The family is originally from the town of Youkorway in the Republic of Liberia in West Africa. Chei and Grace married in 1984 but didn’t receive their marriage certificate until 1990, because they were in exile in the Ivory Coast due to the Liberian Civil war that caused them to flee their home.

In January of 1990, the family awoke to the attack of savage northern rebels on their hometown. Only through the spirit of God did Chei, Grace, their four-year-old son Duah, and their newborn baby (less than 24 hours old) miraculously escape. Chei and Grace call the birth of their newborn a miracle of divine delivery.

After rebels left their town in ruin, Chei and Grace, in extremely weakened conditions, with little food or water, miraculously survived a two-week trek on foot with their children, through the saving grace of God. They finally made their way to refuge by boat to the Ivory Coast. After a month they returned to Liberia, only having to flee yet again, going through years of upheaval.

Chei and Grace’s large family arrived in Winnipeg in 2005 through a collaborative sponsorship of the Winnipeg Evangelistic Free Church and the Association of Christian Schools who sponsored the Christian refugee school Chei was operating in the Ivory Coast.

Chei’s has dedicated his life to God. He has been a principal, business manager and administrator of Christian schools. In refugee camps, he created churches and trained pastors and helped establish Christian tutorial classes for refugees. At present, he works part-time while studying at Providence Theological Seminary.

“The Lord has laid the burden of the lost and the less fortunate in his heart, and I feel that God has called me to minister to them,” says Chei. He is working on his Masters in Divinity and Christian education and will graduate next year.

Grace is very busy looking after their nine children in a cramped home that they presently rent. With Chei studying and working part-time, making monthly payments is difficult, causing the family financial hardship and stress. Fortunately, through the Winnipeg Evangelistic Free Church, they attended a Habitat for Humanity meeting at the Calvary Church which resulted in having their prayers answered once again.

Chei says, “Words are insufficient for me to vividly describe what it means to own a house after the destruction of our homes in Liberia and on the Ivory Coast. Owning a home means God’s continual blessings and profound care for our family.”