Tag Team, Round Two

Day three without running water- welcome to the true African experience :)

Today was the first day that we've all been together in quite a while. For several days the group has been split up, doing both Special Ambassadors trips and maintenance around the Rehab Center. The two of us have spent the majority of our time at the Rehab, fixing and installing window screens and replacing broken door handles and locks. Doing work like we have been with such limited tools and supplies definitely takes a bit of ingenuity. The most frustrating part of the whole experience is recognizing that there is so much more work to be done than what we can accomplish in our short time here. Most definitely props to Andrew, though; he put a lot of effort into doing as much as he could do with the time that we had. The SA group has seen over a dozen wonderful children in the past couple of days and been able to deliver emergency food and necessary medical equipment to all of them.

Today was our Mission Day, we stuck around LMI and did a ton of really fun activities with the kids, as well as took some time for ourselves to reflect on our experiences thus far. Haley and I also had the pleasure of experiencing the most intense game of musical chairs ever, including a broken lawn chair. Later in the day, Carmen and Jessie led a game of limbo that showcased some of the most ridiculously flexible people I have ever known. I do believe Rachel K has a serious career path as a contortionist to be considered.

Laura

It is me again, Mackenzie. These last couple of days have been more relaxing yet filled with hard work and many fun-filled activities. Last night Emily, Laura, and I got to experience no running water in full force. All three enjoyed a bucket-hair-washing party. One on the ears, one on pouring water, and the last one doing all the scrubbing but it was all worth it in the end when we had clean fresh smelling hair. I know I had had the same braid in for four days and my hair was "rank" to say the least. We had a blast and I know I got some great pictures of Emily sudsing up!

Like Laura mentioned today we spent the day back at LMI participating in day camp and leading activities. The morning started off with a large scale thread rosary making session. By the end we had rosaries of all shapes, sizes, and colors including bright bright bright yellow ones. Everyone joined including the Ma's and Pa's of the mission (the house parents). This evening while walking around after dinner I noticed everyone was rocking their new rosary and were very proud of their beautiful creations. I still cannot get over how much entertainment they got out of making something as simple as a thread with knots in it. Americans, especially the kids, are so conditioned to have electronics and loud interactive toys yet here thread entertained people of all ages for years on end. This makes me excited to return home and re-find all the simple activities around the house to entertain me this summer!

A couple of us today also discussed the culture shock we are going to experience when we return home. Flushable toilets, no mosquitoes nets harassing you in the middle of the net, washer machines. Thus are all great aspects of our net but I think we have all come to realize those aren't necessities just added bonuses. Laura and I just discussed this as I am writing and she put it into perspective and it even rhymes "they're nice and easy but not an necessity", though we did miss the washer machine today when we were hand scrubbing our laundry and our hands were limp from wringing.

2 and a half days to our journey home begins and there is so much still to do here and people to talk to. I am excited to get home and share my experiences but I already know there is so many I am going to miss and so many things still to experience.

Well it is bed time for us, we have to be well rested for our day in Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

Kenzie

Ant Bites!

Well, I almost went the whole trip without any bites. I got my first bite yesterday, and it was from the satanic red ants that are all in the grass. I'm still crossing my fingers that I steer clear of the mosquitoes...

Today we split up the group, about half stayed at the mission to do some work around here and the other half of us went out to continue our Special Ambassador work in the greater community. We went out to Firestone today. It's actually the largest rubber plantation in the world, and it's where Firestone (the tire company) gets all their rubber from. There are 45 divisions within the plantation farm, and each division has its own community within it. It's comparable to a large neighborhood somewhere in the states...just with rubber. The SA group visited 10 kids today, delivering a pair of Crocs, a tooth brush and tooth paste, and a bag of food for their families. We've visited 28 of the 85 so far on the trip. Tomorrow is our last day of SA trips, and the rest we don't get done will be continued by Martha and Dolly once we leave. Those two women are the strongest women I've ever met. They've been our "Ma's" on the trip and they look out for us like their own children.

We're all hitting a huge wall of physical exhaustion. Days are long and the weather is hot. Keep thinking of us during our the tail end of the trip!

Emily

"Malaria of the Leg"

Don't worry parents, nobody has malaria, I promise! Mackenzie just says the darndest things :)

Quick update for today since there's some time!

Today we were back at Our Lady of Fatima Rehab Center for the graduation of the K-2 class. 13 small children were being honored, cuter than buttons in their full length graduation gowns, completed by the caps and bow ties they were wearing. Kids of all ages were recognized with various awards, there was singing, praying, and speeches given by adults, children, and even Andrew popped up there for a few remarks. The ceremony itself was beautiful- bushflowers decorated all of the entrances and the alter of the chapel that the ceremony was held in was decorated with ribbons and flowers.

There were 13 kiddos that moved up classes today. When we first came to the ceremony, it seemed a tad bit silly to me that there was such a huge celebration for such a small group of children. However, through listening to speeches from the community and from the teachers, we all had the opportunity to realize that education is critically important to the individuals of this country. Obstacles cannot be overcome without the proper knowledge, and every grade that a person moves up is a step toward a brighter future. The graduation ceremony not only gave us our fair share of adorable child overload, it also offered a reminder of the importance of education.

Carl's update: food is good and thanks be to God we have water. Almost ran out today, and with stores closed tomorrow we realized it soon enough to run to the store (about 3-4 miles down the road but with traffic a two hour trip) and get enough for a small army to be well-hydrated for a while.

-Laura

PS: My friend Sam, one of the super awesome guys who goes to school here at LMI, wants to say hello! You all should know that he's kind of a big deal, and more or less the coolest guy EVER.

Tag Team- It is Laura & Mackenzie

It has almost been a week, but in no way does it feel so. Everyday is filled to the brim, driving throughout the Liberian country side along the very bumpy roads, visiting Special Ambassadors (a program set up through Teach Peace where they deliver emergency supplies to disabled children and their families in their homes), and spending days fixing up the Our Lady of Fatima Rehab Center. All of it has been amazing and simultaneously very humbling. Liberia is physically and spiritually a beautiful country but very rundown. The majority of houses are made of clay and have roofs fashioned from corrugated sheets of metal, the luckier ones have cinder block walls. Today we drove around delivering the supplies to Special Ambassadors and saw some very desolate parts of the country side. For one house, not far from the coast, we weaved through the market place deep into the city where we turned into a side alley and weaved ourselves deeper. We walked by countless numbers of huts crammed together, each housing numerous people. It really opened my eyes to how lucky people are to have yards and privacy. Though it was eye-opening to us we were explained to that in the Liberian culture there is no concept of intruder. In America we would have been walking through front yards, here we were welcomed and even had our own entourage of beautiful little children. All of it was quite an experience. The day ended with a more humble moment. We had traveled to the last house of the day, visiting a thirteen year old boy who required a wheelchair, which we were to deliver. Upon arriving we were informed the young boy had passed away on Sunday. At only thirteen his life had been taken away by polio. A disease easily addressed and vaccinated against in America. It took us all by surprise and really made us take a step back, to stop thinking about our aching feet and hot bodies, and just realize how in such a beautiful place so much suffering is occurring because they cannot afford prevention methods.

On a happier note we our halfway through our Crocs donations and so far it has been a great success. We gave away 80 pairs to our friends at the Rehab Center (ask whoever you follow this blog for about the special people we met there, truly inspiring and strong people) and their expressions alone made it all worthwhile. The little kids loved them and the adults were so grateful. Crocs are perfect for over here, especially the children for currently the majority are wearing flip flops that immediately when the pickup game of futbol begins. They have been dubbed slippers by the native Liberians we are traveling with and have been such a blessing to have.

And now my part of the novel is done,

Mackenzie

And let me introduce Laura:

Hello! It seems that most of the information to share- Andrew would like me to let all of you wonderful people know that, and I quote, "Liberia has no judgments and no front yards." But apparently credit to Kenz. So essentially, heat causes madness. Lots of heat, lots of humidity, lots of beauty.

So, past all of the sillyness, of which there is a lot, this country is absolutely gorgeous, and every day presents itself full of opportunity to grow as individuals, as a group and as global citizens.

For several days we were able to spend a lot of time at the Rehab Center; learning about Liberia and how it handles certain populations. Not only have we learned a lot, as Mackenzie shared we had to opportunity to offer our help with shoes, toothbrushes, pens, pencils and maintenance work around the center.

Yesterday offered the opportunity for a game of soccer between six of us and a village of in the absolute pouring down rain, in a road that was essentially turned into a river. Absolutely fantastic and so very much fun. Rather liberating.

Every day seems to offer more and more to explore, experience and appreciate.

-L.

First Shower Since Friday

Hi all, sorry for the delayed response the other night. We had a lot of unforeseen delays in the various airports on the way over here. AND we are in a fourth world country, so internet access is limited. We only have electricity (and WiFi) when the generator is on from 6pm-midnight. Last night the internet was down, so don't expect too much from us!

Things are going really well. The trip over here was...chaotic. Our flight didn't leave Atlanta until about two hours after schedule. The weather was bad so the flight took awhile to get off the ground. I, on the other hand, had taken two Tylenol PM's and was out like a light. The following 12 hours on the flight from Atlanta to Ghana consisted of me waking up to eat, and sleeping the rest of the time. I think Mackenzie and I were the ones who slept the most on our travels. (We're actually counting how many photos we can get of me sleeping in random places. Yesterday I fell asleep in the car. Roads in Liberia are BUMPY...I was awoken after bumping my head on the seat in front of me as people mocked my slumbering existence--as if I didn't get enough on the way over here...) We were on the ground for two hours in Ghana before leaving for Liberia--which I slept through--until our two hour-ish flight. We were in the Liberia Airport for literally three hours. Getting our visas approved was a huge process and one of the guys leading the trip got his luggage lost. We sat in the airport and sang and hung out with the Liberian "security". Going through customs was a JOKE. We were there so late that we were the last ones to leave aka no one was even working customs anymore. It's funny because we were all thinking about how our parents and friends would be worrying about us since it was about 6 hours later than we were scheduled to arrive. We were singing in a humid airport.

We're staying at the mission, and we've just been hanging out with the kids when we've been around which is mainly at night. The last two days we've gone to a Rehab center more in town for disabled people. It's unreal what I'm seeing. It's beyond words to try and explain the lives these people lead. These people have nothing and everything at the same time. Yesterday I was in a room full of disabled people who were singing their praises to God for giving them everything they need. People in wheelchairs with little to no use of their legs (if they even have both legs at all) are singing about walking and marching with God. It just doesn't make sense to me. And the people here are all SO loving. Someone stopped us yesterday as we were driving and asked us where we were from, how long we were staying, and told us we were welcome in Liberia and they were happy to have us. The director of the rehab center opened their little welcome ceremony telling us to not be afraid because we are free here. Their concept of love is so vast it's inspiring. I haven't met a single person who has said anything other than "Welcome to Liberia" or "You are welcome here" or "We are so happy you are here." We are seriously making these people's days. They are simultaneously making ours as well.

We're hoping to do some repairs at the rehab center tomorrow, and visit a local orphanage later this week.

Thanks everyone for the support, keep us in your thoughts!

Emily

P.S. - Dr. Cueto, if you're reading this, I think you should know that Anita and Carmen led the macarena today for a group full of disabled kids at the Rehab center. Carmen also did the worm. Anita recorded it...in slow motion...on accident.

We're Here!

After HOURS of delays in Atlanta, Ghana and the Liberia Airport, we've all arrived safe and sound at the mission.

More updates to come!

Pinch me, I'm dreaming.

I can't believe that we are leaving for Liberia tomorrow... Haley Weit and I will be leaving tonight out of LAX and I cannot even begin to explain all of the emotions that I have running through me. I'm nervous, excited, scared, and ready; you name it I feel it.

It has been a dream of mine to go to Africa, for at least 7 years now, and now I actually get to fulfill this dream. If you would have asked me in September what my plans were for the summer, I would have never thought in a million years that Africa would be on the agenda.

Even though in less than 4 hours I will be leaving to go to the airport, it all still feels like a dream. I'm not really going to Liberia; I'm going to wake up from this roller coaster dream soon. I'm sure that is how a lot of us feel. Just like Emily said, I'm going to try and go to Liberia with no expectations whatsoever, but it will most definitely be difficult.

To all of you lovely ladies who I will be sharing this experience of a lifetime with, all I can say is that I cannot imagine going with anyone else. All of you are so awesome and amazing and its been really great getting to know each and every one of you. I know that we are going to have the time of our lives out in Liberia and it is something that we will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. The day is finally here ladies: We are GOING to Africa.

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That Emerson Guy Was A Keeper

Well, here we are. After 9+ months of planning, we'll be leaving in a few short days. I'm excited, nervous, scared, ready. It's difficult to go into such a trip with no expectations, but that's what I'm trying to do. I look forward to being fully present to my experiences and immersing myself in something I've never known.

Two of my friends are going to Calcutta, India for two and half months this summer. It's funny because the trip they are going on was what I wanted--and still want--to do. There's something about India that holds a deep place in my heart. I still hope to go on the same trip, the timing just wasn't right for me. Then Liberia became an option. I remember sitting in C-Street with Carmen talking about her experiences there and how she wanted to go back. I remember seeing a different side of her I'd never seen before. I remember this being the day it all "officially" began. And again, here we are.

Last night I had dinner with one of the girls going to Calcutta. She was talking about how she had been telling all of her friends from high school that she was about to leave for India for two and half months with nothing but a backpack and a purse. They all thought she had become a Seattle hippy and had completely lost her mind. Her response? "I just am so sick and tired of thinking about myself all the time. I've worked hard, and I'm ready to go there and work hard for other people who need it." This was another one of those moments where I saw a totally different side of someone, which was weird considering we've been roommates the last 6 months. There is so much more to a person than what is observable. Madison Bible, you never cease to amaze me.

Those words of hers have really stuck with me. It disgusts me how much we--yes, all of us--have more than we need, continue to buy more, and get caught up in the motions; we all take so much for granted. I look forward to living simply, and ACTUALLY doing it. We all have these hopes and aspirations to give back to others. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say." We can talk and talk in circles about wanting to do this and wanting to do that. That's a good start, but it's the action that really leaves an impact.

So that is what the nine others and myself are doing. We are acting. See you all in Atlanta!