumphed over death and the grave is coming to a close as I write. As the years pass I appreciate more and more that there is living to be done after my mortal life comes to an end. But until that final breath is released from my physical body, my desire is to squeeze all the juices I can from my aging body. I am getting to the age I no longer take for granted the strength and health the Lord is giving to me. I am operating in His Grace and I know it better now than I ever have.
My siblings called my last trip to Uganda, “road trip” since I did not give them notice of my exit, I do get a little embarrassed about the traveling. I was asked to go back to Kyrgyzstan this spring as well, but had to decline; my wife and other responsibilities do act as throttle control on the opportunities. My last few farmer to farmer trips have been encouraging. My farm hosts communicate a true appreciation for the things I share with them which does make the discomforts of the travels and accommodations worthwhile. I feel so blessed to enjoy the way God has allowed my life to mutate and evolve into what it has. My wife supports me, but while she doesn’t feel the physical discomforts of traveling, she feels the pain of the separation and does not get the earthly reward for it. Fortunately for everyone the Lord’s score card does not overlook anyone or any act done for His sake. With that thought in mind I want to thank you for your faithful giving and praying that allows me to function as I do.
Cherry and I will be returning to the tribe the end of this month. Seeing and encouraging the believers would make the trip worth the effort, but I always have a multitude of goals as well to fill my time. We will make sure the school projects are going well. It is the time the international cashew buyers are purchasing the cashew nuts and my influence has helped get 10-20 percent more for the farmers in the area. This year the price for the cashews is the best I have ever seen and the harvest is also good. Since the price is so high I doubt I will get that high of a percentage difference but I am sure I will be able to see them get a higher price. I am already excited about the villagers getting cash for their cashew nuts. The first trees we planted in the tribal area are at the height of productivity and this year’s price is already twice what it was at the height of what was offered last years.
I shared at our local fellowship this morning and my goal was to communicate that Jesus lived with God’s plan in mind. His whole purpose was to see God’s will to be accomplished in his life. He did all that was asked of Him. I am plagued with a self-evaluation that always leaves me feeling like I could have done better. The joy and peace of my Christian Faith reminds me that my standing is about how well Jesus did, and then how God accredits Christ’s work and life to my life. Isn’t that a wonderful thought?
In His Love and Grace
Jerry & Cherry
Skiles
Jerry & Cherry
____________________
Jerry wrote this letter to let people know what he has been up to. Some of you know as Jerry has shared to some of you but there are some who have not heard of this trip. This letter will inform you and hopefully it also will encourage you that the work there is moving forward and many of you are participants in getting the work done and we thank you.
While he was doing that I was privileged to be with Julie our daughter in her last weeks before having our first grand baby named Skye and 9.2 lbs.and of course she's a doll.
Cherry
Greetings Fellow Servants of Our Lord March 3, 2015
Since returning from the tribe I have been meaning to write to you and give you a report on my last trip and how Hovare is doing. It was a profitable trip, but not without some pain and tragedy. It doesn’t take long to get from one location to another but the differences between the tribe and here are amazing.
We want to thank you for your support of the generous gift you gave. I was able to stock the school lunch program for several months, as well as get started on the cafeteria we are building. UNICEF supplies some schools with food, but those schools are required to have a separate building where the children can sit down at a table and eat. We are preparing for the future of making that happen in Bwaybiye. Until then we feel blessed to be able to make the lunches available to the children in the two schools.
The vaccinations for the village were done by government workers this year. Even with the vaccinations I saw more death than I like in the weeks I was there. The first was the first born of a young mother. I remember the mother when she was born shortly after we got to the tribe in 1995. The Grandmother and mother brought the child to me, and I was able to get them to a medical facility. When I returned for them after buying food and medicine for the village they were waiting for me holding the dead baby. A few days after that a man I knew passed away with what mostly likely was a strangulated hernia. Then after that a young man and a young girl died from the same household within a week of each other. Without testing it is always difficult to know what is causing the deaths.
The medical team came and I was able to get some people to them. It was a smaller team than normal due to the Ebola concerns. There has been no Ebola in Ivory Coast but people associate Ebola to Africa and that caused enough concern to stop quite a number from participating.
Hovare must have had a hypoglycemic crisis due to him being diabetic. It has left him with limited mobility and possibly some eye problems. We were able to get him insulin tablets that replace the injectable that he was using. He enjoyed all the time we had together. I passed on your gift to him and he was very thankful and grateful for it. He always sends his thanks and greetings. He and his family pray for you regularly. When I arrived he was discouraged with the lack of progress he has made in his healing and I don’t know how much pain he is experiencing. I could tell he was frustrated that he could not move around well. Most of us can relate to losing and health is sure in the top five things to lose! I encouraged him to keep working at walking and moving. Every day that I went to see him he had people coming and visiting him and offering him their condolences. He has had an impact on a lot of people, but he always welcomed the escape I offered him to ride to town with me in the truck. That does remind me of how appreciative I am to have the vehicle. It serves me and the region well. Without it, work would not go nearly as efficient or smooth. The roads are improving but they destroyed two tires. I buy use tires anymore, the rocks and sticks attack the side walls and new tread does not help. I carry two spares and I have used them both.
The crops did well this year. The grain harvest was good and there was not the problem with famine like the past. The area suffers from manpower because a lot of young men leave their wives and families to find work in the Cocoa plantations. Ideally they send money home, but that does not always happen. This year the food was adequate and most people seemed to be doing well. There will always be the needy. I am optimistic about the future. The cashew crop looks to be doing very well, and when I asked about the cashew prices in Ghana, I saw they were record highs! I got a call from a friend and he said the price is already 1/3 higher than what it was last year and it is still early in the season. Generally the prices climb as the season progresses. Cherry and I will return in May to help organize the marketing of the cashew crop. That effort seems to increase sales 10-20% from what they can get on their own.
The power company is setting poles to electrify Bwaybiye and the area with power. That is almost surreal.
The school teachers told me that when the food stopped right before Christmas break and a number of families pulled their children. The timing of my arrival allowed me to be able to get the school lunches going as the break ended. I wonder if our activities make a difference, the teachers words assured me they did. We readily know when people die, but we never know if the medicines we supplied kept someone alive. I saw a lot of medicine passed out to sick people. We could not do or see what I do without people like you supporting the effort. Thanks on our behalf, but even more so Thanks on the beneficiaries part of what you have provided.
In Christ’s service
Jerry & Cherry
Dear Friends: Jan 20, 2015
Here in Oregon it is a typically wet rainy Saturday morning. But in Africa where Jerry is it is hot and the air is full of dust and winds.
Jerry left for Africa (Ghana) on Tuesday this past week and has arrived without any problems. He spent the night in Accra and the next day proceeded to get the paperwork for our pickup done. In Africa anyone driving a vehicle needs to get what they call a "Visite" which means your vehicle needs to pass all the tests they deem necessary and our truck passed without any problems. The next day he got insurance for the truck and had some money (Dollars) changed into the CFA or French Francs.
Jerry is now on the move north and spent last night in Wenchi, Ghana and tonight he is spending the night in Bondoukou, Ivory Coast. Tomorrow morning he plans to leave early and make it into Bwaybiye the village we work in. He hopes to see Hovare in Boba his village before getting to our village where we work in. He hopes to arrive in the Village where "The Believers" will most likely still be in Church.
Up to this point Jerry has said that things have gone exceptionally well for him and the things he needed done to move ahead were accomplished without incident. He thanks each and every one of you. Things don't always go this way there so we are very pleased with the forward motion thus far.
As Jerry arrives in the village he will be met by around 100 kids shouting their joy of his arrival. They all will greet him in unison and then stand around watching all the activities of unloading the baggage Jerry brought.
Once in Bwaybiye there will be a lot of work to be done. He'll get the workers cleaning the dust from all flat surfaces in the house. Outside the workers will begin cleaning the cans (the tins for bread) and table before starting the oven for making bread. A few others may start the process of making some rice and sauce for supper.
He will begin getting the goals he has planned started the next day. He want's to get the noon meals started for the kids who are going to school. He would like to get a structure built so the kids have a place to eat their lunches. And many other jobs he has planned. In two weeks the "1040i A" team will be arriving and set up the hospital and the "B team" will arrive just a couple of days later ready to do the medical and construction aspect of their trip to Africa. This is where I will miss being there to help both the patients and the Dr's. I so enjoy helping the patients being put at ease as I translate for them and helping wherever I can. Jerry will transport people from the village to the hospital to hopefully get the needed help for what is bothering them.
I am not going to Africa at this time because I am helping Julie our daughter who is due this coming weekend. I am very excited to be there for her and very happy at the thought of becoming a "Grandma" for the first time. But I still will miss being able to go to Africa and help the 1040i team and the patients.
Jerry and I want to thank you so much for all you do to help the ministry move forward. I know if the people over in the villages could write or see you personally they would gladly thank you for all you do and have done over the years. They might even bring you a chicken (personal) or a cow (a village) that you've helped. They definitely show their appreciation for the helps they get. Thank you from the villagers too.
May you be Blessed for your sacrificial giving
Jerry & Cherry
After spending most of April (all but 2 days) in Ghana and Ivory Coast it is time to give my report of the trip. It was good, I got all the goals accomplished that I hoped to and survived all the unexpected events that are part of a trip to the tribe.
Cherry and I have tried to keep our separation down to less than 3 weeks but we allowed for a longer stretch and combined a Farmer to Farmer assignment with a trip to the tribe. I spent the first portion of the trip training leaders of farmers’ concepts of keeping records and making goals to help them cope with the new demands being placed on their lives. Most of the farmers I worked with have a history of farming to sustain themselves with food. They harvest and eat, but with modern times new demands are being placed on them, things like school fees, medicines, transportation and of course cell phone charges. Like many of us they ask themselves “where will the money come from” and why don’t I ever have enough of it??? I help them discover the answer to those questions. I trained about 100 farmers and my sponsor was encouraged that the number grew as people shared about what was being taught to others.
After my time with them I travelled to the tribe. The day after I got there Busi one of the first believers in the tribe died. She had suffered with seizures most of her life and was severely burned twice when she fell into fires. The Loma Church has had little or no reproduction and the existing leaders are not really qualified. Hovare’s son was involved with the Church for several years but he has married and no longer spends time teaching the believers. Hovare is not mobile due to his diabetes. I am hoping and praying the Lord sends or rises up a local leader who will have a servant’s heart to nurture the flock.
I spent most of my time in the tribe restocking the 3 schools with lunch supplies. We have 247 students in the three schools. I believe the future of the church will be somewhat connected with the education that the children are receiving. In the years I have been involved with Ivory Coast the national evangelical church has seen good growth. Islam is still the dominate faith in the country with 39%, Christianity 32% and the rest either animist or claiming no faith. The national evangelical Church is the most active witnessing Church and for the youth looking for changes the most common choice. A lot of witnessing occurs in the high schools and universities. We are involved with 9 Loma students who are the first to attend high school in years. They attend school in a city miles away from the tribal area. After this year’s graduation that number will grow. Daniel one of the first year students at the secondary school is an orphan. He is doing exceptionally well with his studies and is in the top 10 students in the whole school.
The Loma area and villages have changed dramatically in the past couple years. When we first arrived we made the only mechanical noises, now there is a main road through the village with motorcycles passing often. At nights lights can brighten the huts. It used to be a village with only mud huts and thatched roofs now tin is being used on most new constructions. The cashew industry has brought in much needed money. The gold mining has brought new people into the area. The encroachment of the Sahara desert and the Islamic extremist to the north has driven many herders and their cattle into the area. There is an increase of lawlessness in the area, a few miles from our tribal house a man was wounded in the head when he refused to stop when some bandits tried to steal from him. Shortly after that a Loron man was driving a vehicle also ran through a bandit stop only to be shot in the arm. In another incident the Loron retaliated against the Moslem herders when one of them was accused of raping one of their women. In the past everyone knew who everyone else was, now there are too many strangers, who are suspicious and cause insecurities.
It is a privilege to be able to continue with the ministry the Lord has given us. I know as I age eventually I will not be able to physically handle the demands, but as long as God enables I will do my best to carry on. My next trip to the tribe is planned for September/October to restock the schools. I’m off to Tanzania in July/August for a Farmer to Farmer opp.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support, I could not continue like I am without them.
In His Love and Grace Jerry and Cherry Skiles
Life in Africa Jan. & Feb. 2016
When Jerry and I left for Africa (Ghana & Ivory Coast) this year we had made our plans of the things that needed to be done while there. For example, we needed to get the papers such as insurance and our vehicle inspection completed before we could drive anywhere in Africa.
Jerry was able to get a man to take our truck to the inspection place and that saved some time for us. Jerry also got a spare tire for our trip north as the other spare we had was already pretty old.
We had a couple men with us from Oregon, who were first timers to Africa and they were enjoying the new sights and smells. Zack is a young man and he was to head toTarkwa on his own using a local bus. He truly had many experiences (both scary and funny) heading to his destination. When we saw him again a week later he shared with enthusiasm his traveling experiences and how God had taken care of him. He truly was enjoying himself and the young people he was with. Zack was involved with helping with the seminars that were going on. He also enjoyed being sitting as a student and learning from the seminars also.
Bob the other man who came along went up to the village with us. He truly enjoyed his trip but said it was hard to come up with the correct words to explain all the cultural differences and all the new things he saw and experienced. Bob also went to Tarkwa and taught the students at the Bible training school. He had a very nice time with the people there and I believe he really loved the food.
Jerry and I did our normal jobs when we arrived at our house in Bwaybiye. The first job always is to clean the house and get it ready to live in again. It was the Harmatan season which is a heavy dust coating everything it can land on. We got it pretty clean before bedtime but we did a lot more cleaning the next day. And there were only 20 or fewer bats in the bathtub and sinks. YEA!!
Jerry was able to gather much of the supplies needed for the schools we are helping with. He also put together some desks for the students who had none. Jerry taught on one Sunday about Faith and the people were very encouraged by how he taught it. They understood Faith much better than they had understood it in the past.
I walked through the village and asked who was sick and I got 3 names and when time allowed Jerry took his motorcycle and went to visit the sick and see if they needed to go into Doropo to the medical team. He did take one man in with us when I was to go into Doropo to get ready to help the 1040i team.
I went to work with the 1040i Medical team and was able to stay with them and help where I was needed mostly translating for the Dr’s & nurses from the villagers. I totally enjoy working with the 1040i team and love to help the village people I know, but I also get to know new people I never knew before who live in other areas around Doropo. This year was a unique one as we (the 1040i) group was protected (not only by our God) but also by about 20 of the Ivory Coast Special Forces Military watching us around the clock. They were protecting us from dangers that can happen when the wrong people show up trying to do their damage to innocent people.
I had to leave the team early because our truck was having problems and Jerry needed to get it to a mechanic who knew how to fix it. Jerry worked on the vehicle enough so we could go south. Some friends of ours who live in a different village were in Doropo picking up supplies they needed and picked me up from the hospital and took me back to Bwaybiye the village we live in. Jerry was working when we arrived and we had a very nice time showing them around our house and village.
I had a couple days where I could work with the villagers and get our things ready for us not being in the house. So when I got to the village I packed my baggage from being in Doropo that I use when I’m with the 1040i team. Then I packed our bags for our homeward flight.
. Our desire was to leave Sunday morning when Jerry would teach the message on faith and after the meeting we would begin our trip South.
Saturday before we were to leave, we were getting things ready to shut down and we heard that Taki the man we took in to see the Dr. had arrived back at his home. He had been seen by a Dr. and treated then released to go home. He was transported on a motorcycle to his home in the afternoon and later in the evening we heard he had passed away. He was a believer and we knew him well. It was so sad for the villagers and us but we never know there will be a time when we shall walk that trail ourselves.
We had a good time traveling south as we got onto the nicer roads in the south. There were more comforts and I believe we only had 2 flat tires on the rougher northern roads and the truck ran just fine. We were able to get the truck fixed and repacked our bags once again for our flight back home. Heading home is always a joy as well as working in Africa helping the people we know.
Jerry and I wish to keep you informed on the ministry we are involved we share with you and want to say ”Thank You” for your help and support in it. The villagers also send their “Thanks” to you also.
Many Blessings to You For Your Generosities
His Servants
Jerry & Cherry
Feb 11, 2016
Greetings
Cherry and I are in Accra earlier than planned. Our vehicle had mechanical problems that forced many changes in our schedule and work. My Dad quoted from the classics as I was growing up and one of them was of a King after losing his horse in the midst of a battle crying out “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse.” I understood then as now how circumstances can change the value we put on things. Because of mechanical problems Cherry had to leave the medical 1040i team early, the schools did not get all the food they should have, people I was evacuating to the hospital did not arrive, people who would have been brought back to the village had to find other transportation. The consequences go on. For us, we arrived safely in Accra, but one of the believers we took to the hospital for treatment died at his home after, he was brought back on a motorcycle.
The cause of the car problem started with a routine oil change. I noticed a universal joint loose so I told the mechanic to change it as I did not want a universal joint to go out in the tribe. The mechanic replaced it but when I looked at the work the joint was not secured correctly, after assuring him I wanted it done right, he said he would find the right part. When I came back everything looked good but it wasn’t. I am pretty sure he cannibalized the old part and made a modification so it would look right. We call it WAWA. West Africa Wins Again.
Despite the start of this note we are encouraged with the progress of the work in tribe. The food security and health in the village were the best I have seen. Until the death of Taki, the Loma believer the night before we left no one had died in our presence in the tribe. We did have a woman come to us for help but she miscarried before we could start her to the hospital.
The schools are progressing well. There are almost 250 elementary school children going to schools and being feed. The eleven secondary students are doing well in town at the school they attend.
The power company is planning on having the power to the street lights in Bwaybiye by the beginning of March 2016. Reports of high cashew nut prices have the farmers anticipating a good return for themselves. I spoke to the Loma chief about establishing a market in the village. He spoke to the elders and they came and wanted me to be the “founder”. Traditions weave spirits appeasement and a host of other responsibilities into a “market”. I told the chief I would talk to the elders. I explained I would not be establishing a market, but since a road comes to the village, if cashew buyers knew a day the people would sell their nuts, they could come and it would save the Loma woman having to carry the nuts 10 miles to the market. They got excited about that, so they said Saturday the buyers can come and buy our cashews and the areas’ produce. I gave the Chief access to a shipping container for the buyers’ storage facility.
Hovare still struggles with the effects of diabetes. His eye sight is failing. Since the car had trouble he made the 7 mile trip on a motorcycle. He had trouble seeing and ended up injuring his foot. I have concern for him, physically and emotionally.
The Loma church only has one man left in it and the rest are younger people and women. Pray the Lord rises up leaders for the Church there. I was speaking to one of the Doctors from the medical team. He was born in Nigeria and practices medicine in the States. He has performed 100’s of surgeries in the tribal area. I was sharing my concerns for the Church and he reminded me of how God raises us leaders to lead the tribal area. He shared how his Grandfather in1912 was first impacted by the Gospel and how over time the Gospel took hold and grew, he assured me that fruit will come. It encouraged me to hear his story and the history of his people.
Thanks for your prayers
Jerry & Cherry
Carpe Diem – Seize the day
August 5, 2015
Dear Friends & Family,
Somehow in my youth I was taught to make the most of opportunities, unfortunately I was not always wise
when I was “seizing” in my youth. I have grown older and asked the Lord many times to help me make the
right choices when I make a decision in the use of my time and resources. I still struggle with indecision, but I
will “pull the trigger and take the shot” if I think it is the best opportunity. Like always once committed I only
I recently received news from my friend in the tribe Hovare, that his eye sight is failing because of diabetes.
He no longer can read or write. He has translated scriptures for years and the Lord has used him
tremendously in the ministry in Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. He recorded Bible messages in the Loron
language on tapes which were played on radio and were broadcast in the area. He trained his family in the
Word and they continue to impact the area with their lives. Ecclesiastes speaks of aging and the wear of the
years on our mortality. I am very glad that Hovare used his youthful energies as he did. We had a good time
together, and I expect that when I see him again we will continue to live to the fullest our lives with the
resources left to us, at least that is my desire for him and me!
I recently returned from Burkina Faso were I was asked to help with a project called Victory against
Malnutrition. It had five years to accomplish the mission and a substantial USAID budget and targeted the
poor in the Sahel area. They were teaching farmers to increase productivity and sales to reduce malnutrition.
Since the goals were not being met I was asked to evaluate the effort and make recommendations for their
Having been involved with improving quality of life among the poor in the world for three decades I could
empathize with their efforts and lack of progress. They were doing things right, but positive results were slow
if any. In the end I told them to focus on the a few capable individuals and help them to learn so they can.
The Loron tribe in the 80’s were an unreached tribe, today a child born there will have a higher percentage of
hearing the Gospel then today’s American babies. Missionaries were the only ones there teaching in the early
days but today, missionaries teaching is limited but the Church continues to grow. The Church grows because
God equipped others for the work of the ministry. Christians in the Church are similar to runners in a relay
each runner has to run his leg as hard and well as he can but the passing of the baton is as critical to success as
the individual’s race. So it is with our efforts inside the Kingdom of Christ.
In September I will be returning to the tribe to assist in the education process of 3 schools in the area.
Volunteer teachers work in two of the schools, and we like to help them out with some financial support, also
there is another teacher we pay regularly. We also provided lunches for the students in the schools we help
support. Last year there were about 150 students this year we expect 200. We provide desks, shelters for
eating and classrooms as the Lord enables. The needs outweigh the available resources.
Carpe Diem - Like you, I have to make decisions how to use my time and resources. Cherry and I continue to
use some of our time and resources investing in tribal children’s education, and physical and spiritual health
for the villagers in the tribes, if you would like to join us, pray for the needs there and/or make a contribution
to Shield of Faith with a post it note attached saying that it is for the “Skiles Ministry”. And mail it to P.O. Box
144 Bend, OR. 97709. Both I/Jerry and Cherry along with the villagers “Thank You” so much for your support
and encouragements. Jerry & Cherry Skiles
Greetings In The Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; June 8, 2015
Cherry and I returned to the tribe in May. The health and attitude of the people were much better than previous trips. Harvest was good, the cashew prices were high, and no one died during the days we were with them.
The Lord has blessed us with the ability to bring positive change to the area in a short time. A part of that is your financial giving that we can apply to problems. We were able to start needed repairs on the village well. Women were being forced to get up early in the morning and search for water in shallow wells they had to dig to supply the needs of their families. While the repairs were not finished when I left I have hope they are done at this time. We also hired a local dentist to come and take care of some dental needs in the area. He pulled 14 teeth.
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The school has grown so much that the students outnumbered the desks. We were able to construct 36 desks for the students. The high point of the trip for me was hearing the first graders squeal with delight to be able to sit at a real desk, rather than on the floor.
There normally are three teachers at the village school, but one of the government’s teachers had to leave due to health reasons. The director of the school says they are expecting a couple more teachers next year. We were able to make some repairs and clean up the second teacher house in expectation of their arrival in September.
The second school we support is doing well. The only teacher there teaches about 60 students. We have an appreciation for this young man who labors primarily for the welfare of the students. We made some additional contributions for the lunch supplies to keep healthy lunches going until the end of the school year in July.
A group of Christians who attended the fellowship in our village left and started their own group in their village. The leader of this group came to me with a younger Christian man and said they were starting a village school in their area, could we help? We explained we could make no promises but if the Lord provides we would give food for lunches, some stipend for the teacher and some furniture. Maybe later we will replace the thatched shelter with a tin roofed school building.
Electrical power is coming to many of the villages in our area. The government has surveyed the village we work in, made lots for the houses, and roadways. The large trees have been cut down; Bwabiye is so different now from when we arrived in 1995. Cell phones, motorcycles and electric make up the biggest physical change. Fortunately the Gospel is now in their language; we are waiting and praying that it sprouts an abundant harvest among the people who the majority continues in their animistic ways.
We finished our trip by visiting a missionary friend Ed Enns in Ghana. We have been involved with one another from before our start in missionary training in 1982. I end pondering this letter amazed at how the Lord brings people together to promote His Church in this age.
In His Love and Grace
Jerry & Cherry Skiles
Happy Easter! Sunday, April 5, 2015
Another celebration of the day Christ triumphed over death and the grave is coming to a close as I write. As the years pass I appreciate more and more that there is living to be done after my mortal life comes to an end. But until that final breath is released from my physical body, my desire is to squeeze all the juices I can from my aging body. I am getting to the age I no longer take for granted the strength and health the Lord is giving to me. I am operating in His Grace and I know it better now than I ever have.
My siblings called my last trip to Uganda, “road trip” since I did not give them notice of my exit, I do get a little embarrassed about the traveling. I was asked to go back to Kyrgyzstan this spring as well, but had to decline; my wife and other responsibilities do act as throttle control on the opportunities. My last few farmer to farmer trips have been encouraging. My farm hosts communicate a true appreciation for the things I share with them which does make the discomforts of the travels and accommodations worthwhile. I feel so blessed to enjoy the way God has allowed my life to mutate and evolve into what it has. My wife supports me, but while she doesn’t feel the physical discomforts of traveling, she feels the pain of the separation and does not get the earthly reward for it. Fortunately for everyone the Lord’s score card does not overlook anyone or any act done for His sake. With that thought in mind I want to thank you for your faithful giving and praying that allows me to function as I do.
Cherry and I will be returning to the tribe the end of this month. Seeing and encouraging the believers would make the trip worth the effort, but I always have a multitude of goals as well to fill my time. We will make sure the school projects are going well. It is the time the international cashew buyers are purchasing the cashew nuts and my influence has helped get 10-20 percent more for the farmers in the area. This year the price for the cashews is the best I have ever seen and the harvest is also good. Since the price is so high I doubt I will get that high of a percentage difference but I am sure I will be able to see them get a higher price. I am already excited about the villagers getting cash for their cashew nuts. The first trees we planted in the tribal area are at the height of productivity and this year’s price is already twice what it was at the height of what was offered last years.
I shared at our local fellowship this morning and my goal was to communicate that Jesus lived with God’s plan in mind. His whole purpose was to see God’s will to be accomplished in his life. He did all that was asked of Him. I am plagued with a self-evaluation that always leaves me feeling like I could have done better. The joy and peace of my Christian Faith reminds me that my standing is about how well Jesus did, and then how God accredits Christ’s work and life to my life. Isn’t that a wonderful thought?
In His Love and Grace
Jerry & Cherry
Skiles
Jerry & Cherry
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Jerry wrote this letter to let people know what he has been up to. Some of you know as Jerry has shared to some of you but there are some who have not heard of this trip. This letter will inform you and hopefully it also will encourage you that the work there is moving forward and many of you are participants in getting the work done and we thank you.
While he was doing that I was privileged to be with Julie our daughter in her last weeks before having our first grand baby named Skye and 9.2 lbs.and of course she's a doll.
Cherry
Greetings Fellow Servants of Our Lord March 3, 2015
Since returning from the tribe I have been meaning to write to you and give you a report on my last trip and how Hovare is doing. It was a profitable trip, but not without some pain and tragedy. It doesn’t take long to get from one location to another but the differences between the tribe and here are amazing.
We want to thank you for your support of the generous gift you gave. I was able to stock the school lunch program for several months, as well as get started on the cafeteria we are building. UNICEF supplies some schools with food, but those schools are required to have a separate building where the children can sit down at a table and eat. We are preparing for the future of making that happen in Bwaybiye. Until then we feel blessed to be able to make the lunches available to the children in the two schools.
The vaccinations for the village were done by government workers this year. Even with the vaccinations I saw more death than I like in the weeks I was there. The first was the first born of a young mother. I remember the mother when she was born shortly after we got to the tribe in 1995. The Grandmother and mother brought the child to me, and I was able to get them to a medical facility. When I returned for them after buying food and medicine for the village they were waiting for me holding the dead baby. A few days after that a man I knew passed away with what mostly likely was a strangulated hernia. Then after that a young man and a young girl died from the same household within a week of each other. Without testing it is always difficult to know what is causing the deaths.
The medical team came and I was able to get some people to them. It was a smaller team than normal due to the Ebola concerns. There has been no Ebola in Ivory Coast but people associate Ebola to Africa and that caused enough concern to stop quite a number from participating.
Hovare must have had a hypoglycemic crisis due to him being diabetic. It has left him with limited mobility and possibly some eye problems. We were able to get him insulin tablets that replace the injectable that he was using. He enjoyed all the time we had together. I passed on your gift to him and he was very thankful and grateful for it. He always sends his thanks and greetings. He and his family pray for you regularly. When I arrived he was discouraged with the lack of progress he has made in his healing and I don’t know how much pain he is experiencing. I could tell he was frustrated that he could not move around well. Most of us can relate to losing and health is sure in the top five things to lose! I encouraged him to keep working at walking and moving. Every day that I went to see him he had people coming and visiting him and offering him their condolences. He has had an impact on a lot of people, but he always welcomed the escape I offered him to ride to town with me in the truck. That does remind me of how appreciative I am to have the vehicle. It serves me and the region well. Without it, work would not go nearly as efficient or smooth. The roads are improving but they destroyed two tires. I buy use tires anymore, the rocks and sticks attack the side walls and new tread does not help. I carry two spares and I have used them both.
The crops did well this year. The grain harvest was good and there was not the problem with famine like the past. The area suffers from manpower because a lot of young men leave their wives and families to find work in the Cocoa plantations. Ideally they send money home, but that does not always happen. This year the food was adequate and most people seemed to be doing well. There will always be the needy. I am optimistic about the future. The cashew crop looks to be doing very well, and when I asked about the cashew prices in Ghana, I saw they were record highs! I got a call from a friend and he said the price is already 1/3 higher than what it was last year and it is still early in the season. Generally the prices climb as the season progresses. Cherry and I will return in May to help organize the marketing of the cashew crop. That effort seems to increase sales 10-20% from what they can get on their own.
The power company is setting poles to electrify Bwaybiye and the area with power. That is almost surreal.
The school teachers told me that when the food stopped right before Christmas break and a number of families pulled their children. The timing of my arrival allowed me to be able to get the school lunches going as the break ended. I wonder if our activities make a difference, the teachers words assured me they did. We readily know when people die, but we never know if the medicines we supplied kept someone alive. I saw a lot of medicine passed out to sick people. We could not do or see what I do without people like you supporting the effort. Thanks on our behalf, but even more so Thanks on the beneficiaries part of what you have provided.
In Christ’s service
Jerry & Cherry
Dear Friends: Jan 20, 2015
Here in Oregon it is a typically wet rainy Saturday morning. But in Africa where Jerry is it is hot and the air is full of dust and winds.
Jerry left for Africa (Ghana) on Tuesday this past week and has arrived without any problems. He spent the night in Accra and the next day proceeded to get the paperwork for our pickup done. In Africa anyone driving a vehicle needs to get what they call a "Visite" which means your vehicle needs to pass all the tests they deem necessary and our truck passed without any problems. The next day he got insurance for the truck and had some money (Dollars) changed into the CFA or French Francs.
Jerry is now on the move north and spent last night in Wenchi, Ghana and tonight he is spending the night in Bondoukou, Ivory Coast. Tomorrow morning he plans to leave early and make it into Bwaybiye the village we work in. He hopes to see Hovare in Boba his village before getting to our village where we work in. He hopes to arrive in the Village where "The Believers" will most likely still be in Church.
Up to this point Jerry has said that things have gone exceptionally well for him and the things he needed done to move ahead were accomplished without incident. He thanks each and every one of you. Things don't always go this way there so we are very pleased with the forward motion thus far.
As Jerry arrives in the village he will be met by around 100 kids shouting their joy of his arrival. They all will greet him in unison and then stand around watching all the activities of unloading the baggage Jerry brought.
Once in Bwaybiye there will be a lot of work to be done. He'll get the workers cleaning the dust from all flat surfaces in the house. Outside the workers will begin cleaning the cans (the tins for bread) and table before starting the oven for making bread. A few others may start the process of making some rice and sauce for supper.
He will begin getting the goals he has planned started the next day. He want's to get the noon meals started for the kids who are going to school. He would like to get a structure built so the kids have a place to eat their lunches. And many other jobs he has planned. In two weeks the "1040i A" team will be arriving and set up the hospital and the "B team" will arrive just a couple of days later ready to do the medical and construction aspect of their trip to Africa. This is where I will miss being there to help both the patients and the Dr's. I so enjoy helping the patients being put at ease as I translate for them and helping wherever I can. Jerry will transport people from the village to the hospital to hopefully get the needed help for what is bothering them.
I am not going to Africa at this time because I am helping Julie our daughter who is due this coming weekend. I am very excited to be there for her and very happy at the thought of becoming a "Grandma" for the first time. But I still will miss being able to go to Africa and help the 1040i team and the patients.
Jerry and I want to thank you so much for all you do to help the ministry move forward. I know if the people over in the villages could write or see you personally they would gladly thank you for all you do and have done over the years. They might even bring you a chicken (personal) or a cow (a village) that you've helped. They definitely show their appreciation for the helps they get. Thank you from the villagers too.
May you be Blessed for your sacrificial giving
Jerry & Cherry