Guennue (gu-long I and new) and Aaron

The second Public Speaking class begins in 30 minutes.  Guennue and Aaron both have stopped by my office in the past hour to discuss their 2 minute speeches of introduction that they will give today.

It's humbling to realize the things that someone taught you, that God gifted you to do, that have become second nature to you are just now at the threshold of understanding for others.  But then, isn't that why I am here?  Of course it is, and the delight is that when the "light" came on in them, the smiles on their faces revealed that "light".

 I can't wait to hear Guennue tell the class all the reasons he loves his wife.  And Aaron will be telling us how he showed his happiness the day he found out he had been accepted to study at this university.

Stay tuned for more of these and other stories.

Stepping Out Missions SP, ABCU, EAFC converge

Today men working on ABCU Communication Building and other projects, the President and his wife of ABCU, a young man attached here from Samaritan's Purse and me went into the mountains to an abandoned iron mine.  From there we saw Liberia, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, But what I want to talk about is the rejuvenation I feel from having been with this group.  The beauty of God's world will always revitalize you, but talking with men with different stories but like passions keeps you going. (The whole experience made me really miss Barry, knowing how much he would have loved to have been there.)

One of the men has left his wife for 6 weeks.  I asked if she was OK with that.  "Yes," he said.  "We both know that life isn't just about us."  The sacrifices loved ones make who let us go is just as real as the adjustments and homesickness we can feel here.

The head of Stepping Out Missions (John Corley)  and I shared lots of stories of what it's like to "run little ministries."  We shared lessons we've learned, common philosophies of ministry and how much we love and appreciate the churches who support what we do.  If I haven't said it before, let me now.  THANK YOU!

                                                     Ivory Coast at bottom

                                               Taking in the beauty of Liberia

                                     A new meaning of "the dirty dozen"  Our guys coming back down!

Pictures Describing Previous Post

       There was coconut, tiny hot peppers, small limes, BIG snails, fish, tiny tomatoes, sweet potato greens, dried beans all over this market.  Outside they had some pretty fabrics, but none of them are produced in Liberia.  Some, I'm told even come from Holland!

                         ABCU worker we saw along the road having made a big purchase.

                                              Market Scene

                    The Baptist Church here in Yekepa; the ABCU gardner is a deacon there.

Saniquelle, GB and Morning Walks

Yesterday I posted a few pictures of the morning walk I took with 2 friends.  I was overwhelmed with the beauty; they were strategizing about policies and ways to help the students more.  Today we walked again, but this time we tried to focus on WORSHIP.  What a sanctuary God gave us in which to worship, such a contrast from the manmade building I expect to see in a few hours when we go to church.

Barry and I got to talk a long time on Skype yesterday/ few interruptions from the internet or other distractions, so we had a wonderful and long conversation.

I'm breaking up my stay this way.  Vicki, Dean of Education and my housemate will be here one more week;  then I'm in this house alone for 2 weeks;  my friend Peggy comes the week that the University is dedicated/ QUITE a BUSY WEEK THEN.  After that, I'll have 2 weeks to wind down with my 2 courses.

The adjustments continue but last night I had my best night's sleep since I left home.  I'm not as overwhelmed by it all.  Last night, however, my STOMACH had an opportunity to ADJUST after the noon "course" Peter gave me in the Dining Hall on how to eat GB  (the mashed up cassava).  I've been told that they like it because it swells in your stomach.  Yes, that's the way I would describe how my stomach felt.  Good food, however, for supper really did help me.

Another adventure I had yesterday was going 26 km to Saniquelle City to their market with the team of men from Stepping Higher Missions (a construction team here building the Communications Building)  I loved the time with this great group, and the experience in the Market was educational.  I've never in Africa seen  so many stalls with EXACTLY the same merchandise.  Oh, how I wish they had a manager, an entrepreneur to help organize their efforts.  If there could be some that would experiment in growing a NEW CROP, have some variety to offer. (I'd like to suggest some vegetables!)  The smell of the dried fish (TONS of it) might have contributed to my later stomach events; I'll never know for sure.  I just find that wherever we go, we're always trying to discover ways that we can help the people have a better life.

Entrepreneurial Leadership is a course they plan to introduce here. yeah!  They need MATH and ECONOMICS training too. Whatever discipline, I do know there is a need for GOOD TEACHERS!  But, what do I really know, I've only been here a week and I'm trying to say what  people need.  What I know is that we all need more of God, His love, His wisdom, His righteousness.  May that be all our experiences as we interact these next 6 weeks.

More Random Scenes around Yekepa

        I'm told that the Liberians don't have time to enjoy or appreciate their nature.  How sad!

      Ant hills tell you that you are in Africa.  The mining ore company housing is in the background

                                                               Yekepa Cafe

Pictures Friday and Saturday Feb 25, 26

Well,  I've found a way to post pictures.  ONLY DOWN SIDE is that I can't see what I'm posting before it goes up.  I'll get surprised with you!

Oh, My I wouldn't have chosen this one if I'd been able to see what I was uploading. ha!

What a Difference a Week Can Make

Last Saturday I boarded a plane.  This Saturday at 6:30 AM  I took a long walk off campus with 2 other ladies.  WOW!  Hopefully I'll be able to POST pictures.  I might have to get help.  The last time I tried to post pictures the newest additions I'd downloaded didn't show up in the choices.  Thankfully, there are "techy" people here.  Yesterday Ray from Nova Scotia got me a printer that will work with my personal computer.  What a help that was.

Saturdays here are just like any other day to everyone EXCEPT ME.  I am SO THANKFUL that I didn't have to teach today.  Even extroverts like me need DOWN TIME!  I will study and prepare today, but I'll go at a slower pace.  I don't think I can last if the stimulation of the past week keeps up.  Going to bed with beautiful music has helped me the past 2 nights.

Today I had banana bread for breakfast; yes, comfort food for this over stimulated soul.  We've been invited for supper at another faculty house tonight, and I heard we're having pizza. (smile)

So, let me get back to work.  Maybe if I get the courses planned well, I can then spend what time I have out of class grading papers, or even visiting with students.  Yesterday Peter G (not one of my students) stopped by my office to visit.  What fun that was.  I got to hear about his 14 years in Ivory Coast during the war and how he and his family survived.  What a smile he carries; lovely man;  I'm delighted to get to know these people.

Volley Ball "Sponsor"

It was a NICE diversion; though my red team lost.  They're good players; all of them. ( "My" sophomores were on both teams.)
I am thankful for 2 days of planning.  I may not get many more; grading might take over any extra time I have.  I am going on an early morning walk tomorrow  (it's cooler then)  That'll be my first time off campus since I got here. I hope I remember my camera.  The mountains around here are lovely.

I'm having problems getting my newest pictures to show up when I try to upload.

Public Relations Event

I just had the ENTIRE Public Relations class come into my tiny office to discuss the changes made in the class schedule.  I will include pictures I took after they left my office to discuss the matter with the University President.  We tentatively agreed that instead of Saturday class that we will have their class Tues/Wed/Thurs for 3 hours each.  Pray that we can all HOLD OUT!  They have sweet spirits, and a "final" schedule is now being printed up.  It is very difficult for the administration to take visiting professors who tell them how long we can stay and try to give the students what they need.  It takes great flexibility from all.  May God give us all wisdom and endurance!

Dedication week when no classes are to meet, I have to teach 6 hours Monday and Tues.  Whew!

Meet Linda

Linda is my student in Public Relations and Public Speaking too.  She is also on work study and mans the office in the Admin building from 1 to 3 SIX days a week.  She's been a big help to me making copies for the students.

Today's Pics

                           The mountains surrounding the campus, where they mine for iron ore.

                            My office is the far right window of this Administration Building.

                          Here's the inside of my office.  Got IT instruction so I can soon share docs with          students.

What a Difference a Day Can Make

My housemate is the dean of education at ABCU.  As we were chatting today, she discovered that I am not meeting my classes enough hours for the students to earn 3 hours credit by the 10th of April.  When she brought this up to the college president, he thanked her for noticing.

So, what does that mean to me?  LOTS.  I WAS teaching Tuesday and Thursday for 3 hours each, giving me time to prepare, grade and meet informally with my students.  So, what's changed?  Now, I am teaching Public Relations 6 hours on T/Th from 8 to 11.  I teach Public Speaking Monday/Wed from 3 to 6 P.M.  AND I have SOME Saturday classes for both sprinkled in. (chapel is 7:30 each morning; sponsoring a sports team is on Friday afternoons, faculty meetings are Tues. afternoon, and staff Bible Study is Wed night.)

I quickly got overwhelmed when I had to teach Tuesday morning with no time to prepare.  Then Wednesday was helpful in having a day in the office to prepare for today.  Today was FUN with the students, though I must admit I felt like I was throwing more at them than they could possibly absorb.  So for their sakes I'm happy to be able to slow down a bit.

For me, I'm struggling not to feel overwhelmed again.  And yet, He who called me is able.  I believe He did call me, and I KNOW He is able, therefore, I will rejoice in this added load.  That's not to say I wouldn't appreciate my friends praying for me on a regular basis.  I haven't yet gotten off this campus. Maybe Saturday afternoon after I teach I can take a walk.  Until then, I'll post a few more pictures of the sights around "my new home."

New day, Fresh Experiences

Today I spent the day in my office, actually preparing for teaching tomorrow. I wonder how much of all l prepared I will really get accomplished. Seven weeks I imagine feels like a crammed schedule to the students. They really have to be flexible to "go to university" according to the availability of visiting professors. On the way to the office I met a student and actually remembered his name. That felt good! Another first was trying to talk with Varry on Skype. Hummmm! Not real satisfying. I think when it's night here it might be better connections. I have talked to Kenya before, and sometimes it works better than others.

My housemate told me today that after tomorrow, she would let me plan the days with Jamaima (the cute young lady with the bread). So this afternoon I chatted with her for the first time. She has a boy 6 and a girl almost 4. They both go to school, but the little boy is just now learning to write his name. Jamaima works LONG hours even when we tell her to go home. Today she went to the market in Guinea, yes, that's right, the country is only 1 mile away they tell me. She told me she can get tomatoes there. okra too. Finding vegetables here isn't easy. Jamaima's mother died in 1986. She was raised by her uncle until he escaped into a neighboring country. She did get to finish high school, and then she was selling bread to make a living. She came here to the college in October, 2009, she remembers the exact date. When she came someone in the dining hall offered her a job and then she was transferred to this house that I am staying in. Wish I'd brought re pies. She is eager to learn. And I am learning to be flexible with instructions about how to fix things, making it work with ingredients that are available.
Today I was assigned as a faculty sponsor for inter mural soccer team. That's another "fresh" experience. Tonight is faculty Bible study. So far, there's plenty to keep me busy.

Adding Pictures of ABCU

 Jamaima baked bread in this oven.  She preferred it to the gas one inside the house.

 Chapel meets here each morning at 7:30

I was introduced in chapel this morning.  Seeing this restoration reminds me of Nehemiah!

First Impressions

Last night the talk at supper was about the snake that fell from the tree near my house.  Today, I've heard more snake stories; but most say they're more rare than they used to be thanks to keeping the grass cut closer.   OK..... now, I've gotten the tales of "scary Africa" behind me.  What REALLY are my first impressions of Liberia?
In chapel this morning, Professor Mulbah introduced me.  He told the students that I had been in 9 other countries in Africa, and then said, "now that she's been to Liberia, we won't let her go."  That's an example of the warm hospitality I have found here.
From 8 to 11 A.M.  I got to know 13 young men and women majoring in Communication  (that are Sophomores)  I taught them the "Greeting Song" that I had made up to an African tune.  What fun it was during the break to hear some outside the classroom singing it.  Boy did they pick it up quickly.
After lunch, Vicki, the Dean of Education and my housemate took me on a quick tour of campus.  I'll post a few of those pictures, finding it hard to know which ones really tell it like it is.

This afternoon we had a faculty meeting.  I am amazed by what I've seen God doing in this place.  There are men and women from Nova Scotia, Michigan, Indiana etc using gifts and energies to transform a jungle into a first class university.  One professor mentioned that some from Liberia University toured recently and wanted to transfer.  This student said that the computer lab here was superior to what he has at LU.  Besides that, my students reminded me in class that they are "learning truth that transforms . " There's nothing quite like reading texts, listening to radio, watching TV and then coming to an environment where you are free to bounce off ideas and center your thinking on ultimate truth.

OK, I'll close for today.  This is long enough.  I do realize that what is going on here is a thimbleful of what God is doing all over the world, including the worlds of those who are reading this.  Thank you for reading and commenting.  I am very tired; kind of in overload right now.
They put me on the schedule to be the chapel speaker 2 days next week but I asked for a postponement.
It'd help to be comfortable with the names and faces of my students first!

On the way to Yekepa, Liberia

ABC University!  I had a DELICIOUS dinner tonight with a faculty couple who live next door.  Nathan and Julia were refugees in Ivory Coast and Ghana during the war.  They've only been back home since 2007.

I'm too tired to post much tonight, but I will close with the following picture.
I want my second grade friends to notice the flag of Liberia on this car!

I'm here

I just tried to upload a picture, but it appears I haven't got it figured out yet.  The FLIGHT WAS super!  short for most of what I am used to.  I met VERY stimulating people and felt God's presence the whole way.  I'll copy and post what I wrote on the plane AFTER I've had a bit of down time.

I's 9 PM in Yekepa, my first daughter's birthday today!  Happy Birthday, Susan!  I love you.
This picture I tried to download in Monrovia has just shown up in this post.  Now I'll try one more before calling it a day!

A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words,Right?

PERMISSION TO TRAVEL!

Visa/Passport Issue Update

Well, friends,  I just got off the phone with Nancy at the Liberian Embassy in Washington.  She told me that they had NOT mailed the visa yesterday as promised because she feared that I had not sent enough postage.  (I had not known when making application that I would be sending them my actual passport.)  She suggested I contact Fed Ex to collect it.  She said she had the documents right there with her.

We now have a confirmation number  from Fed Ex.  They'll be at the Embassy by 3 PM EST today and will have it to me by tomorrow morning.   My collection of unusual stories relating to adventures in Africa continue.  The other day, I got to tell a missionary couple friend of ours about the time I found Barry's cell phone he'd left in an airplane several days later when I flew.  The plane I was supposed to be on, was not the one in which the cell phone was on, but a last minute plane switch changed that.  Oh, the story's much more interesting that the "bones" I've just told you. (or so my friends told me)  But it's an example of fun, stretching and interesting adventures in travel the past 15 years to Africa.

I'm growing through Africa even as I anticipate being there.  I do desire that my life demonstrates a woman who trusts in God and believes that a sovereign God really is caring for me.  I'm looking forward to this trip.  It looks like I really will be leaving in 3 days.  Surely, the next time I post, you will be reading about the sights and sounds of a place new to most of us.

Thank you for joining me!  Thank you for your support!  Thank you for your prayers!

Why Ephesians 6:13 today?

I don't have my passport or a visa for Liberia YET! Yesterday Sunday School friends suggested I contact my Congressman. I don't think that thought would have crossed my mind, but once it had been suggested, I thought maybe I should do it.  So this morning a very nice lady in Congressman Gregg Harper's office helped me. She called me back after talking with the Liberian Embassy.  They told her they would mail it tomorrow. That is what they told me as well. (They told me last week they'd send it too. hummm)

Now that is where Ephesians 6:13 fits in. That verse came to my mind after receiving these reports. I have done all I know to do, and I am impressed that now, I am to stand and rest in the knowledge that this is in God's hands. There is a balance between doing what seems to be prudent and what demonstrates anxiety and lack of trust.

One person working for my Senator reminded me that their office had no authority over a sovereign state. And that is as it should be, but I am so glad that in the Kingdom to which I belong, The King rules over all the kingdoms of this world.

Another Book

Oh how I want my 10 grandchildren to know in their hearts what I Have been exposed to this morning in the first 3 chapters of John Piper's book Thinking.

Having finished the books I've been writing about, I began perusing iBooks for a book to download for the airplane. That's when I found out Piper, an author I really admire had written another book.

I want not only these 10 grandchildren to embrace their educations and for that knowledge to give them more heartfelt love for God, but that is my goal also as I begin this 7 week relationship with students in the classroom in ABCU in Liberia.

One more thought for today....... Still waiting for the Visa and my Passport to come to me so I can travel on the 19th.

Books That Are Preparing Me

I really did enjoy Helene Cooper's A House at Sugar Beach. I only wish she'd seen the similarities between life in her country and the challenges she found in Tunica, Mississippi when she reported for the Wall Street Journal. Human nature is the same all over the world. We wish we were not as bad as "others" but it's hard to escape or explain how mankind has tendencies to strive to be on the top, to stay there, and to forget those we've passed as we have focused on our own good life. Experience echoes the message of the Bible that says we are at our core selfish, thinking of ourselves over the needs of others.  This story took place in Liberia, but it could have been Rwanda, Germany or Mississippi!  We act surprised when revolt comes and more surprised that the ones who revolt end up committing the same injustices for which they revolted. So sad!

I am glad I read Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's book first. It gave me background that made this book more enjoyable.

Now what gripped me was finding out how young the little boys often were when stolen to become child soldiers. I wonder how much of this story my students will relate to. How similar are their personal stories with Helene Cooper's?

Last pondering today------should we care that because we have so many troubles and challenges in "our" world that so many of us seldom ponder such stories like this one?

A Fortnight

In a "fortnight" I'll get to find out whether or not Liberians use that term.  Today, I ponder a few things as I prepare for these last two weeks.  I just finished writing a very long post only to "preview" it before saving it, thus losing all that work.  That was disappointing.  Another disappointment was that I didn't get to speak at a ladies luncheon today since the place they were having it cancelled due to weather. Is it OK to be disappointed when you believe that EVERYTHING is filtered thought the fingers of a loving and sovereign God?  I think He understands.

All this unusual weather we have experienced, however, has reminded me to pray about the weather on February 19.  Once we missed a flight going to South Africa due to thunderstorms, but this would be worse.  THIS PARTICULAR FLIGHT only flies ONCE a WEEK!

Another interesting development:  Barry and I have thought we understood varying cultural differences enough to prepare for the visa application, but we've found we didn't understand it so well, after all.  Almost a month ago I sent by Fed Ex all the documents that I thought were required only to later find out that checks or credit cards were not accepted for payment for the visa, only money orders.  I took care of that, thinking once again I had fulfilled all the requirements.

Today, concerned that I hadn't gotten my visa with only "a fortnight" to go, I called the embassy.  This time I learned that they need my ACTUAL passport (not the copy I had provided).  So I have now express mailed that.  Hopefully, by mid week, I will have the visa as well as my passport in hand!  That's my prayer.

A topic I've discussed for over a year with 5 friends who live in various countries in Africa is the issue women's concerns.   I have just finished reading This Child Will Be Great,  by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  It was an excellent book that also shed light on this topic of women's issues.  She credits the women of Liberia as being the force behind her being elected.

Another very good book I've begun since finishing that one is The House at Sugar Beach.   It's an autobiography telling about the Congo People of Liberia  ( or Americo-Liberians).  

I've kind of put my syllabi away for a while, studying in more informal ways like this.  I think it's important to understand the people, their history,  their dreams and desires before you decide how you might facilitate their learning.

So, will this be the last post before I'm actually in Liberia? maybe! The downside of announcing your plans to go on a trip like this 4 months before you leave is that some begin to ask you how your trip WAS when you still have a "fortnight" until you leave! (That happened to me yesterday.)

  Please don't abandon me now.  I will need to hear from you.  If you want private posts, you can still email me at vvickery@gmail.com.

I hope each of you have a good fortnight! Bye for now.