Relaxing Friday

It was another warm day…hot day, in Liberia again. I say that for my family and friends back home that are enduring the first real cold snap of the winter and I hope the last. At one point today I checked my weather channel app and it said the temperature was 86 degrees, but feels like 102. Much like the wind chill back home the heat index dictates how hot it feels. Funny thing is that nobody here really cares what the temperature is and they wouldn’t even know what the heat index means. Yes, the sun is hot, but it should be. They would simply say, this is Liberia.

I took my time getting ready this morning as I took my bucket shower, enjoying the cool water. I came out of my room and made a cup of my instant coffee and walked outside to enjoy the sights and sounds of the morning. I enjoy greeting everyone in the morning as many come to the pump outside of Emmanuel’s home to get their daily water needs.

After visiting for awhile I decided I needed to eat something so I wouldn’t get sick from my malaria medication. I came in and had some spaghetti with tomato sauce and fish. Can I say I really enjoyed the banana that I also had? Regardless, I now had enough food to offset the upset stomach that comes with the meds on an empty stomach. Since I will be speaking again on Sunday I decided to sit in the porch area to study and prepare. There is a breeze and the morning sun doesn’t reach inside the porch area. It didn’t take long before I was discovered again outside.

As I mentioned in the picture caption, the crew that first found me now feel as if they are my personal guardians and they will seek me out anytime I’m outside. The exception is when Marvelous is around. He will seek me out anywhere. I forgot to mention yesterday that I went into my room and of course LEC wasn’t working so it was dark in the room with the curtains drawn to keep the heat out. I lifted one of my suitcases onto the bed and as I did I noticed something move. Little Marvelous had somehow come in undetected and was standing right behind me. I didn’t cry out, but inside I jumped straight up. I just took him back outside and this time I watched as I closed the door.

Today with the others in the little people’s brigade I think they had too early of a start. They got tired out before the end of their first shift.

I do enjoy the little ones coming around so much. Their genuine love for you will warm your heart. The only thing is if you have 6-10 of those little ones crowded around you it won’t just be your heart that is warmed. They are all like little ovens that emanate extra heat. I can tell you it this way…I was FaceTiming with Jessica in Thailand this morning and I was telling her about the little people brigade and that’s why I was sitting on the porch so when I started to study again I would be able to without distractions. Let me explain here. If you really want to encourage the brigade you talk on a video call. The kids all know when your talking with your phone held out in front of you there must be a video call and they want to be part of it. Well, Jessica had just begun to talk and the four initial members of the little people’s brigade I mentioned earlier came barreling in. Of course I guess I encouraged them by scaring them when they came close. They would squeal, run away, but immediately start back so I would scare them again. We did this quite a few times and each time I would show Jessica their reactions. After awhile I wanted to talk uninterrupted with Jessica so the only way was to go and take a walk. I walked all around the community showing Jessica and Paw Mu Day what the school and surrounding buildings looked like. I really enjoyed that time speaking to Jessica. Isn’t technology great.

I did eventually get a couple uninterrupted hours of work done on the porch. Lunchtime came around so I stopped to eat and we ended up having a great discussion about women being Pastors of a church. This is fairly common over here and I was able to Biblically share my viewpoint. Emmanuel and I, with the same point of view, both kept referring to the Scriptures as we pressed on the importance of following the Bible. The only tense moment came when a sweet lady, Emmanuel’s cousin, mentioned she was going to be the lead Pastor of her church since men were lacking. I told her, that although I respect her Bible knowledge, if I were to live in Liberia I couldn’t be part of her church because it would be contrary to what God set up in His word. We had a great conversation that followed and she understands why we stated that and she does pray that God raises up leaders among the men. I mention this discussion only to say that theological discussions just organically pop up every time I’m over here and this is great to sharpen your beliefs.

In the afternoon Emmanuel took me out to add more data to my phone (gigabytes seem to be smaller over here…maybe it’s all my FaceTime talk with the family). We also went to ‘The Exclusive’, a local grocery store that those who came from 2014 and after can remember as the little Walmart of Liberia. You can get most things from home, from Snickers bars (which I picked up for Emmanuel) to Jiffy peanut butter, to Honey Nut Cheerios. We came, not for what I wanted or needed, but so I could purchase some things so I’m not just a freeloader while I’m here. I can say I’ve never felt hungry here and I do recognize that they treat me so well and I probably eat more often than is their normal meal times so I want to show my appreciation in whatever way I can.

On our way back from the store I wanted to pick up some rice and oil for Abraham and Favor and to see how Favor was feeling. I can report that Favor is improving and your prayers are appreciated. We had a good visit with them before we returned home for a late supper.

Oh yeah, on our way home two things I wanted to write down. First, I called my mother in Texas and had a really good talk with her. Again technology is great. She asked a lot about my trip and I really enjoyed speaking with her. She spoke to Emmanuel also and let him know she prays for him and Wintee. I know that is appreciated. The second thing is the completion of our shopping. We decided we needed some bread. What should we do, stop at another store? No, not in Liberia. The store comes to you with people selling everything in the high traffic areas where things slow down somewhat due to traffic volume. I saw Valentine’s Day balloons, car chargers, steering wheel covers, tissues, gum, water (not a comprehensive list) and of course bread for sale. Emmanuel simply opened the window and yelled out to ask if it is fresh or not. After assurances that it indeed was fresh bread we bought two packages with the car rolling along in traffic and the salesperson keeping up with the moving car. They truly are talented and quick to make that sale and do it safely. I was reassured of the freshness when I felt the package and it was soft and I could smell that fresh baked smell. Of course what sealed it was the packaging.

Overall this was another enjoyable and relaxing day. I look forward to visiting Titus and Mercy tomorrow where I’m told we will swallow GB together. I can’t wait. Many pictures to follow of Titus and family.