Our group shot in front of the secure storage building on the property they are developing for rehabilitation of the disabled of Liberia. The wife of the vice president, the 2nd lady, is in the middle of the picture. This is an ongoing relationship with this group.
One of our projects has been a partnership with Group of ’77 who are working with the disabled here in Liberia. We assisted with a secure storage building and hand pump on their property in the area known as Virginia. The wife of the Vice President is the Chairperson of the group and she is speaking to the group gathered that day. We have an ongoing relationship with them.
Family photo that we took at my parent’s home on September 15, 2007 while I was back in Indiana. Most of us were able to get together on Saturday afternoon and evening and enjoyed time together and at the end of the evening, we took this picture. I have it up in my cabin so I can share with those who visit – to know my family.
Now check out her hair!!! This little girl’s name is MERCY and she lives at the Centre for the Aged, Orphaned and Abandoned Children – the home that our team of up to 18 people visited weekly. This was taken at my last visit with them.
Photo of my friend Stephen who is from the Centre for the Aged, Orphaned and Abandoned Children – he is almost 4 years old they think – special little guy and I will really miss him. This is the orphanage that I visited weekly.
Group photo of the children and teens at the Children’s Rescue Education Foundation Orphanage along with the staff and my friend Brenda van Straten who is greatly involved in this ministry. I have visited them often and this was the day we hosted them on board the Africa Mercy – which was a joy for all of us.
Both Nathaniel and Flomo came back to the ship for a follow up surgery – they both had large tumor at their chin and lower jaw, which had to be removed and a titaniun plate was put in for their jaw. Nathaniel Baker is to my left on the photo – he is a primary school teacher from Harper in Maryland – a county in the far southeastern corner of Liberia. Flomo to my right is also from Maryland county and he is a farmer. They have both returned home, but we were able to visit every day in the hospital. Please pray for their continual healing.
As a way of saying thank you to all those who have helped us during a field service, we invite them to a special Thank you Reception on board the ship. Our department, Programs, hosted this event. One of my roles was to welcome the visitors and ask them to sign our guest book. At the last minute, we received word that the Vice President was coming to the event and so that was a welcomed surprise.
The Sunday morning services can go long at the local churches – often many hours. I was visiting this church this past Sunday and when they entered into Part 2 of the service, I stepped outside for some air and ended up staying out with the children. I met Emmanuel – see next BLOG entry and also this little guy, who ended up falling asleep on my lap. The children are precious.
Emmanuel was borned with two club feet – where the feet are going the wrong direction – he has lived with this for many years. Thankfully, God made a way for him – our orthopaedic surgeons selected him for surgery and did his left foot and will do his right foot when we return next year. He lives at an orphanage that some of my friends have been visiting. I met him at church last Sunday as seen in the picture with Pastor Andrew. He has a gentle heart and spirit – I told him that I will visit him when he returns for his second surgery.
