Momo's Story

Stories.

Stories about Liberia.

Being a storyteller.

Being His storyteller.

Those are all things have been impressed on my heart over and over again throughout the last six years. I have always believed that God sent me to Liberia to listen to the stories, and to bring those stories back to America and share with others. This blog has been one of my outlets, and you all have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of stories. Some stories make us laugh, while others bring us to our knees in tears. I don't always have the right words [or enough words] to say, and that's when I pray that the story  will simply be heard. Today I want to tell you another story.

This is Momo.

[Soko, Momo, Zinnah, Marthalyn, Small Ashley, Yatta and Naomi in front of their house]

If you have heard any of my stories, then I'm sure that you have heard about Momo. He is ORR's chief security guard, but really he is so much more than that! We call each other 'best friend'--we share secrets and clothes--no joke! We can tell each other anything, we can spend hours giving each other a hard time and we do alot of laughing! His family is my family--we've experienced birth, graduations, marriage, death and everything in between together.

[Momo and Marthalyn with Soko and Yatta on their wedding day]

When I lived in Liberia, Momo would come to my bedroom window every morning and greet me with, "Morning Asslee." If you know anything about me, you know that I'm so not a morning person...but Momo's 7am greeting was always acceptable. In the States, I have a post-it note beside my clock that says, "Morning Asslee," which serves as my pseudo-Momo greeting.

[Newly-weds]

Momo is also the best example of a true servant. I have never met someone who tirelessly serves, comes running at anytime of the day or night, always has a smile on his face and literally puts his life on the line for others. He is also the best example of dedication, loyalty and joy! Momo has seen and experienced more than most of us could ever imagine, yet he has this uncontainable joy and child-like spirit. He really is the best!

[One big happy family with constant laughter]

Momo lives in a small two room house [that isn't his, has no bathroom or water source, and his children sleep on the floor] with his wife Marthalyn, along with his son (Soko), sister-in-law (Naomi), and daughters (Zinnah and Small Ashley). His other daughter (Yatta) lives in the neighborhood with their Auntie. He does whatever he can to provide for his family, but it's not easy! After he does his best to 'put food on the table' [they don't have a table], there's school fees, medical bills, diapers for a newborn baby, and clothes and shoes to take care of. It's a struggle!

[Momo and Marthalyn on the beach together]

I could write an entire book on Momo--he's a constant source of entertainment and full of Yoda-like quotes--but I'm sharing this brief story today because I'm asking for your help. Momo's family is packed into a small two room house that they don't own. Momo has always dreamed about having a place of their own, and I have always dreamed of doing my part to help them. Momo doesn't know how much longer they will be able to live in their current place, and is trying to purchase land and start the process of building a home for his family.

[Me and Momo with our one tomato]

Momo's story is a common one in Liberia--a devoted husband and father with so many needs and no opportunity to get ahead in life. Momo and his family are my family. He's been a driving force behind the community center (he did all the leg-work to find a place and I can't wait until he can learn how to read and write through our adult literacy classes!). He's the hardest working, most honest and most full of pure happiness person that I've ever met! Him and his family deserve this!

If you would like to be a part of Momo's story, please contact me. ANY donation amount is greatly appreciated--whether it's $5 or $50, it all adds up! I am just trying to do my part--to tell Momo's story and enable others to get involved. And of course, if you are unable to give, you can always pray for Momo and his family!

Will you please help me make Momo's dreams come true?!

Today's Thoughts

It's time for this. It's been awhile. I'm feeling introspective today. Really, there has been so much on my mind and heart these past few weeks. But also, honestly, I have wanted to hibernate.

16+ hours of travel, straight off the plane to Chick-Fil-A to meet my nephew Ethan!

The first few weeks of being home were great! I spent so much time with my family and my new nephew [stinker came early and was waiting on me to get home!]. I caught up with friends. I enjoyed the things of home--my bed, hot showers, straight hair, good food, fast internet, church...just to name a few. But after about two weeks, I was sitting in church, and the thought came to me--it's been easy and enjoyable thus far, but it's about to get difficult...really difficult.

Right now, I'm somewhere between difficult and really difficult. Don't get me wrong, home is great...but home is hard. Such different worlds with different mentalities and different ways of life and different purposes and ways of relating to others with different struggles and distractions. There are so many obvious differences on the surfaces, but there are so many differences under the surface too. I usually spend a good month trying to remember how to be an American. No joke. Conversations seem surface and superficial, and sometime awkward. Sometimes things or situations or reasons don't make sense. Sometimes I just don't get white people [no offense...but there are also plenty of times that I just don't get Liberians either]. It's just an adjustment.

Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into a month. I've been home for a month! The busyness of life in America has taken over. Those dang iPhones have also taken over, ha! I feel disconnected. I ache for community. I desperately want to connect with like-minded people who are [preferably] around my age. I told my mom the other day that I really feel like an alien, and I can't figure out where the aliens hang out around here. It's true.

I get multiple phone calls from Liberia every week, sometimes multiple phone calls in one day. They make me so happy, and make me miss Liberia--mostly just the people who are on the other end of the line! I hate when I miss a phone call from Liberia, but I love the voicemails of child after child telling me hello and that they're missing me plenty-o! I'm missing them plenty-o, too!

Ok, so let's get the nitty-gritty out of the way. The frequently asked questions:
Q: When are you going back?
A: I do not know. My time with ORR is finished, but I know that I will go back to Liberia. I will be home for awhile.

Q: Are you going to get a job?
A: [my toenails curl...and I try to smile, be nice and answer the question...] Right now, no. I have money saved, so I'll be ok for now. I also need the time to rest, enjoy, be still, wait, grieve, etc. I am continuing to refinish furniture (great excuse to turn on some worship music and get lost in paint therapy), and will probably just stick to that as a "job" for now.

Q: What's next?
A: That's a great question! I have no idea! It's time to get life back in the reigns, and really spend some time being quiet and still. God has given me alot of ideas, dreams and passions, and I need His guidance and clarity. It's exciting.

[Those are the three most FAQ's, but I'm going to throw in the most important FAQ that's not really a FAQ, but I sure wish it was!]

Q: How can I pray for you?
A: How much time do you have? You can pray for my continued adjustments to life on this side of the ocean. I don't want to fall back into 'normal life', but want to continue on the momentum from all that God taught me during my last 4 months in Liberia. Pray that I will take the time that I need to rest, think, grieve and reflect. Pray for understanding from those around me. You can be praying that my eyes, ears and heart will be open to His voice--for wisdom, clarity, direction and guidance. Pray that God would provide me with the things that I'm aching for--community, worship, fellowship, friendship, fellow dreamers. You can also pray that I would figure out how to live day-to-day life here in America with the same desperation and purpose that I have in Liberia...it's tough. I think that's a good list to start with!

[If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask...but I can't guarantee that I have the answer.]


All of that to say, I'm home...things are good, but it's also difficult...and you can be praying for me! The introspectiveness is really starting to go crazy, so I'm sure there will be much more to share in the near future. I also had a birthday yesterday (I'm ninety two years old now, according to the wait staff at the Mexican restaurant that put the candles of my cake yesterday....but I feel so young and look so good, haha!), and I really believe that, although this past year was quite the ride, this is going to be the best year yet! Thank you again for all of your encouragement, love, prayers and support!!!

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish all of my Love in Liberia friends a very Merry Christmas! I hope that you spent your day with loved ones, and that you were able to pause for a minute to reflect on Christ's birth. I spent my day with my family. Our traditional Christmas morning casserole for breakfast, my sister playing 'gift fairy' as we opened our gifts, a big Christmas lunch, lounging around, game playing, driving around to look at Christmas lights, and it's midnight and I'm still in my pjs! I savor the time where all of my family is together--it doesn't happen often enough. Time spent together, with no agenda or plans and there's no place to be...it's wonderful!

Anyway, blessings to you and your family! I love you all and I am so grateful for each of you--for your prayers, love, support, and just for reading my random thoughts and following me on this journey.

This photos just made my Christmas! It's a picture of Koiboi ("my son") receiving his Christmas gift in Liberia yesterday. I was immediately excited to see how great he looks...and then my heart hurt--I wanted to scoop him up and give him hugs and kisses! And, then I couldn't stop thinking, "look how big and good he looks!" So, from Liberia to Atlanta to you, Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Playing Catch Up

Things have been so crazy around here the past few weeks! And, I've been lazy and have been sick and tired of starring at my computer, so I haven't made any posts. But, to catch you all up on what's been going on around here....well, there's alot!

Last Monday, my mom and Jake (fellow New Hoper) left Liberia. They were here for 10 days, and other than a trip to the ER, and the loss of 2 days for Jake, it was great! It was awesome to have my mom back in Liberia and the kids loved it! We spent half of our time working on the new Danny Feeney Orphanage in Cottontree and the other half of the time we did the usual Child Development Program activities. They brought a fun foam cross craft and plenty of glitter and shiny-shine to keep the kids happy! We were able to take in Monrovia, make it to Robertsport and visit old friends from my BJCCV days. The 10 days flew by too quickly and we had a jam packed 10 days! Here are 10 days in photos. [click to enlarge]

Eh, Liberia!

Merry Christmas!

I hope that you had a wonderful day, filled with family, friends, togetherness, food and laughs, but most importantly, I hope that you took a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Christ was born, so that we might live! God sent His Son to Earth, to dwell among us and no matter what, He continues to love and guide us! How awesome is that!?

This Christmas has felt different to me. It's not about December 25th, the gifts, the mad shopping, the decorations or anything that culture tells us today should be about. Christmas is about celebrating Christ's birth, while being surrounded by my family! We've laughed and cried this Christmas. I've had those moments of wishing I were in Liberia this Christmas. But then I sit in the living room and look around at the people that I'm surrounded by (while playing a mean game of Mafia) and am so grateful that I am here, right now, today, in a room full of love, happiness, comfort and joy.

And then, to see the video that's above--joyful kids in Liberia, experiencing Christmas. Thank you to everyone who donated a Christmas bundle--more than 300 bundles were delivered! I am continually grateful for the opportunity that God has given me to be His hands and feet to orphans in Liberia. I am thankful for all of you--the people who pray for me, love me, support me, read my blogs and send me emails of encouragement. I am also extremely grateful for my ORR family! I hate that I'm missing out on being with them right now, but that just makes my return all the sweeter!

God is SO good and SO faithful! His goodness and faithfulness started long before you and I were here, and His love and grace are definitely more than we deserve!

(And on another tangent...)

As my mom and I were preparing Christmas Eve dinner for 14 yesterday, we were blasting Chris Tomlin's Christmas album, Glory in the Highest. We started talking about our favorite Christmas songs. Now, I will admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas music. I can't stand it when that's all you hear starting the day after Thanksgiving (I think it's a combo of working in retail and radio for years--you hear it non-stop at both places.) But, when my mom asked me what my favorite song was, I replied, "I don't know why, but this year, a particular song has just stood out to me, and I LOVE it." So, I'll wrap my Christmas post up with the lyrics...I feel like it encompasses all that Christmas is about

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining.

Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another,

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

With all our hearts we praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

His power and glory ever more proclaim!

I Love Fall...minus this cold stuff!

I've been waiting for fall to come! I haven't experienced fall for two years, and I love it when the leaves are falling off the trees, but you can still crunch around on them in your flip-flops and long-sleeves. Fall has arrived in Georgia, but I don't think this Liberian girl will be able to handle it. And I know I'm going to be pretty miserable come winter.

This past weekend, my family and some of our friends went on our annual trip to North Georgia. This trip always includes visits to: the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, Amicalola Falls, and the corn maze. It was a great time with my family and friends, and there was plenty of good food and outdoor activities to be had....but, DANG it was cold! As we sat and had our picnic at Amicalola Falls in the 44 degree weather, I was miserable. I ate quickly and then got in the car and cranked up the heat! Everyone else had gathered around the fire in the grill, left by our picnicking neighbors, to warm their hands, haha. I really didn't think I'd be able to last much longer, but the hike down the falls warmed me up. And somehow, miraculously, I was semi-warm (relative term, here) at the corn maze for alittle bit. I'd have to say that the day's highlights included: spending time with my family and friends, being in God's creation...even if it's freezing, warm apple fritters and racing through the corn maze at night!

And, for entertainment purposes, here's what I was wearing (and still freezing!): one tank top, one thick long sleeve shirt, one sweatshirt-like hoodie, one fleece hoodie, another sweatshirt-like hoodie, my winter coat, 3 pairs of socks (my feet are always cold when I'm in America), a scarf, gloves, and all three of the hoodie hoods on! Yes, I felt like a fat kid all bundled up in a snowsuit, or a fat marshmallow, but I'm not convinced on the whole layer thing actually working anymore!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the day.

[Group shot, minus my dad--the photographer--and John Ryan who was guarding his pumpkin.]

[The Hardy kiddos]

[View from the top and view from the bottom]

[John Ryan documented my 'Ode to Cold Dance', in fat marshmallow style. Pretty good job, eh?]

Happy Fall!

Weekend Update

This was a great weekend!

Yesterday, I woke up and the went to my local library's book sale. I scored! Ten books for $5.50!

Then I whipped up a purse while I waited for Juju to wake up.

Dinner at Wings 'n Things with the whole family...mom, dad, Lauren, David, Juju, Daniel, Les, John Ryan, Sarah and baby-to-be. I ate delicious wings and drank too much fizzy fountain coke (I can't drink canned coke anymore...it tastes nasty compared to Liberian coke).
Then we came home and John Ryan had us on the floor playing with Legos for hours. It felt like Christmas morning, except we weren't in our pjs.
This morning was church, and then I spent the whole afternoon sewing.

P.S. I think I need a craft room. I've been taking over the dining room...and I hate to have to keep packing everything up and then getting everything back out.

A New Perspective: Guest Blogger

The following post was written by my mom. She has just returned home from spending 2 weeks with me here in Liberia. This was her first time to Liberia and her first time to Africa. Here are some of her inital thoughts.

I realize now that I was afraid to go to Liberia. I wanted to visit my daughter and see what her life is like, but sometimes, ignorance is bliss. It’s like the lyrics from the song Please Don’t Send Me to Africa:

Please don't send me to Africa

I don't think I've got what it takes

I'm just a man, I'm not a Tarzan

Don't like lions, gorillas or snakes

I'll serve you here in suburbia

In my comfortable middle class life

But please don't send me out into the bush

Where the natives are restless at night

I knew that I would be taken out of my comfort zone and wasn’t looking forward to it; I dreaded the heat, the absence of electricity and running water, and the 2 meals per day eating plan. But then a funny thing happened. Despite the lack of modern conveniences, I fell in love with the people of Liberia. I saw people who should have been sad, mad, depressed, or hopeless; instead, they were joyful, gracious, hospitable, and hopeful. The orphans that I met were beautiful and without the angry attitude that so many western kids have adopted.

God hasn’t called me to live in Africa, but my perspective will never be the same again. Africans are no longer an abstract thought or just pictures in a book. They’re lovely people who have years of hard work ahead of them just to get back to the standard of living they enjoyed before the war destroyed their country.

Yesterday I had breakfast with 2 ladies I met while in Liberia; we laughed together about the ridiculousness and cried together about the impact that trip has had on our lives. We’ll be forever friends because we shared an experience that no one else can relate to. If you ever get the chance to have your perspective changed, take it. It will be scary and it may not be painless, but it will be worth it. It will make you appreciate God’s blessings and forever change how you view the world.

A Few of My Favorites

After spending 2 weeks with me in Liberia, I put my mom on a plane yesterday to head home. In my mom's words, "the 2 weeks went by really fast, but they were also very slow." It was great to have my mom here--meeting the people she's heard so much about, spending time with the children, experiencing Liberia and seeing the ORR field team hard at work. It's really nice to have a new ambassador for me at home, who can speak first hand about Liberia, the children and ORR's ministry here. I know, I said my mom would be a guest blogger...and she still will be...but she will write once she's home and able to reflect. In the meantime, here are a few (ok, more than a few) pictures from the last 2 weeks.