Covenant International: A "brief" history

It's a brief history of our organization because....well, thus far, on paper, it is a short (but beautiful) story. However, God began writing the story a long time ago. I was going to start the story with meeting Greta in college and then years later, Eddie. But before that, Eddie found his way from Liberia to Mercy Ships, Greta went back to school to become a nurse and wound up on Mercy Ships. Jaye spent years pursuing missions and her master's in international community development. So, when we were all in the same place in South Dakota in 2020, things began to click. I (Jaye) left that little vacation thinking

maybe Eddie and I could partner to serve his community in Liberia. And I think Eddie said the same to Greta but it took us about eight months more to start a conversation. As much as I believed I wasmeant to start a non-profit, I was waiting for the right partner, one whom I could trust with, and find agreement in, my rambling thoughts and beliefs about how I want to "do" relationship/partnership/ "helping" across cultures.
Once we started talking, we started praying, and then we started talking to Eddie's pastor, Pastor Wesley in Liberia, and then it was time to put boots on the ground in January 2022, so to speak. And then it all seems to have snowballed. I traveled to Liberia (without the two Covid patients!) and then we had a brainstorming "summit" in Minnesota and we were an official 501(c)3 by August, 2022 We are continually amazed at the work God is doing and how we get to be a part of it.
There are two things going on. Our organization, Covenant International, is about partnering with community organizations to strengthen systems in which people can thrive with dignity. We are not limiting ourselves to one partnership or only serving in one location. The second thing happening is our first partnership is with Covenant Ministries Inc in Monrovia, Liberia. The covenant name they carry resonated deeply for us and we felt it spoke to our heart for partnership and commitment.
We are working together to strengthen Covenant Ministries School, CMA. This will involve a new

location for the school (currently they do not own the building they are in and it is very small). Whether we build or purchase is to be determined, maybe on this trip. In addition to having proper learning space, we want to value and attract teachers. Our first campaign was to raise money to supplement teacher salaries. At the end of 2022, supporters raised enough for 2 years of supplement income, in addition to administrative costs in our start up.
We are looking forward to this partner building trip - I am looking forward to getting to know the community, networking, learning, being challenged in how I view my role with Covenant Ministries! Leaving on March 21 and will spend 28 nights in country. The Wamahs will be there for 10 nights. I at first thought it might be too long for me to be there (I don't want to be in the way) but our calendar is full...we will be busy every day. I am so honored to be able to hear from families involved in the ministry, to visit churches, to learn more about Liberia, and get to know my Liberian family better.

Prayer requests:
*Jamal's travel paperwork still in process
*Travel mercies
*Blessings on relationship building
*Wisdom and discernment as we consider/research building (or buying) a school for CMA