Upcoming Goals

From November 2023 — June 2024
Donate: 200 25-pound bags of Christmas Rice ($17 each)
Supply Funds for: 6 Teacher’s Salaries each month $960 ($160 per teacher)
Dig 20 Wells (estimated $2,500 per well)
Finish the Roof on Church/School Building (estimated $27,500)

If any organization or church would like to know more about this project, please contact Jennifer Seehusen at 319-269-4826. She would love to share with your church or group how God is on the move working to bring clean water and God's word to people in Liberia, Africa!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Liberia, Africa – Wells of Inspiration mission project. With everyone’s generosity, the project has raised OVER $132,000.00, plus additional supplies that were delivered during the mission trip, as well as other supplies that have been shipped overseas too! All the funds raised are being used to build the wells and the multi-purpose center, as well as provide rice and other supplies for the villagers. We praise God that our mission group had safe travels and are back home in the states.

100% of the money raised is being used to pay the local people in Liberia to complete the projects – building multiple wells and making the bricks.
In this way, we are supporting their local economy by providing jobs for the people there, as well as helping the people of these communities by providing clean water and a safe place to worship, learn, and work.

The Updates

December 2023
• The Christmas Rice has arrived and has been distributed to families. The 25 pound bags cost $17 each. 200 bags were purchased for Christmas this year. The people are beyond appreciative and sing praise to God by singing We lift His name higher.
• God is continuing to bless the mission. Another well is being completed in a location that many people in Liberia, Africa, will be able to get free clean water. God is Great!

November 2023
• 10 wells have been completed
• 160 bags of rice were purchased and distributed
• Bricks for the church/school were made and a foundation was poured for the church/school

May 7 Mission Presentation Video Link

In March of 2023, Clint & Amy Seehusen, Teta Ross, and Marc Seehusen and I went to Liberia, Africa. The mission was a blessing from God. We felt His presence in the organization of the event, multiple ceremonies, the sermons, relationships, culture, and visiting the wells. 
Teta’s husband, JB, helped organize and navigate the arrangements. We were supported at the airport from the second we arrived. Collecting our passports and immunization cards, gathering and loading our fifteen 50-pound suitcases into a police truck, and giving us a police escort 30 miles — 2 hours ride to our hotel. 
An itinerary was planned for each day. Starting with a welcome ceremony at JB’s sister’s church was full of music from shekere (gourd rattle), singing voices, and dancing. The message shared was about using our talents to serve God. Ladies from the trade school wore dresses they made at the trade school and were overjoyed to meet us. A sense of community, love, and appreciation filled the church. Finishing the first day with a trip to Teta and JB’s house to meet, greet, build relationships, and tour the future location of the church/trade school that is being built. Kicking a soccer ball around with children and sharing candy created lots of smiles and excitement. 
Sunday was filled with praise and worship at the site of the church/trade school. Tarps were erected to give some protection from the intense sun, lawn chair put in rows like pew benches in church, and 200-plus seated guests patiently waited for our arrival. We were honored and seated at a head table facing the congregation with a banner with our faces tied up behind us. Children and women of the trade school performed well-rehearsed skits. A band played as women and children danced in praise. We were dressed in traditional garments as a sign of appreciation. All the donations that were carried in our suitcases were presented to the village members. 
The rest of our days were filled with touring 5 completed wells, making acquaintances, sharing our faith, and building relations. Well #1 was at Ma Mary’s Place requiring us to cross a bamboo stick 75-yard, 1-foot wide, no handrail bridge. Thoughts of children crossing this bridge with buckets of water or food on a daily basis flooded my mind as we carefully sidestepped the unsteady structure. Ma Mary’s dwelling was constructed of scraps of tin adorned by her children’s artwork directly on some of the outside walls. Years ago, Ma Mary sadly lost a child that fell from the bridge when attempting to cross it to avoid flooding water. This well was completed on Jan. 17, 2023.
Well #2 required a 4-wheel drive vehicle to travel over 4 miles off the main road into the bush. We passed different villages that will all utilize the well. One lady greeted us at the well to praise God for the gift of fresh water, as many other village members were in the bush gathering food, firewood, and items to make into charcoal.
Well #3 was along a road with many different dwellings. Many women and young children gathered to give thanks. All were excited to get a few pieces of candy.
Well #4 was a challenge to dig as a large rock required additional pounding to break through. Village members danced and sang songs of praise to God around the well. Children were excited to have friends from the United States and were taught the I-O-W-A chant that is heard after the Iowa Hawkeyes score touchdowns. Giggles and cheers surrounded us. 
Well #5 was placed in the city behind a shop that sells all sorts of merchandise. Many town members shook hands and shared cool drinks with us. A young woman named Handful explained how thankful she was that she didn’t have to walk all day with a small plastic pool on her head to find water for her family to drink. I inquired about her name and discovered she was named for being born a preemie. She seemed like an adult handful full of spunk.
At this point, the mission has completed 10 wells, purchased and delivered 160 -25 pound bags of rice, made, purchased, and installed 5,000 bricks, and paid and poured the foundation for the future church/trade school. God has made the Well of Inspiration far bigger than our simple minds could imagine. The future goals are to purchase 200 bags of rice at $17 each for December 2023, dig 11 additional wells at the cost of $2,500 a well January-June of 2024, pay salaries for 3 teachers at the trade school, continue to build the church/trade school, and search for someone to come on board that is called to support the medical need of the mission. 
Teta, Marc, and I are sharing this mission with other churches in hopes to spread the amazing things God is doing. 

Thanks for all the continued support,
Jennifer Seehsuen

Clean, safe drinking water is flowing in Liberia – God is good!

The wells are bring constructed in central locations amongst the most poverty-stricken areas. Everything is hand-made/dug and the wells are operational by hand pumps.

Bricks are being formed by hand, and then sun-dried, for the multi-purpose center. The cost of each brick is $1. 5,000 bricks will be needed to complete the project. The building will be a safe place for those in need, used for worship, and used to teach classes to young ladies, widows, and other women. They will learn basic skills of cooking and sewing, in order to have a means of income and not have to resort to or be forced into unfortunate circumstances they are currently facing.

The 2023 Christmas rice (sixty 25-pound bags) was purchased, blessed, and distributed amongst the communities.

St. John’s Vilmar held a soup lunch and bake sale on Sunday, Feb. 12, to kick-off the fundraising efforts for the mission.

The Needs

Donations are now being accepted:
Financial – Please make checks payable to:  St. John’s Church – Vilmar, 16073 Keystone Ave., Greene, Iowa 50636; Memo: African Mission or Well of Inspiration
Supply Donations –Purchase items from Amazon and have them delivered right to the church: https://smile.amazon.com/registries/custom/2T352Q6ZJJJ9I/guest-view

Supplies Needed:
Food – Cream of Wheat, Oatmeal, Dry Powder Milk, Tea, Flavor Packs, Sugar, Flour, Mashed Potato Flakes, Spices, Seasoning Packets, Variety of Dry Foods, Canned Meat (Chicken, Tuna, Corn Beef, Sardines, Spam)
Medical/Hygiene – Disposable Latex Free Gloves (all sizes), Soap, Washcloths, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Hairbrushes, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Allergy Medicine
Shoes/Clothing – Underwear, Undergarments, Sandals, Shoes
Miscellaneous – Fabric, Thread

The Story

Our Mission and Outreach project for February 2023 was the “Wells of Inspiration” in Liberia, Africa. The following article portrays information about the project’s inception and how one family’s mission idea ebbed and flowed for years, and is now becoming a far-reaching reality. Wells are currently being dug, Bibles, clothes, and supplies have been gifted, rice has been donated, and the people – now filled with joy and praise – have felt Christ’s hope and mercy. Read along to see how our small church, in rural Iowa, is positively impacting struggling villagers on the other side of the globe.
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The mission
The mission: “To share blessings and gifts bestowed in abundance with others less fortunate.” This was once just a thought in my brother-in-law’s head, and after he shared it with our family, it’s finally becoming a reality. We had no idea just how big God’s plan was for us and this mission. We’re excited to share information about the people, struggles, blessings, and the overwhelming support along the way that has brought this mission to life for us. 
The mission first started with conversation to do a Seehusen brothers – Brent, Clint, Curt, Marc, and Tyler – mission project for others somewhere in the world; maybe dig a well. We wanted the mission to include all our families in whatever capacity we could support it. This was an idea that was shared many times over the course of a couple of years. I, Jennifer Seehusen, am a sister-in-law and married to the fourth brother, Marc. My passion rooted deep within is to help people reach the goals they set. So, I set out to support this dream and mission. 
The spark needed to be shared
My work colleague and Sister in Christ, Sheila, is a person that I knew would be moved by this vision. She was just as excited as I was for the Godly journey, and was willing to pray for a future mission. With God paving the way, the search was on to find a mission. 
Most companies split up larger mission groups, in order to be more efficient. My light dwindled with each failed attempt to find a project able to support the number of workers we would have. Doing the mission together seemed important when reflecting on conversations, so I needed a better fit. In passing at work, Sheila asked how the plans were coming, and I shared my frustrations. Sheila turned to God in prayer. 
God was working through us all
Hours later, I opened the door at my grand-daughter’s school program and assisted a janitor in carrying some trash from her overflowing cart. As she thanked me, I asked her name and where she was from. She responded, “Teta Ross from Liberia, Africa.” Inquiring about her village led me to discover village members didn’t have access to safe, local water. This inspired me to share my brother-in-law’s desire. 
“Does the village needed a well?” I asked, “Because I know someone that wants to help people put in a well.” 
“You are kidding? Yes, they get so sick from bad water. Really!? You can help? Praise God! Praise God!” Teta exclaimed with her hands were in the air. “This is the answer the village has been praying for.”
God ignited the spark.
The more I visited, the more I discovered her story; it was God’s intention for us to meet. Teta shared their needs for clean water, clothing, hygiene items, sewing items, dishes, and many other things. Teta sends boxes of these supplies to Liberia, and was working on sending a box in the next week or two. God opens doors and we just need to acknowledge His power.
He also continues to put things in our grasp. As I went to purchase pants for my active grandson, Cody, we found ourselves at Wal-Mart. As we came around to the back aisle, loads of summer clearance were marked to $1. Vividly colored dresses, kids’ clothing, shorts, and tanks filled the clothing rack. My heart runneth over as my grandson would grab an item and ask, “How about this one, Grandma?” Cody helped me find 150 clothing items to give to Teta. We also purchase thread and some hygiene items. God’s light was warming us from the inside out. 
The Holy Spirit poured into conversation with various people over the next few days and inspired many to share their gifts. Margaret, from my church, St. John’s – Vilmar, is the head of the quilting group. She had thread and big pieces of fabric that she would be willing to donate. Teta’s husband shared that he had a need for Bibles. Teta shared that some of the village members were new to getting to know about God, and were doubting, not understanding why they have to suffer. Teta reassured them God would provide and shared our conversations. My church communications director, Monica, had adult and youth Bibles and Sunday School kids packets that she wanted to send. Robert, a member of Gideons International, also had Bibles to send. My grandkids shared with a church in Charles City which offered more Bibles. My stepmom, Terri, is talking to her quilt group to get them on board as well. Teta shared that staff members at her school in Charles City also shares items like dishes, pots, pans, shoes, clothing, and new undergarments. All of these are needed. 
God is certainly on the move and pouring into peoples’ hearts and this mission.
The Mission is a go
At the annual Seehusen brothers Iowa Hawkeye game weekend, I was able to share with some of the family members the mission that had been unfolding over the past weeks. The family was onboard and supported making this mission happen. Details of cost and needs would be unveiled and shared over the next weeks and months. 
With the mission a go, Teta and I were able to call her husband, J. Boima Kiazolu, known to me as JB, and he was able to share with me details of rainy and dry seasons, and knowledge of what needed to be done to dig a well. He informed us that the cost is $2,200 for a hand-dug well, if big equipment couldn’t access the point, and $5,000 to put in a well if the equipment would have access. The men of the village are gathering information on supplies and soil types. The women walked from area to area to find out how long people would have to travel by foot to find clean water. This will narrow where the best location to place one well and benefit the most people. The mission is in amazing hands as JB continues to organize the mission in Liberia, Africa. 
Struggles are real
Teta shared during one of our conversations that her village members will work and not get paid for months at a time. This might amount from $50-$200 a month. This was followed by the description of bad things that, at times, happen to the young ladies as they work to afford the basic necessities of food. 
These struggles trouble Teta, so she helps the Liberian Women in Christ to learn the trade skills of cooking bread and sewing, which helps them to be able to sell items to support their family, so hose awful things don’t have to happen to these girls. Teta sends funds to rent a facility and pays a lady to teach these women the skills twice a month until they graduate from the program. Teta recently found out that the rental unit she uses to house the supplies and teach women was rented by someone willing to pay more. 
Teta took out a loan for $2,000 to get started on a new building, and briskly picked up a second job to help pay for village members to build it, which will allow them to continue God’s work. The cost of the building is $1/brick, with hopes of being able to supply 5,000 bricks to complete the project. Teta doesn’t know how the rest will be paid for, but she knows she will do her best. Teta turns to God to address the struggles she faces with supporting the village, and He provides a glimpse of hope.
Supporting the building comes at a cost that has put villagers in need. Each year at Christmas time, Teta attempts to supply families with a 25-pound bag of rice that costs $17, and an additional $10 to make the rice into a soup, which makes it go further. Her hope is to fill bellies and bring momentary joy to as many as she can afford to support. This year, however, she told her husband that she wouldn’t be able to afford to send the rice. JB told her that she was doing all she could, and God will provide. 
God’s Will be done
Teta shared the rice struggle with me, and I reached out to the family to share updates on the cost of wells, the Christmas rice struggle, and the building needs. God answered the call, and we were able to provide for 60 families to receive Christmas rice for 2022. A request has also been sent to JB to secure the digging of five wells.
The village is praying that God’s will be done. Plans are currently underway to see which family members will be able to travel to Liberia in March 2023. This will be the highest point in the dry season and the best time to get to the good depth needed to sustain the wells over time. Teta will travel with the family to guide us on this mission. While there, we will visit families, share God’s word, share the supplies sent, see some of the well sites and help at the site as needed, lend a hand in forming bricks, make improvements to homes, talk farming, and build relationships with as many people as possible. If we are able to get supplies, a lean-to could be added on the side of some of the village homes when we go. This may help stop some of the water that comes into the homes on the dirt floors during the rainy season. The week will be filled with lots of opportunities to do God’s work. 
On Jan. 17, videos flooded my phone – the first hand-dug well was put in. The water is flowing and the people are rejoicing. Tears of joy fill my eyes as this mission is really taking off. God is a Well of Inspiration. Many will answer the call to be the well of inspiration for others and share their gifts. Our family has no idea how big God is going to make this mission, but we are ready to answer His call to serve others. 
We thank you for all the prayers and support,
–  Jennifer Seehusen