LIBERIA

a waving flag

When I get older, I will be stronger.

They'll call me freedom, just like a waving flag.

And then it goes back, and then it goes back, and then it goes back.

Born to a throne, stronger than Rome

but violent prone, poor people zone.

But it's my home, all I have known.

Where I got grown, streets we would roam.

But out of the darkness, I came the farthest,

Among the hardest survival.

back to Ganta

I can't believe it's June!

So much to do!

I'm still in Monrovia, but I'm trying to get back to Ganta. Having a bit of a transportation issue. Will keep you posted!

graduation day

The T.H.I.N.K. Home girls graduated today, and I went to the ceremony. I've spent time with these young, war-affected women over the last nine months, and what a joy it was to see them graduate! More than 20 of the young women came to T.H.I.N.K. Home last year, where they received academic lessons, counseling and vocational training in hairdressing, tailoring and baki
It was an emotional day for them! Please pray for them as they make the difficult transition from the home into more independent lives.

on teaching

I'm on Day Two of teaching English, and it's already been a long week! But it's also been a great week. I'm enjoying getting to know the students. I'm also enjoying the challenge of building their confidence in their writing and grammar skills. I hope I'm helping ... there are some big challenges to teaching in Liberia. One of the biggest problems is that there are hardly any textbooks. Students go to college without textbooks, even. The closest one can get to a college bookstore is a stand on the side of the road where students can buy old, random English or geometry or biology books.

a fine weekend

It was a fine weekend. Yes, fine-o!

I spent it doing a lot of reading and writing. I also washed my clothes — by hand. For those of us who have grown up our whole lives with washing machines, it is amazing to think about spending so many hours washing clothes. But that is what most people do here every Saturday.

disturbing news

Here are three disturbing news items out of Liberia.

on bugs

It's a little after midnight as I am writing this, and the generator is about to go off. I'm in Bopolu, a small town about 3 hours northeast of Monrovia. I've been here since Monday working on a story about elderly and marginalized women who are learning to read. Their stories have been inspiring, and their resolve to rise above the circumstances (the war, parents who didn't believe girls should go to school, lack of money to go to pay for school fees) is inspiring.

I leave tomorrow for Monrovia. Then, shortly after I get there, I'm hopping on another vehicle to head north. I'll be in Nimba County, which is close to Guinea, for what could be a month!

on traveling

I'm headed up north (east) for about a week to work on a story about elderly and marginalized women who are learning to read and to sustain themselves through several livestock projects. Please pray for my health. The last time I went upcountry, I got malaria — and I definitely do not want it again!

I'll keep you posted!

robbers strike again

This time at my pastor's house. He was hurt badly, receiving several deep wounds on the head from a robber swinging a machete. Pastor Duke's wife and young children were not harmed, but I'm sure they were terrified. Please pray for him and his family, as it appears they were targeted and other homes around them were not hit.

finally ... an update

I'm sorry I've been away from blogging for so long! I arrived in Liberia last week, and since then, it has been difficult to find a really good internet connection. That paired with working long hours has made it hard to post. But I will try to write as much as I can! Here are a few updates: