February 28, 2011

This is our final update before we leave Africa. We are blessed to have shared this journey with you. Jackie leaves tonight and Marsha and Ariel will spend a few days at the coast before coming home.

We enjoyed a real African church service yesterday, but there was one problem. The language was in Tree and Gah. We still enjoyed seeing the freedom they enjoyed in worshipping God! One day we'll all be dancing and praising God in heaven where there are no language barriers.


At the church service in Accra - men sit on one side and the women on the other.

Two little boys at the church.

Jackie holding a baby.

Marsha and Jackie in their African dresses.

Our driver, George's, family.

In summary, here is what God enabled us to do these past 2 weeks:

GHANA:

*met several times with people from the Buduburam Refugee Camp

*paid all sponsorship fees in Ghana for the second term (until May) for 40 students

*visited an orphanage

*helped our friend Terrie with some of the legwork with her adoption

*visited the Liberian Embassy several times

LIBERIA:

*visited 5 sponsored students in their schools

*visited all 10 sponsored students in their homes

*visited all the widows we helped over the past 2 years

*enrolled 2 men for university

*set up 8 small businesses for sponsor families

*helped Oldman Nelson with purchasing cement bags and sand so he can put cement in some of the bedrooms in his home; also purchased a mattress for him to sleep on

*blessed Joma with a wheelchair and some food

*set up 2 of the poorest families we know in other homes, paying for their rent for 12 months (you can't get any shorter terms in Liberia)

*visited with 3 of the birth families of Canadian adopted children

*spent time at Diana E. Davies Orphanage

*paid all sponsorship fees for Liberian sponsored students (10) for the entire year (up to July)

*set up Chris with a medium-sized business of selling concrete bricks which involved purchasing some cement blocks and molds for the bricks

*purchased a small piece of land for Chris and someone donated money for him to build a house - he will make his own bricks for his house

*distributed donated gifts, clothing and treats to many people

We plan to put a well on Chris's new village in the next few months (so stay tuned for a fundraiser for this!).

Some sponsor families in Canada have requested to continue helping their sponsored children/families either through sending their children to school or providing for other urgent

needs they have. We will help with the connections to make this possible.

We are so grateful for all of your prayers and emails or comments of encouragement. We have really felt God's hand of direction and protection on our lives during this time away from our families. We feel so blessed that God has allowed us to be a very small part of what He is doing in Liberia by being His hands and feet these past two weeks.

On that note, I am very eager to see my husband and children again! Integration into North American is going to be extremely difficult again. I pray we won't easily forget what God has shown us and I pray for conviction for simple living so that others can receive more. The gap between the rich and poor in this world is far too great! "To whom much is given, much will be required."

For a radically changed life in the area of missions, money and simple living, I challenge you to read "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan or pick up any of KP Yohannen's books from Gospel For Asia.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, FOR GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!

With love,

Jackie, Marsha and Ariel

An experience in West Africa, through the eyes of a 15 year old ...

Here are some reflections written by Ariel Gienger, 15, from Abbotsford. She is Marsha's daughter who went along on this trip and experienced Africa for herself for the first time in her life. This is told through her eyes ...


In Ghana, Africa, when I first experienced it, I thought to myself, oh this isn't so bad, they have buildings, everything, a big mall, junk food, etc. But when drive into it, it's like ooooooh my, look at these kids walking alone on the streets or they have crippled legs or what about that girl who has only one shoe on. You know? It's overwhelming when we stop in the car because there are plenty of people walking and trying to sell things but they see there are white people so they will stare at you and give you a sad face and it just breaks your heart! But what can we do? Give them money and then what do they do with it? Who knows. Ghana is 10 times different than anywhere I've travelled and I been to a lot of places. It's very dirty, people don't take care of their city. The one thing that broke my heart in Ghana is seeing those kids have so little, they have no mother or no father, no matching shoes or matching clothes, and these kids still have a million dollar smile.

In Liberia, when I first entered Liberia, I knew right away that it needed more help. In my heart I had to let my people know what is going on there. I realized when you are driving in the city or the villages and you see the bullet holes from the war, I can just picture everything and what the war was like. It was like I was a shadow while it was happening ... I can hear bullets and hear the screaming , even though I never experienced the Liberian War, but I just heard stories. It's amazing that I get to see that and experience it. There was one man, he was our waitress and his name is Joseph. The rebels caught him and and his family in the war. He had to suffer watching his sister get oil poured on her and getting a lighted match thrown on her and his family hearing her screaming and suffering from burning to death. If any of them said anything, they will be dead! After, she died from burning to death. It was the family's turn to go and suffer. The rebels brought the family down to the ocean, but someone distracted them and they got away. They are safe today and living and worshipping Jesus.

In Liberia, there are people that sell water for 5 LD (Liberian Dollars) that is like 7 US cents. I asked a young lady, How much water do you sell a day? She says about 25 waters. So 25 x 5 equals 125 divided by 72 to get US$ that equals to about one dollar a day, that is not even enough to live!

I seen and visited a lot of houses in Monrovia. I wouldn't even call them houses, I would call them dumps. I don't think I would even let my dog live in the houses. There is one family they don't even have floors, it is just dirt. They sleep and live in dirt like that. Disgusting.

I can tell the war has messed up their country but they are trying to make it better. Try to find and job and don't suffer or else they make it worse and worse.

These three girls were digging in like a tree trunk and I went over to see what they were doing. They said they were finding food. I was like, what kind of food? They showed me and I almost threw up because it was like worms that looked like maggots and they put it over their rice to eat!

We went to the red light districtn and we asked should we be worried about our stuff getting stolen. Chris and Maurice told us no, no, nooo. We said, why so sure? They said if they do, they will put a tire that is on fire and put it over them as a consequence.

To conclude, I personally think Liberia needs our help more than Ghana. Why? Because they are suffering from the war, they are suffering from low poverty, to me they are suffering from everything! Monrovia looks like a dump site. The pictures you see look nothing like what we saw, because you don't smell what we smelled out here, you don't feel, you don't see with your own eyes, you don't hear people begging for your help and taste the dust that floats in the air and enters in our mouth. Liberia is a poor country. Period! But what can we do to help? We can first help the people money wise. Yes, we did that. We helped some people set up small businesses. Next, we can help them learn how to build houses and get clean water, maybe even give them matching clothes, clean the garbage, there is plenty we can do. But a lot of Canadian sit on there and spend their money on themselves. Turst me, I was like that. I loved spending money on myself, but after I experienced all of this I want to help. I want to come back here and help these kids, these people. They are begging for our help. You just have to look in their eyes or hear them asking, listen to them, don't ignore them; if they need our help, we should give them our help and attention. It will take a lot, but if all of us can pitch in, we can make Liberia a better place and they will teach others. Little comes a loooong waaaaaayyyy... don't ever forget it! Whatever you give, may God bless you bigger, may God bless you with something else, you don't know that, God does though and He will bless you.

Ariel Gienger


Ariel with some kids at an orphanage in Liberia.

Back in Ghana

Aaahhh... our last day in Liberia - bittersweeet. Part of us wants to get on the plane to go home, and the other part realizes this too is my extended family that we're leaving behind also. Chris mumbled over and over throughout the day, "This is a sad, sad day but I thank God."

We met some birth moms at the guesthouse this morning. I went downstairs to settle our debt with the Lukeyn Guesthouse and Saide handed me this beautiful darling 7 month boy. I cuddled and admired him and it reminded me of my 7 month old baby girl that we adoopted 5 years ago. The baby took one look at me and cried. I think "Oh no, he's never seen a white woman before." So I handed him back to his mother so she could nurse him. I went upstairs and told Marsha how I just held this most adorable baby boy downstairs and how I would love to keep him. A few minutes late, Agnes from the office tells me there is someone waiting to see me downstairs. She's the one with the baby. Oh my! How could I have missed this ... she's the birth mother of our two daughters. I apoplgized profusely for not having recognized her. So many women here look alike, it baffled me all day!

The Lukeyn House where we stayed has treated us very well and we thank them for hospitality, safety , and undending kindness, not to mention all the contacts they have helped us with. God is amazing at putting the right people on our path!

Chris arrived at our guesthouse nicely on time but us Canadian women are getting the hang of African time and we left 2 hours later for the airport. We still made it in plenty of time as we were planning on making few other stops on the way.

Our one hour drive to the airport was spent encouraging Chris for his hard work, faithfulness, and his love for God. We encouraged him to remain obedient to what God is calling him to do. We encouraged one another in the Word as we all need accountability in our lives. He was quick to thank us for entrusting him with the work of God and we quickly reminded him to give all the glory to God! We encourage Maurice, our driver, to remaine faithful to his wife and two children. It's rare to see a man working hard here to support his family. They are so blessed to be such great friends.

It was challenging checking in and leaving the airport without a few bribes. Thankfully we found someone who called us his "friend" who helped us out and it only cost us about $5. Marsha was tough on these guys - you should have seen her!!

After checking in, we realized we had plenty of time before the flight left Monrovia so Morris insisted we visit the Firestone Rubber Plantation just next to the airport. At the entrance to the plantation, we are asked to pull over at the checkstop. Morris tells us to not say a word; he jumps out and speaks to the police and we were on our way. Did you know that rubber is made out of the milk of a rubber tree? We never did. The plantation is huge and most of the housing is horrible. President Ellen Johnson condemned these buildings and has demanded they build new ones for the workers. It's in the process and the new houses look good. Of course, this plantation is owned by wealthy North American companies, making larger profits from the Liberian rubber trees. One our way out, a relationship is stronger and a bribe is paid in one handshake. Normal? Yes. Liberian police can make life as easy or as miserable for you as you like, depending on what you're willing to offer. If you're a difficult person, your simple situation can turn into a nightmare, anywhere from trumped up charges to paying large fine or jail.

The dreaded few moments when we actually say our goodbyes to Chris and Morris, left a lump in our throats and we fought back the tears. We took one last photo (see below), embraced one another with tears and wave as we walked away. We reminded Chris that this is not a farewell, but a "goodbye for now, see you soon!"

Our plane arrived early in Accra, where we are ready to end this emotional day. We notice a huge difference in Ghana compared to Liberia. More on that tomorrow ...

Love, Jackie, Marsha, and Ariel



L to R: Jackie, Chris, Morris, Marsha, Ariel at the airport in Monrovia just before leaving.



The poor living conditions at the Firestone Plantation.


Ariel next to a rubber tree at the Firestone Plantation.

Update for February 25, 2011

A reminder once again that we are on African time! Today we started only an hour later than planned, but by the grace of God we completed everything on our list but at a later and slower pace than anticipated. But, we are getting used to that. Today was our last full working day here in Monrovia. So much to say and where do we begin to put the right words on paper ...

Our morning began with meeting Chris at the bank. Sounds like a simple task, right? Go to the bank, open an account, deposit money, and voila! Nope. Not in Africa. Chris tried to get in the bank before we arrived, but they wouldn't let him in because there are no more passbooks (transaction books). We arrived and Chris explained that this wouldn't work today. Marsha called our contact, Saide, at the guesthouse and he said, "No problem, wait outside and I will call my friend at the bank." Within minutes we were greeted by a young man well dressed in a suit. We were escorted upstairs and then downstairs several times before sitting down and filling out a stack of papers. Now, they have a system for papers, I tell you. Where on a bank application does it ask which church you attend? This one did! We were thankful for the cool air inside but needed to use the washroom. Who's got the toilet paper? We left it in the car! Next time, don't go anywhere without it!! This restroom is shared by both men and women. Women get the left stall and men the right. No water to wash hands and no lock on the door. Both have no toilet seats ... TIA!!!

We were then off to the Red Light District again to meet with several women who we are setting up in small businesses to purchase supplies for them. We must be feeling more comfortable. We are the ONLY white people in the market. Do you think we stand out? As we waited for Chris to return to the taxi with the women who have been waiting for us since 9:00 AM (it was then 1:30 PM), we were surrounded by vendors. One particular woman caught our eye. I noticed her feet were worn and dirty with deep callouses. She was walking on the dirt ground that was covered with litter. There were empty waterbags, old pieces of paper, broken shoes, and plastic that once held food from the market. I quickly looked up and saw the sweat beads that formed on her forehead and streamed down her face. She didn't even notice. Then she grabbed her cloth and in one instant she wiped her brow, all in a day's work. The voices shout out "mineral water", then I heard a voice that shouts out even louder "white woman". I then hear long loud horns bellowing from the mass of vehicles that are waiting to pass (air-care).lol. Then once again I realize we're in Africa and this is normal...

We met two of the women to set up businesses. Comfort is someone that lives in Chris's new village and who he met at the refugee camp in Ghana. We realize this when she cannot read the invoice or understand the concept of business. Thankfully Chris and Maurice explain and Chris will continue with follow-up. She got her bags of rice, sugar, salt and oil and returned home with a beaming face, excited for the opportunities and new beginnings. Praise God! Emmanuel Richard's mother (he is one of our sponsored students) also met us but is still undecided on what her small business should be. Chris reminded her that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and she should work hard and do well. We didn't rush her into her final decision. Muni and Alisha Sharba's father (two of our sponsored girls) also met us with his requirement sheet for university. He is excited for the opportunity for advanced education. We agreed to this and he will start working on his first 21 credits soon at the University of Liberia. We then headed off to Grace Nelson's (another sponsored student) place which was not far away. They say "not far, only 5 minutes" which turns out to be one hour. From now on we will ask if it's less or more than one hour ;)

We drove down a long bumpy red dirt road with dust flying everywhere! We could feel it everywhere and got ready to cover our faces whenever a big truck passed. We parked and walked up a windy, rocky path that led to their house. It's hard to call it a house. It looks more like an abandoned bullet-ridden cynder block outbuilding. There is one door, barely hanging on hinges clinging to a wall. Grace's grandfather lives here with some of his children and grandchildren. Grace lives with an auntie and her mother lives in a village an hour away. Grace needs education so she needs to be in the town. It's sad to see a family split because of poverty. Grace's grandfather (69 years old!) was a police colonel before the war and was on the hit list by the rebel army. The bullet holes penetrating this building is eerie! We will set up Grace's mother with a small business and will help the grandfather lay some concrete in some of the rooms, especially where they sleep on the floor, and also purchase some mattresses for them. This is a very sad existence.

We then set off to deliver and surprise Joma Kulie with a new wheelchair. He has not had a wheelchair since 1990 ... he has been sitting and crawling on the ground for over 2 decades!! We first noticed him at Chris's house when we were being greeted and welcomed by his community and the widows. Between crutches and crawling, he made his way to Chris's house after a 3 km hike! We also blessed him with a 50 kg bag of rice and some oil. Now that was one happy man as his life has forever been changed!! (see picture in post below) Again, a reminder to us how God works! All things in His timing!! Praise God!

Our last stop was the most heart wrenching! A few months ago, we asked Chris to find us the most neediest family that he knows of in his village. He did just that. We drove another 30 minutes (not so far in African time) until we couldn't drive any further, so we had to walk down this dirty windy trail for about 10 minutes through the bush and brush until we finally got to the end of the path. This is where Hannah Korlubah lives. This is not a house - not a place even suitable for animals! It is called a mud hut made from mud and sticks (see pictures in the post below). The roof is old, broken and pieced together. The owners of the property have no respect and enter freely into her home as if it was theirs. Hannah's mother (they call her Old Lady) walks 40 minutes to the road to get a ride to the market to sell the few things her mother has given her. When Chris told us about this family, Nancy felt led to sponsor Hannah who is 12 and has never been to school before. She is now attending Grade One. While her mother is at work, Hannah is at school and the two younger children are home alone to tend for themselves. But most of all, they stay at home to protect the home as the door cannot lock. You can see their poverty by their pictures (pink shoes and and socks on the boy and Hannah only wears one sock, no shoes). Sad, don't you think? She doesn't ask for money, food or lodging and yet she thanks God for all she has! We are looking for a better and safer place for her to call home and will help her to start her own business in selling dried goods. We left her encouraged and grateful that we could make a difference in this family's life. She thanked God again for what she had and for each of us for coming!

Our drive home was spent reflecting on our day's activities and I could not help but anticipate washing the dust and smoke off our bodies. I wonder how many others have the same blessing of cleaning themselves at the end of each long, hard day in Monrovia.

Back at the guesthouse, we ate dinner with Chris, his girls, and our driver Maurice. I couldn't help but watch as it seemed they were stategically planning out what they would eat now and what they would save for meals to come. We are humbled and still have so much to learn.

With love,
Jackie, Marsha, Ariel

February 25, 2011 ~ Pictures

Trekking our way on beaten paths through the villages.

A child taking a nap; no soft bedding for them.

Palm nut - crush up and make soup and the liquid is used to make palm oil. Palm butter is very popular here.

Chris with new molds for making bricks. That will be his new business.
Morris, our driver, is standing next to him.

Joma Kulie sitting on the ground before getting his new wheelchair.

After 21 years of getting around on the ground, he can finally sit in a wheelchair!!!

Joma with his adult daughters and grandchildren.

Hannah Korlubah, a sponsored student, with her mother at their very very poor home.


Marsha with Hannah's mother. We are going to try to find her a place to rent closer to town as well as get her set up in a business.

Hannah and her brother (check out their footwear).

Gifty Wah's mother with her bundle of used clothing to sell as a business. They sell them in "bales" like this and you don't know what you're going to get.

Grace Nelson (one of our sponsored students) with her grandfather and mother.


Grace Nelson at her grandfather's home. Grace's mom lives over an hour out of town so Grace lives with an auntie in the city so she can go to school. Families are divided by poverty and do what they can to get into school!

Some kids in Grace's village - abondoned buildings from the war. You can see the bullet holes in the walls!

George Waylee's mother starting her new business of selling used clothing. You purchase a "bale" of clothes and you get what you get.

Ariel with Belekai, a seamstress. We purchased bundles of lappa for her. (3 yards is a lappa)

Purchasing supplies for Comfort to start her own business selling flour, rice, salt, oil.

She is illiterate, and here Chris and Maurice are trying to explain to her what a business is. Chris will continue to follow up with her on this.

Comfort with some of her new supplies.

This is what a child looks like when seeing a white woman for the first time!!

For those who can afford to do so, this is African style meat.

no hoist? NO PROBLEM ... Les will appreciate this one!

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.

Update for February 23, 2011

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

Pictures from February 23, 2011

When the people in Chris's village heard we were "in town" they gathered at Chris's house to sing songs of welcome and thanks!


Singing songs of welcome and thanksgiving!


One of the widows we helped out is singing her praises to God for what He has done for her!!


Another one of the widows with a HFA pillow.



And another widow that we also helped out is praising God!



This is the red light district (not as we know it) but is the main market where people go to buy their things.

Another picture of the red light district in Monrovia.

Ariel with some students at one of the schools we visited.


Marsha and Ariel handing out toothbrushes and toothpaste to kids in Chris's village.

The kids holding up their new toothbrushes!

February 22, 2011 ~ update

This morning we set off with suitcases full of pillows, toothbrushes, shirts and other small donations from our Canadian sponsors for the sponsored families to visit as many of them as we could in one day.

Our first sponsor child we visited was Gifty Wah. We went to her school, then to her mother's house. Her mother is unemployed so Chris will help her set up a small business selling used clothing.

We navigated through rough terrain to our next school where we saw Nathaniel Doebah. We made extra photos of these kids so they could have a picture of themselves - this is very exciting for them! Then we went to Water Street, one of the poorest/dishonest places in Monrovia. (see following post for pictures) George Waylee and his family live in an abandoned building. This was the worst situation of all our sponsor families - 5 people are sharing one little room in the filthy upstairs and are cooking on a little coal burner downstairs. The roof leaks in many places so they are careful where to sleep. We're going to help them with one year's rent ($15/month) and also a small business for the mother, selling used clothing. It won't be great but it will be better than what they have now! We asked the mother how much they could rent a one or two bedroom place for that is better than this. Her reply was, "I don't know so I cannot lie." Currently she makes 70 LD (Liberian Dollars) which is abnout $1 USD per day! That is barely enough to buy one bag of rice in a month. You cannot even imagine the joy there has been among these families today!!! Chris mentioned we were coming but never told them when. We stopped at Muni and Alisha's home and waited for the girls to come from school. They thought Ariel was Skye - so cute!

Driving along the road we saw a graveyard that was all fenced and barbwired for security. "Hey Chris, what's up with that?" we asked. Maurice (our driver) and Chris both chuckled. "well, you see then people will steal the caskets and sell them and also throw their garbage in there."

There are a lot of motorcyles on the roads in Monrovia. They pass in the middle of two single lanes, they pass on the right sied or two can pass each other in the middle of a single lane road that has no median or turning land for room. They seem to have right of way here. Pedestrians have no rights.

We stopped by the cement factory, pricing out cement bags for Chris. He wants to sell cement blocks - something that is booming right now because of all the buiding going on. One of the managers at the guesthouse where we are staying at is a businessman and will make a few phonecalls for us as he is very knowledgeable in this. God is putting the right people on our path. It's truly amazing to see. We're not sure how to start out our day, but we just go out and start making the stops and God just directs us!

We just marvel at Chris's knowledge in getting around Monrovia. He knows where all the kids are living and where their schools are. He checks in with the teacher to see if it's ok if we can come in and see our kids. There are so many rough back roads we've travelled through today!

Then we went to Chris's house and saw his two daughters and a niece living with him. Chris says they have been "preparing for our arrival" and were so escited to see us! We will be setting up a small business for his niece who is 20 and is a seamstress.

Remember baby Sirleaf and the major surgery he had in his groin last year? We paid this family a surprise visit. Wow, this mom was so overjoyed to see us! We saw baby Sirleaf (see pictures on the other post) and he is healthy and well. We had set up his mom with a fish business last fall and she is doing well, enough to put food on the table. Ariel handed out more candy.

Emmanuel Richards was the last stop. What a cutie! Emmanuel's father asked if adoption was pat of our ministry program. Unfortunately not, but he pleaded with us to bring Emmanuel to Canada so he can get a good education. The father also has a 19 year old son who speaks fluent French while he was a refugee in the Ivory Coast. He wants to attend university so he is going to do some research and get back to Chris.

We asked a lot of questions to Chris and Maurice about the war and they were very open. He says a man can be walking with his wife, the rebels will grab his wife and say she is mine for the night. You have two choices: either try and defend her and get killed in the process or let her go and live.

It's amazing how much we got accomplished today! We met with most of the sponsor families
(see pictures in the following post) and we will finish them tomorrow. We had a busy busy day but it was a good kind of busy! Thank You God again for allowing us to be Your hands and feet! We serve YOU first!!

Love Marsha, Jackie, Ariel

February 22, 2011 ~ pictures

Here are some pictures of our day today:



Water Street - Monrovia ... such filth!


Water Street... the worst area in Monrovia.


Nathaniel Doebah, one of our sponsored students, at his school.




Ariel with Muni and Alisha Sharba, Skye's sponsored girls.




Baby Sirleaf's mother who we helped set up a fish business.




Marsha with Gifty Wah, another sponsored student.

At the home of George Waylee ... 5 sleep in this room!!

George Waylee with his family.

Emmanuel Richards with his gift from his Canadian sponsor.

The family of Emmanuel Richards at their home.

Baby Sirleaf, who had the groin surgery last year, with his mother.

At the home of Chris with his twin daughters, whom Marsha sponsors.

TIA... no air care here!!

We set up one of the widows we randomly blessed at Christmas with a small business of selling oil and gas in smaller quantities so it is more affordable for people to buy. This is her little stand.