We've arrived

HELLO TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY: We arrived safely yesterday at about 9 pm Liberian time. It was a long and grueling trip, but 34 hours after we started, we got to the complex in Monrovia. Today we went to St. Matthews school. They were all waiting for us, and they had a special assembly in our honor. They are all so excited and happy to have us with them< and the cafeteria is blocked and roofed< and today we worked on putting a concrete floor down> we continue that tomorrow as well as starting to do stucco work> sORRY about the typing, I am at an internet cafe and the computer is different, but the internet at the compound is down. So we may be a little slow getting back to you again, but know that we feel your prayers and that the Liberians here are so grateful and loving. The conditions here are worst than expected, but the joy of seeing the children and youth so excited in our presence makes it easier to see. Please continue to pray for us as we work this week. Our compound has electricity at night so the heat is not so bad. We are all healthy and ready to get back at it tomorrow. Blessings and prayers to all. Cindy G

a typical work day

We hope to arrive in Liberia this Sunday. On Monday, our work day will begin. We have been given an approximate idea of what a day will entail:
Breakfast and Devotional
Leave compound approximately 8 AM
About 30 minute van ride through town
Arrive at worksite and get to work!
Eat lunch at the school
Leave around 3 to 4 PM or later.
Our evenings will be free to share with others, blog, and relax

keeping time

It is now 7:30 PM as I write tonight. Liberia is 5 hours ahead of us. That makes today tomorrow in Liberia. Doesn't it? 12:30 AM on Sunday morning. As I think about tomorrow, I think about my trip being just about one week away! Wow. I can hardly wait. cg

9 days to go! We are spending this first day of the new year trying to get a little more organized for our trip. We started our anti-malarial tablet today,and somehow, that made the trip suddenly seem closer to reality.
My brother-in-law asked a very intriguing question during Christmas about our trip. "Why are we going, and wouldn't it be more effective with the high unemployment rate and need of the people to just send the money we are spending on the trip to the people and let them get paid for constructing the building?
This is a great question that I open up to all. As I have pondered that question, I think of my own family and friends. When they are in need of money or help, I could just open up the pocketbook and give them money and leave it at that. There are times that is appropriate. But there are a lot of times when they seem to appreciate and need our presence. I treasure the times we have worked together on a project. When times are difficult, a hug and expression of love speak volumes when we need it most. In my own life some of the most sacred memories are of working together with others to overcome adversity or to see a project to completion.
I look forward in nine days to working with my new friends in Liberia, and sharing relationship and work with them.
What do you think?

Christmas gifts

Looking for a last minute Christmas idea? Give a child in Liberia an opportunity to go to school. $75 will provide a work-grant/scholarship for a youth for one school year. $25.00 provides a school uniform. That doesn't sound like much to us, but to a Liberian, $75. is almost 40% of the per capita income for the year! Each student that receives a scholarship works 3 hours per month on their school campus, and has to maintain certain academic and attendance criteria. If you are someone connected with this blog, it would be a great present for one of the individuals going on our work team to St. Matthew's school in January. If you are just surfing and see this, go to http://www.gbgm-umc.org/operationclassroom/. There is information for this and several other opportunities to help operation classroom students! If you can't help monetarily, would take a moment right now to pray for the children of Liberia? Thanks. CLG

The building is started! Anthony Dioh, our Liberian contact at the school, has contacted the team and told us that the school has started the building project. As of right now, the foundation is dug and the blocks are going up. They are hoping to have the project far enough along that our team can help with stucco and painting.
Our Warsaw District, which includes United Methodist Churches in Kosciusko County, and stretches to Columbia City and Plymouth raised over $10,000 to begin this project. What a joy that all of our district, in partnership with the school, are helping to get this building done!

As the Christmas season intensifies, I find that my view of giving is changing. I wonder how much the prospect of going to Africa to work and mingle with St. Matthews school is the cause. Maybe the economy and so much need in this country is also a factor. I am sure my first Christmas with my Grandson Jackson also bears some responsibility. How can I give enough to overcome poverty and starvation? How can I help those in need or out of jobs? What can I give Jackson that will be the key for him to find happiness and hope throughout life?

In 5 weeks we will be ready to leave. I go to Liberia, not to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, but to live that good news. "Go and make disciples" means to me to go and sweat, and work, and show the destitute that they are loved, and that someone cares. It will be a life changing 10 days.

What kind of gifts am I giving? What will I leave behind? I will bring small tokens, give my work, sprinkle smiles and caring. I will hope that I briefly mirror Christ. But what I bring back will be the most important part of my Christmas giving this year. If I come back and ignore those in need around me, if I do not share that love here, my trip may just become another vacation.

I suspect I will come back having received much more than I have given. Maybe that is what I seek this Christmas--To know that whatever I give others will not just be a shiny new toy or a small item they don't want, but rather a gift that grows our love and understanding of one another.

I can't save the world from itself. I can only reach out in love to those around me and the world, and hope that each gift I give will be one that reflects the grace and peace of Jesus.