Deb in Liberia

January 2012

2012-01-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't been writing a lot to keep everyone updated on things in Liberia this past month so here is a summary of what I've been up to this year so far...

Christmas deliveries continued. I surprised the kids at three more orphanages and a preschool with Christmas goodies this month and still have more deliveries to go! (Check out the Christmas video here.)

I got a cat! (And had a monkey visit for a few days.)
Today, Manyeh (the cat) and Grace (the monkey) hung out for awhile on the porch.
(add that to things that have happened on my front porch.)

I had the honor of witnessing two of my friends get married.
Congrats to Jeam and Rachel Smith!

I got to spend time with some pretty awesome kiddos-- like Massah.

I played tour guide to three separate groups of visitors and had the honor of introducing them to my world here in Liberia. One day of touring included the ever improving Cultural Presentation at Frances Gaskin's. Apparently I even inspired some of the cultural decor.

The visiting nurses from Children's Surgery International and I gave out almost 1000 worm treatments in the communities surrounding four different orphanage homes. Here, Yamah is showing off that she finished chewing the yucky tasting medicine. Good job-- give this girl some candy!

More than just a front porch.

2012-01-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

Today, as I was tending to a sick neighbor on my front porch, it hit me how many different experiences I’ve had there. My front porch is not just a place you pass by to enter my house. It is the life of the house. It is what makes it a home. It is where so much of life happens. The front porch is where I greet people and say goodbye, it’s where I watch the world go by. I have hired people there and fired people there. I have eaten there, alone or with friends. There I have, taken out stitches (more than once), cleaned scrapes, removed splinters, checked temperatures, packed a wound, given out tablets, treated malaria and provided healthcare education of all sorts. I’ve read there, sang there, danced there, lectured there, and laughed there. I’ve mourned there, heard of births and deaths there. I’ve prayed there. I’ve witnessed history there. I’ve watched the sunset and the rain. I’ve been entertained by naked Liberian children, ridiculous construction workers and yelling Chinese men. There I have played games, put together puzzles and learned magic tricks. I’ve watched a fire threaten and heard gunfire there. I’ve had business meetings and family meetings there. There I have hosted dogs, cats, a chimpanzee, and a pangolin. Unconscious children have been brought there. I've entertained strangers there. I’ve yelled there, cried there, listened there and been listened to there. I have watched the lightening make the night sky shine. I’ve met God there. Friends have been made there. Family has joined there. Good memories and bad memories have been made there. My love of Liberia has grown there.

#1 - He will carry my load

2012-01-16T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here is my #1 blog post of all time...

I know this is late in coming, but I've been beaten by the African internet connection yet again, and cannot re-upload the video. It's not as fun, but please follow this link to enjoy Varbah singing, "He will carry my load."

Original Post - July 22, 2009

*This video was taken in November, 2008. Varbah used to live in an orphanage that was a horrible place. No adults, small children, including Varbah, doing the washing, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the even smaller children and not going to school. Varbah and her friends were always dirty, always sick, always lonely. (Gives new, deeper, meaning to He will carry my load, huh?) Finally, in June of 2010 that orphanage was closed. The children were divided into several different orphanages. Nine of them, including Varbah, were admitted to a brand new boarding school.*

Varbah, Christmas 2011.

Today -- Varbah is in school, growing, healthy, happy.

#2 - Giving-thanks, Liberian style

2011-12-28T04:47:00.001-08:00

Let's remember to give thanks all year 'round.

Original post - November 4, 2009

"Liberian Thanksgiving"

Liberian Thanksgiving is tomorrow. As you can imagine there are no Indians or pilgrims associated with Thanksgiving in Liberia. But, unlike many other Liberian holidays it does have a meaning behind it. After the war that occurred between the native people and new settlers here over one hundred years ago the people decided to set a day apart to celebrate the end of the war and be thankful for everything they still had.

Today we celebrated by having dinner with some of our Liberian staff and friends. Eleven of us (the 4 ORR team members currently in country, Ma Mary, Piko, Alvina, Momo, Moses, Alvin and Emmanuel) joined around the table to share our rice, cassava with palm butter, fried plantains and cucumbers.

After we had all finished (Momo personally checking to make sure every dish was empty) we introduced the Liberians to the American tradition of going around the table and sharing what you are thankful for. It turned out to be a very touching time. In a country where there is so little and people are struggling daily to find food and clean water and trustworthy medical care and love, we were able to take a break and thank God for all His provision this year. As we circled the table the thanks included; work, friends and family, plenty of rice, a new daughter, the first year of marriage, money for school fees, health, healing, the miracle life of a small girl we all know as Gifty and the opportunity to serve the orphans of Liberia, as well as the promises of things to come such as going to college and many more times of meeting together in this way.

Bellies full and hearts happy... we sure do have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

#3 -- Post -op.

2011-12-26T05:35:00.000-08:00

Children's Surgery International (CSI) has partnered with ORR in Liberia since 2010. Thanks to CSI nine orphans, from homes that I work with, have had life changing surgeries, for free! Hundreds of other needy children have had the healthcare they need as well. Besides providing free surgeries and healthcare consultations, the CSI team has provided thousands of de-worming treatments, as well as, food, toys, books and other educational supplies for children in orphanages in Liberia. They are coming for another outreach next month, and I am looking forward to partnering with them again this year.

Original post February 4, 2010

Jeremiah showing off his new belly button.

Jeremiah, Joshua and Fumbeh the day after their hernia repair surgeries. They are all doing great! Even ran across the room and jumped into my arms when I came to pick them up yesterday. They were totally spoiled by the CSI team (chocolate pudding and TV watching!) and didn't want to leave the hospital. The trip home included a stop off to visit Uncle Matt at the construction site in Cottontree, the supermarket (they were overwhelmed at all of the cracker options) and some loving from Ma Mary in the ORR kitchen. I actually felt bad taking them home, as the day went on I could see the adrenaline wearing off and the realization that they were going back to their old lives setting in. Thanks again to Lora, Anna, Jennifer, Emmi, Dr Steve and the rest of the Children's Surgery Intl team. They have been doing over 20 surgeries a day all week and changing all kinds of Liberian lives.

*Two years later the boys mentioned in this post are still healthy and doing well. Jeremiah has grown into a very inquisitive and curious 10 year old. He is always looking to learn about and understand how things work. He loves to sing and dance and his smile is contagious. Fumbeh loves football and plays every chance he gets. He always comes up and greets me with a thankful smile. Joshua was reunited with his family in August 2011.*

#4 - Remembering my Sapo adventure

2011-12-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

Originally posted April 11, 2009

"Sapo National Park"

Our adventure began last Friday afternoon as we headed out from Monrovia with our packs, drinking water and enough food to get us through 4 days of the unknown. We found a camping spot on the beach in a town about 3 hours away. We slept right on the beach surrounded by sounds of the ocean waves and underneath a million stars. Amazing! We woke up before dawn and were sipping a delicious camp mocha when we spotted 2 dolphins playing off the coast and enjoyed watching them for a few minutes before loading up the car for the estimated 7 more hours drive to Sapo.

After several hours on the road we finally found a sign that gave us hope! Sapo was near. The roads along the way were bumpy at times and some of the bridges questionable but we made it without any problems. As we arrived in the village where the park headquarters is located, we were greeted by a town full of naked children (which I have a great pic of but don't think it is appropriate to post on a blog, watch for it in National Geographic). The park warden was expecting us and after a short inservice about what to expect in the park and meeting our guides, Alfonzo and Junior, we were introduced to the village chief and town elders. It felt so African, sitting in a Palava hut and being welcomed by the village chief just prior to setting out on a big wilderness adventure. Our departure was somewhat delayed by a brief rain storm, but that seemed appropriate, heading into the rain forest and all.

Camp Michael.

We hiked about a hour and a half to get to the place where we set up camp. After about 45 minutes we reached the river and had to be carried across in shifts by a canoe. By the time we reached and set up camp we had just enough time to cook dinner and filter enough drinking water out of the creek before it got dark. That night we took it easy, enjoyed the campfire and some great conversations before heading to bed.

Upacca tree- run here if you see an elephant.

We started our big day of hiking early Sunday morning. The forest actually reminded me a lot of home, except it was warmer (much more humid) and there were fewer (ok, none) pine trees. But overall I felt very at home there. All the lush green and foliage on the ground was comforting. Our guides were great, they pointed out trees and tracks of animals and attempted to teach us the call of the dieger (some deer-like animal). We did not actually see any great forest animals, but we did see proof of them. We saw a lot of elephant tracks, I still have a hard time picturing them living in the dense forest, but their foot prints were everywhere, often the trail we were following. We were told that we could use the Upacca tree (pic above) to protect us from an elephant if need be. We also saw the tracks of the Bonga, some huge cow like animal that as the guides described is bigger than our tent and taller than me. ah! There was also some hippo droppings (the very rare pygmy hippo lives in that area), I really wish we could have seen the real thing.

Along the trail.

About 5 hours into our day hike we came to the river. After that long of trekking and sweating through the forest it did not take long for us to dive in and enjoy the refreshment. Crocodiles? Um, don't worry about what you don't see, right?

Picture break. That is a pretty good looking group after how many hours of trekking through the forest?

We had been told that there were no trails throughout the park and the guys has come prepared with cutlasses (machetes) to blaze our own trail. There were trails. but very primitive and there was a lot of chopping of overgrowth along the way. We also had to cross countless small rivers and creeks, sometimes with only a few branches to use as a bridge. It got iffy a couple of times but we all made it without an unwanted plunge.

Love the trees!

We arrived back at camp after 8 crazy hours of tromping through the park. We did not see another person the entire time. After a wash in the creek and dinner (which I literally fell asleep while making) we all hunkered under the tarp as the evening rain storm hit. It was a great storm, reminded me of camping in WA (it is not a good camping trip without a good rain storm, right?). I think the evening gathered under the tarp in the rain was actually one of my favorite parts of the weekend. But it was not for long, by 8:30 we were all asleep.

I told you, I really fell asleep while fixing dinner, thanks Ashley for capturing it for the world to see.

We packed up early the next morning and hiked back to the park headquarters where the warden and some freshly fried plantains (yum!) were waiting for us. We did not linger too long before loading up the car and heading out because we still had the 11 hour drive home.

We made it! Everyone at the finish line. Junior, Andrew, Solo, Laura, Alfonzo, John, Ashley and I

So is 22 hours driving worth 11 hours hiking through the Liberian rain forest? Definitely! It was an amazing and beautiful experience, shared with great friends in God's creation. It really does not get any better than that.

PS- If you are interested in a different, more technical version of the weekend (including GPS positioning) check out John's blog at www.johnetherton.com.

Top 5 count-down begins!

2011-12-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

I just read about an idea that I love! Over the last 10 days of this year, I am going to re-post some of the most popular blog posts that I've had over the last few years. What a great way to reflect -- this is going to be fun!

#5 - Originally posted December 11, 2010

(This one is appropriate as we are making our Christmas bundle deliveries, including an apple of course, this week.)

"An Apple Means 'I Love You'."

One of my favorite things about Christmas in Liberia is delivering gift bundles to the children. After weeks of planning, collecting, sorting, and wrapping, I get to see the shining smiles of the kids as they open their presents (usually the only one they will receive), try on shoes, and model new clothes. Originally, we included an orange with the Christmas bundles. A piece of fruit seemed to be a smart addition to the other sweets that are often included in Christmas celebrating.

However, last year, that changed. Throughout the year, we noticed that, every time a child was drawing an apple, they would start with a heart shape and add a stem. If we were giving out heart shaped stickers, they would thank us for the “apple” sticker. There seemed to be a distinct connection between apples and hearts. We started to wonder if the children in Liberia see apples as a sign of love, like children in the US see hearts as a sign of love.

To put our theory to the test, we substituted apples for the oranges in the Christmas bundles. At each home, the children’s names were called and bundles distributed so all the children could open their gifts at the same time. As the bundles were opened we started hearing gasps of joy. The gasps were not over the candy, a Hot Wheel car, or new tooth brush; they were for the apples. Faces lit up as children held their apples up to show their friends.

I then asked the kids, “Do you know why we put an apple in your Christmas bundle this year?” At every orphanage, they were quick to reply, “Because an apple means love.”

They got it!

Apples are definitely being included in the Christmas bundles again this year.
Follow this link to help spread some apple-love this Christmas.

Bundles!

2011-12-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Today I made 153 Christmas bundles to distribute to Orphanages this week. If you are curious what the rest of my week might look like watch this video from last Christmas.

Christmas in Liberia 2010 from Orphan Relief and Rescue on Vimeo.

Three Things

2011-12-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

1) I was originally going to entitle this blog entry; "I'm fat, I'm fat... I know it."

I've been back in Liberia for a week now, after 10 amazing, wonderful, relaxing, cold, eat-everything-American-I-can-get-my-hands-on weeks in the states. And ok, yes, I put on a few pounds. This is something that every Liberian feels is their personal responsibility to remind me of. Of course here it is a compliment, they are telling me I look healthy and they are happy to see me again... yada, yada, yada. It is one of those things I know in my head, but every time a --wanting to do well-- Liberian mentions my weight, something inside of me recoils. The American in me can't let go of the stereotype. I want to laugh it off, often I can, but sometimes it really stings. Posting this is my attempt to laugh it off, so I am going to share some of the things my Liberian friends have said to me, in welcoming me home this week--
-You're fat-o!
-You looking fine.
-You really got fat in America.
-I'm enjoying your body.
-You really got body-o!
-You're coming up.
-You're ready to bust.
And my personal favorite--You're really trying to expand! (Apparently I'm not only trying to, I've succeeded. ha!)

2) Arriving back in Liberia the first week of December can only mean one thing-- CHRISTMAS!!!

I've already started sorting, organizing and planning this year's Christmas deliveries for the orphanages. Wanna help? Ok-- go to the Orphan Relief and Rescue Christmas page and donate a Christmas bundle (or two) to help bring Christmas love to an orphan in Liberia this season. As of today, we have 185 bundles donated, our goal is at least 250.

If you are looking for other options to give this Christmas, check out my friend (and fellow ORRer) Ashley's on-line Christmas sale. She is selling all kinds of hand made Christmas gift options. Believe me, they are beautiful and worth checking out.

3) And, I can't leave you without some new pictures of my kiddos. Here are a few of my favs from my first week back--
(My parents got me a new camera as an early Christmas present and I am pretty much in love with it!)

Some of my Danny Feeney girls.

Miracle!

Practicing the grand-finale of the new and improved Frances Gaskin Cultural performance.

Solomon's story

2011-11-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Solomon is about five years old. I say “about” because, as with many children in Liberia, no one bothered to keep a record of the day he was born. His mother died when he was a baby, and Solomon went to live with an elderly female relative who was unable to properly care for him. The situation took a turn for the worse when his caretaker’s vision deteriorated to the point of almost blindness. The day that Salome Gbaryou (director at Danny Feeney Memorial Orphanage) stumbled upon him, Solomon was crawling around on the dirt floor of the kitchen, dangerously close to the cooking fire. Salome rescued Solomon that day, and he now lives safely with the 36 other children at Salome’s home.

Danny Feeney is just one of many orphanages that Orphan Relief and Rescue works with in Liberia and Benin, West Africa. We work tirelessly to be able to serve orphans like Solomon and help to give them another chance at life.

This Sunday, (November 6, 2011) is Orphan Sunday, a day set apart to remember the plight of orphans worldwide. In honor of this day, Orphan Relief and Rescue is having an Open House at our stateside office in Burien, WA. If you are in the area, please stop by any time between 4 and 8 pm to meet our staff, share our vision, and, most importantly, hear more stories like Solomon’s. If you can not join us on Sunday, please remember us in your prayers and consider donating to the work Orphan Relief and Rescue is doing today.

The Orphan Relief and Rescue office is located at 1416 SW 151^st Street; Burien, WA; 98166. Call 206-453-3158 for questions or directions.

Deb in the USA

2011-10-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

I've been back in the states for about 6 weeks and am just finishing up a month of traveling, resting, visiting friends and family and eating just about every yummy food that I can get my hands on over here. My plan is to head back to Liberia December 3rd. Just because I am not in Liberia right now doesn't mean there isn't stuff happening over there. Follow the Orphan Relief and Rescue blog to find out what is going on.

Pray for Peace in Liberia

2011-10-07T22:52:00.000-07:00

Today the winners of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize were announced. Three women who have fought hard for peace have been awarded this great honor. Two of the women are from Liberia. One is the current president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. There may be many different speculations on the timing of this announcement-- she is up for re-election next Tuesday, but I am going to choose to use it as a reminder that Liberians can stand for peace.

A lot is up in the air and uncertain for the future of Liberia. The elections next week could go very badly, the country could easily fall back into the familiar pattern of war. But, and this is what I am praying for, the elections could go well, a leader could be chosen who can continue to lead them in peace. Whether that leader is Ma Ellen or not, hers is an example that I pray is followed by many.

I have a lot of friends in Liberia, not to mention the children I have been serving for the last three years. What happens with this upcoming election has the potential to drastically affect all of this. To use a Liberian phrase-- I beg you, please join me in praying for Peace in Liberia.

Going Home

2011-09-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am starting the 30+ hour trek back to Washington State.

Going home.

I've been in Liberia for a year straight this time. Some people would ask "What's the big deal about a year?" But anyone who has lived in Liberia will understand-- I kinda feel like I am going insane. I love Liberia, and am coming back, but it is time for break.

It is always a strange feeling to leave a place that I have spent so much time, a place that has become home in it's own way-- to go home.

In years past I have fought against leaving Liberia to return to the states. This time, I am VERY ready. But, I am not without mixed feelings. It is difficult to leave people and places-- a way of life-- that has become so familiar. In a way, I am heading into a great unknown.

As much as we may try, I don't know what people back home have been through in the last year and they don't know about me. As my life has been going full force here, so has everyone's back home. I have found with some people it is easy to pick right back up, while with others it is more difficult each time I return. I find myself feeling very insecure about where or how I will fit back in to people's lives.

It is an awkward feeling to be sitting in a room of people I've known well, for years, and not know the inside jokes, the hurts and the celebrations of the last year. To not get the pop-culture references or be the only one at the table without an iphone. I've learned all this from past experiences, but I've also learned something else... it's worth it.

To reconnect with loved ones, to hear stories of pain, sorrows, frustrations, joys, happy-times, mediocre times. To be able to laugh, hug, cry, talk, whisper, walk, together over coffee, in a familiar living room, at the mall, on the trail, in a car.

This year there have been some horrible things that happened while I was gone, like the death of one of my closest friends, my dear Michelle. I don't know what life on that side is like without her. People have been hospitalized, become engaged, travelled to other parts of the world. I want to hear all the stories.

And so, as I pack up my Liberian life in a neat little package to carry back with me, I hope those of you I know on the other side of the Atlantic will want to hear my stories too. Let's be patient with each other, listen and learn from each other. We might not know or understand everything that has gone on in the last year of our lives, but we know and love each other. I think that alone, being in the presence of someone who loves you, who wants to know you more-- that is going home.

"Sometimes I can feel scared."

2011-09-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I visited my friends at Frances Gaskin orphanage. After I made my rounds—watching the cook serve up their daily meal, checking in with the orphanage Director, changing a dressing on a girl fresh from surgery, administering some other miscellaneous first aid and giving out plenty of hugs—I sat on the porch, listening to the August rain and had a chat with my friend Jeremiah.

Jeremiah is 10 years old. He is curious about everything. He is constantly asking questions and observing the world around him. And he remembers everything I ever told him. I love to sit and talk with him whenever I get the chance. Yesterday our conversation drifted towards the upcoming elections in Liberia. Even though Jeremiah is young, he is very aware. He was telling me about how everyone is scared of bad people during this time. He remembers when armed robbers broke into the orphanage a few years ago and how scared he was. He told me, “I thought they were going to harm us.” Thankfully no one was hurt that day.

Living in Liberia, a country that is still recovering from 14 years of civil war, safety and security are always close to mind. Not too long ago my neighbor was shot and killed. I am thankful for the security fence I have around my yard to keep my house safe.

I could talk all day about why I think Frances Gaskin needs a security fence, but instead, let me tell you what Jeremiah says about it—“I don’t like to be in the yard without a fence because anytime somebody can just come in the yard.” He went on to say that, “Sometimes I can feel scared.”

Here, Jeremiah is standing near the existing 'fence,' a hedge of hibiscus bushes. You can see the road directly behind him. He is open, exposed, without protection.

I hate the fact that children are feeling scared to live in their own home. A home should be a safe haven. We still need $3000 to finish the security fence that will help keep Jeremiah, his brothers and sisters safe. Please help today.

Marathon!

2011-08-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

Today was an historic day in Liberia. The first ever marathon in this country. In America there is probably a marathon somewhere every week, but here, it is actually a really big deal. Many Liberian's have never even heard of a marathon and the concept of a 26 mile road race is incomprehensible. Even though this was the first race of it's kind in Liberia, it was officially accredited to count for serious marathon runners-- meaning we may (probably will) see people who ran today in the next Olympics.

I am not a runner. Never have been and have no real desire to torture myself by running for 26 miles. I think people who do it must have a certain level of insanity (don't we all) but I greatly admire them.

I was, however, a part of this momentous day in Liberia by volunteering on the medical team. We set up a make-shift hospital at the end of the race-- SKD Stadium. The bonus of being there was watching the winning runner cross the finish line. The down-side (but reason we were all there) was caring for the dozens of passed-out, exhausted runners. At one point every cot was full and we were starting IV's on people laying on the floor. We were worried, there were several cash prizes available, including $3000 USD for first place. Unfortunately, that is more than many Liberians would see in a year. No one knew how many would turn out to run, untrained but hoping for the cash prize. Thankfully, even though there was chaos, there were no major injuries. It was pretty amazing to watch people who collapsed, after after pushing themselves through 26 miles in the pouring Liberian rain, perk up after a half hour of fluids and snacks and walk out of the medical station smiling and showing off their medal.

A friend of mine wrote a great article about today. Follow this link to read it.

about a mile in.

the finish line

the first runner into the stadium. a sweet ethiopian man who was WAY ahead of everyone else.

just passed the finish line.

there was a 10K race for amputees as well.

Jogma

2011-08-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Please pray for my friend Jogma. Last week she had a semi-emergent c-section. I feel like any surgery in Liberia is a scary one, but especially this one. After 60+ hours of labor and still no baby-- she was exhausted, baby's heart rate showed signs of stress, the doctors decided that was the only way to go.

Thankfully, the baby was born without any problems. Small Joshua (as we call him) is perfect in every way.

Jogma, however, is having a really hard time. She has been having a lot of pain and fevers since Joshua was born. Two days ago I took her back to the hospital to have her stitches removed and they found an infection in the wound. Today I brought her back for a dressing change and not only is the infection there, she is severely anemic. She has been re-admitted to the hospital (I will say again here how scary hospitals are in Liberia!) for IV antibiotics and an emergent transfusion.

Jogma is young, 16 years old, and scared. She is one of the smartest, sweetest and most talented girls I know. Please join me in praying for her health and safety today.

Updates--

2011-08-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Baby Wonderful

When I first met Wonderful, in March of 2008, he was a pathetic nine month old trying to recover from pneumonia.

At almost four years old, we can't call him 'baby' anymore. Whenever he sees my truck driving up he comes running with a huge smile and leaps into my arms (sometimes even smelling of cologne, never to young to impress I guess).

Korpu

Longtime readers of my blog will remember Korpu. Here she February of 2010-- four years old and 15 pounds.

She has never been a fan of the camera, but here she is today. She actually looks her age!

Emmie

I first told Emmie's story about a month ago-- head covered with sores from a chemical burn at the hands of her step-mother. Today she is laughing and playing with the other children in the home-- head clean and clear, new hair growing in.

Rough edges

2011-08-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

I’m tired.

Today, I am tired. I am discouraged. I am saddened.

I want to give up. God says, ‘Press on.’

I have realized over the last few weeks how deeply exhausted I am. How tired I am of fighting so hard for everything. Can’t anything be easy? Can’t I just have a refrigerator that works all the time and I don’t have to think about changing the tank? Is it so much to ask for a day of running errands without the hassle? Can’t anything ever go as planned? And don’t even get me started on hot water!

My strength is over. It’s finished.

I was talking to a friend the other day and he said he felt so stripped of everything he didn’t even think God could use him anymore. My response to him— that’s exactly when God can use you. I guess this is one of those times I need to take my own advice. But that, of course, is not always easy.

Today was filled with rough edges-- A confrontational meeting, traffic, disappointing news about choices that some kids are making, a child afraid to smile, a small boy still limping three years later, a brand new fence… busted.

And of course today's rough edges just build on the ones from yesterday.

I am not meaning to sound sorry for myself, just being honest. Today was a rough day. I am tired. If it was up to me I would be curled up in the fetal position—done. I am even discouraged that I am discouraged.

Some of this may be true. Some may be hormonal. Some may be situational.

The day may have had rough edges, but there is so much more. There is the beauty of a child’s laugh, a hug, an interlaced hand-hold, coffee in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon, someone who cares enough about me to fix my favorite dinner.

A God who says, ‘Press on,’ when I don’t want to anymore, and then gives me the strength to do it.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on… I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Phil 3:13-14, 4:13

sweet Emmie

2011-07-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today I met a precious girl. I hugged her. I tried to find a smile. I cut off all her hair.

Emmie is about six years old. She was dropped off at an orphanage this week after her step-mother put a chemical on her head which caused serious burns over most of her scalp. The only reason to do so was to cause her harm. There were other reports of abuse as well, so another family member brought her to the orphanage and begged for help. She is in a safe place now.

When I found her today, her big sad eyes showed her confusion and fear. As I tried to examine her scalp she burst into tears, afraid of further pain and the unknown. As I cut off her hair, trying to assess the damage, she stiffened and jumped at each touch. I applied soothing ointment and covered the wounds with clean dressings but the wounds on her heart run deeper.

Please join us in prayer for sweet Emmie today.

Thank you.

www.orphanreliefandrescue.org

Safe and Secure

2011-07-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

In the past week the owner of the night club next door was murdered-- shot by armed robbers as he left for the night, his family staged a loud and disruptive protest (riot) against the police right outside my house and some of my own security guards (the ones who I increased for security due to the problems outside the fence) were caught stealing from inside my fence. Needless to say, it has been a rough week.

I heard the shot, witnessed the traffic stopping protest, discovered the missing fuel. There has been a great range of emotions-- fear, anger, numbness, disbelief. And even just plain feeling like an idiot. There were many moments that I didn't exactly feel safe and secure.

Somehow I am still standing. Somehow through it all I have felt protected. Scared, yes. Unsure, yes. Betrayed, yes. But, most of all, protected and saved and thankful.

I am thankful tonight for those who have worked hard for my safety and security. I am proud and thankful for my team, who has endured the trials of the last week and has come through strong, even smiling. I am thankful for God's protection and the endurance to carry on.

Celebrating Buster

2011-06-08T04:19:00.000-07:00

A year ago my friend Buster died. Even though Buster didn’t talk much, he was the life of the home. You could always find a smile and a laugh when you were with Buster. The orphanage is not the same without him.

Since the anniversary of his passing was on its way, we (at ORR) decided to honor him by bringing some Buster-sized smiles to the orphanage family he left behind. It was declared “Buster Day"! Our Buster party-pack included smiley face stamps, silly bands, balloons, and a heart shaped craft to remember our love for Buster. And, of course, no party is complete without chocolate biscuits, candy, and juice!

I started out by asking what everyone remembered most about Buster and got a little worried as I was greeted with serious, unsure faces and a few trembling lips. Then an answer came—“Buster loved to sing!” “He loved to dance.” “Buster always loved to smile!”

Everyone enjoyed the Buster Day party. It even ended with a spontaneous sing-a-long in his honor. We may never know why Buster died so early, but thankfully we can always remember the life he brought when he was here.

Miss you buddy!

Buster "Busta Rhymes" Findley
Died June 2010

Click here to see what else we are up to at Orphan Relief and Rescue.

Beach Day!

2011-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Spending time with kids affords many fun experiences and creates many unforgettable memories. There are some days that outweigh the rest... some days you wish you could live over and over... some days you don't think you could possibly smile any bigger and you maybe have to wipe a tear away, it is so real, so amazing.

A day at the beach.

A sunny, playful afternoon at the beach was a staple in my growing up years. Something I took for granted. You might think, living in a tropical beach bordered country, it would be something the kids in Liberia enjoy too. The truth is that most children here, HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE BEACH! There are some who grow up on the beach, and for them is it a place to wash and (unfortunately for the rest of us) go to the bathroom. Others may live a short distance away, yet have never seen the sand, felt the wind or heard the crashing waves. This is a tragedy.

There are 26 kids inside this beach-bound clown car.

We decided that the time had come to introduce some (of our favorite) kiddos to the beach. We borrowed a friend's Land Cruiser for the afternoon and loaded it up for the 15 minute drive. As we rolled to a stop at our destination, all you could hear were gasps of delight (and fear). Some kids didn't even want to cross the street towards the water. Others ran close then came to a quick stop. I literally had to carry one small girl over.

Then we stood there for awhile--
30 kids soaking in the ocean view for the first time.

These two were very reluctant to get their feet wet.

Slowly we inched closer. Some cried out and ran away while their braver friends forged on. As the minutes went by, more feet were wet, clothes started coming off, squeals of delight snuck out. Dodging the waves seemed to be instinct, shovels and buckets were filled and emptied, Uncle Josh was buried in the sand, a football was kicked in the surf.

Warming up to the ocean-- a wave is coming...

BAM!

When it was time to go we had to pull kids out of the water, they didn't want to go. The mother of the home exclaimed, "they are going to be talking about this for days!" ... And so are we.

Maybe this isn't so bad after all.

house for rent

2011-05-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Necessity dictates that I take a break from all news Liberia and focus back at home for a moment.

My current renters (who have been wonderful and amazing in every way) have just informed me that they will be moving in a few weeks. While this is a great opportunity for them, it leaves my house empty and me without means to pay my mortgage. I was stewing about this yesterday and a song came on that reminded me, "everything's gonna be alright." Phew. I know God is faithful to fill this need and trust that He is already working on something good, but in the meantime can you pray?

And if you or anyone you know are looking to rent in the Bonney Lake, WA area, please let me know. (debbie@orronline.org would be the best way to contact me.)

Two bedrooms/two bathrooms, large wrap around deck, good sized yard. ~$1100/month + utilities.

Can't tell you how many hours I've spent on this great porch!

(More pics and info available upon request.)

I love this house. It has been a blessing and a refuge to me. I am praying that while I can't be there enjoying it there is someone else who will. Thanks.

A tale of two days.

2011-05-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2010. I received a phone call at 0600 am, my heart dropped before I heard the words, somehow I already knew-- Michael was dead.

Michael was an amazing boy. I had been spending a lot of time with him over the last few months as he struggled with complications of liver disease. He was 18. All he wanted to do was finish school, learn agriculture and help his country. Humble dreams. Instead he spent his last weeks in a horrible hospital room that he shared with as many as six other extremely ill boys. Crying, stench, depression all around. Even though he was weak and tired, Michael remained strong within. He wasn't scared. He encouraged me when I couldn't find the words to encourage him.

The day before Michael died was my birthday. He had fallen into a coma, he desperately needed a blood transfusion. There are no blood banks in Liberia, if you need blood you have to provide it. We were able to find a match and start the transfusion. I left him like that to go to my birthday party. I didn't know it at the time, but, my last words to Michael were pleading with him to stay strong and fight. I may have been pleading for myself. Late that night I called to check on him, there had been no change.

I received the call in the morning. A wailing cry from his Auntie, "Michael died-o!" I rushed to the hospital, saw the empty bed, it was true. That started a surreal parade of events. There is no time to waste, things must be done-- order a casket, watch as cheap wood is nailed together haphazardly and covered with gold spray paint (Michael deserved better than this), bring the casket to the morgue, lift his body into it, nail it closed, drive to the grave site, carry the casket, lower it down. Words were shared, women wailed, I wept. It was finished. Now what do you do? It was mourning in fast forward. Somehow at the end of the day there was closure, but there was also still a huge hole in my heart.

Michael Dimhue
Died May 20, 2010

Not sure how I would handle it, I was dreading May 20th as it approached this year. I was planning to go to Michael's grave and spend some time honoring him there. I didn't know what else to do.

The day before was my birthday, I was out celebrating with friends in the evening and drank too much coffee. At 0440 am, I had only slept about an hour, when I received a text from my good friend and co-worker Matt, "We are at the hospital, this is not a drill." Matt's wife, Alvina, was in labor three weeks early. After texting back and forth for about an hour I gave up on sleep and headed to the hospital. As I made another early morning drive to the hospital, I couldn't help notice the irony. I spent the day with Matt and Alvina, didn't do much, except be there, but I knew that's where I was supposed to be.

That afternoon Alvina delivered. It was a boy! Perfect in every way. (as Avina put it, "all his parts are correct."

Kingsley Cramer
Born May 20, 2011

A few hours later, as Alvina was resting, Matt and I couldn't help notice the difference the day had made. We thought we would be remembering Michael, spending the day at a graveyard. Instead, we spent the day celebrating new life. What a difference. What a blessing.

What a great way to honor Michael and redeem the day.

American Barvor

2011-05-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Last month Barvor headed to the states to get some much needed medical assistance for his eyes. No one really knew what kind of care that he would need, but the need for surgery was suspected. After two appointments with a specialist it has been determined that he will NOT need surgery. He is using a different kind of eye drops and has brand new specialized prescription glasses.

All in all he is doing very well—he is fitting in well with his foster family and LOVING all things America. He even made a trip to the Central Park Zoo in New York City!

American Barvor-- April 2011

For the contrast-
Barvor in Liberia -- March 2009

Baby Favor

2011-05-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

Towards the end of September a baby girl was born in Liberia. For some reason we will never know, her mother decided to place her inside a cardboard box and discard her in a pile of garbage behind a latrine. There this precious new life sat, surrounded by flies, rubbish, and human excrement. No one knows how long she lay there. Hours, maybe a day.

A woman was minding her own business that day. Rushing through her day, caring for her kids, trying to find meat to sell at her small booth in the market. The last thing she was expecting to find, as she stopped by the community latrine, was a baby. But that is what she found. Small, quiet cry. Dirty box. A decision.

Elizabeth chose to open the box. Inside she found a tiny newborn baby girl. No one saw anything, no one knew how long she was there, no one wanted anything to do with her. Elizabeth took her to the hospital, miraculously she was healthy. She went to the police who were unable (unwilling?) to help.

That brought Elizabeth to another decision. What to do with the girl? Bringing another mouth to feed into the family is not an easy thing in Liberia. She was already struggling to make ends meet as it was. No one would think any less of her if she decided not to keep her. But this girl had already been discarded once, Elizabeth couldn't do it again. It really wasn't a decision for her, she knew what she would do from the moment she opened the box...

She took the girl home and named her Favor because, surely she had received favor from God to survive, to be found, to be loved.

I met Elizabeth only a few weeks after she found Favor. The girl was so small, so vulnerable. Even though it is a story that I have heard before in Liberia, I was shocked. Shocked that someone could throw away their baby and shocked that someone could so selflessly rescue one. Honestly, there are probably more reasons here to get rid of a baby that to keep one-- resources are so scarce, food is expensive, school fees unimaginable for most.

I have had the pleasure of watching Favor grow over the last few months. She started so small, so shaky, always looking so fragile. Today Elizabeth brought Favor by for a surprise visit and I was blown away. The spunky, smily, chubby cheeked eight month old who greeted me today was too much. I couldn't stop thanking God for her. Thanking Elizabeth for everything she had done. Favor truly is a miracle. And I couldn't help but share her with you today.

Baby Favor

The Resurrection and the Life

2011-04-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from-- Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Written by Lew Wallace.

“All the eyes then looking were fixed upon the Nazarene. It may have been pity with which he was moved; whatever the cause, Ben-Hur was conscious of a change in his feelings. A conception of something better than the best of this life—something so much better that it could serve a weak man with strength to endure agonies of spirit as well as of body; something to make death welcome—perhaps another life purer than this one—perhaps the Spirit life which Balthasar held to so fast, began to dawn upon his mind clearer and clearer, bringing to him a certain sense that, after all, the mission of the Nazarene was that of guide across the boundary for such as loved him; across the boundary to where his kingdom was set up and waiting for him. Then, as something borne through the air out of the almost forgotten, he heard again, or seemed to hear, the saying of the Nazarene,

“I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.”

And the words repeated themselves over and over, and took form, and the dawn touched them with its light, and filled them with a new meaning. And as men repeat a question to grasp and fix the meaning, he asked, gazing at the figure on the hill fainting under its crown, Who the Resurrection? And who the Life?

“I AM,”

the figure seemed to say—and say it for him; for instantly he was sensible of a peace such as he had never known—the peace, which is the end of doubt and mystery, and the beginning of faith and love and clear understanding.”

May you find such Peace this Easter.

Cecelia is out of the ICU!

2011-04-18T06:57:00.000-07:00

After three tough nights in the ICU Cecelia was moved to the medical ward Sunday afternoon. She was smiling and laughing and licking a lollipop when I stopped by to visit. There is still some minor swelling in her throat and she’s still receiving IV antibiotics and steroids. However, she is drinking fluids and trying to eat soft foods, which is a huge step in the right direction. When I asked her what I could bring for her next time I visit her scratchy, raspy voice squeaked out, “Anything, Auntie.”

Thank you so much for all the prayers and messages of concern for Cecelia. Having a sick child is scary anywhere in the world, but here in Liberia where the health care system is lacking in so many ways-- where an ICU with 20 kids has only one nurse to care for them-- it is down right terrifying. Each night Cecelia was in the ICU a child in the bed next to her died. This is the hard reality of life in Africa. Orphan Relief and Rescue is thankful for the support we receive from you so that we can continue to care for children like Cecelia.

Fighting for her life

2011-04-14T14:28:00.001-07:00

A little girl named Cecelia urgently needs your prayers. She is literally fighting for her life right now. I just got back from seeing her admitted to the ICU at a local hospital where she is being treated for a life threatening condition called epiglottitis. She has severe swelling of her throat, difficulty breathing, a fever of 104 and severe dehydration due to the fact that she has not been able to eat or drink anything for a couple days. This is a rare and serious medical condition even with the best medical facilities available.

I was holding her as we waited to see the doctor in the emergency room and she could barely hold her head up. Exhausted from working so hard to breathe, she just kept looking up at me, big dark eyes pleading for help. So, now I plead with you. Please pray for this sweet girl who is struggling to make it through the night.

Thank you.

Barvor's big adventure

2011-04-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Barvor is going to start the greatest adventure of his lifetime. He is leaving Liberia for the first time and flying on a “big bird” to the United States for eye surgery.

We have known Barvor for about four years and almost from the very first day have been trying to get him help for his eyes. He has been to several local ‘eye specialists,’ worn special sunglasses, and used daily eye drops. His diagnosis is unclear, but it was clear that nothing more could be done to treat him in Liberia. I thought we had hit the end of the road.

Then we met Michelle Quinn. From the moment she met Barvor over a year ago she has been his greatest advocate. She has been in contact with doctors from all over the globe-- from Dubai to the states-- trying to figure out what could be done to save this boys eye sight.

Finally his day has come. On Sunday afternoon Barvor will be boarding a plane and flying to New York where a doctor and foster family are waiting for him. Due to less than adequate diagnostic equipment in Liberia, no one knows for sure what kind of treatment that Barvor will need. Arrangements have been made for him to stay in the states up to a year for recovery if surgery is required.

Please join us in praying for Barvor. There are many unknowns in the future for him. His biological mother and older brother are already blind. He has already been uprooted and moved to three different homes in the last nine months, now is the biggest move of all.

There are a lot of people to thank for making this opportunity a reality for Barvor. Thank you, Michelle Quinn and Sis Leonora Tucker from the MacDella Cooper Foundation Academy, your vision to help Barvor see is the only way we have reached this point today. Thanks is also due to Donna Barber from Global Orphan Outreach who has facilitated Barvor’s medical VISA, travel arrangements and is accompanying him on his flight to the states.

(This was originally posted on the Orphan Relief and Rescue blog.)

Three years

2011-03-23T08:11:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today I was having my Easter sunrise service at the airport, getting ready to take off for the great, unknown land of Liberia. I remember shaking my head as I boarded the plane-- wondering what in the world I was getting myself into? Even as I flew over the Atlantic and started the decent into this foreign land I did not believe that I would ever return. Twenty four hours later I knew I would.

When I first signed on with ORR it was for four months. Four became six, six became seven, day by day the time has stretched out into a lifetime of memories, friends, family, experiences, adventures, ups, and downs that I never saw coming. This crazy, ridiculous place has become home.

I don’t know how much longer I’ll be stomping up and down these dirt streets, but I am grateful for every day that I have had and each day to come. Liberia changes you. It strips you down to the rawest, truest form of yourself. There have been times that I didn’t like the person that I saw looking back at me, but have realized that I am finding the real me-- the me that God intended me to be.

“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” – these are Words that I constantly find myself coming back to. God started this journey in me and He is faithful to complete (perfect) it.

Three years!

Wonder where I’ll be in another three?

Celebration

2011-03-03T02:20:00.000-08:00

A few years ago I spent a week at a Monastery in Virginia. Throughout the week we learned about different spiritual disciplines-- prayer, fasting, silence and solitude. The one discipline that really surprised me was celebration. I had never really thought of it as something to practice, but learned the importance of it that week. I'll never forget breaking a day and a half of fasting with this amazing feast laid out before me. Surrounded by some of my most favorite people in the world, food and laughter never felt so good. It was amazing. There have been times of celebration since then, but probably not enough.

Then there was a moment this week where I realized that feeling again. True celebration. I was sitting on the steps of an orphanage with two precious little girls in my lap, laughing and singing and just being together. In front of me in the yard Ashley and Ma Mary were surrounded by children and the bright colors and joy of parachute fun. Behind them Josh and the boys were playing frisbee, UFO discs flying through the air like confetti. In the hall behind me I could hear, but not see, sweet sounds of singing, drumming and dancing as some of the other children were saying their goodbyes to Auntie Elena. The joy and celebration in the air was tangible. I wish I could have saved it somehow to show others how it can be. So good. So real. A few moments of whimsy and not caring about anything else in the world except where you are and how good and right it is that you are there.

Celebration. Beauty. Life.

a picture's worth a thousand words.

2011-01-31T14:58:00.000-08:00

Some of my favorite picture moments from the last few months.

JANUARY 2011

Patricia- trying to figure out how to be a teenager, yet still a little girl.

Parachute! - love the colors.

Small Salome.

DECEMBER 2010

Lucky and Kebbeh showing off their Christmas dresses.

Merry Christmas Sarah!

NOVEMBER 2010

Field Day at Fatu's.

Paul with the newest addition to the ORR fleet.

OCTOBER 2010

She LOVED her new boots!

Jumping rope with Ma Ruth.

New Belly Buttons

2011-01-18T11:34:00.000-08:00

Umbilical hernias are very common in Liberia. Everywhere you go you see the signature belly protrusion. It is something I never saw, or really even heard of before I came here. It isn’t clear why there are so many, for some reason weak abdominal muscles seem to be common in this region of the world. Often the hernia is merely a cosmetic problem, but in some cases, it can be very painful and, rarely, life threatening. The kids usually don’t mind them until they are older. In fact, often the hernia becomes a comfort to them and it is affectionately called their “liver.”

Kebbeh before.

Kebbeh after.

A surgical team with Children’s Surgery International (CSI) is currently working at a hospital in Liberia. I met them last year when they were here. They found the need so intense that before they left they were already planning to return. Some of our kids had been evaluated then, even though their hernias definitely needed attention, there were many other emergent cases at the time. We left that screening with the promise that we’d be on the top of the list when they returned.

On Saturday, I drove six kids to the hospital for their pre-op appointments. The kids were nervous and excited. An outing in the pick-up with Auntie Debbie is rare, but they also knew a big unknown was ahead. One girl vocalized what they were all thinking when she declared to everyone in the car, “They coming to cut our livers!”

Dr. Dave examines Eddie pre-op.

At the hospital the kids were evaluated by a pediatrician and the surgeon, labs were done and admission papers completed. Two of the boys tested positive for Malaria and started treatment immediately. They were showered with gifts by the nurses and other CSI team members. The surgeries were done on Sunday-- new belly-buttons all around. All six kids flew through with flying colors. They were a bit tired and sore, but were all discharged on Monday. I picked them up from the hospital and delivered them safely home where they were greeted with cheers from the other children. After a few days of rest they will be out playing again and proudly showing off their new belly buttons.

Eddie-boy after surgery.

(I borrowed this blog post from our ORR website blog. Please go to www.orphanreliefandrescue.org to see what else ORR has been up to in Liberia. Thanks!)

(A) Moving Day

2011-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

Some pretty special kiddos started a new chapter of their lives today.

You may have heard me tell part of their story before. These kids were living in an orphanage that was, according to the government of Liberia, deplorable. Their living conditions were truly unforgivable. They were always dirty. Never in school. Usually alone. The eight and nine year old girls did most of the cooking, laundry, cleaning and caring for the younger children. Often they ate only once a day. We had pleaded with the director to feed them more, to send them to school, to have an adult live with them at the home. We had pleaded with the government to close the home, it was no home. For over a year, nothing changed.

Then there was a fire. The boy's "dorm" burned down. It wasn't really a dorm, it was a dilapidated mud-brick room in an already questionable school building with a few bunks. The fire was accidental. All the boys got out. One had a burn on his foot. Thankfully they were all alive. Suddenly the government is there, removing the children (finally). Seventeen children were split between three already crowded - but miraculously different homes. Food was served three times a day. The kids could play, go to school. Life, in their limited understanding of circumstances, couldn't get better.

Not knowing that this tragedy (blessing?) of a fire would change their course, we had already started looking for another way. A new boarding school was being built. A new hope for the future of these kids. Several of them were admitted, but the school was still being built.

Fast forward six months-- to today. The school is finished. Moving day is here. I had the privilege of driving some of them to their new school. At the, not so new to them anymore, orphanage they are all ready. Best clothes on, bags packed, one last meal with the other 80+ children at the home. Joshua and Arthur can't stop smiling, instinctively they know this is gonna be good. George and Varbah aren't so sure. This place had become a safe refuge, so much better than anything they could have imagined before and they are making friends. Paul and Joe happy to go along with whatever may come. Quiet Patricia soaking it all in.

The Seven file upstairs to say goodbye. The father of the home, who has known these kids for only six months, starts to cry. "This will always be your home." I start to cry. It has been a home to them, a constant, something they never really had before. We pray together. With a crooked smile, and wiping a tear, Mr Smith fist-busts the departing children. There are whispered and giggled goodbyes from the other children as well. The pick-up is loaded with seven excited-scared kids and a few small plastic bags that hold all of their possessions.

The hour long drive gives them time to adjust a bit to the adventure. The chatter in the back seat doesn't stop the entire time. Driving fast, passing cars, a monkey for sale on the side of the road, airplanes on the ground at the airport-- these are all new, resulting in comments and giggles.

As we 4x4 around the last sand-corner and the new school comes into view, spontaneous singing erupts from the back. Seven sweet voices greet their new home, their school, their hope for the future.

Somehow I know that there are many more chapters to come...

ten years younger

2011-01-03T11:38:00.000-08:00

I love sharing good news.

I was finally able to get a picture to show off the new Oretha...

Oretha today. I love that smile!

Oretha before.

Her surgery was December 22. She did have some bleeding complications which required a second surgery the next day to close the incision and two days of being closely monitored. I visited her a few hours after the original surgery and didn't even recognize her, she looked so young and healthy (and that is after a major surgery and large blood loss!). She was discharged after a week in the hospital and will be returning to the clinic weekly for check-ups.

Oretha and her family are SO grateful for all the prayers and money that was sent so that she could have this life-changing surgery. Enough money was raised to fully cover all of her medical expenses with some left over to buy some new clothes and shoes (she didn't have any).

On behalf of Oretha-- Thank you so much!

more Christmas ponderings

2010-12-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

There is always one verse that stands out to me when I am reading the Christmas story. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." There was a lot going on-- shepherds, angels, corrupt leaders, census taking, babies being born. Ok, one Baby. But still, he was no ordinary baby. And in the midst of it all the author takes a moment to insert this sweet interlude. Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. She didn't just go along for the ride. She was invested and didn't want to miss out on the meaning of one miraculous minute.

I feel like there is a lesson in there for me. Do I take that time? Do I treasure all the amazing things going on around me.

As you know, I spent this week delivering Christmas to the kids at several orphanages. It is a time that is often hectic, taking it all in can be difficult. As a way to remember the week and thank those who donate towards it we make a video. It is aMAzing! I can't get enough of it. I was there when it happened, but I can't stop watching the faces, the joy, the amazement, the miracle of it all.

Click here to watch the video for yourself, it is so much better than me trying to describe it to you.

So, as Christmas is here and we celebrate the birth of Mary's baby. The inspiration of her own treasuring and pondering, our Savior, Jesus Christ-- let's all take some time to stop, to treasure, to ponder the miracles in our own lives.

Merry Christmas!

My Christmas is a little bit different.

2010-12-24T04:23:00.000-08:00

I think I say this every year, but it's true-- Christmas in Liberia is just not the same.

It is hot and sticky. The bombardment of advertising and media yelling at you that it is Christmas-- be happy already, is replaced by ceaseless requests for 'something small' and reminders that 'their Christmas is on me." (In fact, I've already been interrupted three times writing this blog.)

Despite the differences, this year feels more like Christmas. (What does that mean? How does it 'feel' like Christmas?) I have been trying to decide why. What's different? This is my third Christmas in Liberia, and the first time it has really 'felt' like Christmas. Is it familiarity? Tradition? I've been here long enough to say, "This is what we have done the last few years..."

For what ever reason, there are things that make this time of year seem Christmassy to me. Wrapping Christmas presents, Christmas lights and songs and cookies and decorating a tree. Most of those things have not been available to me here in years past. But, as we say here, Liberia is coming up. Wrapping paper is being sold at the supermarkets. My neighbors have Christmas lights strung on their house. I have an oven now and a plethora of baked goods have been produced. Men are selling Christmas trees on the streets in town, carrying them on their heads, I even saw someone trying to stuff one into the back of a full taxi. I bought one for five dollars.

There is a decorated tree in my living room with wrapped presents underneath it. What?

Christmas in Liberia has also become about the Children. I guess that may be obvious, I am here working with orphans. Each December we spend days, preparing, sorting, piling up, wrapping-- clothes, shoes, toys, apples (an apple means, I love you), for the kids. Christmas delivery days are the best. Well, they are a lot of hard work and some times frustrating. But, there is always a moment where it all makes sense. A moment where I remember why I am here.

This was THE moment for me this year. The moment where it all made sense. The moment that Lucky's eyes met mine, her whole face-- those amazing eyes, lit up. She felt it and so did I.

CHRISTMAS!

Whether or not those physical 'Christmassy' things are making a difference this year, I am learning more and more that things being different does not mean it is bad. And Christmas is not about where you are as much as it is about who you love. I love God, my friends, family, and the kiddos here, no matter where I am in the world. That alone brings the joy of Christmas close.

PS

2010-12-19T07:30:00.001-08:00

Just re-read this from a card my mom gave me a few months ago--

"The provision for the need you face will be met through His incredible resources."

Amen.

Provision (because I don't know another word to describe it)

2010-12-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

I have been talking a lot about need lately. Today I want to talk about provision.

Nothing has really changed. Babies still have birth defects. Houses burn down. Parents have a hard time finding money to feed their children. I should still be overwhelmed with it all, but I am not. I was chatting with a friend the other day and he asked me what had changed. I didn't even have to think about it. Prayer. I know that people are praying for me, I can feel it. Along with that, I have been able to realize that as much as I may want to, I can not do it all. Even more, it is not my job to save them all. It is only my job to love them. My dad reminded me recently to find out what God is doing and join him it. It really takes the pressure off. God has provided me with peace and assurance that I don't have to do it all. And I don't cringe anymore when someone comes to my porch.

About a month ago I shared Oretha's story. God provided abundantly. More than enough money came in, but there is more. I was a bit uneasy about the hospital where Oretha was going to have her surgery. I kept praying about it, worrying about the care she would receive (or not receive) there. I had picked up the wire transfer and had no excuse not to tell her and her family about it, but for some reason I held back. I was praying about what to do. As far as I knew there was only one other hospital in the country that might be able to do the surgery, but it is very far away and really expensive. As I was talking with some friends about the situation, one said he had just been at another small hospital in town. While he was there he heard that they had doctors and nurses from the states here and were looking for people who needed specific surgeries-- including for goiters! First thing the next morning I went down to the clinic to check it out. It was true. Oretha went for an evaluation on Wednesday, she received a complete worked up, and is scheduled for surgery on MONDAY!

Please keep praying.

I know that God will keep providing.

An apple means "I love you."

2010-12-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

They got it!

Apples are definitely being included in the Christmas bundles again this year.
Follow this link to help spread some apple-love this Christmas.

(Ok, yes, I posted this a few days ago on the ORR website, but wanted my Deb in Liberia readers to see it too.)

Bombardment of need

2010-11-30T16:24:00.000-08:00

A sick pregnant woman.

An abandoned baby with a birth defect.

An unconscious 19 month old boy who's been having seizures.

Two separate mother's who have passed away.

A 17 year old who drowned.

A broken leg.

A goiter that needs to be removed.

Unable to pay school fees.

Unable to pay rent.

Unable to feed family.

Lost job, and all money stolen.

House destroyed by fire.

These are the needs that have been brought to my porch in just the last few weeks. These needs represent family and friends and people in my community. Each one has a face and a name I know. The level of need is unmeasurable. It is so deep I have gotten lost somewhere in between. I can't help them all. I wish I could. I don't even know if helping them is really helping them. Can I change the employment situation, the culture, the beliefs of an entire country? It goes so far beyond me.

I received an e-mail from a friend that said that she thought I sounded discouraged, or at least heavy hearted. I think that is the word, my heart is heavy from trying to carry the burden of them all. I know it is not my job. I need wisdom, discernment that does not come from me.

Matt 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I have turned to this verse many times in the past when I was feeling weary. Now, feeling burdened, it brings new hope.

Please believe me dear friends, I am not discouraged. I don't know how that can be, except that my God is sustaining me. However, the weight of need that is around me is too heavy for me to carry. I am trying to let go, to be wise, to show compassion and understanding. I feel like I need a force field.

(PS- thanks to all for the response to help Oretha. I believe more than enough money has been promised and I am hoping that her surgery will be scheduled soon. I'll keep you posted. See, God does provide!)

Oretha

2010-11-25T02:12:00.000-08:00

I have been holding off on writing this post because I don't know how to ask, but today I am just going to do it.

I met a woman named Oretha about a month ago. She is related to my driver, Joseph. When I met her she had just arrived in town from her village up-country and she was looking for help.

As you can see, Oretha has a pretty significant goiter (in case you don't know, simply put, a goiter is the thyroid gland gone wild). Thankfully it is not painful, but as you can imagine it is not comfortable either. If it continues to grow it can cause problems with swallowing and eventually with breathing.

I wasn't even sure if this kind of surgery was available in Liberia. I sent Oretha to a local clinic where they referred her to a doctor that does do the surgery. She should be scheduled for surgery now. The problem is money. The cost of the surgery is $450 USD and 3 units of blood. (Yep, in Liberia you have to provide your own blood.)

Up to this point the family has not asked for any money. They have taken Oretha to all the doctors appointments, x-rays, and lab tests. They have started having family members tested for blood type to see if they can help (unfortunately my blood type is not a match or I would help as well). They are pulling their money together to cover the other hospital costs. But they, or I for that matter, can not afford the $450 for the actual surgery.

This is where my plea comes in. Can you help? I actually feel guilty asking. I feel like I already ask a lot from my friends and family who are already supporting me in my work here. I feel like I should be asking you to send money to help us with our programs or Christmas bundles for the kids. But, Oretha also needs help, and I am not sure what else to do, so I am asking.

ORR

2010-11-18T07:29:00.000-08:00

I am just taking this opportunity to shamelessly plug the amazing organization that I work for-- Orphan Relief and Rescue. If you have not checked out our website please go to www.orphanreliefandrescue.org and check it out. There you will find the ORR blog that is updated weekly by our team in the field (that includes me), as well as, all kinds of information about our work in West Africa, upcoming projects and how you can help. And for the latest on what's happening in Liberia click here to see the November newsletter.

Sunday morning pity party

2010-11-14T03:37:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday morning and I am not going to lie, I woke up crabby this morning. It was a long night of dogs barking, rain pounding on the roof, security guard sleeping again... Why can he sleep if I can't?

And on top of that, today John and Carrie leave. Two of my life lines here. I am SO happy for them to start this next chapter of their lives (getting married in a few weeks) but it is leaving a huge hole in life as I have known it in Liberia. (I was realizing this week that John has been a part of all my favorite memories in Liberia, Carrie a confidant and constant shoulder to cry on.)

So, I am on my porch, one of my favorite places in Liberia, with my Bible, coffee, Searching for God Knows What, and being dive-bombed by a huge drunk wasp thingy for the second morning in a row. Not feeling very Sundaymorningish. While listening to my ipod I come across an old familiar song. I remember singing a different version of it when I was growing up, but the words are the same. They come from Isaiah 52:7.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

The passage is referring to the messengers who ran from the scene of a battle to bring news of the outcome to a waiting king and people. In this case, it was the good news that their years of living in exile were over. They were saved. This good news hits a little closer to home for me as I have been spending the last few weeks struggling through the words of the 'weeping prophet,' Jeremiah who was warning them all about the coming exile. It reminds me of the ending, no matter what the current circumstances, 'Our God reigns.'

That is beautiful news.

I am still tired. My friends are still leaving. My God still reigns.

The House that Momo Built

2010-11-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

A home in our neighborhood burned down this week. A house of cards balanced together, grass mat and zinc. It only took a hint of a flame to burn the entire place to the ground. A mother, Ellen, and her seven children lost everything. Literally everything. But they are thanking God for their lives. They were all inside sleeping when the fire started. Now squatting on the foundation of what used to be their house. Sleeping, cooking, living outside with nothing over their heads. Exposed to the world-- hot sun, pouring rain, stolen glances by passersby.

I met them today. Ellen, wrapped only in a lapa, scrapping together some snails to try and sell in the market. Her girls, names we all know, Mary, Hannah, Hawa, Mercy standing by deer eyed, their lives turned upside down. Momo guided me there. Earlier in the week we had sent some clothes and other miscellaneous supplies. Ellen thanked me. The girls laughed when I said their names. We left. We talked on the way back to our house about how bad we felt. The clothes, while needed, seemed too small of a bandage to cover their wound. Momo lead the conversation (or was it God), "what ever you want to do bosslady."

At home we found a few sheets of left over zinc, at least it could be a small cover for their heads. They also need walls. Grass mat. Three dollars and fifty cents for one. Twenty US dollars and their entire house (almost) could be walled in. Twenty dollars! That is pocket change for a lot of people. But this family was house-less.

Not for long.

Momo was off. On a mission. Zinc on his head. Grass mat loaded in the back of our new truck. Momo sitting on top to hold it down. King Momo on his chariot. A different kind of rescue. Not just grass mat and zinc-- a home.

The Essential Ingredient

2010-11-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

I read some lines today that remind me of my own little 'band of brothers', er, sisters.

Heidi, Jenni, Michelle--

We hear each other's stories. We discover each other glories. We learn to walk with God together. We pray for each other's healing. We cover each other's back. This... is the essential ingredient...

-- whatever else you do, you must have a small fellowship to walk with you and fight with you and bandage your wounds.

("Waking the Dead" by John Eldredge)

Friday

2010-10-31T11:01:00.000-07:00

Some days defy description. Ok, in Liberia a lot of days defy description.

Friday was like that. One crazy thing after another, all day long. But it started out with an e-mail that outweighs all of the craziness of Liberia. Something that makes even less sense to me-- my dear, sweet, beautiful friend Michelle died. It was not entirely unexpected, she had fought Lou Gehrigs disease for the last three years. When I saw her in September she was locked inside the prison of her body, hardly able to move or communicate. But this is not the Michelle that I knew and loved. Michelle loved life, she was full of it. Her laugh burst joy into the universe. So to hear, and have to believe, that she is no longer on this earth is really unfathomable to me. But it is true. And to think that I have to go on living somehow seems dishonoring. So, when my day started with the news of Michelle, I wasn't really sure how to proceed. I am thousands of miles away. How do I pay my respects? How do I hug her kids and our friends to tell them I am sorry? I didn't get to say good bye. I didn't get to hug her one more time. How do I finish the sandwich I was eating when I heard the news or go about anything "normal?" It almost seems disrespectful.

I knew that Michelle was going to die. Just like I know that she is now celebrating. I didn't know it was going to hurt this bad. I didn't know how badly I would feel the need to be connected to the people that connected us. I don't understand why I have been away the last two years, when it seems like she could have used me the most. But I do know that Michelle wouldn't have had it any other way. She was one of the most supportive people of my Liberian orphan adventure. Over and over she would tell me I was exactly where I was supposed to be. She was proud of me. Just as I am proud of her. And I guess I can now say to Michelle, even if I don't fully understand it, "You are exactly where you are supposed to be, you are free."

I love you Michelle.

Shoes

2010-10-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

Today started out rough.

Something was stolen. This happened a few months ago also, and was one of the most painful things that I think I have ever experienced. It hurt. I felt so vulnerable, exposed, betrayed. And today it happened again. All those hurtful, vulnerable, frustrating feelings came rushing right back. It sucks.

What does that have to do with shoes? Nothing really, except that we got to help some pretty amazing kiddos get some new shoes today. They were so excited! Can you imagine a room full of kids jumping up and down-excited about getting a new pair of shoes? You would have thought they were just told they were going to Disney Land (although they probably have no idea what Disney Land is.) The place erupted into screams of joy and laughter because they were told they were going to get a new pair of shoes (and they weren't even really new-- just new to them).

Last week our friend Momo's son had his school shoes stolen. He was at school and his shoes were stolen. Sad, I know. In Liberia you are sent home if you don't have the right shoes, or a stain on your uniform. You can't possibly learn anything if you are not dressed appropriately. We were able to get Soko a new pair shoes so he wouldn't miss any school, but really?

So this morning we were having a meeting with our staff, discussing the missing items. Everyone is shocked and embarrassed and has no idea about it. It reminded me of the Family Circus cartoon I used to read where the mom is standing there holding a broken vase or spilled milk or something and all the kids are gathered around her saying "Not me!" I mean, there are only so many of us around the house. Unless the stuff somehow ended up in that place where socks go, somebody has to be involved. But, I'll probably never know who for sure.

As we are gathered around the table, Elena and I trying not to dissolve into tears again, explaining to our staff, that I love and trust (but are stealing from me) how we are going to have to change some things around here-- beef up security, add some locks and take away privileges. Momo, of all people, dear, goofy Momo sits there sure as anything and says, "We have to pray God this is the end. He will take care." From Ma Mary I would expect this, but not from Momo. Leave it to God to use the most unlikely one to push us in the right direction. So we all bowed our heads and prayed together for the "rogue inside the house" and for the rest of us to remember to trust God, in all things.

And then I got to go witness some kid's day's being brightened by a new pair of shoes. And somewhere in the midst of all the new shoe excitement, I forgot about my own situation and rejoiced.

Back in the L-I-B

2010-10-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

I arrived back in Monrovia Friday night to find that our generator was, as we say in Liberia, "spoiled." For those of you who do not rely on generator power, not having one means-- no electricity (obviously), no water (can't run the water pump), no charging of phones or computer batteries, no internet... you get the idea. Five days later, after two trips to the repair shop and one generator repair tech home visit we seem to be up and running again. Phew!

Today Elena (my sole ORR side-kick for now) and I went to visit the kids at two different orphanages. We were greeted by shrieks of laughter, hugs and, "you got fat-o!" (After two years I am still reminding myself that is not an insult). It was great to be back with the kids. And a good reminder why I am here-- not to wrestle with generator repair and the other craziness that floats to the top of the priority list-- but to love on these precious ones.

It's been awhile...

2010-09-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

Apologies to all for my blogging silence over the last few months. This past year in Liberia proved to be not only terribly busy, but also surprisingly difficult. A lot has happened in the last four months-- weddings and funerals, moving (new orphanage building in Liberia and ORR's state-side office) and grand opening ceremonies galore.

Instead of trying to catch up on everything now I'll just start over from here. I am currently back in Washington state, preparing to head back to Liberia next Thursday (September 30th). I will be returning into my new role as Country Director and this brings many challenges, however, I am facing this new program year with a great excitement. This will be my third year living in Liberia and it truly feels as if I am returning home. I am looking forward to seeing my Liberian friends and family and my precious kiddos too, of course!

I will keep this post short, trying to get back into the habit of blogging, and honestly hope to be better at this in this new year.

For now, I'll leave you with what has become both my theme verse and motivation this year--

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

The Latest from Deb in Liberia.

2010-05-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot going on and I am not sure where to start...

Several months ago, I was praying about my future with Orphan Relief and Rescue-- whether I would remain in Liberia, go back home or do something completely different. As I prayed I heard two things very clearly from God. First, it is not time to leave Liberia yet. Second, I felt very strongly that as I continued with ORR I needed to prepare to be doing something new, something outside healthcare. I won't lie, that was very difficult for me, I think nursing is embedded in my DNA. As I continued to seek God I felt more and more peace about it, until I didn't even think about it for a couple months. In March, Tim (ORR's president) visited us here. During that time he asked me to consider taking on the shared role of Country Director for ORR in Liberia. Our current Country Director has decided not to return to the field, so another staff member and I would be sharing the responsibilities of running ORR in Liberia. Tim thought he was going to surprise me with the request, but instead I shocked him when I said that God had already been preparing me for this. Starting this month Matthew Cramer and I will be taking on this new role, leading our team here. I suppose this is a promotion of sorts, for now I will be sharing my time between healthcare and director.

There are other personnel changes as well. Some key long term staff are leaving and new people are joining the team. We also have several important projects going on including the first orphanage we have build from the ground up being completed and moving the kids in next month. We are meeting with over 150 kids each week in small groups, teaching and playing and offering them one on one time. Over all the health of the kids is better than before, but malaria and other illnesses still strike often. One boy, Michael, could use specific prayers as he is fighting severe liver disease. He is hospitalized now and doesn't seem to be responding to the meds. Everything that can be done for him here, is being done.

I would covet your prayers in this crazy time. Please pray for wisdom in this new role and for unity among the team throughout all the upcoming changes. Pray for Michael and the other kids health as rainy season sets in. We long to show them Jesus in everything we do-- to train them up in the way they should go. This is extremely difficult when they are not getting that influence from anyone else.

Currently I plan to be arriving home in mid-July and then return to Liberia at the end of September. Besides catching up with friends and family as able, I will be spending some of that time working in ORR's US office that is moving to Burien, WA this summer, so I will be close to home!

Momo's wedding and other weekend craziness!

2010-04-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the opportunity to go to our security guard and friend, Momo’s, wedding. Momo and Marthaline decided to have a traditional Liberian country wedding. The requirements for which include the entire wedding party going to the bride’s village for the ceremony. As it turns out, the village Marthaline grew up in was an unknown distance off of the main road from a city four hours outside of Monrovia. As Momo’s employers and friends, it became our responsibility to transport them all there. We did not really know what we were getting ourselves into and it had all the makings to become the perfect Gong show.

The wedding caravan left before seven am on Saturday. Our JAC truck was loaded down with about 15 wedding guests sitting on recycled church pews in the back. I was driving the pick-up full of VIP Liberian women, including the bride. Our Jeep had the rest of the ORR gang, plus Momo’s pa. Four hours outside Monrovia we reached Gbarnga (pronounced Bonga) and found the dirt road that led to Marthaline’s village.

As the driver of the vehicle with the bride inside, I had to lead the caravan into the village. Marthaline had not been to her village for a long time and the best description for how long it would take along the dirt road was “It is far, small,” (which in Liberian translates to really, really far) and “We will pass five other villages to get there.” The road, more like a trail, took us past several small villages and over eight iffy log bridges. Thankfully, Marthaline was a little off on her estimation and we reached the village after only 45 minutes of bumping along the dusty road.

The family had erected a flower and palm branch awning at the house (mud hut) and everyone was ready to start the festivities as soon and the bride and groom had arrived. I can’t really explain everything that happened over the next five hours, but after we all changed into our wedding clothes, the negotiations began. We all sat in school chairs as both families negotiated, exchanged money, a glass bowl, some cola nuts and wood carvings. Somewhere along the way they started serving popcorn and a crazy drunk lady started yelling from the back of the crowd. Then all of a sudden the negotiations ended, people were hugging and shaking hands and they were serving food and soft drinks. The wedding was over—Momo was married.

We elected to not stay in the village and found a nearby guesthouse to sleep at. The next morning we returned down the dusty road and over the bridges to pick up the wedding party and head back to town. The party continued in the back of the JAC but things were much more sedate in my vehicle. When I asked Marthaline if she was going to ride back in the back of the JAC with her husband she said, “No way Debbie, I am with you!”

The ride back to town was slow and bumpy. We were all exhausted and ready to be home when we came across the scene of a motorbike accident. It had literally just happened, the wheel of the bike was still turning when we drove by. I saw two women walking along the side of the road and started thinking everything was ok, until I noticed the man laying on the shoulder. I pulled over the truck and ran across the road, fully expecting him to be dead. He had some pretty significant road rash on one arm and a leg. Thankfully, he was breathing and had a strong pulse, but was not responsive.

Somehow Liberians starting appearing from everywhere, everyone thinking they knew the right thing to do. I really didn’t want to move him, but Mariel had been in this circumstance before and quickly reminded me that no one else was coming. God must have put authority in my voice because somehow everyone at the scene who was trying to “help” listened to my commands. We rolled up a shirt to stabilize his neck and found a tarp to use as a stretcher. Meanwhile other ORRers were throwing grass into the street to alert passing cars and directing traffic. We loaded him and his sisters (who also had some pretty bad road rash and were pretty hysterical but otherwise unharmed) into the back of the JAC truck and headed out towards the hospital. Mariel and I took turns attempting to keep his neck immobilized as we lumbered down the road, through Red Light, and over some huge potholes.

Somewhere along the way I looked around the back of the truck and had to laugh. Besides the accident victims, Mariel and I, there were several wedding participants, huge bunches of bananas, a sound system and a live chicken. Not your typical ambulance, that is for sure. On the drive towards the hospital the man started moving and responding to pain, but never regained consciousness or was able to talk to us or follow commands. We arrived at the only hospital that takes trauma victims in the country about 45 minutes later. It took several attempts to explain the need for a stretcher and a neck brace, but we eventually did get them and wheeled the patient inside. In the ER I reported to the doctor what I knew. He never got out of his chair, but assured me he would check out the patient as soon as he was registered. I did see a nurse in the room as we were leaving.

I rode on a pew in the back of the JAC, with Momo’s brothers and the chicken, for the rest of the way home. Back at Momo’s house (next door to mine) the wedding party continued. We decided not to stay and went out to one of our favorite restaurants to enjoy some AC and burgers instead.

It was a crazy, but not quite as Gong-showish as I though it would be, weekend and I am thoroughly exhausted. Eh Liberia!

The Container is here!!!!!

2010-04-21T03:47:00.000-07:00

We have no mail service in Liberia. The only way we get things from home is when a willing party coming this way carries it over for us in their suitcase OR via a shipping container. The container is reliable but very slow. Yesterday we were able to pick up boxes and rubbermaids packed by us or friends last September (7 months ago). We received 19 boxes at the ORR house! The vast majority of it was supplies for the kiddos-- clothes, school supplies, books, medication etc... But there were some goodies for us too, including an entire rubbermaid tub filled with tortilla chips, trail mix, coffee and cereal from my Aunt Marcia. As you can see in the picture below we were very excited! And even though I don't have a picture to prove it, dear Elena was so excited to see the cereal that she actually cried!

I just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who put energy into collecting, packing, sorting and transporting everything our way. We really, really, really appreciate it!

Liberia: Through my mother's eyes.

2010-04-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

My mom has spent the last three weeks with me, here in Liberia, and it has been unbelievable. Earlier today we were debriefing a bit, discussing her time here and she shared some observations with me-

The Kids- The kids are amazing! They are always full of hugs and smiles and so accepting of me. They can sit and read books for hours and be completely content. And they are truly happy.

The ORR team- Your team works like a fine tuned machine. There are so many facets to what you do—healthcare, delivering food, even making a difference in the government to help the country’s children and orphans. You fight to find a balance between the endless needs of the children, nation and area as well as be able to encourage and support each other and have fun together too. (We sure don’t feel that way the majority of the time. It is a good reminder to see things through new eyes, thanks mom.)

Liberia as a whole- Such a land of contrasts. On one side of a fence is a family struggling to survive-- slaving over a hot coal pot to cook, hoping for one good meal a day, carrying heavy loads of water to do basic chores, no electricity, no job. While literally, on the other side is a five star hotel with air conditioning and a swimming pool. You can sit on the beach in front of a resort, beautiful and pristine, and across the invisible boundary line the beach is littered with garbage and human waste.

The hospitals are so different as well. The focus here seems to be on death. All the care revolves around if the person will die or not as opposed to the focus on wellness in the states. As we toured a hospital the nurse showing us around told us how four people had died in the last 24 hours plus a stillborn baby. That was about ten percent of the patient population that day. That is how it is every day. And it is not sacred, the tour included the delivery room where the mother who lost the baby was still lying on the table and was within earshot when the nurse told us “her baby died this morning.” Later, the nurse explained that the woman lived in the bush and had been in labor for five days. She had to walk three hours, in labor, to the closest road to find a car to carry her to the hospital. By the time she finally arrived and got the help she needed, it was too late.

There is a simplicity here too. Without fancy gadgets to get work done everyone is left to using basic tools. You don’t often see lawn mowers, chain saws, food processors or electric pencil sharpeners. Instead it takes hours of hard manual labor to cut the grass or chop a tree with an axe. Fixing dinner is an all day affair using a large mortar and pestle to beat palm nuts into soup. We even got blisters on our hands from manually sharpening pencils for the kids at the orphanages.

When asked if she would still come if she knew how much she would cry, my mom replied, wiping a tear away, “Of course.” She said that through pictures she had seen and stories I had told she felt prepared to come. Then she went on to say, “I don’t think you can ever be prepared. Could I do this full time? …I know I could if God wanted me too.”

Update on the girls--

2010-04-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Korpu continues to thrive! Six weeks under the loving care of her foster mom Martha, and she is doing great. Her personality is coming out, this once withdrawn girl is laughing and dancing and even playing jokes on her ma! At her follow-up doctor’s appointment last week she weighed 19.8 lbs. That is over a four pound weight gain in six weeks-- a 25% increase!

Mardea, the tiny malnourished girl with the bed sores, is improving slowing. She has been in the hospital for a month now, enrolled in an aggressive feeding program. Now that she is getting proper nutrition her wounds are healing and she appears more alert. She is gaining weight as well, and is up about two pounds already! –

-- This is not the report that I sat down to write today. I received a phone call while I was writing this, that Mardea died this morning. She died! I am shocked. I was really looking forward to this being a happy update. Even though she had been improving on the nutrition side of things, she developed a respiratory infection in the hospital and her weakened body just could not fight it off. I spent most of the day today with Mardea’s foster mom, Doris, waiting at the hospital for her body to be released and then at home, explaining to her friends what had happened. Everyone kept saying “All the suffering, for nothing.” Was it for nothing? I have to believe that we did the best we could for her. But I still feel that she deserved better, she deserved more than this.

I can find some comfort in it though; I wholeheartedly believe that she is not suffering any more. She is free. While I was sitting with her today, Doris told me that another woman in the ward, caring for her own ill child, had a dream about Mardea last night. In the dream Mardea was grown and walking and had plenty of hair and some friends came for her and took her away. Wow. --

Mardea and I last Friday.

Why I do what I do--

2010-03-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

Joshua

Sarah

Joe

Blessed

Jeremiah

Timothy

One of the lucky ones.

2010-03-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days that didn't go as planned, but I know I was right where I was supposed to be.

I stopped in to check on Korpu at her foster home. She is looking great! I've never seen her so animated. She greeted us with a big smile, is communicating with the Liberian head-bob and even "busting" (equivalent to an American high-five). As I walked up to the house all the neighborhood children were chanting "Korpu's Ma, Korpu's Ma," but when it came down to it she quickly chose to be in the arms of her new Ma. I take that as a good sign that she is comfortable and at home. It was very encouraging to see her adjusting so well.

As we were getting ready to leave, another foster mom in the community asked me to look at one of her girls. This community has several homes that have taken in foster children with special needs. I had been to her home before and met most of the children, but I was not prepared for what I was about to find. The woman carried out a tiny, cross-eyed girl. She said the girl was two years old, but she probably weighed less than 10 pounds. As she undressed her, every bone in her body was evident, poking through her thin, fragile skin-- every individual rib could be traced. Then she proceeded to show me sore after sore on her body. She thought they were abscesses, even a local clinic had been treating them that way, but I quickly recognized them as bedsores. The one on the back of her head went down to the bone.

I stood in this room, surrounded by staring women and children from the community, holding this almost alien looking, yet precious girl and knew something needed to be done. Now. A friend who is a doctor working at a local hospital had joined me for the afternoon. I looked at her and asked what she thought we should do. Without missing a step she confirmed that we needed to get her to a hospital where she could get nutrition, antibiotics and wound care.

Putting aside our agenda for the afternoon we loaded up the girl and her foster Ma and made our way to a nearby Doctor's Without Borders hospital. They ushered us straight back and within minutes the PA on duty had started the admission process. All I could do as we sat in the ER was try and comfort this girl with a gentle caress of her temple. And pray. Too much touch seemed to overstimulate her, she didn't even have the strength to cry.

Tonight she is laying on a bed in a room with probably 8 other children fighting similar circumstances. I want to blame someone. There should be no excuse for a tiny, helpless girl to be suffering so much. Someone should have done something sooner. I had even been there before, why didn't I notice? I know that the foster mom loves her and has been caring for her to the best of her ability and knowledge. But still she was in this devastating condition.

So I am left with the reminder that this is still Liberia. Tragic, preventable things happen here everyday. And this girl is actually one of the lucky ones.

Mixed Feelings

2010-02-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a day of mixed feelings. On the one hand I had the opportunity to take part in moving Korpu to her new foster home. She was removed from a neglectful home and placed in a home where she will get quality care. This is the chance for her to truly thrive. A new chance at life. An opportunity to get the attention and love that she deserves. On the other hand I tore her away from the only home and family she has ever known and placed her among strangers. The children at her orphanage are their own special kind of family, a kind of support group for each other. It is special to watch them interact in their own special ways. They love Korpu, she loves them. I don't know if any of them understand that Korpu won't be coming back.

God has set the measure of success high-- do what is BEST. What is best for the children I am serving here? They need an advocate who will stand in the gap for them when they are not able. And, as they say in Liberia, it is not easy. Doing what is best is not doing what is easy or feels good. It is extremely difficult. It is challenging. It is painful.

There are a thousand Korpu's out there. A thousand opportunities to contend for the best. God help me, the work continues. I don't want to grow weary in doing good. Help me to keep fighting for what is best, no matter the consequences. And bless Korpu in her new home. Surround her tiny body with love and peace and understanding. Surround her friends, other children in her old circumstances, they need to be loved and to find hope as well.

Swimming with Mary and Piko.

2010-02-11T13:26:00.001-08:00

Today was the Second Annual “Take Mary and Piko Swimming to Celebrate Armed Forces Day” day. Last year we took them to the beach and they bathed in the sea for the first time in many years (something like 30 years for Piko). Last time we watched them go reluctant at first, and then flipping and flopping like fish in the waves. Every holiday since last Armed Forces Day Mary has asked me if we can go swimming again. Today, both sporting new swimsuits, the two of them giggled and tiptoed into the waves without hesitation. They even out swam me-- I was lounging on the beach long before they dragged themselves out of the water.

I love that I have been here long enough to reminisce about what we did a year ago. Traditions are being established and I am looking forward for more to come in the future.

Post-op.

2010-02-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah showing off his new belly button.

Thanks again to Lora, Anna, Jennifer, Emmi, Dr Steve and the rest of the Children's Surgery Intl team. They have been doing over 20 surgeries a day all week and changing all kinds of Liberian lives.

Firestone Surgeries.

2010-02-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I drove seven kids from three different orphanages, all with varying types of hernias, up to Firestone Hospital. There is a group of American surgeons there this week with Children's Surgery Intl (CSI). They are primarily doing facial and reconstructive surgeries, however they brought one general surgeon to help with hernia repairs. I met some of the nurses working with CSI last Thursday and introduced them to a couple of the orphanages we work with here. Saturday night I received a phone call from one of the nurses telling me that they only had 13 hernia repair spots left and there were over 100 people spending the night in hopes to fill those spots. They were overwhelmed at the response and need for these surgeries. All my kids had already been screened by the primary team, but the surgeon had not seen them yet, and nothing was set. I was told to return on Sunday without much hope of any of my kids getting the surgeries that they need.

(Kebbeh, Fumbeh, Jeremiah, Mustaphe, Joshua and Miracle-- Ice cream was one of the new experiences for these kids on the journey to the hospital, other things they enjoyed for the first time included an elevator and flushing toilets!)

This is Liberia, and nothing went as planned as I attempted to pick up the kids and make the hour drive to Firestone. When we finally got on the road Elena and I were frustrated and wondered if it was even worth going. I asked one of the kids to pray and as Jeremiah's prayer floated up from the backseat, I could feel the mood in the car change. I started getting excited and had a feeling we were going to be witnessing a miracle (because that is what it was going to be if any of my kids were actually going to have surgery this week). We were over an hour late arriving and as I drove up to the hospital, I passed through a crowd of mothers and children waiting to be seen. We were greeted at the door by the screening team and were told there are only nine spots left. Then I realized, as we were escorted straight back to see the surgeon, they were waiting for us!

Dr Steve examined the children one by one and in the end three of the seven were selected to have surgery this week. (We actually ended up taking three of the last five surgery spots!) The other four received the promise of being at the top of the list for surgery when the CSI team returns in the fall. Amazing!

I just returned from seeing Jeremiah, Joshua and Fumbeh off on the bus to Firestone. They were excited for the adventure of it and a bit scared (a few tears even snuck out from Jeremiah, my constant smiler). Their surgeries are scheduled for tomorrow and I will pick them up at the hospital on Wednesday. These are relatively routine surgeries and a quick recovery is expected, but please join me in praying for these boys this week-- they are in strange surroundings, seperated from the families that they know and facing the unknown discomfort of surgery. But, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to aknowledge God's hand in making a way for them to have these surgeries this week. (And a big Thank You to the CSI team too.)

Praying Psalm 10 for Haiti.

2010-01-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

¹ ***Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?* *Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?***

² In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

³ He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

⁴ In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

⁵ His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

⁶ He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

⁷ His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

⁸ He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

⁹ He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

¹⁰ His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

¹¹ He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

¹² Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

¹³ Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

¹⁴ But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

¹⁵ Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

¹⁶ The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

^{17 - 18} You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

I woke up this morning feeling an intense need to spend some focused time with God, but I was not sure regarding what. As I took my coffee and Bible to the porch I was bombarded by every possible distraction (this is Liberia). I was quickly frustrated, annoyed and loosing focus. Praying for clarity I turned to Psalm 10 and started reading. Haiti came to mind instantly--

I am pretty isolated here, no TV news to keep me updated by the minute. I heard about the earthquake through friends facebook statuses. I haven't seen much, but am haunted by what I have seen and heard. The pictures of the people there really remind me of Liberia. Haiti and Liberia are actually very similar and it is hitting close to home. I am imagining if something like that happened here, to the people and country I have come to love so much. So much devastation, it seems too much for so many who were already suffering to take. Being here, I don't know what to do or really how to pray.

This morning the need was so intense I even found myself asking-- "God, am I supposed to go to Haiti or pray for Haiti?" And he said pray. So I used Psalm 10 as an outline because I honestly didn't know where else to start.

If you are feeling as helpless and overwhelmed as I am, maybe you can start there too. It is the least and best we can do.

"Prayers are powerful and effective not because they alter God's providential plan but because they are a part of it."

Lapagirls

2010-01-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

When we delivered Christmas bundles last month, every gift was wrapped in a square piece of lapa (Liberian material). This week when I stopped by to visit the children at Frances Gaskins I was greeted by several of the girls wearing new skirts crafted out of the lapa from their Christmas bundles. Kumba, one of the older girls at the home, had come up with the idea and sewed them on a foot pedal sewing machine that they have.

(Before- Christmas bundles)

(After- Lucky, Kebbeh, Marthalyn and Hannah showing off their new style.)

I loved the ingenuity of it. We have delivered the same bundles to hundreds of other kids over the last few years and never seen them put the lapa to use like this before. It is great to see new ideas and the ability to put them into action. In Liberian terms we would say- "They are coming up small."

Operation Waterwheel.

2010-01-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

1000 miles, 24 hours driving one way, 8 days, 7 (of my most favorite) people, 2 SUV's, 1 possibly impassible road. Our New Year's aventure to the furthest region of Liberia was every bit exciting as it was beautiful.

Here are some pictures, in random order.

At one point we had to build our own road, well the guys did most of the work, but we look pretty darn good holding the tools.

Fish Town Beach, the most beautiful beach I have seen in Liberia.

On the road to Fish Town Beach.

The whole gang (almost) driving around town. Front seat- Andrew and I. Back seat- Cramer, John, Elena and Brenda. Somewhere in the very back- Will.

We spent an afternoon in the Ivory Coast, just a short canoe ride away. I was almost traded in marriage for a donut, but they decided to keep me at the last minute. Thanks guys.

It's late, we're dirty, but we made it, phew!

Stuck, again. I actually got to help pull them out this time.

After almost 20 hours of driving we made it to Maryland County...almost there.

These stairs in the old lighthouse were pretty scary, but the view from the top was amazing!

Towards the begining of the trek we thought this was a big one.

The beach in Harper.

One of several beautiful old churches in town.

We all ran up to the roof to enjoy the New Year's marching band- even the dog, Obama.

Sunset.

Gifty Update - Keep Praying.

2010-01-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

Many of you have been asking about Gifty, sorry for the way over due update.

Gifty did receive her new liver and everything went amazingly well with that surgery. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for this over the last year. Heidi was telling me how she did not want to spend another Christmas in the hospital, however if it was because Gifty was getting a new liver, that would be ok.

A few days before Christmas Heidi started noticing that Gifty was acting differently. She was very concerned and kept pushing the nurses and doctors to check things out. Of course they were all focused on her liver and did multiple tests to make sure everything was working alright. Unfortunately the problem was not with her new, perfectly working liver. She had bleeding in her brain, a side effect to the blood thinning medication she was on after surgery. So, less than a week after liver transplant surgery, Gifty was rushed into emergency brain surgery. They were able to stop the bleeding, but some damage had been done. It was really touch and go for a few days.

Gifty is now stable, you might even say "out of the woods." But she has had quite a set back. She is having to relearn the things she has worked so hard to learn over the last year- how to drink, talk, walk, laugh. Thankfully she seems to recognize her loved ones. I know she is resilient and a fighter, she would not have made it this far otherwise. I thank God for all He has brought her through and how she has touched (changed) my life. I am encouraged by her progress this far despite everything that seems to be working against her. I continue to pray for her quick recovery. As I was praying for her today the word "restore" kept coming to mind. God will restore her. He knit her together in her mother's womb and knit her together again with a new liver and will continue to knit until she is whole again.

New Liver.

2009-12-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let you all know that Gifty got a new liver today! The last word I heard was that she was recovering after surgery and looking good. Please join me in praising God for this miracle girl and in lifting her and her family up in prayer as they enter this new post-liver phase of life.

As I wrote the title of this blog I was struck by the double meaning. Gifty literally received a new liver today, and because of that, she is a new liver. She has a new chance at life that she never had before. Amazing!

Random thoughts.

2009-12-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

The other day I was walking through Red Light, one of the biggest open air markets in Monrovia, by myself. Surrounded by a sea of Liberian faces, hearing murmurs of "white woman" as I stepped around puddles of sewage, greeted by the giant smiles of small children, their eyes lighting up at the slightest attempt at eye contact. The smell of smoked fish and burning garbage assaulting my nose. Hot sun, concert of car horns, crossing the road frogger-style, and found myself wondering...when did this become normal? It seemed normal. I wasn't phased by any aspect of the chaos except the fact that sometime over the last 15 months of my life my norm shifted from Target and Starbucks to Red Light and bagged water.

December 10th last year is the day Gifty went home to America. After 2 months of fighting for her life in sub-par Liberian hospitals, wrestling with both the Liberian and American governments and wondering if she would survive it all, she went home. Over the last year she has more than doubled her weight, learned to walk and to talk and continued to steal the heart of everyone who meets her. I was celebrating all day, it was a happy day. Until I received an e-mail from Heidi telling me Gifty was in the hospital again. Respiratory infection again. Oxygen again. Wondering again- When will that liver come? When will the waiting end? Praying still...

Yesterday I found myself spending the afternoon at the hospital with another small girl. You know part of her story, she is the girl who, like me, finally learned to walk this year. But there is more- Korpu is about 4 years old and weighs 14.7 lbs. She lives in one of the worst orphanage homes I have seen. Whenever I stop by she is covered in dirt and barely clothed. She eats, but hasn't gained weight. She isn't potty trained and can't talk.

We stopped by last week and Rebecca (my ORR bosslady who was in town for a few weeks from Texas) was very concerned about Korpu. She asked me to have her evaluated by a doctor. I have to be honest here. I didn't see the big deal and felt a bit put out by the idea of wasting another day waiting for hours at the local clinic. Korpu was the same as she always had been, slow to develop, but trying. Even still, I scheduled her an appointment. As soon as we walked into the doctor's office his nurse was concerned "She is too small!" Then a lady in the waiting room chimed in, "Was she born premature?" And another man in the corner asked, "What's wrong with her?" We had some labs drawn and finally saw the doctor, an American who has been in Liberia for many years. He was also extremely concerned, and started listing off possible causes for her condition, everything from sickle cell anemia to chronic malnutrition.

As I sat there on the table holding this fragile girl, burning up with fever from the malaria she was also battling, something in me broke. Somehow I had allowed myself to settle for the unacceptable. Nothing about Korpu's situation was as it should be. Everyone else could see it. How had I allowed myself to think it was alright on any level? We often use the excuse "this is Africa," but children deteriorating on my watch is not ok. God has called me here to advocate for these children. I will not sit back and watch anymore. Lord please keep my heart soft, my Spirit sensitive and my mind wise to do what is best for the children you have placed in my life.

Michael

2009-11-23T08:42:00.000-08:00

Many people picture orphans in Africa as small runny nosed children running around with big bellies and no shoes. Often that is the case. However, in a country like Liberia that is recovering from years of civil war, a legacy of teenagers has been left behind. Children who were orphaned or abandoned during the war are now trying to find their way as adolescents living in orphanage homes.

Michael is one such boy. He just turned 18, he is in 7th grade, he loves to play football, and he was just diagnosed with Hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. It is likely that he contracted Hepatitis B from his mother at birth. In fact, according to Michael he has had several family members, including his mother, die of similar liver conditions. Hepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. It is a serious problem that can result in life long liver disease or death. Michael’s case is quite advanced- his enlarged liver makes him appear several months pregnant, his abdomen and lower extremities are swollen and his eyes are jaundiced. It is uncomfortable for him to sit which makes attending school difficult. Unfortunately, Michael has already missed several weeks of school from being so sick.

But he is a good student. I spent several hours with him at the clinic last week and he spent most of the waiting time studying notes from class, trying to catch up and prepare for testing this week. He requires a special diet which makes it hard for him to eat (on top of diet restrictions for his liver disease, he was hit by a car several weeks ago and had significant damage done to his teeth). The director at his home is under pressure to find specialized food for him and since he is 18, at any given moment she could decide she can’t afford his medical problems and put him out of the house. It appears to be a bleak outlook for Michael, but there is hope. A doctor at a nearby clinic is treating him with a newly available antiviral medication. After a few weeks of medical treatment he is already noticing some improvement. But it can take months or years for a full recovery.

Please join us in prayer for Michael. Pray for a quick recovery. Pray that he can persevere through this necessary medical treatment. Pray for continued wisdom for the doctor and orphanage director. Pray that he can continue in school. Pray that he does not become discouraged. Pray that the Orphan Relief and Rescue staff working with him will know how best to help and encourage him.

Send some JOY to Liberia this Christmas.

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things over the last year working in Liberia has been, by far, CHRISTMAS!

It is amazing how simple it is-- a Christmas bundle filled with pencils, an orange, a toothbrush, a small toy and a few pieces of candy, flip-flops, a new set of clothes and a Christmas greeting from someone who cares. Very small by American standards, but for most of these kids it is the only gift they will receive this year and it is something of their very own. It is a day for each one to feel especially loved and unique, not just one of the crowd. Words cannot describe the look of pure joy each child has as they come up to claim their gift bundle and new clothes. I will never forget one boy last year who's entire countenance changed when he received his gifts. Bright smile from ear to ear and eyes sparkling, he looked radiant in his new yellow shirt as he clung to his new Hot Wheels car and school supplies in his bundle. And these precious children give something in return: a hug, smile, shy giggle and whispered thanks or a sweet chorus of familiar Liberian-accented Christmas carols. It is an honor to be able to serve such and amazing group of kids. I feel selfish really-- they give so much more to me than I could ever bring them.

Last Christmas Orphan Relief and Rescue brought Christmas to 135 children. Together we can increase that number this Christmas. We really need your help: $25 and a few moments to write a Christmas greeting can really bring joy to a child in Liberia this Christmas.

Go to the Christmas page at www.orphanreliefandrescue.org to see last year's joy, and help make Christmas even bigger and more special this year!

Liberian Thanksgiving

2009-11-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Bellies full and hearts happy... we sure do have a lot to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm Home and God is Awesome.

2009-10-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

It is a cool (80 degree) Sunday evening and I am sitting alone in the dark (generator not working), listening to the dance party happening next door at Menitama. I have been back in Liberia for 2 days now and believe it or not, it is SO great to be home. Men yelling in the street, late night thunder storms, roosters crowing, ridiculous drivers, showering outside under the stars…

I believe it would be accurate to say that my Liberian journey started about 3 years ago when I was in Ghana working on the Mercy Ship. On my last night there I found myself outside on the promenade deck reflecting and wondering- what next? I remember asking God that question. Almost immediately a woman, who worked with the dental team, walked by and started talking to me about Liberia. For at least an hour she told stories of extreme poverty, people dying in the streets, suffering and war. Then she got up and went on her way. I thought to myself, “is that it God? Liberia?” A year later I met the Orphan Relief and Rescue (ORR) team at my church and 2 years after that I am starting my second stint working with ORR in Liberia.

This morning we stopped to pick up a friend on the way to church. She works at Trinity Dental Clinic and brought another visiting dental hygienist with her. As soon as the other woman got in the car I thought she looked familiar, but when she told me her name I knew... Carol is the woman from the ship! The woman that God used to spark this Liberian flame in me. Can you believe it? I told her “I think you are the reason I am in Liberia.”

What are the odds of meeting her again, 3 years later and in a totally different country? This might seem like a small thing, but for me it is not. I have told countless people about this woman and often thanked God for her passion and honest sharing. For me this is confirmation, once again, that I am where I am supposed to be. I am so grateful for a God that can bring things full circle even (especially) when we don’t know where we are going.

(And in case you were worried, the generator is working again so I am no longer sitting in the dark.)

Blessed

2009-10-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I gathered with a small group of people from my church to talk about Liberia, the kiddos, my experiences there and plans for returning (this Thursday). I was telling stories and showing pictures as we went along. The last picture was of the kids at Frances Gaskins praying for me on my last day in Liberia last spring. A picture that I love because it captures one of the most precious moments of my life. Those kids knew exactly what I needed and sent me home blessed by their words of prayer for me and my family in America. When I was done sharing this afternoon my church family came around me to pray. I found myself sitting in a chair surrounded by loving friends and tender hands and looking straight at the picture of the kids from Frances Gaskins surrounding me in the same way last May. It felt like I was looking in a mirror.

How blessed am I to have such amazing people on both ends of my life?

Solution

2009-09-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

It is not a human right
To stare not fight
While broken nations dream
Open up our eyes, so blind
That we might find
The Mercy for the need

Fill our hearts with your compassion
As we hold to our confession

It is not too far a cry
To much to try
To help the least of these
Politics will not decide
If we should rise
And be your hands and feet

Fill our hearts with your compassion
As we hold to our confession

God be the solution
We will be Your hands and be Your feet.

Higher than a circumstance
Your promise stands
Your love for all to see
Higher than protest line and dollar signs
Your love is all we need

Only You can mend the broken heart
And cause the blind to see
Erase complete the sinners past
And set the captives free
Only You can take the widows cry
And cause her heart to sing
Be a Father to the fatherless
Our Savior and our King
We will be Your hands, we will be Your feet
We will run this race
On the darkest place, we will be Your light
We will be Your light

We will be Your hands , we will be Your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place, we will be your light
We will be your light
We'll sing

We will run we will run
We will run with the solution

We will be Your hands we will be Your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place we will be Your light
We will be Your light
We sing

-Hillsong United

The words to this song are my heart's cry and prayer on this ifast Wednesday.
God be the Solution to all the hurting, hungry and oppressed around the world.
Let me be your hands and feet.
http://www.ifast58.org/

October 22nd

2009-09-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

I know today is September 22, but it reminded me that October 22nd is coming very quickly. And what is the significance of that day you may ask? That is the day I am finally heading back to Liberia!

Heading back to these precious kiddos-

It will have been almost 6 months gone by the time I return. That is a lot of time for growing, and I can't wait to see them all again. Oh the hugs and pinches and songs I have coming... (smile!)

Growing Gifty

2009-09-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

My precious Gifty-girl keeps growing! She is actually walking and talking! I even 'talked' to her on the phone a few weeks ago. Well, I talked and she whistled and snorted and laughed- it was still amazing! Heidi says she is learning more and more new words and she loves impressing everyone with them. I am in ever-increasing awe as I get the updates on how Gifty is developing, especially when I remember where we were a year ago...

After 10 months in the states, her doctors continue to give good reports on Gifty's health. Overall they are happy with her growth and development. However the truth remains that she still has a very damaged liver. Some things have been changing and there are several new tests and possible procedures scheduled for Gifty this week at the Mayo Clinic.
Please join me in prayer for her this week.

Even more, join me in rejoicing over all God has done in and through Gifty in the last year. Just look at this picture taken a few weeks ago when Andrew was visiting her and her family in Wisconsin.

Bet you are smiling now!

(Can you believe how tall she is?)

Grandma-

2009-09-04T21:53:00.000-07:00

I have really wanted to write something about you. Something that would tell the world how wonderful you are. How sorely you will be missed. I wanted to write a poem as spectacular as you, or a story that flowed eloquently. But the truth is there are not enough words to describe my dear grandma. I could try and come up with a rhythm as beautiful as your laugh or as clever as your sense of humor. I could attempt to construct paragraphs as deep and mysterious as the turns your own life brought you through. I could search for just the right letters to come together and shine as bright as the light that you were to me. But I would come up short.

I loved every minute I ever spent with you. Every cookie shared. Every 'story' explained. Every moment holding your hand. What we had was special. You made me feel special. Your smile invited me in. We could share secrets and giggles like school girls. Yet, you still knew how to lift me up, how to encourage me. I could feel your love and pride every time you would introduce me- "this is MY grand-daughter." What a privilege and honor it has been to be called that.

I remember one time I bought you a coffee at Starbucks. A tall vanilla latte. It was just like you- short and strong and sweet with a punch of spunk.

I knew this day would come but it doesn't hurt any less. I miss you! I am sorry I wasn't with you at the end. I wanted to be. I wanted to hold your hand and tell you 'I love you' one more time. I will never forget that sparkle in your eye or your fragile embrace. A light in my life has gone out. I don't know how I can move on without you, but I know you would want me to. And so I say goodbye- lovely, precious, kindred to my heart...until we shine again.

Elizabeth Dezutter

September 8, 1921 - August 16, 2009

Learning to walk.

2009-09-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my blog's first birthday. (and my brother's 33rd b-day, happy birthday Dano!) A year ago I was just starting my ORR/Liberian journey. And oh what a year it has been...

On Sunday I was given the opportunity to share briefly at my church. I was all prepared to go in and give the good old ORR chat. Here is what we are, what we do etc... Good things, don't get me wrong but as the minutes before I was to go on stage grew shorter I felt like I was supposed to share something deeper, something more personal.

I told Korpu's story. (I know I said it was going to be something personal, but keep reading.) You may remember it, I told it here before. Korpu is a girl who lives at one of our orphanages outside Monrovia. We think she is around 3 years old now, when we first met her a year and a half ago she was about the size of a 6 month old- very sick and malnourished. She required hospitalization and a special feeding program to regain her health. After several months of recovery she was gaining weight and looking better. When I came on the scene last fall I noticed that even though Korpu was gaining weight and looking healthier she was still not walking at all.

After watching her for awhile I decided to take her to a local rehab clinic for evaluation. The PA there determined that her feet were at a bad angle, not stable enough to support her walking. They were able to make these tiny insoles for her shoes (which is easier said than done since she did not have shoes and this started a week long search through Monrovia looking for just the right, small enough pair). Once the perfect shoes were located I had the caregivers at the home help Korpu practice everyday. She did not want to. She fought it every step of the way. But eventually she started taking some steps with assistance, walking hand in hand with her helpers.

One day when I came to the orphanage to check on Korpu, she was standing on her own! I sat down a little ways away and tried coaxing her to walk to me. She stood there with a disgusted look on her face, not moving for over 15 minutes. I sat there trying to get her to walk, just try one step. "Come to Aunt Debbie Korpu, I know you can do it." But she just stood there until finally she worked up enough courage to take that first step. It was shaky and unsure, but it was a step in the right direction, and then there was another and another. Each step gaining momentum and speed in that unstable way a child walks when they are still learning how to trust their legs and feet underneath them. Seven or eight steps and she was in my arms. I was ecstatic! As happy and proud as any parent watching their child learning how to walk and taking those first precious steps. From what I hear, now Korpu is walking all over the place.

And if you wonder why I told Korpu's story, it is because I truly believe her story is mine as well. I have learned to walk this past year. I have learned to take those first shaky steps, building speed as I fall into God's arms. Unstable at times but increasing in faith and trust in my Father. I have had some of the lowest lows and some of the highest highs and they have all pushed me closer to God. To rely on Him. And all the time He has been there- feeding me, being my stability and guide, walking me hand in hand around the obstacles. Because of His Love and provision I could take those first shaky steps, knowing He is near and will catch me if (when) I fall. With practice I can stand confident in who I am as His daughter, but I am still learning.

So the process goes on and my Liberian adventure continues. I will be returning to Liberia October 23rd. Please continue to stand with me.

Garage Sale!

2009-08-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

This Saturday- August 29, 2009 -is the 2nd Annual

"Deb in Liberia" (ORR) Garage Sale Fundraiser"!

(Say that 10 times fast!)

Last year we made $1000 and I am hoping for more this year. If you are in the area please stop by. Even if you can't buy anything I would love to see you (but people with extreme Garage Sale weaknesses and lots of money to give away are definitely appreciated). :-) If you can't come please pray for a great turnout. And, I have heard there is rain in the forecast for Saturday (thanks Washington).

Thanks to the Bozich's who are hosting the Sale (and me) again this year.

Their address is-

2913 Christianson Ave

Enumclaw, WA

8am-5pm

And one more thing...

if you are in the Auburn area this Sunday come and hear me share briefly at my church- about my time in Liberia, work with ORR and my future plans. Evergreen Foursquare Church (we meet at the Auburn Riverside High School Theater) @ 10am.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need directions to either event.

Thanks! See you this weekend.

Gifty-joy.

2009-08-04T23:36:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this Gifty-joy.

Heidi was able to capture a hard to catch smile from our girl. As you can see she is continuing to improve health wise and is up to a hefty 24 pounds. She is even trying to walk on her own but her huge belly throws off her balance. We are still awaiting word on a new liver. (A possible live donor has come up and will be having more tests done this month.) In the meantime she and the rest of the family are doing well. Please continue to keep them all in your prayers, the road has already been tough and the hard part is still ahead. Thanks.

A much overdue update.

2009-08-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

It is August 4th already! I can hardly believe that it has been 3 months since I left Liberia. The time is actually flying by. And I am way overdue for giving everyone an update.

I am still returning to Liberia!

At this point I do not have a date (this is the point where the corny jokesters in my life say something about being able to find me one on facebook.) My goal at this point is to return to Liberia sometime in mid-October. Orphan Relief and Rescue has asked us to stay in the states a little longer and focus on fundraising. I will be spending 10 days in Pennsylvania doing some fundraising events in September as well as some around the greater Tacoma area here in Washington state. I or other ORR team members will be available in different places around the country for most of September and October so if you are interested in doing something please let us know. Nothing is too big or small, if you have an idea, we want to hear it.

I have found renters for my house! It all fell together almost too easily, but some good friends are going to rent and are actually moving in this week. I have spent the last several weeks packing and sorting and downsizing like crazy. I have actually reduced my life into a handful of rubbermaids, some miscellaneous boxes and a couple suitcases. It has been a fun, surreal experience. Quite cleansing actually, but weird. So it is the vagabond lifestyle for me for the next few months, living out of suitcases and staying with friends.

Thursday I am leaving for a few weeks of travel on the east coast. I am flying to Atlanta to meet up with my fellow ORRer Ashley to road trip up to Virginia where we will be meeting up with the rest of the ORR gang for 10 days of team stuff. Then heading up to spend some time with my brother and sister-in-law in Maryland.

August 29th is going to be the 2nd annual "Send Debbie back to Liberia" Garage sale fundraiser at my friend's house in Enumclaw. It will be an all day affair. Please come and check out all the great stuff. If you need directions or want to donate stuff let me know. We raised about $1000 last year!

Please continue to pray for all the precious ones in Liberia. This season is a difficult time for everyone in the country. Also, the majority of the ORR field team is in the states now. Only Matt and Mariel remain to keep things going while the rest of us are stateside resting up and raising money.

Thanks for following along with me in this journey and stay tuned for more updates coming soon.

He Will Carry My Load.

2009-07-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have joined an exciting phenomena called ifast58. It is a group of people from all over the world who are joining together in prayer and fasting one day a week to lift up the worlds hurting and hungry and those who work with them. I am overwhelmed at the thought of the potential of such a group. It is exciting and humbling. This morning I woke up early praying for those who have so little and this song popped into my head- "He Will Carry My Load." A popular song in Liberia, appropriate too.

Today I am praying for Varba and the so many others like her.

Join me?

Trying Small

2009-06-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Small bare feet meet dirty ground.
Clubs on the end of stick legs kicking deflated football...future.
Hungry belly bloated, filled with rice.
Home to life sucking parasite.
Naked brown back bent under torn shirt, hot sun.
A heavy load- more than one so young should carry.
Strong fragile hands crushing, hitting.
Tender fingers touching, exploring.
Holding my Heart.
Lonely heart broken. Pounding.
Longing to be heard. To be held. To feel loved.
Tear stained cheeks, fever warmed.
Inside, a life fight against malarial blood.
Joyful song and laughter escape.
Music that heals despite the cage of fear and daily grind.
Dark sad eyes, mirror to the soul, reflect truth.
Beautiful bright eyes shine with hope of the unknown.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

2009-06-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well, things here are finally starting to feel like home again.
The last month has been a blur.
Starting with a pity party for myself, not even wanting to leave Liberia in the first place.
Transitioning into an amazing time of rest and reflection.
And now I think I am finally ready to get to work!

I will be home all summer. At this point I have a return ticket from Brussels to Monrovia on September 2nd. In the meantime I am here to see people, spread the word about the work being done and needs in Liberia, work, fundraise and figure out some other miscellaneous things.

So...
if you would like to get together, please let me know. I would love to see you and catch up.

if you have a church, work or school group that would like to hear more about the orphans in Liberia, let me know so we can work something out before the whole summer fills up.

if you would like to help in other ways here are some ideas-
-Pray!
-I need to find someone to rent my house (available anytime).
-I need to find homes for my cats.

Please e-mail me any thoughts or questions @ debbie@orphanreliefandrescue.org

Kisses from Gifty

2009-06-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

I just got back from spending a few days with Gifty and her family in Wisconsin. It was an amazing experience. I often found myself close to tears, overwhelmed at the miracle of her and thankful to be a part of it all. To see Gifty in the toy isle in Wal-mart or being seen by the best medical specialists in the region really contrasted with where we were a few months ago. She now weighs in at over 20 pounds, about twice as big as the last time I saw her in December! She is crawling and walking between furniture (very impressive considering she was in a full body cast 2 weeks ago). She communicates with sign language and some of her own made up communication tools, for example, spitting means no.

And Gifty loves to give kisses!

Big sis, Alicia

Cousin Evan

Auntie Deb

Gifty is 2!

2009-05-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

Celebrate with me!

Today Gifty turned 2 years old.

Our miracle girl continues to improve.

She is up to 20 pounds!

I am heading to Wisconsin this weekend for a visit and SO looking forward to squeezing some fat cheeks and smothering her with kisses. :-)

Free Gifty!

2009-05-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Gifty taken today...

As you can see she is cast free and enjoying the park. Yeah!

And I love that she is covered in sand- she is Liberian after all.

Ashley was right...

2009-05-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

I miss Momo!

Before I left the ORR house Ashley told me that, believe it or not, in a few weeks I would miss Momo. Momo is our Chief of Security inside the fence. He is a twenty-something Liberian with one glass eye, his own Liberian-English dialect. a country medicine extraordinaire (dry skin? try 'bray fruah,' brake fluid) and constant source of entertainment to the ORR gang. Oh, and he keeps us protected from rogues and the like (when he is not sleeping).

I was doing some work in my yard this afternoon. As I was mowing my lawn I realized how thankful I was to not have to do it the Liberian way- with a cutlass and my own strength. Backbreaking work. As I was using the new blower my dad bought me to rid my deck of leaves, I realized how thankful I was not to have to use an old falling apart broom. These are just a few of the many things Momo and the other guards (Emmanuel and Foday) do for us around the house.

My garbage can was full of water from the last who knows how many months of Western Washington rain. I tipped it over to drain the water and out came a very dead and stinky RAT. As I picked up the garbage and squishy rodent carcass I was really wishing for one of the guards. (I washed my hands at least 5 times and I am pretty sure they still smell like dead rat!) I can't count the times Momo or one the guys would rescue me from a dangerous millipede in the bathroom or a not-quite dead yet mouse in a glue trap.

Other things I miss about the guards- constant hammocking about the yellow book (Monday was payday and I the financial minister), fashion choices (puffy pink coat, crop tanks, girl's striped shirt as leggings, boxers and only boxers, furry hats, t-shirts with hidden messages), 4 am wake-ups from laughter or yelling across the fence, cell phone ring tones, singing along with Menitama, reminders to get more generator fuel (still not sure how that became my responsibility), always (almost) willing to help out, carry my load- whatever the need.

Thanks guys!

Ashley just told me that Momo got a new pair of rollerblades (he calls them skapes). I can't wait to see that!

Menitama in America

2009-05-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Last night I was at my friend Christal's house, making dinner and catching up on the ups and downs of the last few months. All of a sudden she said, "oh! I borrowed this CD from my sister, I want to play you this song I love, I keep listening to it over and over." She proceeded to play Jordin Sparks "No Air." And I burst out laughing! That song is one of about 5 songs that have made it to Liberia and everyone, everywhere, including our neighborhood night club Menitama, plays them over and over and over. After the song was over and I had dried my eyes, Christal played another song she liked off the CD- Chris Brown's "With You." You guessed it another Liberian favorite. At this point I grabbed the CD to check if it was the Menitama playlist and sure enough found "Dangerous" by Akon, which we of course played as loud as the speakers could handle. There may have been a little dancing in the kitchen and to top it all off Christal made rice to go with our soup for dinner. I was feeling right at home.

Third World to First Class

2009-05-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

48 hours ago I was boarding a plane in Monrovia. Now I am sitting (and freezing by the way, my feet are so cold they are starting to go numb) on my couch at home in Bonney Lake. The last 2 days have been a whirlwind...

Monday afternoon I went to say good-bye to the kiddos at Frances Gaskin's. Before I left one girl, Caroline, came up to me and said, "Auntie Debbie, we want to pray for you." She then proceeded to call over all her friends and lead them in the most precious prayer for me, followed by an equally precious prayer from Jeremiah and followed with everyone singing the Lord's Prayer. While they were praying I kept feeling small, reassuring hands on my back and shoulders. Out of the mouth of babes...one of the most amazing and precious experiences of my time in Liberia.

Back at the house, while I was preparing to head to the airport, I attempted to take one last shower. In case you don't know, we shower outside under a barrel which we pump full with water from the well. After getting in the shower I realized that it was empty. Towel on, I went back into the house to ask if we could start the generator for a bit so we could fill the shower. No problem- except that the water pump has been moody the last few days and did not want to work. So, I decided to just take a bucket bath, but there were no full buckets. I was just starting to think that I was going to have to begin my 30+ hours travelling already stinky when Andrew came up with the great idea to fill one of our drinking water buckets (which have a spout) and balanced it on the corner of the shower for me. It gave me about a half inch of water flow, but it worked. Phew! Thanks Liberia for one last "This is Africa" moment.

Matt, Mariel and Ashley dropped me at the airport. Everything went smoothly getting checked in. I was through all the stops in less than half an hour. With a little time to kill before take off I decided to check out the airport "gift shop." I use the term loosely because all that was inside were a handful of beaded necklaces, a few African dresses, handmade leather sandals, imported Chinese hand bags, local wood carvings and Irish Spring soap.

The first leg of my journey was from Monrovia to Brussels. I would just like to talk for a minute about all the bread I consumed on this flight. First they brought a small turkey sandwich on this amazing soft, sticky wonderbreadish roll. Then with dinner (lasagna I think but I did not eat it, I was so distracted by the bread) was a crusty french roll with real butter and a still warm from the oven wheat roll. For breakfast they gave me a fresh croissant with melted chocolate inside! I must admit, even with all the wonderful bread I was enjoying, I did not make it through that first flight without shedding some tears for my beloved Liberia and my friends that I will miss so much.

The flight from Brussels to Seattle (via Newark) started with an upgrade to first class (Thanks Juvy!). I had never flown first class before. My seat assignment was 2A, that is really close to the front of the plane. Almost before I sat down in my lazy-boy recliner seat they were filling my champagne glass. I had over 300 movies to choose from on my personal TV screen. The 5 course meal included salad (real lettuce, yum!) spinach and artichoke pasta, garlic bread (like I needed more bread) and ice cream with Bailey's. Talk about culture shock!

In Seattle I was greeted by my friends at the baggage claim and we headed straight to Holly's house for a Cinco de Mayo extravaganza. After a hot shower and changing into my fleece clothes, we gorged ourselves on enchiladas, tortilla chips, homemade salsa, guacamole, real sour cream, key lime bars and strawberry margaritas. I was asleep on the couch by 9:30 (I know, a real party pooper, I guess the 40+ hours with no real sleep and full belly did me in).

I finally made it to my house this afternoon (2 days after I left my house in Monrovia). As soon as I drove up I noticed new flower pots on the deck. Inside I was greeted by the scent of fresh cut lilacs (my favorite), a clean house, full fridge and cupboards, fresh coffee, gift cards, a picture collage made out of my own pictures from Liberia and a hand painted watercolor painting, all supplied by my wonderful friends. Thanks guys, I feel very loved, spoiled and welcomed home.

I guess tomorrow I should think about unpacking. . .

Home is where the heart is.

2009-05-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

I have less than 24 hours left in Liberia. I feel like I was just counting down for my arrival here but the reality is that I have been here 7 months already. These months have been some of the greatest, yet, most challenging of my life. I have seen things I never could have imagined- crazy, funny, ridiculous, horrible, annoying, wonderful, life-changing things. I have met the most amazing people, loved on the most amazing kids, witnessed triumph despite disease, myths and poverty. I have watched a county continue to rebuild and come to life, recovering from war, but with still so far to go. I have grown personally. Discovered a world outside my comfort zone and made it my own. Learned to trust in God at all cost and rejoice in His beauty and blessings. I have experienced miracles. For all that has happened in the last 7 months, I am grateful. I have been spoiled rotten. I am thankful for every good time and for every time I wondered why. I find myself facing what comes next with a great uncertainty and unknown. There is a song lyric that sums it up- "Some say home is where the heart is, show me where my heart is, because I am scared to death." I am going home, but I think most of my heart will be staying in Liberia.

Good News...

2009-04-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Gifty is home! She was discharged home in her full body cast. This will pose some challenges to Heidi and the family in caring for her, but they are happy to have her home. Luckily Gifty loves books and music so she should be well entertained while she is stuck in bed. Heidi was talking about getting a wagon to pull her around in so they can go on walks and get outside. The cast is supposed to stay on for another three and a half weeks. That means it should be off just in time to celebrate Gifty's 2nd birthday!

Feeling useless. . .please pray for Gifty.

2009-04-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

I just found out that Gifty was never discharged from the hospital. Her lungs were improving but she started having a lot of pain, not wanting to be touched or moved, so the doctors did some x-rays and found multiple broken bones. After more tests they have determined that she has Rickets (a vitamin D deficiency probably related to her liver failure) which explains the broken bones. She is currently in a full body cast, intubated and sedated in the ICU. I am feeling pretty useless here on the other side of the world, so thought the least I could do is put out a plea for prayer.

Gifty gets a helicopter ride.

2009-04-24T05:33:00.000-07:00

Gifty continues the fight. Yesterday she was flown via helicopter to the hospital in Minneapolis, emergently because she was having a hard time breathing. She has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection (possibly pneumonia). They are giving her antibiotics and breathing treatments. She was admitted over night. The good news is she is responding already and is supposed to be discharged this morning. While in Minneapolis they are following up with the liver transplant specialist. Even though Gifty is continuing to improve physically, learning to crawl and laugh and seems to be getting stronger her liver function is getting worse. The blood tests they use to determine transplant necessity has jumped from 15 to 21 out of 30. Gifty's is the highest in the region, that puts her at the top of the transplant list.

Gifty and Heidi have been in my thoughts constantly these last few days. I know Heidi is having a hard time reconciling how well Gifty looks on the outside, yet her numbers are getting worse. Hopefully the time is getting close for a new liver, but it is hard to wait on the unknown. I know a lot of you have followed Gifty's story closely and she has become a part of your lives. Knowing her has definitely changed mine. If you have any encouraging words or thoughts you would like to share with Heidi please e-mail them to me (debbie@orphanreliefandrescue.org) and I will pass them on to her.

As always, please continue to keep Gifty and Heidi and their family in your prayers. Thank You.

Korpu Walks!

2009-04-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

I am rejoicing! Korpu took 8 steps without help. For most 3 year olds that would not be impressive, but for Korpu it is momentous. When ORR first met Korpu she was severely malnourished and required hospitalization. Over a year later she was well fed and growing, but still not walking on her own. In March I brought her to be evaluated by a Physicians Assistant (PA) at Monrovia Rehab Center (MRC). He fitted her with insoles to help stabilize her feet and encouraged lots of practice walking. Over the last 5 weeks the caregivers and older children in the orphanage have taken turns helping her walk in the home, down the hill, around the well, through the football field. . .anywhere they could.

I was visiting the home last week, preparing to take Korpu back to MRC for a re-evaluation. I sat down near where she was standing and tried to get her to walk to me. She stood there by herself for at least 15 minutes before she finally psyched herself up for it. I looked over just as she took one shaky step, then another. Building confidence and speed, as all children do as they are learning to walk, she closed the distance between us. What a victory! She walked some more for me as we waited at MRC and then again for the PA. He was very happy with her progress and said as long as she continues to gain strength and walk, they do not need to see her again at MRC.

Soon we will be chasing her all over the place and not be able to slow her down. I can't wait!

Movie Night

2009-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

This evening was movie night at Fatu's orphanage home. Cramer and Mariel have been meeting with the older kids there over the last few months. All the kids were given an opportunity to share the story of their life (how they came to the orphanage, what their life it like there, what their hopes and dreams are for the future etc.) on video. Cramer put them all together and tonight was the premier. We used a sheet for a screen, borrowed a projector from a friend, took the generator from our house and don't forget the cookies, popcorn and candy. During the showing of the kids video Ashley and I attempted to entertain the smaller children. After a few rounds of the Hokey Pokey and Father Abraham they were pretty antsy and curious about what the big kids were doing. I have to admit it was a bit exhausting, but overall they did pretty good. From what I heard, the kids in the video really enjoyed watching themselves on the big screen. After the kids video we brought in all the small ones and everyone watched a Veggie Tales video. Everyone loved it. When I walked in the room all I could see were wide eyes glued to the screen. Ma Mary was sitting next to me and watching and giggling along with all the kids. At one point I heard her exclaim "Ah-ha" and realized she had just recognized the Veggie Tales storyline from the Bible. The kids had seen a Veggie Tales before, but it was still a treat for them. But for the Liberian kids it is not a Cucumber and a Tomato, it is a Pumpkin and a Bitterball (common Liberian veggies). All in all it was a great evening and fun was had by all.

Too Cute!

2009-04-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest pictures of Gifty.

Too cute!

For more super-cuteness check out the link to the video below-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY2o9hcv6OU

water

2009-04-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

I realized the other day, while I was drinking my "cool wata" from the bag as we headed between orphanage homes, how so many things that are normal here would be so weird to do at home. Thirsty? Forget about bottled water. Get me a 5LD (about 8.5 cents) 500ml bag of cool mineral water out of the cooler on that old Ma's head. It does take some practice, be careful not to squeeze too hard. But, it sure is nice and refreshing on a hot Liberian afternoon.

In other water related news. . . the well at our house went dry. There is no municipal water in the entire country. Everyone exists on wells. Most people have to start their day before dawn by hauling water from a community well. At the ORR house we have a well inside the fence that we use for showers (outside under the stars) and bucket flushing the toilet. We buy drinking water for around 1-2 dollars per week. Last Friday the water in the well was low so we started rationing water. By Monday it was completely dry. You don't realize how much you take something for granted until you don't have it. With no water to flush the toilet or shower, well, you can imagine the consequences. We all started praying for rain. Thankfully some water found it's way to our well and by Wednesday we were back in the water business. Phew!

Spring Fever

2009-04-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

I woke up today feeling alive. I have spent the last 2 days in bed fighting some mysterious African fever. Not fun. But today I woke up and felt human again, felt alive and then remembered it was Easter. Not only am I alive, I am alive because Christ is alive. That is why I celebrate today. Like we sang in (the 4 hour long Liberian) church service this morning- Jesus Christ is Risen today. Allelujah!

Sapo National Park

2009-04-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

There is only one national park in Liberia. Sapo National Park. Some friends and I had the great opportunity to explore it. Sapo is the second largest primitive rain forest in West Africa. We had to get special permission from the forestry department of Liberia to even visit.

Our adventure began last Friday afternoon as we headed out from Monrovia with our packs, drinking water and enough food to get us through 4 days of the unknown. We found a camping spot on the beach in a town about 3 hours away. We slept right on the beach surrounded by sounds of the ocean waves and underneath a million stars. Amazing! We woke up before dawn and were sipping a delicious camp mocha when we spotted 2 dolphins playing off the coast and enjoyed watching them for a few minutes before loading up the car for the estimated 7 more hours drive to Sapo.

(Camp Michael.)

We hiked about a hour and a half to get to the place where we set up camp. After about 45minutes we reached the river and had to be carried across in shifts by a canoe. By the time we reached and set up camp we had just enough time to cook dinner and filter enough drinking water out of the creek before it got dark. That night we took it easy, enjoyed the campfire and some great conversations before heading to bed.

(Upacca tree- run here if you see an elephant.)

(Along the trail.)

(Picture break. That is a pretty good looking group after how many hours of trekking through the forest?)

(There is no way to capture all the beauty.)

(I told you, I really fell asleep while fixing dinner, thanks Ashley for capturing it for the world to see.)

(We made it! Everyone at the finish line. Junior, Andrew, Solo, Laura, Alfonzo, John, Ashley and I.)

PS- If you are interested in a different, more technical version of the weekend (including GPS positioning) check out John's blog at www.johnetherton.com.

Deb in Liberia

January 2012

More than just a front porch.

#1 - He will carry my load

#2 - Giving-thanks, Liberian style

#3 -- Post -op.

#4 - Remembering my Sapo adventure

Top 5 count-down begins!

Bundles!

Three Things

Solomon's story

Deb in the USA

Pray for Peace in Liberia

Going Home

"Sometimes I can feel scared."

Marathon!

Jogma

Updates--

Rough edges

sweet Emmie

Safe and Secure

Celebrating Buster

Beach Day!

house for rent

A tale of two days.

American Barvor

Baby Favor

The Resurrection and the Life

Cecelia is out of the ICU!

Fighting for her life

Barvor's big adventure

Three years

Celebration

a picture's worth a thousand words.

New Belly Buttons

(A) Moving Day

ten years younger

more Christmas ponderings

My Christmas is a little bit different.

PS

Provision (because I don't know another word to describe it)

An apple means "I love you."

Bombardment of need

Oretha

ORR

Sunday morning pity party

The House that Momo Built

The Essential Ingredient

Friday

Shoes

Back in the L-I-B

It's been awhile...

The Latest from Deb in Liberia.

Momo's wedding and other weekend craziness!

The Container is here!!!!!

Liberia: Through my mother's eyes.

Update on the girls--

Why I do what I do--

One of the lucky ones.

Today was one of those days that didn't go as planned, but I know I was right where I was supposed to be.

Mixed Feelings

Swimming with Mary and Piko.

Post-op.

Firestone Surgeries.

Praying Psalm 10 for Haiti.

1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Lapagirls

Operation Waterwheel.

Gifty Update - Keep Praying.

New Liver.

Random thoughts.

Michael

Send some JOY to Liberia this Christmas.

Liberian Thanksgiving

I'm Home and God is Awesome.

Blessed

Solution

October 22nd

Growing Gifty

Grandma-

¹ ***Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?* *Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?***