LBTS

Today I was awake early so I got ready and enjoyed the morning before breakfast. The same familiar sounds greeted me as I said hello to anyone I made eye contact with. I recognize that because of my color (or lack there of) I will get a second or third look even if they know me in the community. I don’t mind as I am able to strike up a conversation or at least exchange greetings. The funny ones are when the children are afraid. The older children will always laugh at the fear of the younger ones and even try to force them to come and see me. I never want to scare the children so I’ll keep my distance if they start to cry. Of course the little people brigade got over that and I’m their grandpa now. I had the chance to see them later on in the day. Breakfast was served so I came in to this nice warm plate.

After breakfast we did something we don’t do too often. We left early for Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS). We were all ready to go so we left and ended up being 30 minutes early for the chapel service. This was a privilege to be invited to speak there and I enjoyed the experience.

We did have to adhere to the mask mandate for schools…kind of. Of course I didn’t have to wear a mask as I spoke which was a plus to being the speaker. As I was speaking I was looking at at least half of the students with their masks under their chin. They were at least wearing a mask though. They were very gracious to me and we were able to take pictures with Dr. Massaquoi and his wife Layahn after chapel.

After chapel we headed back to Emmanuel’s home to have a late lunch with a stop on the way back to pick up a few things at the wood carving shop. We also made a stop at Emmanuel’s uncle’s home in Monrovia. He just returned from India where he had treatment and surgery for a cancerous tumor in his neck. We were able to visit and pray with him. He was looking good considering what he went through. I saw pictures of the tumor that I wish I hadn’t. I did not ask for a copy of those pictures. When we got back to the house Princess Kau had GB ready for us. Emmanuel and I shared the GB and shortly after we headed out to Kakata to visit a sick pastor of the LCMI Kakata church. Before we left I had time to play with the kids.

We headed out with the intent of visiting Pastor Abel Smith, but by the time we arrived in Kakata (30 miles inland from Monrovia) Abel’s family decided to take him to Ganta to the hospital. From the sounds of it he has an ulcer, but we will wait to get a report from them. They should be arriving in Ganta real soon. Getting a diagnosis and treatment is always a challenge here.

We stopped by Abraham Youndo’s house to drop off his wife, Favor, who rode with us to Kakata. Oh yea, we made a stop to buy charcoal on our way back as it is $200 LD cheaper inland where they make the charcoal. It did pack the car a little as we bought 4 bags.

We’ll arrive home soon and have a late supper I’m sure. One final stop for rice and water. They have their own Walmart’s open to pick up things they need.

Another great day.