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

Reconciliation Conference Completed!

Posting this Thursday night at about 10:30 PM Liberia time.  The last two days have  been a whirlwind as we completed the two-day Reconciliation Conference portion of our trip.  Church pastors and other leaders from multiple regions of Liberia were invited to attend our workshops on evangelism, forgiveness, peace and gentleness.  The conference theme was "Moving Forward".  We sensed from the feedback from the Liberians that this experience did in fact help them move forward toward in reconciliation to God, themselves, others and the rest of creation.  Enjoy the pictures of various scenes from around conference.

Tommorow (Friday) we move to the William Tolbert Center in Bentol for the Community Health Evangelism Vision Conference.  The next two days are key  to determining the longer term potential for this project.

The team members are all healthy and everyone is contributing.  We are all working hard and are tired.  Yet we are really energized and gratified to see how God is directing our path and multiply our small efforts.

Thanks for your interest and prayers ... Herb Janes

School, Seminary and Ministry of Health

Can I just say that day three started out with the children from Isaac A. David school greeting us with singing. It was so fun to hear each of the children singing praises to the Lord as they greeted each of us with song.
Bill Tolbert III introduced the team, Herb then thanked the children for the greeting and spoke briefly. I (Beth) was thankful to give a short devotional to the children from Is. 62:67 giving them the challenge to pray as God has posted watchchildren on the wall ... to pray for there family, friends, to pray prayers of healing and provision for Liberia.

We were then off to Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary where we were welcomed by the President of the Seminary. We toured and began to build relationships with these people who have a desire to train up Liberian pastors, teachers and leaders.

We hopped into the van and we were off to the Ministry of Youth and Sports where we were welcomed by Minister of Youth and Sports, Ttie Tarpeh (who is Wilhelmina's 1st cousin). We were treated very unexpectly to a African meal.

Our final stop was the Ministry of Health where we were hosted  by the Liberia Minister of Health.  He also brought in the County Health Director where we will be doing the CHE Vision Conference.  They both indicated enthusiastic support for our project and offered to try to arrange a representative at the conference.

Thanks for your continuing prayers.

Days One and Two

We Arrived! What a couple of days we have had. We were met by Bill Tolbert III, Willhamina's brother, and quite a few Liberian's from the church all ready to help us with our luggage and to settle in. They are very warm and friendly people. The baggage claim was an experience in itself!

The second day we visited several points of interest, including the Zion Baptist Church, Enlightenment Center,  Hydro church, and the St. Paul River.

We were welcomed so warmly be the Hydro Church, with singing and a service of thanks.  Enjoy the photos.

Packing night ... ready to go ...

We are thankful for ALL our support team, from the youngest to oldest ...

The New Hope Kids Prayer Team is praying for us...thank you Kids!

Two Weeks to Go!

Our team is in the final stages of our planning and gathering of materials for the mission. We have a full schedule which includes, in the first week, a 2-day CHE conference and our first New Hope Church/Liberian Reconciliation Conference, also 2 days, with many workshops and group gathering, singing and prayer. Lunch and child care included. The 2nd week will focus on village visits with individual needs addressed such as; safe water, nutrition, high blood pressure, and diabetes, malnutrition, hygiene, sanitation, diarrhea, worms & malaria, and social issues such as alcoholism, smoking, child abuse, and mental health.

During these days we will be needing lots of prayer cover, so we ask you, our friends, to keep the people in Liberia in mind when you talk to the Father. And that we would have the wisdom and strength to do his will.

Lord I am Willing

As I woke up early last Wednesday morning I came across this prayer in my morning reading. I thought it was so good that I jotted it in my journal and I will jot it here ....

Lord I am willing to
receive what you give
release what you take
lack what you withhold
do what you require
be who you desire

In His Arms, Beth (for the team)

About Our Partner R.E.A.P.

The founder and executive director of REAP is Christine Tolbert Norman, daughter of the late William R. Tolbert, former president of the Republic of Liberia. Christine has a great desire to see the youth of Liberia given the opportunity to obtain a quality education, relevant job skills training and life skills to enable them to become productive citizens.
To provide opportunities to disadvantaged youths, Christine is attempting to resurrect a dream of her father’s which includes the restoration and operation of the William Richard Tolbert, Jr. Youth Enlightenment and Empowerment Center ("WRT-YEE Center").
The Center is located on 50 acres of land approximately 30 miles outside of Monrovia, Liberia. The property is lush, rolling countryside near the town of Bensonville (changed to Bentol many years ago in honor of President Tolbert). There are coconut trees planted on several acres and 5 buildings which are structurally sound for major refurbishment.

One of our Partners, Community Health Evangelism (CHE)

NHC seeks to establish long term partnerships and working relationships with Liberian churches and Christian organizations for the purpose of assisting with church-led community rehabilitation and development ultimately resulting in planting new churches. NHC has selected Community Health Evangelism (CHE) as its partner for ministry in Liberia for accomplishing these objectives. CHE seamlessly integrates evangelism and discipleship with disease prevention and community based development. The work is holistic, seeking to meet the whole need of individuals and communities through complete obedience to everything that Jesus commanded.

First Things First

As we think about this new adventure, and talk about all the possibilities in a country that is so needy, we are reminded once again where to start. On our knees. As Pastor Steve told us in his sermon today, we must remain with our priorities right. First things first, and the second things will fit in as we go.

So we start this blog today with a prayer. That the Lord God would bless the writings and messages in it, and it would be used for your Glory Lord. To bring honor to your name and accomplish your will in us and through us.