Today's Construction Update

Things continue to move forward on The Green House! Two nights ago, we had an all-out Liberians thunderstorm. I laid in bed praying at 2am that it would stop, because half of the house didn’t have zinc on it. I was scared to arrive yesterday, as I didn’t want to see the damage. The guys had poked holes in the soggy wood ceiling tiles to let the water drain out into buckets and there were puddles everywhere. The carpenter roofed that half of the house yesterday, just in case there were any more surprise showers. He also completed the clear, plastic zinc that goes above the outdoor kitchen on the back of the house.

Today's progress!

Things on the fence are progressing nicely. All trenches are dug, and they did the foundation and began laying cement block on the front portion. There are about five guys doing all of the work…plus a woman named Remember. When I saw her yesterday, she was drawing water from the well, so I thought that was her job (it’s common for women to draw water for mixing the cement). Then last night, I was informed that she was a mason, and she was laying block. She told me that, “woman can do anything man can do.” All that I could say was, “You go girl!”

Today, the carpenter is working on the other half of the roof, while the rest of the guys and Remember are working on the fence. Once the carpenter is finished with the roof, he will move on to the roof on the palava hut. The guys will continue to work on the fence until it is complete, which should hopefully be sometime late this week or early next week. Then it will be time to paint the exterior, and move inside to do the paint, floors, window screens, light fixtures, etc.

Old zinc in foreground, new zinc in background.

Like I mentioned before, a huge blessing is that electricity poles are one block from the house! This means I will be able to have 24/7 electricity, and for a fraction of the price of buying, fueling and maintaining a generator for only very limited electricity. Uncle Sam and I sat down this morning to fill out the application form, so we will see how long it takes for them to get back to me. Apparently, they will come out to do an assessment, I will go buy a breaker, they will install a meter and then poles and wires will be run. This is such a HUGE answer to prayer!

Trokon laying block.

Foundation and casting of steel rods.

I still have to pinch myself when I step back and look at how quickly things are progressing! We are not on African time! The ease and quickness are both an answer many prayers! Working with Uncle Sam has been great, and the construction guys are starting to warm up to me. Whenever I go there now, they each want their photo taken while they’re working. They also think it’s pretty funny when I climb up on the roof in a skirt. 

Community children drawing their evening water.

One thing you can pray about is how to best capture the stories of the people in Cooper Beach. My plan was to walk around the community and talk to people, and then document their stories. Because I have to walk back to where I’m staying before dark, really the only time to do this is in the heat of the day. Thankfully there has been a cool breeze every day, but I don’t want to look like a lobster and be miserable either. I’ve also continued to pray for divine appointments with people in the community, as well as with potential partners or people who can contribute their time or skills at the community center.

Progress!

The internet has been down yesterday and today, but I have been so excited to share the progress on The Green House with you! I’m writing this Monday afternoon, however, I’m not sure when I will have internet and be able to post the update.

It has been a very busy weekend around The Green House! The yard and the house are transforming before my eyes! This weekend, the landlord (Uncle Sam), really rallied his guys to get things moving. He had two dump truck loads of sand, along with one dump truck load of crushed rock, delivered for the foundation for the fence. Building a fence is back-breaking work here in Liberia! They had to cut down all of the bamboo that fenced in the property, dig up the roots and then dig the 3-4 foot deep trenches that will be the foundation for the fence. Uncle Sam also had the cement blocks, steel rod and bundles of zinc delivered.

On Sunday, the guys dug the trench for the front fence, and they’ve been working hard today on digging the trench on the side of the house. Let me tell you, the sun is hot today…and they’re moving hundreds of pounds of sand one shovel full at a time. The carpenter also came today and has already removed the old zinc off of half of the house. He is fixing beams, setting lines and getting things ready to put the new zinc on over the next few days.

The plan is to work simultaneously on the roof and the fence. After all of the cement dust settles, they will move inside and start the painting, laying tile and all of the other small tasks. The roof should be finished by the end of the week, and the fence will probably take 1-2 weeks. The welder is also working on the steel gate for the fence so that it will be ready to hang once the fence is finished.

A very exciting discovery is that LEC (Liberian electricity) has poles along the main highway, so I will be able to have electricity at the house! This is HUGE! I have been debating about what to do for electricity, and this is the best, easiest and most cost efficient option. We haven’t had electricity in this area the entire time I’ve been in Liberia, so the timing is absolutely perfect! Once I have internet again, I will fill out a hook-up request form online and submit it to start the process of getting electricity!

I have been surprised at how fast things are moving—talk about an answer to prayer! All of my dealings with Uncle Sam have been easy, and we’ve sat around the palava hut in the heat of the day just talking. One of my prayers has been that he would really catch the vision and get behind the dream, and I hope that in sharing my story with him, he has been able to see how God has been moving, working, answering prayers and providing to make this a reality.

Day 8--Emmanuel

{Emmanuel wants his children's dreams to come true!}

Yesterday I shared the story of Jogma with you. Today I’m going to share the story of her father, Emmanuel. Emmanuel and his wife Evelyn are the directors of an orphanage that houses 33 children. They have three biological children (Jogma and two younger daughters), but their huge hearts enable them to love and nurture 30 other children as well! I don’t know how they do it! They have also endured alot--two armed robberies, children becoming teenagers and making poor choices, the death of Emmanuel’s mother--but they press on. They also are very familiar with plenty and want. They know hardship, hunger, terror and suffering; but laugher, joy, hope, determination and love abound!

{Emmanuel teaching a computer class in the school building that he built with dirt, mud, rock and his hands}

Emmanuel is the hardest working orphanage director that I’ve ever met, by far. Not only is he a parent to 33 children, but he also juggles running a school for more than 100 community children, running a successful cold water business, up keeping a large garden, and his hands are always dirty because you can usually find him making mud blocks for another one of his construction projects. Oh yeah! He also teaches adults about computers and wants to start a driving school. And, he coaches and plays on a community football team with young men and kids.

{One of my favorites...a father watching over his children}

Emmanuel and Evelyn don’t just sit back and wait for free handouts. They are constantly doing things for themselves. We dug them a clean water well about two years ago, and Emmanuel decided to start a cool water business. When I left Liberia, he was making a new building to house the generator and freezers for his business out of handmade dirt blocks. He is such a hardworking man! 

{Evelyn and I sorting out seeds for their garden}

Emmanuel isn’t the only entrepreneur and hard worker. His wife Evelyn is the main caretaker for the kids--she lines them up everyday for baths, medicine, lotion, powder, fixing hair, brushing teeth and meals. She is the master gardener--they grow enough vegetables to eat at least a few meals a week from the garden. Evelyn also in the charge of the cool water business. She fills bags, ties them, loads up coolers of people who sell their water and handles all of the finances. She also holds sewing classes for the girls in the orphanage, but also teaches women in the community how to sew. And, four months ago, Evelyn added grandmother to her list of duties.

{Evelyn holding a sleeping Eddy}

Emmanuel and Evelyn truly care for their children, and it is so evident. Their living situations are modest, at best. They take care of what they’re given. They have managed to create a warm and inviting home for their children, and for the constant stream of visitors who want to see an orphanage director doing things right. Emmanuel and Evelyn have high expectations, hopes and dreams for their children. Emmanuel never finished college and has spent his life working very hard. He wants his children to have the opportunity to go to college and to have a job. That’s why he opened a school for the community--because education is so important to him! 

{An afternoon under the plum tree with Emmanuel} 

Those hot afternoons under the plum trees that I talked about yesterday...Emmanuel and Evelyn are frequent participants in the dancing, singing and laughing. Emmanuel will take a break from back-breaking work to sit down and laugh. Some days, he just can’t stop laughing and it makes me giggle to watch a grown man turn into a child! Emmanuel is not just an orphanage director, but he is a friend. We share rice, stories, joys and hardships together. And he loves my cake! Emmanuel greets me with a hug on every visit, and loves to grab my hand (or if he’s covered in dirt, then he extends the top of his wrist--the Liberian way) and show me what he’s working on that day. 

We have big dreams in the upcoming year for Emmanuel, Evelyn, Jogma and the rest of the children! We have a dream for a new combined school and dormitory, along with a new security fence. Construction began on the security fence a few weeks ago, and we can't wait until it is complete. We are currently raising funds to start on the school and dorm. You will see below what their current school looks like, and what we hope to provide for them.

Your action steps for today are: PRAY. Pray for Emmanuel and Evelyn--for strength, energy, wisdom, rest and renewal. Pray that God would reign in their home. Pray for safety, security and good health for them and their children. Pray that God would bless them for their sacrifices and that He would bless them beyond measure for their genuine love and care for their children. Pray that God would enable us so that we can better empower Emmanuel and Evelyn--for their sake and for the sake of their children. Join us in making Emmanuel's dream come true by clicking here to donate.

{Rendering of orphanage property and the dreams we have for Emmanuel, Evelyn and their children}

Danny Feeney Grand Opening!!

The homemade invitations that were hanging on trees...awesome!

It was a stormy morning in Cottontree.

The community gathered to welcome the children.

The dining hall was converted for the program.

Bunkbeds, linens, mosquito nets and teddy bears waited for the children.

The girls approve!

Presenting Salome with the dedication plaque.

Hon. Minister Geebro, as well other VIPs got the grand tour.

The group shot with all of the kiddos!

More photos and videos to come!

In the meantime, here is an article that our good friend wrote about the grand opening.

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!

Dear HeartCry

This post is a super-huge thank you to my HeartCry/New Hope family! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been overwhelmed with love, words of encouragement, and treats--lots of treats! Chic-Fil-A sandwiches, Clif bars, granola bars, gum, vitamins, chips, body spray, lotion, things to make my tired feet pretty, etc. etc. Thank you also for all of your notes and cards...you guys are the best! I really wish that you could all be here!!

I wanted to give you all a quick update, and some photos. First, my mom and Jake arrived safe and sound. They both adjusted quickly, and we headed to Cottontree on Saturday afternoon to check out the new orphanage. I hadn't been there in a long time; and it looks awesome! On Monday, mom and Jake got to meet the Danny Feeney kids, and we had a fun cross craft for them. Then today, we went back up to Cottontree to start painting. Jake and I knocked out stenciling Samuel 7:10 on the wall in the dining hall. It looks GREAT! Then we joined my mom and painted the boy's hallway with polka-dots and stars. Tomorrow, mom and Jake will finish the boy's hall and then also do the girl's hallway with butterflies and flowers. Oh, and we also bought mosquito nets today, and they will be hung as soon as the bunk beds are put together. Here are a few photos from the construction site.

Danny Feeney (Gold Child) Update

[How about that beautiful building...a beautiful new ORR truck?!]

Just an FYI: Gold Child Orphanage Home recently inc

orporated under the new name Danny Feeney Memorial Orphanage Home. Gold Child will now be referred to as Danny Feeney.

The construction in Cotton Tree is moving right along! Thanks to the $30,000 that was raised back in November at the HeartCry dinner and auction, the new home will be completed. Matt and the construction guys have been hard at work because Matt is leaving Liberia on May 24th, and things need to be close to done by then. Plans are underway for a grand opening ceremony, as well as trying to figure out when we will be able to move the children.

Right now, the crew is working on the latrines. We've been having alot of rain, which has made cement mixing and pouring interesting, but the slab will be poured tomorrow. There were a few attempts at drilling a well about a month or so ago, without success. We just got news that two organizations are partnering together to drill the well, install the apron and hand pump, and pay for it! Another answer to prayer!

The building is looking amazing! I am looking forward to making the house a home for the children, and I absolutely cannot wait to move the kids into their new place!

Here are a few pictures of the project from a few weeks ago.

[Working on the latrines]

[The inside...before the ceiling, but still looking awesome!]

[Inside one of the bedrooms. Matt did an awesome job on the ceiling and sky lights!]

You can be praying for strength and energy for Matt and his guys. They are working really hard, out in the hot sun, all day long! Also, pray that the rains hold off so they can finish the latrine casting. Pray for the 37 kids who will call this home in just a few short months!

Gold Child Construction Update

Blue Skies at Mother Harley's

The construction project at Mother Harley's is in full swing. We have had a week of rain-free days! This is a huge answer to prayer because right now, half of the building has no roof, while the other half has a badly leaking roof. Thing are moving right along and progress is being made towards making the home safe and dry for the 40 children who live there. Thank you all so much for your prayers--keep praying for blue skies for the next few weeks!

Salome's Construction Update

The Pink Latrine

For those of you who get my monthly newsletter, here is a picture of the completed latrine at Mother Wleh's! I spent last Friday afternoon painting away in the hot Liberian sun. The latrine was supposed to be red, but you have to love Liberian paint! I've been itching to do art with the kids, so we decided to get the kids involved, and let them put their handprints on the bottom! We had alot of fun! Mother Wleh's children now have 4 brand new latrines and 4 shower blocks! That's Mother Wleh in the picture.