Monday, 3/15
Another Holiday in Liberia and with all offices closed we were unable to advance our program, so we began working on the people God had been moving into our lives. If you remember the debate group that we had met on the last holiday, a young man had invited us to come on his radio show and share our plans and concerns. His name is James Kwabo and he had turned us over to the program boss, John Kollie. He called us early that morning and we set up a meeting with him as soon as we could get there. John invited us to be on his TV and Radio show called Melting point which airs throughout the country. He then told us it would cost $2,000 for the air time. Fortunately, we did not have that kind of money; we only had the small, small kind so John said his sponsors would pay it for us. Imagine that, Tree of Life goes on National TV at no charge (thank you Lord), and we did not even ask nor would we have known who to ask. The show was to be live talk at 10:30am Thursday and we will let you know…
After the meeting with John we left for ACFI headquarters to meet with my dear friend Arthur Zarmapoe, the Pastor of Ocean View Chapel. He is one of the first men I ordained in 1988 and has been a faithful pastor for 22 years. The generous people of Living Faith Baptist and Pastor Darryl Williamson had sent Arthur some money to do some repairs on his house and we had delivered it at the end of their conference in a small ceremony of the preachers. He waked us around his home (which none of you would live in) to show us the repairs that had been done with the gifts we brought. My heart was stirred to imagine living in that circumstance with a wife, mother and 5 precious children and I only hoped we could tear it down and build a real house without rotting plywood walls and a tin roof with huge holes. I could see the pain he felt and I am asking you to pray for him.
God is able,
Fred and Isela
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday 3/14/
We arrived at New Creation Fellowship at 10:30 and after 10 attempts we could not get the projector to work. Abandoning the slide show we sang and I preached on Fresh Oil out of Ps 92. Though the text and message were completely different I ended up in exactly the same place as last week with a very similar response. The altar was filled with saints crying out to God for fresh oil and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. For the first time I can remember, I did not finish the message. As soon as I got to the second point, it seemed as if the Lord said, “That’s enough, it is all I need. Give the invitation.”
There seems to be a comfort level that do not recognize in the US. It seems more natural to my spirit to see the hand of God working through the situation. While Pastor Browne was praying for his people who had responded, I was quietly praying for them as well. But I was praying specifically for people I had never met, as if God was praying for them through my lips. I stopped at one point and asked myself, “Why did I just pray for her to be healed,” and immediately there was an answer in my heart why she needed that prayer. There were so many people to pray for that I moved on to the next person, but that feeling remained with me. I may not be making sense to all of you or maybe some of you have experienced this. If so, I would appreciate your comments.
We enjoyed a time of Fellowship with Robert Browne and his wife, Dedeh after the service. They have been a real blessing in so many ways already. Many of the church members expressed an interest in working with us in various ways so we parted company.
We were supposed to call Melvin Cox, the son of our friend Bill and so we did. He met us on the road and we trekked (Isela in her high heals) back into his neighborhood off of Somalia Drive. Melvin is an architect and works with a group of friends who have heard of our desire to build model communities and train Liberians in these innovations. Melvin wanted to sit down with us and go over our design ideas and offer his own. I really had not considered mud brick in the construction plans but the idea seems more attractive after our discussion. We met for over an hour when Yvonne called to carry us back home. I had bought a scratch card for the mobile phone and we call our family back in the US and finally got in touch with Jess, Cliff and our precious little ones. How sweet it is to hear the voices of our loved ones when so far away. Thank you Christopher and Rachael for keeping things going there for us. Love you Eric. We love you all and are counting the days for the return. Please keep praying for the success God needs here.
So Much Love,
Fred and Isela
We arrived at New Creation Fellowship at 10:30 and after 10 attempts we could not get the projector to work. Abandoning the slide show we sang and I preached on Fresh Oil out of Ps 92. Though the text and message were completely different I ended up in exactly the same place as last week with a very similar response. The altar was filled with saints crying out to God for fresh oil and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. For the first time I can remember, I did not finish the message. As soon as I got to the second point, it seemed as if the Lord said, “That’s enough, it is all I need. Give the invitation.”
There seems to be a comfort level that do not recognize in the US. It seems more natural to my spirit to see the hand of God working through the situation. While Pastor Browne was praying for his people who had responded, I was quietly praying for them as well. But I was praying specifically for people I had never met, as if God was praying for them through my lips. I stopped at one point and asked myself, “Why did I just pray for her to be healed,” and immediately there was an answer in my heart why she needed that prayer. There were so many people to pray for that I moved on to the next person, but that feeling remained with me. I may not be making sense to all of you or maybe some of you have experienced this. If so, I would appreciate your comments.
We enjoyed a time of Fellowship with Robert Browne and his wife, Dedeh after the service. They have been a real blessing in so many ways already. Many of the church members expressed an interest in working with us in various ways so we parted company.
We were supposed to call Melvin Cox, the son of our friend Bill and so we did. He met us on the road and we trekked (Isela in her high heals) back into his neighborhood off of Somalia Drive. Melvin is an architect and works with a group of friends who have heard of our desire to build model communities and train Liberians in these innovations. Melvin wanted to sit down with us and go over our design ideas and offer his own. I really had not considered mud brick in the construction plans but the idea seems more attractive after our discussion. We met for over an hour when Yvonne called to carry us back home. I had bought a scratch card for the mobile phone and we call our family back in the US and finally got in touch with Jess, Cliff and our precious little ones. How sweet it is to hear the voices of our loved ones when so far away. Thank you Christopher and Rachael for keeping things going there for us. Love you Eric. We love you all and are counting the days for the return. Please keep praying for the success God needs here.
So Much Love,
Fred and Isela
Saturday, 3/13
When we met with Senator Devine earlier in the week he had set off to make arrangements for us to visit his county. We had agreed to go Friday or Saturday but if you read the last post, you can see that God had other plans for Friday. Unfortunately, Senator Devine had an accident and was unable to provide us a car and driver until Saturday. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It took most of the morning but Yvonne finally arranged transportation for us to go to Tubmanburg in Bomi County, just 2 hours away. The son of Senator Devine, Roosevelt, rode with us as we went. The Senator had given 10 gallons of gas for the trip.
Upon our arrival we picked up Bosten Devine, his other son and ACFI pastor, and Bosten guided us to the hospital where many were waiting to hear from us. Dr. Rhoda Peters and the staff listened and participated vigorously. After the meeting we visited the Paramount Chief of that area. They were in a meeting with the district Representative. The chief came out and we sketched our program briefly. He immediately saw the value to his community and promised to set up a meeting of all the chiefs in that area to decide hoe to support Tree of Life Liberia. I am believing God for 100 acres in Bomi. Even though this was not on our list, it would have been if we had known that Bomi was a pilot project of the MOH in several key mother and baby areas. The meeting with the chiefs is next weekend and we will be able to present them the entire plan.
Leaving the chief, we headed to Bosten’s church for a short meeting. I gave him 25 Moringa seeds which are turning out to be solid gold, and asked him to plant them, giving him instructions for keeping meticulous records for this scientific project. The trip back was long and tiring but we made it back by dark.
When we met with Senator Devine earlier in the week he had set off to make arrangements for us to visit his county. We had agreed to go Friday or Saturday but if you read the last post, you can see that God had other plans for Friday. Unfortunately, Senator Devine had an accident and was unable to provide us a car and driver until Saturday. Fortunately, no one was hurt. It took most of the morning but Yvonne finally arranged transportation for us to go to Tubmanburg in Bomi County, just 2 hours away. The son of Senator Devine, Roosevelt, rode with us as we went. The Senator had given 10 gallons of gas for the trip.
Upon our arrival we picked up Bosten Devine, his other son and ACFI pastor, and Bosten guided us to the hospital where many were waiting to hear from us. Dr. Rhoda Peters and the staff listened and participated vigorously. After the meeting we visited the Paramount Chief of that area. They were in a meeting with the district Representative. The chief came out and we sketched our program briefly. He immediately saw the value to his community and promised to set up a meeting of all the chiefs in that area to decide hoe to support Tree of Life Liberia. I am believing God for 100 acres in Bomi. Even though this was not on our list, it would have been if we had known that Bomi was a pilot project of the MOH in several key mother and baby areas. The meeting with the chiefs is next weekend and we will be able to present them the entire plan.
Leaving the chief, we headed to Bosten’s church for a short meeting. I gave him 25 Moringa seeds which are turning out to be solid gold, and asked him to plant them, giving him instructions for keeping meticulous records for this scientific project. The trip back was long and tiring but we made it back by dark.
Friday, 3/12
The 9am meeting with Deputy Minister Roberts did not work out. The Honorable Blamoh had made plans to go to Sanniquellie with his construction crew and had a few irons in the fire so we were delayed. But since he knew John Roberts he called him en route and arranged for us to meet him when we arrived at about 10. Of course we were a little bothered by missing the appt. This was important to the future of our efforts here and we could not afford the displeasure of MOE. But God has a way of working these things out and he was pulling strings behind the scenes on his own day timer. When we arrived at the office he was in an important budget meeting so we sat in his waiting room with another American named Cassandra. She is a Peace Corps volunteer and wanted to see Roberts about the nonexistent PTA program in Liberian schools. The three of us immediately had great commonality and we shared a marvelous time chatting when Roberts came in and gave us 10 minutes. While we filled up that time with him, we could tell that he was distracted and pressed, very busy. For the first time we felt a barrier when he asked for mountains of written detail, histories, curricula choices, objectives, locations, you name it. We did not have time for all that, nor did any school in Liberia have to file such a blizzard of paperwork. We were actually asking for help and cooperation so he gave us the new 300 plus page rulebook. We were silently trying to figure out how to comply when he ushered us out and said see you later.
We had met a man the day before, John Morris, and while we were grousing about the previous setback Morris called and asked us to come to his office. Without a better plan we headed there, meeting new friends and telling the story. A few moments later Morris said his boss wanted to see us. We were taken into the office of Othello Gongar who happened to be a former Minister of Education and was now an advisor to the current Minister. He received us warmly and we had a tremendous time with him. He had been in the US for years and had lived near Isela’s peeps in the DC area. We discussed the challenges in the current Liberian situation and had genuine camaraderie. He highlighted the need for a new Liberian curriculum for primary education because they had accomplished that in the early 90’s but the rebels had burned down the printing press and destroyed the books and the entire curriculum. The loss for Liberia is still devastating the school system. I offered to help and was confident we could resurrect the work. What we could not find with the previous contractors in the US, we could write ourselves. There were plenty of successful models to consult. The idea appealed to him and he loaded me with details and organizations to consult when we return to the US. I felt as if the small, rural school program we had proposed had just grown into something nationwide and central to the operation of every school in Liberia. After the hour long meeting with him we headed back out to the central waiting room to reconnect with Cassandra and plan our next effort. While we three Americans were sitting together and talking about education a well dressed Liberian walked up to us and said, “Did I miss something? Are you here to see me? To our complete surprise and delight, it was Dr. Kortu, the Minister of Education, the very man it was impossible to see. He was so gracious and immediately invited us to his office. The three of us followed him and sat close together at his conference table. As we spoke of the conversation with Othello, Dr. Kortu confided to us that the official student/teacher ration was 45 but the actual was between 75 and 90. It was almost impossible to keep teachers and many schools had 1 teacher for 4 different classes. When we began to describe our plan he immediately embraced it and stopped the meeting. He said, “Before we go any further, I would like my entire senior staff to hear this. Could we set an appointment for you to come and present this to all of them next week?”
I was so stunned all I could manage was “We have a projector…” What a dodo. Never has that verse been more apt; not many wise men…are called but God hath chosen the foolish…
If I had not been there, I would have a difficult time believing such a story. Everything we tried to do was almost a waste of time, but God had us before the previous and current Ministers themselves for an hour and a half. Now, if you will pray about this with us, we may have the opportunity to rewrite the future of Liberian education. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his thoughts and his ways past finding out.
Even now, two days later, it still has not sunk in, what God miraculously performed in spite of our clumsiness. Praise his Name. And there is more.
Since we were so close to Providence Baptist Church we walked up the hill to see it. As it happened, our timing was right on God’s day timer. We were warmly received by Wilson, one of the assistants and he toured us around the ‘Cornerstone of the Nation.’ The church was formed on the 1820 ship and was the first church in Liberia, The Declaration of Independence was signed in the church sanctuary and the first meeting of the two houses of the legislature was held there as well. The original pulpit and deacons bench are still there and the aura of history was thick at every turn (You’re going to preach here, son), huh, who me? The ladies prayer meeting was just finishing and we were able to meet them all. Several remembered us from the inauguration of Dr. Hill on Tuesday. They invited Isela to address the women at a future meeting. Wilson then took us upstairs to the Pastor’s Office and Dr. Reeves received us for a fascinating time of fellowship. He also remembered us from the induction and we shared a blessed time. We both feel we have made a real friend in this a sincere, dedicated servant of the Lord. He shared his dream of having a radio ministry and we shared our passion for that as well. After more than an hour with him we headed back to our office just I time to check our email and file the latest blog.
Isela has been encouraging me to get her an electric pitcher to heat bottled water in our room so we can have specific food items when we wish without imposing on our guests who prepare for us twice daily. We have both han some intestinal discomfort but I seem to do OK with most of it but she does not so we headed for the Randall Street Market on foot. Presently, a UN vehicle turned in front of us and stopped. The driver was from India and the steering wheel was on the wrong side of the truck he was driving. But he nicely asked us to join him and he would take us to the market. His name was Aneal and though we could barely understand him we had a wonderful time with this new stranger. The market was way too far to walk so the Lord was saving us a cab fare and getting us where we needed to be right on his timer. When Aneal let us off we checked out the availability of electric water pitchers and ultimately decided on one. Isela was so happy she clutched it under her arm and we headed to the modern super market. Right before we made to the super she noticed a motor pool next door and motioned us to go in there. It turned out to be the GSA (Gov Services Agency) motor pool. It was late in the day and many international people were bringing back their loaned vehicles after work on Friday. This was where NGO’s get their cars and trucks loaned to them by the Presidents office. Isela had been bothered by our difficulty to obtain quality, reliable transportation to get where we needed to go, so she decided to quiz the boss about how we could get on their list. Unfortunately, the boss was on an extended phone call and was not available so Brooks the security chief asked us to wait. While we were waiting, the US Ambassador, Linda Thomas Greenfield and her driver pulled into the parking lot. Oddly enough, she walked straight up to us and stopped. “Just the person we want to see”, I said to her. She noticed Isela’s new pitcher and they began an in depth conversation about oatmeal. We had been trying to see the Ambassador since the first day we arrived but somehow had the wrong email. She confessed that she never comes to the market but she was suddenly overcome by a desire for fresh bread and her husband who usually does the shopping was out of town. Hmm. After a delightful 15 minute conversation we parted ways and she invited us to her office Tuesday (Monday is a holiday). And we thought we needed a water pitcher. She had been at Providence Baptist Church that afternoon as well but we left moments before she arrived. Maybe we were supposed to see her there but God had to go to plan b. Truly amazing. The motor pool guy was still on the phone so we headed into the market for oatmeal and guess who we ran into on that aisle, yes, the Ambassador again. Only this time the General of the Liberian Military joined in the conversation and we all just gabbed. Just as that meeting was concluding, another man walked up to us and introduced himself as...Christopher, the motor pool boss. As it turns out, he works directly for the President and had so much information for us we could not even take it in. He gave us his card and told us how to get a vehicle. We plan to see him Tuesday.
This day could not have been orchestrated by anyone but the Almighty. The timing was impeccable. Any alteration of our nonexistent schedule would have caused us to miss everyone and yet God’s mighty hand skillfully guided our every move and we did not even know it was happening. I really like living this way, on autopilot with the Holy Spirit moving the earth underneath our every step. I have been singing ‘Order My Steps’ since that choir performed it on Tuesday. I am still amazed as I write this, wondering if this is even possible.
Stunning,
Fred and Isela
The 9am meeting with Deputy Minister Roberts did not work out. The Honorable Blamoh had made plans to go to Sanniquellie with his construction crew and had a few irons in the fire so we were delayed. But since he knew John Roberts he called him en route and arranged for us to meet him when we arrived at about 10. Of course we were a little bothered by missing the appt. This was important to the future of our efforts here and we could not afford the displeasure of MOE. But God has a way of working these things out and he was pulling strings behind the scenes on his own day timer. When we arrived at the office he was in an important budget meeting so we sat in his waiting room with another American named Cassandra. She is a Peace Corps volunteer and wanted to see Roberts about the nonexistent PTA program in Liberian schools. The three of us immediately had great commonality and we shared a marvelous time chatting when Roberts came in and gave us 10 minutes. While we filled up that time with him, we could tell that he was distracted and pressed, very busy. For the first time we felt a barrier when he asked for mountains of written detail, histories, curricula choices, objectives, locations, you name it. We did not have time for all that, nor did any school in Liberia have to file such a blizzard of paperwork. We were actually asking for help and cooperation so he gave us the new 300 plus page rulebook. We were silently trying to figure out how to comply when he ushered us out and said see you later.
We had met a man the day before, John Morris, and while we were grousing about the previous setback Morris called and asked us to come to his office. Without a better plan we headed there, meeting new friends and telling the story. A few moments later Morris said his boss wanted to see us. We were taken into the office of Othello Gongar who happened to be a former Minister of Education and was now an advisor to the current Minister. He received us warmly and we had a tremendous time with him. He had been in the US for years and had lived near Isela’s peeps in the DC area. We discussed the challenges in the current Liberian situation and had genuine camaraderie. He highlighted the need for a new Liberian curriculum for primary education because they had accomplished that in the early 90’s but the rebels had burned down the printing press and destroyed the books and the entire curriculum. The loss for Liberia is still devastating the school system. I offered to help and was confident we could resurrect the work. What we could not find with the previous contractors in the US, we could write ourselves. There were plenty of successful models to consult. The idea appealed to him and he loaded me with details and organizations to consult when we return to the US. I felt as if the small, rural school program we had proposed had just grown into something nationwide and central to the operation of every school in Liberia. After the hour long meeting with him we headed back out to the central waiting room to reconnect with Cassandra and plan our next effort. While we three Americans were sitting together and talking about education a well dressed Liberian walked up to us and said, “Did I miss something? Are you here to see me? To our complete surprise and delight, it was Dr. Kortu, the Minister of Education, the very man it was impossible to see. He was so gracious and immediately invited us to his office. The three of us followed him and sat close together at his conference table. As we spoke of the conversation with Othello, Dr. Kortu confided to us that the official student/teacher ration was 45 but the actual was between 75 and 90. It was almost impossible to keep teachers and many schools had 1 teacher for 4 different classes. When we began to describe our plan he immediately embraced it and stopped the meeting. He said, “Before we go any further, I would like my entire senior staff to hear this. Could we set an appointment for you to come and present this to all of them next week?”
I was so stunned all I could manage was “We have a projector…” What a dodo. Never has that verse been more apt; not many wise men…are called but God hath chosen the foolish…
If I had not been there, I would have a difficult time believing such a story. Everything we tried to do was almost a waste of time, but God had us before the previous and current Ministers themselves for an hour and a half. Now, if you will pray about this with us, we may have the opportunity to rewrite the future of Liberian education. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his thoughts and his ways past finding out.
Even now, two days later, it still has not sunk in, what God miraculously performed in spite of our clumsiness. Praise his Name. And there is more.
Since we were so close to Providence Baptist Church we walked up the hill to see it. As it happened, our timing was right on God’s day timer. We were warmly received by Wilson, one of the assistants and he toured us around the ‘Cornerstone of the Nation.’ The church was formed on the 1820 ship and was the first church in Liberia, The Declaration of Independence was signed in the church sanctuary and the first meeting of the two houses of the legislature was held there as well. The original pulpit and deacons bench are still there and the aura of history was thick at every turn (You’re going to preach here, son), huh, who me? The ladies prayer meeting was just finishing and we were able to meet them all. Several remembered us from the inauguration of Dr. Hill on Tuesday. They invited Isela to address the women at a future meeting. Wilson then took us upstairs to the Pastor’s Office and Dr. Reeves received us for a fascinating time of fellowship. He also remembered us from the induction and we shared a blessed time. We both feel we have made a real friend in this a sincere, dedicated servant of the Lord. He shared his dream of having a radio ministry and we shared our passion for that as well. After more than an hour with him we headed back to our office just I time to check our email and file the latest blog.
Isela has been encouraging me to get her an electric pitcher to heat bottled water in our room so we can have specific food items when we wish without imposing on our guests who prepare for us twice daily. We have both han some intestinal discomfort but I seem to do OK with most of it but she does not so we headed for the Randall Street Market on foot. Presently, a UN vehicle turned in front of us and stopped. The driver was from India and the steering wheel was on the wrong side of the truck he was driving. But he nicely asked us to join him and he would take us to the market. His name was Aneal and though we could barely understand him we had a wonderful time with this new stranger. The market was way too far to walk so the Lord was saving us a cab fare and getting us where we needed to be right on his timer. When Aneal let us off we checked out the availability of electric water pitchers and ultimately decided on one. Isela was so happy she clutched it under her arm and we headed to the modern super market. Right before we made to the super she noticed a motor pool next door and motioned us to go in there. It turned out to be the GSA (Gov Services Agency) motor pool. It was late in the day and many international people were bringing back their loaned vehicles after work on Friday. This was where NGO’s get their cars and trucks loaned to them by the Presidents office. Isela had been bothered by our difficulty to obtain quality, reliable transportation to get where we needed to go, so she decided to quiz the boss about how we could get on their list. Unfortunately, the boss was on an extended phone call and was not available so Brooks the security chief asked us to wait. While we were waiting, the US Ambassador, Linda Thomas Greenfield and her driver pulled into the parking lot. Oddly enough, she walked straight up to us and stopped. “Just the person we want to see”, I said to her. She noticed Isela’s new pitcher and they began an in depth conversation about oatmeal. We had been trying to see the Ambassador since the first day we arrived but somehow had the wrong email. She confessed that she never comes to the market but she was suddenly overcome by a desire for fresh bread and her husband who usually does the shopping was out of town. Hmm. After a delightful 15 minute conversation we parted ways and she invited us to her office Tuesday (Monday is a holiday). And we thought we needed a water pitcher. She had been at Providence Baptist Church that afternoon as well but we left moments before she arrived. Maybe we were supposed to see her there but God had to go to plan b. Truly amazing. The motor pool guy was still on the phone so we headed into the market for oatmeal and guess who we ran into on that aisle, yes, the Ambassador again. Only this time the General of the Liberian Military joined in the conversation and we all just gabbed. Just as that meeting was concluding, another man walked up to us and introduced himself as...Christopher, the motor pool boss. As it turns out, he works directly for the President and had so much information for us we could not even take it in. He gave us his card and told us how to get a vehicle. We plan to see him Tuesday.
This day could not have been orchestrated by anyone but the Almighty. The timing was impeccable. Any alteration of our nonexistent schedule would have caused us to miss everyone and yet God’s mighty hand skillfully guided our every move and we did not even know it was happening. I really like living this way, on autopilot with the Holy Spirit moving the earth underneath our every step. I have been singing ‘Order My Steps’ since that choir performed it on Tuesday. I am still amazed as I write this, wondering if this is even possible.
Stunning,
Fred and Isela
Thursday, 3/11. Since we had good response from our early visit to MOHealth we tried an early visit to MOEducation. We had met Yukkiko on an earlier visit to MOE. She is a Liberian with a father named Frederick, a brother named Frederick and a young niece named, you guessed it, Fredrika. They call her Freddy. We had visited with their family two Sundays earlier and had a delightful time making new friends. The push of gaining NGO approval had kept us so busy we had neglected MOE since but now we needed their cooperation. So early Thursday morning we called her for access to the right people. She was delighted and made introductions to her boss, the director of early primary, and to Matthew Zaza, Administrative Assistant to the Minister. While we were meeting with Matthew, John Roberts the Deputy Minister, came to see Matthew and we set an appointment with him for the next day at 9AM. Feeling like we had great success we thanked everyone and left. These meetings were positive and left us knowing that God was working out the MOE participation. We did stop by the Ministers office and meet Josiah, his assistant, to try and get on his schedule. He promised to do his best.
We made it back to the office just in time to go to Buzzy Quarters for the training session with Mckinley Teah, a dear ACFI pastor and the director of the clinic. Buzzy Quarters is not a place for the faint of heart. It is one of the worst slums imaginable and the stench is fetid, but my little Tica strapped up her work boots under a beautiful embroidered dress and we set out for the mess. It so happens that is a short distance from our office and we were there at 2:30. A dozen healthcare workers joined us and we had a great time, finishing after 4. We trekked back to the office just in time to receive the Honorable Blamoh for the ride home.
Enough for now,
Fred and Isela
We made it back to the office just in time to go to Buzzy Quarters for the training session with Mckinley Teah, a dear ACFI pastor and the director of the clinic. Buzzy Quarters is not a place for the faint of heart. It is one of the worst slums imaginable and the stench is fetid, but my little Tica strapped up her work boots under a beautiful embroidered dress and we set out for the mess. It so happens that is a short distance from our office and we were there at 2:30. A dozen healthcare workers joined us and we had a great time, finishing after 4. We trekked back to the office just in time to receive the Honorable Blamoh for the ride home.
Enough for now,
Fred and Isela
Friday, March 12, 2010
How did we get here? 2/16-17
Let’s backtrack to fill in some details.
When we arrived at the Tampa airport 2/16 early in the morning we had not slept. The United attendants were the least helpful of any US airlines and delayed the checking of our baggage until they said it was too late to make the flight. Suddenly, we were faced with the suspension of our tickets and the cancellation of our trip, so we prayed. They offered to put us on standby for the next flight to Dulles which we immediately accepted. It was the only way to catch up with our itinerary and keep from losing our tickets. Then they offered to confirm the flight for $150. How could we refuse? Thousands of dollars were at stake and we could not take the chance of missing the flight to Brussels, so we paid the extortion. We could have made our first flight but because of the delay, we were now short of very precious resources. The rest of the flight was uneventful except that we saw Steve Hicks, an old friend from earlier ministry days, in the airport as we were all getting searched. We exchanged info and promised to keep in touch.
It takes almost 40 hours to arrive in Monrovia via Europe. Leaving at dawn one day you arrive late the next night. With so many layovers, stops and starts, we would have been better off on Delta to Ghana to Monrovia. That was our original reservation but the Africa leg was on Ethiopia Air, which was fine until they crashed a plane into the Mediterranean several weeks before. This caused them to scramble some of their flights and cancel the Monrovia stop. Unfortunately, our airfare jumped $1,000 immediately and now it was even more. Lord, we really need your help. Upon our arrival. Yvonne Blamoh and Patrick Broh were there to pick us up but the line was long and somehow I ended up last so the Monrovian guard seized his opportunity to extort more money. He began delaying and asking for “small small”. Welcome to Africa, Freddy. You spend nearly $10,000 to make the 6 week trip and the minute you land a guard wants his hand in your pocket. After nearly 40 hours of flying I was weary and I had a few euros from the long layover in Brussels, so I reluctantly slipped him the money to keep our hosts from waiting any longer and to get our baggage before someone else did. With the guard and baggage handler and parking attendants poking at us, before we could get out of the airport, we were out at least $25 more. Whew, Lord help us. I have been coming to Liberia for 22 years and it is always a surprise. They see the big white dude and assume we’re rich and to them, I guess we are. All in all, $25 is not that much. I would tip baggage helpers anyway and 10 bucks worth of euros to avoid the backroom search of Liberian Customs is small small indeed. I am just grateful it wasn’t Isela.
The Blamohs have a compound with 3 homes in Paynesville, a community in SE Monrovia just off the main road. We sat around and ate, praising the Lord for his protection. Exhausted, we crashed into bed having slept sparingly over the last few days. 40 days and 40 nights in Liberia has begun…Fred and Isela
Let’s backtrack to fill in some details.
When we arrived at the Tampa airport 2/16 early in the morning we had not slept. The United attendants were the least helpful of any US airlines and delayed the checking of our baggage until they said it was too late to make the flight. Suddenly, we were faced with the suspension of our tickets and the cancellation of our trip, so we prayed. They offered to put us on standby for the next flight to Dulles which we immediately accepted. It was the only way to catch up with our itinerary and keep from losing our tickets. Then they offered to confirm the flight for $150. How could we refuse? Thousands of dollars were at stake and we could not take the chance of missing the flight to Brussels, so we paid the extortion. We could have made our first flight but because of the delay, we were now short of very precious resources. The rest of the flight was uneventful except that we saw Steve Hicks, an old friend from earlier ministry days, in the airport as we were all getting searched. We exchanged info and promised to keep in touch.
It takes almost 40 hours to arrive in Monrovia via Europe. Leaving at dawn one day you arrive late the next night. With so many layovers, stops and starts, we would have been better off on Delta to Ghana to Monrovia. That was our original reservation but the Africa leg was on Ethiopia Air, which was fine until they crashed a plane into the Mediterranean several weeks before. This caused them to scramble some of their flights and cancel the Monrovia stop. Unfortunately, our airfare jumped $1,000 immediately and now it was even more. Lord, we really need your help. Upon our arrival. Yvonne Blamoh and Patrick Broh were there to pick us up but the line was long and somehow I ended up last so the Monrovian guard seized his opportunity to extort more money. He began delaying and asking for “small small”. Welcome to Africa, Freddy. You spend nearly $10,000 to make the 6 week trip and the minute you land a guard wants his hand in your pocket. After nearly 40 hours of flying I was weary and I had a few euros from the long layover in Brussels, so I reluctantly slipped him the money to keep our hosts from waiting any longer and to get our baggage before someone else did. With the guard and baggage handler and parking attendants poking at us, before we could get out of the airport, we were out at least $25 more. Whew, Lord help us. I have been coming to Liberia for 22 years and it is always a surprise. They see the big white dude and assume we’re rich and to them, I guess we are. All in all, $25 is not that much. I would tip baggage helpers anyway and 10 bucks worth of euros to avoid the backroom search of Liberian Customs is small small indeed. I am just grateful it wasn’t Isela.
The Blamohs have a compound with 3 homes in Paynesville, a community in SE Monrovia just off the main road. We sat around and ate, praising the Lord for his protection. Exhausted, we crashed into bed having slept sparingly over the last few days. 40 days and 40 nights in Liberia has begun…Fred and Isela
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Holiday Fun
Wednesday, 3/10, Declaration Day in Liberia. This is the day Liberians go to the graves of their deceased family and clean the gravesites, and honor their dead. After having lost so many in the recent conflict, this is a solemn day for the citizens. No one is at work and all governmental Ministries are closed. We have taken this day to visit our friends and loved ones here. On our way Rev Ed Kofi saw us walking and pulled over to speak with us. He has been in Ghana for a few days and Wayne Shenk was riding with him. Unfortunately, Wayne is leaving tonight and we will not have the chance to sit down and talk with him like we wanted. Our first stop was with Bill Cox, our host from the visit last summer and now a family member. We gave him a birthday party last week for his 76th, with refreshments, a cake and sparkler candles. It made him so happy and Isela is so considerate about these things. We coordinated with his son Melvin and his nephew with balloons and guests. There were at least 25 people there and we took the projector and showed Lion King. So on this day we just stopped by to spend some time with him. After a nice visit we took a cab to an abandoned construction project he owns. It is a huge foundation and outline of a potential 10,000 foot structure appropriate for an office building. After walking around it we left for Red Light, a section of town that used to have a red light. It is now a chaotic, open air market that is a microcosm of life in Liberia. Thousands of individual vendors selling similar products in a filthy environment where no one has a trash can and no one cares. It is the last place we would choose to be but Pastor Mulbah, an ACFI pastor from Lofa County, who has left his County because of the recent violence there, has asked us to visit he and his wife, and you have to go through Red Light to get there. He has come to Monrovia to preach and participate in a 10 day crusade with other ACFI people in West Point, one of the worst slums imaginable. He is also founder of Youth Against Violence and has sought us out to be a friend and brother. Rather than asking for money or favors, he has given me a bag of 100 shell casings fired in the 14 year civil conflict. It is possible that some of the bullets fired by these casings came from child soldier brigades and actually killed people but the casings have been turned into crosses by the youth to represent their commitment to Christ and to stand against the kind of violence that ripped Liberia apart for the last 20-30 years. We look forward to offering these to our supporters. If you would like one of these please let us know. If enough of you want these prayer memorials I will get more from him. I know he could use the money. His generator burnt out last night making the nightly crusade very difficult. Without lights and a PA system not many will be reached.
So pastor Mulbah met us in Red Light to walk us into the community where he has rented temporary quarters for he and his wife. On our way to his home we passed a large group of young men in an animated intellectual debate about Liberian Politics. As it turned this is a group of Liberian Educators who meet regularly to debate issues. I was drawn to the group as Pastor Mulbah told me of their practices so I walked up and waited for a lull in the action. Soon I had my opportunity and I said,
“I would like to pose a question.” They nodded affirmatively and I proceeded, “Can Liberian men change?” They nodded thoughtfully and desired to know what I meant. So I went on and told them of the absence of fathers in the pregnancy of their women and birth of their children and how much better the outcomes would be if this could change in Liberia. We continued to discuss this issue and I gave statistical data to bolster my premise. They promised they could change with time and education. I asked them about the practice of treating their nation like a garbage landfill. That pastors, congressmen, senators, men and women alike, all throw their trash on the ground. I pressed in, “Can you change?” I wish I had a camera on them. Their sheepish grins were evidence that they knew I was right and that they all did this. Further, they were embarrassed. The invigorating discussion lasted 45 minutes as more and more people gathered for this impromptu debate. I ended the time with the solar radio and invited them to the agricultural meeting 3/25. One of the young men invited us to a radio interview to be shown also on local TV. We agreed and exchanged our information, passing out more prayer cards and giving the leader our Liberian phone number. We did not even know such a group existed, nor could we have found them, but God put us right in their midst while we were trying to do something entirely different. We continued the walk with Mulbah deeper into this community and finally arrived at his home. His precious wife is a nurse assistant (like a CNA). She has been trained on Mercy Ship and now works at JFK hospital full time. She makes $80 a month. This is a beloved family and we are blessed beyond measure to befriend them. Plus we gained a media contacts, appointments and a group of young men as interested partners. What a way to live.
Leaving Red Light was more than difficult. It took 30 minutes to walk out of the community and then we faced the throng of vendors, all pushing their goods, especially to the big white dude and his little princess wife. Finally I gave in and bought her a top and Rachael a dress (happy birthday Rachey) at one of the stands for 900 Liberian Dollars (LD) which is about 12 bucks. Hey, big spender…
We then took a taxi to see Sata and Isela, the baby we dedicated last August and they named her after ‘you know who.’ The precious little girl was born the day we left the US 7/21/09, and we dedicated her 2 weeks later. Opilo, the young man who cared for us so well this summer is Sata’s older brother and as the elder of the home had the right to name the baby. So upon her dedication she received the name Isela. She is now our God child and we pray for her and her mother often. Back home at the Blamoh’s we are ready to collapse again after walking more than 5 miles today. I write this before retiring to tell you all that God is AWESOME and He is guiding our every move, even when we have no idea what he is doing.
I wish you could be here.
Fred and Isela
Wednesday, 3/10, Declaration Day in Liberia. This is the day Liberians go to the graves of their deceased family and clean the gravesites, and honor their dead. After having lost so many in the recent conflict, this is a solemn day for the citizens. No one is at work and all governmental Ministries are closed. We have taken this day to visit our friends and loved ones here. On our way Rev Ed Kofi saw us walking and pulled over to speak with us. He has been in Ghana for a few days and Wayne Shenk was riding with him. Unfortunately, Wayne is leaving tonight and we will not have the chance to sit down and talk with him like we wanted. Our first stop was with Bill Cox, our host from the visit last summer and now a family member. We gave him a birthday party last week for his 76th, with refreshments, a cake and sparkler candles. It made him so happy and Isela is so considerate about these things. We coordinated with his son Melvin and his nephew with balloons and guests. There were at least 25 people there and we took the projector and showed Lion King. So on this day we just stopped by to spend some time with him. After a nice visit we took a cab to an abandoned construction project he owns. It is a huge foundation and outline of a potential 10,000 foot structure appropriate for an office building. After walking around it we left for Red Light, a section of town that used to have a red light. It is now a chaotic, open air market that is a microcosm of life in Liberia. Thousands of individual vendors selling similar products in a filthy environment where no one has a trash can and no one cares. It is the last place we would choose to be but Pastor Mulbah, an ACFI pastor from Lofa County, who has left his County because of the recent violence there, has asked us to visit he and his wife, and you have to go through Red Light to get there. He has come to Monrovia to preach and participate in a 10 day crusade with other ACFI people in West Point, one of the worst slums imaginable. He is also founder of Youth Against Violence and has sought us out to be a friend and brother. Rather than asking for money or favors, he has given me a bag of 100 shell casings fired in the 14 year civil conflict. It is possible that some of the bullets fired by these casings came from child soldier brigades and actually killed people but the casings have been turned into crosses by the youth to represent their commitment to Christ and to stand against the kind of violence that ripped Liberia apart for the last 20-30 years. We look forward to offering these to our supporters. If you would like one of these please let us know. If enough of you want these prayer memorials I will get more from him. I know he could use the money. His generator burnt out last night making the nightly crusade very difficult. Without lights and a PA system not many will be reached.
So pastor Mulbah met us in Red Light to walk us into the community where he has rented temporary quarters for he and his wife. On our way to his home we passed a large group of young men in an animated intellectual debate about Liberian Politics. As it turned this is a group of Liberian Educators who meet regularly to debate issues. I was drawn to the group as Pastor Mulbah told me of their practices so I walked up and waited for a lull in the action. Soon I had my opportunity and I said,
“I would like to pose a question.” They nodded affirmatively and I proceeded, “Can Liberian men change?” They nodded thoughtfully and desired to know what I meant. So I went on and told them of the absence of fathers in the pregnancy of their women and birth of their children and how much better the outcomes would be if this could change in Liberia. We continued to discuss this issue and I gave statistical data to bolster my premise. They promised they could change with time and education. I asked them about the practice of treating their nation like a garbage landfill. That pastors, congressmen, senators, men and women alike, all throw their trash on the ground. I pressed in, “Can you change?” I wish I had a camera on them. Their sheepish grins were evidence that they knew I was right and that they all did this. Further, they were embarrassed. The invigorating discussion lasted 45 minutes as more and more people gathered for this impromptu debate. I ended the time with the solar radio and invited them to the agricultural meeting 3/25. One of the young men invited us to a radio interview to be shown also on local TV. We agreed and exchanged our information, passing out more prayer cards and giving the leader our Liberian phone number. We did not even know such a group existed, nor could we have found them, but God put us right in their midst while we were trying to do something entirely different. We continued the walk with Mulbah deeper into this community and finally arrived at his home. His precious wife is a nurse assistant (like a CNA). She has been trained on Mercy Ship and now works at JFK hospital full time. She makes $80 a month. This is a beloved family and we are blessed beyond measure to befriend them. Plus we gained a media contacts, appointments and a group of young men as interested partners. What a way to live.
Leaving Red Light was more than difficult. It took 30 minutes to walk out of the community and then we faced the throng of vendors, all pushing their goods, especially to the big white dude and his little princess wife. Finally I gave in and bought her a top and Rachael a dress (happy birthday Rachey) at one of the stands for 900 Liberian Dollars (LD) which is about 12 bucks. Hey, big spender…
We then took a taxi to see Sata and Isela, the baby we dedicated last August and they named her after ‘you know who.’ The precious little girl was born the day we left the US 7/21/09, and we dedicated her 2 weeks later. Opilo, the young man who cared for us so well this summer is Sata’s older brother and as the elder of the home had the right to name the baby. So upon her dedication she received the name Isela. She is now our God child and we pray for her and her mother often. Back home at the Blamoh’s we are ready to collapse again after walking more than 5 miles today. I write this before retiring to tell you all that God is AWESOME and He is guiding our every move, even when we have no idea what he is doing.
I wish you could be here.
Fred and Isela
International NGO Day for us
Tuesday, 3/9. What a terrific day this was for Tree of Life. We heard that the Minister of Health, Dr. Gwenigale, liked to come in early, so we decided to be there early also. Leaving the house at 7:15 with the Honorable Wesseh, our kind host, we arrived before any of the MOH senior staff. Isela registered our presence with Dr. Gwenigale’s secretary and though we had no official appointment we were waiting in the entry when Dr. Bernice Dahn (the Asst. Minister) arrived, and she remembered us from our meetings this summer and immediately invited us in. She listened intently as we shared our burden and quoted from the MOH plan for reducing maternal and infant mortality. She had an early appointment at JFK hospital but quickly informed her staff to reschedule it so that she could spend more time with us. She completely supported our efforts and pledged the approval and support of MOH. In short, we could not have asked for a better outcome by 9AM. She even promised to give us a letter of approval and recommendation for the Ministry of Planning and anyone else who needs to see the cooperation between Tree of Life and MOH.
Leaving MOH we jumped in to what we thought was a cab to take the long journey to the Baptist Seminary grounds. The front seat passenger had chartered the cab for his own use but decided to have us as passengers at no charge. He is a Liberian who lives in Hong Kong but had returned to bury his grandmother. We discussed our projects on the 30 minute ride and he provided fascinating candor not usually seen from Liberians. His international experience had exposed him to modern civilization and revealed the lack of modernity in his original home. He was very harsh about Liberian work habits, lack of commitment to excellence and satisfaction with their current state. He had a very low opinion of the influx of Nigerian preachers who come here with a prosperity oriented theology. The ride was over too soon and we parted, promising to email each other. These little cameo experiences have taken on new meaning here because every step we take seems ordered from on high and we don’t want to miss a thing. I am waiting for the right opportunity to use the insight he provided.
We were early for the installation of the new President, Dr. Arnold Hill. We had made his acquaintance two weeks ago when we visited the seminary grounds with Dr. Alexander Brooks, our friend and Pastor of First Baptist Monrovia and professor at the seminary. Dr. Hill had given us assistance and guidance in the filing of our papers with the Foreign Ministry and was so kind to us. We did not even know at the time that his election was in the works but he was so helpful. We have written him a letter asking for a meeting of the esteemed brethren to plan our future cooperation.
The seminary has 170 acres of property in one of the finest settings anywhere. It sits on a peninsular on the Atlantic with lagoons on either side. The grounds are spacious, well kept and beautiful. Clearly it is the finest setting in Monrovia and probably Liberia as well. The buildings are showing signs of deterioration and the school needs plenty of attention but the election of Arnold Hill is a huge step in the right direction. Apparently there has been some struggling within the ranks in the recent past and the platform participants to the ceremony all referred to these struggles and the relief at electing Dr. Hill. The ceremony was very long but the choirs were great. The Southern Baptist Choir from First Baptist was nothing short of phenomenal. Their medley of Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, Order My Steps, Whom Shall I Fear, and I Shall Dwell (from Ps 23) was, by far, the single greatest live choir performance I have ever seen and neither the choir nor director had a single piece of music. I am further convinced that there is no music available for what they did, making it all the more remarkable. Even the keyboard seemed to disappear under their voices. Before they ended, in this stayed and solemn ceremony, the crowd of the unlively were standing and shouting to the glory of God. We were uninvited guests who were ushered to the front row in before a much esteemed platform panel, but both of us were beside ourselves. We leapt to our feet and sang with them at the top of our lungs even though we did not even know the song. I just could not contain the joy and passion of that moment. We have some of it on film, because at times, when she has the camera, Isela thinks she works for CNN and I hope we can share it with you.
Vice President Joseph Boakai was in attendance and descended the platform to shake our hands and remark that it had been too long since he saw us last. He agreed that we should visit him later in the week at his office. The Speaker of the House was there as was the president of Liberian University among many other dignitaries. The keynote speaker was Harry Rowland from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We had the pleasure of meeting him afterwards along with many others and exchanged information. We have been invited to preach at Rev. Joseph Johnson’s church 3/21. I hope we are here that weekend.
The length of the festivities made us late returning to the office and Senator Devine from Bomi County was waiting for us. We called en route and asked him to wait but he had a few errands and left promising to return. His brother, Bosten Devine, an ACFI pastor in Bomi whom we had met during the conference, waited for us and soon the Senator returned. It is such a blessing to have an office nice enough to host such important meetings. We had not met the Senator and so this meeting was fortuitous to say the least. He was fascinated with our plan and immediately pledged his support asking us to come to his county to meet with the officials and doctors there. We agreed that if we were going to visit Bomi it would have to be right away since our remaining schedule is so jammed. Delighted, he agreed and set off to plan our visit with all concerned personnel Friday and Saturday. Since Wednesday is a holiday, that only leaves us Thursday to meet with the Ministry of Education and we already have a training session at the ACFI Clinic in Buzzy Quarters Thursday afternoon. The good part is that Bomi is just 90 minutes away, even closer than Bong. This trip was not on our schedule but God seems to have control of the wheel so we will go. As Senator Devine was leaving, Comfort, from the Foreign Ministry called and said our papers were ready to be picked up. Senator Devine was nice enough to take us up the hill to the Foreign Ministry to collect the documents. Rev. Browne went with us and we received the official seal of approval from the Foreign Minister, herself. When I held the documents in my hand I shouted and glorified God right in the parking lot. What normally takes weeks, even months, had been done in a matter of days. On our initial attempt we were told it would cost over $1000 so we backed off and did the work ourselves. We ended up paying $150 to the Foreign Ministry and Rev. Browne was instrumental in helping us achieve this. We will be with his church, New Creation Fellowship this weekend. Our feet barely touched the ground as we walked the quarter mile back to the office. To receive these many blessings in a single day is beyond my imagination. It seems as if we flew around the city all day, barely able to hang on amid the tornado of activity, only to finish the day stunned at all God had accomplished through a pair of willing, empty vessels. We caught a cab and stopped at the super to buy a few things, including a new pair of glasses for me. I have managed to lose 2 pair on this trip, the last pair is somewhere on the 50 acres in Gbartala. Maybe we’ll see them again. On the way home we realized we had not eaten all day so we attacked the food purchased from the super as we rode in the backseat of the taxi. Arriving back at the home of our host we ate peanut butter and jelly and collapsed into bed. What a day. This marks the midpoint (day 20 of 40 days and 40 nights in Liberia) of our visit and I feel like singing ‘Look What the Lord Has Done’, already.
Much Love Fred and Isela
Tuesday, 3/9. What a terrific day this was for Tree of Life. We heard that the Minister of Health, Dr. Gwenigale, liked to come in early, so we decided to be there early also. Leaving the house at 7:15 with the Honorable Wesseh, our kind host, we arrived before any of the MOH senior staff. Isela registered our presence with Dr. Gwenigale’s secretary and though we had no official appointment we were waiting in the entry when Dr. Bernice Dahn (the Asst. Minister) arrived, and she remembered us from our meetings this summer and immediately invited us in. She listened intently as we shared our burden and quoted from the MOH plan for reducing maternal and infant mortality. She had an early appointment at JFK hospital but quickly informed her staff to reschedule it so that she could spend more time with us. She completely supported our efforts and pledged the approval and support of MOH. In short, we could not have asked for a better outcome by 9AM. She even promised to give us a letter of approval and recommendation for the Ministry of Planning and anyone else who needs to see the cooperation between Tree of Life and MOH.
Leaving MOH we jumped in to what we thought was a cab to take the long journey to the Baptist Seminary grounds. The front seat passenger had chartered the cab for his own use but decided to have us as passengers at no charge. He is a Liberian who lives in Hong Kong but had returned to bury his grandmother. We discussed our projects on the 30 minute ride and he provided fascinating candor not usually seen from Liberians. His international experience had exposed him to modern civilization and revealed the lack of modernity in his original home. He was very harsh about Liberian work habits, lack of commitment to excellence and satisfaction with their current state. He had a very low opinion of the influx of Nigerian preachers who come here with a prosperity oriented theology. The ride was over too soon and we parted, promising to email each other. These little cameo experiences have taken on new meaning here because every step we take seems ordered from on high and we don’t want to miss a thing. I am waiting for the right opportunity to use the insight he provided.
We were early for the installation of the new President, Dr. Arnold Hill. We had made his acquaintance two weeks ago when we visited the seminary grounds with Dr. Alexander Brooks, our friend and Pastor of First Baptist Monrovia and professor at the seminary. Dr. Hill had given us assistance and guidance in the filing of our papers with the Foreign Ministry and was so kind to us. We did not even know at the time that his election was in the works but he was so helpful. We have written him a letter asking for a meeting of the esteemed brethren to plan our future cooperation.
The seminary has 170 acres of property in one of the finest settings anywhere. It sits on a peninsular on the Atlantic with lagoons on either side. The grounds are spacious, well kept and beautiful. Clearly it is the finest setting in Monrovia and probably Liberia as well. The buildings are showing signs of deterioration and the school needs plenty of attention but the election of Arnold Hill is a huge step in the right direction. Apparently there has been some struggling within the ranks in the recent past and the platform participants to the ceremony all referred to these struggles and the relief at electing Dr. Hill. The ceremony was very long but the choirs were great. The Southern Baptist Choir from First Baptist was nothing short of phenomenal. Their medley of Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, Order My Steps, Whom Shall I Fear, and I Shall Dwell (from Ps 23) was, by far, the single greatest live choir performance I have ever seen and neither the choir nor director had a single piece of music. I am further convinced that there is no music available for what they did, making it all the more remarkable. Even the keyboard seemed to disappear under their voices. Before they ended, in this stayed and solemn ceremony, the crowd of the unlively were standing and shouting to the glory of God. We were uninvited guests who were ushered to the front row in before a much esteemed platform panel, but both of us were beside ourselves. We leapt to our feet and sang with them at the top of our lungs even though we did not even know the song. I just could not contain the joy and passion of that moment. We have some of it on film, because at times, when she has the camera, Isela thinks she works for CNN and I hope we can share it with you.
Vice President Joseph Boakai was in attendance and descended the platform to shake our hands and remark that it had been too long since he saw us last. He agreed that we should visit him later in the week at his office. The Speaker of the House was there as was the president of Liberian University among many other dignitaries. The keynote speaker was Harry Rowland from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. We had the pleasure of meeting him afterwards along with many others and exchanged information. We have been invited to preach at Rev. Joseph Johnson’s church 3/21. I hope we are here that weekend.
The length of the festivities made us late returning to the office and Senator Devine from Bomi County was waiting for us. We called en route and asked him to wait but he had a few errands and left promising to return. His brother, Bosten Devine, an ACFI pastor in Bomi whom we had met during the conference, waited for us and soon the Senator returned. It is such a blessing to have an office nice enough to host such important meetings. We had not met the Senator and so this meeting was fortuitous to say the least. He was fascinated with our plan and immediately pledged his support asking us to come to his county to meet with the officials and doctors there. We agreed that if we were going to visit Bomi it would have to be right away since our remaining schedule is so jammed. Delighted, he agreed and set off to plan our visit with all concerned personnel Friday and Saturday. Since Wednesday is a holiday, that only leaves us Thursday to meet with the Ministry of Education and we already have a training session at the ACFI Clinic in Buzzy Quarters Thursday afternoon. The good part is that Bomi is just 90 minutes away, even closer than Bong. This trip was not on our schedule but God seems to have control of the wheel so we will go. As Senator Devine was leaving, Comfort, from the Foreign Ministry called and said our papers were ready to be picked up. Senator Devine was nice enough to take us up the hill to the Foreign Ministry to collect the documents. Rev. Browne went with us and we received the official seal of approval from the Foreign Minister, herself. When I held the documents in my hand I shouted and glorified God right in the parking lot. What normally takes weeks, even months, had been done in a matter of days. On our initial attempt we were told it would cost over $1000 so we backed off and did the work ourselves. We ended up paying $150 to the Foreign Ministry and Rev. Browne was instrumental in helping us achieve this. We will be with his church, New Creation Fellowship this weekend. Our feet barely touched the ground as we walked the quarter mile back to the office. To receive these many blessings in a single day is beyond my imagination. It seems as if we flew around the city all day, barely able to hang on amid the tornado of activity, only to finish the day stunned at all God had accomplished through a pair of willing, empty vessels. We caught a cab and stopped at the super to buy a few things, including a new pair of glasses for me. I have managed to lose 2 pair on this trip, the last pair is somewhere on the 50 acres in Gbartala. Maybe we’ll see them again. On the way home we realized we had not eaten all day so we attacked the food purchased from the super as we rode in the backseat of the taxi. Arriving back at the home of our host we ate peanut butter and jelly and collapsed into bed. What a day. This marks the midpoint (day 20 of 40 days and 40 nights in Liberia) of our visit and I feel like singing ‘Look What the Lord Has Done’, already.
Much Love Fred and Isela
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Bong Blessings
Saturday, 3/6, sleeping in till 8AM, is this heaven? No it’s only a/c in Africa. It is amazing how your level of expectations fuels your joy. A few weeks of African reality can really make you appreciate the comforts of home.
We met with women’s groups from 8 churches in the Totota area and 45 of them came Saturday afternoon. They asked many good questions and promised to join us in our efforts. After the meeting, we drove to Gbartala (silent G) where we met with the Paramount Chief who carried us to a 50 acre property he and the other chiefs had decided to give to our project in Bong. Though we made no request, God knew we needed land and he provided it. Sure it needs clearing and a lot of work but it is a beautiful piece of rolling hills with palms and wild fruit trees all over it. There is also a small grassy swamp area near the road with a small lake which never dries out, which means the Gbartala farm has a regular water supply. It also has a beautiful hilltop in the center perfect for housing and buildings with a gentle downward slope in all directions. Can you see it?
This is a little disquieting. I keep wondering what we have gotten ourselves into but the Lord will not allow me to doubt him. This is his vision and his plan while we stand in awe. I suppose we will be given property all over Liberia for the projects we have introduced. Maybe it’s their way of saying, “Please start in our area.” They don’t have money but they give what they have. In Liberia the elected government doesn’t own the land, the tribal people do and the chief has direct charge of its use. We will receive a Travel Document signed by six chiefs to present to the Ministry of Lands (remember, that is our office location) for them to survey and record. Soon I will be able to give you gps coordinates which you will be able to view on Google satellite maps. After walking the property with the Paramount Chief and many others we stopped and joined hands committing the land to the Lord and the Liberian people, praying in Jesus Name. I would pinch myself but I don’t want to wake up if this is just a dream.
After leaving the property we visited the Clinic in Gbartala. Our dear friends at Living Faith and Oldsmar Bible had donated some medical supplies which we carried in our luggage to give to those who needed them. All three clinics in the area received some latex gloves, bandages, wound care kits, etc. They were so grateful we only wished we had more to give.
Sunday Morning at Hope of Glory Church Isela and I sang and I preached. The response at the invitation time was overwhelming. Everyone in the church seemed to come forward to be prayed with. Pastor Lawrence and I dealt with them at the front for half an hour. Then they all stayed after church to hear more from Isela about Tree of Life.
After a short lunch we headed to an Orphanage in Salala District near the border where 61 children were waiting outside for our arrival. Rev. John Paul and his wife Naomi, Liberians, are doing a phenomenal work with these orphaned and abandoned children. They sang and praised God, listening gleefully as Isela and I played the keyboard and sang ‘You Are My All in ALL’. Then we spoke to them out of Jer 1:5, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth from the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’ Isela encouraged the young ladies in modesty. So many young African kids run around naked but all these were well taught. God bless this couple as they care for these children. They have so many needs it is hard to know where to start. We offered to teach hem everything we know and had a delightful time with them.
After three full days it was time to return to the Capitol. We do not feel called to Monrovia but to the rural regions. However, it is necessary to spend some time here every visit. There are so many legislators to see and all the various Ministry personnel are here. Plus this is where we must apply for the needed funding and gain approval for our plans. The critical path to success runs through the capitol.
Monday 3/8, the Foreign Ministry has informed us of approval of our NGO. I could not help myself so I danced around the office with joy in a very gringo way. I am glad you weren’t there to see it. I think maybe it’s my footwork…anyway we will pick up our paperwork tomorrow, Thank You Lord.
We also had a wonderful meeting with the Ministry of Health. Their approval is essential to our Mother and Baby program. We have had a tremendous response from the health sector but this is a milestone at MOH. Pray that we will be given the opportunity to communicate directly with the senior staff. This will control many future funding decisions. We also need a similar meeting with the Ministry of Education. We have inside assistance from new and dear friends but MOE is also a milestone we need to pass on this trip.
Thank you for your prayers, we can sense your support. It is the main reason for so many blessings.
Love and Thanks, to you and for you,
Fred and Isela
Saturday, 3/6, sleeping in till 8AM, is this heaven? No it’s only a/c in Africa. It is amazing how your level of expectations fuels your joy. A few weeks of African reality can really make you appreciate the comforts of home.
We met with women’s groups from 8 churches in the Totota area and 45 of them came Saturday afternoon. They asked many good questions and promised to join us in our efforts. After the meeting, we drove to Gbartala (silent G) where we met with the Paramount Chief who carried us to a 50 acre property he and the other chiefs had decided to give to our project in Bong. Though we made no request, God knew we needed land and he provided it. Sure it needs clearing and a lot of work but it is a beautiful piece of rolling hills with palms and wild fruit trees all over it. There is also a small grassy swamp area near the road with a small lake which never dries out, which means the Gbartala farm has a regular water supply. It also has a beautiful hilltop in the center perfect for housing and buildings with a gentle downward slope in all directions. Can you see it?
This is a little disquieting. I keep wondering what we have gotten ourselves into but the Lord will not allow me to doubt him. This is his vision and his plan while we stand in awe. I suppose we will be given property all over Liberia for the projects we have introduced. Maybe it’s their way of saying, “Please start in our area.” They don’t have money but they give what they have. In Liberia the elected government doesn’t own the land, the tribal people do and the chief has direct charge of its use. We will receive a Travel Document signed by six chiefs to present to the Ministry of Lands (remember, that is our office location) for them to survey and record. Soon I will be able to give you gps coordinates which you will be able to view on Google satellite maps. After walking the property with the Paramount Chief and many others we stopped and joined hands committing the land to the Lord and the Liberian people, praying in Jesus Name. I would pinch myself but I don’t want to wake up if this is just a dream.
After leaving the property we visited the Clinic in Gbartala. Our dear friends at Living Faith and Oldsmar Bible had donated some medical supplies which we carried in our luggage to give to those who needed them. All three clinics in the area received some latex gloves, bandages, wound care kits, etc. They were so grateful we only wished we had more to give.
Sunday Morning at Hope of Glory Church Isela and I sang and I preached. The response at the invitation time was overwhelming. Everyone in the church seemed to come forward to be prayed with. Pastor Lawrence and I dealt with them at the front for half an hour. Then they all stayed after church to hear more from Isela about Tree of Life.
After a short lunch we headed to an Orphanage in Salala District near the border where 61 children were waiting outside for our arrival. Rev. John Paul and his wife Naomi, Liberians, are doing a phenomenal work with these orphaned and abandoned children. They sang and praised God, listening gleefully as Isela and I played the keyboard and sang ‘You Are My All in ALL’. Then we spoke to them out of Jer 1:5, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth from the womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’ Isela encouraged the young ladies in modesty. So many young African kids run around naked but all these were well taught. God bless this couple as they care for these children. They have so many needs it is hard to know where to start. We offered to teach hem everything we know and had a delightful time with them.
After three full days it was time to return to the Capitol. We do not feel called to Monrovia but to the rural regions. However, it is necessary to spend some time here every visit. There are so many legislators to see and all the various Ministry personnel are here. Plus this is where we must apply for the needed funding and gain approval for our plans. The critical path to success runs through the capitol.
Monday 3/8, the Foreign Ministry has informed us of approval of our NGO. I could not help myself so I danced around the office with joy in a very gringo way. I am glad you weren’t there to see it. I think maybe it’s my footwork…anyway we will pick up our paperwork tomorrow, Thank You Lord.
We also had a wonderful meeting with the Ministry of Health. Their approval is essential to our Mother and Baby program. We have had a tremendous response from the health sector but this is a milestone at MOH. Pray that we will be given the opportunity to communicate directly with the senior staff. This will control many future funding decisions. We also need a similar meeting with the Ministry of Education. We have inside assistance from new and dear friends but MOE is also a milestone we need to pass on this trip.
Thank you for your prayers, we can sense your support. It is the main reason for so many blessings.
Love and Thanks, to you and for you,
Fred and Isela
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Bong Trip
Friday, 3/5, hmm Mom Whaley’s birthday, how we all miss her, and it is mother’s day in Liberia. Women were out raising funds at many intersections and stopping all cars at Capitol Hill. They were very aggressive, insisting that all contribute to ‘muddahs cause’. The assistant to the Senior Senator from Bong County (Jewell Howard Taylor), Edward, was our host on the journey from Monrovia to Bong. The road is not too long but very bad. Initially, the senator’s office wanted us to provide our own transportation but we did not have any transportation, neither could we afford the $150 per day for truck and driver. Finally, this morning at 7:48, Edward called us to say they were renting a 4WD vehicle for the trip. Once again, we thank the Lord. We felt if we had given in on this short trip the other senators may have expected us to do the same on the very long trips upcoming. Keep praying, please, we can sense the Lord’s leadership along our way.
Praise His Name, Isela is recovering from her discomfort. She has been very ill and the Lord has raised her up. We must be careful with her diet, so tuna, peanut butter and crackers are the main course for a while (but not necessarily together). She is so important in so many ways on this mission that I am sure the devil is working overtime to slow her down and she didn’t miss anything.
The trip to Bong has several objectives. We are establishing our methodology for the initiation of the Doula Program and had sent word to the midwives in Totota to meet us at 2pm. When we arrived, there was a sea of white shirts with blue logos and beautiful blue and white lappas announcing the presence of the midwives. Unbelievably, there were over 120 of them from several villages, some of which were remote. With only short notice, it seemed that every one of them had come expecting great things. When we drove up, they all began singing and rhythmically weaving about as they clapped and praised God. Both of us were moved to tears by this warm welcome. Many had walked miles to come. We had no idea what to expect but we certainly did not expect every midwife from the region and had no idea how joyfully we would be received. We shot some priceless video of Isela joining in their dance as the women cheered her antics, we can’t wait to show you. Then we all piled in to an outdoor room because the indoor facility was way too small. Isela gave an exciting introduction to the Doula Program and I added comments when appropriate. Altogether, the two hour meeting confirmed our conviction that this program is exactly what Liberia needs right now and that the Lord has revealed it to us. When the midwives learned that International Certifications were being made available for the first time they cheered. All the midwives want to become Doulas when we want to train Doulas to help them. Isela had them raise their hands if they were midwives and they all raised their hands. While their hands were raised she asked if they wanted a Doula to help them and they all stood up and cheered again. The entire meeting was translated into Kpelle, the largest tribal language in Liberia, though it took two interpreters to keep up with the Costa Rican African Queen. I marvel at her and the impact she has on everyone here.
We are staying through Sunday Morning when I will speak at Hope of Glory, the church where Lawrence Broh is pastor. He is brother to Patrick Broh, our friend from the Buah church where the chief has given 50 acres to our ministry. Hope of Glory also has a school with 285 students meeting in mud buildings with dirt floors. He has also offered his church as the meeting place for all the local church women’s groups to meet with us tomorrow. This response has been so overwhelming and its timing is perfect. We will meet with the Ministry of health Monday to gain their participation and approval for our efforts here. Encouraged with this local cooperation, it seems impossible to imagine they would be less than supportive.
Finally, we are staying at the home of the Honorable Adam Bill Konia, the Representative for this area of Bong. He gave us his room and it is air conditioned, clean, with a private bath and continuous electricity. Isela is so excited she is already asleep. Again, we did not ask for this and had no idea where we would be staying when we left early this morning. Lord, I don’t know why you love us so much but I’m glad, so glad.
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to bless my Pastor, Darryl Williamson. I have never known a brother more committed, gifted and attentive to the Saints God has placed in his capable care. I am so thankful to God that you are my pastor. Both Isela and I love you, honor you and bless you. You and your precious wife, Julie, mean so much to us. We can’t wait to share these ceaseless blessings with you again as we did the night before we left. Your fellowship has strengthened us and followed us to Liberia and has been shared with thousands already and many more to come.
We love you all, keep on praying,
Fred and Isela
Friday, 3/5, hmm Mom Whaley’s birthday, how we all miss her, and it is mother’s day in Liberia. Women were out raising funds at many intersections and stopping all cars at Capitol Hill. They were very aggressive, insisting that all contribute to ‘muddahs cause’. The assistant to the Senior Senator from Bong County (Jewell Howard Taylor), Edward, was our host on the journey from Monrovia to Bong. The road is not too long but very bad. Initially, the senator’s office wanted us to provide our own transportation but we did not have any transportation, neither could we afford the $150 per day for truck and driver. Finally, this morning at 7:48, Edward called us to say they were renting a 4WD vehicle for the trip. Once again, we thank the Lord. We felt if we had given in on this short trip the other senators may have expected us to do the same on the very long trips upcoming. Keep praying, please, we can sense the Lord’s leadership along our way.
Praise His Name, Isela is recovering from her discomfort. She has been very ill and the Lord has raised her up. We must be careful with her diet, so tuna, peanut butter and crackers are the main course for a while (but not necessarily together). She is so important in so many ways on this mission that I am sure the devil is working overtime to slow her down and she didn’t miss anything.
The trip to Bong has several objectives. We are establishing our methodology for the initiation of the Doula Program and had sent word to the midwives in Totota to meet us at 2pm. When we arrived, there was a sea of white shirts with blue logos and beautiful blue and white lappas announcing the presence of the midwives. Unbelievably, there were over 120 of them from several villages, some of which were remote. With only short notice, it seemed that every one of them had come expecting great things. When we drove up, they all began singing and rhythmically weaving about as they clapped and praised God. Both of us were moved to tears by this warm welcome. Many had walked miles to come. We had no idea what to expect but we certainly did not expect every midwife from the region and had no idea how joyfully we would be received. We shot some priceless video of Isela joining in their dance as the women cheered her antics, we can’t wait to show you. Then we all piled in to an outdoor room because the indoor facility was way too small. Isela gave an exciting introduction to the Doula Program and I added comments when appropriate. Altogether, the two hour meeting confirmed our conviction that this program is exactly what Liberia needs right now and that the Lord has revealed it to us. When the midwives learned that International Certifications were being made available for the first time they cheered. All the midwives want to become Doulas when we want to train Doulas to help them. Isela had them raise their hands if they were midwives and they all raised their hands. While their hands were raised she asked if they wanted a Doula to help them and they all stood up and cheered again. The entire meeting was translated into Kpelle, the largest tribal language in Liberia, though it took two interpreters to keep up with the Costa Rican African Queen. I marvel at her and the impact she has on everyone here.
We are staying through Sunday Morning when I will speak at Hope of Glory, the church where Lawrence Broh is pastor. He is brother to Patrick Broh, our friend from the Buah church where the chief has given 50 acres to our ministry. Hope of Glory also has a school with 285 students meeting in mud buildings with dirt floors. He has also offered his church as the meeting place for all the local church women’s groups to meet with us tomorrow. This response has been so overwhelming and its timing is perfect. We will meet with the Ministry of health Monday to gain their participation and approval for our efforts here. Encouraged with this local cooperation, it seems impossible to imagine they would be less than supportive.
Finally, we are staying at the home of the Honorable Adam Bill Konia, the Representative for this area of Bong. He gave us his room and it is air conditioned, clean, with a private bath and continuous electricity. Isela is so excited she is already asleep. Again, we did not ask for this and had no idea where we would be staying when we left early this morning. Lord, I don’t know why you love us so much but I’m glad, so glad.
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to bless my Pastor, Darryl Williamson. I have never known a brother more committed, gifted and attentive to the Saints God has placed in his capable care. I am so thankful to God that you are my pastor. Both Isela and I love you, honor you and bless you. You and your precious wife, Julie, mean so much to us. We can’t wait to share these ceaseless blessings with you again as we did the night before we left. Your fellowship has strengthened us and followed us to Liberia and has been shared with thousands already and many more to come.
We love you all, keep on praying,
Fred and Isela
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Hello everyone,
We are sitting in our new office in Monrovia at the office of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy. The staff has graciously allowed us to set up our office here in order to be certified as an International NGO. Our papers were filed yesterday, 3/2, with the Foreign Ministry after having to comply with Liberian Law. This certification is the gateway to our future success in many ways. So far the trip is fantastic. God is working mightily in and through us.
We will be travelling to Bong County Fri-Sun with Mrs Jewell Taylor. Friday we will meet with healthcare officials and Saturday there will be a series of Women's meetings with various churches. Sunday we will sing and preach in an ACFI Church in Bong.
Please pray for our contiued health and safety. Isela is having some disagreement with the local food. She loves the food and the flavor but it is mostly prepared with heavy palm oil. Thank you Lord for peanut butter and jelly with bottled water.
There have been some attacks on Christian facilities in Lofa County and there is the threat of violence between the muslims and others as a result of the death of a young woman under ritualistic circumstances. Our host, the Honorable Representative (Yvonne's husband) is leaving for Lofa on Friday to perform a senatorial investigation into the event. It has received much attention all around the country. Please pray for peace since we will be touring 10 cities beginning next week. If you have your map of Liberia they are (in addition to Bong): an area in Nimba County, then Fish Town, Dweken, Buah, Gee City, Barclayville, Wedabo, Picnicesse (all these in Grand Kru), then Harper in Maryland County. Then we will be coming back through Sinoe County to Baffu Bay, then to Buchanan in Grand Bassa.
Imagine how God was thinking...we are being given large plots of property in various locations, all of which will need to be surveyed and recorded and then He places our office right in the Ministry of Lands which will be surveying and recording these properties. This office is new, air conditioned and is less than 200 yards from Capitol Hill. Furthermore it is offered to us without cost. I cannot contain my tears as I write this to declare to you all that God is AWESOME in this place. We did not even ask for this. There are many other blessings that we will share in person that there is not tiime or space to share here. We love you all and are so blessed to have been sent on this mission by our friends and loved ones. Please feel free to share the blog with others. We will write more later.
In His Name,
Fred and Isela
We are sitting in our new office in Monrovia at the office of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy. The staff has graciously allowed us to set up our office here in order to be certified as an International NGO. Our papers were filed yesterday, 3/2, with the Foreign Ministry after having to comply with Liberian Law. This certification is the gateway to our future success in many ways. So far the trip is fantastic. God is working mightily in and through us.
We will be travelling to Bong County Fri-Sun with Mrs Jewell Taylor. Friday we will meet with healthcare officials and Saturday there will be a series of Women's meetings with various churches. Sunday we will sing and preach in an ACFI Church in Bong.
Please pray for our contiued health and safety. Isela is having some disagreement with the local food. She loves the food and the flavor but it is mostly prepared with heavy palm oil. Thank you Lord for peanut butter and jelly with bottled water.
There have been some attacks on Christian facilities in Lofa County and there is the threat of violence between the muslims and others as a result of the death of a young woman under ritualistic circumstances. Our host, the Honorable Representative (Yvonne's husband) is leaving for Lofa on Friday to perform a senatorial investigation into the event. It has received much attention all around the country. Please pray for peace since we will be touring 10 cities beginning next week. If you have your map of Liberia they are (in addition to Bong): an area in Nimba County, then Fish Town, Dweken, Buah, Gee City, Barclayville, Wedabo, Picnicesse (all these in Grand Kru), then Harper in Maryland County. Then we will be coming back through Sinoe County to Baffu Bay, then to Buchanan in Grand Bassa.
Imagine how God was thinking...we are being given large plots of property in various locations, all of which will need to be surveyed and recorded and then He places our office right in the Ministry of Lands which will be surveying and recording these properties. This office is new, air conditioned and is less than 200 yards from Capitol Hill. Furthermore it is offered to us without cost. I cannot contain my tears as I write this to declare to you all that God is AWESOME in this place. We did not even ask for this. There are many other blessings that we will share in person that there is not tiime or space to share here. We love you all and are so blessed to have been sent on this mission by our friends and loved ones. Please feel free to share the blog with others. We will write more later.
In His Name,
Fred and Isela
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