Liberian Musings

So this is what I am wondering this morning, as I sit looking out the window at the green hills of Liberia:


- How does dust get so red?

- Was that really a cricket chirping non-stop at 2 AM this morning?

- Why do roosters crow at 3, 4, 5 AND 6 in the morning?

- How in the world can I actually need a blanket here in West Africa?

- Why am I blessed with so much, when so many have so little?

- Why did so many people have to suffer and die here in Liberia during 14 terrible years of war?

Thoughts both silly and deep fill my mind this morning. We have been here now for about two weeks at ABC University in Yekepa, Liberia and God is showing us many things. We are trying to listen and hear what He is teaching us. Even though we hadn’t spent much time in Liberia before, it is West Africa, and there are common cultural threads that unite people here. With our roots right next door in Ivory Coast, we feel at home.

We have heard stories from the war. Many of the students were refugees for years in Ivory Coast, Guinea or Ghana. Some of them lost fathers or brothers, and a few even lost children. It is heartbreaking, and some of them are still haunted by what they have seen. But they are trying hard to focus on today, to focus on being a part of change and hope in this amazing, beautiful country.
In the midst of learning ourselves, we are teaching. I have 21 students in the new and emerging media communications class, and it’s hard to believe it is almost halfway done. Some of these younger guys are passionate about using new media, even with Liberia’s very limited resources and IT infrastructure. But even better is to see how God is using them to bring reconciliation and change to Liberia. Karen is busy teaching a course on children with special needs and learning problems to the education students. She had 38 students yesterday in that class!

Along with teaching, we are also helping consult and plan on a new radio station for the university. HCJB Global plans to do the installation here during the summer.

So these are exciting days and real cup-fillers for Karen and me. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to serve here until the middle of February. After that, we’ll head back over to Accra, Ghana for a couple of weeks, to be with our regional office staff.

Ah yes …what about that blanket at night? The first few nights we were here, we actually needed a blanket! I have never needed one before in West Africa, so that was a first. Since this is dry season with occasional rains, the nights are cool and pleasant, although our Liberians are complaining of the cold.
Curt (for Karen too)