Who Jacob Was
Jacob told stories the way other people breathe. Writing, imagination, whatever was in front of him, he let it carry him through every day, including the hard ones. People who knew him didn't describe him as "nice." They described something more specific: gentle. A warrior, but a gentle one. The kind of caring that shows up quietly and consistently rather than loudly.
He was the oldest of five, ahead of his sisters Veronica, Kazoani, and Walalehnon, and his brother Bradley.
He was a writer himself… “How I long for the days of the past, when you and i were closer, better times when things were different. But maybe the future holds something greater. Maybe not with me and you, but with someone I can be happy with all the time, remembering the past and looking toward the future. But one thing is for certain, no matter what happens I will never forget you, and the awesome times we spent together.” -Jacob Gonmiah
He lived with diabetes for years, in and out of the hospital more times than any 30 year old should have to be. He was also managing depression, and holding both at once wasn't easy. He handled it the way people do when something never really lets up: quietly, and mostly on his own terms.
Around Thanksgiving of 2024, he went into the hospital with pneumonia. He was there for a couple of weeks. On December 1st, complications led to cardiac arrest, and Jacob passed away. He was 30.
Where We’re Building
Duanpa is a small, secluded village nestled in the forest of Nimba County, in northern Liberia. It's not near major cities or paved roads — just a tight-knit community surrounded by nature. The nearest larger town, Saglelpie, is still miles away, and basic medical care can be over 30 kilometers from home.
This is where our family — the Gonmiahs — come from. Jacob's father, James, is from Duanpa, and his mother, Catherine, and Jacob's siblings share that same connection through him. It's home to many of our loved ones, and it's where we've chosen to plant something meaningful in Jacob's honor.
This isn't the family's first connection to healthcare work in Liberia, either. Back in 2003, Jacob's father James traveled to Liberia to help establish Samaritan's Purse's operations in the country. Two decades later, this center carries that same work forward, in the village James calls home.
Once open, this will be a 20-bed health and wellness facility offering:
Primary care
Maternal and child health
Outpatient and inpatient care
Small surgical procedures
A lab and pharmacy
Wellness and preventive health programs
Community outreach, including clean water and health education
Care here will also make room for the whole person, not just the physical. The center will include space for spiritual care and quiet counseling alongside medical treatment, reflecting the family's faith and the hope of healing that reaches further than the body.
What This Center Will Mean
