Sierra Leone calls to Edmond resident

Patty Miller
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND July 01, 2009 12:39 am

— Edmond resident Deborah Lange is preparing to leave on her second trip to Sierra Leone.
Working under the guidance, organization and supervision of His Healing, Helping Hands International Ministry (4-HIM) in Oklahoma City, she returned from her first trip in March.
“Specifically, I work with Revive Africa, a missions organization with a call to Sierra Leone, Africa, to help establish education and nourishment in orphanages,” Lange said. “They are a Christian organization devoted to facilitating and mobilizing ministry teams and the essential resources required to bring relief to those who are in need. They often facilitate medical teams to Africa and other countries.”
Lange is working with the Wellington Orphanage outside Freetown, and since she came back from her first trip in March she has worked to raise support through donations. She also baby-sits or performs other fundraising services for donations.
Most recently she spoke at the Cheer & Pom Camp sponsored by the Edmond Christian Sports Association at Henderson Hills Baptist Church.
“Our family has been involved with financial support for the orphanages and ministries for years,” Lange said. “My trip to Wellington in March changed my life.”
Home schooled, she completed graduation requirements in 2008.
“I am currently enrolled in a Christian counseling program at Scope Ministries International located in Oklahoma City and plan to become a certified Christian counselor,” she said.
Last November Lange said she was seriously seeking what course she should take for the next season of her life.
“Then I met Pastor Hussan (Mansaray),” Lange said. “He runs the orphanage in Sierra Leone. As soon as I heard him speak, I knew this was a call for me to go. God confirmed that call and provided through donations for me to go and spend 11 days there in March.
“As my mom says, I left my heart there in Wellington when I boarded the plane to leave.”
Lange said she was 6 years old when she first heard the term “missions” in “Mrs. Joy’s” Sunday School class.
“Since that time I have burned with a desire to help with orphans overseas. However, until this year the timing was not right for me,” Lange said. “The Wellington Orphanage has 85 children who were orphaned through the brutal and savage civil war that ravaged Sierra Leone for 12 years. They have no resources. Without our help, these children have nothing.”
She will return to Sierra Leone July 9 and will stay for four weeks.
“We have specific plans for our time there,” Lange said. “We will be doing devotions and Bible study with the children. We will also be tutoring them in their study of English and teaching other practical areas such as personal hygiene and sanitation. A major desire is that our time with the children also brings hope and emotional healing to these dear hurting ones.
“The second half of my trip will include medical teams. They will be bringing supplies and providing opportunities to help the thousands with dire medical needs.”
Lange said at this point she is trying to raise money to take with her to meet needs while she is in Sierra Leone.
“The need is so great and only so much can be provided for the orphans,” Lange said. “I can buy fresh produce to supplement their plain rice meal, and I can help with hygiene and medical care for the orphans.”
In addition to accepting donations, Lange said she also is collecting supplies to take with her including hair products, any hygiene care items and adult-size flip flops.

CONTACT Lange at Deborahlange@ymail.com about donating items. All tax deductible donations can be sent to: Attention Revive Africa, 3126 S. Blvd., Edmond, OK 73013-5308 # 234. All checks should be made out to 4-HIM Ministries.

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