We packed up at the old missionary trip. A mother brought a young child to see Peter. She is a toddler, small enough to still carry. She has a birth defect, Her foot is twisted like Brown’s, but her hands are good and although her other foot is missing some toes, her leg still works. That is good. Peter took pictures of her and gathered information. She will be on the list of children for medical visa. It's amazing how kind and gentle Peter is with these chidren and their mothers. He carefully records the information in a notebook that he always keeps with him and takes pictures of the child. It is so obvious how much he loves children.
We had the pineapple for breakfast that was given to us as a gift. Later we also had rice. It is a really big deal that Mark and I are willing to eat rice from the bowl with the rest of the team. We all get a spoon and eat together. It didn’t seem like a big deal to me, I was glad to have a spoon. But it meant a lot to the people watching. I guess some white people have not even eaten the rice, let alone share the bowl.
So, we started off towards Gbarnga. We stopped to see the grave of a mother and wife of a pastor. She was in labor pain, but she died because there was no transportation to get her to the hospital in time. She died in the hammock that carried her and she was buried along the road. Her grave was well cared for as she must have been well loved.
We continued through Gbarnga, stopped to get some disel, and continued on. Mark has been reading 5 Dysfunctions of a Team out loud to Peter. Peter loves it and has already learned so much from it. He says this book probably won't make the trip back to the US and I think Mark has already conceded that he is right.
I still have much to write about yesterday, but not enough time to write it. So, I must start with what touches me deepest and hope that I will remember the rest another day.
At the end of our busy day, we returned to the old missionary house. As things were being arranged, I saw a baby in her mother’s arms. I had wanted to hold a baby all day. Now I asked to hold this one. She seemed so tiny, with big bright eyes. I prayed over her the prayer I pray for my children. May the Lord bless you and keep you… I asked some ladies the age of the child. They said 5 months. I thought how could that be. She is so small, maybe the size of a newborn. I noticed her forehead seemed narrow. Then Mark and Peter took pictures of me and Ester, the child. Peter also noticed this child seemed small. He evaluated the child and asked questions to her mother. Ester is the youngest of three, although her mother looks no older than 20. Peter says she has mild CP and microcelphus. Of all the babies, I saw today, this one I was able to hold. This one is very sick. I pray, oh how I pray, God led me to this child for life, not death. For hope and a future. Oh God, please, bless this child and keep her. Make your face to shine on her and be gracious to her. Give her a hope and a future. Amen.
Also, we gave away all ten birth kits today. I met Nancy, yesterday. She is Pastor George’s wife and an experienced midwife. She has an excellent midwife kit that is from UN, I think. It has more supplies than our simple kits, yet it lacks some of the disposable things. When they move into the new house, she will begin delivering babies in the kitchen because there is no midwife house in the village. However, delivering in the kitchen with a clean floor is much better than on a dirt floor, which is what they have now.
(Took a break for supper, rice and chicken again. This is the 5th time today we have been offered rice and chicken to eat.)
OK, it’s after supper now and I’m a little calmer now than I was before. I just had my first “bucket shower” and I feel refreshed, especially since we left Moko’s yesterday morning. I’m typing at Kristy’s laptop while my 4 gb of pictures and video download to a flash drive and listening to Chris Tomlin on Kristy’s Ipod in the middle of the Liberian jungle in the old missionary house with a generator for electricity and for that I’m really thankful. I did bring 5 small batteries-lanterns, they help at night. There is also a toilet here. Big bonus. I’m seen some interesting “bathrooms” on this trip.
Peter picked us up only 15 min. late, traffic, he said. He brought Othera (O-rita) and his daughter to do my hair. So, I have braids again. We left from Moko’s and went to Peter’s. I saw Michael again. So good to hold him and kiss him. We took more pictures. I’ve gotten two different reports on his age. Othera said he is 5 and Auntie Mary said he was 8. So, I asked him if I could look at his teeth. Oh my gosh! I have never seen teeth so bad! Later I asked Peter and he said Michael hasn’t lost his baby teeth yet. I hope that is true.
So, from there we left for Bong County. Peter, Mark, Pastor Quina, another pastor, me, Pastor George and Huggins. Pastor George met his wife in Gbarga. She is a midwife and she has a great kit that she uses. I got video of her describing it to me.
Then, we drove and drove until we came to Moses Quina Town. The roads got worse the farther we went. We shared roasted almonds along the way.
Once we arrived, the people were so happy to see us. Many people greeted us warmly. Pastor Quina told the story of the killing of seven men in the village. Now those widows have to do the farmwork and their children try to stay with Pastor Quina to go to school. All those children call him father and look to him to help provide for them.
Then the bell rang for the service to start. We were invited in to eat something. Yes, they rang the bell and then we ate. It give people time to come in from the fields, it’s harvest time. We ate rice, greens and plantain. I liked to plantain. It is a mix between banana and potato. Mark liked the rice and greens better. After that, they arranged the benches so that maybe 50 people could sit in the church. Peter introduced Mark and then Mark gave the Gospel presentation. Then Peter invited those who wanted to become believers to come to the front and receive Christ. Sixteen came forward to respond to the invitation.
The Jesus film was also shown that night as well, after we left. Eight more people responded to the Gospel after the film. We didn't stay for the film, but headed to Dwight-a (no idea of the spelling). There is an old missionary house there. It was built in the 1930's and a missionary family came to live there in the 1950's and stayed until the '70s. Most believers in the area can trace their faith back to this couple and their 5 children. It was an honor to stay in the house of these missionaries and consider the legacy they left behind. I pray we can build on the foundation they built.
We brought a generator, so the house has electricity. We used batteries lanterns while they set it up. There is a toilet (bounus!) but you have to dump water down it to get it to "flush" and the bathroom "door" is a blanket, for which I am thankful. Also, Peter and the pastors were thoughtful enough to get a net for Mark and I to sleep under. Drawback: no a/c although it wasn't that hot during the night.
On Sunday, we were able to post and update. On Monday, I forgot the laptop with Peter, so I wrote in my journal. On Tuesday, we had the laptop, but the internet wouldn’t connect. So, it’s 7 am on Wed morning and I’m writing on Word for now.
Yesterday, Mark finished the Pastor’s Training. It was very well received. He did outstanding as a passionate communicator, even speaking with a translator. We had Michael with us too. He and Mark continued to bond and connect, especially through tickling. The music the youth choir sang was outstanding. Morgan(Peter Flomo Jr.) is the choir leader. He is a very good leader and passionate about music and his team. I see good things ahead for this young man. I look forward to getting to know Otheta better. She is going to do my hair today after breakfast. I am looking forward to spending time with her.
It is cloudy today and very humid. I wonder if it will rain. It did rain yesterday afternoon, a great downpour for a little while.
Our 7:25 flight did finally leave Alanta after midnight last night. We had a great conversation with Donny from SC, the carmel fiend. I learned a lot from him and got some great ideas that I will write down soon.
It did feel like forever before we left. The flight was first delayed one hour, then half hour increments after that. After 11:00 I don’t think they even updated it anymore, but we did leave and the rest of the trip was smooth: no luggage issues, no immigration problems. And, Mark did a great job of collecting ALL our luggage, no missing pieces and we went outside the airport where Peter, our friend was waiting for us! Happy reunion! So, this trip has been good. Even if Peter and his wife and friends did wait hours this afternoon for us to arrive.
We are now settled in at Moko's and ready for the first day of the conference tomorrow. It is so fun to be at Moko's again. It's wonderful for share such great memories with Mark and to feel at home already.
We didn''t see Michael yet. I hope we can see him tomorrow.
