...just trying to chase lions

I've been home about a week and can now finally process the trip. So much happened in such a short time that when people asked "So how was it?!" I simply didn't know how to answer. My team's blog was updated each night, so if you didn't get a chance to follow that, here's the link: http://weliberia.blogspot.com/

The first couple of days were without a doubt a culture shock to me. It took us about 2 days to figure out why we kept hearing people yell "wymo!"..."wymo"="white man". haha. It was a big struggle to be stared at everywhere we went. All I wanted was to blend in and build relationships, but that just wasn't going to happen. It was the strangest feeling having people yell at you and wave at you as if they knew you or you were some kind of celebrity.

The second biggest struggle when I got there was that I simply didn't feel safe. I was scared and absolutely hated feeling that way. Why couldn't I just walk the streets, mingle with the people, and shop around the redlight district? There were two times I found myself alone or with Belynn and no one else, and immediately we were surrounded by a crowd of people. As the days went by, it got better. That was my prayer each morning--that I would not have fear. The truth is, though, that I needed that bit of fear to keep me in line and to not go off on my own. Those who know me well know that I'm "little miss independent" and don't like to have my hand held in order to get something done. I like to go and go quickly! For the entirety of the trip I had to wait on someone--the theme became "hurry up and wait!". That's Liberia...a lot of waiting.

After the culture shock began to fade I began to see and feel the hearts of the people. The only way I can describe the feeling I got in many parts of Monrovia was darkness. With bullet holes scattered across every other building and bridge crossing I couldn't help but remember what these people have been through. Then the realization hit me that I'm walking side by side with some of the rebels who murdered countless people, tortured them and took their children. Not only did they take their children, but they placed guns in their hands, taught them to murder and on top of all that they forced drugs on them so that even to this day they are battling the ugliest of addictions and fighting for a new life.

The amazing picture of new life and restoration for me came in a man named Dixon. Dixon lived at the compound we stated at. He's 21 years old and will be graduating high school this year. He was one of the kids forced into the rebel army and made to take drugs or be killed. He fought for a new life, and after writing a letter to Christine Norman pleading for help and an education, he got what he had only dreamed of. She took him in her home, gave him a job and paid for his schooling. He is living his life for Christ and showed me what the hope for Liberia is--the hope for Liberia is the younger generation whose hearts are for God. It all comes down to the heart, and their is a great need for heart-healing in every person in that nation.

So, I've spent a couple of hours just writing the above paragraph. I cannot put into words what this trip was like and what it did in me, especially in a blog...I think I could write a book. But to
give just a little summary of some of my highlights, I'll tell stories in pictures:

This is Diana Davies. She founded and runs the Diana Davies Orphanage. I've never met a person that I have desired to say "God Bless You" to more than her. She is raising 35 kids whose parents were killed in the war as her own. These kids are so well behaved and are receiving an amazing well-rounded education including the arts.

This little man will be "the one" I remember for the rest of my life. He has a huge vision for his life and fully understands that with God, all things are possible. His name is James, but on the trip we called him "Kevin Queen Jr." KQ is one of the pastors at my church, and if we didn't know better we'd think he had visited Liberia about 11 years ago. James' smile alone will melt your heart, but his love for all of his "brothers and sisters" at Diana Davies captured me. He is a young servant and I hope that someday I'll get to meet him again as a man.

You may have noticed this in the picture above, but I got my hair did! The teenage girls at Diana Davies had a blast with my "white girl hair". All I could do to keep myself in my seat was clench my teeth and try to make as few "this is killing me!" faces as I could...man, it hurt! I got laughed at a lot for being so sensitive ...apparently I'm not a real Liberian girl afterall :(

On Saturday I got to spend the day with some friends I met randomly through Facebook who work with an organization called Orphan Relief and Rescue. The healthcare coordinator, Debbie Dezutter, called me over to look at some of the kids' feet. There is an insect that lives in the dirt and sand that gets underneath your toenails and skin and lays eggs. The only way to get rid of it is to dig the eggs out. We washed several of the infected feet, but there was little we could do beyond encouraging them to wash their feet with soap and water daily and to help the kids keep their "slippers" on at all times.

Later that day, Stacey and I, along with Andrew from ORR, helped make pipes for toilets. I have never felt so handy in my life. Using dirt from termite mounds we made clay and molded the piping. After the clay was molded we cut it in half and poured cement over them. Once they dry the clay will be knocked out leaving the two halves of the pipe to be put back together...and then you've got plumbing! Check out ORR: http://www.sharingonline.org/orphan-relief/blog/




This was by far the most random day. We drove 3 1/2 hours to Blue Lake so that we could go swimming and baptize Alam. Alam is a former muslim who is now a Christ Follower. She had never been baptized, so her husband asked Pastor Miles if he would do the honor. When we finally arrived at BlueLake we were greeted by the United Nations Military refusing us entry. The first guard was Nigerian and he was very nice, but firm with his answer of "no" because we could not reach his boss. Then along came a guard from Pakistan. This guard immediately welcomed us in to swim with him and his friends. The Nigerian guard again said "no", so the Pakistan guard began to go up the ladder in command of the UN military to ask for permission for his "friends" to come in and go swimming with him. After about an hour of playing soccer and waiting, we were granted entry. Baptizing Alam was the primary reason we were there, so we did that first--Miles baptized a former Muslim in the name of Jesus Christ in front of a handful of Muslims from Pakistan...and they all applauded her baptism. That's a day I'll not soon forget.



Then there's just the wonderful feeling of sweating non-stop every moment of the day for 10 days.




"Why do girls look so different without make-up?"
-Jose Quinones

Posted in: on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at at 7:19 AM 4 comments