Gas - One Gallon at a Time

This was a mission before it’s time, and it’s coming to an end. Electricity is being restored as we speak, but as of yet it’s only the street lights on the one main road. As soon as power is available many electricians will be needed. If the government corruption in all the transactions that I participated in stops, the progress will take off, but who knows what the future has in store? The difference in Western life/culture and African culture is greater than I ever expected.

Today I was run off the road by a U.N. vehicle. Being a ex-California driver, he still didn’t pass me! Driving here is an adventure in itself; there are no rules and very aggressive taxis…and now U.N. SUV’s.

The Mt. Barclay Kids

Anja and I went to Mt Barclay school again today. The children are very interesting to be around, and incredibly fun. A yard full of children at recess can tell you a lot about the behaviors of a culture. Anja taught a bible class while I talked to the teachers who had no class to teach that period. The time spent at the school continues to be special.

Life in Liberia always has it’s drama, there seems to be some happening each day we are here. (It can’t be explained, you just have to experience it.) So I sit here sweating because the generator shut off and there is nothing left to write, except that I’m feeling a little defeated. However, I am still here, so the adventure still continues.

The plans I had for this electrical initiative turned out different here on the ground.  Christ has a plan, and I just completed a part.  I’m disappointed, yet at the same time I’m not. It gives me the sense that Christ is with me, because my dream ended but I feel ok about it. I’m trying to complete the scheduled time frame…I just want to make sure I don’t depart before it’s completed.

Please pray for Anja and I,

Patrick

My first attempt at a solar installation failed due to the fact that a standard of electrical construction has no value in Liberia. The house was only one year old, and the configuration was all wrong. It takes some real odd situations to fool me and this one did. The system I installed failed. At least I will be able to use it to teach solar at Mt Barclay and also charge my electric tooth brush.

The contrast between our cultures is extensive. It’s hard to tell the difference between the suffering around basic human needs like food and clean drinking water and the need to be recognized as a person of value, which the pressure of war has left most to doubt.

It’s easy for me to know which I can address personally: it’s to try and recognize each person that I do meet and listen to their story. During the war, one Lebanese man we met made friends within all the factions warring in the city. This allowed him to travel to different areas of town to try to find food during times of need. His building was destroyed, but he was one of the few able to rebuild. Remembering a time when blacks could not be U.S. Citizens, whites are still not allowed to be Liberian Citizens. And so although born here, this Lebanese gentleman cannot be a citizen of this country and he grieves that to this day. So I listened to his stories while being treated to the best dinner, and shared conversations with a University of Liberia professor and a research colleague…what an afternoon it was.

Anja and I still dream of going home on a daily basis, mainly because of the bucket baths and bucket flushing toilets. And then there is the drinking water that always seems to run out. It’s uncomfortably hot here and we are told by the locals that the hot season hasn’t arrived yet. Wow, that’s an uplifting thought…not.

Through this time we are being blessed daily. Check out my contemplative prayer blog…I hope it will stir some thoughts to pray about in your own life.

Christ be with you.

Patrick

I had the opportunity for three days this week to present “Unbound ” a series offered by Renewal Ministries, to over 150 leaders of churches ranging from Catholic to Pentecostal, all worshiping together. This series teaches us how to “unbind ” ourselves from Satan’s grip that has been allowed in our lives through sins we’ve chosen, sin done to us, or ancestral sin of which we had no choice. Africa is full of witch doctors, some of whom have done unspeakable things to young girls. There is also a lot of rape, fornication and abortions.

I had the privilege of praying with young men and women individually and hear their stories and watch them as they were set free as they confessed their sin. Those who had abortions “many of them three or more” were encouraged to give names to their babies and I was able to experience the joy that is in a mothers heart at the thought of naming their aborted babies and the joy and freedom experienced when they know they are forgiven.

Pray that there would be safe places for stories to be told, and that as sin is confessed one to another, God’s forgiveness and freedom would be known.

Pat and I continue to live the life of a Liberian as much as we can. We are sleeping on a small mattress on the floor. The generator runs a few hours a night and it give us relief from the heat by way of fan. It also runs a refrigerator that keeps a few things cold and “fresh”, and fills the water tank that allows us to shower. The water is not fit for drinking, only bathing and washing clothes. We have to collect water for drinking at the local well in a five gallon container (which most Liberia women will carry on their heads), after still having it filtered with a high-tech water filter system that filters about a gallon at a time and is the final step needed to actually make the well water usable. That collecting of water and any household chore is considered women’s work. The men laughed at Pat when he collected water at the well and women asked where his wife was because it was strange for a man to be there. I can barely lift it so I will continue to send Pat.

We have a man named Prince who cooks for us (and the other five or more who live here at the compound) once a day. The local food is rice and some sort of chicken and fish stew usually spicy! Pat loves it!  I’m learning…still eating mostly rice only. Prince cooks an entire meal over charcoal fire. He is a great cook who was professionally trained before the war with ovens and gas fire, but now charcoal is all he has to work with. He’s an evangelist and loves Christ. He also works at Mt. Barclay School, where he teaches women to make a living by cooking. We also have a local girl who does our laundry once a week with two large buckets of water and a washboard. She works hard and our clothes are spotless! When I first arrived I wanted to do my own cooking and especially my own laundry, but they were so offended as they saw me struggle. I was told they needed these jobs and if I did them myself I would be taking away an income for them. I struggle being served, but God is teaching me just to be grateful.

Continue to pray for us as we end our third week here.

In Christ, Anja

First Employee

Well it’s been a week and a half and today is a good day.  Anja is feeling much better and we have established a place we can call our own. Anja was sick for the entire first week and I have been worried about my business in the US, but things have been resolved and Anja is better. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.

I have begun doing business.  We’ve set up an office and my employee is learning to use my computer and has already designed business cards for the company.

Anja has some meetings to go to with her Catholic contacts and will be traveling the Monrovia area to visit outreach ministries through out the region.

Washing Machine

I have had to resort to American food to keep sane during these beginning times. I’ve been asked if I’m happy, or how it’s going.  I don’t have an answer…I’m just here.  It’s hard to be happy in the midst of this, and it’s hard to be sad being present in it.  I’ve discovered my calling right now is to interact as much as I can with the Liberian people, and focus on not reverting to a “us and them” mentality.

The Liberian way of life is tough. It’s like camping everyday. With no electricity or fresh water, chores have to be done just to eat and drink. Anja and I went to the well pump to retrieve the water we needed to drink for the day.  I think we cut in line, because ten or more containers were in a line waiting to be filled. We did the usual clueless expression and proceeded to fill our container. I think next time I’ll pump for others before I fill mine. They unlock the pump in the morning but lock it up again after a time to prevent it from being dismantled for parts. I wanted to fill mine early without the crowd but the pump was locked.

Running Water

It’s like the game Sim City on the computer, but real people die. I’m hoping less of the dying stuff happens. Food and medical treatment/medicine is quite the priority here and it takes money to get them. It would take an economy to provide money… so people go hungry and suffer or die. And that is what has compelled me here to contribute my drop of help.

So far, so hard, but how bad could it be…don’t answer that.

Christ be with you all, PAA (Pat and Anja)

I brought this photo back from my time in Liberia a few months ago.  We met these families at the medical clinic set up at Mt. Barclay Christian School.  They had come from distances to get help for their children, who were gravely ill and dehydrated. Saah Joseph, director of the school, said that “this clinic was on time.”  If we were not there on that day these babies would have died.  He kept repeating that we were “on time.” I believe God was present, and we were present “on time” with Him.

Jill, a missionary just back from Liberia, told me of many instances where children died from illnesses that were easily preventable. Just ten dollars worth of medical care would have literally saved these children.  But, their mothers could find no help. I know that being there we will be confronted with many opportunities to make a difference. This is why we’re going back to Liberia, to be “on time” for what God is compelling us to do there.  With your support, we will be present at the places of need.

Click here to leave us a comment!

Christ be with you,

Patrick

Click here to leave us a comment!