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March 2013
Construction Update!

Embracing Vision, Building Opportunity

Its been roughly two years since Global Resource Group partnered with Pastor Jeremiah Nimely and Living Waters Fellowship Church in Liberia to turn their vision into a reality. If youve followed Global Resource Group at all, you know the narrative: between 75% and 85% unemployment in Liberia; roughly 9% of the population is orphaned; about 76% of the population lives on less than $1 per day. Add to the mix a national infrastructure that was decimated during two civil wars, and you have a pretty hopeless situation so hopeless that Liberia routinely earns a rank as one of the top five poorest nations in the world.

Thank you so much for your interest in and support of GRGs work in Liberia! I hope this letter will not only prove informative, but will help you better know how to pray for the project!

Despite personal loss due to Liberias civil wars, Jeremiah and Rose Nimely have Brant Nyhart worked, networked, and rallied to raise funds to construct a multi-structure orphanFounder and President age complex. Currently, a number of orphan children and what Jeremiah calls lessGlobal Resource Group fortunates are cared for by them and the other church members, but there is not an actual orphanage home. After two years, weve nearly completed the girls dormitory and the schoolhouse. This is an exciting accomplishment, particularly in light of construction being nearly impossible six months out of the year during rainy season. The need to finish the school house has become increasingly imperative. As you might know, Jeremiah currently runs a Christian school with over 200 students in attendance. The school is operated out of a rented building, far too small to accommodate all their needs. Recently, the landlord notified Jeremiah that they may need to vacate the premises while he makes improvements to the facilities. Unfortunately, Jeremiah realizes that this almost certainly means increased rent once the renovations are concluded. As a solution, were now discussing the possibility of simply relocating the entire school to the schoolhouse were constructing at the orphanage compound. This idea was confirmed by others with experience in the mission field who affirmed the benefits to the orphans of being around non-orphan students as well. From a practical standpoint, the move would also save the Nimely family the money they are paying to rent the schoolhouse.

Fundraising Goal
Right now were trying to raise $30,000 to complete the current dormitory structure and the schoolhouse. At $30,000, the buildings will be usable, at which point well raise funds to provide quality desks, beds, mosquito nets, and other furnishings. We hope youll pray with us that God would open doors to make this number a reality. To support GRG today, simply return your donation in the enclosed envelope!

page 2 2012 Year-End Trip

Embracing Vision, Building Opportunity

This past December we made a return trip to Liberia along with the youth pastor from Compass Bible Church of Goodyear, Mike Szoradi. Because December is the beginning of dry season, its a time to stock up on supplies, just as we did last December. Thanks to the selfless donors of GRG, we were able to purchase timber for framing the roof, zinc roofing, more sand and cement for plastering, as well as the components to dig another water well and pump at one of Living Waters church plants. A significant amount of this trip was spent planning for this dry season, which included meetings with Aaron Tarr, a construction contractor recommended to us by Young Life Liberia. Were working on an arrangement in which Aaron will have a role in the construction of a bathhouse at the site.

Mixing Sand and Cement for Mortar

We also spent a good amount of time meeting with not only Jeremiahs church leaders, but pastors from throughout the Bernard Farms area. We met with roughly 30 church leaders on three occasions, and it never seizes to amaze me how engaged the locals are during the training sessions. Mike addressed youth leaders one evening on the topic of being an example for the next generation. We also had two morning sessions during which I spoke on an issue Ive felt compelled to share with Jeremiahs leaders over the past number of months: stewardship. This included topics such as honesty, planning ahead, good time management, and the ability to reassess when things dont go as planned. Many of the leaders wanted copies of our notes so they could share them with others who werent able to attend the conferences. Please continue to pray for these leaders as they try to make a difference in a country in which the temptations to turn away from the faith are many.

Living Waters Church Brings Water to the Bernard Farms Community!

Last year, GRG donors helped us complete a water well at the orphanage site, which not only provides water for the orphans and workers, but for the residents of Bernard Farms as well. Its been so encouraging to hear how this water has had a direct impact of the lives of people in the community. According to the nonprofit Living Water International, people in sub-Saharan Africa spend roughly 40 billion hours each year hauling water. Most of those hunting for water are women and children, and many women spend 20 hours each week gathering water. When a community has close, reliable access to clean water it frees them to do other things like caring for their children, tending a garden to provide a reliable food source, starting a small business or going to school all important factors in lifting people from poverty. Thanks to Praise City Church in Laveen, Arizona, and another generous donor, weve completed our second water well in Monrovia! An investment of roughly $3,400 allows us to complete one water well and directly counters the water crisis in sub-Saharan Africa!
Well Completed in 2012

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Embracing Vision, Building Opportunity

GRG Excited to Partner with Fuel the Mission!

Over the past few months GRG began meeting with Chris Nevins, president of Scottsdale-based ministry Fuel the Mission. Chris and his board have long and varied backgrounds in missions, ministry, construction and related industries. Fuel the Mission provides global construction management and related services free-of-charge for those advancing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Currently, Chris is helping GRG and Living Waters Fellowship Church develop a comprehensive site plan for possible future phases of the project. Chris is also drafting plans for a bathhouse for the orphanage complex in Monrovia, which would include showers for the orphans as well as bathroom facilities with a water tower and flushable toilets. Weve already learned a lot from Chris and look forward to his assistance in advancing the construction project in Liberia! To learn more about Fuel the Mission, visit www.fuelthemission.org.

Development in Liberia
Despite being one of the worlds most impoverished nations, I continue to see improvements on the ground. This trip, I was happy to meet up once again with the Honorable Sekou Kanneh, a member of the Liberian Parliament. He talked about Liberian efforts to secure a loan from the World Bank to complete a hydroelectric plant, which will bring power to much of Monrovia. We noticed a number of power lines going up throughout Monrovia, some of which are close to Jeremiahs home. We were told that once completed, citizens will be able to pay a monthly set fee to draw power from the lines. Road construction, another crucial piece to the infrastructure puzzle, continues throughout Monrovia. One such road is being built by the Chinese government roughly 200 yards from the orphanage site. This is significant for us, in that it will allow us to more easily get supplies to the construction site. You may remember from previous newsletters that we typically have to haul supplies in by hand from about three-quarters of a mile away. While having a road there is a positive development, it raises concerns over why exactly the Chinese are constructing this road. Unfortunately, when the Chinese government builds something in Liberia, its very rarely for purely humanitarian reasons. One concern during this trip was the abundance of gambling booths that have cropped up throughout the city on innumerable street corners. This has posed a significant problem for young people hoping to make easy money in an economy with sky-high unemployment. Of course, the consequences are disastrous as people are squandering what little money they do have. The public debate over these gaming stations is fierce, even drawing in President Sirleaf in opposition. Corruption also remains a significant issue. Mother Lewis reported that officials form the health department have visited her land twice asking how many free, government-subsidized mosquito nets she needs for the children for whom she cares. The mosquito nets never arrived, and its common practice that those distributing the nets sell them on the side for a profit.

Arizona Christian University Returning to Liberia!

Last May, GRG board member David Rickey and I had the privilege of co-leading a trip of ACU students to Liberia along with Jim Baugh of Global Training Network. The trip was eye-opening and transformative for many of the students, and its been encouraging to see how the Spirit has used the trip, calling many of them to action upon returning home. One student rallied her church to raise money for the well we just completed. Another has committed to spending this summer hiking the mountains of India, sharing the message of the Gospel with those who have never heard it. We have the opportunity to return this next May, but fundraising is lagging. If youre interested in supporting this trip beyond your support of Global Resource Group, you can do so by including a check in the enclosed envelope with ACU Trip in the memo line.

page 4 Financial Update

Embracing Vision, Building Opportunity

In 2012, Global Resource Group raised a total of $38,213.19, a 68% increase over our 2011 fundraising total! Were also proud to report that a total of 94% of all donations received in 2012 went to program costs.

We Need Your Help!

Your continued support of Global Resource Group is helping us construct a home for Liberian orphan children like Eqwah. Eqwah was abandoned by her father when she was just a baby, and Mother Lewis has cared for her ever since, providing her with opportunities that most orphan children in Liberia will never have. Mother Lewis not only gives Eqwah a place to live and food to eat, but also prepares her for the future through spiritual formation and education. The challenges an orphan faces without the support of people like Mother Lewis are innumerable: sexual and physical violence, hunger, and a lack of preparation for the future. GRG wants to continue to support this holistic approach to orphan care, but we cant do it without your support! Please help us surpass our goal of $30,000 to complete the first two buildings of the orphanage Children at the Orphanage Site complex!

Mother Lewis Getting Eqwah Ready for Church

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Embracing Vision, Building Opportunity

Transformation of the Land Since December 2010

Land in December 2010

Footings in June 2011

Girls Dormitory in May 2012

Schoolhouse in December 2012

Schoolhouse in March 2013