WHY???

A Ride in Monrovia!

Another short clip taken as we rode through the early morning towards the center of Monrovia.  The guys in this pickup truck were probably on their way in to try and find some work maybe at the Free Port of Monrovia.  Not too sure that I would have wanted to be in on that ride, especially with the condition of some of the roads.  This is the main road which runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean and runs in a northwest to southeast direction (more or less).  The yellow taxi cars are everywhere no matter where you seem to go in the country.  Some of the places you can briefly see in the video clip are of a gas/petrol station, a roadside furniture maker, and several people waiting to catch another taxi going in their direction.

Christian School in Liberia

Everywhere you look early in the hazy morning air, you will see various and assorted colours as children make their way to school.  Sadly as previously noted, many do not go to school but are instead begging on street corners.  Parents have to pay for school education for their children.  Some of the schools are part of a special program that was designed to provide economic assistance and food on a regular basis for the children.  However, bureacracy and foreign governments (mainly European) defaulting on promises mean that many schools only operate a part-time schedule and children are dismissed around mid-day because there is no food to give them.  Those that do get food may only get the food (which consists mainly of a type of porridge) only obtain it once or twice a school year!!

Every morning, the children begin school at 8:00am with a time of prayer, repeating of memorized Bible verses, and various songs.  They will also hear another part of God's precious word.  This is regardless of their background or their family religion.  Political correctness has not yet made an appearance in Liberia for which thanks to the Lord should be given.  In Liberia, you stand forth and give the words of life, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is LORD and the ONLY way to heaven by grace through faith alone!

This short video clip was taken at Maranatha Baptist School where Pastor Togba is the Principal/Headmaster.  This was a little chorus about David and Goliath.  "One little stone went into the sling and the sling went round and round!"

Jesus Loves the Little Children!

My introduction to children in Liberia upon my arrival was seeing some who were walking up and down the sides of the road at various junctions begging for something.  There were also many who walk up and down trying to sell little items ranging from: cold mineral water in little plastic bags, little boxes of chewing gum with two little pieces in them, little washclothes that many buy and use to wipe their faces from the perspiration that comes from the hot and humid weather, little bags or boxes of biscuits/cookies.  They should all have been in school learning, but for some of their families - daily existence and the ability to eat will depend on them being able to beg, steal, or make a little bit of money however they can in order that they might have a meal at the end of the day!

I must admit that so much was happening, the senses cannot possibly take in ALL the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, etc. of life in Liberia.  Mix in with the heat and humidity a fare amount of dust, smells of rotting rubbish/garbage piles, burning rubber tires and it becomes overwhelming.  However, then add pictures in your mind of little children scrounging just to have something to live on and it will change your perspective on life.  I think I learned many valuable lessons in Liberia that I hope will be with me for the rest of my life.  I certainly came back with a more thankful heart even for the little things we have that we too often take for granted.  At least, I do not have to wonder right now whether my 3 boys will eat a meal today or tomorrow.  I do not have to put them to sleep on a hardened mud floor, or even a slat bench at the back of a little shanty. 

Pull out your camera in Liberia with only one child around and before you can snap the shutter, you will probably be surrounded by another 5, 10, 25, or 50 who also want their pictures taken.  You are a source of entertainment and in some places, I went I was the first white man that some of them had seen!  It certainly gave me a different outlook on life.  Here are just a few pictures of some of the children who won a part of my heart!  These children ALL need to hear the good news that no matter what happens to them in this life, they can have the assurance of God's Word that the next life is far better when we have placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone!

Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world - red and yellow, black and white, they are PRECIOUS in His sight!!

Another Entry about Liberia, West Africa

While I am waiting for more of my pictures to upload, I thought I would tell you some more about my trip to Liberia and post the pictures as soon as they finish.  But before I tell you about the missions trip, I thought I would show you two pics of the family.  The first picture was right before they dropped me at the Gatwick Terminal, while the second was the boys expressing their sorrow at not having their dad around for two whole weeks!!  As you can see, they were completely dejected and overwhelmed!! :)  LOL

Ok, on to Africa!  Liberia is located in West Africa and is not a large country with a population of about 3.6million people.  Many speak English, but there are also several different languages that are spoken which include Kpelle, Vai, Loma, Bassa, and a few more.  When I left England, I was not really sure what to expect and in many ways, my trip exceeded my wildest expectations and in other ways I had disappointments.  The picture below was actually taken at a stopover in Freetown, Sierra Leone which is located to the northwest of Liberia.  They brought this one trolley and began unloading 130+ passengers and their luggage was going on to this trolley in order to be taken to the terminal!  I was amazed at this stack, but I wish I would have taken another picture when they actually finished.  They were throwing the bags up on top of the stack while standing on the conveyor belt!  Pity the bags at the bottom if there was anything breakable in them!!  LOL

I arrived late in the evening long after the sun had set, so when I woke up the next morning it was to several sounds.  Church bells generally ring at about 5am to make sure people are up and getting ready for the day.  This is followed by calls to prayer in the areas where there are mosques and this is done at 5:30am.  I also heard the ocean waves crashing on the shoreline because just past th ese trees by about 150 yards was the Atlantic Ocean.

As you can see, it is definitely located in the Tropics and is only about 6 degrees off the Equator.  When I first stepped off the plane to walk towards the terminal, I thought somebody had slugged me with a big wet macaroni noodle.  Very humid and quite hot even at 9:30pm!  I thought to myself, well Liberia doesn't look too bad; however, I was staying in a compound that used to belong to the Southern Baptists.  Boy, was I in for a HUGE surprise once we left the compound and I saw things in the light of day!!  I will let you see the next few pictures and then share some more.

The infrastructure of the country is completely destroyed after 14 years of civil war.  Sidewalks are torn up, roads have huge holes that you can disappear into in places.  Rubbish/garbage was everywhere.

People actually live in these burnt-out buildings!  Everything has been stripped out, but there will be ALOT of people living in each of these as squatters just trying to keep their families together.  During the time of the war and since, tens of thousands have moved into the capital of Monrovia and for some of them places like this and the place below is home.  Poverty is absolutely overwhelming and is EVERYWHERE you look!

This is one of the local bridges that goes over to New Georgia area of Monrovia where Pastor Togba lives.  The rubbish at the bottom are the gutted remains of old taxis and line the entire length of the bridge in the river bank! Yes, the people at the top left of the picture are children.  Many will use this river regardless of what is in it to bathe in and some will wash their clothes here.  This of course produces health problems and disease in many areas is a serious health issue!

One of the things that I struggled with the most was the masses of people.  I will show you more pictures later to try and give an indication of what I mean.  I have been in many major and capital cities, but never saw anything like the numbers of people crowded into very small areas.  Many of the areas are very poor, destitute, and of course they have no hope in much of anything.  Many struggle with seeing the UN riding around in their $50-60,000 air-conditioned 4x4 vehicles and yet most struggle to get a job where they might be able to make $2 or $3 for a full 10-12 hour workday!  Because there are so many who do not work (as there is no jobs), many are just standing around on the corners.  They struggle with having hope in the new government.  The reality is that there is no true hope for any Liberian apart from the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!  It was this hope that I sought to share with many people and the Lord was gracious to us through it all.  Praise to the Lord!!

More info as well as pictures hopefully tomorrow or maybe even this evening!  Violet is cracking the proverbial whip and wants to know more, read more, see more!! :) :) LOL  Please feel free to leave me any comments you may have.