Joy to the World - Celebrating Christmas At LMI

Although a White Christmas was out of the question, holiday cheer was in great abundance nonetheless here at Liberia Mission. How excited were the children? Let's just say that they were singing Christmas carols for a good six weeks before the big day. The complete lyrics to "Joy to the World" are now forever etched in my brain.
 

In the days leading up to Christmas, everyone here pitched in and got into the holiday spirit. The house parents carefully picked out gifts for all of the children and organized fun activities. Brother Lawrence planned our mass schedule. Chris strung Christmas lights on the lonely little tree in the boys' house courtyard, echoing the Charlie Brown Christmas  tale. And of course, yummy goodies were whipped up, including Christmas cookies baked Liberian-style on a charcoal stove! We were also blessed to have Sue and Erica Dewan here to spend time with the children and spread holiday cheer. 

  
On Christmas Eve, we celebrated mass with an evening Vigil. The children put on a drama recounting the birth of Jesus, complete with a Liberian-style crèche and a boy who portrayed an angel by beatifically flapping his arms. The next day, we celebrated Jesus' birth with a song-filled morning mass, followed by a fantastic special meal, prayers of thanksgiving, and of course, a visit from Santa!

As an aside, here's a helpful tip for would-be Santas: although toothpaste may seem like a good idea for keeping cotton balls stuck to your face (i.e. as a makeshift Santa beard), the minty freshness eventually turns into an unrelenting stinging sensation, somewhere along the continuum between aftershave and battery acid.
 

Putting aside this minor wardrobe malfunction, Santa and his helpers cheerfully gave out presents to the eager children. In turn, the children surprised our house parents by presenting each of them with a gift that they had created themselves (including paintings and homemade shirts). We also read letters from new and old friends in America, including the women's soccer team at Seton Hill University and former directors Jerome and Clarisa. We finally ended the day with a friendly soccer match at a nearby orphanage. (We won 3-1.). 
 

Dr. Brian Chan, Medical Director

Field Trip!  

Field Trip!!  These two words excite most children and the ones at

the Mission are no different.  During the Christmas break, fifteen of the children excitedly piled into the truck and van and were taken to the National Museum of Liberia.  While small, it is the only museum in Liberia.  The staff at the museum are trying hard to collect items and improve the exhibit. They need support as it grows and our children need more exposure to their country and history in order to fan their desire to be future leaders of Liberia.  
 

The tour guide led the children through two floors of pictures, artifacts, and models.  The displays focused primarily on life in the bush, particularly how it was before the war.  Very little at the museum was about the war.  While it did not ignore the fact, it also did not focus on the war.  When asked about the trip, most of the children recounted the old Liberian coins and former President Tolbert's chair as the most interesting items they saw.  
 

After the museum, the children were treated to icey treats before walking to the J.J. Roberts monument, which is on the tallest hill in the city.  The view from the top was limited due to a thick haze but they could see the port and the ocean.  On the drive home, we wove through the city so they could see some of the important government buildings and sites.  One of the girls who has been at the mission since 2004 told stories about when the mission was smaller it was not unusual to go on field trips. She loved seeing and learning more about her country Liberia.  We're hoping to provide more opportunities for the children to do this to give them more exposure to their country and culture.  While there are few educational sites to visit, we'll definitely be bringing some more groups to visit the museum!
 

It was a memorable Christmas, full of the gifts of the season and delightfully different from any other Christmas I've ever experienced. And, as always, we're grateful to all of you whose support made our joyous and meaningful holiday season possible. Happy New Year!

Your Prayers Needed for New Ministry

"...what I learned changed my outlook..." - a Volunteer Reflection 

My first day was rough, but the last day was the hardest. The time change made it nearly impossible to sleep the first night, which made the next morning even more difficult. It was hot, uncomfortable, nerve-racking and disorienting; it was nothing like any of my other trips. I've traveled a lot with my family, but the thought of traveling to Africa never crossed my mind. One day my dad jokingly asked me if I would be interested in going to Liberia with him; I playfully said "all rightee" and walked away. I didn't realize he was serious, and he didn't realize I was joking. I was later shocked to find out that the trip was on and I was going! My parents have been part of Liberia Mission, a nonprofit organization that runs a mission school, which relies on sponsors to help citizens in Liberia help themselves. I knew I would be there for ten days, but nobody told me what to expect during my mission trip to Liberia, West Africa. What I found was not expected, but what I learned changed my outlook on life.
 

My dad and I spent almost twenty-four hours on planes, in airports, and in cars before finally arriving at the mission. As soon as we arrived at the school, about thirty Liberian boys excitedly sprinted towards the car and unloaded our luggage; each of the boys greeted us with handshakes and hugs. Though we spoke the same language, it was nearly impossible to understand what the boys were saying! They each told me their names, which I forgot instantly. There were about 15 other volunteers there from Liberia Mission and Teach Peace Foundation, so I was relieved to see a few familiar faces. Each of the volunteers assured me that it would get easier after a few days, but I was doubtful.
 

On my first full day in Liberia, I got a tour of the property and became familiar with the school. Eventually, I learned most of the 50 boys' and girls' names, and we became really close. One of my jobs was to videotape the students for their sponsors. The boys and girls were fascinated by my electronics, and in my free time I taught them how to use my camera, video camera, and iPod. When I was not using my camera, one of the kids would inevitably take it, returning the camera with the battery dead but also filled with hundreds of pictures of the boys and girls playing, working, dancing, and many pictures taken of the ground. After I interviewed the students for their sponsors, I videotaped them doing other things, such as dancing, playing soccer, singing, or jumping rope, so that his or her sponsor could witness their sponsor child's amazing talents.
 

In their videos, all the children expressed their gratitude to their sponsors, and that's when I realized how easy I have it. Every day, each older girl in the mission had to carry water from the well on her head, hand wash her clothes, and help take care of the younger girls; the boys washed their own dishes and then helped us wash ours, took care of their many animals and worked in the fields. On a typical summer day back in Chicago, I sat around and watched television or hung out with friends. I always considered summer a break for everyone everywhere. It never crossed my mind that not all kids got to just hang out over the summer.
 

Until the day I left, the Liberia Mission kids were always smiling, playing, asking questions, braiding my hair, working, and never complaining. They were all incredibly loving and friendlier than anyone I've ever met! One day a nearby town threw a party, but it was really an opportunity to thank God for their abundance. Though the Liberians are so poor and have so little, they make up what they lack with their wealth of faith. On my last day several kids cried and begged me to stay. I promised to visit them again within the next year. Leaving was the hardest part of my trip because although I was returning to my Chicago family, I was leaving my new family. I think about them every day.
 

Before going to Africa, I knew I was exceptionally privileged, but I was never fully aware of how fortunate I was. I am much more appreciative of what I have since I returned from Africa. I now have a better understanding of true happiness versus materialistic happiness because I noticed how cheerful the Liberians were without having any of the material things we have in America. Happiness has nothing to do with how much you have, and everything to do with your outlook on life.
 

Erica Dewan
Loyola Academy high school student and LMI volunteer

Blessing the New Classrooms

For a reflection on the events of the past two years with APUFRAM and MHI, please see John Dewan's "What Would You Do in My Shoes" here.