I thank God for the New Year 2022 – at church you may hear Liberians saying   ‘we tell God thanks to be here today as some did not make it through the night’ – referring to those who have died overnight.  The United Nations Human Development Index is a summary assessing countries on three dimensions, health, education, and standard of living using life expectancy at birth, expected years of schooling for children and mean years of schooling for adults, and GNI per capita.  Out of the 189 countries in the index, Liberia is down near the bottom at 175.  Life expectancy for men is 62 years and for women at 65 years.  Under-five years old mortality rate, 71 out of 1,000 live births. Life is hard here.  As I get to hear people’s stories it is heartbreaking.  For some, they or a family member need surgery and it is either not available in-country or they don’t have the finances to pay for it.  For those who have a surgical need that may be possible with Mercy Ships, I promise to advise them when we start surgical patient selection later this year.  Though for most, I shared with them ‘sorry-o, that is not something Mercy Ships can help with’.    
With COVID all over the world, since March 2020, Liberia has only reported 7,354 confirmed cases and 290 deaths – I do recognize that not all cases were counted, but nothing like what happened here with Ebola from 2014 to 2016. 
Personally, I remain healthy, sleep well at night even when there is no electricity/current for the fan.    

 
Photo:  Felix, who is a current crew member from the ship, is here.  We have gone to church together and shared updates on Mercy Ships.

Photo below:  Team dinner at the apartment – me trying to be in the photo – though with a goofy smile.  The Team is larger now and at three locations.    

For 2022, I continue to work on our schedules and timelines seeing what is possible in this nation – from medical capacity building training courses in town and in a few of the counties as the team will travel, mentoring for those trained last year in biomedical, nutrition agriculture focusing on 32 young entrepreneurs, strategic donations, mental health training for healthcare workers and church leaders, and leadership training with hospitals.  Later in the year, more team members will arrive to accomplish all the ‘Advance’ activities necessary for the ship’s arrival.

Prayer Requests: *Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia.
*Wisdom and discernment and insight as I serve in this nation.

Praise Reports: * Africa Mercy in Senegal as the ship was able to return to the continent after 22 months away and will be in Senegal for 2022.  Though many changes were needed to operate a hospital ship with COVID – concerns for our patients, training participants, crew, local workers, and partners.  
* The Global Mercy – check out this website and take advantage of a Patient Journey and Volunteer Journey.  

Greetings from warm Liberia to you my family and friends around the world.  I can relate more with those in the southern hemisphere as you are in the summer season – here we are in the dry season and it is hot and humid.
​I find I am learning new things every day – from portable oxygen concentrators, anesthesia systems, filters, CO2 monitors, oxygen tanks, and surgical conditions.  Also learned much from a recent port/pier survey as we prepare the ‘home’ for the Global Mercy (who is in Belgium being fitted) when she arrives in early 2023.  After living over 25 years on one of our ships, it was nice being on the water once again – though in a small boat – as seen in the photo – as we approach the pier – the same one used by the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy.   

Our volunteer surgeon is leaving in a couple of days – so I am pleased to share with you the final grand totals (30 June – 09 December 2021): 216 surgeries for 208 unique patients (127 women and 81 men – 182 adults and 26 children).  208 patients who do not need to wait for their healing for the Global Mercy coming later.  I continue to receive requests on potential patients who need surgical care – some I am able to say that may be possible and we will let you know when the patient selection team is in the country.  I received an email from one of our former patients who had surgery when he was a boy of four years old, we were able to get him in and he received his surgery last week and he wrote to me via text “I just want to say thanks to you a lot and the team of Mercy Ships  I’m so grateful that I’m becoming nice as I used to be, thanks a lot and God bless you”  For most requests, they have a surgical or medical need that Mercy Ships cannot address.  It is difficult to share that news with them as there are so few specialists in this country.    

Training for nurses continues through next week with specific subjects requested by the Chief of Nursing at the Ministry of Health – see photo.  So thankful for all that took place in 2021 – new relationships/partnerships, surgeries, strategic workshop, biomedical trainings, medical equipment donations, Mental Health training, and mentoring.  I am currently working on an official Mercy Ships Liberia 2021 report.  I continue to visit churches on Sundays – often given the opportunity to share a greeting and encouragement.  

I love Liberia and the people and I want to be a part of God’s love shared with them – receiving hope and healing.  As the Christian population is higher here than in other countries we have been in the past years, more churches have Christmas programs that I am enjoying, and even this week while waiting to meet with the SIM Country Director – one of their preschool classes was nearby and I just listening to the children singing carols in their sweet voices.

Our Mercy Ships Liberia team is getting smaller as many have left and four leave next week as they return to their homes.  In January, two team members are coming and a team of 12 coming in February.  I will utilize the time to help strategize and prepare for 2022. 
                                    Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 

Prayer Requests: *Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia.  *Wisdom and discernment and insight as I serve in this nation.

Two Verses – Thanksgiving – Training – 31 October 2021

This morning, I attended a local church in our community – Monrovia Christian Fellowship.  The associate pastor shared a couple of verses that are great reminders for me personally.  I wish to share with you also – Micah 6:8

Plus from Matthew 25:35-40
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?  The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Liberia has a national holiday this coming Thursday 04 November for ‘Thanksgiving‘ – all of the Mercy Shippers here in Liberia will join me to share some patient and participant stories, highlights, experiences keeping the theme of thanksgiving.  Our sharing will be at the Mercy Ships Global Gathering which is broadcast to both ships and staff and teams around the world.  Currently, we are 11 people in the country and some are leaving in November and others are coming.  May we always live with thankful and grateful hearts.  

Surgeries continue here in Liberia with one of our volunteer surgeons at a partner hospital. As of last Friday, 169 patients (100 women + 69 men) received their healing and all in-hospital costs paid for by Mercy Ships.  They do not need to wait for the ship’s arrival but so many others I am meeting are waiting for the hospital on the Mercy Ships to open in early 2023. 
Our training with healthcare professionals continue.  We are in the midst of our second Biomedical Technicians training and once finished in two weeks, all of the technicians in Liberia will be trained and equipped to do their important work.  Through our partnership with CURE International, we have welcomed three of their English-speaking biomedical technicians to come and receive this vital training also. 
From the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, “Universal access to safe, affordable surgical and anesthesia care when needed saves lives, prevents disability, and promotes economic growth.”  By training these biomedical technicians they can be a vital part of safety in the operating rooms by having the equipment serviced, maintained, and ready for use in the provision of safe care for Liberians.   

Prayer Requests: 

*Patients recovering from their surgeries and those on schedule to come that they don’t miss this opportunity.  We have some upcoming complex mandible surgeries, pray that all would go well and without complications – all of these surgeries are life-changing and for some, they are life-saving.  
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia.
*Wisdom and discernment and insight as I serve in this nation.

Hello Friends & Family,  Language is so important for communication, verbal and non-verbal.  During each of my times in Liberia since 2006, I have tried to hear, learn and use some Liberian English. As the more I practice, the better chance the local population will understand me and better connect with them.  The World Factbook has Liberia with: English 20% (official) plus some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written.  Almost all speak Liberian English.  A friend shared a document that has been helpful – here below are parts from that document to give you an idea of the words and expressions used here in Liberia.    
Liberian English is quite distinct from British or American usage. It has some archaic American expressions held over from the “pioneers” of the 1800s (like “vexed” for angry), but also has some British and other diverse expressions. Pronunciation tends to drop the final consonant of words ending in consonants so that “Jared” sounds just like “Jerry”. “Th” is often pronounced like a “T”, and so “think” becomes “tink”, and “Thank You” becomes “tank you”. At the end of a word, “th” is often pronounced as an “F” (i.e., ‘truth’ becomes “truf”, and “Keith” becomes “Keitf” – part of the reason I use my Liberian name of Kofa. 
Word order is often quite different as well, so that question sentences are phrased differently than in standard English. For example, the question “When did you take the exam?” becomes “What time you took the exam?”. From my experience Liberians are ok with me asking lots of questions, most people are happy to help me learn to speak “goo’ English”. 
Liberian English
Beg: solicit; plead; a request. “I beg you” (Pleaded) “I begged him”  – I use this one.
Belly: pregnant. “That woman got belly” (That woman is pregnant.)
Book: to know book; literate. “He knows book” (He is literate.) ~48% Liberians over 15 years old can read and write
Bossman: Anyone who is the head of something – at times I am called this as I’m the Country Director – at other times I hear ‘whiteman‘ 
Business: matters; concerns. (e.g., “Church business”; “God business”=religion) 
Carry: take; convey. “Carry me to town.” (Take me to town.)
Dash: a tip; a gift. Also a verb: to give something to-dash me. The word sometimes implies a “bribe,”. 
Finish: done; the end; stop; complete. “The meeting finish.” (The meeting is done or over.)
Greens: any leafy vegetable used with oil for “soup and rice.” ie. cassava leaves (see photo) and potato leaves – always with rice – though they are not my favorite.
Ground pea: peanut; ground nut.  for those who know me, I love crunchy peanut butter and I do eat that over here.  
How da body?: How are you (How is your body, i.e., your health?)?  We use a similar expression in neighboring Sierra Leone.
I’m going now: goodbye.
Lappa: a piece of cloth about two yards in length. It is also a measurement of length for cloth
Market: to trade; to sell. Usually expressed as “Make market.” Also refers to any place of selling or trading or any goods intended for exchange.
Must (pronounced “muh”): shall, will. “He must come.” (He shall come.) “You must!” (Will you? or Please do.) 
Pump: A pump is any faucet or hand pump, any source of running water.  Remember that for most of those in Liberia who have access to potable water – it is with a hand pump.  
Runny stomach: diarrhea
Who-dat: Who is that? Often the answer is “I da one” (I’m the one)… not a lot of help there, huh?  I’ve tried this on the telephone when they are not in my phone as a contact and I can’t figure out who is calling.
“My head can be hurting” (I have a headache).  At times I need to use this one, but not too often thankfully.  
“Drip” = IV fluid (“I went to da hospital and dey gave me quinine drip”) 

If you are interested in the entire ten-page document of ‘Introduction to Liberian English’ – it is available for download on my website.  

Prayer Requests: 

*Communication skills to best connect with the population of Liberia
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*Safe Sailing for the Global Mercy – she arrives in Belgium this weekend to start the outfitting stage.

These are exciting times and I wish to give you an update.  First from Liberia, then about the Global Mercy as she is sailing, and then about the ship visit to Liberia.   

Currently, the Liberia Country Engagement Team has the privilege to host Dr. Doug Schulte, an ENT /  Otorhinolaryngologist, and his wife Darcey here in Liberia for almost six months.  Dr. Doug has been a regular volunteer surgeon coming to the ship, most of the time with his wife, and they have now joined Mercy Ships full-time.  Though in this season, our ship hospital is closed due to COVID and won’t reopen till next year in Senegal.  We are thankful to have them serving here in Liberia. 

This project is in partnership with ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) Hospital who we partnered together with in 2005 – 2008 during the Anastasis and Africa Mercy field services in Liberia.  As Country Director, I received an official request in February 2021 for surgical teams to come and provide surgery and training at their hospital.  We are involved with this hospital in other areas also related to donations of medical and hospital supplies, equipment, and later with surgical patient referral and other possible projects.  I am thankful for the relationship that is increasing with their hospital leadership and staff to see how together we can bring hope and healing.   

He is providing mentoring for three general surgeons in head and neck surgeries.  At the same time, Dr. Doug is providing free surgeries for children and adults who need head and neck surgeries.  Between 30 June – 30 July 2021, he provided 28 surgeries for 28 unique patients (17 Female + 11 Male) – (4 Children + 24 Adults) ranging from two to 65 years old (for those who know me and my years of involvement with our statistics, are probably smiling).  

​At a recent team dinner at our apartment during which we enjoyed nachos, I shared with Dr. Doug that these are Liberian patients who need surgery now and they do not need to wait for the ship to come to Liberia, These children and adults can obtain their healing now – be restored to their families and communities.  Though I have friends whose children need other types of surgeries which Mercy Ships provides but for which I beg their patience as they wait for their opportunity.   

This project involves two of Mercy Ships programmatic pillars:  Direct Medical Services through the free life-changing surgeries and Medical Capacity Building through strengthening the capacities of the surgical system through mentoring of their healthcare professionals and specific donations. 
We have other activities directly with the Ministry of Health and other partners which I will be sharing more about in future updates. 

This is a photo of the Global Mercy sailing out of China and en route to Antwerp, Belgium for the Equipping Phase.  

An official communication was provided to the Government of Liberia last month explaining the change in our operational timeline, the Global Mercy visit to start in Liberia in early 2023 as well as about the many projects and activities we have going on now and for 2022, prior to a ship visit.  Following the announcement, I was able to share with the many others who are so awaiting the ship visit. Below is the message provided to them, though it was personalized as appropriate for the partner, etc. I wish to share with you all also.

As an expression of our continued commitment to the people of Liberia, I wish to update you on our current timeline regarding the ship visit. The Global Mercy will hope to sail to Dakar, Senegal in 2022, to finish the commitment to those we had promised surgery to and those scheduled for training when the pandemic hit last year. As soon as this mission has been completed, the Global Mercy plans to arrive in Monrovia, Liberia in early 2023. 

2020 has brought so many changes to all of our lives.  Despite the challenges, our team continues to be on the ground to coordinate the successful delivery of medical capacity-building projects such as biomedical technician training, surgical, nursing, and anesthesia mentoring, head and neck surgeries, and a wide range of strategic donations including equipment and supplies.   Various medical capacity-building activities will continue throughout 2022 and we will look forward to welcoming the Global Mercy to deliver surgery to the people of Liberia and excellent training opportunities in 2023.

We are grateful for your partnership and thankful for your support. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish as we continue to collaborate to bring hope and healing to the people of Liberia.

I continue to live in Liberia and it is my privilege to serve as the Country Director here.  We are dreaming big with Liberia to see all that may be possible.  We are trialing some new activities here to benefit the population.  My team size and members change over time depending on the projects happening.  I welcome your prayers for guidance, discernment, insight, and God’s wisdom as I live and serve here. 

Two Additional Prayer Requests: 

*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*Safe Sailing for the Global Mercy
Serving together, Kofa Keith 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia during the rainy season – for this update, I wish to remind myself and you all of God’s great faithfulness.  From Joshua 4, we see Joshua leading the people across the Jordan River.  On the other side, they assemble the stones taken from the river to create a memorial.  A memorial so when their children and others ask, “Why are these stones here?” – you can share the story and remember God is faithful, remember God’s promises, and always remember that God is good.  Here is the link to the bible project overview of the entire book of Joshua –   https://bibleproject.com/learn/joshua/

In the 21st century, we typically do not build a physical pile of stones to remind us of God’s faithfulness.  Especially for people like myself who lived most of the last 32 years in a cabin on one of our ships.  Space is limited and moving around with stones in checked luggage, takes up too much of the limited weight allowance.  Some write in their journals, some write blogs, but some do not write down anything.  Though from this story in Joshua we are reminded to not forget God’s faithfulness in our lives and in whatever we are going through right now, we can recall His faithfulness and promises in our lives.  Pause for a moment and remember some of His faithfulness in your life and thank Him.    

Currently, our Team is hosting a facilitator conducting biomedical technician training courses, a head and neck surgeon who is already provided free surgery here for Liberia in a local hospital and his wife.  We expect two nurses to come soon to provide mentoring and neonatal courses and our project manager for the nutritional agriculture training.  At the same time, we have been able to facilitate various donations – personal protective equipment, medical/hospital supplies, biomedical tool kits, portable oxygen concentrators, and anesthesia systems.  We continue to dream BIG for the partnership between Mercy Ships and Liberia. 
Photo Caption:  Unloading this 40′ container at a mission hospital on a Friday evening together with the Chief Medical Officer and CEO of the hospital.      

COVID-19  For the nation of Liberia, our numbers have increased over the last couple of months – nothing like the UK, USA, Brazil, and India – but significantly for Liberia: Our current numbers:  5,306 confirmed cases – 2,506 active cases – most all recovered – deaths at 148.  The Ministry of Health continues to remind the population to follow the COVID 19 precautions.  As for our team, we have limited our in-person meetings, but hope to restore those as the trend here improves.    

Prayer Requests: 
*Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*COVID numbers to decrease 
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – for the month of May, I am sharing photos and captions with you – give you an idea of what it is like here in Liberia for me.

Surgical Care Systems Needs in Liberia Workshop – planned for over three months – three days with Ministry of Health representatives, eight government hospitals’ directors, two non-government hospital leaders, national and international organizations involved with surgery.  I was thankful for six Mercy Ships staff who came to Liberia to facilitate.  We wish to collaborate together with our host nation and to do that we need to hear what are their needs related to surgery and surgical-related training.  So we are now working on what is possible (next steps) – includes biomedical technician training which starts next week.

  
Presenting certificates – part of the responsibilities of a country director – the doctor in the photo is from Nigeria but living and working here in Liberia at Redemption Hospital – Head of the Operating Rooms.

The privilege of worshipping God in the local churches of Monrovia.  This photo taken from a Pentecostal church recommended to me by a Liberian I met in Indianapolis (my hometown) – his son is the pastor.  

Always ready to share at events we are invited to.  This was with Lifebox, one of our partners, who is working to make surgery and anesthesia safer on a global scale.

Enjoyed hosting the Mental Health team who came to continue their training for people in Liberia using the manual ‘Understanding People, Mental Health, and Trauma’ by Dr. Lyn Westman.  We look forward to their return next year as they go to two interior counties to train.

Taking a tour of CB Dunbar Maternity Hospital in Bong County with their Medical Director.  Learning what they have available and listening to needs to see if there are gaps Mercy Ships can assist with.  

I do spend many hours on Teams in video calls with Mercy Ships, partners, and others.  Thankful for the technology that makes this possible.  I am showing my age but at times the screen looks like the opening credits of the Brady Bunch television show.

COVID-19  For the continent of Africa, 3,495,726 confirmed cases – 222,190 active cases – most all recovered – deaths under 88,000.  In Liberia, we have 2,250 confirmed cases, 86 deaths, and only 115 current cases.  

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team, and the people of Liberia 
*For our leadership in Mercy Ships as there are some changes and transitions.  
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 
 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – I hope these updates give you a glimpse of life in Liberia, my life serving here, and Mercy Ships plans. 

I miss the amazing ways Mercy Ships celebrate Easter on the ships.  For Easter Sunday here, I joined a current crew member, Felix who is from Liberia and was here on vacation, at his older brother’s church.  Felix has been my friend for many years – we refer to each other as ‘FCM’ – Fellow Crew Member.  The pastor asked Felix and me to share briefly with the brothers and sisters who gathered for Easter.  The chorus they sing when greeting others is one of my favorites: ‘We Will Stand’ by Russ Taft – “Oh you’re my brother, you’re my sister.  So take me by the hand.  Together we will work until He comes.  There’s no foe that can defeat us when we’re walking side by side as long as there is love we will stand”

Since Mercy Ships visits to the nation of Liberia 2005 – 2008, there have been various Liberians who have served as crew.  Many of the former crew members live here in Monrovia and recently I hosted a reunion.  We enjoyed a meal together and I was able to share some updates on Mercy Ships, our timeline and plans.  People here know they were with Mercy Ships and people ask them and I want to ensure they have the latest information.  
 

I’m doing good, healthy, and trying to balance all aspects of life and living here.   So thankful to God for his mercies and grace each and every day.    

Liberia Facts:  Universal access to clean water and sanitation is one of the 17 global goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  In Liberia, most use hand pumps to get water for all their needs.  At our team apartment, we have piped water inside most of the time – though it is not water we can drink.     

Improved toilet facility Includes flush/pour flush toilets that flush water and waste to a piped sewer system, septic tank, pit latrine, ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines; pit latrines with slabs; or composting toilets. So many Liberian have no facility at all for a toilet and just use the bush/field.  

COVID-19  For the continent of Africa, over 4.3 million confirmed cases – with more than 3.8 million recoveries and 114,000 deaths cumulatively.  Liberia has had 2,066 confirmed cases and 85 deaths.  African nations are receiving some COVID 19 vaccines, Liberia received 96,000 doses and is administrating them now for healthcare workers and those who are high risk.  Though please know that malaria, a preventable, treatable, and curable disease, is endemic in Liberia and remains one of the foremost public health problems in the country, taking its greatest toll on children under age 5 and pregnant women. 

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team and the people of Liberia  *For our leadership in Mercy Ships as there are some changes and transitions.  
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 

Greetings from Monrovia, Liberia – I hope these updates give you a glimpse of life in Liberia, my life serving here, Mercy Ships plans, and the ship’s visit.  I enjoy when I meet someone who benefited from Mercy Ships services – whether they were patients or training participants.  There is a general awareness of Mercy Ships in this nation – from government officials, non-governmental organization staff, church members, business owners, and street vendors.  This is helpful for the team as we meet people – just this week with the immigration services officials (who previously provided me with my Residency Permit).  Our team increases this weekend as three Mercy Ships staff are coming to look at the port/berth/water scenarios, infrastructure projects, and a general security assessment – so we look forward to hosting them.    

Always good to hear/see how some of our former projects in Liberia (2005 – 2008) are doing.  One is a medical clinic in a remote community of Tenegar where their previous clinic had been destroyed during the civil war (1989-2003) and people had to walk/travel far to seek medical care.  There was a genuine need for the clinic to be rebuilt and our privilege to come alongside them.  It is still in operation 13 years later – as part of the Ministry of Health.  During our visit, we were able to walk around the compound, meet some of the workers, patients, and locals present.  

Photo: Driving in Monrovia – actually not even driving in this photo, but stuck in traffic so I took this photo – roads crowded with cars, trucks, motorcycle taxis, three-wheelers ‘keh-kehs’, and people walking.  A challenge.  In case you are wondering, I do have my Liberian driver’s license.  

I’m doing good, healthy, getting rest, and trying for a balance between all aspects of life and living here. 
So thankful to God for his mercies and grace each and every day.    

Liberia Facts:

Literacy:  48.3%  (62.8% male + 34.1% female)
Urbanization – 52.1%
Government – Executive Branch – President, Vice President, & Cabinet
Legislative Branch – Senate with 30 (2 for each county) & House of Representative 73
Judicial Branch – Chief Justice + 4 judges
Similar in many ways to the set up in the United States

COVID-19 in Liberia: as of March 4 = 2,024 tested positive, 47 active cases, 85 deaths (only 1 death this year) and 1,892 have already recovered – total of 75,504 PCR tests performed for those with symptoms and for those traveling – required for everyone to fly out and to fly in.  For the continent of Africa, 3,932,371 positive cases with 104,842 deaths were reported.  Vaccines have started to arrive on the African continent, primarily going for healthcare workers, but millions more are needed.  Unsure when COVID 19 vaccines will be available in Liberia.  
Ebola Virus Disease:  a few weeks ago, new cases of Ebola were found in our neighboring nation of Guinea, but none in the surrounding countries – current count of 17 with 8 deaths.  From 2014-2016, Ebola devasted Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia with over 12,000 deaths.  When talking with the people here – there is a greater fear of Ebola Virus than of COVID-19.      

Prayer Requests:  *Health and Safety for me, my team and the people of Liberia  *That Ebola will be contained and not spread any further 
*God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance 
 
Serving together, Kofa Keith 

Greetings from Liberia with the motto ‘The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here’.  January is my third month in Liberia and I am learning every day more about the people, relationships, processes, understandings, culture, and so much more.  I believe I will continue in a state of learning.  I do wish to share with you more about Liberia and Mercy Ships’ engagement/involvement in this nation.

On each Sunday, I am attending a new church and there are many churches here in the capital city.  My list is growing of ones where friends and partners attend and also as I meet new people here, they share about their church and extend an invitation to visit.  This Sunday, we will visit a church where one of our contacts at the Ministry of Health is the pastor.  One needs to be ready to greet or share a brief encouragement in case you are called upon during the service.    
Caption:  With my friend Bonda and his family following the church service.  Bonda was a maxillofacial patient in Guinea in 2019 who I befriended.

During 2007 and 2008 while serving on the Anastasis and the Africa Mercy, I often was invited by a friend to visit a children’s home in New Georgia.  So over those two years got to know the children and teens living there.  Now in 2021, they are no longer children but older teens and young adults.  I received a gift in 2008, a book with their photos and short notes, so when I first visited, I brought the book for them to find their page and then one of them took their photo. The last Sunday of January, I will attend the local methodist church where many of them attend and are active.

Daily life in Liberia is difficult – different for those in the city versus those in the countryside.  As with many of the neighboring nations, subsistence farming is the main occupation.  Plant, care for, harvest, sell for cash and save what you need to feed your family.  Parents are concerned for their children’s health and schooling – paying school fees, supplies so that their children have a better future/opportunity than what they have.  As I build relationships, people share more about their lives, their circumstances, dreams, prayers, and wishes.  I pray that I can and my team can love and serve others here in Liberia – living out Mercy Ships’ Core Value #2.  

As part of my responsibilities as Country Director, I have the privilege to facilitate the donation of PPE – Personal Protective Equipment to the Ministry of Health – 14 pallets – 74,300 pieces, N95 masks, gloves, gowns, caps, googles, and shoe covers for distribution by the Ministry of Health for their nation’s ongoing battle to continue medical care and keep healthcare workers safe.   I also have the opportunity to meet with other missionary organizations and non-government organizations serving short-term and long term in this nation – here in the capital and those working in one of the other 14 counties of Liberia.

Liberia Facts:
Employment:  Labor Force by Occupation – 70% Agriculture, 8% Industry and 22% in Service.  In Agriculture beyond fruit and vegetables, their main products are: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, and sugar cane.
COVID-19: as of January 19 = 1,901 tested positive, 103 active cases, 84 deaths and 1,714 have already recovered – total of 61,954 PCR tests performed.  Most cases are here in Monsterrado County which contains the capital and port city and the largest population (+1 million).  Some are following the advice about wearing masks and hand washing and social distancing but others are not.  We wear our masks, and when entering a building, wash our hands, and often someone is there to take your temperature.      

Prayer Requests:  *God’s wisdom, insight, discernment, and guidance  *Facility we can renovate and use for off-ship housing for patients and caregivers coming from outside the port city – the pre-COVID potential site is no longer available, so we need to find other options.  *Health and Safety 
 

Kofa Keith