During my most recent trip to Liberia, I had the opportunity to meet and start a new journey to recovery with William.
William (Nunu, as he is popularly known) stopped by my place in the evening and made a request to me. His request and the manner in which he made it drew my attention. I asked him one question; his answer to that question led to several other questions. What a great opportunity to touch a life in need of HOPE and restoration.
During that interaction, I knew that something was just not right, and there were genuine and critical issues that needed to be addressed.
William had not had the opportunity of living with his biological parents due to reasons I cannot share here. But this had affected William greatly – sometimes mistreated by people he lived with, dropping out of school, running away from home, sleeping in the streets (on the blac), getting involved in substance abuse, getting sick from the use of substances, and many others. William spent years on the street and got involved in unwholesome practices.
I took some time to talk with him to understand how badly he has been affected by the situations he has been going through, since it was my first time ever seeing him. He opened up and narrated very touching accounts of his struggles. In it all, we pointed him to Christ (Matthew 11:28)
Prayer Request
William has agreed to make a u-turn, and to pursue a productive life. He has made a passionate appeal for an unskilled job opportunity or assistance with enrollment into a vocational school to acquire marketable skills. He has also expressed the desire to start attending church. We have committed to working with William to help him achieve this.
Kindly join us in praying for God’s direction for our brother, William.
Prayerfully yours,
Rufus N. Mandein - From the mission field in Liberia, West Africa
William's Turning Point: From the Streets to a Life of Purpose
When I met William, known by many as “Nunu,” on a quiet evening in Liberia, I sensed more than a simple request in his eyes. There was pain. There was hunger for change. And there was a spark — faint, but alive. That moment would mark the beginning of a new journey toward restoration and hope.
The Hidden Battle
Many young people in Liberia are fighting battles that remain unseen. Poverty, family abandonment, addiction, and years spent on the streets have left countless youth feeling lost and discarded. At HopeGivers Ministries, we often encounter those who have fallen through every societal safety net.
Their stories are raw, complex, and heartbreaking—but they are not beyond redemption.
We believe every soul deserves a second chance. A safe place. A voice that listens. A hand that lifts. A path back to purpose. William’s story is a living testament to this mission.
A Life on the Blac
William never had the chance to grow up with his biological parents. The reasons remain deeply personal, but the consequences have followed him throughout his life. He was passed from home to home, often mistreated, and left emotionally wounded.
Eventually, he dropped out of school. He ran away. He slept on the streets — on the blac, as it’s called locally. He turned to substance abuse as both an escape and a way to survive. His health deteriorated, and his future looked bleak.
A Moment of Decision
But that evening, standing before me, was a young man who had not completely given up. His quiet plea for help opened a door to conversation, and as he began to share, the truth of his struggle came to light.
We didn’t offer judgment. We offered Jesus.
Through tears and shared prayers, we read Matthew 11:28 together:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
William listened closely. Then he made a decision. He wanted to turn his life around. He was ready to leave behind the pain of the past and walk toward a future with hope and meaning.
Walking the Road to Restoration
Today, William is committed to rebuilding his life. He’s participating in our Vulnerable Youth Outreach program, receiving meals, hygiene support, and counseling. He’s learning to trust again—both people and God.
He has expressed a sincere desire to begin attending church and grow in his faith. He’s also seeking an unskilled job or vocational training to gain practical, marketable skills.
Prayer Request
Please join us in prayer for William:
- Ask God to guide his steps and protect him from temptation.
- Pray for strength, healing, and renewed hope.
- Ask the Lord to open doors for job training and mentorship.
- Pray that William will experience the fullness of God’s love and find his identity in Christ.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Help Others Like William Find Their Turning Point
Your support can offer more than food and shelter. You can help provide dignity, purpose, and the foundation of God’s love to someone who feels forgotten.
Together, we can turn brokenness into purpose—one life at a time.
