Liberia

Each time I go on a trip it is impossible to share everything so I choose one story to illustrate what I've seen. I spent much of my trip to Liberia visiting beneficiaries of our orphan and vulnerable children program for those infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. It was impossible to ignore the reminders of the recent civil war, because they were everywhere - burnt out structures and cars remained, bullet riddled buildings, soldiers who survived but whose injuries were apparent. Infrastructure is still lacking - running water, consistent electricity, adequate housing, etc. Not to mention there isn't much Rule of Law. I was there six days, in that time 2 dead bodies washed up on the beach. I was told by the staff there they are usually results of "foul play." The bodies are left there for a few days, people come by and look to see if they recognize the person, if they aren't claimed and start to stink the police bury them on the beach. I doubt there is much of a murder investigation that happens. At one of the homes we visited there are two single women living there with 5 children. They had been recently raped by 8 men! It is hard to process all I've seen. The story I want to share with you illustrates that there is still hope, even the face of so much destruction and pain. As we were on our way to vist some beneficiaries we were told they aren't home, they are at church. This is the church. It is riddled with bullet holes and still spray painted with war messages. During the war it was used as a rebel base. What was happening inside was nothing short of inspiring!



Inside, the church was full of mothers. Mothers who witnessed the destruction of their communities and the hate still raging in the area. Mothers who feared for their childrens future. Rather than throw their hands up and decide there was nothing they could do in the face of such devastation, they united. Every Wednesday they get together and pray. We joined them on this day. They exhibited such faith. They set an example for me of what I can do. I don't have all the answers and I certainly don't have all the resources, but God does. I believe he cares about the individual lives of these people. In the days that remained I followed the example of these mothers and prayed because, frankly, I didn't know what else to do. Please join me and pray for the people of Liberia. They have a long journey to pull themselves out of the destruction caused by a 15 year civil war. Pray for the leadership of the country, pray for the children, pray that the church will grow in number and maturity. When all seems lost, these women taught me that we still have power through prayer. Amen!