Couple to begin new adventure as missionaries

By Michelle Watson

Scott and Robin Wilson have learned that when God places something on your heart, the only thing you can do is listen.  Scott, who is the senior pastor at Clear Lake Christian Church, and his wife, Robin, will be moving to Bo, in Sierra Leone, in July to become full time missionaries.

The Wilsons visited Sierra Leone four and one-half years ago for two and one-half weeks.

“We fell in love with the African people and we couldn’t get them out of our hearts,” said Robin.  “We were asked to go back as missionaries and the more we prayed about it, the more God made us aware of what He wants us to do.”

For the Wilsons, that will be leaving behind their worldly possessions and living in a hut without water or electricity.  Although their living conditions will be sparse, the mission God has laid out before them is huge.

“We are God’s vessels and we need to demonstrate what God wants the people there to know,” said Scott.  “We want to empower them to make a difference in their own lives.”

Scott will be training pastors and he will be starting churches in villages that have never had them.

Robin will be helping in a women’s clinic and teaching Bible studies.  She will also help in an orphanage and will accompany Scott to villages.

Scott said one challenge they will face is a language barrier.  Krio is the common language, but there are also three tribal languages.  English is the only written language they have, but only those with a formal education know English. The Wilsons will use interpreters for their work.

“Sierra Leone is a fourth world country in great need,” said Scott.  “But I am excited to go into villages that have never heard of Jesus Christ and introduce Him to them.”

Sierra Leone is a mix of religions, with 70 percent being Muslim, 28 percent Christian and two percent Animist, Hindu and other.  Most Christians live in the cities, with rural areas having little exposure to the Gospel.  During the Civil War, Christians provided 100 percent of the aid to the country.  Now, after the Civil War, the country has mainly gone back to the Muslim tradition.

The Wilsons will partner with Jonathan’s House, an orphanage providing care and love to orphans from the Civil War.  Through its Christian ministry, the orphanage has established a school and nine village churches.

“We don’t just want to give the people things, but to empower them to make a difference,” said Scott.

He added they will not only educate the people about God’s love, but also about agriculture and health.

“The people are open to learning new ways.  Hope has been in short supply, therefore we are confident they will embrace hope and, of course, true hope only exists in Jesus Christ,” said Scott.

Although leaving their worldly possessions behind

[wlm_nonmember]]To read more of this article, please login or sign up for our E-Edition[/wlm_nonmember]

[wlm_ismember]

will be hard, harder yet will be saying goodbye to their congregation and family.  Scott and Robin have four grown children and one granddaughter.

“We are totally trusting the Lord and He has already provided in so many ways,” said Robin.  “It has been awesome to see God work even in the details.”

The Clear Lake Christian Church will hold a send-off for the Wilsons on July 26 and the public is welcome to attend.  To follow the couple and to learn more about their travels, go to their Facebook page, Christ For Sierra Leone.  The Clear Lake Christian Church is the sending church and they will handle correspondence and finances for the couple.

“We will be coming back every couple of years to touch base with our supporters,” said Robin.  “We are so grateful for those who are partnering with us on this mission.”

[/wlm_ismember]