Covid test day

Woke up to another beautiful day here in Monrovia, Liberia. I enjoyed a breakfast and went outside afterward to visit with Elizabeth who came to do my wash. I know that sounds so bad when I say that, but I’m very grateful that one, I can get my laundry done and two, I can offer someone a job where ability to make money is always sought after here. Elizabeth was more than willing to come as we have become friends over the years. I met her in 2016 when Erik and Amanda traveled over with me and we were later joined by Bobbi, Micah and Luke. I have been learning a little more of her story each time I visit. I was so happy that Jenny could meet her last year and as expected, Jenny and her hit it off as well. Elizabeth has had a difficult life, but her attitude and love for God are amazing. I am inspired by what she’s come through and I hope to help her in some of her goals here.

After visiting with her for awhile I had to head out to get my covid test before my flight on Thursday. Emmanuel took me to the testing site and it was over half an hour away. When we arrived I remembered I forgot my passport. The stress feeling of travel was on me already. I have not worried about a mask or any change in what I know about Liberian lifestyle while I’m here. The children wearing them to school is the only reminder I’ve had and that in itself is funny since I’ve visited 2-3 other schools in my travels and Monrovia is the only place I’ve seen them and not even all over here. I’ll never understand that I guess. Anyway, it turns out I have a picture of my passport and one of my plane ticket on my phone and that was all I needed. It didn’t take long to fill in the required form, but the wait for the test was a lot longer.

The test itself was anticlimactic as once I was in with the nurse and they double checked my case number and slammed a q-tip up my nose she just said, ‘You’re done. You can go.’ It felt funny just walking out to find Emmanuel waiting outside for me. It was organized, but I guess I was just impatient. From there we went to a wood carving guy that Emmanuel knows. Paul is the guys name and he went from carving things himself when we met him in 2012, to having his own roadside shop with carvers busy working for him. I counted 3 other carvers and one guy to run the shop. He’s quite an entrepreneur.

With the covid test and the carving shop we didn’t get back till after 3:30. When we got back Elizabeth was busy raking the yard around the church. She keeps busy all the time.

We had a late lunch of pumpkin soup over rice and it was very good. After lunch I varied my time from chasing the little people brigade as Grace and her two sidekicks, Praise and Praises showed up to play. They all call me grandpa. I gotta say I love it! When it was time for Elizabeth to go I walked with her to the motorbike junction and then came back and watched the pick up soccer game underway. They do love their soccer.

This evening it was nice to have a long talk with Jenny. I also was able to speak to Papa Mike when Emmanuel passed his phone to me earlier in the day. It was nice catching up with Mike since he knows what is going on here.

Tomorrow I speak at the seminary for chapel as my last official duty here in Liberia. I did work on that some today as well. I am already dreading the good byes.