Since leaving Liberia, our youngest, James, often thanks God that we have a place to sleep. You can see why considering that we've spent 137 nights away from our home base in Wisconsin, sleeping in 73 different places over the last eight months. We joke that we are no longer homeschooling, but rather "road-schooling." But with all the rigors of travel, it has done our hearts good to fellowship with so many of you, reminiscing and making new memories. Our cups overflow with your love and encouragement that will surely carry us through the next few years in Liberia.

One of the highlights of our travels was finally getting to meet a young lady named Meg, who works as a doctor in Charleston, SC. When we joined SIM in 2012, we received a list from Wycliffe Bible Translators of people who had at one point signed up to pray for the Manya. Meg was on that list and was the only one to respond to our email. She signed up to receive our prayer letters, stayed in touch, and later started supporting the ministry.


When we met up with Meg in Charleston, we all were feeling a little nervous, but also very excited. She explained that when she was only nine years old, she had signed up to pray for the Manya. From that day in 2002, she prayed faithfully every morning that this people group would have a Bible in their own language and that they would hear and believe the Word of God. Her diligent devotion went on for ten whole years before receiving our email saying we were going to work with the Manya. She continued to pray daily for these points as well as for our family for another ten years. During our visit, we were able to look back over the last twenty years and see how God had answered many of Meg’s supplications. We realized that the year Meg started praying was the same year that John Mark committed his life to missions. It was around this time too that Isaac Camara, our main translator, gave his life to Jesus. As we shared a meal together and recounted how God has authored the stories of our lives, we handed a copy of the New Testament to Meg, her husband, and her mom. It felt as though we were on holy ground. When John Mark read some verses in Manya, tears filled everyone’s eyes, realizing that a little girl’s prayers were not in vain, as she now beheld the outcome of years of praying and believing. Please pray for Meg as she is considering a trip to Liberia to meet this people group that has become so dear to her.



We too are anticipating our next term in Liberia, set to start in February. Until then, we have a bit more traveling to do, including a security training in Nebraska. We’re also looking forward to a very special Christmas season in Wisconsin. We wish you all the same.

With much love,
John-Mark & Sara

P.S. If you want to see a great little video about our ministry that the media guys at our sending church put together, you can click on this link.

*Though not at all expected, if you plan to send a personal Christmas gift, please note that personal gifts are not processed through SIM and should instead be sent to our home address: 349 N. Capron St. Berlin, WI 54923.