Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
beginning of the end.
Today was the first day of my last week in Liberia. I fly back to the states on Sunday, and I am not at all ready to go.
The goodbyes started today, and will continue throughout the week. Many Samaritan's Purse employees have projects in the bush, and are always traveling up country for days and weeks at a time. Joni heads up tomorrow and won't return until Monday, so today was the last time I'll see her....for who knows how long.
That's the hardest part about saying goodbye in this situation; not knowing how long you're saying goodbye for. As long as you and your far-away friend are both in the United States, planes, trains, and automobiles can easily get you together. But when cross-continental travel, thousand dollar airfare and visas are required, planning a trip to see your pals gets complicated. I'm hoping that seeing my friends here again is a matter of "when" and not "if," but realisticaly, this week might very well be the last time I ever see some of them.
In three and a half months they have gone from co-workers to friends and friends to family. And as excited as I am to see my family back home, I am very sad to leave behind the one I found here.
The goodbyes started today, and will continue throughout the week. Many Samaritan's Purse employees have projects in the bush, and are always traveling up country for days and weeks at a time. Joni heads up tomorrow and won't return until Monday, so today was the last time I'll see her....for who knows how long.
That's the hardest part about saying goodbye in this situation; not knowing how long you're saying goodbye for. As long as you and your far-away friend are both in the United States, planes, trains, and automobiles can easily get you together. But when cross-continental travel, thousand dollar airfare and visas are required, planning a trip to see your pals gets complicated. I'm hoping that seeing my friends here again is a matter of "when" and not "if," but realisticaly, this week might very well be the last time I ever see some of them.
In three and a half months they have gone from co-workers to friends and friends to family. And as excited as I am to see my family back home, I am very sad to leave behind the one I found here.
Friday, May 20, 2011
good news.
Today I heard from Sierra Leone that Alberta had her surgery!! Doctors say the surgery went well, and she is currently on the ship recovering.
In other news, the well in the Kendeja community was able to be fixed! Not only did this well supply clean water to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage, but was also the ONLY well in the entire Kendeja community that didn't produce salty water. I am so excited that The A Campaign was able to fund the repairs. Thank you to those who have supported the campaign thus far!
In other news, the well in the Kendeja community was able to be fixed! Not only did this well supply clean water to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage, but was also the ONLY well in the entire Kendeja community that didn't produce salty water. I am so excited that The A Campaign was able to fund the repairs. Thank you to those who have supported the campaign thus far!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
orphanage.
When I learned that the school connected to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage had a soccer team, I immediately asked Seren if LACES could donate a set of uniforms and some new soccer balls. She told me if we had enough equipment to spare, that would be fine. Well I checked into it, and LACES had some extra equipment!
The orphanage barely has enough money to cover the costs of rice and fish, let alone any kind of toys or recreational equipment for the sixteen children living there. When I played soccer as a kid, I remember being SO excited when a box of new jerseys came in. Yes, you can still play a fun game of soccer regardless of what you are wearing...but I think matching uniforms instantly make any kid feel like a part of something special.
The children were excited to receive their new jerseys, but Kristin and I were not so excited about what we found out when we delivered them.
When we donated the uniforms yesterday afternoon, we were surprised to learn that the orphanage only had a few pounds of rice left, and not enough money to buy another bag. In addition to no food, the orphanage had no water.
Let me repeat that. In addition to no food, the orphanage had no water.
Not sure how long it has been going on, but sometime recently the orphanage lost access to its water supply. Apparently the village pump has gone dry, so the orphanage has been forced to spend the little money they had left on buying bottled water from the market.
Kristin, who's family helps out the orphanage when they can, didn't even blink before reaching into her purse to give Ma Dewelie money for more food, and proceeded to offer to drive a few of the older children to the market to go buy it. After saying goodbye to Ma Dewelie an the other children, Kristin, her son Samuel, three of the orphanage children and I loaded up into Kristin's land cruiser and took off to get some rice!
As soon as Kristin got home, she started making calls to find someone who knew something about pumps and wells. Soon enough she found them, and today at 10 AM we are all heading over to the orphanage to see if the problem can be fixed.
I'll update tomorrow about what we find!
In the mean time, please consider a financial contribution to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage. It costs $25 to buy a 100 pound bag of rice, which feeds the sixteen children at the orphange for about two weeks. Visit http://theAcampaign.com to give!
The orphanage barely has enough money to cover the costs of rice and fish, let alone any kind of toys or recreational equipment for the sixteen children living there. When I played soccer as a kid, I remember being SO excited when a box of new jerseys came in. Yes, you can still play a fun game of soccer regardless of what you are wearing...but I think matching uniforms instantly make any kid feel like a part of something special.
The children were excited to receive their new jerseys, but Kristin and I were not so excited about what we found out when we delivered them.
When we donated the uniforms yesterday afternoon, we were surprised to learn that the orphanage only had a few pounds of rice left, and not enough money to buy another bag. In addition to no food, the orphanage had no water.
Let me repeat that. In addition to no food, the orphanage had no water.
Not sure how long it has been going on, but sometime recently the orphanage lost access to its water supply. Apparently the village pump has gone dry, so the orphanage has been forced to spend the little money they had left on buying bottled water from the market.
Kristin, who's family helps out the orphanage when they can, didn't even blink before reaching into her purse to give Ma Dewelie money for more food, and proceeded to offer to drive a few of the older children to the market to go buy it. After saying goodbye to Ma Dewelie an the other children, Kristin, her son Samuel, three of the orphanage children and I loaded up into Kristin's land cruiser and took off to get some rice!
As soon as Kristin got home, she started making calls to find someone who knew something about pumps and wells. Soon enough she found them, and today at 10 AM we are all heading over to the orphanage to see if the problem can be fixed.
I'll update tomorrow about what we find!
In the mean time, please consider a financial contribution to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage. It costs $25 to buy a 100 pound bag of rice, which feeds the sixteen children at the orphange for about two weeks. Visit http://theAcampaign.com to give!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
prayer request.
Alberta is getting surgery TODAY. While I am very excited for her, I am very nervous as well.
Whether you pray five times a day facing Mecca, once a day at the dinner table, or not at all; I am asking you to keep Alberta in your thoughts today.
If you believe in God, ask Him to bring wisdom to her doctors and comfort to her family. If you believe in something else, do whatever it is you do when things are out of your control.
I'll post updates as soon as I receive them. Thank you for your prayers!
Whether you pray five times a day facing Mecca, once a day at the dinner table, or not at all; I am asking you to keep Alberta in your thoughts today.
If you believe in God, ask Him to bring wisdom to her doctors and comfort to her family. If you believe in something else, do whatever it is you do when things are out of your control.
I'll post updates as soon as I receive them. Thank you for your prayers!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
dinner table.
Typically three-year-old Stephen is the one dropping food on the floor or tossing silverware over his shoulder at the Chapman house. Lately, however, six-year-old Samuel (aka Boba Fett) has been having some issues at the dinner table. Unlike Stephen's actions, Samuel's are all accidents; equally as messy, twice as funny.
First, Samuel flips an entire untouched bowl of Ramen noodles onto the floor (see below). Total mess. Fast forward to the next night's meal, and he is practicing his martial arts moves. "No Tae Kwan Do during dinner, Samuel," Kristin says. Thirty seconds later he punches a full glass of Tang across the table. Then today, in an attempt to transfer a large amount of rice from one bowl to another, he accidentally transfers a large amount of rice from one bowl to his lap.
It's been an entertaining few days at the Chapman residence. Can't wait to see what happens during dinner tomorrow!
First, Samuel flips an entire untouched bowl of Ramen noodles onto the floor (see below). Total mess. Fast forward to the next night's meal, and he is practicing his martial arts moves. "No Tae Kwan Do during dinner, Samuel," Kristin says. Thirty seconds later he punches a full glass of Tang across the table. Then today, in an attempt to transfer a large amount of rice from one bowl to another, he accidentally transfers a large amount of rice from one bowl to his lap.
It's been an entertaining few days at the Chapman residence. Can't wait to see what happens during dinner tomorrow!
Monday, May 16, 2011
the bag.
I had a very busy (and very fun) weekend here, and have SO much to blog about! First, I want to update you on what I am most excited about: the A Campaign! Here's a sneak preview of an email going out tomorrow to supporters who have already purchased a bracelet:
The A Campaign is excited to share with you an update about Alberta, as well as introduce you to newest way to wear your support.
With your generous support, the A Campaign’s mission of helping Alberta was accomplished. Alberta and her grandmother journeyed safely to Sierra Leone, and Alberta is currently on the Mercy Ship and scheduled for surgery this Wednesday.
On behalf of Alberta and her family, we at the A Campaign would like to thank you for your financial support. Now let's talk about what happens next.
Instead of calling it quits after helping one child, the campaign continues. We would like to introduce you to Ma Dewelie, tell you her story, and how you can help.
During Liberia’s civil war, countless innocent children lost their lives to senseless violence. But for as many innocent children that died, just as many lived, only now, however, they live as orphans.
During the war, a woman named Ma Dewelie found herself in a group of people fleeing from rebel fighters in Bong County, Liberia. When the group of people came to a bridge, they pushed and shoved to all cross at once. In a mess of panic, Ma was asked by a stranger to watch her three children while she crossed back over the bridge to find the rest of her family. Ma agreed, but as the woman ran back across, the bridge collapsed.
Years later, a friend of Ma’s fell ill and was hospitalized. Ma offered to take care of her friend’s daughter, Mary, until she was back on her feet. As time went by, Mary’s mother never recovered, and she passed away in the hospital.
In the decade that passed since the day on the bridge, Ma Dewelie has taken in sixteen orphaned children as her own. While Ma’s biological children are fully grown, her new family consists of children age three to sixteen. Four years ago, Ma was offered some property to accommodate her ever-growing family, and in 2007, the Ma Dewelie Orphanage was opened.
While some of Ma’s children are true orphans, many have parents that simply cannot afford to take care of them. At Ma’s, however, they are fed and clothed, respected and loved, and sent to school every day to receive an education.
In order to support her sixteen children, Ma sells handmade skirts, and her husband Otis sells handmade drums. As you can imagine, they are struggling to get by, especially with surprises like a leaky roof during rainy season last spring, and the need for measles medication for four kids last summer.
Your contribution to the A Campaign goes directly to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage, helping cover costs of bare necessities like rice for tiny bellies and clothing for growing children.
Support the Ma Dewelie Orphanage and buy the bag THIS WEEK ONLY.
Handmade from authentic African cloth, the messenger-type bag is coming to you all the way from Liberia, home of the Ma Dewelie Orphanage.
If the bag is not your style, donate your voice instead. Tell those who have much how they can help those who have little, and the two different ways they can wear their support.
First you bought the bracelet. Now you can buy the bag.
The A Campaign is excited to share with you an update about Alberta, as well as introduce you to newest way to wear your support.
With your generous support, the A Campaign’s mission of helping Alberta was accomplished. Alberta and her grandmother journeyed safely to Sierra Leone, and Alberta is currently on the Mercy Ship and scheduled for surgery this Wednesday.
On behalf of Alberta and her family, we at the A Campaign would like to thank you for your financial support. Now let's talk about what happens next.
Instead of calling it quits after helping one child, the campaign continues. We would like to introduce you to Ma Dewelie, tell you her story, and how you can help.
During Liberia’s civil war, countless innocent children lost their lives to senseless violence. But for as many innocent children that died, just as many lived, only now, however, they live as orphans.
During the war, a woman named Ma Dewelie found herself in a group of people fleeing from rebel fighters in Bong County, Liberia. When the group of people came to a bridge, they pushed and shoved to all cross at once. In a mess of panic, Ma was asked by a stranger to watch her three children while she crossed back over the bridge to find the rest of her family. Ma agreed, but as the woman ran back across, the bridge collapsed.
Years later, a friend of Ma’s fell ill and was hospitalized. Ma offered to take care of her friend’s daughter, Mary, until she was back on her feet. As time went by, Mary’s mother never recovered, and she passed away in the hospital.
In the decade that passed since the day on the bridge, Ma Dewelie has taken in sixteen orphaned children as her own. While Ma’s biological children are fully grown, her new family consists of children age three to sixteen. Four years ago, Ma was offered some property to accommodate her ever-growing family, and in 2007, the Ma Dewelie Orphanage was opened.
While some of Ma’s children are true orphans, many have parents that simply cannot afford to take care of them. At Ma’s, however, they are fed and clothed, respected and loved, and sent to school every day to receive an education.
In order to support her sixteen children, Ma sells handmade skirts, and her husband Otis sells handmade drums. As you can imagine, they are struggling to get by, especially with surprises like a leaky roof during rainy season last spring, and the need for measles medication for four kids last summer.
Your contribution to the A Campaign goes directly to the Ma Dewelie Orphanage, helping cover costs of bare necessities like rice for tiny bellies and clothing for growing children.
Support the Ma Dewelie Orphanage and buy the bag THIS WEEK ONLY.
Handmade from authentic African cloth, the messenger-type bag is coming to you all the way from Liberia, home of the Ma Dewelie Orphanage.
If the bag is not your style, donate your voice instead. Tell those who have much how they can help those who have little, and the two different ways they can wear their support.
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