Good Advice
While Darrell drove the Sheppards to the airport yesterday, there were 2 men here, Pastor Peter and John Sackie (whom everyone calls Sackie [pronounced Sahkie]) to divvy up some things the Sheppards had left to be given away. After they worked a while, they came to me with some advice: yes, we lived here a long time ago but this is a different Liberia, so before making any major decisions or changes, they said we should talk with them, especially Sackie since he lives here in Monrovia. (Not sure of Sackie's official title, but he is either administrator or president of the Bible college where Darrell taught when we were here in 2010.) I thought that was excellent advice and was very pleased that they shared their concern for us.
It definitely is a different Liberia! Darrell and I were wondering today how in the world we could share this country with you. We decided there is no way, not even with a video camera. There is just too much to capture.
Darrell wasn't too sure before we got here that he really wanted to drive around town, but he has already driven quite a bit and found out it isn't as bad as he thought. It certainly is different, however, with LOTS of traffic, NO--I repeat NO stoplights, LOTS of pedestrians--some pushing wheelbarrows or carts with things to sell, and in the midst of all this "at least a million" motorbikes weaving in and out and between lanes of traffic. As we were walking across the major boulevard, Darrell said something about the "quick and the dead"--in this traffic, one is either quick or dead! Well, we made it home safely, so I guess we must be quick! God is good!
Sackie went in town with us to start work on our residence permits. We had to get passport-type pictures taken, make some copies of our main passport pages since we have to leave the passports at the immigration office, etc., etc., etc. Then he started work on our Liberian drivers licenses. Our US licenses will cover us until we get them.
I haven't decided yet if I will get brave enough to drive here or not--and that is spoken by a very confident driver. (Are you getting the picture of how different it is here?) I will feel better knowing that I have the Liberian license just in case I really need to drive. And who knows, I may turn out to be braver than I think! I'll let you know when I start driving, but don't hold your breath!
I could go on forever, but I don't want to make this too long.
Until next time.....
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
And a Great Trip It Was!
It seemed rather useless to fly out of Hartford to DC and then, on our way to Brussels, fly over Hartford and Boston. If only they could have stopped to pick us up it would have been a much shorter flight! However, it was well worth it; I have never before been on such a beautiful night flight. The sky was crystal-clear so the view was incredible, with Manhattan standing out very clearly. What was even more amazing to me was that the sky was also clear over Ireland and England. Absolutely beautiful!!!
We had about a 5 hour layover in Brussels and, even though we slept some on the plane, we were rather tired. As in most terminals, all the seats have armrests on them, making reclining an impossibility. The area we were in was almost deserted, so we picked some seats and sat down. Only then did we realize that directly across from us were 3 seats with no arm rests between them. Thank you, Lord! Guess what we did!!! Yup! Darrell tried to be nice to me, but I insisted that he sleep first since I slept more on the plane that he did. He finally gave in! When it was my turn, I put in ear plugs, took out my pillow, and slept very well for well over an hour. There still were very few people around, so we weren't pigging seats.
The daytime flight to Liberia was mostly clear, so we had a good view of the Pyrenees, the coast of Spain, Algeria, and the Sahara. Then the harmatan, haze caused by dust from the desert, took over and mostly blocked our view. (The harmatan even makes its way to Liberia in the dry season, so we can see it here, though I'm sure it will get much hazier as we get further into the dry season.)
The only hitches in the whole trip were the missing carry-ons (which hopefully will arrive on tonight's flight and be retrieved from the airline office here in Monrovia tomorrow) and a broken screen on my laptop. We think the damage was done when the laptop was in a small carry-on which was looped onto the handle of the larger carry-on and they both fell over. Ouch! The computer is still usable; in fact, I'm typing on it right now!
The trip from our home to the Mark and Nancy's home here in Liberia lasted a total of 29.5 hours, but we arrived feeling way more refreshed than we should have. Of course we were tired, but I know I slept better on the plane than I ever have on any trip and I'm sure adrenaline was kicking in, too. But I also know many people were praying for us.
Yesterday morning I got up feeling as if I had been hit by a Mack truck! Ah, the reality of jet lag! We're making a good adjustment and are now looking forward to getting on with the work here.
God is so good!
It seemed rather useless to fly out of Hartford to DC and then, on our way to Brussels, fly over Hartford and Boston. If only they could have stopped to pick us up it would have been a much shorter flight! However, it was well worth it; I have never before been on such a beautiful night flight. The sky was crystal-clear so the view was incredible, with Manhattan standing out very clearly. What was even more amazing to me was that the sky was also clear over Ireland and England. Absolutely beautiful!!!
We had about a 5 hour layover in Brussels and, even though we slept some on the plane, we were rather tired. As in most terminals, all the seats have armrests on them, making reclining an impossibility. The area we were in was almost deserted, so we picked some seats and sat down. Only then did we realize that directly across from us were 3 seats with no arm rests between them. Thank you, Lord! Guess what we did!!! Yup! Darrell tried to be nice to me, but I insisted that he sleep first since I slept more on the plane that he did. He finally gave in! When it was my turn, I put in ear plugs, took out my pillow, and slept very well for well over an hour. There still were very few people around, so we weren't pigging seats.
The daytime flight to Liberia was mostly clear, so we had a good view of the Pyrenees, the coast of Spain, Algeria, and the Sahara. Then the harmatan, haze caused by dust from the desert, took over and mostly blocked our view. (The harmatan even makes its way to Liberia in the dry season, so we can see it here, though I'm sure it will get much hazier as we get further into the dry season.)
The only hitches in the whole trip were the missing carry-ons (which hopefully will arrive on tonight's flight and be retrieved from the airline office here in Monrovia tomorrow) and a broken screen on my laptop. We think the damage was done when the laptop was in a small carry-on which was looped onto the handle of the larger carry-on and they both fell over. Ouch! The computer is still usable; in fact, I'm typing on it right now!
The trip from our home to the Mark and Nancy's home here in Liberia lasted a total of 29.5 hours, but we arrived feeling way more refreshed than we should have. Of course we were tired, but I know I slept better on the plane than I ever have on any trip and I'm sure adrenaline was kicking in, too. But I also know many people were praying for us.
Yesterday morning I got up feeling as if I had been hit by a Mack truck! Ah, the reality of jet lag! We're making a good adjustment and are now looking forward to getting on with the work here.
God is so good!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Saying Hello Is Much
Better, Except.....
The goodbyes have been said, the tears have been shed, and now it is time for saying hello! But before I tell you about the trip, I want to share a sad hello with you.
On the way in from the airport, Mark and Nancy, the ones for whom we will be filling in, needed to deliver something to an orphanage run by Jefferson and Helena Zeon. This isn't just any orphanage; it is named in honor of Darrell's mother (Darrell's folks had a big impact on Jefferson's life).
Jefferson and Helena have a real heart for ministry and want to honor the Lord with their lives. During the civil war they cared for many orphans and children who had been separated from their families. They have some real horror stories to tell but they also have more stories of God's provision and protection.
We were very happy that Mark needed to stop there because we knew Jefferson was not well. He was recently sent home from the hospital because there is nothing more they can do for him. He was at least sitting on the edge of the bed which was an improvement from the last time Mark had seen him but, apart from God's healing touch, Jefferson will soon be with the Saviour he has served so faithfully. It was a sad hello to see him so sick; we have known him since he was a teenager years ago and last year when we were here, he is the one who drove us to Zondo.
We don't know God's plan for Jefferson, Helena, their family, and the orphanage and school they run, but we do know the testimony they have been of God's goodness and grace. Even last night as several of us prayed for them, Helena asked the Lord to make Jefferson a testimony of His goodness.
So, yes, it was a sad hello, but we rejoice in God's goodness and the peace He gives. Anyone who knows Jefferson knows he is sure of being in Heaven some day, so it's not a sadness without hope. God is so good!
Better, Except.....
The goodbyes have been said, the tears have been shed, and now it is time for saying hello! But before I tell you about the trip, I want to share a sad hello with you.
On the way in from the airport, Mark and Nancy, the ones for whom we will be filling in, needed to deliver something to an orphanage run by Jefferson and Helena Zeon. This isn't just any orphanage; it is named in honor of Darrell's mother (Darrell's folks had a big impact on Jefferson's life).
Jefferson and Helena have a real heart for ministry and want to honor the Lord with their lives. During the civil war they cared for many orphans and children who had been separated from their families. They have some real horror stories to tell but they also have more stories of God's provision and protection.
We were very happy that Mark needed to stop there because we knew Jefferson was not well. He was recently sent home from the hospital because there is nothing more they can do for him. He was at least sitting on the edge of the bed which was an improvement from the last time Mark had seen him but, apart from God's healing touch, Jefferson will soon be with the Saviour he has served so faithfully. It was a sad hello to see him so sick; we have known him since he was a teenager years ago and last year when we were here, he is the one who drove us to Zondo.
We don't know God's plan for Jefferson, Helena, their family, and the orphanage and school they run, but we do know the testimony they have been of God's goodness and grace. Even last night as several of us prayed for them, Helena asked the Lord to make Jefferson a testimony of His goodness.
So, yes, it was a sad hello, but we rejoice in God's goodness and the peace He gives. Anyone who knows Jefferson knows he is sure of being in Heaven some day, so it's not a sadness without hope. God is so good!
Monday, January 2, 2012
I Hate Goodbyes!!!
Hate is a bad word, you say? Well then, I strongly dislike goodbyes. In fact, I rarely say goodbye except on the phone. I usually say "see you later."
Our goodbyes started almost a week ago. Our second son, Eric, and his family were up from North Carolina for Christmas, and when they left Monday morning, we knew we wouldn't see them again until we return from Liberia. Seeing them leave was hard enough, but knowing our new grandson, due March 27th, will be at least 7-8 months old before we see him made it even harder. (I will survive! Eric, who was born in Liberia, was 13 months old before my folks saw him. What's that they say--what goes around comes around!)
Saying "see you later" to a friend on Friday was hard, too. She and her husband will be leaving for Kenya before we get back from Liberia, and we don't know if we'll ever see each other again in this lifetime. Of course, that could be said for all of us--we don't know when our time on this earth will be over. I'm so thankful for God's promise in I John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (emphasis mine) I know I will see that friend someday, here or there. What a promise!
We've been saying "see you later" many times over the phone and in person these last few days, but the hardest one is yet to come. Our other son, Brad, who lives about 15 miles away, and his family will be taking us to the airport Tuesday. I think there will be many tears shed, at least from our 2 granddaughters (ages 7 and 4) and me. Maybe it will be all of us--who knows?!! What I do know is that I'm all teary just writing this.
Like I said--I hate goodbyes!
Hate is a bad word, you say? Well then, I strongly dislike goodbyes. In fact, I rarely say goodbye except on the phone. I usually say "see you later."
Our goodbyes started almost a week ago. Our second son, Eric, and his family were up from North Carolina for Christmas, and when they left Monday morning, we knew we wouldn't see them again until we return from Liberia. Seeing them leave was hard enough, but knowing our new grandson, due March 27th, will be at least 7-8 months old before we see him made it even harder. (I will survive! Eric, who was born in Liberia, was 13 months old before my folks saw him. What's that they say--what goes around comes around!)
Saying "see you later" to a friend on Friday was hard, too. She and her husband will be leaving for Kenya before we get back from Liberia, and we don't know if we'll ever see each other again in this lifetime. Of course, that could be said for all of us--we don't know when our time on this earth will be over. I'm so thankful for God's promise in I John 5:13: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." (emphasis mine) I know I will see that friend someday, here or there. What a promise!
We've been saying "see you later" many times over the phone and in person these last few days, but the hardest one is yet to come. Our other son, Brad, who lives about 15 miles away, and his family will be taking us to the airport Tuesday. I think there will be many tears shed, at least from our 2 granddaughters (ages 7 and 4) and me. Maybe it will be all of us--who knows?!! What I do know is that I'm all teary just writing this.
Like I said--I hate goodbyes!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Liberia, Here We Come!
When we left Liberia last year after a 3 week visit, we kinda-sorta thought we'd never return. After all, it had been 28 years since we left in '82; if it took another 28 years before our next visit--well, let's just say we're not as young as we used to be!!! But here we are, about to leave for 10 months this time. We had such a great time last year that it wasn't hard to say yes for a return trip, but it almost seems unreal.
Some people have asked what we will be doing or what a typical day will be like for us. To be honest, we're not sure what it will be like. What we do know is that we will be there to encourage and help in any way we can. That will include preaching, teaching, counseling, etc., but the where, who, and when is yet to be determined.
When we worked with the Bassa people years ago, they had a saying: "A hunter should always be prepared." In other words, they often would ask Darrell at the last minute to preach and he should be prepared. Darrell reminded them from time to time that it does make a difference if the hunter is going for birds or elephants! We will do our best to be prepared for whatever comes our way. Knowing that our God is omnipotent and omniscient gives us great confidence--not in ourselves but in Him Whom we serve.
I, for one, will be very relieved to get on the plane Tuesday. By then either all the details will be taken care of and everything necessary for our departure will be done--or it will be too late to worry about it! We're getting there, but who knew the myriad of details that needed to be dealt with when leaving for 10 months??!!
If you believe in prayer, we invite you to pray for us that our ministry will be fruitful and a blessing to the Liberians. If that is not our goal, we should just stay home! And pray for our health as well. Darrell is coming down with a cold as I write.
Until next time.....
When we left Liberia last year after a 3 week visit, we kinda-sorta thought we'd never return. After all, it had been 28 years since we left in '82; if it took another 28 years before our next visit--well, let's just say we're not as young as we used to be!!! But here we are, about to leave for 10 months this time. We had such a great time last year that it wasn't hard to say yes for a return trip, but it almost seems unreal.
Some people have asked what we will be doing or what a typical day will be like for us. To be honest, we're not sure what it will be like. What we do know is that we will be there to encourage and help in any way we can. That will include preaching, teaching, counseling, etc., but the where, who, and when is yet to be determined.
When we worked with the Bassa people years ago, they had a saying: "A hunter should always be prepared." In other words, they often would ask Darrell at the last minute to preach and he should be prepared. Darrell reminded them from time to time that it does make a difference if the hunter is going for birds or elephants! We will do our best to be prepared for whatever comes our way. Knowing that our God is omnipotent and omniscient gives us great confidence--not in ourselves but in Him Whom we serve.
I, for one, will be very relieved to get on the plane Tuesday. By then either all the details will be taken care of and everything necessary for our departure will be done--or it will be too late to worry about it! We're getting there, but who knew the myriad of details that needed to be dealt with when leaving for 10 months??!!
If you believe in prayer, we invite you to pray for us that our ministry will be fruitful and a blessing to the Liberians. If that is not our goal, we should just stay home! And pray for our health as well. Darrell is coming down with a cold as I write.
Until next time.....
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