Peace: Work In Process

National and international recognition for the peace efforts of the women of Liberia are a precious thing. Too often the peacemakers are not in the media spotlight the way the violent troublemakers are. With Abigail Disney's series "Women, War and Peace" and the Nobel Peace Prize announcments, the people of Liberia have a lot to celebrate even as they continue to do the hard work of reconcilliation and rebuilding. Here are a few Web links that may be helpful—

The documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" aired on PBS and is now available on their Web site. To watch online visit http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/features/pray-the-devil-back-to-hell/

Educators can find curriculum support for grades 9-12 at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/women-war-and-peace/for-educators/peaceful-protests-lesson-overview/

Children of Liberia—April 2011

The Nobel Peace Prize 2011 was awarded jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work".

Finally, the Nobel Peace Prize Lectures will be held on Saturday 10 December as part of the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony at the Oslo City Hall, Norway. The Ceremony starts at 1.00 p.m. (CET).
The Nobel Lectures will be webcast live at Nobelprize.org.

Crossing the Monkey Bridge

Crossing the Monkey Bridge

There has been so much happening since we returned from Liberia. I had the chance to share my experiences with both my Education for Ministry (EfM) classes as well as the seminarians at Bexley Hall. In addition, one of Lawson Sworh's paintings is part of the ECSF silent auction. I find that the 6 paintings by Lawson that I brought home are a wonderful way to walk someone through the Liberia experience. Below is what I wrote for the ECSF auction site, because this image helps focus on some of the impressions that are foremost in my mind.

"Lawson Sworh is a Liberian with the Episcopal Church of Liberia, who paints these incredibly vivid images of his native country. He was a student that benefited from Rev. Abby Flemister's scholarship work, and now shares his culture, country and faith through his art. Biblical connections are striking in each of his paintings. The painting donated for the silent auction is called "Crossing the Monkey Bridge" and shows people heading in a purposeful direction. Perhaps after a day of work, but perhaps after being away for a longer period. The living water (Baptism) flows enthusiastically below. The hillsides are barren...and may represent a wilderness. They also can represent the destruction that not only Liberians but people in various parts of the world now deal with—these pilgrims are bringing new plants and new life to the landscape. And most of all, the people are traveling in community. It looks like there are men and women, each with a different load to carry. Wherever they travel they are on the path together and can support each other."

And a reminder from my first blog on Liberia:

"In each of us dwells a wanderer, a gypsy, a pilgrim. The purpose here is to call forth that spirit. What matters most on your journey is how deeply you see, how attentively you hear, how richly the encounters are felt in your heart and soul." 

Palm Sunday in Liberia

Palm Procession on Broad Street in Monrovia, Liberia

I admit it—I love Palm Sunday. It is like standing on the front edge of a diving board about to spring off into space.

Palm Sunday in Liberia was no exception. All five delegates went to Trinity Cathedral in Monrovia to worship. We started with the procession. Out the gates of the church, palm waving and singing, we marched down Broad Street, turned at the end, marched back up (it is a boulevard with a divider in the middle) past the church, and then circulated around again. A new bell tower was dedicated, and rung for the first time calling all within earshot to join the congregation for mass.

Bell Tower Dedication

Everyone was dressed in finery. Men in suit coats and ties (that looked hot in the 90+ degree weather), choir in robes, and women in their colorful Liberian dresses. Many, including me, wore lappas (a kind of wrap-around skirt that goes around about 2.5 times before getting tied and then rolled to adjust the length...I still need help putting it on:-) Some of the hats and scarves on women's heads were things of beauty.

We entered into the church and with you in Ohio or other parts of the world, followed the liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer. In the sermon, Bishop Hart kept repeating "the master has need of you." It was like a personal call. Then he said that the people spread lappas on the ground before Christ on the donkey. A translation of the text that reflected the spirit of Palm Sunday in the context of Liberian culture. I was particularly taken with the music. How the same words strike me differently when put to a different tune. Some of the music was Liberian, including the music during the offertory when every single person went up to deposit his or her gift in the containers in front of the alter area. The delegation was swept along with the flow of the congregation. So, the final day in Liberia was spent with the community that had welcomed us and shared their lives. Together we started—again—on the path through the final week leading to the resurrection. This is one Palm Sunday I will never forget.

Beauty in Liberia

Two beautiful things happened today. As we returned from Cuttington to Monrovia, we stopped and visited with the Liberian artist Lawson B. Sworh. He talked about the beauty of God's creation all around him, and how he wanted to communicate that to others. We looked through his oil and watercolor paintings and selected a variety to bring back to the US. Now that I've been to Liberia I'm even more impressed with how Lawson captures the grace of the people in colorful detail.

Liberians Talking in Front of a Dried Mud-Brick Home

And then, after we were back in Monrovia, we went to the "Office Restaurant" for dinner. I saw that same grace and colorful beauty. The restaurant and plaza in front of it were alive with music and families. Women were dressed in elegant African attire. Gifford, Lissa, Don and I thought we were interrupting a wedding, or some other family event. Instead we found out the women were graduates of a Cuttington program called, "10,000 Women." This is an initiative to educate women—the goal is to reach 10,000—and teach them business skills. Some might go on to own and run their own enterprises. Simultaneously raising literacy levels and lowering unemployment. These women all were part of a ceremony earlier today and were celebrating with friends and relatives. One graduate was the proprietress of the restaurant. She enthusiastically welcomed us—folding us into the festivities.

So over the past 12 days we've been confronted with constant signs of poverty and destruction, but also met people wise beyond my understanding as they demonstrate reconciliation. We are surrounded by beauty and hope. Thank you God.

Cuttington University Thursday; Back to Monrovia Friday

Deb and Gifford here. We are at the library at Cuttington. After touring the facility we are now in the office (with AC I might add) going on to the Internet. Not quite jumping on since it just took 20 minutes to log onto the blog and get the new post page loaded.

First, Don and Clifton returned from Lofa just after lunch. They had a variety of experiences in the more remote area, and that will be the subject of a future blog post. Their primary stops were to visit schools and a few parishes. This first-hand look has helped illuminate some of the challenges in reaching rural Liberia, that were expressed in earlier discussions.

Chapel on Cuttington University Campus, with guest house in the distance to the right

Meanwhile Lissa, Gifford and I have been busy on campus. We were sent to explore, so that was our focus. The hosts must think all the Americans do is ask questions but nobody can say we are not enthusiastic learners.

Lissa's observations were rolled up into a document that may help the health sciences to put in place a master's in nursing. Gifford spent time visiting and speaking at a history class. He also was part of the conversation with Mr. George Jalla regarding the vision for the Episcopal schools K-12. I hopscotched around more, with a focus on communications. I saw the dean of  liberal arts, and the director of the TV and radio station. I discovered that, in collaboration with Temple University in Philly, they plan to start a Mass Communications Certificate program next September. Very exciting, and I believe these electronic opportunities could be part of what helps connect Liberia and Ohio more closely if the companion relationship continues to develop.

In the meantime, Cuttington University students are going to conduct a series of interviews with other students, explaining their various majors now as the youth voices in Liberia. Then they will talk about their vision for their own and Liberia's future. I plan to have students in the US speak about those same topics and all of the 1 to 2 minute videos will go up on YouTube so they can be shared. I am extrememly excited to have the parts in place to open this line of communication that will bridge the Atlantic.

Worship on Sunday and Cuttington University

This is Deb. Clifton and I found getting on the Internet from our computers is a challenge, here in Liberia. The blog update was done in the Registrar's office at Cuttington. The administrative assistant is letting me borrow her machine. The Internet service is quite slow, so the video and photos were added after returning to the U.S. because uploads from the campus system were not realistic. Therefore I originally painted a picture with words.

On Sunday the delegates split up, going to 4 different churches. Gifford joined Elaine Dunn at her parish, while Lissa and Clifton went to the church where the bishop was presiding. It was a confirmation and the church said they were disappointed in only having 24 youth being confirmed (the church is growing so fast that each confirmation class at many parishes is usually large and 24 apparently doesn't count as large.) Don went to a church in Monrovia, while I went to Christ Church outside the city. This was Bishop Hart's home parish and also the community where the assassinated President Tolbert lived.

The service itself was straight from the Book of Common Prayer. However, the choir and music before was dynamic and generated a lot of energy (though the choir looked hot in their heavy robes, with no fan and a temperature of over 90.) They were having a wedding in the middle of mass, much like we have a baptism. The bridesmaid and brides' mother sashayed down the aisle with what looked like wheat as a bouquet.

Rev Diggs, the preacher, performed the wedding ceremony first. Then the newlyweds sat up in front of the rest of the congregations while Rev Diggs preached. Everything she said applied not only to a newly wed couple, but to two church groups exploring a companion relationship. She said—each side has to get close. To really get to know the things they agree on, and those that could cause problems. Talking continually is important because it is easier to foster unhappiness from a distance. And finally she said mean words are like bullets. Once fired off, they make a hole that can never completely be repaired. Amen.

After that we celebrated the Eucharist. There the essence was the same as if I had been in Ohio. The body and blood brought us together and created a bond that was sustained afterward through a generous meal the women had prepared (rice, chicken, lots of hot sauce, fish, pork, sauteed cabbage, did I mention hot sauce, a second kind of rice that had vegetables like stir fried rice, and a kind of lemon cake for dessert.). A tour of the grounds took us to a preschool they are building. It is not for the parish children, but for the children of the desperately poor women who work in nearby fields. These women just leave their little ones on the edge of the field all day, and the parish's idea is if they can provide a room, mattresses, and some preschool education these children will be safe all day. They will be fed regularly (most are malnourished) and be prepared in case any of them have the opportunity to attend kindergarten (called ABC level by some here in Liberia). So the Christ Church is a potential companion. Their mission is to help the poor, uneducated, overworked women who do not have the chance to be part of any church. It reminded me of community mission work by parishes in Columbus, Dayton, Cinci and other parts of Southern Ohio.


Sunday night the delegation headed to Cuttington University (the video was taken in front of the campus guest house) where, on Monday, the delegation was welcomed by university president Dr. Tokpa as well as the deans and department heads. Tuesday I spent a block of time with Mr. Brown, the Dean of the School of Education. Here is an educator at heart, working through complexities resulting from 13 years of civil war. The vision is for elementary education to be attainable by an increasing number of children. He said one problem is that there are so few teachers that some teaching 1st grade only went through 6th grade themselves. If they completed 8th grade, someone can be hired as a teacher of 2 and 3. Etc. You get the picture. Inservice training plans are in place and going to be implemented with assistance from USAID and the European Union.

Again and again I thank God for these dedicated people who are working to restore Liberia and improve the lives of the people living in extreme poverty. In Liberia I was told that is less than a $1.00 a day (US) because if they defined extreme poverty as under $1.25 that would include more than the 45% already included in that category. As I sign off a young man stops at the desk and says he is hungry. He asks if I have a piece of bread. I say no, because I do not...

Fast and Prayer Day

My Mom/Deb sent the following in a series of texts today, these ones about the national holiday "Fast and Prayer Day."

"It is the national holiday Fast and Prayer Day. The ecumenical pentecostal service started at 9:30 and we left at 2. The music was inspirational. We are bringing home their prayers for Liberia and the world. We were thrilled because President Johnson Sirleaf spoke. She was RIGHT in front of us! I even got it on flip video. Then we had chicken, plantains and rice.  And now [As of 11:34am our time] we are going to the future conference site for ECW."

It sounds as though they have a lot of wonderful things to share with us when they return, one of which is a video of the President of Liberia!

As always, I will continue to post and keep everyone updated on the happenings of the Liberian Delegation as I hear new information from Deb.

Monrovia and Robertsport

On Wednesday, the delegation went to Robertsport, Liberia, which is on the northern coast of the country. Everyone is very gracious and share what they have with the delegation. At one of the schools the children flocked around the cars and sang with with great joy. There is a lot of poverty there, but there is also a lot of pride and joy in the hearts of the people. The people there are kind, gracious and welcoming.

On Thursday (today), they headed back to Monrovia and dinner was grilled fish (head and all) with rice and Liberian club beer (I'm not exactly sure what Liberian Club Beer is, but she'll be able to clarify when the delegation returns).

The following is taken (almost) word for word from a series of texts she sent today:

"Monrovia is the largest city in Liberia. It is not as big as Columbus. More like Hartford [Connecticut] sized. There are no working traffic lights in the whole city, and almost no stop signs. Traffic is chaos to my untrained eye. But for all the startling moments, we have not seen a single car accident. Our driver is very good. There are bustling open air markets. Everyone is on cell phones all the time. A woman with a wheelbarrow selling mangoes by the side of the road is even talking on a cell phone. Monrovia is the seat of the government, so all of the ministry buildings are here. The UN has it's Liberian Headquarters here, so there are a lot of white trucks with big UN letters on the side. Today we went to the Fish Market field from the movie "Pray the Devil Back to Hell"... it is now a dirt field used to play soccer"

As of right now, that is all we have received from them. I'm still not sure how Deb/mom is managing to text me, but somehow she is, so as she tells me to post new information on the blog, I shall do so.

Update from Liberia

Due to a lack of Internet access right now, Deb is unable to post updates on this blog. However, she has managed to send several text messages to me (her son, Wes) regarding the trip, and so I am posting them on the blog as they arrive on my phone.

Meeting at BW Harris School in Monrovia

They arrived safely in Monrovia, Liberia at about 10:00am (our time) on Sunday, April 3rd. They are safe and well cared for there, and everyone is extremely gracious. The food is good, though spicy, and they had visited three local schools as of Tuesday. The children at the schools tried to teach them the Liberian hand-shake (though she conveniently omitted whether or not it was a successful endeavor).

According to Deb, "Africa is amazing!"

I do not know if they will have access to the internet in future days, but I will post as my mother directs me to, and keep you all updated as to what they are doing even if she cannot post.

Packing...

An amazing number of people have donated items that are specifically what the Episcopal Church of Liberia has identified as items to help them with their work in the country. I'm not quite packed, but am glad now I hadn't finished because yesterday and today items made their way into my house (by car, UPS, and hand delivered to the door.) In particular I'm excited because donations make it possible for me to bring a selection of multicultural children's picture books. These are not "hand me downs" but new books, carefully selected by OSU education instructors. What better way to begin to network and have conversation than by sharing engaging resources.

What am I taking? Take a peak—Besides sunscreen, bug spray and the usual travel necessities I have a chasuble, cope and two stoles to pack. I can't list all the formation materials, school supplies and medical equipment that the delegates collectively will carry, but I can say thank you to everyone.

This trip is about learning and explorations. I am the student. So, I really look forward to sharing with all of you upon my return. Please, keep the delegation and our hosts in your prayers. Tomorrow the travels begin...

A Brief History of Liberia, and beyond...

So this title is a bit deceptive. I'm not going to write about the history, but give you some links to learn more. With the trip only a few days away, I'm busy both answering inquiries and finishing packing.

One of the more common questions is about our safety. People want to know how if Liberia and Libya are close. So...learning more about Liberia's geography is greatly comforting. Comparing Africa to North America illustrates that Monrovia, Liberia is about as far from Tripoli, Libya as Montreal, Canada is from Mexico City. In other words, the Sahara is enormous so conflict in the northern part of Africa is not likely to cross the dessert. With those reassurances in mind, I've done a lot of Web surfing and here are a few of the key sites providing up-to-date, accurate information:

— US Department of State Background Notes for Liberia Scroll up or down to get more information beyond the history.

—US Department of State Liberia Country Information

—The CIA World Factbook: Liberia

—USAID Liberia Initiative

—United Nation's Liberia Web Page

Liberia is located in West Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Covering an area of 111,369 sq km, it has a tropical climate, with an average annual rainfall of 170 inches. It is one of the wettest countries in the world, with a rainy season that runs from May to October.

Peace is a Process

I saw the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell." It is probably the 8th or 9th time. The more I learn, the more I am riveted by the compelling story of ordinary Liberian women who took a stand for peace. They did not talk about all the things they were against...they constantly repeated what they were for.      Peace.



Tonight at St. Peter's in Delaware, parishioners as well as others in the community and members from other Episcopal churches gathered to enjoy a lasagna dinner followed by a screening of the movie. All the food and sale items were donated so the funds raised will go toward the collaborative efforts of the Episcopal Church of Liberia and the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

Good food and conversation were followed by the sobering images of what Liberia was like in 2002. And the peace established by the women, the elected government, and the UN is fragile. It has not taken root in deep and lasting ways. I am more convinced than ever that it needs nurturing and that everything we do now to be companions with the Liberians will have a lasting impact on that peace.

Two days ago, on Monday, I spoke to a retired Peace Corps worker who told me more tales about the devastation from the civil war. He also talked about the current unrest in the Ivory Coast, right next door. Liberia has 85% unemployment, so the former soldiers from the Liberian factions are looking for work as mercenaries...and finding work in the Ivory Coast. Fighting and killing is what they were taught to do. For the moment the peace is in place, but what about in 6 months (leading up to the October elections) or a year? The concern the Peace Corps worker voiced is that in the future the mercenaries will return to Liberia with weapons and if there aren't jobs or peaceful opportunities, they will resort to violence again. Each thing we can do now—to partner with the Liberians and support them in achieving their vision of improving education, health and job opportunities—will be additional obstacles in the way of those who turn to violence. I am seeing more and more how profound those words are. Peace is a process and will continue to take effort on the part of not only the people of Liberia but others, like those of us in Southern Ohio. Now is the time to take action for peace. It cannot wait.

What to do...

Saturday was a beautiful day in central Ohio. Sunny, in the 60's with a brisk wind. Maybe winter is really winding down. Steve and I went to the AAA baseball park for the Columbus Clippers...a sure sign of spring. Then we headed to the Columbus zoo for a little aerobic walking—except I keep getting distracted by the animals so it may be more accurate to say we tried to move aerobically between exhibits...

In any event, as we entered one zoo building there was an Edmund Burke quote. It said, "Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did noting because he could do so little." Burke lived between 1729 and 1797, so it does not bother me that he said "he." I just substitute he or she, and then take it personally. In doing a bit of research I found Burke also said, "All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."

I suppose these are heartening for me because I am watching the world news and wondering what difference one person, or five delegates, or even one diocese can make. We all have lots and lots of things pulling us in different directions. For me personally that includes being involved in family events (like meeting my brother and niece at Clippers stadium), local ministries where I volunteer, my sole proprietorship, Global Village Collection (a fair trade store) where I am president of the board, and then there are wonderful friends that I can't seem to find the time to see. I can't think of anyone who is not balancing most of these things in one way or another. It is our age and our culture.

Liberian Students

So I read Edmund Burke's words and think, it is not about how little money we seem to have to support the companion relationship explorations and help fill medical and educational needs in the process. It is not about our limited resources like the hours per week to dedicate to this process or having a huge number of people providing the benefits of their expertise. It is not about regional, national or international organizations getting involved...though all these things are very helpful. It is about what I CAN do, however small it seems, to live into my baptismal vow to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." When I look at what other individuals already are doing, and have done, then I can cheerfully say (and believe) I will not make the mistake Burke articulates. There is evil in the world and it will not win if I can help it.

Ash Wednesday Reflections

The final line of today's Gospel of Matthew passage (6:21) says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What a fitting passage to reflect on, as I look at a beautiful painting of three women drawn by a Liberian artist. My head and heart are fully engaged.

I think of art as a treasure, because it captures something of value that is not easily quantified. Each time I look I notice some other texture or nuance in the shading of the artwork. The women are all in motion. You can see they are interacting, working, gesturing with an almost dance-like grace. I can't see the features on their faces, as if that is not important. It is their action that counts, not their individual identities. A Liberian friend said they are more of a community culture and not as individualistic as American society. This painting speaks to that point. Who knows what treasures the containers hold, but the patterns on the containers—as well as the women's clothing—shows an attention to detail that makes me want to reach out to touch the fabric and feel who they are.

One other thought struck me, as I listened to Fr. Wilson's sermon today at St. Peter's. He was talking about this rainy, dreary Ash Wednesday. It captures the spirit of the first day of Lent 2011, in part because it is the overcast part of the spring that will bring new life. I thought about myself, almost like a a plant sprouting from a seed or bulb in the rain-soaked ground, "pushing up to be seen. Soaking up the light of God's creation." Someplace above me is the light, and I will move toward it as I practice my Lenten disciplines. I will also move toward it as I grow in my understanding of the artist, and the women he captures with efficient calligraphy-like brush strokes. They are waiting for me, ready to greet me as I travel into their space.

St. Pat's Talent Show Fundraiser

Dancing

Singing

Imagine...over 80 people from preschoolers through great-grandparents coming together on a Friday night to share. They shared laughter, juggling, singing, dancing, poetry reading, piano and flute solos, guitar playing, desserts, camaraderie and much, much more. More than one parish, and more than one denomination were represented at the Talent Show fundraiser at St. Pat's in Dublin, OH.

Check out the YouTube videos: One of Becci and Mike dancing and the other of the closing number with Cricket and Wes. "... Anything You Can Reach I Can Reach Higher" Yours truly shot the video hence the home video quality.

Singing AND Dancing

Partnered Juggling

St. Pat's Parish Hall: Liberia and Honduras Fundraiser Talent Show

By the end I was laughing as was most of the audience. What you cannot see is that my eyes were full of tears because I could not believe how wonderful and how generous everyone was. The donations collected are going both to a medical mission trip to Honduras and to the trip to Liberia to continue the companion relationship explorations. This is what community means, when it is a community in action. I can't think of what more to say. "Thank you" just does not seem to be enough. Thank God gets closer. We are so blessed.

Poetry Reading: Little Orphant Annie

See More Photos From the Talent Show

Why Liberia?

After people ask about my upcoming trip to Africa, they usually follow up by asking, "but why out of all the places in the world, was Liberia chosen?" The answer is not a simple one.

In a future blog posting I can provide background on the history of Liberia and how it is intertwined with the US. I can focus on specific Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). I can also link to documents on the Companion Relationship Discernment Process. However, I think the starting place is not so anonymous or bureaucratic. It is deeply personal. Amazing Liberians, living in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, started teaching me about their country, their food, their music, their arts, their clothing, their history and about their civil war.

Then—I saw a movie. The documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" does an outstanding job of portraying both the war and the peace process. Peace was achieved through cooperation of women, both Christian and Muslim, as they took a Ghandi-like approach to overcoming destruction. In my previous blog, at the bottom, is a picture of a street in Liberia where so many empty shell casings litter the ground that a person can't walk without slipping on them. I refrained from linking to more gory pictures showing children's shoes in pools of blood. Even my active imagination can't conjure up the sounds and sights of what it must have been like to be anyplace close to the gunfights that resulted in the images portrayed by these pictures. So, Liberia has become visibly personal.

My mind goes to what I can do, as well as what we as a Christian community can do. In the Great Litany we pray to "beat down Satan under our feet." Now is the time for me to act on those words. This delegation is going to Liberia to explore the possibilities for a companion relationship. Companions walk side by side. One is not ahead or behind. They support each other, using God-given gifts. To be part of a process that overcomes the work of evil dictators, geography and other barriers is taking a big risk. It is an act of faith. That is holy and personal, even as it is connected to a church organizational structure.

For those who want quantifiable reasons for selecting Liberia, just go to the United Nations Web site and download the documents evaluating Liberia on a global scale. According to the UN, "Years of conflict and mismanagement have left Liberia one of the poorest countries in the world..." Think Central and South America, Africa, the Pacific Rim and then think about the poorest countries in those areas. That is extreme. That is Liberia.

I can list data—extreme poverty is living on less than $1.25 US per day. 1.7 million Liberians are living in poverty. Of these, about 1.3 million people are living in extreme poverty, equivalent to 48 percent of the country's population. If you like statistics, there is a 190 page report on poverty in Liberia that will paint a much more granular, detailed picture.

Malnutrition, inaccessible primary school education, malaria, unsafe water, as well as destruction of infrastructure like roads and sources for electricity are some of the statistics that lead me to answer that whatever I can do, whatever we can do to assist them in their rebuilding, is going to make an enormous difference in the lives of Liberians. An elementary teacher makes about $75 US per month—not a living wage if that teacher has a family. A sponsor can increase the wages of that teacher by 33.3% by raising $25 per month. As one National and World Mission Commission member said, that is something he could manage. I think that is something many of us could manage.

There is hope—A sound government, new entrepreneurial businesses, higher education, and the Episcopal Church of Liberia (ECL) are just some of the ways Liberians are working together to manage their own future. The ECL does not have a long list of partnering diocese. As far as I know, they don't have any current active partners. Their parishes include adventurous, faithful individuals who came to the US last fall to talk about their vision, and to find out what they can do for us. I learned a great deal from those delegates and am excited to go and return the favor. I thank my family, and the parishes doing fund-raising, that are helping make the work of our delegation possible. The Liberians provided suggestions on things we can bring that would fill an immediate need (like stethoscopes). In return they expect the relationship to be a two-way street. Part of the explorations will be receiving the God-given gifts they bring to us. Gifts that I can share with each reader of this blog or viewer of YouTube videos I upload so the relationship is a community experience.

The only photo I have that seems to fit this posting is the Liberian cross made from a spent shell casing. It is a symbol of the hope and the faith that I now associate with our Liberian brothers and sisters. I believe that Liberia is the best, first place to nurture a new companion relationship. It may not be the only place. Bishop Breidenthal wrote and told me, "Christ, “who came to preach peace to those who are far off and those who are near,” demands that we address both immediate and distant needs. Otherwise, how can we be part of a Body that knows no bounds?" I am taking his words personally and right now they lead me toward Liberia.

A Both/And World

I was at the doctor’s today, to pick up a prescription for an anti-malaria drug and to get a second Hepatitis B shot. She asked me a question that others have asked…why am I going to Liberia? She knows it is neither for business nor a vacation.

My reflection this afternoon on her question took me back to my childhood. When I was 7 ½ (half years are very important when you are 7) my grandparents took me on a ship from New York to Peru. My grandfather had been born in South America and we still had relatives living in Lima. After the Panama Canal crossing our ship docked in Ecuador (the ship was partly passenger and partly cargo so we had interesting ports-of-call.) 

While the crew used cranes to swap big boxes of goods, my grandfather took me by the hand and we walked outside of the harbor area. The road was very dusty and dry, and beyond the gate were children begging for money. Some were missing hands and arms, or walked with stick crutches. My grandfather’s grip was strong, so I don't remember ever being afraid. He answered my myriad of questions while handing out coins to the children. Soon there was a flock of us around him. As he and I walked back to the ship, he said that the world had lots of people who needed doctors or food but were too poor to afford them. Some of those people were like the children…able to get to a place where they were visible to travelers like us.

But the part of his talk that day that has stayed with me for so many years was when he told me there are other people who may need something and we will never see them. We have to trust that other people will find a way to reach the “hidden” needy people—and there are things we can do to make life better for those hidden people, too. Later in the trip, on our way back to New York, we docked again. Anchored out in the bay was a ship called Hope. It was a hospital ship and my grandparents and I ended up going on board for a tour. We met nuns in white habits and saw lots of clean children laughing. There were rooms for physical therapy and machinery to provide other medical services. The hospital staff of the ship found the hidden people beyond the coast and cared for them. I don’t know if my grandfather made a donation to the nuns who took us around the ship, but I would not be surprised if he did.

My grandfather taught me that I am not limited to either one choice or another. I can exist in a “both/and” world. I try to live into that belief. I support local non-profits, food pantries and other ministries around Columbus. However, I believe my trip to Liberia is a way to live into being a steward of God’s creation on a global scale. The Episcopal Church in Liberia is like the ship Hope. There are people ready to welcome us to Liberia, as they also teach us about their country, faith, and culture. The Ohio delegation will not be going deep into the equatorial rain-forests. Our Liberian hosts are the ones who will reach far beyond Monrovia or the coast. They know where to find the hidden, needy people. Theirs is the hard work of cleaning up and rebuilding a country. So I’m going to Liberia to listen, ask questions, learn, and return to Ohio ready to suggest ways to collaborate and share my learning. Whatever comes of the trip will go beyond the limitations of the “either/or” mindset and take me into a “both/and” world where we share God’s abundance.

Shell casings litter the ground after the Liberian Civil War

Animal Life in Liberia

I asked my Liberian friend if they have cats and dogs, and what other kinds of animals we might see. She replied: "We do have cats and dogs but not as indoor house pets, but outdoors. The dogs are are used as watchdogs. You will see some strays roaming back streets and in the neighborhoods. You won't see monkeys in Monrovia, the capital city; although some expatriates seem to like them as pets. Monkeys are usually in the bush. However, there is a Monrovia zoo where you will see monkeys.  If you are lucky, you might see monkeys jumping from tree to tree as you travel out of Monrovia to other areas."

She said the most common kind of monkey is the Spider Monkey (note they have something called a "prehensile" tail so they can swing by the tail. I knew my anthropology graduate education would come in handy some day.)

Pennsylvania Excursion

I am traveling to see family and to make plans for the NAMLE conference.http://namle.net/conference/

I am also testing putting up a blog post from my cell phone. Boy am I slow at texting! 

For those who are interested, the conference hotel is the Sheraton Society Hill http://www.sheratonsocietyhillhotel.com/

Liberian Geography 101

I admit it. Before working on this potential companion relationship I did not know exactly where Liberia was on a map of Africa. I also could not name all the countries around it (though I did know it was close to Sierra Leone because a sales rep I worked with had been a Peace Corps worker there many years ago.) So, here is Liberian geography 101.

First, a map...

Now, for a quick overview. Our delegation will be going to Monrovia. The airport is on the outskirts of the city, in the direction of Harbel.

At some point we will be going up to Cuttington University, located in Bong County about 3 hours north of Monrovia (Cuttington U). We also may be going as far as Robertsport. The coastal area is likely to be the focus of our travel, and most nights we will be back in Monrovia at the homes of our hosts.

Size: Liberia is just over 111,000 square kilometers, so it is a little smaller than Ohio (116,000 sq km).

And the weather? April is the last month of the dry season. Temperatures range from mid 70s to mid 90s, and humidity is 85% or higher. There may be afternoon showers, much like Florida or other tropical areas but the heavy, constant rain doesn't start until May. Being close to the Equator, Liberia has dense rainforests inland with few paved roads...another reason why we'll be sticking along the coast.

To see a satellite view of West Africa, visit Google Maps.

View Larger Map

A Closer Look at Liberia's President

In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected president of Liberia. Not only is she the first female head of state in Africa, but is the first elected president after the Liberian civil war. On January 16, 2006 she was sworn into office and began to tackle the enormous challenge of rebuilding the infrastructure while interacting with the international community—including pressures from the international finance community.

Learn more about this amazing head of state by watching the World Focus video reports, where she is interviewed by Lynn Sherr. President Johnson Sirleaf met with President Obama in 2010 (White House video)(transcript) and also announced her plans to run again, in the October 2011 elections.

A Pilgrimage to Liberia

"In each of us dwells a wanderer, a gypsy, a pilgrim. The purpose here is to call forth that spirit. What matters most on your journey is how deeply you see, how attentively you hear, how richly the encounters are felt in your heart and soul." 

This is from the book The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred. Different words from this quote touch me in different ways as I plan for my upcoming visit to Liberia. Five of us will prepare, travel together, listen, learn, experience, and return. I don't know how this relationship-building trip will change me, but I expect to be changed just as pilgrims have been changed by encounters with the holy over the ages.