We sometimes have interesting neighbors sail in and drop anchor in the Monrovia port. This futuristic-Star-Wars looking vessel is a US Naval High Speed Vessel used for primarily humanitarian efforts. It arrived to Liberia to help foster diplomatic relations by delivering a load of medicine to certain clinics around Monrovia. It was also running some training exercise as to how it can best serve as a quickly deployed mobile platform for special forces during combat situations. I don't totally understand it all but it looks cool. One of the Naval officer who gave us a tour said it's kind of an odd ball mission, evidently the Navy does have too many Catamarans in its fleet. This one is based out of Texas. I think you can click on the picture to enlarge the image.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
New in the neighborhood
We sometimes have interesting neighbors sail in and drop anchor in the Monrovia port. This futuristic-Star-Wars looking vessel is a US Naval High Speed Vessel used for primarily humanitarian efforts. It arrived to Liberia to help foster diplomatic relations by delivering a load of medicine to certain clinics around Monrovia. It was also running some training exercise as to how it can best serve as a quickly deployed mobile platform for special forces during combat situations. I don't totally understand it all but it looks cool. One of the Naval officer who gave us a tour said it's kind of an odd ball mission, evidently the Navy does have too many Catamarans in its fleet. This one is based out of Texas. I think you can click on the picture to enlarge the image.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Hope for Liberia
I glimpsed this past week a glimmer hope as the HIV team attendind a pastor conference outside of Monrovia. Hope for Liberia…hope for the church of Liberia…hope for the next generation.
There is a great line in the movie Amazing Grace. It’s at a turning point in the movie when William Wilberforce’s fiancé is encouraging him to take up the legislative fight against slavery for a second time. To paraphrase her statement, she says, ‘People were afraid, they are ready now…when people stop fearing they rediscover their compassion.’ It’s a line from the movie that has come to mind several times as I consider the fear the people of Liberia have towards those infected with HIV. It’s a fear that extends beyond people who are HIV+, it’s a deeply rooted fear towards all sickness and illness. It is fear that results in the ill being rejected and isolated. A fear that is rooted in African Spiritualism, ‘juju’ is the local term used to describe witchcraft and curses. Sudden unexplained, death is startlingly common here in Liberia. ‘African sickness’ is another term the Liberians use to explain these bazaar unexpected deaths. A western mind cannot understand such things. I don’t doubt the reality of evil but I know the power to God is stronger.
This past week I saw this fear overcome as I watched Agnes, an HIV+ friend, share her story with a church full of pastors and church leaders. I saw this fear overcome as following her testimony the entire assembly stood, wiping the tears from their eyes and prayed for Agnes. I saw the compassion on their faces as they moved to shake her hand, offer a word of encouragement, and embrace her. It gave me hope because it reminded me that the people of Liberia are compassionate. I forget sometimes when I hear numerous accounts of husbands beating their wives, when I see the rough interaction between mothers and their children in the market, when I see an older sibling beating a younger sibling, when I see a thief being beaten to death on the street by an angry mob who want justice. Fear makes people forget their compassion. And yet…compassion can be reawakened. Compassion may be fragile but it is also tenacious.
There is a great line in the movie Amazing Grace. It’s at a turning point in the movie when William Wilberforce’s fiancé is encouraging him to take up the legislative fight against slavery for a second time. To paraphrase her statement, she says, ‘People were afraid, they are ready now…when people stop fearing they rediscover their compassion.’ It’s a line from the movie that has come to mind several times as I consider the fear the people of Liberia have towards those infected with HIV. It’s a fear that extends beyond people who are HIV+, it’s a deeply rooted fear towards all sickness and illness. It is fear that results in the ill being rejected and isolated. A fear that is rooted in African Spiritualism, ‘juju’ is the local term used to describe witchcraft and curses. Sudden unexplained, death is startlingly common here in Liberia. ‘African sickness’ is another term the Liberians use to explain these bazaar unexpected deaths. A western mind cannot understand such things. I don’t doubt the reality of evil but I know the power to God is stronger.
This past week I saw this fear overcome as I watched Agnes, an HIV+ friend, share her story with a church full of pastors and church leaders. I saw this fear overcome as following her testimony the entire assembly stood, wiping the tears from their eyes and prayed for Agnes. I saw the compassion on their faces as they moved to shake her hand, offer a word of encouragement, and embrace her. It gave me hope because it reminded me that the people of Liberia are compassionate. I forget sometimes when I hear numerous accounts of husbands beating their wives, when I see the rough interaction between mothers and their children in the market, when I see an older sibling beating a younger sibling, when I see a thief being beaten to death on the street by an angry mob who want justice. Fear makes people forget their compassion. And yet…compassion can be reawakened. Compassion may be fragile but it is also tenacious.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Faces of Liberia!!
All these Pictures are from our medical screening day which was held Februay 18th at a local soccer staduim. It's the day we select patients for surgury. A little girl spectating the days events. (Left)
A mother waiting with her young child. (Left)
People camped out the night before to reserve a place in line. People started lining up by 4AM, many waited in the sun all day to be seen by our doctors.
A bit curious...a bit shy (Left)
I think old people have the most charming faces. It doesn't matter what country they are from, the lines on their faces tell a story. Her face captures the essesce of dignity, sorrow, and perseverence don't you think? Notice the long line pictured in the background. (Left)
You'll have to click to enlarge this one, her face is captivating. Umbrellas are an important source of portable shade in West Africa. Old People are held in the highest respect in Africa.
Sister Renette
Yesterday I spent some time with a few of my nun friends, inspirational ladies. To hear Sis. Renette say she is only allowed to go home for 3 wks every 10 years puts my own small sacrifice of being away from family into better perspective.
"Christianity is a condition of absolute simplicity, costing not less than everything" T.S. Elliot
"Christianity is a condition of absolute simplicity, costing not less than everything" T.S. Elliot
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