Our Family is Bigger!

Let me start this out by saying a big THANK YOU for praying! We knew people were praying, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. We made it back safely this afternoon and are thankful to have one week of vbs behind us.

My heart is heavy-o (working on my Liberian English here). What a week this has been. I am not sure that my heart is done processing all that we experienced, but I will do my best to paint a picture of some of the highs and lows of the week. 

We flew into Gbarngay (Bongay) Monday morning and were greeted by a lot of people when we stepped out of the chopper. We were taken to a hut where we sat with tons of little eyes glued on the white women. Immediately I was overwhelmed, and I thought what have I done? By the afternoon, we knew where we would be staying and had begun to settle in for the next 4 days. We ended up staying in one of the village elder's houses. It was a tiny hut, so that meant that 2 people slept inside and 2 of us were outside on the porch. 

From the moment we stepped foot off the chopper to the moment we got back in, we had very little moments without children staring at us. We started our first lesson Tuesday morning, and I quickly learned that I was going to have a tough time of communicating with the kids. The older kids could speak Liberian English, but we don't think most of the younger kids really could. Lisa ended up taking one for the team and did a lot of the talking. She snapped right into her Liberian English and did a great job. My conversations with kids went something like this.... they would say something... I would say what? They would repeat themselves and I would say Huh? One more try to which I would reply, "Lisa!" She would come and rescue the conversation. 

On the first day, I was faced with extreme physical heaviness and tiredness. At first, I just chalked it up to a lack of sleep and new environment. It wasn't until the kids left the last session of the day and had left the building and immediately the weight was lifted that it hit me that this could be because of the spiritual darkness in the village. It was rough. This place was so extremely dark. There are the traditions of the bush that result in the girls coming out with markings down their backs and legs. There are the strong beliefs in medicine necklaces that children must wear around their necks. There is a sadness as you watch the children interact with one another through constant hitting. It just hits your heart and makes you hurt. 

I was also trying to do my best to adapt to village life filled with none of the commodities that I am accustomed to at home. Our bathroom was now a latrine. Our shower was a bucket of water in a circular structure with a lappa covering the opening (and let me just say those warm bucket baths at night were quite the highlight!). The food was a struggle for me as I learned that when it comes to pepper I am a wimp! :) I had been excited about the thought of going to bed at 8 when the sun went down every night, but I had forgotten 2 minor details. These being that 1. not everyone else would be going to bed then and 2. there are animals roaming around that don't just get quiet. We would wake up some mornings to goats jumping on the ledge of the porch. I was convinced that one day, they wouldn't just jump back down but that they would end up jumping on my tent. Fortunately for me, I was not attacked by a goat, although I did find myself dreaming about attacking them and the roosters just to get some peace and quiet! :) Overall though, village life was not as hard as I had anticipated. I know I have God to thank for that. He guided us through every day moment by moment.

Day 2 of vbs was critical for us because at the end of the second session, we were presenting the gospel to them. We were hoping that they would get the connections. And some did! We now have at least 10 new brothers and sisters in our family of God!!! Praise the Lord for this! After we ended day 2, we told the kids that if anyone had questions to stay behind, and some did. We were then able to talk more in depth with them to find out if they really did understand what Jesus did for us on the cross and how we were now able to have a relationship with Him. 

It was hard to say goodbye because my heart wonders how they will do now. This village is not a "safe" place to leave a new believer. I pray these kids stay strong. They were being shown the Jesus film tonight, so we pray that what they learned these past couple of days will touch them even more as they see visually the story and hear it in their own language. Tears started to form in my eyes as one of the boys that I was privileged to spend a good amount of time with picked up the megaphone minutes before we were to leave and starting quoting the Bible verses they had learned. He then helped all the other kids with the last one that we spent the least amount of time on. He was then able to explain what that verse, John 3:16 meant, and he finished with singing Father Abraham. I turned away for a few seconds as the tears were forming as now it was ok to get on the chopper. This boy knew what decision he had made, and he could then be a leader for his friends. My heart was happy. I know that God is in control, so no matter what temptation comes or what these kids are faced with He has got them in His hands. 

Here are the names of the children who said yes to making Jesus Lord of their lives. Please join us in praying for them as they have a lot ahead of them. They are Maly, Josh, Danil, Gballea (Balla), Mark, Regina, Ruth, Mary, Hauwa, and Princess. I could go on and on with stories, but I will try and wrap this up. God did awesome things this week!!!!