"We Are Trying"

Many of you have been following the story of Promise and her 18 month old son, BK. I met them over a year ago at our medical screening in Liberia. Mercy Ships was unable to help the young boy and she was sent away. I was able to visit them in their home often over the last year. You can read more here .

Last September BK's father met a man from the States who paid for BK, his mother and father to go to South Africa to have the surgery he needed. A shunt was put in and BK was doing much better. Unfortunately, his doctors said that BK would not survive for long if he remained in Liberia, where the continuing medical care he needs is not accessible.

On my most recent visit to their home, Jim came with me and we were able to meet BK's father, BK Sr. This was the first time I met him. I found him to be a gentle man who cared for his son very much. He gave up going to computer school so the money could go to BK's care. He recently lost his job and when I asked him how he is able to get by h e replied with a common Liberian answer; "we aretrying." And he added, "if we don't keep trying we will go to an early grave." I have come to learn that this is the reality here and many "are trying" day by day.

Please pray for BK and his parents as they seek the best solution for them all. I will go to say goodbye tomorrow.

Royesville School

Last year I posted on the school in Royesville that the rebels had destroyed during the war. A Mercy Ship's team, along with local workers, took this project on and now the children are back in school.
While Jim was here, we had the opportunity to visit the school. This is the first time I had seen it in a year, what a difference!

Bassa Man, Bassa Woman

Jim and I had a great time together the past 2 weeks. He has returned to the States where I will follow in less than 2 weeks.

On Jim's first full day we traveled to the village of Joe Bar where I was starting a new class but also checking up on the class I started in February. I was eager to see them since it had been a few weeks since turning it over to the local teachers. And I wanted them to meet Jim.

We greeted the class and then went across the hall to start the new class. After about an hour, Jim and I were summoned to my old class. Esther, the participant who's the class leader, told Jim to sit down and then two of the students took me to another room. They had made a beautiful African outfit for me. When they finished dressing me, Jim was brought into the room. The two women pulled out a matching shirt for him. When we returned to the classroom in our new attire, there was a lot of cheering, "Bassa (a local tribe) woman and Bassa man". It was truly an honor that they went to all this trouble, not even knowing for sure that Jim would be there that day. The outfits were well made and of fine material, I was overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity. Last year I was given a Bassa name that I go by when I'm working, it's Janjay, meaning grace. The students decided Jim needed a Bassa name too. Garjay (not sure of the spelling) which means "Man business". Hmmm, I may need further clarification on that one.

Sunday

In one month I leave Mercy Ships after 7 years of service to the poor and needy in West Africa. It has been a big part of my life, something that I'm unable to describe with words. Only those who have been here can begin to understand.

That's one of the reasons why this Sunday is important to me. It's this Sunday that Jim, my fiance, is coming to visit me here in Liberia. It's been almost 3 months since we've seen each other. I'm looking forward to spending time with him, showing him this important part of my life and making new memories.

Please pray for both of us during this time. Jim will be here until the 20th of April.

Literacy in Prison

Our team has begun working in the prison now through the help of Prison Fellowship. One of the original facilitators we trained in January is teaching and training others to teach.

To read more about it go here.

Signs

I've added quite a few interesting signs to my "Liberia: Culture, Signs and Scenes" photo set. Check it out here. To view, click on "View as slideshow" in the upper right hand side of the page.