Day 1 done

I did not publish last night because we had a typical travel day into Saturday. It was long, leaving Green Bay at 2:30 p.m., with a stop in Chicago and the boarding for Brussels, Belgium around 5:30 p.m. Friday. This was a 7-8 hour flight that had us arriving in Brussels around 8:45 local Brussels time. I sat next to Leo and Renee was across the aisle from us. This flight was uneventful, but like any long flight, sleep was difficult. Upon arrival in Brussels we were able to wait at the gate we exited from the US as the gate was one section down.

The second flight we did not choose our own seats, they were preassigned to us. I was located the furthest back of us three, in the middle set of seats in the very middle. Jenny knows how little I would like this. Leo, a few rows up and in an aisle seat, offered to switch with me. That was nice of him and I declined, only to find out the single seat next to him (a window seat) was empty. He slid over to the window and I sat in the aisle seat. The plane was not fully loaded so it worked out well.

We landed in Freetown, Sierra Leone and waited on the plane as those stopping in Freetown got off. The wait turned quite long and we wondered why. The pilot announced that because of the storms in the US they weren’t allowing anyone traveling to the US to board because so many flights were being canceled. The weather in the US delayed a flight from Africa. I found that a small reminder of how small the world really is.

We did take off an hour later for the short 40-50 minute flight to Monrovia. We arrived, got our passport stamped, met Emmanuel, and finally made it through customs and back to Emmanuel’s home. We arrived here local time around 10:30-11:00 p.m. we were greeted by many, and of course we were fed on our arrival. We got to bed around midnight where we all pretty much crashed. It had been a long trip and the rest was needed.

Sunday morning brought the enjoyment of seeing everything in the light. It was fun to meet so many old friends and to watch Leo as he sat in amazement that he was sitting in Africa.

We got to Sunday School as they were teaching from Matthew 7:13-14. As we were sitting in class the church slowly begin to fill. This is the culture in Liberia. People tend to come in a little bit late.

As the church service was about to begin, I was busy greeting old friends and watching Leo and Renee make new ones. Since I was to speak today, I went to sit on their platform with Emmanuel and some of the other deacons/elders. Renee and Leo sat in the front row with an older woman between them.

As the service began I could tell that Leo was moved at what he was watching. The people, the singing and the dancing, it all left him appreciative of worshiping the same God in Liberia that we worship back home. Leo even got up and had Scripture reading.

I was privileged to preach to a familiar crowd and we enjoyed the time at LCMI church on a Sunday morning worship service.

Afterwards we ate some lunch and I took some time to set up a Starlink mini to see how it will work. So far, so good. The cell coverage can get weak, especially in the evening. This seems to be a good solution for allowing each of us access to back home as well as Emmanuel and maybe some others to have internet regularly during our stay. As I was finishing up the Starlink I looked up and saw Mother Mercy walking up along with Yeitoyee Renee, Pastor Titus and Mercy’s daughter. Mercy also had Seth, her sister’s son along. Titus and Mercy are now parents to Seth after her sister died during childbirth. They graciously welcomed this little boy as their own. He is growing well and is now 5 months old and quite a little chubby boy. Pastor Titus is at his church (ULIC) denomination’s national convention in Ganta until Friday. He will be the speaker at the convention tomorrow night. He will travel back on Friday. We will catch up with them more when he returns. After giving them some gifts, I saw them off on the motorbike. I’m not sure many would like to send people off like this, but ‘this too is Liberia’

Leo got very busy in the afternoon helping out with the plants/gardens that are part of the church ministry. I’ll get some pictures later and I’ll have Leo tell you in his own words how his time is going.

I can’t fit every experience in a short blog post, but I want you to know that we are well…well fed, well loved and well blessed. What a great start to this little adventure. Tomorrow will bring Women of Purpose training for Renee, more plant care for Leo and Biblical Counseling training for me. We all have a busy day planned.

God bless all who read and follow along. We are privileged to be the ones here, but we hope you all take part in praying for fruit both from us and to us as we serve in Liberia.