Suffering from Malaria is very real

Have you ever been ill and you went to the pharmacy and they were out of medicine? Have you ever had a prescription that could not be filled? In the United States most of our pharmacies are corporations which make convenience and availability strong factors in their service. Supply and demand can have its problems. In Liberia where most people are poor money to buy the supplies well produce conditions where super limited supply will not meet the demands.

Such is the case with my friend Moses and his teen daughter. I receive this note, last night. 

“Hi Uncle Bill, my daughter's was diagnosed with cerebral malaria that would soon lead to mental disorder or even death. The test was done at the Liberian Government Hospital in Buchanan when her condition was very serious.. The results were, to take her at the redemption hospital in Monrovia.., so it's time that I need your help

I'm told by the Buchanan Government Hospital that there was no drugs to treat her.”

Where Moses is taking his laughter is about 100+ miles away. His costs are beyond his needs. Barb and I will try to do what we can.”

Moses uses uncle as was the habit of the children who went to school where I served as teacher and principal. I have encouraged him to just call me Bill. His daughter's health is in critical condition.

You may read the paper or the news about malaria being in deadly. But thanks to social media and phone apps I am able to be in contact with a few people who are facing malaria in their daily lives.

a concerned father

When I lived in Africa, I contracted malaria and my temperature went up 105 degrees. For me it was worse than the flu. My fever was up high enough where I saw sparkles of color on the area of the ceiling. My first hallucination, which was real because my brain was producing it. Of course Barb could not see it, and I new that. When I was treated for malaria the symptoms got better.

The resources in the smaller Buchanan Hospital did not have the medicine she needed. Moses now is seeking the main hospital in the Liberia for help. God has laid on my heart to personally help a few people who are poor, and like many poor they are hard-working and industrious. Yes, I actively praying for these people, but I also trying to consider how to improve the basic problems they face. The idea of online education and medical care I believe could have good outcomes, but more people have to become personally involved. 

In Liberia, medicine and food often end up in the black market. Medicine is also a pay as you go philosophy. The poor and those away from the cities are left on their own to deal with it. I welcome your prayers and thoughts one these things. Keep walking

I can see the difference it makes

Moses is making progress on his home

Most people in world are poor. Also the majority of Christians are poor. We live the fallen world and as a result we will always have poor people. This is such a big problem no government or person can remove poverty from the planet. Today there is a common outcry about our founding fathers either compromising or benefiting from slavery. But did you know that slavery is a big problem today. Slavery was always wrong. In the first century church 60% of the population were slaves. A large number in the church were slaves. We can learn from history but we need to be aware of real problems today. There are millions of slaves today.

One of the consistent sarcasm's against the church today is that the church is filled with so many dysfunctional, uneducated, lower class people. The church is often a haven for the mentally ill. If we look pass some of these modern labels the common thread is that the church is made up of a lot of poor people. People in poverty and they are always easy targets.

I have many happy memories of sitting in poor villages talking to very poor people. Many of these people only had the

He is building his home
during the raining season

clothes on their back. We shared stories back-and-forth. A poor village wouldn't give me the honor of a bottle of coca-Cola. The cost of that drink would be a day’s wage. I learned so much about the Liberian culture. 

Things are improving in Liberia. Most people in Liberia make $150 in a month or less. The best way to live in Liberia would be to have a job and the ability to continue some level of traditional farming. The poorest people in Liberia are unable to continue some level of traditional life, packed into the city's ghettos there are a lot of desperate people. 

There is no amount of human resource they can meet the need around the world, or even in the United States. We will always have a problem of human poverty. 

This is my opinion that this should humble us. If we look at it closer it can even overwhelm us. Our level of ability to inflict pain and oppression on one another goes above my comprehension. 

Bible conferences are reaching many w the Good News

As a Christian I can't ignore the poor. Helping the orphan and the poor is basic to a biblical religion. All humans suffer from spiritual poverty which is why I share the gospel. There are strong appeals from God to care for the poor in the Old and New Testament. Our response should be personal and addressing some need that we are aware of. It is not first a call out to others, first personal response. 

That response certainly made involve cooperation with other people doing a specific situation. In my case, it is being aware of people in my life who are in poverty. I am blessed to help those I know in Liberia. I certainly have my limitations, but it's good to know I can make a difference. Seeing these few take advantage to improve their education, to improve their shelter and home. To improve their care and education of their loved ones. To see them share the gospel and encourage others in their church. What ever I can encourage for the people of Liberia in regard to online education or clinics I know there's a few poor people who God connected me with to bless them. 

Praying like a poor man, harder than you think

I was reading Oswald Chambers My Utmost for his Highest June 9 devotion titled, For Everyone that Asketh Receiveth. Luke 11:10 http://www.studylight.org/devotionals/utm/

Study light is a great resource for Bible study. When most of us go to prayer we do not go to prayer with a perspective a of a poor man. I now live on a pension from work and Social Security. In my life giving was governed by the principle of planning and some discipline to stay within my means. Giving for me it was a joy in the spirit of unconditional love. Giving was always limited by my resources many times was joined with others who's gifts we're part of meeting a bigger need. Again most needs that I had we're met by provision and planning. I have experience a few times needs being met beyond what I could provide.

When a poor man prays he has little daily provision to plan with. The need is there but he can't meet it. So how does he pray? A poor man begs. Most of the time others then look down at him. For pity they may throw small coins his direction. Very few of the passerby's really look to do anything that might meet the need.  

In Luke 11:9 in the Greek three present imperatives in this verse (Ask…seek…knock) are probably intended to call for a repeated or continual approach before God. Lk. 11:10 repeats the (ask… seek… knock) indicated that the repeated asking God does respond. 

Matt. 5:3a The poor in spirit is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See 

Moses Tarr at Alfred Joe's home. These men are my 

friends. They are good men, better than me that is for

sure. They work hard and have trades. 

Ps 14:6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the afflicted, but the Lord is his refuge.” ; 22:24 For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He did not hide His face from him but listened when he cried to Him for help.”; 

25:16 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted.”; 

34:6 “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him from all his troubles.”; 40:17 “I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay.; 

69:29 ”But as for me—poor and in pain—let Your salvation protect me, God.”

When it comes to prayer many of us are in the dark about it. I have shared an extended quote from Thomas Constable writes concerning asking God to stimulate to grey cells and maybe a little bit of insight. God wants us to ask (beg) and understand our dependence on him. Many of us would balk at such idea.

Asking for Ourselves building a theology of prayer

“Some sincere Christians believe that it is selfish and not very trusting to ask God to give us anything. Some believe that praying for personal needs is more a mark of unbelief than of trust in God. After all, since God loves us perfectly will He not do what is best for us? 

Such an attitude may superficially sound very spiritual. However, it contradicts Jesus' clear teaching that God's children should ask Him for their needs (Matt. 6:11; Luke 11:1-4). It also ignores James' statement that we do not have some things from God because we do not ask Him for them (James 4:2). God not only encourages us to ask Him for what we need, but He commands us to do so. Evidently He does so to teach us to look to Him for our needs since He is our provider. 

God's responses to personal petitions teach us what we can expect when we pray this way. Sometimes God granted the request, but sometimes He did not. Sometimes He waited to give an answer. We shall investigate the conditions we need to meet for securing favorable answers to our prayers in a later chapter. For now, appreciate that often God graciously gives what we request for ourselves. 

Jesus told his disciples the parable of the persistent friend to help them realize that God will always give what is best to His children who ask Him in prayer (Luke 11:5-13). A friend may eventually give his neighbor what he needs because he is his friend. However, God is our Father, and a good father always gives his children what is best for  them at the best time. Therefore we should keep on asking in prayer, keep on seeking God's face, and keep on knocking on heaven's door. 

Fortunately God does not grant every one of our requests just because we ask. Sometimes we make foolish petitions. Moses once asked God to kill him because he felt discouraged (Num. 11:15). Fortunately God understands our situation and gives us what is best. Sometimes when old people pray for longer life God takes them home to heaven. If He does, that is best for them then.” 

A poor man ask God for $700.00 to buy an engine to put into a truck. The truck then can help the poor man who works in the trade too build cement block buildings and mason work. Having the truck gives a greater possibility for work and a livable income. God has put this poor man on my heart to help him on a regular basis. While I can plan a regular gift I have no resource for a $700.00 gift. In essence I am in the same place as the poor man. I have to look to God and ask him to provide. 

The chance to purchase the engine came and went. It did help Barbara and I to put aside what we can to have a fund to meet such needs. Our resources are limited, but I am determined to give what I can. 

I believe the request was a good request. Maybe the engine was no good? Maybe at this juncture God wanted me to understand then he would provide Beyond what I am capable? I actually him more sympathetic to the poor man's request. 

Oswald Chambers was writing around World War I. He was writing hundred years ago. Christians back then closer to day to needs. I believe back then there were many who understood the ministry of prayer. Chambers reminds us that “ask” here is meant to be beg. To be poor in spirit men somebody who was dependent on God. Here I think there are less people who have little experience with this. We are more experienced with being encouraged to be self dependent. But the first characteristics in the Beatitudes for a believer is to be “poor in spirit”. Can God care for the poor? God is given human responsibility for this we see throughout the Scriptures. In our secular progressive society we want others to pay for the poor. But do we take on our personal responsibility to do it? For arguments sake I don't think so. 

It is not wrong to steer the government to care for the poor. Franklin Roosevelt help the American people needed to know that the government cared about their suffering in the 1930s. His response did not end the depression but it gave hope. Some ideas that came from that were good and others were not as good. Government can never be big enough to take care of human need. Human effort in commerce can bring wealth and prosperity to others. If it does not listen to the Scriptures to care for fellow human; it can be rather brutal and slums result and multitudes lose hope. If we learn to invest in our fellow man and woman many more benefit. 

The biggest resource that the poor have is not government nor the rich. Their biggest resource for the poor are you and I that are closer to the poor and we can personalize our support. We can invent better ways to care for our fellows. Together we build what is needed. But we have to take personal responsibility and not just give it over to government or the rich. The biggest link we need is the Lord. Some of you may disagree with that. But the human experience is a lot closer to being poor then you can imagine.

Tools for ministry

Tools for ministry

Dr. Gene Getz

I am planning to write and create resources that can be used by my Liberian friends. But I think even a greater gift would be to give resources that I use myself. Several of you are bilingual in the Liberian languages and English. There are many online ministries that could be very helpful to you. 

Today I received an email from Dr. Gene Getz. Dr. Getz has written many helpful books and has developed a study Bible that focuses on application, Life Eessentials study Bible. You can go to his website and follow the menu to the principals listed topically or you can click the Bible link, Search by the Book and follow the principles as you read through the Bible. Right now I am reading through Isaiah and following the principles as I read in think through the book. You can get a life essentials app for your phone, tablet, or computer. You also can sign-up for Dr. Getz’ newsletter. 

May God richly bless you, Rev. Bill Reeves

http://bibleprinciples.org

Here is a sample of a video I recently viewed and was encouraged. I will update you on how this ministry will be a blessing.

http://www2.bhpublishinggroup.com/QR/GetzBible/0770/

Liberia is more to me than memories

Moses Tarr giving me a shave in 1977

I first became aware of Liberia back in the spring 1976. I was newly married and Barb had an inner ear infection and was hospitalized for nine days in St. Joe’s. I heard of an opportunity to serve as a short term missionary in a place called Liberia, West Africa. As I looked into it I thought it was something that we can do. I also thought that my wife would think call things too risky and say no. 

Moses Tarr last year
Using skills to build and lead a church

I felt pretty safe so I went to see Barbara after work. At the time I was working at St. Joe's hospital. I took the elevator up to the eighth or ninth floor where she was at and shared with her the opportunity to served as  a missionary. To my surprise she was interested and said yes that we should pray about it. Now I really had a problem, was this something we should do?

Samuel Saturday pastors

Quickly many things fell into place. Our visa which would normally take years to process was approved right away by no less than the vice president of Liberia. Louis Orta had given the vice president hospitality on one of the trips the vice president took in the interior. It was often customary for a politician to get a drink of water from a mission because water was safer. It had nothing to do with politics. They ran into each other on the streets of Monroevia and Louis ask the vice president to okay our visa. And we were set to go to Liberia for a one-year service. 

While I was preparing to go I did all I could to learn about Liberia. 

Barbara and Elaine were RNs and they would establish a clinic to serve in the area about the size the Will County. At that time we were in the bush or the jungle. I would take up to the leadership in the school and church. The mission property at the time was 300 acres. We had a football field, a school and church. We had a building that looked like a garage that was service as the clinic. Our home

Daniel Tarr we have just
last week connected

was a three bedroom mud and stick zink roof, Windows with screens and shutters. We had an out house and shower. We would build I thatch roof waiting room.

Alfred Joe still hoping to connect with

At the core of my interest in Liberia today is to help the boys who are now men ease their burdens and support them in their ministries. I am so glad these nearly 40 years later to find these follows walking with the Lord. 

They each are doing more than I did and more effectively. All of them had work to educate their children and now grandchildren. If I do nothing more than help them I am blessed.

I am praying that I improve my health and conditioning to once again return to Liberia to see for myself the obstacles in using the Internet for education and medical evaluation. I also want to see old friends and encourage what they're doing. I may never get healthy enough to do this, but I'm praying about it.

Did I make a difference in that year? It seems I did, but I'm not done yet. Keep walking

I got to hear the Bible in Bassa

I recently downloaded an app bible.is where there is 1243 languages where they have a translation of the Bible. I believe translations are being added daily. You can search via language, or country and they have two versions in audio. One version is dramatic with different readers doing different characters with music in the background. And the other version is just somebody reading the Bible text. Some of the languages have a written text. 

In English there were 11 versions and many of them were audio in a few dramatic. 

You can get the software and running from your computer online or download the app.

Library is made up of 16 tribal languages in the app list 15 languages. On the computer listed to languages Kpelle and Bassa. When I went under languages I was also able to find all 15 languages. 

The translations that have text that are online are divided up by traditional verses. Listening to the Bible is divided up by chapters. Both the website and the app have a translation for the hearing impaired.

Explore the website and share with your friends. Let the missionaries that you support  know about it. 

Bassa ( an audio for Bassa in Cameron, audio for Bassa in Liberia) Vai audio), Bandi (audio), Belleh (text), English (audio & text), Dan (east and west, audio and text). Greco (text), Kisi (audio), Klao (audio), Krahn audio), Krumen Tepo - Kroumen Tepo (was only in text), Lorma (audio), Mano (audio), Mende ( audio & text, there is also a Mende from Papua New Guinea)

Listen to the beautiful singing of Liberia

Theodore Roosevelt as young man read a bookThat disclosedIn picture and in print the awful struggle of the poor in New York. He sent the following, "I have read the book, I will help". The power of the quote lies in that was personal and open. He probably didn't know how he would help, That would come later with more information and planning.
My students now close to 50 have made contact with me. I have spent some time  getting inform and I too will help. I have neither the energy nor the charisma I'll be young Roosevelt but what I have I'll give.
Enjoying a choir, Moses Tarr organized the conference with four pastors from Monrovia and Buchanan. There was over 300 in attendance. Moses and the other elders of the church had to prepare the the church for the meeting. Which group would be more people then they use they have in their services.

Here you see that careful preparation for the meetings. This work is done and rainy season. This meeting is at a crossroads where three roads meet.

These believers have been through wars, hardships, And here they are giving praise in song and preaching and hearing God's Word. There are several tribes here and a common pigeon English. I would like to be in a corner just listening. I had a small part in this. I am hoping to send a computer for these people to encourage online support. It would be a way for me to minister to those who may have need of help with the suffering they went through.
Enjoy the singing

God provides our needs

Moses working on home

As I move forward in my ambition to work for the spiritual and physical needs of the Liberian people, I wanted to let you know that I'm already finding practical ways to be a blessing.

There are many outreaches both secular and religious in which there is a genuine desire to help people. In some organizations both in the government sector and private there is bound to be corruption. When I was in Liberia back in 1977 there were a lot charity that ended up in the black market. 

I was able to get food from Care, a practical amount that I could distribute. That food was used to feed students a second meal. 

“Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” Ps. 41:1 Gene Getz in his life essentials study Bible shares of principle here, “in view of Christ sacrifice for us, we are to demonstrate the sensitivity of the caring spirit towards those who are poor and needy.” Jesus himself summed up this Psalm in Matthew 5:7, “The merciful are blessed, for they will should be shown mercy.”

I think helping the poor should be a very personal and practical. In James 2:15, 16 he writes, “15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” 

Being clothed protects us and help shelter us from a hostile environment. Having a place to live is part of this need. Having food helps our body and is most important in living on this planet. These are basic needs which if not met many other needs are also in trouble.

Moses Tarr's dad James a mason

Doing works or helping the poor won't save us. No our salvation it's based on God loving us and we put our trust in him to save us. It is always a matter of faith first. Being loved by God we now love. Becoming a child of his, we now do his bidding to help others. In both word and deed we show the love of God.

One thing that I thought I could do once one of my students contacted me, I could in a very practical way reach out to help these good people, working hard in poverty to help bless their life. These men and women that I once taught when they were children I know can find out how things are going and how I might encourage them in her walks with the Lord. They may have basic needs, maybe there something I can do for them. In a real way they can be my hands and feet as a live for the Lord. Moses, Daniel and Alfred Joe were closest to me when I lived in Africa. If I can be used by God to help them and encourage them, I don't think I could do anything better. 

I am very encouraged to right now in helping Moses. The house he lives in now has matted walls. Liberia has a rainy season that last six months. When it rains in Liberia it will rain all day and night. Along the coast where Moses lives it rains over 200 inches a year. That is entirely all of the rainy season. Right now, water gets through his walls. Moses whose father was a mason has the skill to build a cement block home. He has been able to build the walls any is now working on the roof. This home Will better protect his family. 

Home taking form

The average worker in Africa makes about two dollars a day according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. Moses as a mechanic makes about $150 dollars a month. No matter how you cut that, it would be hard to live in today's world on $150. In the book of James I cannot walk away from this. For me to walk Liberia I have to consider the poor. So I've given some money from Moses to do as he sees fit to help his life. These gifts are for him to manage and not for me to tell him to do. I do know that Moses's ministry has been blessed of late. He is doing things I could never do. I am praying about a computer for Moses and a smart phone. These things can help him and his ministry and help me to be more connected to Africa. The whole project excites me, keep walking.

How to have a long term effect?

Building started but funds ran out. What ever I do here I want
to see it through. This is all bigger than me.

How to have a long term effect? I've been thinking of a big idea that could have an impact on hundreds or thousands of lives. We have seen in the last 10 years the development of online education. People now can get educated right in their home. Inner city schools could greatly improve the impact of education by developing skilled online education to the students who are motivated but right now buy into a system of educating to the lowest common denominator. Too many kids are not given the opportunity to compete at the highest levels. We have too many smart kids in our cities who are handicapped with bad educators and poor peer support. Instruction could improve with classroom connection with Master teachers.

Thinking out-of-the-box, revamping support for Liberia there could be developed online education to be streamed into villages to offer children a chance to get an education. 

At each level more kids could get the opportunity to go to school. 

What if teachers could be linked with the class group where the teacher could teach from the location from coastal cities, like Monrovia, Buchanan, or Harper? There could be links from the US.

College grads looking for one or two year service could be given this opportunity right where they live to link with real people in need from countries desperate for education. 

America is looking to win the hearts people overseas, could there be a place for civillian service for people educating people via the Internet. When I was young man I wanted to serve in the navy but I was not able because of cerebral palsy. But today this is a Real way to serve with the branch of service design to meet human need. Many kids today are disconnected with America. Making a way for more kids to get involved in the life of others and using the Internet as a tool.

Training Liberians for the ministry has reaal opportunities with online education. College training for every career is a real possibility. Are there affordable options is a big obsticle? If we really wanted to give people a shot we find a way.

I want to help some find solutions. Any ideas here would be greatly appreciated. Keep walking.

Lots of needs

Can you imagine working in 95 degree heat?

Since I reconnected to Liberia I've been thinking about how to help things. Much of the money an effort to help with the a ebola crisis, buildings and projects are now empty and returning back to the jungle. Ebola has gone into recession and the doctors and soldiers who went to Liberia did a good thing. 

Liberia will have more crisisis. I am convinced that the leadership there understands the need to rebuild the country after so many years of war and disease. It is an uphill battle.

Liberia needs an educational infrastructure to bring the people into in the modern world so that they have the doctors, politicians, military expertise and law-enforcement, businessman who can run the business of Liberia, teachers, medical professionals, engineers and tradesmen, Computer technology, agricultural development of natural resources so that they can take care of their own interests and improve their quality of life.
There are real problems that you may miss if you visit there. I fear many things me repeat themselves in a violent cycle. Yet I have to believe there is hope.

This is a tall order and somewhat of a utopia but if Liberia does not rebuild educationally, crisisis will continued to be handled from the outside and not necessarily for the interests of Liberian people. Secondhand hand-me-downs will never really meet the need. 

Personally, I want to learn to become an advocate for Liberia. Secondly, I desire to visit the country again. I don't know if I can personally devote time there or not. But I can help my ex-students live a little better and help them as they help others. Third there are both immediate needs that have to be addressed. And fourth, I've been thinking about an idea that may have a long-term effect.

As a missionary the training and relief effort, I need to be specific and help who I can. This kind work is at the gut level. It is the kindest thing that has a clinic and helps a child who is suffering from malaria. That child may really be encouraged by the help of care. At my age I may be able to train someone to be a caregiver. But I won't be the one who will train a child in first grade and see them in their adult life. At my age I also know how difficult it is to live in a tropical rainforest.
There is a certain amount of physical fitness that I need to obtain and a healthy weight. I also think I need to spend more time in a location like Buchanan rather than the bush. The mission where I served may be able to be reservice. Then again it may not. I may not be able to go overseas, But I might be able to do things here. Keep walking

Macedonian call, personal contacts to Liberia

Alfred Joe today

I was very surprised when one of the students contacted me and I was very glad to hear the majority of the students at the school survived. Some of the parents including my main interpreter we're killed in the conflicts. They were civilians not warriors. 

The students were my oldest kids in the school and they went with me everywhere. They were my guides in the jungle, they help protect my daughter who was for the time for the jungle was all around us. Every day I played soccer with the boys at to school and I learned play in my bare feet. In the rainy season this was fun. In the school they were my smartest students. I owe them a lot more then I can never repay. They were just kids but they taught me a lot about living in the jungle. The parents of the students at school did much to help me have a good opportunity to help others.

Alfred Joe was the oldest of the boys. He was tall for a Liberian and was very fast. His English was very good and he was the one fellow I could depend when I was in the jungle. When we walk together he would often stop and identify a sound of an animal, warn me of a dangerous snake nearby, let me know if there're people around. His skills in the jungle came in very handy then and later in the Liberian Civil War.

One day, soldiers came into his village and began shooting. They killed about 30 people in his village including Alfred Joe's dad. (Alfred Joe’s dad work for me as a groundskeeper back in 1977.) Alfred Joe and is mentally challenged brother ran into the jungle to escape the gunfire. His brother wasn't able to keep up and took another direction and he was killed. Alfred Joe's speed and knowledge of the jungle saved his life.

Daniel and Moses Tarr like Alfred Joe were excellent students and a big help around the mission. I will tell some of their stories later. It was Moses who contacted me on Facebook and in we have been in communication since. Moses has some very practical ideas of how I can help now. One of the things I am working on right now is improving communication with the men. Alfred Joe lives in the jungle and maybe out of reach of the Internet. Daniel lives in Monrovia poverty prevents them from having a phone. Both of these situations I hope to improve. A personal level I would like to help the three who struggle with poverty. I can't change the world, but I can help a few people. They in turn have language skills which can be a tremendous asset.

Having a personal connection has brought me back to a long time I'll go commitment that I have made. Keep walking

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

Background of problems in Liberia

Moses giving me a shave, bad idea

Historically Liberia was somewhat developed along the coast by the 15 or so families I'll back slaves Of America settling in Liberia in 1822. Inland Liberia remained isolated from modern life following traditional tribal customs of 16 tribal groups. These tribal groups had fought one another and were somewhat put under control by Pres. Tugman in the 1940s to 1971. 

Most missions concentrated their efforts along the coast. Education in the interior was primarily promoted by a few companies and a few missionaries working in the interior. Governmental schools we're slow to develop in and very poor and the quality of education.

With over 20 years of conflict the situation had only grown worse. Liberian business has always been controlled buy foreign investors. Today the Chinese and Indochina operate many busuiness. 

West Africa has been in the news because of Ebola and the ISIS threat to innocents.

Following the health story one thing that is apparent to me is that Liberia lacks the technical training to improve their health system. There aren't enough teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, tradesman and businessman trained to compete in the modern world. Illiteracy and the lack of a common language greatly impairs the progress in Liberia. There are too many places where there are no schools, clinics, Liberian owned businesses. The ebola crisis as been averted but there is no infrastructure of health or education in the country. So in the next crisis comes there will be too few of the Liberians able to deal with it.

Liberians who get educated make a greater effort to leave the country. It's hard to blame them in light of violence and hardship in a very hot climate. Their very desire to improve their personal situation leaves Liberia with even less human resources.

The present Liberian leadership has given the country a place in which to begin to grow again. In order to see progress there has to be security and safety. As this is taken place we have to realize that the reality is too few can read and write. There are too few who are able to go to college. Liberia has less than 3 million people, 16 tribes, and a growing urban slum that lacks the resources of their country cousins to live off the land. The first thing to do is to become aware of what is being done and not being done. 

For me,

in a practical sense, what can I do? Keep walking

Getting back into the game

I became Mr. Laundry man 1977

Liberia has recently come back to me in a personal way with the reintroduction of my three students back in 1977 who are now 48 to 50 years old. 

After my one year service in Liberia I decided to go into College for further training to go back too Liberia to serve as a missionary. In 1980, Liberia entered a period of the Civil War which dramatically change the country forever. In the mid 1980s Liberia entered the Civil War that lasted over 20 years. The wars directly affected the time of service that I could give Liberia as I had to establish a new career.

Liberia has already experience Long term problems with malaria and aids. In the last few years ebola ravage through parts of the country and Liberia hit International attention. 

Now I'm retired, I have an opportunity to get back to finding a way to serve the Lord helping Liberia either here or back overseas. In part it is part of the walk with a fat man as I find purpose in my aging to help others and by doing so benefit from the process is still living and being involved. Many baby boomers are reinventing themselves with education and new opportunities. Putting off the rocking chair for a few years has been shown to be good for our health. So on this blog, I hope to share my progress and service. Keep walking