Well it is Saturday and we had another fun filled eventful day here in Liberia. It’s hard trying to start blogs anymore because it sounds so repetitive. Currently we are all resting after dinner waiting for Vivian, Christine’s daughter in law, to come over so we can start our evening discussion. Rodney is braiding Amy’s hair and Danielle is taking photos of it all. Dad wants to make sure his wife knows that he loves her. Now, onto our day.
We got a normally early start of 9 and went to the Rafiki Children’s Village and did another VBS. Today it was on creation and we had the children making pictures of each day of creation. We sang songs, did a story, Jeremiah using a puppet and Brent playing God. Twas an interesting combination but the children loved it as always. Afterwards we played kickball and tag with the kids and I was able to talk more to Julie about the organization. Really do love what they are doing there and am very curious to keep tabs on their progress. On a side note, during these days, we only had two vehicles so most of the guys were forced to sit in the back of the truck to be chivalrous. The girls wanted a chance to experience the roller coaster ride. So, on our way home, all the girls dove into the back of the truck which upset the guys. However, we got our way because we are the girls. We all sang the whole way home and had an absolute blast!
Afterwards, we came home, had lunch, and headed out to the STS property. Now I should mention, during these trips today, the next door neighbor named Josephine who is around 14 tagged along with us. She was a very interesting teenage and became Danielle charge unofficially. The trips around consisted of trying to track down and keep tabs on Josephine. Anyway, we headed to the STS property for the bible burying and dedication. Guess who was out there, surprise surprise, MICHAEL! It is still amazing to me. We then all went up to the side of one of the walls they are building to bury it. We all stood around and read a prayer over Liberia and all took shovels full of concrete and placed it over the bible. It was a very good ceremony and very moving.
Afterwards, we headed to the ELWA hospital to visit and pray with and for the patients. I was personally way out of my comfort zone doing this. First Dr. Chapman, a dentist/oral surgeon, showed us around the dental clinic which was most impressive. The facilities were way more advanced than I ever could have imagined. We then headed over to the hospital. The Girls spent their time in the OB, women’s, and pediatric ward. The men, obviously, spent their time in the male ward. The stories that came out of it were amazing. My most touching moments were the opportunity to pray for a Muslim girl who had her legs near paralyzed and I was able to give a woman who had a little boy with Malaria a fan to keep her son cool.
We all came home that night exhausted but feeling like God had blessed and his glory had been given. It was uncomfortable a number of times for a lot of us but it was a great experience. That night, Christine told us her testimony and it was encouraging to us each uniquely. We all went to bed that night totally worn out but feeling good and encouraged.
Sunday Morning, all the girls dressed up in their Liberian lapas, which are essentially pieces of fabric wrapped around the waist as skirts, and the guys in their Sunday best, not 12Stone style, and went to church. We went to Providence Baptist Church which is the oldest church in Liberia. Of course since Rodney chose the church it HAD to be Baptist. As we drove through town, the girls took millions of pictures like they do every day. It’s funny when Victor or someone else has to be like “no you can’t take pictures of that” or “yes you can take pictures of that.” When we pulled up to church there were police there and were not sure why. Suddenly we saw the beginnings of a motorcade and Victor said it was the presidential motorcade. Kayla automatically wanted to take pictures but Victor told her no. lol
The church service was unlike anything I had been to before. It was a large church with gorgeous interior architecture. There was a lot of singing and even a dance that was very moving. Pastor Reeves gave a great sermon about bible paradoxes. After church, we loaded up to go out to lunch. On the way, Kayla waves at some boys selling water and he started chasing the car trying to sell Kayla water.
We ate at the royal hotel which was a spectacular buffet. We all left feeling like we gained 10 pounds. I really had been feeling better today so I got to eat more than usual. We went back to the compound for our lovely day of Sabbath. Dad and Rodney took naps and bantered as always. Annie, Jessie, and I all took naps which, at least for me, was very much needed. The guys, Amy and Kayla went out to one of the local villages to play soccer with the kids. Amy and Kayla also painted the girls nails (and one boy) and taught them how to dance. It was a great time of ministering for them and, we heard later, that Kayla and Amy really were able to come out of their shells which is one of the big purposes here.
We all gathered late for dinner and just sat around talking. James the tailor (not James Taylor) came over to fit the girls for their dresses and pick up the fabric for our purses. It was fun watching Rodney dealing and bartering with James as well as breaking out his mad accounting skills to handle the money. Rodney really has a gift for it so much so I think he could do it as a profession, but that’s just me. James left and we had our normal debrief about the day. Then came the great incident.
Apparently, an arachnid decided to make its home in the girls’ bathroom. Now, the size of this creature will probably change about 10 times by the time it is shared back home, but it was a decent size. So, because Rodney and my Dad believe in playing by chess rules and sending in the pawns first, Jeremiah went in to capture the dangerous creature. Danielle took a video of the incident and I don’t think something like that could have been scripted. Annie, Rodney, Dad and I were sitting in the living area listening to the screaming and laughing while most everyone else was in the girls’ room watching the horror story unfold. Luckily, after many attempts, Jeremiah was able to capture the beast and release him into the wild.
So ended my second week in Liberia. Tomorrow I will be going out to the Diana Davies Orphanage with Brent, Jeremiah, Kayla and my Dad while the rest of the group goes to THINK. It will be a 4 day sprint of VBS for all of us, but we’re all up to the challenge and are excited to see what God does.
Keep praying for heath and protection for everyone on the trip. So far things are going ok and getting better but the next few days will be draining on all of us. We miss you all back at home and pray everything is going well!
Lindi
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