Day 17

Another day is done here in Liberia. It was less hot today, but humidity always is high. As I think about our time here, I think about how back home we live with the cold and don’t think about it so much because we know it is there day by day. Much like our experience, everyone here knows it is hot and humid each day and they simply accept it. For us, not used to this weather, it takes its toll and wears us down faster. That is why it was nice to have a little break in the heat.

Our plans for the day began with breakfast and talk of our upcoming kaekae ride. This was planned for 10:00 AM and just after 9:00 we saw a kaekae waiting already. We all got cleaned up and headed across the road before 10:00. We weren’t sure what to expect for cost, but like everything else in Liberia this led to disagreement and loud discussion that, once it gets going, I can only understand a portion of the conversation. Mother Wintee led the initial discussion where each driver wanted $40 to carry us to the Exclusive Super Store, Walmart style. It is about 4-5 miles away. This price was not acceptable to Mother, and she let them know. She offered them $20 each and they weren’t happy with her. It seemed like a sticking point was that they came early and because of this they were missing their whole day of driving. I listened for a bit and then I started to argue with them telling them we asked you for 10:00, if you come early, that is on you. I’m sure they wondered about this big white man arguing with them. I knew we were being taken advantage of, but I offered $25 each and I held my hand out to shake. Liberians respect their handshake very much. They both shook my hand and we boarded for our trip. Incidentally, I was speaking to Emmanuel’s brother, Reuben about this later and he said they were probably celebrating all day over that one. We did have a good safe ride and we even bought them an ice cream at the store as a treat. Here are a few pictures from our ride.

On our way

Needed some gas along the way.

Once at the store we were able to find everything we needed for the blondie. Leo will make this tomorrow with Philip. That will be fun for Philip, and Leo.

We made it back in one piece and Renee even said she had fun on the ride. We paid the drivers and that trip was completed.

Leo still had the 4:00 PM meeting with the guys across the road. We ate our lunch, okra soup over rice and fresh pineapple. That was from Renee’s purchase yesterday. It was so good, like candy. we were fine in enough time to relax for an hour or so before the meeting that we didn’t know what to expect.

Just before 4:00, we headed across the road and there were chairs being brought over and surprisingly there were many people coming to sit and listen. The moderator started by welcoming all and then Leo began sharing the Gospel and his thoughts about what he believes. The idea of the day was to have a few comments and then questions so a discussion would flow. It was very interesting. We had one gentleman that considered going to a mosque, but he knew the Bible well enough that he couldn’t get himself to go. We encouraged him to just Emmanuel’s church. Emmanuel came over about halfway through and aided in the discussion. Liberians love to have deep discussions and this one was so interesting to see the interest in our thoughts on the Bible and why we think the Bible is the true way. This invite came because Leo took the time to get to know some of them and anytime they’d see Leo eating on the porch or walking by, you’d hear them call out to him. His used Leo’s friendly manner to lead to a deep discussion on the Bible with the clear testimony of salvation proclaimed. After we finished, thru said they hope to continue these discussions in the future and that anytime we are around they hope we will join them. They want to have a safe place to play checkers, discuss politics and religion and hopefully learn things. They want to keep out all drinking and anything that will detract from clear headed discussion. Emmanuel presented Bibles to them with some muffins and water yo share. They were all invited to join LCMI church with the promise that Emmanuel would pursue further interactions with the group. Here’s a few pictures of the meeting.

After the meeting I watched the girls (formerly from the orphanage) working on a rug with the loom built by Leo.

The girls were working all afternoon on this. They got quite far. Another WOP idea for them to make things using scraps, that they can sell. Earlier, while they worked I put on a couple shows on my iPad for the kids to watch. Madagascar and The Lion King. they loved watching these movies.