So Many Blessings

As volunteer coordinator, I have many responsibilities as teams come in... making sure their lodging is booked and ready to go, planning meals, making sure we have everything they need during their stay here, scheduling outings, devotions, coordinating the work days with the construction manager, transporting them to and from Yekepa to Monrovia, making sure everyone gets the souvenirs they want, tour guide of Monrovia, nurse, house mom, and hosting the celebration meal.

The celebration meal is done with every team that comes to ABC, culturally sharing a meal with the Liberians before the team departs. Each day the team is here, they are teaming up with 40 Liberian men, working side by side to accomplish the goal. These 40 men and the 4-5 women I work with, are some of the most incredible people I have ever met. I thoroughly enjoy greeting them, talking with them, visiting their families, and working with them. I am truly blessed to know them.

Today we had our fifth celebration meal, and it was close to perfect. In true African form, I was given the opportunity to lead the singing after the meal. After much singing and dancing there was a time of sharing with each other. I hope you at some point in your life, are able to share the bond of Christ with someone whose life is totally different from yours... within such a short period of time. To hear the love pouring out between teams today just made my heart want to burst and most eyes were teary. God was there today. I think we all felt Him.

Just now, one of my ladies came to tell me thank you... "Thank you Joni for the way you work with us. You don't take us for granted.. you remember us... you tell me throughout the day that you are thankful for my work. I won't forget that Joni, I won't forget you."

My cup overflows as I write this. Are there sacrifices in living overseas? Yes, many. But the blessings we receive through relationships FAR out weigh the sacrifices. I have one last team that arrives next week. A team that I was looking forward to.... but now I'm not so sure because that means I will soon be leaving this place- Yekepa. I will soon have to say goodbye to these wonderful people I can call my brothers and sisters.

Pictures of day to day life

Since it takes quite a long time to upload photos here, I tend to only upload them in one spot instead of multiple. So, if you are interested in seeing some "small doses of Liberia", click on the link below! Enjoy.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=19469&l=e1304&id=502928671

Things are going well here in Yekepa, I am on my second to last team already! Things are moving along and the campus is looking beautiful. My last team will leave at the end of July, and so I will be stepping away from hosting teams and looking at a new role for the remainder of my time here in Liberia. Please pray with me as God leads me to the perfect role. Thanks!