Funny how every morning it starts with dogs barking and then the fighting of dogs. I lay in bed and my brain seems to be thinking much faster than my heart can comprehend... I am reminded we are here for a purpose. Yes, a purpose! But there just seems to be so much to do and so many to help!! So we start our day by asking that God would make clear direction and light the way.
Our day starts off by waiting for our driver and Chris to come. They were to be here by 10:30 but that turned in to be 12:30. A reminder to us that we are on "African time".
We start the day off with intense heat. Again, a reminder of "Welcome to Liberia where it si HOT!" We adjust... We get our backpacks with our water supply for the day and we are good!
Our first stop today was to meet with a young man named Prince. We have a friend who is trying to finish her adoption in Ghana but needed some details fromthe birth dad. We met him and he was ver cooperative.
We went to Chris's house where the widows that we had helped set up small business back in November have been patiently waiting for us since 1:00. They do not complain about the wait but we all feel bad. Of course, both our driver Morris and our worker Chris say "it is no problem." We were greeted by the joyful voices of a "welcome" sond and dancing. It semed somewhat overwhelming and humbling at the same time! We were thanked over and over again. Our quick reply to thes was "if it wasn't for Chris being faithful, honest and a man of integrity, we probably would not be here." You see, to find an honest person can be difficult in Africa. Chris is quick to stand before those gathered and publicly declare that he is nothing without God. It's not him, but God that lives through him and to Hime be all the glory! Chris gets everyone's attention by proclaiming "Praise God" and the response is, "Amen, in Jesus's Name." The widows took turns giving their praise and are so thankful they are no longer sleeping on the ground but have a mattress! They are not concerned about new matching bedding but only a place to lay their head at night. (see the following post for pictures of this.)
There are children sitting on the ground and smiling and trying to touch our skin. For some, this may be the first time ever seeing a "white person". After our greetings and a prayer by Chris, we started to distribute our donations. Dr. Venier's office donated toothbrushes and toothpaste, so we handed the rest of these to the children. (see pictures in post below) They were so happy! By looking at some of their teeth, I think this may be their first time owning a toothbrush. Jackie quickly reminded them and did the example to "spit out the toothpaste and not to swallow it." We had one of the widows who came with an offering of bananas and other fruit as a gift of appreciation for all that HFA had done for her. She was set up with a small business of selling fruit at the market last November.
It was heart wrenching to see the Waylee family living in such a homeless situation yesterday. We asked each sponsor family if they were happy to be back in Liberia and they all said Yes, even though through all this hardship, they are so happy to be back home!! We made a little photo album for baby Sirleaf's mom of all the pictures of his surgery and his hospital stay. They women were ecstatic and so joyful to see themselves on a picture!
Today was a short day in matter of time but not in emotions. We had weveral pleas of assisting them with their children's school, small business and even to help with adoption.
Monrovia has a Red Light district here which we visited today... it's not what you think! It's this massive overcrowded market that most of the people in Monrovia shop at. No backpacks, hold on to your purse, keep the cell phone out of sight, you get the idea! Maurice was the leader, then 3 of us white women, then Chris. Chris really wanted us to experience this and we're glad that we did. Vehicle aircare could make a killing here with the amoung of pollution, walking on heaps of garbage, loud music, honking, crossing the road without getting hit, crowding and good prices! What a fantastic experience!!
All throughout the day, we are constantly speaking words of affirmation over Chris's life and encouraging him to continue to be a man of God. Again, a big thanks to allt hose over the last five years who have supported HFA through finances, prayer, and diligent work. Without you and your faithfulness, none of this would be possible. Because of you, you have made a huge difference and we sincerely thank you.
With love,
Marsha, Jackie and Ariel
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