Home Again! Safe & Sound

Village Stop on way to Robertsport

Dugout fishing boat

Tent Camps at Beach

Some of the Team at Robertsport

The long trip home was completed with only a minor delay out of Atlanta. All baggage arrived as well. We are indeed thankful.

Thanks to all of you for your interest in the trip and your prayers.

Most of the trip was a whirlwind of activity and we have not been able to report anywhere near all of what happened. We'll be sorting that out in the coming weeks and hopefully we'll post more stories and pictures here.

The last day before we left was "tourism day. We visited Robertsport in Cape Mount County, a beautiful beach area that was once a thriving tourist spot. Today it retains the pristine beauty but it too is a victim of the destruction and decline inflicted during the civil war. It was major task driving to Robertsport with difficult roads being he norm. Enjoy the photos.

Beach at Robertport

A little bit of this; a little bit of that ...

N'ila Cafe

Entering Monrovia Market

Yesterday we finished our village visits and the night ended with a time full of food, fun, fellowship and laughter as we celebrated Lawrence's 71st birthday. Lawrence is the husband of Christine Norman, Wilhelmina's sister and the director of REAP, the non-profit organization that we have served alongside of in Liberia.

Because it was the last day serving in the villages yesterday, today, Friday started by being a sleep-in morning. We woke up to a great breakfast, had our coffee and we were off to the shopping district. We stopped along the way and we Americans were very thankful to have some seasoned Liberians along who were able to barter for lower prices for the gifts we would bring back home to family and friends. A highlight of the afternoon was a stop at N'yla Cafe. This was a quaint restaurant in an old house owned and operated by Rose Tolbert, Yende Anderson's cousin. The team enjoyed a delicious lunch of fried chicken and jallof rice. I (Beth) declined lunch because of my allergy to gluten. Just a note of praise to the Lord I have been well the whole trip and the rest of the team has had a few bumps with stomach issues but nothing that has stopped us from serving the Lord each day. Thank you, thank you for all of your prayers. Herb and Donna enjoyed a meeting to debrief with Pastor William R. Tolbert III from Zion Praise Baptist Church. We closed out the evening with devotions led by Herb from Romans 12:9-13 and a time of team prayer that we would finish strong in unity and peace. We look forward to a trip to Cape Mount tomorrow.

Monrovia Market

Monrovia Market

Thursday Update ...

Here's an update on our progress.

Burleigh...is doing great... he's pretty much returned to normal and is contributing to the team.  He has more people surrounding him now just in case he tries another fall.

The CHE Vision Conference was completed last Friday and Saturday. We had a wide cross section of churches and other organizations in attendance.  By the end of the two days, the participants showed signs that they "got it" and were enthusiastic abut the future potential for the program.

Village Visits:  We spend the last three days venturing into the "bush" regions within a 25 mile radius of the conference center at Bentol.  We visited six communities who had leaders at the CHE Vision Conference.  The visits allowed us to see  up close the potential sites for community development and evangelism under the CHE methodology.  The villages were surprisingly remote and primitive.  Access was only by 4 wheel drive vehicle,  crossing steams on log or plank bridges.  The villages had few modern facilities and/or conveniences, with most people living in mud brick homes.  Hundreds of grade school and junior high students crammed into their tiny schools or churches.  Without exception we were greeted with enthusiasm, singing, welcoming ceremonies and treated to gifts and refreshments.  It was also a time to see if the effects of the CHE Vision Conference were making headway down to the village level.  We were able to present gifts of toys, clothes, personal hygiene  items and school supplies in each community.

Check out the pictures ...

The Redlight District ...

You may find it surprising that our team starts and ends most days with a  visit to the "redlight district."  Yes, that is correct.  From what we understand, there is one traffic light in Liberia.  It's on the main road to just about everywhere and the Liberians refer to the area simply as "redlight."  Not surprising, the light does not work and probably has not worked for years.  It's a massive market area and transportation hub that simply teems with people and motor vehicles.  It is perhaps a two mile stretch of road but getting through it in a vehicle can take a while.  One night it took us 2 hours ...there is no concept of taking a different route in this area  ... it is the only way to get out of Monrovia in this direction ...

Redlight defies description.  One can hardly believe that people and vehicles are not constantly colliding ... masses of pedestrians, streetside vendors and their stands or wheelbarrow...motorcycles that serve as taxis as well as traditional yellow cabs, and trucks and wheelbarrows all share a two lane road that constantly morphs into three to five lanes depending on who stops, potholes, mudholes or policemen - who have no apparent function but seem to cause congestion themselves.

It is an amazing experience. 

Enjoy the pictures ...

We thank God for His answer our fervent prayers...and trust me, they were fervent - we were really worried initially.  We are happy to report that Burleigh seems to be recovering substantially today.  He does not remember the incident but most of his other memory has returned.  He seems to have recovered his sense of humor and adventurous spirit.  He even went with us to church today... see pictures.

Zion Praise Baptist Church was a great experience for the team.  Great traditional and contemporary Christian music with distinct African style, great teaching and a chance to re-connect with many of the participants at the Reconciliation and Vision Conferences.

Church was followed by lunch hosted at the home of a member of the Liberia House of Representatives.  Great food and drink in a very Liberian cultural setting.

More later … thanks for praying everyone.

Please pray ...

... for team member Burleigh Holder.  Burleigh fell this evening at about 8:30 PM local time ... almost two  hours ago... his wife, Wilhelmina, is the attending physician ... no other emergency care or hospital is available for such an emergency.  He is stable and talking but we believe he has suffered a concussion.  Please pray that God would speed his recovery...HJ