February 24, 2011 Update

Remember when you were a child or maybe you sang this song to your children or your grandchildren? It goes something like this:

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

Oh this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

Hide it under a bush, Oh no

I'm gonna let it shine..."

Then the chorus... but I am sure you know the song and how it goes.

Well, as I am sitting here and reflecting, that song came to mind. You see, we are the light in a world that at times is dark. I believe that God makes no mistakes and when He puts us somewhere, He knows why we're there and what we are to do.

That's sort of how I am feeling tonight. I am choosing to serve God and let the light shine bright. Today we had to set aside our North American culture and realize that when you are in Africa, you must understand we are on African time!

We were to start our day off by 10:00 AM, but the people from the orphanage we were visiting did not get here till 11:00 AM. The worst part of it is that we were supposed to be back by 12:30. The orphanage told us that it would be a short distance so in our mind we thought 15 minutes or so ... NOPE! That meant a 1 hour drive! So we called and cancelled our appointments and rescheduled our day. Another example of how when you plan things the way "you" think it should go, I think God smiles and gives a chuckls and the day becomes HIS day and in HIS timing ... we're learning!!

Mrs. Dianna E. Davies is the founder of the orphanage and school which we visited. She is an amazing woman. After visiting both the school and orphanage we sat down in her office and we talked. She shared with us how she was there for all of the war. She told us how she came face to face with the armed rebels. She started praying; they asked who she was talking to and she replied, "to the Man who made me." They dropped their guns. We asked her if she was afraid. "Afriad? Why?" she says. "When I am absent from the body, I am with Christ. I have nothing to lose."

It was around noon and we stood up to leave. "We have cooked you lunch, you must stay," they insisted. Not wanting to insult them, we ate the delicious food set before us. We thanked them and her reply was, "You never know when you entertain angels unawares so always be ready to serve one another." Mother Davies informed us that we are "elders" because we are over 35 ... smile! :)

She gave us some great tips on helping refugees return to Liberia - there is so much to learn from the older people and they are so willing to offer advice. Going through the horrible hardships of life makes one walk in more gratitude and humility!

While we were there, we enjoyed our time with the children. We got to serve little crackers, KoolAid, and a candy per each child in Kindergarten and Grade One. We found out that there are over 500 children in the school from KG to Grade 12. They were all eager to touch our skin and show us their desk.

Morris and Chris came and picked us up and we navigated our way back through traffic and into town. There we met three eager women on the chairs in front of the city hall. I think we only got away with that because of our skin colour, which is sickening, really. These three women will start work tomorrow selling oil and used clothing. Used clothing is bought in a bail-type package and you get what you get. They are very thankful and Chris will take them first thing tomorrow without us. Our showing up would not do any justice to the price they pay for the clothes.

Next stop: the bank. Ah, they just closed. We will go back tomorrow again. No big deal - if it doesn't get done today, oh, tomorrow is just fine ... TIA! Such a complete opposite culture from North America. Somewhere halfway between sounds balanced...

Our next stop was to visit Grace Nelson (a sponsored student) but she lives close to the red light district - not easy to navigate through. When asking how long it will take, "oh, it's not long" is the usual response. Pressing for a more exact time, we were told 45 minutes one way. We decided to call it a day and start early tomorrow and make this stop tomorrow as we'll be in the area anyway for a few more small businesses. We made a committment to each other that for our own safety, we would always be back at the compound before dark.

The gap between the rich and the poor is as big as the Grand Canyon. Not many are in the middle. It's sad when you see little 8 year old children taking care of their baby siblings. The parents must work, most mothers are single. Maurice is a married man (to one wife) - very rare - and we encouraged him to be faithful and support her and his children. Chris's wife died in the war but he is raising Godly girls and directs them in the ways of God's Word.

God bless you as you follow His calling in each of your lives,

With love,

Jackie, Marsha and Ariel

Ariel counting out money for a taxi for the women to return to their village. Some travelled more than 45 minutes away.

This is a mother of Hannah Korlubah, one of our sponsored students receiving gifts from her Canadian sponsor.



An unsafe load - police are starting to catch people now with loads like this.