Slowly but surely?

Dear friends

In March 2024, Nicolas and Darryl went to the USA to officially declare that SIM Liberia was facing a crisis too big for us to handle. Since then, a Crisis Management Team (CMT) has been set up. It combines people living in Liberia, locals and missionaries, with international people as back-up. One year on, we can see how far we’ve come. We’ve had a lot of very committed people working for months – especially on finances – and we can say that we’re approaching the stage where we can face up to and understand our reality. A complex reality.

We also realize that having a common understanding is vital if we are to move forward in decision-making. But we’re not there yet. Of course, this requires a great deal of discussion. At the end of April we’ll be holding important meetings to agree on the future of ELWA. We need to involve the management, the steering committee, politicians like the Minister of Health, representatives of the Liberian Association of Doctors and Surgeons, some partners and others.

Our perspective on the future

“Cut your cloth according to your measurements”

This Liberian quote sums up our situation. The ministries have grown a lot. Today, our expenses are higher than our income. So we think we need to refocus. Where and how? We’re working on it. And as we’ve said in the past, the crisis is not just financial. It’s also structural: it affects governance, leadership, vision and priorities, to name but the main aspects.

However, we are very grateful that we now have many more people on the ground to help move things forward. We are also touched by the loyalty and resilience of some of the Liberians who have been leaders for so many years. We are encouraged by the confidence they have shown in us, and by the bonds that are being forged in the midst of a difficult season. We thank them all!

Life goes on !

Our children continue to progress at school and we are proud parents. They love going to school and never – or almost never – complain 😉 We were lucky enough to be able to spend a few days in Freetown, Sierra Leone, visiting the Global Mercy – one of Mercy Ships’ hospital ships. It was a dream Melvina had had for many years!

With our friendship,

Melvina Nicolas and Théotime, Siméon, Gabriel and Caleb

Pray with us

• We are grateful for these few days of vacation. Our car held up well and we all stayed healthy.
• April is a decisive month for the future of ELWA and decisions for the future. Please pray with us that we can wisely lead the discussions with the necessary resource people.
• For unity in decision-making, and for good listening on all sides.