Sitting here at my kitchen counter, listening to the birds chirping on this first day of summer, it is almost unbelievable to think that only 4 days ago I was in Liberia, in tears saying goodbye to the TI Boys. My calloused, peeling hands and bug bitten feet are vivid reminders that no, I’m not dreaming. I really did just spend 2 of the most amazing weeks of my life in Liberia, Africa.
I wish I knew where to start in describing this trip. There are so many highlights and so many stories to tell. One of the most significant was our trip to ANDP – a feeding center on the outskirts of the refugee camp created after the civil war ended, about an hour from the TI and Peanut Butter House. I thought I was ready to see malnourished children – I’d seen pictures in National Geographic and on 60 minutes. I’d be ready – right? Absolutely not. When we entered the small room filled with mothers and their children I felt so awkward. I didn’t mean to stare and yet there were so many sick babies cradled in their mother’s arm. The tears just silently made their way down my cheek as I watched them being weighed and measured, crying out pitifully. I prayed that God would give me courage and strength and I followed Cindy’s lead of visiting with the mothers. I told them that we were here to learn how to help them. I asked them if the peanut butter paste was working and each one of them said yes, definitely. We talked about mother’s love and how I too have children that I love. A mother’s love – a common bond with these women. I was amazed at their poise, gracious in talking to us and shyly showing us their babies, introducing them to us. I was so inspired by their dedication to their children – to come so far to feed them. We left that building and went over to the hospital – the most severe cases. How could anything be more severe than what I had just seen? And yet, there they were. One child in particular haunts all of us – his joints covered in a salve to protect his newly formed skin created after the bloating had stopped and his skin, some wrinkled, some a new pale mocha color, now protected. Why do I tell you all of this? Because in all the sadness and all the pain, God has provided hope for these children and the blessing of His healing touch. Through the administration of F75 and F100 – two stabilizing nutrient supplements given to the hospitalized children who are the most severely malnourished – and the peanut butter paste given to those who can now digest food – these children are surviving and gaining weight. There is hope in their mother’s eyes. The doctor’s have hope. We, the team, have hope. I have hope.
(Lisa)
Ready or not… Here we come!
Sad to say that our time in Liberia is almost over! We accomplished a lot and Kent is to be commended for how much we were able to get done, along with right hand men Roland from Oklahoma and Stephen from Liberia and team Lisa, Don, Marian,and I along with the whole TI family. It is hard to leave without everything finished but we leave with confidence that we have an on the ground team that will keep moving things forward. Marian from Hope Feeds is staying a bit longer so can help with training in production and food safety. All in all a very successful trip–lots done on the building, a chance to see in person some of the potential beneficiaries of the PBH, deeper relationships, and a solid start to the Project team. I have confidence as we leave that the project is on secure footing and in good hands. Please keep it and the TI Boys in your prayers as well as us as we say our goodbyes and fly home! Thanks to all of you who supported us in prayer! We had a special ending celebration this evening and Luther gave his special thanks to all who have supported the team and project in many different ways–you are all part of the team!
Blessings, Cindy
Greetings!
I’m stuck at the hotel because the car is in the shop so I’ll use this time to blog.
Two observations: one is that even though some things are harder to accomplish in Africa, others end up being way easier. Just when I start to despair because everyone we want to set up appointments with is unreachable and I fear that we will leave Africa without having a given meeting, the next thing I know is that the meeting is arranged for sooner than we expected. As of this morning we had been unsuccessful in reaching EPA guy and Allen Gweh who can give us some wisdom for doing business and working with the project team. Now by this afternoon we have already met with the EPA guy (with encouraging outcome) and we have a mtg set up with Allen for tomorrow. People aren’t so busy and they can be available and things can just fall in place way easier than you expect, while other things take so much longer. Go figure!
The other observation has been seeing how powerful it is to come back. It just seems like it means the world to them that you made the effort to come see them again. Luther commented on it when I spoke at his seminary preaching class, I really notice it meaning SO much to the TI boys and I was amazed when Luther introduced me in church and asked how many people remembered me from last time that almost the whole room raised their hands. And it has meant so much to me to get to build on the relationships that started before. When the TI boys asked me if I have any children I told them I have “18 Liberian boys” and they loved that and kept repeating it. I really feel like my heart has expanded to fit them all in and I am praying about what my continuing role is in their life. I am SO grateful to all who are helping sponsor their education. These are amazing boys: hard working, fun loving, big hearted boys who love the Lord and have big dreams and I want good things for their life. Please keep them in your prayers– I know I will…
We’re hoping to have everything done to put on the roof tomorrow and we found out that we can get a pressurized water tank so we don’t need to build a water tower so that is good news. Still lots of projects though as we need to do the plumbing projects and get the main peanut butter house projects (tiling and drop ceiling) done. Please keep praying!
Blessings, Cindy
Just wanted to drop a quick note to say that things are going well. We’ve done a lot but still have plenty to do especially since the construction project, though it looms large is only a part of what we need to do. We continue to make some good connections including Kent making a presentation at the Rotary Club last Friday. I’m hoping Kent and Lisa can blog soon. They’ll have to tell you their impressions from the feeding center we visited and about worship at Luther’s church.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers: for continued good weather (relatively dry weather during the day and downpours at night), for team dynamics as we settle into having our whole team here now, for the ability to get done all we need both in terms of construction but also the other aspects, and also for us emotionally as I am already dreading needing to say goodbye to the boys later this week. I really feel that God has been blessing us in so many ways and we are grateful that we are being lifted up in prayer.
Here’s some photos that show our progress and work in action plus a shot with “my boys.”
Blessings, Cindy
