Nalaa President visits Minnesota from June 13 – 20, 2011
The trip to the Midwest took me to Minnesota with a short stay in Iowa. I traveled via Delta Airlines from BWI on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm EST and arrived in Minnesota at 3:00 pm CST. I was met upon arrival by the National Vice President, Sis. Hawa Dukuly. The President of the Midwest Chapter, Elder Amos Guar, later joined us and we proceeded to a planned meeting at the home of Elder Jonathan Morris. At that meeting, Elder Guar officially welcomed me and gave me a briefing on the upcoming June 18 program and the progress of the Midwest chapter. In my response to him, I thanked the chapter leadership, the National Vice President and Elder Morris for their work and we then finalized the program for Sabbath. Following that meeting, I traveled to Iowa where I spent three days with friends and supporters of the Organization. While in Iowa, two friends promised to support the Nalaa scholarship program in Liberia. Special thanks to the National Vice President for providing me transportation for the trip to Iowa.
I returned to Minnesota on Thursday morning, June 16, 2011. The following day, I visited the All Nations S. D. A. Church of Minneapolis, MN to meet with the Choir and request their participation at the Sabbath Evening Fundraising program which was scheduled to be held at the River of Life Church in Minneapolis, MN. Later, I joined a three-man decorating team (Hawa Dukuly, Bro. Tuoiquellie Niagawolo, and Sis. Winifred Bradford), to decorate the hall for the evening program.
On Sabbath, June 18, 2011, NALAA’s fundraising program began with a regular church service at the All Nations S. D. A. Church. Sabbath School was conducted by Sis. Phelimena Bundu and the Song Service, prior to the Divine Service, was led by Sis. Tina Addy and Bro. Johnson Doe.
During the Divine Service, the presiding Elder, Elder Guar, did the Welcome and then invited me to say a few words. I used the time to thank the Leadership of the church for hosting the Nalaa Fundraising Service and also thanked those who attended the 2010 NALAA Convention held in Collingdale, PA, with special thanks to Pastor Christian Kolleh, who was the Guest Speaker at the convention. We then officially announced that Minnesota would be the host for the 2012 NALAA Convention. This announcement was received with great applause from the congregation. I gave a brief insight of the Liberia Mission and ended with detail information of the two-year $100,000 collection initiated by NALAA. The Intercessory Prayer was done by The National Chaplain, Sis. Ellen Cegbe. The Offertory Appeal was done by Pastor Iyene Ekah. In promoting a special donation for NALAA, he admonished the church to give toward the continuation of NALAA’s good work in the Mission field. He said, “I can bet my neck, that whatever you give today will be spent for its intended purpose, but if not, you have done your part”. The scripture, Psalm 50:7-15, was read by Pastor Amos Horace, Pastor of the Paynesville S. D. A. Church in Liberia, who is here on a visit to the U.S. The Church Choir brought the church to its feet when they sang: “He never failed me yet”.
The Guest-Speaker for the morning service was Pastor Motuba I. Harding, who spoke on the topic: The Blessings and Joy of Giving, using Psalm 50:7-15, with emphases on verses 14 and 15. He used Proverb 19:17 to remind us that when we give to God’s work to help those in need, we lend to God, and He repays us in abundance. He warned us not to give grudgingly or out of necessity to the work of God, because God loves a cheerful giver, according to 2 Cor. 9:7.
Pastor Harding noted that, when God blesses us, it is for us to bless others, alluding to the story in Luke 12:16-20. He cautioned us, very seriously, against the use of the tithes for any other reason(s). He told us to remember that tithes is a RETURN from what the Lord has given us and that we are not giving to Him. Pastor Harding called those who use the tithes for other reasons ROGUES because they steal from God, and converts because they convert God tithes to other things. “Don’t be a thiefy, thiefy or a convert because God does not like thieves or converts”. Pastor Goffa offered a special prayer during the service for the work of NALAA in Liberia.
Fundraisign Program at the River of Life Church, MN.
Following the Divine Service at the All Nations S. D. A. Church, everyone headed to the River of Life Church for the Evening Dinner. The turn-out was not as expectated, but we had a nice time. The food was good. Special music was provided by Bro. Johnny Russell Smith, the Kolatithe, and the All Nations S. D. A. Church Choir. A PowerPoint presentation of NALAA’s activities was made during the dinner and Pastor Amos Horace admonished the brethren. The fundraiser was moderated by Pastor Ekah, encouraging a competition of Men VS Women.
During the dinner, I met with the leadership of the All Nations Church Choir at which time we discussed the possibility of them performing during the 2012 NALAA Convention. The leaders extended me an invitation to visit their choir rehearsal the following day. The invitation was honored the following day and discussion was fruitful.
On Sunday, I attended a Midwest Chapter Leadership meeting at the home of the chapter president, Elder Amos Guar. At that meeting, a preliminary report for the June 18th program was made and the 2012 convention was discussed.
On Monday prior to my departure, an account was opened for the Midwest chapter with the Wells Fargo Bank.
I would like to thank God for safe travelling mercy upon Pastor Motuba I. Harding and myself, and for keeping our respective families safe while we were away. Special thanks to the Midwest chapter members and their leadership headed by Elder Guar Sr., including Elder Jonathan Morris and Pastor Joe Dalmeida. Very special thanks to the ladies of the Midwest Chapter, under the leadership of Sis. Marie Guar, who spent sleepless nights preparing the Saturday evening dinner; some give cash, food etc. Great team work! May the Lord bless you all for a job well done.
We want to encourage those on the fence to join our efforts as we prepare for the 2012 NALAA Convention in Minnesota next JUNE.
Be reminded that the 100,000 fundraiser is in progress. We need you to make a contribution. Please find attach the full details.
Submitted by Bro. John T. Flomo
President of NALAA
The trip to the Midwest took me to Minnesota with a short stay in Iowa. I traveled via Delta Airlines from BWI on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm EST and arrived in Minnesota at 3:00 pm CST. I was met upon arrival by the National Vice President, Sis. Hawa Dukuly. The President of the Midwest Chapter, Elder Amos Guar, later joined us and we proceeded to a planned meeting at the home of Elder Jonathan Morris. At that meeting, Elder Guar officially welcomed me and gave me a briefing on the upcoming June 18 program and the progress of the Midwest chapter. In my response to him, I thanked the chapter leadership, the National Vice President and Elder Morris for their work and we then finalized the program for Sabbath. Following that meeting, I traveled to Iowa where I spent three days with friends and supporters of the Organization. While in Iowa, two friends promised to support the Nalaa scholarship program in Liberia. Special thanks to the National Vice President for providing me transportation for the trip to Iowa.
I returned to Minnesota on Thursday morning, June 16, 2011. The following day, I visited the All Nations S. D. A. Church of Minneapolis, MN to meet with the Choir and request their participation at the Sabbath Evening Fundraising program which was scheduled to be held at the River of Life Church in Minneapolis, MN. Later, I joined a three-man decorating team (Hawa Dukuly, Bro. Tuoiquellie Niagawolo, and Sis. Winifred Bradford), to decorate the hall for the evening program.
On Sabbath, June 18, 2011, NALAA’s fundraising program began with a regular church service at the All Nations S. D. A. Church. Sabbath School was conducted by Sis. Phelimena Bundu and the Song Service, prior to the Divine Service, was led by Sis. Tina Addy and Bro. Johnson Doe.
During the Divine Service, the presiding Elder, Elder Guar, did the Welcome and then invited me to say a few words. I used the time to thank the Leadership of the church for hosting the Nalaa Fundraising Service and also thanked those who attended the 2010 NALAA Convention held in Collingdale, PA, with special thanks to Pastor Christian Kolleh, who was the Guest Speaker at the convention. We then officially announced that Minnesota would be the host for the 2012 NALAA Convention. This announcement was received with great applause from the congregation. I gave a brief insight of the Liberia Mission and ended with detail information of the two-year $100,000 collection initiated by NALAA. The Intercessory Prayer was done by The National Chaplain, Sis. Ellen Cegbe. The Offertory Appeal was done by Pastor Iyene Ekah. In promoting a special donation for NALAA, he admonished the church to give toward the continuation of NALAA’s good work in the Mission field. He said, “I can bet my neck, that whatever you give today will be spent for its intended purpose, but if not, you have done your part”. The scripture, Psalm 50:7-15, was read by Pastor Amos Horace, Pastor of the Paynesville S. D. A. Church in Liberia, who is here on a visit to the U.S. The Church Choir brought the church to its feet when they sang: “He never failed me yet”.
The Guest-Speaker for the morning service was Pastor Motuba I. Harding, who spoke on the topic: The Blessings and Joy of Giving, using Psalm 50:7-15, with emphases on verses 14 and 15. He used Proverb 19:17 to remind us that when we give to God’s work to help those in need, we lend to God, and He repays us in abundance. He warned us not to give grudgingly or out of necessity to the work of God, because God loves a cheerful giver, according to 2 Cor. 9:7.
Pastor Harding noted that, when God blesses us, it is for us to bless others, alluding to the story in Luke 12:16-20. He cautioned us, very seriously, against the use of the tithes for any other reason(s). He told us to remember that tithes is a RETURN from what the Lord has given us and that we are not giving to Him. Pastor Harding called those who use the tithes for other reasons ROGUES because they steal from God, and converts because they convert God tithes to other things. “Don’t be a thiefy, thiefy or a convert because God does not like thieves or converts”. Pastor Goffa offered a special prayer during the service for the work of NALAA in Liberia.
Fundraisign Program at the River of Life Church, MN.
Following the Divine Service at the All Nations S. D. A. Church, everyone headed to the River of Life Church for the Evening Dinner. The turn-out was not as expectated, but we had a nice time. The food was good. Special music was provided by Bro. Johnny Russell Smith, the Kolatithe, and the All Nations S. D. A. Church Choir. A PowerPoint presentation of NALAA’s activities was made during the dinner and Pastor Amos Horace admonished the brethren. The fundraiser was moderated by Pastor Ekah, encouraging a competition of Men VS Women.
During the dinner, I met with the leadership of the All Nations Church Choir at which time we discussed the possibility of them performing during the 2012 NALAA Convention. The leaders extended me an invitation to visit their choir rehearsal the following day. The invitation was honored the following day and discussion was fruitful.
On Sunday, I attended a Midwest Chapter Leadership meeting at the home of the chapter president, Elder Amos Guar. At that meeting, a preliminary report for the June 18th program was made and the 2012 convention was discussed.
On Monday prior to my departure, an account was opened for the Midwest chapter with the Wells Fargo Bank.
I would like to thank God for safe travelling mercy upon Pastor Motuba I. Harding and myself, and for keeping our respective families safe while we were away. Special thanks to the Midwest chapter members and their leadership headed by Elder Guar Sr., including Elder Jonathan Morris and Pastor Joe Dalmeida. Very special thanks to the ladies of the Midwest Chapter, under the leadership of Sis. Marie Guar, who spent sleepless nights preparing the Saturday evening dinner; some give cash, food etc. Great team work! May the Lord bless you all for a job well done.
We want to encourage those on the fence to join our efforts as we prepare for the 2012 NALAA Convention in Minnesota next JUNE.
Be reminded that the 100,000 fundraiser is in progress. We need you to make a contribution. Please find attach the full details.
Submitted by Bro. John T. Flomo
President of NALAA