Step by Step

The duplex on the left is where I am staying

Prof Kloosterhouse sent me an interesting report on Liberia this evening published by an organization called Country Watch.  I have not read through all 268 pages yet, but I did note some interesting facts.  The one that stood out was the political stability index.  If you rate the high being a 9 in the US and the low being a 1 in N. Korea, Liberia is a 5.  Not bad considering its neighbors are lower (I guess its also not really a good thing that the 3 neighbors are all lower).  The good news is GDP is growing at 2x the rate of the US and for the first time in the last 5 years there is a projected government surplus.  These are all signs that things are moving in the right direction here, step by step.

I think I am a bit stir crazy today, the duplex I am staying in is very nice, bigger than the first apartment that Maritta and I had but I am alone and missing Maritta and the kids.  I sit here and think about how much the stark white walls would drive Maritta crazy.  Maybe she needs to come in the fall and help decorate these places a bit J.

I started today with 3+ mile walk to Guinea border and back.  It was a refreshing way to start the day.  The morning was nice and cool and offered some reprieve from the last few days of heat.  When I returned, Emmanuel Jonah and I had planned a trip to the orphanage.  If you have read any of my blogs, you know that going there is a highlight for me on each trip.  Being Saturday, it was time for chores and everyone pitched in from the youngest to the oldest (yes Pastor Jonah was even ironing clothes).

Emmanuel gave me the latest tour of the place, we looked at where some roofing had blown off in a storm, the latest additions to the clinic, the generator house they built and the repairs need on the piggery (my nephew Bret really needs to come along sometime and lend a hand with a few of these piggerys).  One of the services the clinic provides is midwifery.  Take a look at the delivery bed, a bit different that what most have probably seen.  Always amazing to see how little is really needed when you do not have anything.  I read in the report mentioned earlier that 143/1000 children die at birth and life expectancy is a mere 41 years.  As we walked around the orphanage and school, Emmanuel told me one of their teachers had died within the last month from typhoid and she was only 29 years old.  Later as we walked around the camp 4 community, Emmanuel waiver to someone and walked over to their house, he introduced me the gentleman and we talked for a minute.  As we walked away, he told me it was the father of the girl who had died.

Each time I am here I venture out more and more.  I enjoy talking to the people and getting to know their community.  This afternoon I was frustrated with my students after our special study class was cut short because they were all concerned about a final they had this evening.  I came back to the duplex and changed in to walking clothes and decided to go for another walk.  This time I walked into the community of Yekepa.  I had driven the roads I walked many time, but it is amazing how much more you see walking.  People were working around their homes, doing laundry and cooking, children were playing soccer and music was coming from every church as choirs were getting ready for Sunday worship.  It was around 4pm and most people having worked a 6 day week were starting to unwind a prepare for a day of rest.  I was in awe as I walked to see how much everyone was making out of nothing, to hear the laughter in the air, and the hope that things will continue to improve.

Shortly after I reached home, Peter showed up with a couple of pineapples for me.  I had given him 50 LD yesterday (about 80 cents), and I was amazed when he brought me 20 LD change.  I gave him the 20 LD and told him it was his tip for getting me the pineapple.  He hung out for a while, did not say much but just drew pictures on a tablet of paper I let him use.  I figure he just needs the man time as he has no father.  He has been here almost every night.  Last night I fed him spaghetti, I am not sure what he really thought about it, but I gave him a container of leftovers to take home to his family.  I am sure it was better than most of what they had and he was glad to get to share with his family.  He is a smart kid and step by step he will make his way and succeed.

Tomorrow is another day.