April 20, 2007

Greetings to all from Ganta, Liberia. All is well here and I am enjoying an experience of a lifetime. I have been here for two months now and time is flying by. There is so much work that needs to be done here, yet I do small, small things along the way. The details follow for the last month. There are three accounts in this one posting, so please read to the end.

Today I was saddened to hear that one of our young TB patients died. I visited her several times a week, and she was so weak when I saw her last. She had diabetes and a bout of malaria that was too much for her frail body to handle. She died this morning as one of our caring nurses was at her side. Please pray for Louise that she may find eternal rest in heaven and that her family may be comforted.

On a happier note, we began the Rehab survey last week and have completed 9 houses thus far. It is not a simple task, given that the residents may speak one of ten different dialects. So, the other social worker here translates for me. Additionally, there are many living in one half of each house so it takes a long time to interview each person. What we have discovered thus far is that some are fairing well, while others are living in extreme poverty. The disparity is dependent on several factors, e.g. the number of family members living in the house, the disabilities of the ex-leprosy patients, and whether they are able to do small work. Life seems to be most difficult for those that have no hands or feet, as they are unable to perform household tasks, e.g. hauling water, washing clothes, cleaning, and yard work. So, many beg in Ganta in order to have enough money to pay others to do these tasks and to buy small things. My heart goes out to all of them as I can see that they are struggling. The survey should clear up some misperceptions and better inform the sisters as to who is living here and to help them to make decisions based on the people’s best interest. Also, it should inform us of the social problems that the people are confronted with, e.g. substance abuse, parenting problems, women’s issues and so on. So, the work continues.

I am also working very closely with the fathers in Ganta and Sannequille putting together a project to help educate the young people and keep them in school, be it public, Catholic, or Protestant. There is no free education here in Liberia. The school fees are low, but the children also need to buy uniforms, books, and school supplies. Consequently, many children are not in school that should be. This is a huge problem here as the children are illiterate due to the 14 year civil war that prevented schools from staying open. Yesterday, during the survey, I met a 19 year old boy who is taking care of his grandparents with leprosy and he has NEVER gone to school. This is very common and so sad! Imagine your own children not going to any school. I will give you more details on this proposed project when it is firmed up. For now, just know that we are all united in the same purpose and that is in doing the Lord’s work for His people that are suffering here in Liberia.

May the Lord bless you abundantly!

April 3, 2007 Holy Week – A Spiritual Reflection
Sitting under the mosquito net on my bed, I reflect on the paradoxical nature of Jesus. This leads me on a search for new meaning. Some things I take on faith, others I just know in my heart to be true. For example, I know that Jesus is the king of all kings, yet he humbled himself as a servant, even washing his disciples’ feet on Holy Thursday. Imagine a great world leader today doing such a thing! It would be unheard of, a scandal, really. Yet Jesus understood the importance of not just talking about humility, but being a living example of it. After all, He was born in a lowly manger. The paradox, as scripture reminds us, is that Jesus came from humble beginnings and lived a simple life, but His name is higher than any other name and one day every knee will bow to his name. So, I ask myself, what is it about humility that our Lord understood so well, but I stumble over? Is it that by humbling myself I can better serve God and others? Is it that through humility I can feel the suffering of others? Or is it that when I am on my knees, I am better able to be closer to Christ in my daily life?
Another paradox is that Jesus Christ was as innocent as a lamb yet he willingly carried the cross with all of the world’s sins. I am struck by the fact that He is carrying my sins, of which there are aplenty! It seems so unfair that Jesus had to suffer and die such a horrible death on the cross to remove my sins from me. This is the undeserved kindness that he offers for all people of the world. No one deserves it as we are all sinners. Yet, He offers it freely through His unconditional love for us. He washes us whiter than snow with His sacred blood. So, on my knees I pray in thanksgiving.
Still, the greatest paradox is that although he died on the cross, He arose from the dead. He and only He has ever conquered death. So, I ask myself what this means for me in my life. It is this promise that I hold close to my heart, that if I follow the Lord’s commandments and do good works, that someday I, too, will share in everlasting life. Now, that is something that gives me peace of mind and warms my heart! To know that one day I will be united with the Lord, all of my loved ones and friends in paradise forever is His Easter gift. Praise God!
Wishing everyone a blessed Easter season, because He lives!

March 30, 2007
As I sit at my desk in my house in Ganta, I reflect on all that has happened since my arrival seven weeks ago. Through the supportive direction of Sister Rita and the fathers, both in Ganta and in Sanniquelli, and with the Lord’s guidance, I have been able to make some very strong connections with the Liberian people. The children come up to me and hold my hand as I walk to the Rehab in the morning. The students show me their schoolwork and I praise their efforts, encouraging them to stay in school. When I make my rounds at the Leprosy and TB Rehabilitation Center my heart is filled with love for these patients. I hold their hands and greet each one, listening carefully to what they want to share with me. Sometimes they hold their stomach and say they are hungry right before breakfast, or complain of an ache or pain in their bodies, but mostly they just say that they are fine, and thank God. Through the sisters’ help I am able to relay their needs for a towel, a bucket, underwear, or other small things. They are simple people with very little education, but many are devoted to the Lord. I am purchasing some new Bibles, as many Leprosy and TB patients that can read have made this request. Playing cards and a few games are being purchased to help lift their spirits, too. Yesterday one of the female adult patients hugged me and sang a song to me about Jesus. I was really touched by this.
A new female Leprosy patient arrived last week. She had lesions and had lost the use of some fingers and toes due to the disease. So, her feet are both wrapped in gauze dressings. She has had the disease for five years but was in denial that it was Leprosy. She claims that she rubbed Vaseline on her body and that it caused the problems. So, we are dealing with denial and ignorance about Leprosy. It is curable, but the patients need to seek treatment early! So, many tell their families that they don’t have it. When the diagnosis is finally made, many are ostracized by their families and literally put out, forbidden any contact with them. It is so sad, especially among our young patients. Imagine how sad they must feel losing all connection with home while dealing with the suffering of Leprosy! So, I do what I can to comfort them by listening to them, helping them to process their thoughts and feelings, and bringing the peace of the Lord to them through little ways.
Pray that His healing hand may bless these people and comfort them.
End of this post