Why I pray for Angels.

It's been a while. No excuses.

I'm happy to report my inspiration has returned!

I'm taking a pause from discussing written autobiographies to reflect on a common story. This is an autobiography in the making.

Last week I was undone when I heard the story of a young woman caught in cycle of prostitution when money gets low and there seems to be no other options. I'm learning when something hits my heart to the point of tears I need to go with that feeling and invest it into prayer and intercession for the person and the larger issue.

You would think the "no-touch" culture that Ebola created would have impacted it. Not so, dear friend. The enemy is relentless. He continues to work with and among humans to kill, steal and destroy the human body, soul and spirit.

Let me be explicit: sexual abuse, prostitution and human trafficking is alive and well in Liberia. Girls are giving sex for grades, a meal, protection, and the most basic of necessities. And their parents look away in complicity. I've heard too many stories and met the girls.


While looking up resources for a study on purity I came across the following podcast.

http://www.authenticintimacy.com/java-with-juli/lessons-from-a-former-prostitute/

It pains me bringing me to the point of tears to realize that there are countless "Angels" in Liberia.

Listening to this has refueled my prayer for the Angels caught in a devaluing cycle of sexual exploitation.

Listen. Respond as your heart leads.

Greatness continues: Booker T. Washington

After a failed attempt at reading Mandela’s other compilation of writings (too disconnected for me), I downloaded a free copy of Booker T. Washington’s autobiography, “Up From Slavery.”  It knocked my socks off. 

#2 Greatness is cultivated and maintained through hard work to benefit others as much as if not more than oneself.

Booker T. Washington was one hardworking man.  As a boy he was a slave.  While still a boy, he was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. Then through an inspiring path became a lifelong educator and founder of what is now known as Tuskegee University, one of the first all-black institutes of higher education. Two ways Booker T. Washington exemplified the principle of “right living” and hard work is:

1.  He was convinced that the advancement of his people depended on hard work.

“I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do a thing so thoroughly that no one can improve upon what it has done; learns to make its services of indispensable value. This was the spirit that inspired me in my first effort at Hampton, when I was given the opportunity to sweep and dust that schoolroom.  In a degree I felt that my whole future life depended upon the thoroughness with which I cleaned that room and I was determined to do it so well that no one could find any fault with the job.

I think the whole future of my race hinges on the question as to whether or not it can make itself of such indispensable value that the people in the town and the state where we reside will feel that our presence is necessary to the happiness and well-being of the community.  No man who continues to add something to the material, intellectual and moral well-being of the place in which he lives is long left without proper reward. This is a great human law…” – Booker T. Washington

2.  He recognized the indomitable value of service, a form of love.

“In meeting men, in many places, I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least.”

And this is coming from a former slave, a man who’s live was bound in all possible ways by a dehumanizing institution and group of people that perpetuated the system.

Recently I’ve been faced with a staffing decision.  We have a team member who is ok but not really adding value to the team.  Often responding to tasks but not initiating them.  My follow-up with them on assigned tasks has become the norm rather than the exception.  For better or worse, I thought of that person often when reading and re-reading these quotes.  

It has also causes me to take another look at my own work ethic.  Am I pouring my passion and energy into doing my best for the good of the team and the organization or am I doing just what is expected of me?  I will be the first to admit I’m not that intense when it comes to work.  Living and working in this national emergency context over the past few months has changed that drastically.  I’ve never worked so hard (at my paid jobJ) and poured my energies into the service of another country in my life. It’s been fulfilling in a way I never would have imagined.  Booker T. was definitely onto something.

Greatness lesson: Mandela

I’m starting a series on greatness, inspired by folks you probably know.

My inspiration -- Over the past few months I’ve read and watched a number of autobiographies.  It started with watching Invictus, a gift from Simone and Morris <wave & smiles> when they visited me in Benin earlier this year.  Seeing Mandela portrayed as such a remarkable man and leader inspired me to read his book, “A Long Road to Freedom”.  Though I was previously turned off by the length and weight of it, downloading it to my e-reader made it easily accessible and portable. It was worth every page!

Sidenote: If you want to read more and have some waiting/travel/down time, get an e-reader! As the Liberians say, “I beg of you”.  I think it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made.  

From Mandela I learned that no man can be great unless he’s wrestled with and decided to move forward in doing what is right despite the inner and outer “demons” threatening to get in his way.  Mandela wasn’t any smarter than me or you and, like us, was well-acquainted with difficulties and inner struggles.  He persevered nonetheless.

#1: The root of greatness is dog-stubborn “stick-to-it-iveness” or perseverance despite internal or external resistance. 

Many know about the acclaimed battles Mandela fought against the apartheid regime.  Yet some of his greatest triumphs were personal.  I am convinced that these inner achievements, many of which occurred during his decades in prison, built the foundation for public victories.  Below are two ways he persevered in his personal life:

1.  Exercising regularly

Exercise dissipates tension and tension is the enemy of serenity.  I found that I worked better and thought more clearly when I was in good physical condition, and so training became one of the inflexible disciplines of my life.” – Mandela

Having struggled with doing regular exercise most of my adult life, feeling compelled but not always motivated to maintain the habit, Mandela’s words impacted me.  Exercise in times of difficulty isn’t only a good idea physically but also has mental and emotional benefits. Right now I’m into PraiseMoves, Zumba, tennis and I may join a bike riding club. I’m now engaging in regular exercise to fuel perseverance. 

2.  Pursuing contentment

To survive in prison, one must develop ways to take satisfaction in one’s daily life.  One can feel fulfilled by washing one’s clothes so that they are particularly clean, by sweeping a hallway so that it is empty of dust, by organizing one’s cell to conserve as much space as possible.  The same pride one takes in more consequential tasks outside of prison, one can find in doing small things inside of prison.“ – Mandela 

I’m really feeling this one.  Finding contentment in doing the smallest tasks well truly helps us build a sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which comes in handy when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and setbacks.  If I washed two loads of laundry and spent quality time in my hammock reading, by golly, I can tackle submitting that paper on time!  This satisfaction applies not only to work but also to play.  As I grow older. I’m learning to allow myself to schedule and take deep satisfaction in resting.

Recently during a conversation with a dear friend, we discussed how life is like compound interest.  It’s not simply that our decisions and investments add up or multiply, but that they add up and multiply building on one another yielding more than we can imagine for better or worse. 

Our moments of fame and recognition may be as scarce as good ice cream in West Africa but opportunities to persevere despite obstacles abound.  Right now, my single friends and I are persevering to find our partners in life – a husband or wife. In the meanwhile, each day we continue to pray, encourage one another, and invest our time building healthy relationships. Ultimately we are working to realize God’s full purpose and plan for our lives.

So what are you persevering in right now?  

You may have already had the privilege of seeing the fruit of your endeavors.  

I’d love to hear about it if you'd like to share.

1st Weeks in Monrovia: A flip-flop and an unwelcome guest

Last night in Bible study we talked about journaling as a way to remind ourselves of questions posed to God and what the answers looked like. This morning I decided to look back through old journal entries I had written right when I initially arrived in Monrovia.  Here is a particularly memorable moment:

“I’ve been in Monrovia for about six weeks.  First temporary apt was bad experience. Second permanent apartment is working out pretty well… except for the A/C issues -- and then the unwelcome guest. After my bedroom A/C started leaking and soaking into the carpet on Thursday I shut it off.  A/C men didn’t come on Thursday. No show Friday.  So I was to spend the weekend without A/C.  That was fine since it wasn’t too hot in my bedroom.
 But then late last night I saw an unwelcome guest on the move with purpose coming down from my malfunctioning A/C. A roach! A big one nevertheless, known by some as a waterbus.  I screamed and realized I had no insect spray.  Instead I grabbed a fly swatter.  I approached it.  It fled in the opposite direction and continued to descend the wall. I texted a neighbor to ask if she had spray.  She had none. A few thoughts of desperation raced through my mind.  I lamented the fact that I didn’t have any.  I thought about using white vinegar mix instead. I resolved to sleep in the living room that night.  I wondered how comfortable my couch would be. Then I prayed, sincerely asking for help.  It was one of my most heartfelt prayers.  How was I to a) get to it and b) kill it? Dead.
 I imagined it roaming around the room, maybe even following the path of my wet upturned carpet and making its way onto my bed.  Oh, the horrors!  Then, breaking my train of thought, I saw it near the window close to me.  I grabbed the vinegar mix and sprayed it.  Then it started moving across the floor towards me, in plain shoe-hit range!  I flung off one flip-flop.  Not sure why.   It moved a bit closer within my reach.  I grabbed the flip-flop and “Bam!” I stopped it in its tracks, yelling the entire time.
 David had his Goliath. Mine was a bit smaller but equally unnerving.   What praise went up that night! God hears my prayers, tends to the needs of my weak heart and strengthens me to do great exploits!  An hour later, once I was ready to go to bed I mustered up the courage to clean up my kill.  I approached it to scoop it into the dustpan.  The antennae moved. “Bam!” It was truly flat them. Scooped it, howled/squealed/groaned in angst, heaved it out the front door, then went off to sleep.  In big and small things, God is a true Father, Keeper, and Strength.

Crafternoon: Thanksgiving in Liberia

Happy Liberian Thanksgiving!

What a gift to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving twice in one month #1 up November 6th.

In honor of the day I invited a few craft-inclined ladies over to work on and share crafts using one of God's greatest gifts: the gift of creativity.

Voila pictures and the fruits of our labors:

1st attempt at an origami telescope.

Group effort papier mache.

I think this was needlepoint.

Pom-pom and my favorite easy craft: flower pen.

Lovely local fabric apron.

Ebola: Awareness-raising

Some have asked me "So what is it like living there? Do people talk about Ebola at all?"

Do people talk about it?  Here it's like talking about the weather: frequent and sometimes informative. 

On the way back from Firestone the other week I got inspired to take pictures of the posters.  We were going at a snail's pace in the towing vehicle so it provided the perfect opportunity. 

The outbreak will end and the posters and paraphernalia will be replaced by other ads.  So I memorialize this moment while I can:

Ebola awareness-raising in the heart of Monrovia. 

Road trip to Firestone Plantation

Yes, THE Firestone.  As in the tires.

Little know fact: Some of trees that Firestones taps to get rubber to make their tires are in Liberia.  Bought for a ridiculously low price, the Firestone company owns a HUGE plantation that is like a city to itself with a hospital, clubhouse, golf course and even a school.  It's one of Liberia's best kept secrets. They also did an amazing job at curbing the spread of Ebola on the plantation: Article with video Firestone Did What Governments Have Not. A briefer albeit inaccurately titled article is How Firestone Shut Ebola down in Liberia.

One Sunday I spontaneously joined three colleagues for what ended up being an eventful yet delightful day.

Fascinated by how the trees are "tapped" or cut at a were precise angle in for the rubber sap to flow correctly.  Buckets are attached to the trees to catch the slow drips for days.  For some reason looking at this gave me an appetite.

After explaining to me how the seeds of the tree drop to the ground and create new trees like weeds, Ken went off searching for seedlings. The seeds come in clips of 3, sometimes 4.  In the background are beautifully manicured rows of trees. 

Firestone golf course.  Lessons $10 an hour?!

  

Me and one of my favorite folk.

After leaving Firestone we made a stop for catfish.  We ended up taking a look at the other items for sale.  We got nothing but a few laughs with the ladies.

Friend inspecting dried fish at the side of the rod to Monrovia.

Palm oil seeds

After leaving the catfish/palm nut/dried fish stand, Ken's car refused to start.  We were still a ways outside of town so we flagged down some help.  They jumpstarted the car.  A few miles down the road the car started sputtering and slowed down to a stop again.   By this time we were already in Monrovia. 

The remnant of the 11 dudes plus an Embassy colleague.

 The way crowds gather around unusual events, especially those involving foreigners, is uncanny.  When dudes started crossing the road to the car I estimated 15 people would gather.  I was too amazed to take a picture.  We ended up with 11.  They were unable to jumpstart the car this time around.  We called the Embassy and they sent a vehicle to tow us home.

Favorite picture of the day: Damsels in distress.

Lourdes and Ken happy to be towed.

Altogether a delightful day.