Unexpected Update

[I know...everyone's dying for some photos of the Danny Feeney Grand Opening. Give me a few more days.]

For those of you that don't know, I have been sick and in bed with malaria since Friday. On Friday night, in an attempt to get back into bed before passing out, I fell and badly hurt my foot. On Monday, I was well enough to venture to the hospital for an x-ray. Thankfully, my foot is not broken, but it is badly sprained. After a family meeting, we all agreed that it would be best for me to return home to the States in order to fully recover and get proper medical care. It would be quite the challenge to keep a cast dry during rainy season, and maneuvering around on crutches has already proven to be difficult.

So, I will be leaving Liberia tomorrow at 5:30pm and flying through Accra, Ghana. I will land in Atlanta on Thursday morning at 8:45am. And don't worry, God's timing is perfect, because I will be traveling home with a team from PTCUMC, so they can all help me out!

I have quickly been reminded that our plans don't always work out, but that God's plans are always the best! I don't know why this is happening, but I can only trust that God knows what He's doing and that He has something super great in store for me!

Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support over the past 5 months! They have been the most challenging months yet, and it means the world to me to be surrounded by an army of prayer warriors, encouragers and friends! Please be in prayer for my flights and that my foot would be ok for the 12 hour flight from Accra to Atlanta. Pray as I quickly try to wrap things up here! I already know and realize that I'm just going to have to leave some things undone. Pray for the next few months--that God would reveal His plan for me, in Georgia, during this time and for rest and healing.

Love from Liberia,

Ashley

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.

Happily Ever After

Two weekends ago, the ORR gang traveled to Robertsport to attend the wedding of Andrew (our out-going Country Director) and Brenda (our good friend and dental hygienist). The sunset ceremony was small, simple and beautiful! After some photos on the beach, we sat down to big plates of jollof rice, fried chicken and potato salad--all food items needed for a Liberian celebration! All of the guests stayed in Nana's Lodge, and enjoyed some time on the picture-perfect beach! Here are a few photos:

Michael

I don't think I've talked about Michael on the blog, but he's been in my newsletters and on the ORR blog. You can read more about Michael on the ORR blog--here and here. First of all, thank you to everyone who was praying for him! When I woke up on Wednesday, I was greeted with, "did you hear about Michael?" I said no, and then was told that he had passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours. He died from complications from Hepatitis B--his liver was failing, and he probably lost too much blood. Michael was 18 years old, but he had more faith than me. I visited him in the hospital on Tuesday and he told me that he was praying to walk out of the hospital on Sunday. He also told me that if God calls him Home, then that's fine too. He had peace with life or death; he fully trusted in God. Michael had so much courage and strength. He was an example to us all. We will miss his smile and laugh, but I know that he is in a much better place and his body is whole again!

Nearly two years ago, we lost Massaly. Two children from the orphanage that I was at when I first came to Liberia have been killed. That's 4 children. Dead. Gone. There are so many stages to grief--shock, sadness, guilt, confusion, frustration, anger-- and so many times when all that you can do is ask why. I don't understand how someone can be so faithful, and yet God can still choose to take him away. I really hoped and believed that Michael would walk out of the hospital on Sunday, but he left the hospital early. He went Home. Michael's body was buried on Thursday night, but Michael's smile and faith and courage will continue to inspire and challenge.

I had a peace about Michael's death on Thursday night, as I was in church singing "God of Wonders." It hit me. I was singing about the universe declaring His majesty, and realized that Michael was in the presence of God! And I thought I was the one worshipping, HA! Michael was having a party! I could only smile.

You give and take away, blessed be your name!

Today's Declaration

Keep your foot [give your mind to what you are doing].

Ecclesiastes 5:1

"In spiritual warfare, the mind is the battlefield. That is where the enemy makes his attack. Satan wants you to think that you are mentally deficient--that something is wrong with you. The truth is that you just need to discipline your mind. Don't let it run all over town, doing whatever it pleases. Begin today to "keep your foot," to keep your mind on what you're doing." (New Day, New You)

The Battle

Today is a battle. Everyday is a battle.

The battle has been raging and the trenches have been dark, deep and lonely.

I have been trying to move; to climb out.

I have been stuck; held down.

I have felt heavy; too heavy to lift my eyes.

There has been a thick swarm, buzzing all around me. Spewing lies.

Pecking away at my weary armor.

Beaten, broken and tired; I gave up.

I laid down--looking for rest.

The swarm trapped me on the ground.

There was no escape--or at least, that is how it appeared.

The burden was too heavy; it was all too much.

I was defeated.

The heaviness grew and weighed me down even more.

The lies grew louder--deafening.

I wanted relief, but felt paralyzed.

Paralyzed by lies, fear, doubt, exhaustion...

the enemy was at war.

I couldn't lift my eyes, much less manage to lift my weapon.

I felt alone and unable to fight.

I was drowning.

Everywhere I looked, I could only see the swarm.

I was disoriented--blinded.

Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I was rescued.

Rescued by my Savior.

I was scooped up out of the trenches, and taken away from it all.

The swarm was left all alone, to spew lies to each other.

They tried to follow, but my Protector warned...no, commanded them to stay away.

My eyes could finally see and my ears were opened.

Restoration.

Peace.

Relief.

The darkness and heaviness no longer surrounds me.

The Light has come.

My armor was gently placed back on my body by my Commander.

Whispers of love.

Comfort.

Encouragement.

Hope.

Fills the air.

My Lord is here; ready to fight against the enemy for me.

I cannot fight this battle; it's too complicated and ugly.

My King has sent guards to surround and protect me.

This battle belong to my Lord.

He is victorious.

He has overcome.

I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Acts 2:25-28

Hmm...yea. That's my declaration for this Monday. Let's just say, things have not been easy. But, things are looking up! Thank you all for your love, prayers and support!

Momo's Wedding

[The Passewe family--Soko, Momo, Yatta & Marthalyn]

Preface: For those of you who don't know, Momo is my favorite Liberian. I know, that's saying something, right? But it's true. Momo is my Chief Security Guard, constant source of laughter and entertainment, and the person I miss the most whenever I'm home. As we say, "everyone needs alittle Momo in their life." And, all is well in the world when Momo's around. According to Momo, we're best friends.

Last weekend, most of the ORR gang, along with a flatbed truck full of Liberians, set off for Gbarnga (pronounced Bonga) for Momo and Marthalyn's country wedding. We weren't really sure where we were going, other than 'past Gbarnga and then turn so on the dusty road and it is far small,' but 5.5 hours later, we arrived at the village of the bride-to-be. Let's just say, we were a site to behold!

Now, if you've never experienced a 'country wedding'...well, you haven't had a true Liberian cultural experience; but in most cases, one country wedding is enough to last awhile. But, since this was Momo's (my best friend) big day, I added another country wedding to my Liberian resume. Hmm...there's alot of meeting, negotiating, dowery presenting, rice, and townspeople. Oh yea, and music, livestock, popcorn and waiting around. But, the Passewe wedding was not nearly as painful as the last country wedding I went to.

Ok, back on track. Once we arrived, we weren't really sure what to do. I asked Ma Mary to give us a signal when we should change into our wedding clothes. We decided that when the bride and groom went to change, that would be our cue. But in the mean time, we made friends with the neighborhood kids, enjoyed the shade, visited with the bride's family and watched Ma Mary get right to work in the kitchen (she was supposed to only be a guest).

Once everybody changed, we all gathered under the thatched awning (complete with hanging pink flowers) to settle in for the actual ceremony. This involved alot of introductions, talking, presenting of gifts (wood carvings, glass bowl, kola nuts) and then the money exchange (apparently, $48 plus some small LD is the going rate). This all sounds nice, but if only you could have seen everything else that was going on--the drunk woman yelling at the white people, goats pooping, women popping popcorn, dogs eating popcorn, women chopping chickens into pieces...you get the idea.

Hysterical. Memorable. So Liberian. Loved it. Wish you were there.

After the ceremony, which never included vows, a kiss, a minister, looking into each other's eyes, "I do's"...none of that stuff...the feast began. Rice with bitter ball soup, along with soft drinks, but those were only for the white people. It was good! After that we quickly changed out of our wedding clothes (I couldn't wait because the zipper on my skirt broke as soon as I put it on, which made for awkwardness) and graciously talked our way out of the village and into town to find a guest house. The village party was going to go all night...or at least until the fuel ran out from the generator that was brought in the back of the truck from town.

We decided to try out the United Methodist Guest House in Gbarnga. After we finally found someone on the property, and negotiated the rate ($15/single, $20/double), we claimed rooms and had a delicious dinner of leftovers--boiled eggs, flat bread, trail mix, chips, salsa, guacamole, baked beans and hummus. Ma Mary was loving all of the 'American food.' The guest house was decent, but I picked the wrong bed and had a pretty miserable time until about 3am. We woke up, took our time and headed back to the village to pick up the wedding guests to bring them back to Monrovia with us. Let's just say, the party continued in the back of the flatbed truck, and every now and then, we thought we might have a man overboard. It was a celebration, all 5.5 hours back to Monrovia...until we happened across a fresh motorbike accident, which provided for some excitement and emergency response action for the ORR gang. After unloading the contents of the flatbed truck into the pickup and stabilizing the patient and moving him with a tarp into the back of the flatbed truck, the flatbed set out for the hospital while the rest of us headed home.

It was, for sure, a weekend to remember. Here are a few photos.

[The ORR convoy. The wedding site (Marthalyn's family's home). Making friends with the village children. The wedding caterers (Ma Mary took charge!). Momo's son, Soko, wondered off with my camera (during the ceremony) and took this great self-portrait. The party continues in the back of the flatbed truck.]